When it came to naval warfare in the 19th century the undisputed masters of the sea was the Royal Navy. The rivers and lakes of Upper and Lower Canada were the highways of the day, these were the main trade routes not only for economic purposes but military as well. Any nation that controlled the waterways, could control the course of the war. With the United States not having a squadron of note on the Great Lakes at the start of the war the British were quick to seize control of both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. With Brock’s capture of Detroit in August ofRead More →

Located a handful of kilometres from the US/Canada border sits a lonely blockhouse, an odd sight today. Most Blockhouses in Canada are usually attached to some larger fort or remainders from a larger complex. But not just one sitting out at an intersection of two provincial highways. But the Lacolle Blockhouse is a spot, part of the larger border defence between Lower Canada (today Quebec) and the United States that sprang up during and after the American Revolution. The blockhouse was first built in 1781 (yes, this is original) to defend the border and the nearby lighthouse and mill. However, the British and Militia whoRead More →

It’s excellent when professional jobs can link to a personal project. It happened several times back in my original 52-Roll Project, namely the wedding of Laura & Mark. So when I was approached by the up-and-coming country rock band, A Mad World, My Masters, I inquired if they’d be willing to be featured in this year’s sheet-a-week project. They agreed it helps that the band’s lead singer is an old and very good friend who has graced my lenses in the past. The shoot was amazing. It’s always a plus when you get a chance to work with a fantastic group of really chill artistsRead More →

Then there are times when the shot of the week comes just when you walk out of work, and you see a stunning blue sky with white clouds scudding by. But there are so many condos rising above your head that you can’t shoot without getting them. But such is a fact when living and working in the Greater Toronto Area…Condo Life. These vertical residences seem to grow overnight and are slowly dominating the skyline. Modified Anniversary Speed Graphic – Kodak Ektar f:7.7 203mm (Red-25) – Kodak Tri-X Pan (320TXP) Meter: Pentax Spotmeter V 1/5″ – f/45 – ASA-320 Kodak TMax Developer (1+4) 8:00 @Read More →

Remember the Tree from back from Week 5? Well, I said it would be back, and here it is! It’s not as dead as I first thought. While I originally planned on shooting it later that evening to get the same shot as I did before, but as I drove past it in the morning, the sun was casting through the branches; having the camera with me, I pulled over and got the shot made up just right. Sure many would frown upon shooting with the sun in front, but it gave me what I was looking for. Modified Anniversary Speed Graphic – Kodak EktarRead More →

Despite the title, this is not the famous Flanders Field. But instead, the iconic cemetery at St. Ignatius is a well-known spot for anyone who attends the Photostock event held nearby at the Birchwood Inn (Harbor Springs, MI). The Church, a Jesuit mission, was first built in 1741; a fire burned it down in the 1820s, but it was rebuilt in 1823; if you look close enough, you can see the steeple from the M-119 as you drive along it. Before taking this shot, I had visited the cemetery the night before to get a feel for the location, even going as far as toRead More →

From 1645 to 1885, the red coat of the British Army was both feared and respected, this army of as General Sir Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, put it, the scum of the Earth, drilled and disciplined into one of the most effective fighting forces the world had seen, and helped Britain build an empire that spanned the globe. Week 25 is for my friend Col. Anne whom I met through Tumblr, and our mutual interest in Military history. Specifically the late 18th to early 19th century. The gentleman portrayed here is dressed in the 8th (King’s) Regiment of Foot uniform as they would’veRead More →

Not a setback for me, oh no, the project keeps on trucking! The title comes from the subject, this beautiful Italianate farmhouse is set fairly fair back from the road and a house that I drive past every day going to and from work. Although the land around it has been slowly parcelled off over the years since it was built, thankfully this one, unlike many others in the area, was maintained and owned. Modified Anniversary Speed Graphic – Fuji Fujinon-W 1:5.6/125 – Kodak Tri-X Pan (320TXP) Meter: Pentax Spotmeter V 1/8″ – f/64 – ASA-320 Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 5:30 @ 20CRead More →

I seem to have found yet another home away from home. Emmet county is up in the northern part of Michigan. I was first introduced to this beautiful part of the United States in 2012 at Photostock. Photostock, the brainchild of world-renowned photographer Bill Schwab is a gathering of photographers in his backyard. And in its early years, it was literally in his backyard, but by the time I started going, it had moved to the Birchwood Inn; this throw-back backwoods hotel would make you think you had stepped back into the 1960s. I have written about Photostock before, but this time it’s different. PhotostockRead More →

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. – Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower D-Day: 6th of June, 1944 H-Hour: 06:30 Yes, you read that right; this year marks the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Operation Neptune. As I type this, I can feel the tears stinging my eyes. Operation Neptune was the code name given to the Normandy landings on the coast of France to push back the Nazis, dislodge them from the Atlantic wall, and take FortressRead More →