Put people in your photos; Kathryn at Golden, BC.

Kathryn and Murphy at Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, Golden.

We were enjoying a lovely walk on one of the many paved pathways available in the town of Golden in British Columbia.  We soon came upon an interesting sight; the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge.  It is located over the Kicking Horse River and allows those desiring to stretch their legs an opportunity to cross it without having to be near traffic.  The bridge itself has a lot of historical significance and there are quite a few information displays regaling its construction. 

The bridge itself is designed both for function and visual appeal.  I happened to have my ultrawide lens and got a number of good shots of the structure without people in it.  It was at this point that I remembered what I tell others to do when in similar circumstances; put people in your shot. 

Not just anyone, mind you, but people you know and care about.  The purpose behind this is very simple.  If you have a photo of some structure or landscape it will likely mean less to you over time.  A shot of the Eifel Tower is, after all, just that.  A picture with someone important to you in that same picture is another thing altogether.  It will keep its personal value over time and may even become a favourite.

I like to suggest doing two shots; one with that (those) special person (people) in it and one without.  That way you have one of each and can use either one depending on your purposes.  Given the fact that a 32 gig card can usually accommodate well over 1000 high resolution images, it should not be too pressing of a matter.

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Eric alone on the Columbia River.

Eric and his kayak on the bank of the Columbia River in Golden, BC.

I am not fond of doing stuff by myself.  It takes much more determination to achieve some objective if I have to do it alone.  Much of the time it cannot be helped.  My partner in crime, my wife Kathryn, has not been well now for going on seven years.  There are things or days where she can manage, and when she just can't.  We used to do it all together.  Kayaking, hiking, shopping, exploring via car, and so on.  Many of those activities are just too much for her.  So, I either do it alone or not at all.

This isn't always true as I have buddies that I can explore the universe with.  My amigos and I have done many wonderful things together.  The problem though is that Kathryn is alone when I toddle off on some expedition.  She can manage somewhat on her own, but the truth is that it is all just too much for her.  Thankfully my daughter, Leanne, is often available to help out if I am gone for an extended period.

When we are traveling, like this past summer, it often is just Kathryn and me.  During those times I have to make a choice:  Stay around or toddle off and explore.  I can often make myself busy around camp or at home.  There is always something to do and I have my photography which keeps me busy.  The outdoors calls to me though and I have to get away once in a while.  Usually, it is only for a few hours; it is enough to paddle about or hike a trail or perhaps visit some interesting venue.  Again though there is the problem of doing it by myself.

Let me share something with you which you may not know about me; I have a lot of anxieties.  Fears, uncertainties, what-ifs, and even guilt all play a role in keeping me from going off and doing my Lewis and Clark imitation.  The important part of all this is to find a balance between my needs, Kathryn's needs, and to push past the inhibitions which would prevent me from doing the things I love. 

I have always been better at handling adversity and being adventurous when another person is present.  It is one of the things I love about being married.  We tackle the world together.  Even when Kathryn is having a bad day we find a way to enjoy each other's company.  Good days allow us to venture out.  Most days involve considering a myriad of variables before coming up with a plan.  In the end, though, we are doing well.  I find that doing stuff by myself isn't so bad knowing that, afterward, I get to return home to my life partner.  Tomorrow is a new day and who knows what awaits.

The irony of peace.

A British Centurian tank with poppies adorning its main gun barrel.

I think it can be said that humans crave peace.  When there is peace people thrive.  Although there will always be the challenges which life throws our way, we have a chance to take care of the things that really matter when we live in peace.  People can also focus on self-improvement and prosperity.  These help build strong individuals, families, communities, economies, and countries.  Take peace away and this all crumbles. 

The funny thing about wanting peace though is that people have to agree to it.  This is essentially the heart of the problem.  For peace to exist there has to be order; order requires rules and someone to enforce them.  We all know what happens when order goes out the window.  Riots, looting, carnage, and even the loss of life. 

This is where the irony comes into play.  To facilitate peace tools of compliance must be utilized when needed.  It starts small, with parents guiding the behaviour of their children.  Then community-based management involving things like block watch and citizen's arrest.  The size of the problem requires greater and greater responses until, ultimately, the hounds of war are unleashed. 

I quite like the symbolism behind the poppies on the British tank in the picture I took.  Although a weapon of destruction and death, it can also be thought of as a weapon of peace.  Without force and its appropriate implementation peace is just a pipedream.  The trick, of course, is finding the right balance.  Too much force and you have a totalitarian regime, similar to what we see in North Korea.  Too little force and you get mobs and cartels ruling the roost. 

The unfortunate truth about peace is that it takes force to get it.  Ironic, but true.

Thanks for reading.   www.ericspix.com

Eric is benched again.

Eric on a bench at Rocky Point Park.  Photo by Paul Richards.

As the person behind the camera, it is rarely me having his picture taken.  I have hundreds, if not thousands, of candid shots of my friends and family, but relatively few of yours truly.  I will occasionally get out a tripod and shoot myself (would that be suicide by camera?), but those moments are rare.  The only way I am immortalized digitally usually involves a compatriot using my camera to capture my image.  Fortunately, I have not had any lenses crack or shatter when I become the subject rather than the digital composer.

When out shooting the world around me I will often take only one camera and lens.  As much as I like having all my stuff available to me on demand, the downside is that forty pounds of equipment is a lot to lug around, especially when no sherpas are available.  I would ask my traveling companions to do me the favour, but think my circle of friends would quickly evaporate as a result of the imposition.  And so I bring one simple unit. 

On this day I choose my Panasonic Bridge camera, an FZ2500 which performs modestly well for simple shots.  We found a nice alcove which was perfect for a portrait, and I asked my friend to take a couple of pictures of me.  Perhaps there was something deeper in play than what was superficially visible.  A machiavellian plot began glimmering in my mind - could this be the way to slowly get others to tote my gear?  A simple snap here and there, with an innocent suggestion of keeping the stuff just in case they wanted to capture another shot or two.  A moment becomes a couple of minutes, which turns into an hour, ending with the entire outing where I have a willing volunteer happily carrying my equipment.  Perhaps sherpas are more available than one would think.

Thanks for reading.  www.ericspix.com