The Travelling Road Show

Anyone who flies on a fairly regular basis knows how frustrating it can be with the downsizing of both physical size and number of pieces that can be checked. As well, there are also differences in these restrictions from one carrier to the next.

And, don’t even get me started about the variances in security from one airport to the next. Let’s just say that I have learned to accept the fact that I will be randomly selected for a body pat down or x-ray. At least I have a choice and this always amuses my travelling companions as I tell them well in advance.

I digress.

It is a given when I fly to a job my luggage will be overweight, oversize and excess pieces. This adds up to a serious amount of money. What these increases in restrictions has forced commercial photographers to do, however, is to be extremely vigilant in the size and weight of their equipment cases.

I just returned from a job and all my road cases were piled on the dolly in my studio. Seemed like a good time to take a photo of some cases that have been with me for upwards of 20 years (the blue custom case), but will soon become storage cases as I streamline my kit and replace my cases to better suit air carriers.

So what are in these beasts?

Case 1: This is affectionately called the Tickle Trunk (Even though an Air Canada employee with a great sense of humour once asked me if it was my mother-in-law inside. No, said I, but pointed to the gentleman beside me and said Father-in-law ... Pop was travelling with me on that job to northern Manitoba. All three of us had a great laugh, and I hope my Mother-in-law never heard!) This case is, however, my grips case. It is loaded with stands, tripods, cables, magic arms and everything else from light gels, to black velvet fabric to clothes pins. If it is not in this case, I don’t need it.

Case 2: This case is the entire back-up camera system ranging from spare bodies, lenses not usually used and redundant lenses.

Case 3: This case carries my strobe heads. I use Paul C. Buff White Lightening mono blocs. I prefer the mono bloc for the style of work I do. I don’t have to worry about power packs and cables, the mono bloc just plugs into any regular household outlet, and they have a fabulous slave system.

Case 4: Back-up portable lighting which consists of Canon 580 EXII flashes, back-up light meter and Pocket Wizard remotes for camera and flashes.

Case 5: This case doesn’t fly with me but usually goes with the Wilson travelling road show. When I can drive I take along my Honda generator. It is unbelievable how many times I have got on location to do scouting to discover there is no power. More times than not it became difficult trying to get power on the set, so I simply bought this generator.

Case 6: This is the newest addition to the arsenal and I really look forward to hitting the airports with this puppy. It is a brand new release from Tamrac and is carry-on compatible. It is the Tamrac Big Wheels SpeedRoller, Model 5591. There is a bigger version, model 5592, but I stayed away from it as it's slightly larger (36 x 23 x 56) than Canadian airlines carry-on allowance of 23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm. I am hoping someone from Gentec, the new Canadian distributor for Tamrac products, can take one of the larger cases to an airport and see if it will physically fit in the “test rack.” I wasn't prepared to accept the risk of one cm over and having to fight with the luggage police! I have already transferred all my ready-use gear from a back pack to this roller case and can see where it is going to be a nice improvement as I begin to upgrade my road cases. I know this case won’t be the best for all worlds, and will never replace a backpack when trekking is involved, but I highly suspect it is going to be the perfect ticket when I am on location doing industrial or commercial work. I’ll report later how I actually like its functionality.

78th Highland Regiment granted Freedom of the City

His Worship, Mayor Peter Kelly inspects the Regiment


What a great weekend to be a military history buff in one of Canada’s oldest incorporated cities – Halifax.

The current Highland Regiment garrisoned at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is the 78th Highland Regiment, primarily consisting of civilian students on summer employment programs. The original 78th arrived in Halifax in 1869 and remained stationed here for just two short years. In 1871 the 78th were transferred to Ireland, but not before given a true send-off by the now famous brewmaster, Alexander Keith (Keith’s beer).

Traditional music on Canada’s east coast dates back to its very beginnings in Scotland. In fact, Nova Scotia is the Latin translation for New Scotland. The swirl of bagpipes and the beating of drums is nearly as old as the City itself.

This past Friday, Aug 19th, the 78th Highland Regiment marched from their garrison at the Citadel through the streets of Halifax to receive the “Freedom of the City” proclamation from His Worship, Mayor Peter Kelly. On Saturday evening the Citadel came alive with military precision as the 78th and the Royal Canadian Navy’s Stadacona band performed music and military drills in what is known as the “Sunset Ceremony.”

Gunpowder, dust and fire add to the pageantry and drama


There is a long and storied history with military traditions that comprise the Sunset Ceremony. Suffice to say it was at one time a necessary part of garrison life and a means of communicating in battle. Today the ceremony is one of pageantry and nostalgia.

With bagpipes swirling, kilts flailing, drums beating, canons and muskets roaring it is an evening of entertainment that will leave you a little prouder of our heritage. Due to mobility restrictions it is a tough event to photograph, but a few snapshots are always available for the making.

Considering the event is about theatre, shouldn't photographers allow the movement to show?

Georgian Bay Re-visited

I spent the first part of my working life in Canada’s armed forces. My first trip on Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship was west along the St. Lawrence River, through the Welland Canal, up the Detroit River and eventually into Lake Huron and a final destination of Midland, Ontario.

It is now 28 countries, and quite a few years later, and I am back in Midland and the eastern Georgian Bay again. This time it is all fun, however.

In my last few entries I have been giving my friend and guide on this trip, Ethan Meleg, a hard time. Let’s just say it was an adventure in more ways than one, and in five years from now these yarns will be so embellished they will be the stuff of legend.

In addition to having a good sense of humour, Ethan knows this corner of Ontario better than any photographer I know. Should he offer a workshop here, get yourself booked ... I doubt you will find another photographer better qualified.

So rather than pick on Ethan any further, I will just say thanks for a couple of great days shooting along the shores and islands of the Georgian Bay. I have no doubt the following images would not have been possible without Ethan leading the way.

IT'S ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE

I have written this entry several times in an effort to save my integrity but came to the conclusion it just wasn't possible.

I have seen many photographers go to great lengths to get an image. Some create get laughs, others great horror, and yet others are just downright scary.

While my friend Ethan Meleg was capturing that really impressive image, 2nd from last, reported on his blog entry 25 June, he didn't give you the entire picture ... figuratively speaking.

I had the worst view in the house, and it was a really, really small island so I had nowhere to run and hide. So I will let you draw your own conclusions, but Ethan Meleg walking around hot rocks in wet boxers just kinda put me off my feed, if you know what I mean.

Now that I have picked on Ethan sufficiently over these last two entries, I will show in the next post a handful of my favourite images from our trip that will show he is a pretty decent guide in addition to being a damned fine photographer ... even if he has no shame!

Sorry ladies but I didn't have my zoom lens on for this sequence ... and I'm glad I didn't!

With Due Respect to Group of Seven

Many photographers will suggest the adventure behind the shot is the ... well, the adventure and the final image is the prize.

Nothing could be closer to the truth than a recent excursion with my friend and fellow photographer Ethan Meleg experienced when we embarked on a cruise to the thousands of islands that dot the eastern shoreline of Georgian Bay on Ontario's Lake Huron.

Ethan has a boat, I spent a good part of my life in the Navy, so we seemed a natural crew to complement the good ship Viewfinder. It would seem, however, that 15 years of cruising salt water from below the equator to north of the arctic circle on a 365-foot ship with seasoned crew of 250 professional sailors is a different matter than steaming freshwater inlets with a skipper who has difficulty knowing that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west!

The first indication of the adventures this trip would bring was the fact that we were steaming into the sun at four o'clock in the PM, yet the compass was showing East! Ye gaddes, what is this about? Mmm, well, Ethan took my advice and loosened two bolts that was holding the compass in place, re-configured the placement of the compass by rotating it 180 degrees and alas... we were on the right course!

To watch Ethan navigate with a marine chart is akin to watching Gumby and Pokey go to a Saturday night dance with bellies full of gin and 60's rock and roll as the tunes. He gives a whole new definition to “Ships Centre” and north being the top of the chart only applies when...well, you are steering north.

I won't even mention the fact that the plug came out and we were taking on water faster than a leaky basket or the fact that a brand new electronic plotter couldn't be employed because the charts weren't loaded. Or....

The fact of the matter is Ethan's recounting of events will probably be much different than mine. I highly suspect, given Ethan's prowess (or lack thereof) of navigation skills, his recollection will probably be 180 degrees opposite to mine.

The one topic we will surely agree upon is the prize: In this case a fabulous fun filled three days of incredible photo opportunities exploring the eastern Georgian Bay that was made even better by sharing laughs and libation around a campfire on the inspirational home of the Group of Seven.

Thanks, Ethan, for introducing me to this incredible sampling of iconic Canadian Shield. Several additions to my “Sticks and Stones” portfolio are indeed the prize; the adventure -that will surely be embellished over time- will be the memory.

Havana Architecture Reflects Her People

While I am certainly not a student of architecture, I do believe the buildings of a city will often reflect its people. Cuba is no different.

While there are snippets of classical German baroque, Art Deco and what I can only describe as Russian gulag, by far the most prevalent is Cuban and Spanish Colonial. What I found most interesting was how tourism is having a positive influence in restoring Havana to its former structural glory.

For about five kilometres along the seawall is a stretch of one time glorious homes for the well heeled, hotels for the high rollers, and generally buildings that one would expect alongside an ocean front. A declining economy, due in large part to the collapse of  the former Soviet Union, this prime piece of real estate fell into a terrible state of disrepair. It does seem interesting that many families still live in these structures; one can only question how safe they are.

Meanwhile, near the east end of the seawall and in the vicinity of the opulent Hotel Nacional de Cuba, the resurrection is already in various stages of completion and provides a glimpse of what awaits the facade along Avenue Carlos Cespedes and the remainder of the seawall district.

    

These Cuban colonial buildings are being painted in warm pastels and accented with bright bold primary colours. Primary colour schemes abound and compliment not only the building facade but reflect the people: warm and inviting.

One can only wonder, however, if the old city that lies in the shadows of the tourist destinations can survive long enough to receive their face lift. The socialist hopes so, the romantic probably hopes not.

Havana Walk-about

I had to rummage around for a map of the Caribbean; I simply did not know how many islands I had visited. What I did know was this was to be my first visit to Cuba, and I was looking forward to it.

This was a family holiday, and I’m sure I am not the only photographer who has discovered they cannot diligently shoot whilst on holidays; it simply isn’t fair to family or yourself. However, I did swing a camera over my shoulder one afternoon when we loaded onto a bus for a tour of Havana. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and learning about what was being profiled, particularly the rum factory!

When we would walk from one attraction to another in Old Havana (UNESCO World Heritage Site) I would shoot from the hip. It was very much a run-n-gun; only once did one of our sons have to come back and get me. The black and white photo is the result of my lagging behind; I simply had to have a shot of this great character study.

My first impression of Cuba was one of intrigue. How is possible that a group of people could be so very obviously lacking in what we in the west would consider necessary amenities and effects, and yet be so incredibly happy and apparently contented. It was refreshing and invigorating to observe. For example, directly across the street from the Capitola Building was a family drawing water from some sort of a courtyard reservoir and hoisting the bucket of water up to the third level –presumably to their apartment – of the housing complex.

Away from the entrepreneurship occurring in the tourist district and its facade of freshly painted buildings is the derelict and dilapidated housing that is, well, let’s just suggest it shows it age. Yet, the music is everywhere, kids are dancing to boom boxes and neighbours are laughing and generally enjoying each other’s company. It is in this ramshackle neighbourhood that I find a gentleman and his pup watching the comings-and-goings of the day. A simple point to my camera and he approves with a nod. Unlike his “peso for a photo” compatriots in the tourist district, he asks for nothing but offers a genuine and sincere smile with my poorly pronounced gracious. About a half-dozen steps away I turn around and go back, reach in my pocket and find five peso’s for him and his canine friend. Now I smile and offer a very sincere muchos gracious.

Hopefully as time allows I will show a few more shots from my walk-about in Havana, the ninth Caribbean Island that I have visited ... and the one with the best rum!