A Good Start | Canadian Adventure Photographer

Even with a few shots to the cores (rock damage to our bases), I really can't complain about yesterdays' climb. Patrice and I skied into the Highwood Pass and climbed the huge North face on Mt. Tyrwhitt. The snow was cold and light but unfortunately with no base to it, our skis penetrated too deep and the occasional rock or tree would catch and we'd take a tumble.

It was amazing to climb something just to ski it and even having the kites with us and intending to use them to gain our elevation, climbing was enough. The wind wasn't favorable either and without a substantial base, it was probably going to be hard to get enough safe lift out of the kites. The light was not great as well but I managed to squeeze a few shots off of Pat doing his "free-heel" thing. Regardless of the slim conditions, it was great to get out and a nice note to start the season on.

Telly | Adventure Lifestyle Photographer

Last Thursday I went out for a late night shoot in Calgary at the King's Head Pub. The band was Telly and when Tim (their Keyboardist) messaged me I had a hard time saying no. I photographed these guys at Beer Fest 2010 and I loved their music and watching them play. It's almost like the Doors and Skinard got together for a party on stage. Rob (the Lead) and the boys really get into it and the music really is good.

It was a quick set and although I don't do a lot of band work any more, sometimes it's just good to get out and shoot.

Passing Through | Adventure Lifestyle Photographer

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Tonight was the second night for working on my long exposures. Again it was very cold and clear but this time I stayed close to home. I tried a few other locations but I came back to this one which is just off of RR12 west of Crossfield. Once I started post on the image I found that not only had two aircraft flown through my shot but I also got two meteor shots on the left side of the frame (heading West). I love doing this kind of work, and I had a movie on my ipod to kill the time....

Many Layers | Canadian Adventure Photographer

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Well I have been very busy with Hockey Team and Sports Photos but now there is a little bit of a break. I was getting extremely restless today so I forced myself to head out into the cold tonight and work on my long night exposures. I stopped in at a location between Crossfield and Carstairs that I have wanted to shoot at for some time. The problem with this kind of shot is it requires a few hours to achieve so you really need to be sure of the composition.

The frame is made up of 57 individual frames all exposed for 60 seconds each. Once they have been combined in layers you get a 57 minute exposure. The reason for going this route is to cut down on the noise created in the image from the long exposure heating up the sensor. I love making these kind of images but I need to find something to do while I wait.

Raise The Roof | Calgary Alumni Game

This afternoon I had the pleasure of shooting the Crossfield "Raise The Roof" fundraiser with the Calgary Alumni Players. It was a lot of fun and everyone had a great time. I am definitely not a hockey photographer as this was the second time shooting on ice. It is a sport that takes a lot of time to develop and experience to make a good image. I did manage to get a few decent images like the one here of Crossfield's own Chris Schulze stopping Calgary Alumni Archie Henderson (who is 6-6' and 220 lbs).

Til Next Season | Insomniac Night Photographer

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I was excited to finally get out a few days before full moon especially on such a clear night. I couldn't get into the location I wanted as it is now fenced in (need time to get through that one) so on my way back to town I stopped near a few old buildings and grain bins. Turns out they are still in use and the equipment that was parked there was in perfect position.

This shot was taken at 10 pm at night with an exposure of 40 seconds. The WB is set to tungsten as it gives a cool tone as opposed to the muddy red from the auto WB. Everything else was also done in camera. It gives a weird scene, almost looks like daytime with the shadows but nothing in the shadow side is filled in. And hanging out in the dark with the 'yoties gets the blood pumpin.

Deja Vu | Canadian Adventure Photographer

I knew I had been here before, maybe years ago but the feeling was rushing through me like hot acid in my veins. All at once the familiarity combined with the fear that I was way off route and this may not have been the first time caused my knees to almost buckle. But I couldn't lose it right now, or it would be a 90 foot fall on to an 80 degree rock face with the rope only good for retrieving my body. I yelled down to Jordan that I was off route (he agreed...) and there was no way to down climb or pass through the featureless roof above me. I tried to stay calm and focus on the task at hand, I needed to get some protection in (an anchor of any kind) as soon as I could. Strangely the familiarity I felt was nagging me to look about 6 feet to the left below the wall so I gave in and leaned as far as I could. as I leaned out I began to see a piton creeping out past a small flake so I quickly and deliberately side stepped a dime sized crimp and moved within reach. It felt good to clip that sling to the pin (piton) and then clip the rope and especially for the blood to rush back into my extremities. I could now move past the simple 5.6 bulge with confidence and some classy moves. Keeping my shit together again made a potentially bad situation manageable.

At the next belay I reflected on what happened and remembered I had been off route there before when I had done this climb (East Face of Chinaman's Peak, 13 pitches 2100' face climbing) with another partner about 7 years before. Maybe that was a good thing as in the back of my head I knew there had to be a pin close by. I also thought about how far my run-outs seem to be since the plane crash and wondering if it is just confidence, the need for speed (fast is safe), or an appreciation for the risk. Not sure right now but it turned out to be an amazing climb and it was great to get back in to that vertical world where everything in my life gets put into perspective. I always appreciate that focus when I am up there and I think maybe I even need it.