Celebration

Crowd shot of the fireworks spectators leaving. One of my favourite shots ever. I love the feeling of frenzied energy headed off in every direction. It is fun when you are in it, as I have been in that crowd a few times! You can only generally head in the direction you are trying to get. It's as crazy as it looks. The Celebration of Light is an annual international fireworks competition in Vancouver, Canada. In 2009, the event took place over three nights in July, with fireworks displayed by the United States, Spain, and China teams. The fireworks were launched from barges anchored in English Bay, with spectators watching from nearby beaches, parks, and high-rise buildings. The event typically draws large crowds, and in 2009, it was estimated that over a million people attended the three-night festival. The United States team presented a display on the event's first night, using a theme of "Red, White, and Blue" to showcase their patriotism. The Spanish team followed on the second night, presenting a show that combined traditional Spanish music with a vibrant fireworks display. Finally, the Chinese team closed the event on the third night with a performance celebrating Chinese culture and featuring brightly coloured pyrotechnics. Overall, the 2009 Celebration of Light was considered a great success, with impressive displays from all three teams and a festive atmosphere throughout the city. The event has continued to be a popular summer tradition in Vancouver, with new teams from around the world participating each year. The Chinese team's fireworks display on the third night of the event was highly anticipated by spectators, as it was the first time China had participated in the Celebration of Light. The team presented a visually stunning performance that highlighted Chinese culture and tradition, with synchronized music and fireworks to create a dazzling spectacle. The Chinese display began with a traditional Chinese dragon dancing across the water, followed by intricate pyrotechnic designs that included a large, colourful lotus flower and a giant smiling face that lit up the night sky. The display ended with a grand finale that featured a burst of fireworks in the shape of a dragon, which drew cheers from the crowd. As for the size of the crowds, it was estimated that over a million people attended the three-night festival, with the largest crowds typically coming out on the night of the final display. Despite the large number of people, the event was well-organized, and no significant incidents were reported. In addition, the City of Vancouver and event organizers worked closely with law enforcement and emergency services to ensure the safety and security of everyone attending the event. Overall, the 2009 Celebration of Light was a huge success, with impressive displays from all three participating teams and a festive atmosphere throughout the city. It continues to be one of Vancouver's most popular summer events, attracting visitors worldwide to enjoy the spectacular fireworks and celebrate the city's beauty.

Gastown reflections

At the end of walk where I didnt manage to get much of anything I spotted this matalic curved bar in the window of the high end furnature store across the street. The reflection on the surface of that curved bar and a piece of red fabric is what I am focused on, and the rest is a reflection on the metallic surface. This is giving the elongated and compressed look to the car, people, and buildings. Everything seems out of focus but it is actually in sharply focused as you can see in the fine lines.

Night walk Vancouver Convention Centre

This marks the first time I used my Sony 200-600 G lens for street photography. How have I not done this before?!? Using this lens, I am getting shots like this walk around the Vancouver Convention Centre. A lady is walking her dog. I love the look of this photograph. The mirrored ceiling, the abundance of concrete and the wide path all come together to make the look of this photo.

Night time conversation

My husband and I stopped to enjoy a joint, and I noticed this couple and their lovely yellow lab. They were deep in conversation, and the dog was content to relax. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic cauldron is a great backdrop to this intimate moment.

Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

The Port of Vancouver is a busy place 24/7 and almost 365. They are so busy they are expanding. This is one of the new cranes built over the last year. In this series of photos, I have used my 200-600 Sony G telephoto and a ridiculously long shutter to get these streaks on the crane that is lifting cargo to and from a cargo ship.

What's normal

So what's normal? We have a guy that I doubt is from the street-level neighbourhood but not looking shocked and some people that are obviously daily drug users.

Stone Lion at the VAG

In a small village nestled deep in the mountains stood a magnificent temple where the sacred fire burned day and night. The temple was guarded by a stone lion, a majestic creature carved from granite with piercing eyes and a fierce expression. The villagers believed that the stone lion protected the temple and the sacred fire and that its presence brought good fortune to the village. For generations, the stone lion stood guard outside the temple, watching over the sacred fire and warding off any who would seek to do harm. The villagers often left offerings at the lion's feet, grateful for its protection and blessings. One day, a group of bandits came to the village, seeking to steal the sacred fire and sell it for a fortune. They crept up to the temple in the dead of night, hoping to catch the guards off guard and make their escape before anyone knew what had happened. But as the bandits approached the temple, they were stopped dead in their tracks by the stone lion. Its eyes glowed in the darkness, and its roar echoed through the mountains, striking fear into the hearts of the bandits. They tried to run, but the lion was too quick for them, chasing them down the mountain, roaring all the way. Ultimately, the bandits were caught and brought to justice, and the sacred fire remained safely in the temple. The villagers were overjoyed and celebrated by throwing a great feast in honour of the stone lion. They praised its bravery and strength and knew they could always count on its protection. From that day on, the stone lion became even more revered in the village, and people would come from far and wide to see it and leave offerings at its feet. The lion stood guard outside the temple, watching over the sacred fire and ensuring the village remained safe and prosperous for generations.

Night walk Vancouver Convention Centre

This marks the first time I used my Sony 200-600 G lens for street photography. How have I not done this before?!? Using this lens, I am getting shots like this walk around the Vancouver Convention Centre. A lady is walking her dog. I love the look of this photograph. The mirrored ceiling, the abundance of concrete and the wide path all come together to make the look of this photo.

Elevator feather

This image results from finding something unexpected on the floor of our building elevator. Seeing the curiously out-of-place feather on the floor, I thought you don’t belong here. It doesn't look like a feather from any bird I have seen around Vancouver. Finding it interesting, I snapped a quick pic on the way up to our floor. I then edited the image in my regular fashion and then further refined it into this highly edited image you now see.

the Domioion Building from the ally

The Dominion Building is a historic landmark located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Built in 1910-1911, it was one of the first steel-framed high-rise buildings in Canada, and it was the tallest commercial building in the British Empire at the time of its completion. The building was designed by the architectural firm of John S. Helyer and Son and is situated on the corner of Hastings and Cambie Streets in the city's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood. The Dominion Building is a prime example of the Chicago School of architecture, which emphasized using steel frames and concrete to create tall, strong buildings. The building features a symmetrical facade with large windows, decorative terra cotta details, and a distinctive clock tower that rises 82 meters above the street. The building was originally home to the Dominion Trust Company, a major financial institution in British Columbia at the time. The building also housed offices, retail shops, and professional services. Over the years, the building changed ownership and uses, and it was eventually abandoned in the 1980s. In the 1990s, a developer purchased the building and began a massive restoration project to return it to its former glory. The restoration took several years and included installing modern infrastructure and repairing and replacing many of the building's original features. Today, the Dominion Building is a thriving mixed-use development with commercial and residential spaces, retail shops, and restaurants. In addition to its architectural significance, the Dominion Building is also an important part of Vancouver's cultural history. It was one of the first buildings in the city to have an elevator, a revolutionary innovation at the time. The building was also a gathering place for workers, artists, and activists in the 20th century, and it played a significant role in shaping the city's identity. Today, the Dominion Building is a testament to the enduring power of great architecture and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. It is a beloved landmark in Vancouver and continues to inspire and delight visitors worldwide.

let’s heal the divide

This image I managed to get free hand so I am happy that the words come out nice and clean. The people dancing in front give the impression of discussion or vigorous debate and the words give the optimism.

This image is, firstly, a double exposure of two different aspects of the Gastown Port of Vancouver area. The Vancouver Rail Yard that I happen to live above and the Port of Vancouver that is across the way from the rail yard. The rail yard is captured with a bit of the Vancouver Convention Centre & Cruise Ship dock and is shot with an infrared filter. The Port of Vancouver is captured on extended exposure but with no filter. The IR filter requires the train yard shot to be an extended exposure at a very high ISO 6000 with a small aperture because I wanted the ship's depth and the train in motion with an extended shutter. The Port of Vancouver is similar but different. They both used an extended shutter. But for the port, the aperture was half as the shutter needed to be very long to get the full motion of the crane. So the ISO was very low at just 50. Both images need a tripod and a way of triggering the shutter that will not cause a shake. I use my phone, but there are several ways of doing this. I like the images, and they were photographed as separate projects. But today, I just decided I wanted to experiment with combining different techniques into a double exposure. The double exposure became a rabbit hole of needing to find a way to connect these images in a way that I was happy. The crane needed to be flipped.

Fuck Inflation

Welcome to the neighbourhood. Out for a walk with Bowie Buddy this morning, and this is what we found and a common sight. Firstly…. Has this person not heard of inflation? It's over 8%! Seems a little wasteful with an expensive product. Secondly and more seriously….. Bowie!!! My dog doesn't need to be exposed to this and the harm that would come to him if he swallowed it. This kind of thing happens all the time in Gastown. It has gotten worse in recent years. On every walk around our neighbourhood, we see some drug paraphernalia. So I decided I'd start taking photos because it does make for excellent subject matter. In all these photos, I might at times sound critical or whatever, but I'll never not admit that I have done drugs. Not this kind of stuff, but I have done acid and cocaine rarely in the distant past, and I have used shrooms at times. I vape weed far more often than I should. I drink hard liquor regularly and wine on occasion. I say all this to say that I am not judging anyone with this series of photos.

You suck on it, and it explodes in your mouth

I wonder what fun was sucked through this bad boy. On every walk around our neighbourhood, we see some drug paraphernalia. So I decided I'd start taking photos because it does make for excellent subject matter. In all these photos, I might at times sound critical or whatever, but I'll never not admit that I have done drugs. Not this kind of stuff, but I have done acid and cocaine rarely in the distant past, and I have used shrooms at times. I vape weed far more often than I should. I drink hard liquor regularly and wine on occasion. I say all this to say that I am not judging anyone with this series of photos.

Vancouver Convention Centre WEST

Filled with pigeon poop and grungy, this is the road that runs past the Vancouver Convention Centre West. I love walking this way, and most of the time, when I run, this is my path to Stanley Park. You can get on the seawall from a track at the end on the left.

Old Building front and side

A fantastic old building in Vancouver's Chinatown. The old brick with the flacking paint reveals a history of different lives at different times. The old woodwork is decaying but still showing its beauty.

Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

The Port of Vancouver is a busy place 24/7 and almost 365. They are so busy they are expanding. This is one of the new cranes built over the last year. In this series of photos, I have used my 200-600 Sony G telephoto and a ridiculously long shutter to get these streaks on the crane that is lifting cargo to and from a cargo ship.

Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

The Port of Vancouver is a busy place 24/7 and almost 365. They are so busy they are expanding. This is one of the new cranes built over the last year. In this series of photos, I have used my 200-600 Sony G telephoto and a ridiculously long shutter to get these streaks on the crane that is lifting cargo to and from a cargo ship.

Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

The Port of Vancouver is a busy place 24/7 and almost 365. They are so busy they are expanding. This is one of the new cranes built over the last year. In this series of photos, I have used my 200-600 Sony G telephoto and a ridiculously long shutter to get these streaks on the crane that is lifting cargo to and from a cargo ship.

Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

The Port of Vancouver is a busy place 24/7 and almost 365. They are so busy they are expanding. This is one of the new cranes built over the last year. In this series of photos, I have used my 200-600 Sony G telephoto and a ridiculously long shutter to get these streaks on the crane that is lifting cargo to and from a cargo ship.