Arctic Landscapes II

ian: 9th Feb 2006 - 07:20 GMT

I feel like taking a collection to buy you a nice camera :)

Catherine Penfold-Waxman: 9th Feb 2006 - 14:30 GMT

I'm in for $10 on the camera. Simply fabulous shots. The cotton puffs are lovely. I've run out of good adjectives.
I'm sorry, you can't call yourself evil gentleman and take photos like these.

EvilGentleman: 9th Feb 2006 - 15:22 GMT

Actually, EvilGentleman is my chat nick on www.alamak.com It refers to the duality of my nature, much the same as we all tend to have. I like oxymorons, for some reason. I can see how I am evil at times (in a wink-wink-nudge-nudge fashion), and yet I still strive to be a gentleman.
And thanks to all for the compliments to my photos. I am seriously considering adding a minor in photography to the major in political science I am already taking in university. I feel proud of many of the pictures I have already taken, but I feel that with proper training, I could have done so much better.
I will probably be getting a new camera this spring, although I think it is my wife's turn to get the newer camera this go around. Ironically, my mother just gave my 13 year old son a camera for Christmas that is nicer than my own. LOL, maybe I can borrow it...

Elicar: 9th Feb 2006 - 17:50 GMT

Incredible pictures! Really breathtaking! Now, I want to visit.

Helen: 9th Feb 2006 - 18:00 GMT

I can't believe you're studing poli sci...i would have sworn you'd be in some arts program!

Don't count on borrowing you son's new camera, I've got an 11 year old who won't let me borrow his mp3 player :( Once they get their paws on it us old guys can't get near it.

james lipton from england: 9th Feb 2006 - 18:03 GMT

how old are you evilgentelman?if you don't mind me asking

EvilGentleman: 9th Feb 2006 - 19:46 GMT

Ian, Elicar - Thank you very much. It encourages me to hear positive feedback. :-)

Helen - Thank you as well, and I may be more fortunate. My kids and I get along very well, and I make them laugh every day, so asking little favours of them is not much of a problem, although we will see what their teen years bring. (Besides, they need permission to touch MY computer, so they don't have much choice if they want to download/print pics, or load MP3's, they have to keep me happy. Muahahahahahah!)

James, I do not mind you asking. I am 36. I have posted additional detailed info on my other page, titled Kangirsujuaq

jeeff: 9th Feb 2006 - 19:53 GMT

more beautiful photos. have you noticed much change in the area since nunavut became official?

EvilGentleman: 9th Feb 2006 - 20:16 GMT

I just checked. Apparently, I accidentally lied. So here is some personal information about me.

My name is Sean, I am 36 years old, and have been married since 2001. I am presently attending Concordia University in Montreal, where I am majoring in Political Science. I have a boy and a girl, aged 13 and 12, respectively. My hometown is the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, located across the St. Lawrence River from Montreal. I presently live in Dorval, which is the Montreal suburb where the international airport is located. My wife and kids are Inuit (Eskimo to you Yanks out there) I have travelled extensively throughout North America, visiting all the lower 48 states of the USA, and the only parts of Canada I have not been to are Newfoundland (flew over Labrador, though) and the Yukon. I also spent 4 hours in Tijuana, Mexico, if that counts for anything. I have no photographic training, although I would love to change that one day.

Cheers.

EvilGentleman: 9th Feb 2006 - 20:45 GMT

jeeff, thank you for the compliment. I was wondering how long it would take you to find this page.

The area in these pictures that I used to live in (1999-2005) is called Nunavik, and is actually part of the province of Quebec. I actually DID live in Nunavut between 1991 and 1999, but I left only a few months after Nunavut became an official territory, so I cannot really comment much on change there, although people tell me that the quality of government there has gone down in many ways. The pace of change in the north is quite slow, and one has to view things in a more relaxed manner, if they wish to survive there.

I can only comment on the changes to Kangirsujuaq, which unfortunately often neglect to take the area's natural beauty into account. The town built a new breakwater in 2001-2002 which required the quarrying of large amounts of gravel. Unfortunately, this means that the cotton in picture 1 no longer exists, as they built a road to the quarry site over that spot, burying the cotton under gravel (a small amount of it is still there, but it is a weak, scrawny cotton patch now). The face of the hill under the sunbeams in picture 3 also no longer exists, as they first attempted to quarry the gravel there. Also, the spot I stood in to take picture 6 (which is also the front of the hill in picture 1) has been dug up, and when I left there in July 2005, most of the area between the hill and the lake had been dug up. I think the scar would also show very prominently in picture 1. There are many other beautiful sites in the area, but the spots in the town itself seem to be disappearing at a rapid rate. I personally am very opposed to this sort of wanton destruction, but then again, I realize that due to the community being nestled between hills and mountains as it is, there are very few locations that are suitable for development, because of the risk of avalanches. The whole region has become aware of the threat of avalanche ever since the New Year's 1999 avalanche that killed 9 people in Kangiqsualujjuaq (a different village with a similar name to Kangirsujuaq), and as a result, many structures in the region were moved to safer locations. Even my toolshed behind my house had to be moved, as it was too close to the danger zone. In wet summer months, the topsoil sometimes starts slipping, and I have seen whole sections of the mountains get stripped of vegetation due to landslides. I will have to check if I have any pictures of that.

jack: 10th Feb 2006 - 05:18 GMT

very interesting, thanks for the photos and the sharing. it kind of reminds me of the movie snow walker. that is also beautiful country. seems like you have an interesting story of your life as your 36 with two kids 12 and 13. married 5 yrs ago. but you dont have to relate your personal life on the net, i see you as a good man with much character.

Chuckles: 16th Mar 2006 - 05:19 GMT

Hi Sean: Congratulations on your most excellant photographic eye. I am a Prof Photographer who started shooting in the 50's and I still get excited about my latest project, my most recent image, my 'cookin' on the back burner' image in progress. The content of your photographs are amazing .... thats a given BUT what really is outstanding is the fact that the viewer feels that their feet are truly at the site. Yes, you can feel the wind in the Cotton Grass .... you can experiece the chill blowing off the water. I wish you well as you pursue your dreams whatever they may be. I would encourage you to point your camera towards faces using the most simple type of lighting .... ie a window, a reflection from a building, etc. Your inner being will allow you to proceed in a delicate yet definite pace that will bring you great satisfaction. How do I know ?? After 10 years of avoiding personal portraits, I began to immerse myself in that area. It is now my favourite, most rewarding subject before my lens. A persons life / soul is reflected in their eyes, their hands, their posture. From the way you express yourself in your notes .... you are already sensitive to those joys, those pleasures, the very breath of life itself.
Best regards D Lyle Webb in Trenton, ON

EvilGentleman: 16th Mar 2006 - 16:59 GMT

Lyle, thank you very very much for the compliments/advice/vote of confidence. I do not know if I have it in me to achieve a professional level of photographic talent, but I am sure hoping to find out! I would definitely love to join the ranks of the many great photographers whose work I see here, but only time shall tell if I deserve to. I will definitely try to remember your tips regarding lighting when I attempt to do portraits, although it may be a while before I am confident enough to show any portrait photos to others. My wife is the portrait photographer in the family, while I seem to have an eye for landscapes, although she has been known to do spectacular landscapes as well. Mind you, she was given some lessons taught by a very accomplished professional, while I have had no such good fortune come my way as of yet. But she has taught me a number of things, and for this I am thankful. I am absolutely in love with the capturing of images in pictures, and I hope to spend my retirement years (only 30 years away now!) wandering the world with my wife while we take pictures of it all. The main reason I take pictures is for personal enjoyment, as well as archiving memories of my life. If nothing else, I hope I can leave my children a rich collection of memories to show their grandchildren some day. I must take the time to append notes to these images one of these days, so future generations will understand the context of the shots. Life is wonderful, I just wish I could live long enough to explore all of this great planet of ours.

P.S. I was last in the real Trenton (i.e. landing there on a military Hercules flight, not just passing by on the 401) in 1979 as a child of 10. Is AJ's Diner still on Highway 2 near there? I miss their Coney Fries. Still never had better fries in my life. Mind you, if I quit smoking, maybe I would discover that there are better fries out there...

Chuckles: 17th Mar 2006 - 04:17 GMT

Sad, but true ....... AJ's is long gone and was replaced by a Pizza Pizza. Ouuuuuch. Yes, their Coney Fries were an absolute delight. Funny how some food items stick in your mind (not your craw) Like the frites in Belgium that you dip in mustard and mayonaisse ..... zoweeeee....Or the Poutine of Quebec thats like a heart attack on a plate. With Trenton being the site of Canadas megabase some local restaurants cater to the Quebec Poutine lovers and the Bluenosers Donair (wrong spelling)

Again, I encourage you to aim your camera at some faces. Please, please dont wait 30 years. I'm 68 now (I can't believe it) and I'm always amazed at the human face and the human form. Comm'on Sean, post some people images ------ or at least some of your wives shots.

PS Did you get the irony of posting your far north isolation images on a CITYNOISE location ??

EvilGentleman: 17th Mar 2006 - 22:47 GMT

Ow... I shall mourn the demise of AJ's in much the same way as I mourn the passing of the last A&W drive-in that I ever saw. (It was in Saint John, N.B. near the junction of higways 1 and 7 and closed sometime in the 1990's)

As far as the portrait goes, I am figuring I might get the best results with a subdued and diffuse, yet bright light source, perhaps like one might find inside a stone arched veranda where the sun is shining brightly, but not directly at the subject. And as far as subjects go, I would think the face of an elder would be the best, as they would have the sparkle of wisdom in their eyes, and the wrinkles and creases add texture to the shot, making the picture much more interesting. Would you agree, or am I heading down the wrong path?

By the way, I see no irony in posting Arctic wilderness shots on an urban-themed site, as I love all forms of contrast. What I love about this site is how it is constantly evolving. What started out as a personal blog evolved into an urban-themed public photoblog, and it now seems to be spreading out into multiple areas, so you have the parkour and graf material sharing space with pictures of everyday and amazing things from the city, suburbs, small towns and remote reaches of the earth. The text articles seem to vary from poetry to my semi-controversial ranting about the things I hate in everday situations. The central focus of this website seems to be life itself now. I also notice that a great many people here seem to be quite artistic in the ways they express themselves via their photography, and at this point, I do not know how to express myself in words, but can only state that whatever citynoise is, I am thankful it is here, as it is really opening my eyes in so many new and interesting ways. I feel I am getting to know people here, even though the conversations may take weeks to finish. I am very appreciative of how well I am being received by those of you who have been here for years, and I will always respect your opinions.

EvilGentleman: 17th Mar 2006 - 22:58 GMT

I have a few shots I took of Inuit elders that I took which I feel are really good, but unfortunately those particular elders have since passed away, and I am not sure how their families would react if their pictures are posted here for all to see.

Peter: 18th Mar 2006 - 07:04 GMT

wow, somehow i missed this entry the first time around... just found it. eg, your posts are among some of the most fascinating/informative on this site. i do hope you keep it up. you have a unique perspective and locale that none of us have, and i think its great that youre representing it so well here.

cheers!

EvilGentleman: 18th Mar 2006 - 12:20 GMT

Thank you very, very much, Peter. Unfortunately, I am not living there nowadays, as I have moved down to Montreal to pursue my education. But I have a large archive of pictures of the Arctic that my wife and I have taken over the last 5 years, perhaps 6000 or 7000 digital pictures in all, as well as a further 1000 or so 35mm images dating back to the 1970's. I am sure if I try hard enough, I can find sufficient material to keep posting Arctic shots for another year or two.

Chuckles: 20th Mar 2006 - 05:01 GMT

G'day Sean:

Appreciate your response and interesting comments.

The great thing about photography is it truly allows the "shooter" to express themselves in ways that are really quite remarkable. There is no right way / wrong way ..... no right path or missed turn in the road. Photography is very 'democratic' in that it allows the image maker to capture and record a moment .... a slice of time as it were. It allows the viewer to appreciate it, embrace it OR just outright hate it !! Often as I enjoy art or someone elses photography, I will see in it little nuances that were missed by the artist themselves. Often our most meaninful images stir nothing in another. Many times my clients have raved that I really caught the spirit and personality of a subject ... when in reality, I almost tossed out that image out as not 'up to my standard'.

My most satisfying images are those captured during conversation. Young subject or old .... all the defences drop as you engage your subject in idle chatter or serious conversation. When a child that has always been forced to smile at the Walmart photo shop >>>>> we will get the same image as they did as a nearby parent nags from the sideline. But ask the child if she has a cat or a dog ---- whats its name ---- whos their best friend ----- do they like school and the small face becomes animated and real.

Photographers who are equipment conscience seldom capture great people pictures. As we chatter and dialog, the camera in my hand virtually becomes invisible and the magic happens. Photographer / subject interplay causes the sparks to fly and the life in the eyes reflect the real person. (Best example is Karshes image of the scowling Churchill !!)

Where to shoot portraits is wide open. I've had great results in laundry rooms, back alleys and open doors. Sometimes its great to show surroundings ---- other times its best to reduce or eliminate background. (Magazines primarily sell issues because of the cover photo ..... tight cropped and full) Some photographers really know how to see light ..... others work more with the shadows that others miss.

We are so fortunate that the camera is the tool and we become the 'creative source'. Kinda scary ~ ~ ~ Kinda wonderful !!

Regarding your images of Inuit elders that you have on file. I appreciate your sensitivity on the matter but please consider the great collections of early North American Indians that we can enjoy because they were published. Sensitive coverage from glass plates taken of the US Civil War or later on, WW2. Some in your face images of Vietnam, Kent State University killings, Kennedys Assasination ..... these images are now a matter of historical importance. (Even Trudeau sliding down the bannister in Ottawa) Your images of the elders were important when you took them ..... they are even more significant today. You have a very personal way with your captions Sean ~~~~ you might consider honouring their memory with a few words of personal reflection along with the images. I'm sure their families would appreciate your integrety.

Sorry to have rattled on here . Best regards Lyle

EvilGentleman: 20th Mar 2006 - 09:54 GMT

I may eventually post them, but I think I had best allow the families time to stop grieving first. Maybe in another year or two. And only those pictures which I took of my own accord, not the ones that I was asked to do. At one time, people used to pay me to scan and touch up their photos or take new ones to be printed on my computer. This was at the beginning of the digital imaging era, and since there was no local photo shop, I agreed to do this for people. Of course, any pictures which I was paid to do, I feel are the property of the customer, and not mine, although all the images still reside in my archives. Even though I have moved away, I still get the occasional request to reprint a picture or to email it to someone. Usually this involves a person asking for a copy of the picture of the dearly depated grandparent that was scanned for their cousin, or some other such situation. When this happens, I always tell them that they will have to get the original customer to call me to give permission, since the image is their property.

As far as your "rattling on" goes, fret not. I am pretty much the same way.

Sean.

EvilGentleman: 20th Mar 2006 - 10:21 GMT

Lyle,

Sorry about that. I just responded to part of your post, and did not also mention how grateful I am for your tips and advice. While I know that each photographer has their own distinct personal style, I also know that understanding how others are able to work with a subject and create art is a gift that one cannot attach a price to. I have so much to learn, and you are helping to give me a head start. Thank you.

Sean.

P.S. - I really know what you mean about a customer raving about pictures that I personally feel are not good enough. Sometimes, people see things in my photos that I never considered. This too, can be educational for me. But so far, the only natural skill I seem to notice about my portraits is that I can take well-framed flash pictures of my friends in a dark bar, even though I cannot see a blasted thing through the viewfinder or preview screen. Now if only I could figure out how to reduce my 40% ratio for taking pictures of people blinking... :-)

Chuckles: 24th Mar 2006 - 03:44 GMT

Well Sean, believe me. I have a humungous number of photos that I've zapped off with direct - in your face flash - and always at a hootenany, masquarade or party. Strangely, some have even seem to have been taken from a very low vantage point (like the floor, maybe !!) More than once, the automatic focus has saved the day rather than my own distorted attention to fuzzy detail. Of course I speak of those 'let your hair down - if you have any- get togethers !!

I salute your respect for honoring the elders, your customers and the copyright issues.

How to reduce the blinking factor ..... easy with digital. Just use the gattling gun mode on your system that allows 3 or 4 exposures off in seconds and the edit out ~ ~ ~ ~ preferably tomorrow morning. Some folks I know use the red eye deternant .... that damdable mini pre flash gadget that makes them think that your finished. The results are always stage right .... or left, I'm outta here.

Sometimes I encounter a real blinker (usually a bride) who blinks even more than normal when excited. On her big day she is in full extreme blink mode. If she states shes a blinker .... she'll do it at an even greater frequency and becomes downright paranoid about 'ruining her pictures'. What works well with digital is to start off with natural light if possible .... near a window, etc. I ask her to relax to a slow down and then just chat with her. The camera becomes invisible, the dialog increases to catch the vibrancy of the subject and THEN, I just gently squeeze off 3 or 4 fast ones. I edit as I speak with her, show her the screen and immediately win her confidance so that she puts aside her 'blinking fears' !! Love that digital.

When I was shooting film, every exposure meant wasted dollars. Duplication was always reduced to keep the costs to the client down. With digital, the more folks in an image, the more images created in quick succession. I always edit the next day with a clear mind.

Last summer, one of my brides wanted all the 'normals' BUT her real priority was 'one great photo' of all her guests with bride and groom.
Every time I spoke with her, she reminded that the 90 some crowd was in from all over the world and would never be together again. Believe me Sean, it was a priority one. Right after the signing of the register I collected everyone together and photographed them before they wandered and while they were still excited. From a balcony, I drew them together with jokes and chuckles and sqeezed off TWENTY FIVE images in quick succession. The odds guaranteed more than 9 super shots and everyone looked their very best. ( There were at least 10 children under 8 .... I held their attention by faking I was falling over the railing.Kids are so cruel, eh !) Women always love the 'looking up angle' because they always comment that it got rid of their double (triple) chins. (Its true, too.)

Be good to yourself Sean . Best regards to you and yours Lyle

EvilGentleman: 24th Mar 2006 - 21:40 GMT

Wow, I love the advice, thank you very much. Too bad my point-and-shoot digital does not have a burst mode, But I shall try to make sure my next camera has that feature.

aer suzuki: 3rd Jun 2006 - 01:36 GMT

Gorgeous pictures, what an interesting area...

As a sidenote, we here in Seattle know who the Inuit are, I haven't heard the word 'Eskimo' used since the movie 'Heathers'...

Anyway, great shots.

EvilGentleman: 8th May 2007 - 16:39 GMT

Photo 1 was taken from the protrusion at the north side of the lake, looking west. The road was not there yet, and the vantage point has since been buried under gravel. maps.google.ca/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&om=1&t=k&ll=61.600702,-71.929293&spn=0.00994,0.028925&z=15

Photos 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 were taken from this strip of beach, looking N and NW. maps.google.ca/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&om=1&t=k&ll=61.603131,-71.959076&spn=0.009939,0.028925&z=15

Photo 3 was taken between this hill to the S and the mountain to the N, looking NW. The vantage point has been dug up, it was about 10 feet S of the N edge of the little quarry. maps.google.ca/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&om=1&t=k&ll=61.605335,-71.944023&spn=0.002485,0.007231&z=17

EvilGentleman: 8th May 2007 - 16:39 GMT

Photo 5 was taken from the east end of this hill, looking SE at the lake. maps.google.ca/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&om=1&t=k&ll=61.601947,-71.936975&spn=0.00994,0.028925&z=15

Photo 6 was taken along the beach to the W of town, looking N maps.google.ca/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&om=1&t=k&ll=61.598763,-71.988516&spn=0.019882,0.05785&z=14

Veronic: 8th Mar 2008 - 19:13 GMT

Hi Sean!
Great pictures! I miss Kangiqsujuaq so much when I look at them. I am ready to go for a long walk....
Veronic

EvilGentleman: 9th Mar 2008 - 02:58 GMT

Thanks, Veronic. Hope all is well for you wherever you are now. Nuut and the kids are going up for Easter, but I am opting to stay down here this time. Maybe if we can find a tent, I might stay up there for a week one of these summers, though. Been a while since I slept on the land.