Borealistic

August is in. Frightening how quick the season moves.

The personal photography drought has passed. Amen.

Rolls are rolling in. Even though I swore I would never bring another damn contrast roll in to have processed, the great lull got the best of me. One measly roll processed while ten others wait in agony for this old horse to get back into the basement darkroom.

What I received back today was a mixed bag of photos from three rolls of film shot over the course of May, mostly June and a little of July: 35mm contrast Tmax 100, 120 color Ekar 100 and one really whacky 35 color Kodak X-tra 400 roll from Craig (partially double exposed considering I snapped over what he had shot years ago). That was a mouthful. Does anyone care or take interest in film stock? I always appreciate when people name their film stock, so be it.

Posted here today are a few of my favorite photos from the Wenasaga planting contract. My cameras were stored in my kitchen trailer, just a quick arms reach away from the usual daily prep station activity. One afternoon while Emily and I were making five million burgers for dinner, I noticed a strange looking man fly out of the treeline and beeline for our cook shack. I would be lying if I said the question am I going to be murdered today? didn't cross my mind. A quick kitchen scan for weapons: long handled axe, machete, cleaver. Good. The guy turned out to be a half crazed mining staker; a job that revolves around trolling through the bush (solitary mission) with a GPS in hand, a backpack full of stakes, an axe and flagging tape for staking out future mining sights. Not knowing what else to do, I invited the man in. Benoit was his name, a french man from Northern Quebec who preferred to live in Mexico in his off-season.

Thankfully there was a fresh pot of soup on the go and he was hungry. Fresh cookies and beer to boot, with no murders to be had. In thanks Benoit sharpened my long handled axe. Then he split pile of wood (show off) and got on his merry way.

I enjoy photos that offer full narratives the most. Keeping that in mind while I shoot, this was as close as he would let me in. Benoit was a real character. My attempt to parle en francais with him was pitiful. Thank goodness the soup was good.

Here are some photos with character.

Benoit sharpens my axe with a file.

Tree Camp comes to a close.

Markell and his girl Kita.

BFF's all the way from Montreal, Larry Legend and Guillaume. 

Rolling Ripper about to depart from the Maxi Pad.

View from the Earfalls beach. Powerlines!

Contrast nature--never quite the same as living color.

Photo. Lisa King; taking one last dip in the Earfalls lake.

Sitting quiet so as not to forget.