Just wanted to share a before and after look at one of my eagle works. I’m fortunate to have one fly by last week. It was a bit cold and I was without my tripod..Had to improvise with a nearby stack of wooden pallets…There are two bald eagles that live along the river and are here year round…I’ve named them “Smoke on the Water” and “Fire in the Sky” (check out a previous blog)…This is Smoke…Fire is the male and was on the other side of the river waiting for dinner.
"Smoke"
Before
Jay was in his senior year at Centennial when they made their strongest run towards a provincial championship….they hadn’t won since back in the 60’s. It was the year of Reggie Bradshaw breaking all kinds of rushing records for the school and the province of British Columbia. They came up short….mostly due to some major injuries to some key players along the way…..It was after that year that Kevin Chin decided to put his coaching efforts to community ball to be more involved with his son’s love for the game. Many of the Centaur players knew Kevin…many played for him…He would have been proud. Congrats Centaurs. This is a print that is to be presented to the school.
"Centaurs"
It’s hard to turn Rick Inrig down when he has a project that needs some attention or a basketball tournment that he is putting together…One thing is for sure the basketball is always fun to watch and he brings some great teams together for such an event. His involvement with BC Baskeball, with the Enver Creek Cougars and even his love for his Oregon Ducks (yes those green and yellow uniforms…and you know which ones) was the beginning of a nice friendship. Rick invited me to photograph this tournament and in the end we decided to try something new…we would hand out awards at the end of the tournament to the all stars of the tournment and also make something for the honorable mention players…..might have been a bit much to commit to as it took me late into the morning hours after the games to finish, print, stretch and deliver the final awards….but it all worked out…have a look at the stars of the Cougar Invitational 2009
High School Football Championship “The Subway Bowl” takes place this weekend. Since leaving the indoors of BC Place I have been able to follow the past couple weeks of high school football. Lucky for me it’s been wet/rainy and cold…A little taste of BC Lions weather for next season as we’re moving outdoors.
Whenever I’m in town I like to check in on the New Westminister Hyacks. It brings back fond memories of Kevin Chin. I know he’s there in spirit watching Casey and Jordan. Tough game vs. Centennial who goes on to the final game. Kind of Ironic as Keven coached the Centaurs to the finals and here they are again.
Centennial’s QB is impressive. He’s got a receiver who will hit the hardwood as soon as football season is over. I’ve got a great shot of one of the touchdowns where his impressive height and hands were evident. A nice running game. An impressive defense.
WJ Mouat is the component. Not knowing much about them I inquired of a UBC coach who was scouting on the night they beat Vancouver College to advance. His report had a couple of linemen, a kicker that he said was the best in BC and when watching taking warmup it was impressive to watch him kick. And then he spoke of a running back that I should pay attention to. Some impressive players.
So here’s my tribute to the two players that I felt lead their team to the final championship game. On both offense and defense both of these two way players always seem to be around the ball. This is going to be a great final!
From Centennial # 1 Lemar Durant and from WJ Mouat #34 Allan Dicks
Tradition for me for the past 4 years has been to make a trek up to Brakendale, British Columbia the day after Jay’s birthday which is around American Thanksgiving. I dropped Tricia off at a dance convention in downtown Vancouver and then headed up the sea to sky highway (towards Whistler and the 2010 Olympics)…I wasn’t disappointed. Other than the freezing rain and cold i was in store for a great day of shooting. One of the local residents who was walking his dog commented on how it wasn’t a great day for pictures. I informed him that it was a great day. As I was the only one out there, I was the only one in the world capturing these magnificent birds that day…a true one of a kind image.
"Eagle In Flight"
"Touchdown"
2009 Grey Cup…Montreal vs Saskatchewan…Calvillo vs Durant…here’s my tribute to two Quaterbacks that will be the keys to victory for their respective teams. The game stacks up pretty even on both sides of the ball…it comes down to these two to be the difference in the game….my prediction..Montreal by 8. By the way, Anthony and I share the same birthday so when they’re not playing the Lions I cheer for Montreal.
"13 vs 4"
I can’t say enough about the Michael Cuccione Foundation
www.makingadifference.org and their quest to help fight and find a cure for childhood cancer. There are alot of great causes and I am honored to be associated with this one. The story is heart touching and everytime I watch the Michael video it brings tears to realize what a great person Michael is today and what he and his family has done over the past 14 years. Rock For A Cure will become a great annual event.
It was the first of what will be a great tradition. Held at the Red Robinson Theatre in Coquitlam the two bands that performed at this inaugural show were nothing short of fantastic. “Cause for Drama” www.cause-4drama.com opened the show and did a fantastic job by highlighting material from their upcoming new release. Rock with some great grooves and two guitarists (Rocky Milino and Nate Cavalli) that put on a show.
”State of Shock” www.stateofshockband.com who were the headline act followed C4D and put on an amazing show. I was privleged to photograph these guys (and girl) last year and was excited to be part of this function to photograph them again. They signed a limited edition print that I created from their show last year to help raise more funds for the “Rock For A Cure” benefit. On a side note I’ve seen and photographed many bands and musicians over the years but never have I witnessed, heard, seen a bass player like Alison Toews. Not to take anything from the two guitarist Jesse (Happy Birthday) and Simon who are both non stop energic musicians , Alison on bass has to be the most rocking bass player I have ever seen. Cam on vocals, Johnny on drums…it was a night to remember.
"Geroy Simon"
Big game on Sunday…Our BC Lions are one win away from heading to the Gray Cup…Cold wet week of practice but spirits are high and confidence is there in the right proportions…Saw some new things at practice and I’m looking forward to watching and cheering them on…Two main ingredients to this playoff success in terms of on the practice field in the locker room and throughout the organization is QB Casey Printers and Wide Receiver Geroy Simon.
These two ”limited edition” (only 100 to be printed of each) PhotoArt creations will be used by the BC Lions and the charities they work with in raising funds and contributions to support many great causes. As a big fan it’s been a treat creating them and being privleged to be there on the sidelines with my gear.
Good Luck on Sunday!
"Casey Printers"
I’m not sure how to put into words what I saw, heard and witnessed on Thursday night at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC, Canada. It was a night like no other. For those of you that have been privileged to hear/see “Playing for Change” on their recent tour you will understand. For those of you in Europe that will be going to one of their shows in the new year…you are in for a special treat. The music, the musicians, the energy…it was a night that I could have photographed all night long. Thousands of pictures to go through still…and I relive the night every time I look through that night’s shoot. Unbelievable !
Thanks Peter for the invite…the all access pass to allow me to travel to all parts of the stage and most of all for the memories i will cherish… Brother, you made my Christmas list.
For more info check out www.playingforchange.com
"Playing for Change" Commodore Ballroom 11.19.2009
What a privilege…what an honor…to watch this team and specifically these two defensive players this season..I’ve been on the field close enough to hear the hurt that they both have put on the opposition…even though the all star team could have been and should have been populated with more from the Lion’s squad i’m happy for these two…here’s a shot at the awards that will be hanging on the wall of fame tomorrow morning
"CFL All Star Barron Miles"
"CFL All Star Korey Banks"
