Sunday, September 26, 2010

English Bay Falcon Sept 25 2010 03 DSC_6455.jpg

Yesterday, as I approached English Bay beach along Vancouver's Seawall walk I noticed the resident flock of ravens and seagulls were going nuts. Either they'd re-watched Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" the night before or a raptor was somewhere in the vicinity. It turned out it was the later and a large falcon had popped in to check out the view. Looking to snatch a tasty apartment sized doggie perhaps. :)

Each fall we Vancouverites (those that venture out into the rain that is. :) ) are treated to numerous moments like this in and around Stanley Park as the falcon and eagle 'collectives' make their way to and from the salmon feeding grounds north of here. It's always a thrill to not only see such majestic birds in the flesh but also to watch the reaction of the resident seagulls and ravens who are anything but impressed.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Tickle Fest Mom and Me 1961ish Hi Res 16x20

Here's a shot, compliments of Dad and taken around 1961, of Mom tickling me to hysterics. She was good at that. :)

This would have been while we lived in New Brunswick, the province of my birth, and right before we headed off to West Germany. Deep in our civilizations period of thermonuclear stalemate that our generation 'affectionately' referred to as MAD - Mutual Assured Destruction. A year or so before the Cuban missile crisis.

I love this shot and can't help but smile each time I look at it. Pure love. :)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Radish Study Ink Circa 1980

The humble radish long since consumed yet living on as a denizen of the digital ozone.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Roseroot Kings Crown Sunset Beach Vancouver Sept 21 2010

Sunset Beach, in the heart of downtown Vancouver Canada has a collection of perennial flowers that are a macro photographer's dream. Here's a shot of what's know as Roseroot or Kings Crown (I think) right on the beach on a sunny September afternoon.

August 1984 Flowers


August 1984 Flowers, originally uploaded by VancouverDoug.

Flower Study - Pen and Ink - August 1984

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Dad Circa 1939 Perth Andover NB Post Restoration

After Restoration with Capture NX/2

Here's a photo of Dad while he lived in Perth Andover New Brunswick. During several summers he worked as part of the local volunteer fire department. Best guess is that the photo was taken near the end of the 1930s.

I'm perpetually amazed at the power of the digital tools us 21st century photographers have at our disposal. In particular when it comes to the restoration of old photographs. I expect that within 10 years you will be able to upload a scratchy old black and white photograph from 100 years ago to an Internet service and, within seconds, receive a full color high dynamic range 3D rendering. More real than real?

Dad Circa 1939 Perth Andover NB Pre Restoration

Before Restoration with Capture NX/2

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Farmer Family Aug 1963.jpg


Farmer Family Aug 1963.jpg, originally uploaded by VancouverDoug.

Another flash from the past. In this case August 1963 in the town of Werl in what was then (cold war and all) West Germany. Right after a Sunday service with my sister happy it was over and me confused over Dad's sermon. :)

Monday, September 13, 2010

Dougie Farmer July 1963 01


Dougie Farmer July 1963 01, originally uploaded by VancouverDoug.

Here I am at four and a half looking ever so dapper in my first suit. Going for the casual, 'James Bond' look I figured having my right hand elegantly tucked into a pocket would enhance the effect. I was so right.

My sister calls this photo my "Little Man" shot. Nearly 50 years later, and ever the fan of upgrading, I think it should be renamed my " Mini Me " photo.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

WTC Towers 1 and 2 August 1985.jpg

The twin World Trade Center towers on August 1985. Taken during my second trip to NYC - the best city on the planet in my opinion. By 2013, if everything goes according to plan the construction of World Trade Center Tower 1 will be complete. At 1,776 feet high this signature building will be the tallest in the US. I'm looking forward to taking it's picture and having lunch near or at its summit.

Lost Lagoon and Georgia St Infra Red High Dynamic Range Aug 30 2010

The corner of Georgia St. and Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon in downtown Vancouver Canada. Looking nicely magical in the light of infra red high dynamic range photography.

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Straight of Georgia Rain and Sunset Fusion HDR Sept 07 2010.jpg

If you look due west from downtown Vancouver you'll see the gulf islands that be-speckle West Coast Canada's Straight of Georgia. For the past few days we've been getting some much needed rain (us Vancouverites are mostly an aquatic breed) and when it rains right at sunset close to the autumnal equinox the result is quite pretty.

Monday, September 06, 2010

English Bay Sunet Sept 09 2010 HDR 01

English Bay in Vancouver, in my opinion, gets its best sunsets one month either side of two equinoxes - spring and fall. The angle of the sun is just perfect enough to reflect the sun off the waters off the west coast of Vancouver island up to the clouds hovering over English Bay. Sort of a triple bank shot in pool only with light. Sort of.

Stanley Park Nov 1997 006


Stanley Park Nov 1997 006, originally uploaded by VancouverDoug.

While fall is still several months away here in Vancouver it's never too early to relish the colours of nature. Not to mention pictures of ducks. :)

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

ISS Transit Sept 01 2010 21_36 PDT

A 30 second exposure of English Bay Vancouver showing the International Space Station tracking overhead. At 200 miles up and orbiting at 17,500 MPH the ISS seems to move at roughly the speed of a jetliner at 35,000 feet.

Thanks to the power of the Internet you can sign up for alerts via Twitter to ideal sighting opportunities of the space station as it tracks across your location. The conditions have to be perfect and include a clear night, an hour before sunrise or after sunset and the station passing overhead. In three months this is my second sighting.

More info can be found at this link -> spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/tracking/

Stanley Park Urban Oasis

In the heart of downtown Vancouver is Stanley Park. Created September 27 1887 the park covers 1,000 acres and is a cool oasis of infinite photo opportunities. Here's a view from the eastern edge of the park just off of Lost Lagoon looking towards the western edge of the West End residential area.