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CONTEXTUAL
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Pecha Kucha #12
Last night I attended Pecha Kucha #12 (pronounced in four syllables as “peh-cha koo-cha”, or three, “peh-chak-cha”, depending on who’s last edited the wikipedia page).
Last night was titled “WALK THE TALK: GREEN YOUR CITY”, with the talks centring on sustainability. What struck me is the passion of each of the speakers (well… most of them. There were a couple “huh??” moments… but overall awesome). Like watching TED talks, I’m inspired when listening to people who can’t help but put into action something they’re passionate about.
The night was full of good information and inspiration, with a packed house of 2000 at the Queen E Theatre. Besides sustainability and the surprisingly pro-economic benefits, the theme of collaborative leadership came up again and again. While the speakers were chosen as leaders in their field, it’s their ability to build strong, authentic connections that creates action & movement on their issue.
Here are some bullet points I couldn’t resist jotting down in my phone as the talks progressed:
- Inspiration leads to action
- Products are a common currency. They bring people together. What if they could be all good? (fairware.ca)
- Imagine the subjectivity of others, especially the less privileged
- Difference is a point of negotiation
- Community based around food
- “A One Planet Footprint”
- Play = activity together
- Building beyond the property line. Green buildings are stronger together, connecting the capabilities of a neighbourhood to create a net-zero unit.
- Live like you plan on staying
Overall a great night! I can’t wait for the next one…
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Vision in Motion eBook Released!
I’ve been itching to tell everyone about this for months… and the day’s finally here! I’ve written an eBook for readers interested in stepping into the world of motion picture storytelling. The full title is Vision in Motion: A Photographer’s Introduction to Digital Video, and it’s available for $5 from Craft and Vision (Just $4 if you use the discount code MOTION4 before June 27th).
Though targeted at photographers, the eBook is for anyone who’s interested in the world of motion picture storytelling. With the explosion of video-capable stills cameras, many are considering dipping their toes into moving images. But while there are many resources out there on how to operate a video camera, what does it take to create a visual story that moves people? We talk some about gear, but mostly about process. What is story? How do you build a story? How do you connect images together to build towards a climax? What are the differences between composing a shot for a still image vs. motion?
It’s tough to pack all that into one eBook, but feedback so far has been positive. It’s gotten people excited to give video a try and get started with motion pictures storytelling. Go check it out!
VISION IN MOTION is a downloadable PDF. USD $5.00
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YMCA in the Vancouver Sun
A four-year project in the making, the Robert Lee YMCA is a great example of human-centred architectural design. Where the original 1941 building felt closed and functional, the new building is open, inviting and filled with natural light. I was invited to photographically explore the architectural spaces (designed by Vancouver companies Endall Elliot and Stantec) for a special supplement in the Vancouver Sun newspaper. You can see a few of the photos in the gallery below.
For more information on the Robert Lee YMCA, check out the latest article on the Vancouver Observer.
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Robert Lee YMCA Open House
Recently I worked with the YMCA of Greater Vancouver to profile their new downtown membership centre. Built into the original building’s 1941 facade, the new Robert Lee YMCA is open and spacious, filled with natural light by a vast atrium that reaches up over six storeys. To capture these open spaces, I worked with the Y’s communications team on a series of images to bring to life the community feel of the new centre. The first shoot was for a special supplement in the Vancouver Sun, which you can read about here.
In the meantime, I also had the pleasure of shooting the two-day open house just prior to the centre’s May 3rd opening. I had fun capturing the energy as YMCA volunteers toured prospective members through the new facility. Click on a thumbnail below for photos of the open house (and check back soon for more about the photos in the Vancouver Sun…)
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Dinner with a Side of Design
Put on by my friend Kara Pecknold, Dinner with a Side of Design is an event “to engage local leaders and designers in collaborative conversations focused around the complex themes of sustainability, culture and economics.”
During the facilitated three-course dinner, participants will be able to dialogue through conversation and visualisation in order to investigate new ways to respond to these complex topics by applying the value of design to them. The tablecloth will be a conduit to allow for idea development and exchange. The aim is to investigate how a collaborative informal approach can help a community work collectively toward a common future. By treating complexity with a measure of comradery, and using design process and thinking, we propose that new and undetected ideas can emerge.
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Rwanda: Hope Rises wins Best Documentary
The documentary I directed & produced, Rwanda: Hope Rises was the recipient this past week of the Best Foreign Documentary award at the International Family Film Festival in Los Angeles. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible!
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One photo says it all
A three-corner panorama taken at Robson & Granville in Vancouver after Canada’s Olympic Hockey Gold-medal win last night.
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The Wellspring Foundation PSA
In 2008, Lyn & Jesse Rosten and I headed to Rwanda to do the last round of filming for Rwanda: Hope Rises. Our hosts were our friends at the Wellspring Foundation for Education, a non-profit working in Rwanda toward quality education. They do the hard, everyday work of training teachers, educating kids and working with headmasters & the ministry of education to deliver the best possible education to Rwandan kids.
My friend and fellow creative Craig Harris just completed editing footage from that trip into a promotional film for Wellspring. The piece is a great example of collaboration at its best. A hard-working non-profit receives the combined efforts of several creative people, melded into a cohesive finished product. Have a look and let me know what you think in the comments!
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Esther & Jason
Esther & Jason are a love story in progress. In late January I was able to spend a couple of hours with them on their wedding day. After a week of rain, it was the perfect shooting day. The sky was a rich blue, and a rainbow formed as the sun dipped below the horizon. We had a great time out in the cold and back at Cecil Green getting these shots. Enjoy!