4TheRcrd Mag.

Last Friday night, the last day of February, I decided to give myself a small break from writing all of my assigned research papers and go review a photo show after work. Landscapes of Vancouver was hosting it’s opening photo show at the Yaletown Gallery on Homer and Davie. The gallery itself is peculiarly small with a geometrically convenient way of fitting a large number of people inside. The organizers of the opening got three young lads to play some music that resembled that of “Tokyo Police Club,” and of course, there were also snacks of the yummy kind. This photo show was particularly exciting for me because I myself am a Vancouver photographer and so it was exciting to know that I was going to meet many of the other people who I only know by their photography. How do you ask, all of us photographers follow each other’s photo stream? But through Flickr, of course. In fact I consider the whole friday shenanigans to be a huge meet and greet of Vancouver Flickr users! As the evening progressed, I don’t think I met or overheard one guest at the show who wasn’t a photographer or a Flickerite.

The photography on display was defintily impressive. It was so good that I can’t put my finger on any piece that actually lacked originality, expression and talent. Each photo showed an interesting natural scene or spot that resembles the theme of “Landscapes of Vancouver”. Some of the guests who recognized me from Flickr asked me why my photography was not on display, and my answer to that was “I didn’t know this was even happening till last week!” The selection process for the photo show was held through submission. In fact, most of the photographers knew about this event and submitted their work through word of mouth. I guess I missed out, but next year I will definitely submit my piece.

 That evening I had two photographs that I just could not take my eyes off. The first photo was taken by someone who I have interviewed online, published many times, and who has credited me for his success in the industry. That someone was Simon Clarke and his piece titled “Weeping in the Wind.” The reason I am always mesmerized by his photos is that they show such a raw and beautiful side of Vancouver. He has a particular style of photographing birds at flight, swinging branches during winds storms, architectural simplicities that surround our city, exasperated skies, and wandering souls. The second photo was photographed by Kirsti Wakelin titled “The Drift.” It’s  a black and white photo, taken of people crossing the sidewalk on a rainy day. One would assume that she took the photo of the crosswalkers from a far angle and it must be really boring and general, but no. She took the photo while walking amidst the crowd. Thus, the photo has an intimate feel about it, like no other kind. To see for yourself please visit the Yaletown Gallery at 1208 Homer Street till March 16^th or visit their website to see the work of each artists online.