Good Vision | Adventure Lifestyle Photographer

The writer and Don Bell during a circuit in the Russian designed Antonov AN2. 

I am very grateful for the opportunities that come along my path as a photographer and (ametuer) adventurer. But as I sat with Don Bell; entrepreneur and co-founder of West Jet this afternoon (after an exhilarating flight), I was reminded that those who are passionate about life naturally put themselves in a position to connect with other passionate and interesting people.

Don is passionate about many things including flying some of his personal aircraft. Today we took a few short flights in his Antonov AN2 for an interview in a future issue of Airdrielife. This was my first time back up in a fixed-wing aircraft since the crash and in no time I was just so taken by the size and agility this kind utility aircraft had.

Again like I started this post by saying, I am extremely grateful for the amazing experiences and the opportunity to connect with some of the most interesting people on the planet. The life we are given is a chance to do something more, to see what we are made of, to make something great. The only limits are the ones we impose upon ourselves. Talking to Don today again confirmed that those who do great things are generally the ones who see their dream as the goal and the roadblocks as a challenge.

What are you doing tomorrow?

Driving | Adventure Lifestyle Photographer

Front page of today's Calgary Herald Driving Section.

Nice to work with Greg Williams again. This time a few shots from my trip to Bonneville with Trillion Industries Calgary. It was great to be part of the team as this is another of my passions but to photograph someone or a company that is living their passions or doing great things, that is my passion. It's been a great summer and now looking forward to an awesome fall / winter in the Canadian Rockies chasing all sorts of cool people.

Maybe you are next?

On The Moon | Canadian Adventure Photographer

Roger Goldammer testing out his engine on the first day - Bonneville Slat Flats, Utah.

As those of you who have been following me for the last month know that I have been extremely overwhelmed with the Trillion Racing Team as both a fabricator / team member as well as covering the attempt on the Salt Flats. It has been a very busy month leading up to the BUB motorcycle races but it has also been an amazing experience. In the end the team did extremely well considering the bike was not complete and our Rider Derek Pauletto proved that he is capable of handling the LSR bike on the course.

It was hard to do too much photography of the event that didn't pertain to our attempt as I was just too busy at the pits and filming for our documentary. However I did get a few shots and will post them here from time to time. Next year should be smoother as the bike will be ready and we should have a few extra team members for support. The Salt Flats are an amazing place to photograph and I was lucky enough to catch it when it was wet. Having 1/2" and inch of water on the salt made for interesting reflections and shapes. The skies at night were also beautiful and the odd cloud cover turned everything into pastels in between times of blasting sun. I love this place and fortunate to be a part of the team. It's a different type of adventure but adventure non-the-less, it like being on the moon for a few days...

Couple Of Hours Left | Adventure.....

So it's been nearly a month since I posted here. Lots has been happening and very busy. Going out to finish my last job this month and start packing for our trip to Utah tomorrow. If you haven't been following me on Facebook or twitter, I have been working with one of my best friends on a Land speed record attempt with a vintage Triumph Motorcycle. Its been stressful few weeks (filming it as well as building it) but this morning the bike fired up and is running. Sounds like nothing but then again what we have done to the bike has likely never been done before. Details to come but below is a video from this morning. Will post when I get back next week. Salt Flats here I come.

Foothills Magic | Adventure Lifestyle Photographer

A wall cloud develops near the town of Dogpound Alberta


So I've been storm chasing for a few years now and after last year being such a great year for super cells I decided my goal for this year was to photograph one. I have shot a few small tornadoes and seen a lot of damage from them in the past 5 years of living in Crossfield but the real monsters are the systems that spawn them. Super cells start off like any other thunderstorm except that when there are good upper level winds creating rotational energy (shear), the storm goes on to become a super cell. And if the weather modification guys haven't flown into it soon enough these super cells can move for hours across the province.

A super cell near the town of Dogpound Alberta just minutes before a tornado drops out


The cool thing about where we live is a formation at the eastern slope of the Rockies called the Foothills and as of late we now have a term "Foothills Magic". Now as much as I am learning tons about weather I am not a meteorologist and wouldn't claim to be. I just know when to go out and watch things build to the west and when towers are going up, you make your best guess and go to a safe place to setup in hopes it does turn into something.

Tornado from the Dogpound cell as seen from looking west on Twp. 290


On Saturday it did. I started the morning photographing some crop spraying but shortly after went home for lunch hoping there might be more action near 1pm. On my way out west of town I noticed some towers going up and decided to stage at one of my favourite high points along the 290 west near Madden. As I was setting up a time-lapse I noticed one of the cells had a signature shelf shape and clued in that this one might go off. I quickly drove out to the hill above the town of Dogpound at the 290 and set up my cameras to time-lapse as well as video. Within minutes this cell started to rotate so fast you could easily see it and shortly after lightning started to crash out of the anvil down into the valley. I stayed as long as I could and managed to get the time-lapse of the super cell below.


Tiemlapse footage showing massive rotational energy as the super cell matures


Just before 2pm I setup another 5 km to the east on the 290 and as I started filming I could not believe my eyes... well actually I expected it but to see a good sized tornado drop out of the bottom was so exciting. Especially to witness such a well developed system form up so textbook is absolutely amazing.

I'm so glad I have been working so much with the cameras, I feel like I've been ready so many times this summer. The storm chaser page that Joe Vonesche and I take care of has been awesome as well and a great source of information and personalities. This weekend was definitely one for the record books for me, man I love Alberta weather.

Stretching Creativity | Calgary Commercial Photographer

Just a quick frame from a very quick yoga session tonight with a very cool instructor and health specialist Nichole. I pretty-much had to zone out and float out of my body to achieve this shot. I can do some pretty crazy stuff to get a good Point Of View.....

Coming Of Age | Adventure Lifestyle Photographer

For the last 7 years I have worked closely with one of the most interesting personalities I have ever known. I met Derek Pauletto 10 years ago when I worked as a fabricator at a shop in Calgary and we always talked about the future and all of the great things we would do when we struck out on our own. Here we are in 2012 slugging it out trying to become really successful in our own businesses now and still trying to dream while fending off the common reality of balancing security and family.

  
I can't pin-point the exact year but it must have been around 2002 when Derek showed me a 3" model of a concept motorcycle frame that he had come up with and intended to some day build into a ride that was like no other. I never forgot about those conversations and for the next few years kept seeing the small maquette in his tool box. Just another piece of scrap among the tools but even then it seemed to stand out among everything else.

In 2008 a good friend of ours was interested in a dedication to his brother who had passed on and the chance to build the concept bike was taken up and a bold process began.  It's a long story but one of tension between a few passionate people and the reality of the laws of physics and art. I have personally been involved in quite a few parts and some fabrication on the bike and through the evolution of it have seen my share of turmoil and passion.

This week the bike (named the "9") received it's VIN plate and it's PDI (pre delivery inspection) so it was high-time to take some pictures and kick it's ass out the door. Like a teenager who has outstayed their welcome, it is a moment of sorrow and relief. We have spent so much time with the bike that we are ready to move on yet there is something tugging at us as it rolls out the door one last time. Could it be that through all the fussing and discipline, the choices and the desire for perfection that we subconsciously fell in love with our creation?

I know I speak for Derek right now when I say one thing for sure; this bike has a personality and a story. Not only a life of its own, but when I got home and looked at some of the images from tonight I couldn't help but be in awe. The 9 is beautiful. From the flowing organic chrome moly single-sided frame to the deep lustre paint surface reflecting the a-symmetrical design normally found in nature, this bike is a rolling work of art. I have had time to step back and be critical and I feel the 9 has developed some kind of maturity while I was busy focused on something else.

As awesome as the bike is I can't help reflecting back on one thing, the bike had it's creator. Derek is a true visionary and passionate about what he does all the while running a tough business and facing daily the challenges of protecting his independence and security of his family. Not just answering to responsibility but also alive with the ideas and dreams that punctuate our long days at the shop. Derek has followed through on a very serious idea and not only giving it wings but allowing it to be beautiful on it's own. The 9 has evolved at the interest of many but owes it's life and freedom to Derek alone.

I am very proud to have been a part of this project and to share so much of Derek's world. Not many people today can say that they have followed through on such a grand idea and even fewer are willing to live with nearly as much risk. Tomorrow the 9 will be just a bike but right now it is a symbol of completion. The final chapter of a time when ideas were more important than money and dreams were fun. The creation has left home and we can be proud of all the effort we have poured into to it. So raise your glasses now and let's give a toast, to someone among us who has stayed the course and followed through on an idea that should inspire us all. Derek, your work is truly a manifestation of your passion, thank you for that.