What I Want From A Photograph

    What I'm doing when I look at a photograph is basically a feat of  reverse engineering. I want to look at the picture and be able to look into the lens, through the camera out the eyepiece or screen and into the eye and mind of the photographer when he or she took it. 

    It was American photographer Dorothea Lange who said, "The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera." That quote implies a certain emotional investment in the creation of the image. For a photograph to be successful, it is not enough to simply create an image of the subject or scene in front of the camera. Essentially, what I am trying to do when I make a photograph, is not simply make an image of the subject but portray my reaction to it or experience of it.

    Doing that involves a bit of self examination. How do I feel about the subject? What about the subject appeals to me? After answering these questions either literally or instinctively, the next question is, "What visual elements, line, shape, colour, form etc. can I use to emphasize the aspect of the image or scene that appeals to me?" This is where shooting with intent comes into play.

    An architectural shot of a building is a collection of shapes and lines. A photograph of an Autumn scene is a pallette of warm toned colours. A portrait can consist of  the abstract shapes of facial features or simply a warm inviting smile. 

    For the viewer to like a photograph, it has to appeal at a visceral level. Achieving that requires an emotional investment on the part of the photographer and a level of skill in bringing it out. Anything less is not a photograph, but just another picture. 

            ...more later

 

    

Coffeeshop Philosophy

    There's a fine line every that photographer walks. It's the subtle line of simultaneously being in the moment enough to appreciate it, while having enough presence of mind to capture it and do it well.

 

    This duality of mind can be a bit of a burden in that sometimes the urge to capture a moment overwhelms the joy of simply experiencing the moment. The urge to be a photographer capturing life can overpower the urge to be a human just experiencing it.

     One very real aspect of being a photographer is recognizing the need to step away from the camera long enough to experience the moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfjkiTB1fHQ

   However, one of the greatest joys of being a photographer is having the camera as an excuse to experience any given moment in the first place!    

    Case in point;  The Mulberry  Coffehouse https://www.mulberrycoffeehouse.com/ (one of my favourite coffee shops in Hamilton) has a counter at the front windows that face on to James St. N. It's a great place to relax, sip a great coffee and just watch passersby on the street. While passing by the window, I was struck by the line of faces as I walked by on the street. I wanted a photo of it!

     However I didn't want to intrude on the patrons sitting there who were just there to have a cup of coffee. I did what to some street photographers is the unthinkable. I went inside and talked to my subjects. I walked down the line of people at the counter and explained who I was and exactly what I wanted to do. Maybe the Fujifilm X-T1 camera (Thanks Tom) slung around my neck leant me a little street cred, but, to my surprise, everyone I talked to was agreeable to the photo. "What do you want us to do?" Answer, "Nothing. Enjoy your coffee. Chat with each other. Whatever you were doing before I got here."

    I initially tried to shoot the photo using the panoramic setting on the X-T1 but that didn't work out very well. Eventually I did a quick lens change (from 35mm f2 to 16mm f2.8 wide angle) to get all of the front windows into the frame. 

    Here's the result.

    Not exactly the shot I had in mind. (I might try shooting it again.) But It's a pretty cool shot nonetheless.

    For the record, this isn't the first time I've made a photo at the Mulberry Coffeehouse. I don't know. Street photography and coffeeshops just seem to go together!

    I guess that what I'm saying is that being a photographer has allowed me to live my life with an intensity I would have otherwise not thought possible. Let's face it, the camera is the ultimate tool to capture the moment. But, sometimes it's best to put the camera down and just live in the moment.

            ...more later

    

New Year by: Gord Barker

    So it's January. First blog of the New Year. The only New Year's resolution that I really have is to lean a little harder into getting the work out there.  

    That being said, I will soon take a break from writing this to take a trip up to Treasure Mattes in Brantford. https://treasuremattes.com/ Treasure Mattes handles all of the framing of my larger prints for exhibition. I've had one of my photos accepted for a show at Art at Seven in Dundas, Ontario. I'm going to Treasure Mattes to get it framed. Jocelyn at Treasure Mattes has been framing my pictures since I started on this crazy journey of displaying and selling my photos. She is a great person to deal with and  always does an excellent job at a reasonable price. She is even tolerant of my crazy sense of humour.

     In addition to the the show at Art at Seven, I will be doing another show at the Dog-Eared Café in Paris Ontario later this year. https://www.dogearedcafe.ca/ I've currently got some matted 8x10 prints on display there. (shameless plug) I'm currently looking into a few other venues to show my pictures. I'll keep you posted. 

    Construction work has already started on the "downtown dig" which will extend through the summer season and beyond. Now, more than ever, local businesses as well as artists and craftspeople will need our support. It's going to be a tough year in Paris but we'll make it through.

 

     So that pretty much wraps up plans for this year on the photographic front. Keep reading this blog and follow me on social media for further updates. Things could get interesting.

           ...more later 

 

Year's End 2024 by; Gord and Greg Barker

     Christmas is over for another year. Time to take a look back at the year that was. This year my son, Greg will be contributing to this retrospective of 2024. Since purchasing his Canon RP camera in 2023, Greg has become a talented photographer in his own right as well as being a post processing wizard. I foresee more collaboration on projects in the year ahead. 

       Where to begin? The problem with doing a year end wrap up is in the editing. When one finds happiness in the celebration of beautiful light and the world illuminated by that light, it can be hard to select the best images from a whole year of shooting.

    For me, 2024 began with a walk on New Year's Day at the Hamilton harbourfront where I managed to photograph a swan. It seemed a beautiful and serene way to start the year. Winter, of course transitioned to spring with me alternating my photographic activity between small town Paris, On. and the steel city of Hamilton, On. 

                                                                                        

                                                                                          

    And, of course, spring gave way to summer.

    One of the most memorable evenings I enjoyed during the summer was a dinner of fish and chips at Hutch's On The Beach in Hamilton followed by a walk along Van Wagners Beach at sunset. You can see a few more shots from that evening here.https://refractivereasoning.blogspot.com/2024/09/labour-day-2024.html

    I didn't take a really long vacation this tear but did manage to get away for a few lovely days to Pelee Island. I wrote about it in my September blog post. https://refractivereasoning.blogspot.com/2024/09/september.html                                        

    The Fall colour season was beautiful this year and included a say trip to Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area as well as my usual Autumn At The Dam Series. You can see a few more photos here. https://refractivereasoning.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-majesty-of-autumn-by-gord-barker.html

    So that brings us to the holiday season and this, the last blog post of the year.

                                         

    That being said, I think some thanks and acknowledgements are in order for the people who help me pursue the craft that I love. First and foremost, thank you to all the people who show appreciation for, and purchase my pictures. You're appreciation and support go a long way in validating me as a photographer and image maker. Thanks to my significant other who provides the encouragement, does most of the planning for trips and adventures and is amazingly patient as she waits for me to do "Just one more shot...." I love you. Thanks to my son, Greg, for editing (and helping me to edit) my work both as a copy editor and post processing wizard. Together, we're putting out some pretty cool stuff and having a lot of fun doing it! Thanks to the gallery owners and curators for allowing me to show (and sell) my pictures in your establishments. We couldn't get the work out there without you. Thanks to the members of the Paris Photo Collective for all the helpful tips, laughter and friendship that we share on this crazy creative journey. We may be the craziest little photo group on the planet, but damn, we crank out some great pictures! Thanks to everyone who reads this blog. You are the reason I keep cranking it out.

...more later

Turns out later is now. Hi, it's his son. I wanted to follow in a similar vein as my father and showcase some of my favourite photos of 2024. This year has been big for me in photography. Taking things in a more serious manner. Going out of my way to plan. Pushing for shots I otherwise would not have gotten in my daily routine. Some from prep, others from a marriage of luck and a keen eye. Enough of intros, lets rapid fire this shit. 

I feel it's only right to start with this shot

Photographing this was surreal. I knew far before that I wouldn't get the best shot of it. I didn't care. I wanted to try. The solar eclipse was a photo that made me care more for the experience than the result. Armed with a 24-105 and my RP, I'm happy I captured a once in a lifetime experience. Regardless of who did it better.

Next up, a photo I have aptly named "First Light"

Who doesn't love a good sunrise? It's become a small tradition to engage with the dark winter morning. Seeking a sunrise shot I'm happy with. Similar concept to my father's autumn at the dam mission. Although, mine has less pretty fall colour and more freezing my ass off.

The third photo of this list may just be my personal favourite.

Does this not slap harder than an angry stepmother? When photographing the bullride a man's voice said 

"you can't be this close to the fence"

Looking up to realize it was a security guard twice my size. I told him

"Of course. No problem"

That's code for kiss my ass, I am NOT missing out on this opportunity. The Bull Riding was the event to photograph above all else to me. The rest of the ride consisted of me playing hide and seek with a security guard. This shot happened to be one of many results from the ordeal. 

"Window To The Soul"

How's that for an artsy fartsy name? This shot is special not only from the composition but from the location. A childhood place outside of Cambridge. Going back to spend time with the horses being a photographer became a meet in greet made in heaven. 

Last of the set. The Porsche. The reflections from the road, the car itself. I love it. Though, I'm picking this shot to showcase not all photos need an epic back story. This was a result of smoking a stogie and throwing back a yellow jacket with my friend. Hearing something fast approaching from the distance. I grabbed my camera, crouched down in anticipation. Lone and behold, this shot is the result of enjoying time with friends.

That's the end of that. I hope everybody had a great Christmas and has good New Year. 

                                                                From: Gregory Barker

More more Later...Even more later? I don't know. Enjoy the craft people.

The Gleaning by: Gord Barker

    To  "glean" in modern parlance means to gather bits of information from a variety of sources https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr2=p%3ads%2cv%3aomn%2cm%3asa%2cbrws%3achrome%2cpos%3a1&fr=mcafee&type=E211US885G0&p=gleani

    However, in ancient times "gleaning" occurred when wealthy landowners would allow the poor onto their fields to gather whatever crops were left after the main harvest was completed. Essentially, a first example of "trickle down economics".

    For me, from a photographic standpoint, "the gleaning" occurs in November when the vast vistas of Autumn glory are gone and all that is left are small pockets of colour. It is, quite simply, the gathering of that which is left.

    Ostensibly the concept of gleaning can seem a little sad. After the enjoyment of such abundance, I am simply trying to make the best of what is left. However anyone who has gradually worked their way through a box of chocolates will tell you that the last two or three are the most precious.

     Generally, the photos taken at this time are not filled with the richness of beautiful colour that was available just a month ago. They do, however have a narrative quality of their own. Because the photos often consist of bits of colour against a neutral toned or blue sky backdrop, they are a harbinger of the more austere winter days ahead. To that end, they can have a grace and delicate beauty all their own. From a photographic standpoint, they are a bit more of a challenge to make. Composition becomes more important when the frame no longer consists of a solid blast of colour. 

    So, as the time of the gleaning comes to an end, we enter the time of festive lights and (perhaps) vistas of white snow. The visual world, as it should be, is ever changing.

                        ...more later

As always, If you like what you see here, feel free to "like" and share to the media platform of your choice. If you keep reading them, I'll keep cranking them out!

                

    

 

    

The Majesty Of Autumn by: Gord Barker

     As I was out for my walkabout this morning I came to the realization that the fall colour season had peaked.  A lot of the trees have no leaves left and it's only going to get worse as we move into the month of November. I asked myself if, as a photographer, I had done justice to capturing the season. I came to the realization that the majesty of autumn is so immense that it precludes me from from ever sufficiently portraying it in a series of photographs. However my love of  Autumn colour and of the craft of photography will always find me trying to capture the magnificence of the season. It may be a fool's errand, but one that is pursued with joy and passion nonetheless. 

    My Autumn colour season, this year, began not so much with colour on the trees, but with colour in the form of moving lights. In what is becoming a bit of a tradition for us, the members of the Paris Photo Collective have a a night of moving light photography usually as our outdoor meetings are winding down due to the earlier onset of darkness.

       As always, the real Autumn colour season for me begins with a few tinges of colour on the trees by the river. A morning meander up to the dam near my home has become something of a regular occurrence, even more so in the fall. 

     I used to apologize for taking so many pictures of the dam near my home. Not any more. I'm fortunate to live near such a beautiful spot and, as a photographer, I'd be a fool not to take full advantage of it.

    That being said, I did post my traditional "Autumn At The Dam" photos on the Thanksgiving weekend.       

  

    On one of my little hikes to the dam, I was fortunate to get a blast of light against a stormy sky. I love that kind of light! I had to work fast. These "light blasts" have a tendency to not last very long.

     And just to prove that I can do Fall colour photography from locations other than the dam in Paris, here are some photos from a glorious morning spent at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area near Milton.  

 

    So as the Autumn colour season winds down I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for simply being able to experience the majesty of the season. I'm also grateful for the happiness I've experienced in my attempts to capture it as photographer. Most of all, I'm grateful for the family and friends with whom I get to share these images.

                             ...more later

 As always, if you like what you see here, feel free to share it on the media platform of your choice.