Author Archives: aaalke

First hike of the season!

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Last Sunday I ventured out on my first hike of the season!

I chose to head out on the popular and somewhat simple hike up Bertha trail in Waterton Lakes National Park. It’s usually bustling with tourists and families during the “busy season”, so I thought this might be a nice trail to go on so early in the season. It was worth it! No people, no noise, lots of running water from the spring runoff, and of course… snow. Lots of snow, to be exact. It’s still really early in the year for hiking on open trail, but I still saw a lot of footprints ahead of mine on the way up, including a few fuzzy friends that just came out of hibernation. I will be honest, this was my first ever solo hike. I usually go with friends (if I can rustle them up). It was definitely a bit unnerving for the first few kilometers, but maaan, I tell you… it turned out to be an amazing experience!

If you love the wide open spaces, and the sound of the breeze blowing amongst the peaks above your head… I suggest trying it at least once. If you don’t survive (ie: momma bear eats you), well… please make sure your family knows that I am not responsible for persuading you to go. ;)

Lower Bertha Falls

Spring run off in Waterton

New Horizons

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As some of you may know, I’ve been poking around Southern Alberta a lot over the past year or so in search of beautiful landscapes. I’ve seen some fairly incredible things in the process. Mother Nature has been kind to me.

I recently joined the Professional Photographer of Canada (PPOC) as an “observer”, and submitted a rather refined list of landscape images before their accreditation judging panel. I learned just this morning that all those images have been “accepted”. I’m happy to see that this judging panel (of fellow peers and photographers that I look up to) considered my work as worthy and viable amongst the higher level of photographic professionals in the country. With this I will continue to refine my skills photographing landscapes and scenics, and continue to explore and create wonderful images to share with everyone!

Earth, Wind, & Fire. | Lethbridge Image Artist

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“I have never in my life, had such a humbling experience as I did last night”

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The day started like any other. Sun comes up, people are out doing what they’re doing, and the wind starts to grow stronger. This is Southern Alberta, we get wind. Nothing new there. If you aren’t from here, you will probably never understand why we live here. Yes, the wind can be crazy, and yesterday was no exception. At least it keeps the snow away.

As the day goes on I hear the wind growing stronger. I think to myself “Ok, this wind sucks today”. As I do I hear the sound of dirt being swept up and battered into my house. Nothing like watching my new car get a new texture applied to the paint job from all the “sandblasting” it’s receiving. I think to myself again… “this wind really sucks”.

Then I see and hear what is the beginning of my neighbour’s house literally peeling apart. I watch as his shingles and siding are pulled from the frame of his house, like someone peeling an orange. It’s all over the neighbourhood now. Slamming into cars and dancing down the city street. Tumbleweeds are rolling by, each one larger than the next. “Wow! This wind really sucks”! The wind is really roaring by now. Suddenly I feel the next gust. “Wait?!! That’s not a gust” I say to myself. I hear what sounds like a ten thousand kilogram beer can rumbling in the distance, getting closer, followed by an enormous “SLAM”! Okay, whatever that was made the hair on my arms stand on end and my heart skip a beat. That was way too big to be siding from a house, or shingles being tossed around. I check out my back door, and am blown away (no pun intended) at what I see!

 

I would love to know how they’re going to remove that when the winds die down.

This was just the beginning. The sound of that grain bin landing in my neighbour’s yard made the hair on my arms stand on end, but it was nothing compared to the smell of smoke that was already in the air. “I wonder what’s going on now?”

I decided to visit my friend’s Chris & Stephanie, who live a few houses down and have an unobstructed view west out into the fields. Something is burning. It’s big. And it’s moving and growing, really fast! From their house we could see a giant tube like cloud of dark smoke being pushed over us at an incredible rate. It was moving downward, onto our street. I ran outside to see if I could get a few shots. The air was so thick it was almost impossible to breath. Ash was everywhere. This isn’t good.

By this time the police have already knocked on my front door, warning me of the hazard that big grain bin out back poses. I’m more worried about the smoke.

The sun set really early in my area yesterday. At least, it seemed like it. The smoke had choked out everything. It was everywhere! Thick and strong. I hit my Twitter and Facebook to see what the buzz was. Next thing I know my area has been put on Evacuation alert! “What?!! Seriously”??? Now I’m starting to worry. I spent the next hour or so, watching friends and people that live around me, pack up and voluntarily leave their houses. No official notice has hit my area yet, but I start asking myself what I should be doing. The smoke is unbearable by now. The wind is still screaming. “This smoke really sucks”. I just noticed a few messages on my phone that stood out. “Police have told us to leave. We’re being evacuated”. These messages were synonymous with a few friends in the area. I started to pack my belongings.

What a humbling experience, to pack your clothes and decide which belongings are important to you. “What do I take? What do I leave if they knock on my door? What will fit in my car”? A million thoughts are going through my mind. More messages are coming in now, it’s my friends hearing what’s happening and offering their homes for the evening if need be. “Is this really happening”? All the important things are now packed. Waiting now. The wind is dying down.

The next few hours are spent online and on my phone, combing for any information that would calm my nerves. The smoke seems to have moved on, possibly lifted or stopped all together. I’m hoping so. Eventually the “all clear” was given by the City. The emergency vehicle lights that had once flooded the fields behind our house have thinned out to only a few trucks. The ominous red glow has turned to dark. “Is it over?” I heard myself ask.  I hope so.

I need sleep. So exhausted from all the events from the day.

“This wind really sucks”.

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For more photos and video from November 27th’s fire check out a few of these links:

http://rodleland.posterous.com/lethbridge-grass-fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDvn-lZ6bLA&feature=youtu.be

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY72fqquyjg&feature=youtu.be

Education #8 – Time to get your ears lowered!

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Question for everyone: Am I the only guy out there who stumbles into the bathroom early in the morning, flicks on the light, and goes “WHOA” when I look in the mirror?  I guarantee you that some mornings I have the wildest “Ace Ventura” case of bed head EVER! It’s so insanely crazy looking that it makes me giggle a little, but I wash it down and give it a good scrubbin’, and all ends well.

It’s rather fitting that this week I drew “Someone getting their hair cut” for my educational challenge. No, you’re not going to see a self portrait of me getting a haircut! However, the idea of a haircut did persuade me to go see the peeps at Kenegdo Salon. (Yes, I just plugged a business on my blog. Deal with it! They deserve it!)

 

Challis @ Kenegdo doing what she does best! Thanks Challis!

 

When it comes light, learn to use what you’ve got. Look for what’s readily available to make for a great image. You don’t need to go “Guns a Blazing” with all your fancy light kits, especially if something amazing looking is right in front of you. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t use off camera lighting, and every situation and instance is different (trust me, I know a few people who can really get creative with just a few small light heads), but if you’re going to light, do it wisely.

Kudos to those of you who really understand and use off camera lighting. I tip my hat to you!

Me thingst there’s more to read for this weeks educational blog post. To see what Jen is up to, click HERE!

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BIG thank you to Tanya, Daylan, Tara, and Challis for letting me pop my head in for a few quick pics tonight!

Education #6 – Perfume bottles, Lasers, and a lil’ bit o’ photography

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It’s Friday!!! Educational blog time!

This weeks image was a fun one to create! My topic was “Perfume in a Red Bottle”. I twisted things around a little. I’m renaming my topic “Red Laser Beams at a Perfume Bottle”!

Mmm... lasers!!!

Ever dial up that “bulb” setting on your camera? Or set your shutter speed to something crazy, like 20 seconds or longer? GO FOR IT! Play and explore! Today’s digital cameras are amazing tools for creativity! AND NO WASTED FILM! WOOT!!! haha  ;)

I created this shot in my basement. It’s amazing what a simple red laser pointer and a small blue LED will let you create! The reflection was created with a mirror swiped off the wall of my master bath.

Slow that shutter down. WAY DOWN! And close that aperture. Have fun, and most importantly… explore and CREATE! You never know what you will make!

On another (but similar) note, someone told me that Jen is cooking up a storm with her weekly Educational blog post. Check it out here!

Education #5 – “Baby girl” (Someone that makes me smile)

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I want everyone to meet Lilee (pronounced ˈlilē, like the flower), or as I like to call her, “Baby girl”. She is a 4lb pomeranian and this weeks educational topic.

Princess Lilee workin' the camera!

Baby girl has been with us for just over 9 years now. We originally brought her home as a playmate for our other dog, Sammy (who has been gone just over a year and a half now). For quite some time the only sounds you heard in our house were the two of them quarrelling or fighting over who’s nose was in who’s food dish.

I describe Baby girl as having what I like to call “Napoleon Complex”. She has an iron will and is definitely FULL of determination. Although small in size, she makes up for it with her constant control and somewhat “power” that she has in our house.

If you’ve ever tried to photograph your pet, you’ve probably realized that it’s a bit more of task than you originally thought. They never sit still, they won’t look where you want them to, and they always are up to no good. It’s as if they know when the camera is pointed at them. But perseverance and patience are a key factor to get those great shots. You can’t force them to pose, and you definitely can’t ask them to “look to your left” or any other command to get them to pose. In some ways I would say that they are a bigger challenge than children because they just don’t understand what we’re saying. Be patient. Be calm. The moment to capture that great image will happen. You can’t force it.

Don’t you wish we could understand what they are saying? Now if only I could get my hands on that dog collar from the animated movie “Up”. I think Jen may be working on one for me, but until then you can check out her blog for this week’s post here!

“Hot!”

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It’s that time! Time to show off the photo challenge between Jen and I. This time around the topic is “HOT”!

So, What would everyone like me to do this time? Walk on hot coals? Or perhaps run through a burning building? Ha ha…. NOT!

HOT!

This time around I thought I would put some of my mad “photoshopography” skills to work and create an image instead of capturing one. My image this week is a composite of miscellaneous fiery stock images and a bottle of the hottest stuff on earth, Blair’s Death Sauce. This stuff is rocket fuel for your tastbuds, and nasty on the tummy. WARNING! I do not endorse, nor approve the use of this hot sauce! Definitely DO NOT PUT THAT ______ ON EVERYTHING!

Want to see Jen’s blog post on this subject? Check ‘er out right here! I bet it’s toasty. ;)

Education #4 – “One of these things is not like the other”…

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5 Things You Should Do Everyday! ;)

…well, with exception of this weeks educational photo challenge! Ha ha!

“5 Photos of 5 Things That Are Similar”. That’s my photo challenge for this week! Yay! Nothing PINK! Nothing “SHOE” related! Whoo Hoo! Okay, so now what?! Time to brain storm.

I know that I have my work cut out for me this time. My accomplice in these weekly educational photo challenges ( Jen ), is always eager and so creative with her images as well as her blog posts. I need something REALLY good this time.

My spark plugs were firing like wild thinking about this one. “5 Things” can be so many things. It had to be something that I see or need everyday. Something that’s part of my daily routine. Hmm… what to do. Unfortunately I nearly bottomed out on this one. It’s literally 10:30pm, the night before this blog post and photo challenge are due. I’m still not ready, but I have something to blog about!

So educationally speaking, I’m going to actually steer away from the photography side of things. Consider this my advise to you:

“Eat LOTS of fruit! Everyday! I mean it. Just do it! Your body will love you and thank you.”

Jen has also been a busy bee with this week’s challenge. Check her out her post here!

Education #3 – Squeaky & the Attack of the PINK SHOES!

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Let me introduce you to “Squeaky”, my dog’s little chew toy.

Poor Squeaky constantly gets kicked around, stepped on, or chewed. He’s always living on the floor amongst the dust bunnies and lost pieces of dog food that make their way under the couch. Oh poor Squeaky. He gets no respect.

Then along comes yet another crazy subject for my weekly photo challenge, PINK SHOES. Yup, PINK SHOES! I’m starting to see a pattern here. Last month I had to photograph something PINK. Last week I had to creatively photograph SHOES. Now my subject is PINK SHOES? Is this a sign? Am I being punished? (sigh)… I wish I knew.

Anyway, I thought I may as well do something creative this time around. Maybe add a little humour, and a splash of HDR. Push some of my technical talents. I photographed this with minimal equipment at home. An old piece of white laminate was curled up under the edge of my coffee table to create the white “high key” area. The main light in this shot was my tv room’s 50W quartz lights from the ceiling above, and for a little fill light I threw a Metz flash on a stand and fired it straight up at 1/8 power. The rest is HDR history.

Looks like Jen has been just a busy being creative for her educational image as well. Click HERE to see her blog post!

Everyone, meet “Squeaky”:

"Squeaky" never stood a chance.