Only two weeks removed from some of the worst flooding in Calgary's history, come hell or high water has become the unofficial theme of the 2013 edition of the Calgary Stampede. Today the 101st Stampede kicked off with a parade and things went off without a hitch.
For the next ten days this city will take a break from the flood cleanup and blow off some steam. Awesome!
Keep shooting.
I picked a new spot to shoot Canada Day fireworks this year, right on the Centre Street Bridge where they originate.
I liked the idea of having downtown Calgary in the background but I was not so keen on the one streetlight in the foreground. Composing it out of the frame was possible but I thought the shot lost a lot of context. It wasn't the greatest location but you have to try it in order to find out.
What I did like though was after the fireworks display ended I took pictures of the crowd dispersing and walking back up Centre Street. It produced a really neat effect with the longer exposures.
Keep shooting.
The second day that I volunteered in the one of the hardest flood stricken areas, I brought my camera. I knew there wouldn't be much time to take pictures but I saw some incredible things during my first day of volunteering and there was only going to be one chance to capture them.
Later in the afternoon as we were looking for more people to help, I came across some cars that had been completely swamped in the flood. I peered in the windows and was absolutely blown away seeing the dry, cracked silt peeling away from the seats and dashboard. Even though I had spent the past two days in basements where the high water mark was four or five feet up the walls, I was dumbfounded to see these cars in their post-flood state.
Surprisingly, the doors were unlocked and the interiors were just as the flood waters left them. I was careful not to disturb them as I grabbed a few shots.
I have never seen anything like it.
Keep shooting.
I remember standing on my 21st balcony overlooking the Bow River on the morning of June 20th. The weather forecast a day or two before had called for heavy rains in the mountains but on this particular morning Calgary was enjoying a warm, sunny summer day.
Hours later when I took a break from work and looked over the river once more, the water level had already risen a couple of feet. The bike path under the Louise Bridge had become submerged under the grey, turbid water. Not until several hours later would I realize what was unfolding before me.
I got a new hat last week. I thought it would make a good prop for stock pictures and, you know, just generally wearing around town.
I took it out for a spin today and shot some stock. I like it.
Keep shooting.
Jen and I picked up a cute birdhouse for her mom on the weekend.
I just had to grab some pictures for stock before giving the gift.
Keep shooting.
Last week Jen and I met some friends at Canada Olympic for a bike ride and I managed to get a shot of the beautiful wild crocuses.
Normally when I got out riding I rarely take camera gear but on this particular day I wanted to try out my new Lowepro Flipside Sport 20L AW. I have had the bag for just over a week and I absolutely love it! It has quality construction, it is very light and it stows just the right amount of gear. So far I have taken it on a few walks about town and a couple of bike rides and I am extremely pleased with its performance. It was a very good purchase.
After our first lap we took a quick break and I popped on the backpack full of camera gear. I wanted to try a few action shots and test out the backpack's performance as we completed a second lap. We were almost done our ride when I came across this cluster of crocuses as the sun was just starting to set. I pulled off the trail and set up for a shot.
Jen grabbed a shot of me while I was shooting the wild flowers.
Keep shooting.
