"Tag me on Facebook!"

I am still super self conscious about taking photos of strangers. Sometimes I am brave enough if it is a large enough crowd of people, or if I can somehow shoot their reflection in something else so that they don't see me pointing my camera directly at them. I think once I get faster at focusing I may be more brave, cause then I can be all stealthy-like without them noticing. But, on this sunny Sunday afternoon, the way the late afternoon light was hitting this guy on the fire escape was just too much to pass up! Unfortunately I wasn't able to capture the warm glow of the light (note to self - learn more about light composition), but I still do like the imagery.
And of course this guy did notice both me an my fiancée taking photos of him, so he called down to us "Just be sure to tag me on Facebook!" Well cool, arty-looking guy... if I knew who you were and if I actually put these photos on Facebook, then I would definitely tag you. My apologies, but thank you for being so chill about us photographing you (though he does look like the type of guy that is pretty chill about anything).
All photos taken with my Pentax K1000.

Olympic Nostalgia

It has been one year since the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, and the city is celebrating this weekend. And although I probably won't get out to partake in those festivities, I am happy that I got a chance to witness them a year ago. And although it was a time rapt with political agendas and opinions, I don't think anybody can argue that Vancouver has never before seen (or will ever see again) that kind of spirit, camaraderie, and celebration. It was a unique a time. Here are a few of the photos I snapped to capture the moment.
All photos taken with my Pentax K1000

A sea of red patriotism - Robson Square

Buskers and smiling kids galore

Lines of buses bringing people into the city

False Creek is a buzz with boats, pedestrians, cyclists

It's funny how I look back at these pictures and just see how they could have been better. I think I have come a long way in a year (I guess I'm kinda proud of that). :)

I heart Vancouver

This is my city. At the end of January. And I love it!

All photos taken with my Pentax K1000

It ain't easy being green

Last Sunday, the sun came out at full force in Vancouver and it was glorious! I shot two rolls of film in one afternoon, I think just because I was so happy to see the light again. When I looked through the photos from those rolls I noticed a lot of green... like my eye was drawn to that particular colour on that day.
Vancouver, unlike some other places in Canada, doesn't lack for natural greens during the winter months. In fact, flowers have been in bloom here since January. But, at times, the grey skies can make it hard to appreciate that fact. Clearly my mind on this particular day was drawn to the colours of sunny spring days.

Architectural Era Mash-Up

I am completely fascinated by the architectural eras mashed together on the Vancouver General Hospital property. The very distinctive styles of varying decades seem to just meld together to the point that it is hard to distinguish where an original building ends and a new addition begins. This is not because they have managed to string these buildings together seamlessly, but rather because they are so strangely jammed together that it is hard to picture how one could have conceptualized such a "renovation".
Unfortunately I don't know if I was really able to capture the disjointedness of these buildings very well here, but if you are ever in the neighborhood, just look around and try to pick out all the different decades (kind of like an architectural eye-spy... "I spy with my little eye some hideous 70's design structure").
All photos taken with my Olympus Pen F.

Gong Hei Fat Choi

Happy Year of the Rabbit to you all! Vancouver was already decked out in it's Chinese New Years finest this past weekend and I just couldn't resist the colours! Not sure I'll make it down to the parade this year, but I am looking forward to some tasty treats care of some very generous students tomorrow in celebration.
All photos taken with my Pentax K1000 and expired Polaroid High Definition Plus ASA 200 film.

Public Art Perspective

I spent the day at the Burnaby Art Gallery with my grade 6 class, and was inspired by hearing my students talk about meaning in art. As well, they worked on collaborative art using mixed media (including photography!) in small groups which was a wonderful process to observe.
Over the holidays I spent several afternoons wandering around the seawall in the sunshine and came across several pieces of interesting Public Art. I love to photograph public art. It feels like my own little art collaboration in a way. The artist creates interesting pieces, and I get to then come along and look at them from different angles, perspectives, and framing to create something new.
All of these photos were taken with my Olympus Pen F

I have no idea why this near-life size tank model sits in an empty lot next to the Olympic Village, but it's juxtaposition next to the beautiful water and downtown view has a clear message.

These chairs are by a French Canadian artist (I believe). I took a photo of this chair because I love the inscription - "Faire semblant de toujours" or "Make believe to always"... and the cyclical nature of it means that it can be read around and around (you know, like the song that never ends!)

Unfortunately since it was the last frame in the roll, the far edge was cut off (hence the odd shape). 

This giant bird can be found smack dab in the middle of the new Olympic Village. It is so strange to see something that is normally so small and cute, looking so massive and scary. I like the angle on the first picture, but the perspective of the second with the car and real bird flying in the sky.

P.S. Another beautiful day this weekend means that I have 2 new rolls of film waiting to be developed and will be posted soon.
P.P.S. My apologizes to anyone who now has "The Song that Never Ends" stuck in their head.