These past few months I have been sticking pretty close to home with my photography. I can always find something to photograph in a new way, and even after meandering nearby rural country roads for 40 plus years I still enjoy a walk or drive in my backwoods neighbourhood.
That said, this past week I decided that it was time to take a longer 20-minute drive on the highway to the lakeside town of Chase.
After several snow filled and flat grey days the clouds opened and there was some sun.
I walked out on my porch to tell my dog to stop barking at a neighbour who was walking down the road, and realized it would be a good day for some photos with my infrared converted camera.
For those that haven’t read my previous discussions regarding using an infrared converted camera, our digital cameras have filters that block infrared light. An infrared converted camera has had that infrared filter removed so that infrared light reaches the sensor and a filter added, that blocks visible light so the sensor can only record infrared.
Using a camera that only ‘sees’ infrared light is fun and because I enjoy altering the colours and tonality I will begin with a creative thought and continue after returning home with evening sessions seeing how far I can manipulate my photos with different computer programs. I usually end up with many versions of each image.
There was still snow in Chase as I walked around the streets thinking about how to photograph some subjects I have before in a different way. It was Wednesday and there was hardly any traffic, I could cross or even stop in the street to choose a different angle without worrying.
Small towns are great places to look for shadows, and one can photographically play with architectural features on older buildings without being bothered. The few people that do notice me give a wondering glance and go on about their business.
I have never tried the kind of ‘street photography’ that includes people when I am in a small town. In larger centres like Vancouver I can quickly pull my camera out, take a picture that might include a person without being noticed, or cared about. Although I do remember years ago when I was in San Francisco, and I was making photos of a trolley. I made a few shots of the moving car, as well as when it stopped to let passengers get on and off.
I started waving my arm and people on and around the trolley started waving back. I would have been shooting slide film back then…I think I should see if I can find that photo.
I like wandering towns and cities with my camera. I like the buildings and I like including things that are resting or waiting beside those buildings. An occasional person sitting off to one side, or like one I took that is a silhouette of a person fishing beside the high bridge leaving Chase. I mostly like to include things like ladders, bicycles, boxes and other items to add interest to the buildings.
Wandering a town’s streets and alleys is a fun, solitary way to spend time. Whether one uses an IR camera, film camera or digital camera.
Stay safe and be creative. These are my thoughts for this week. Contact me at www.enmanscamera.com or emcam@telus.net
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