Skating St. Ignatius (saves lives)
July 30, 2012 at 9:38 pm , by Bryan
One day at Camera Camp (otherwise known as an RMSP Workshop), we visited the little town of St. Ignatius on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Our main goal for this field trip was to visit and photograph the St. Ignatius Mission. As the church is rather small, we broke into two groups, so we could limit our impact inside.
I was in the group to go inside second, so I wandered over to the nearby skatepark to shoot some photos, while waiting. It was amazing. The kids there were happy to let us shoot them skating, and they ended up doing tricks for their audience, which we loved. I shot several hundred photos (love my new Nikon D7000 camera, with 6 frames per second) in my short time there. These kids were truly inspiring.
Hamming it up for my camera? Maybe. He was demonstrating his new hat-between-the-legs trick.
And it wasn’t until putting this post together that I learned that this skatepark itself is an inspiration, and is saving lives. More after the jump…
Travel to the Past
July 28, 2012 at 9:46 pm , by Bryan
As any of you who check my blog regularly, you’ll have noted that I don’t post too regularly. I’m hoping that’s going to change, as I’ve taken a great leap forward in both skill and inspiration, thanks to my week at “camera camp” as a friend at work called my long-awaited week away. (Looking at you Nancy!)
Actually, I spent the week at a Rocky Mountain School of Photography (RMSP) workshop. In short, I loved it. We covered a lot of technical ground, but more importantly we went out and shot photos after each lesson and then had helpful critiques of our work. Another unexpected treat was coming away with a whole new batch of friends. (More calendars to print!) I miss them already (particularly my field trip buddies, Shelley and Darryl). Collectively, there was so much talent in the room. Seeing how everyone came away from the same shoot with such different images was both refreshing and reassuring.
Anyhow, let’s travel back in time a bit, shall we? For one of our assignments, we traveled to Garnet Ghost Town, about a little over an hour outside of Missoula Montana (where we had camera camp), to practice some of our new skills. For this assignment, we were challenged (and believe me – it was a challenge!) to take a series of photos of one thing. We each interpreted this a bit differently, but I have to say that the beauty of what everyone captured was simply amazing.
After poking around the grounds, with a number of small log cabins, dry cellars, outhouses, and other buildings you’d have found in a mining town circa 1898, I landed in the backroom of the 2nd floor of what used to be a hotel.
As if through the haze of time, this long-abandoned room shared some of its stories.
Barn-Spotting
January 8, 2012 at 1:38 pm , by Bryan
OK – it’s been painfully long since I last posted. But what a treat to return to. I had the pleasure of exploring the NE corner of Oregon – the Wallowas – back in August and it was just beautiful.
A quiet morning outside of Joseph, Oregon
Another treat to see on an early morning walk.
The Wallowas are a beautiful mountain range overlooking high, dry farmland. The mountains encompass a Forest Service wilderness area, with all the adventure that comes with such rugged and remote places. There’s great food, music and less rugged activities than backcountry trekking, for those not interested in that.
For me, I enjoyed barn-spotting as a new sport.
This barn reminds me of Wimpy from Popeye.
I loved the shape of this barn.
Just another barn that invites one to drive the back roads.
Whatever your pleasure, this remote corner of Oregon is a treat to visit. Put it on your list!
