Genesis

Genesis is the very beginning of something; the starting force. He is mine.

This is my grandfather, some 68 years ago. And he's why I'm where I am. There is no moving around that. I simply wouldn't be in this city, at this school, with a camera in my hand, trying to find the right images, without what he has done for me.
His name was Charles Robert Turnbull, but he went by Bob (or Gee to the family). He passed away a few years ago but he won't ever be absent to me. I've been holding on with all my will to his memory; his life. There are a lot of very important and prestigious things he did in his life, but to me he'll always be the man who gave me my first (second, third, and fourth) camera(s). He taught me all he could and I don't think I'll ever know how deeply he shaped my life. The world legacy comes to mind when I think of him. I'd like to be his legacy, with my actions and images and deeds.
A few years ago I made this little video if you want to know any more.
Archipelago

There Isn't a Thing in the World Like 35mm

I couldn't tell you what it is. Perhaps it's analogue romanticism, or holding a little negative in your hand. But maybe it's the feel of having the camera all that much closer to the subject. Without the hassle of checking all sorts of settings, and especially without the need to check the photo immediately afterwards, the subject is so much closer to you. The photographer can feel one layer closer to being part of their picture.
And those colours. Gosh, those colours.
Archipelago 
islands of thought and image, connected with a name

10,000 Pageviews!

Congratulations to everyone who reads this, whether this is your first post to read, or your 213th (love you Mom). 10k pageviews is pretty freaking sweet, so I want to say a big thank you. Here's something irrefutably adorable.

Night Life

Sometimes all you need is a quite night of inspiration. The night is where I find most of my ideas.
First is a photo of an alley by my house, where it looks like spring will never see.
The second is much more interesting. This is the longest (digital) exposure I've ever made: 1051 seconds (17.5 minutes). It's a self portrait of me reading comics on my phone with all the lights off. Took an exposure or two to figure it out entirely. The aperture was closed as could be (F22) ISO bottomed out (ISO100) and the time I just guessed for metering. I think I'll call it Cyberpathy. As for the how, it was pretty simple with the right equipment: a tripod, and an old school cable release with a lock. I locked it shut (holding the shutter down) and had the exposure time on BULB, and set a timer on my phone. A very little tweaking in post and ta-da!
Archipelago Photography

'Murica

You hop just a tiny bit over the border and it's amazing how much the urban landscape can change. We went to the United States for a day-trip on Family Day (or as they call it in the US of A, Presidents day) for some shopping and family camaraderie. The store on the top just killed me with laughter. "Guns. Survival Gear"; in what way are they related? In the centre of North America guns are not for safety or survival. Not to split my audience on gun control, but seriously? In a nationalist, patronizing way, I find the first image pretty amusing.

A Typology of Eyes

For another Ryerson project we were to create a Typology and I did mine of eyes. These are the 36 eyes of 18 people that are close to me. The eyes are randomized because it really isn't about the people themselves, but about the nature of an eye
Archipelago

Four by Five

They say that analogue photography is dead. And some places, it is. There are lots of schools out there that don't even teach it anymore. Thankfully, Ryerson is not one of those. These three photos were made with 4inch by 5inch analogue film. "Is that as much of a pain-in-the-ass as it sounds?" you might be thinking and the answer is "yes!".
The camera is huge and unwieldy, the tripod (which is 100% necessary) is obscenely large, the film is easy to screw up and bloody expensive (don't even ask!), and yet, there's something about it.
True, it's never quick or easy, but it's almost always worth it. I have never found myself taking a terrible photo with it, because it requires a lot of thought. By placing these limitations on us, we are learning how to really see and shoot with immense intention. It also teaches us to respect our roots. They were in fact times before the ease of a DSLR or a camera phone.
I have hated it at times, but I think when all is said and done, I will thank that horrible machination that gave me such beautiful negatives.
Archipelago