The Light Fantastic

It's the eve of the dawn of the second last day of 2011. Here are two fantasy images from Burnaby Village Museum, which I visited in late November. Again, the goal was to capture the unusual. Artifacts are wonderful, but so is the imagination.


Memory Lane


Dream Weavers

Copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf

Fishing

Maybe you've heard the joke about the difference between 'fishing' and 'catching'? Certainly, a trip to the Vancouver Aquarium suggests plenty of fish to many people. On this, my third visit, I didn't even try to capture those darting creatures. They move WAY too fast! I focused instead on their environment. Yes, I did get the shot of the not-so-tiny toad, but that guy wasn't going anywhere quickly.


Pond Dweller


Northern Lights


Above and Below

Copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf

Of Men And Machines

The big night has come and gone – I saw Lindsey Buckingham in concert! Here is my first music review – I’ve always wanted to write one, and since this is my blog I get to do just that.

THOSE WHO ARE HERE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY CAN SKIP THIS POST.

This was a sold out show, full of primarily middle aged, enraptured fans. Lindsey certainly gave them their money's worth, playing a 2 hour set of the old and the new.

I left with mixed feelings. Obviously I had built this concert up so high that no human could possibly fulfill expectations. It was great to finally see this man live, something I’ve looked forward to for fifteen years!

Lindsey’s new work is excellent, leaning heavily on a classically influenced picking style that is elaborate and intense. Each track from his latest album, ‘Seeds We Sow’, is a masterpiece of sparkling instruments and distinctive vocals.

He has already completed several concert dates, and has 21 more before the tour ends in December. Unfortunately, the rigors of the road are taking their toll on my guitar hero.

Early in the set Lindsey was shaking out his hand after each song. He appeared to experience discomfort from the heavy picking, and his forays into that captivating style were limited. His voice was also affected; the nuances of the vocals shadowed by overstretching and overuse.

I would have been thrilled to hear all acoustic material, but this was not to be. Lindsey and his crack band played several Fleetwood Mac songs, and the crowd loved it. These songs were clearly the highlight of their evening, and their reason for attending. It made me wonder, why didn’t these people just buy a Fleetwood Mac ticket?

Lindsey Buckingham is no fool – to fill concert halls he must keep his fans happy. However these ‘fans’ do him no favour if they only want to hear music that peaked nearly 30 years ago. This indicates scant appreciation for his formidable regenerative powers and ongoing artistic growth.

What seems to matter most to Lindsey Buckingham is his ‘Little Machine’ - the creative force that has inspired him to produce three solo albums in five years. He describes ‘Seeds We Sow’ as ‘the best work I’ve ever done’. His words are full of excitement and joy.

It would be wonderful if more of us shared his enthusiasm.

Here's a track from 'Seeds We Sow', performed in Los Angeles last April. Enjoy!

WE NOW RETURN YOU TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING.

Copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf

Lindsey B.

Time for a thrill! On October 22nd I'm seeing Lindsey Buckingham in concert. When I bought tickets from the teenaged clerk, he said, 'And where is she playing?' Kind of a burn and a wake up call together:)

For those who may not know, Lindsey B. is the former lead guitarist/vocalist/songwriter of Fleetwood Mac. I consider him pure genius, as his musical talents are without peer.

What do you think?

Or if your taste runs to dizzying guitar wizardry, how about this?

Coasting

At the end of July I spent nine days on the Oregon Coast. Nine hundred days wouldn't have been enough. My task was twofold - to distill the infinite grandeur into images that would fit inside a viewfinder, and to create something outside what has been done before. Here are some first impressions:


Devil's Punchbowl


Ghost Ship


South Cannon Beach


Cat in Window, Astoria


Haystack Trio

All images copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf

I Had No Choice

Today is July 4th, and these are wildflowers from Washington State. What would you have done??


Red


White


Blue

Copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf

Glowin' On Bowen

Want a little piece of Paradise? Visit Bowen Island, the jewel of Howe Sound, a 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay. Yesterday was pure summer: Bowen's lakes, beaches and even the tourist attractions sparkled in the sunlight. As usual, I didn't want to leave.


Signs Of Life


Artisan Grass


Tunstall Bay


Killarney Lake

Copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf

Spring Has Sprung

It nearly didn't happen, at least not on the shores of the Nooksack last weekend. My gear was all set up and I'd just started to shoot, when the heavens opened, again. I had to run for cover, as I have on six previously aborted missions in this spot. But it was different this time - after a short while the sun reappeared, giving me hours of opportunity.


Rainbow Trees


Waves To The Shore


Down By The Water


Layers


Riverside Meadow

Copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf

A Weekend In My Back Yard

Well not exactly, but recently I visited three favorite spots: Pitt Polder, Stewart Farmhouse, and Crescent Beach. I've been experimenting with long exposures and in-camera Orton effects, which are always surprising and exciting - how much fun is that?


Boundary Bay


Apple Orchard, Stewart Farmhouse


Rocky Reflections


Pitt Polder

Copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf

So Many Pictures, So Little Time

Nearly two months have passed since my last post - where does the time go? Here are some shots from a recent trip to the museum at Britannia Mine, near Squamish. This is a thought provoking destination for anyone interested in mining's impact on the environment. During our underground tour (thanks, Lara!) we learned much about Britannia's eventful and tragic history. Read the story here.


Mill #3


The Miner And The Widowmaker


Barrel And Chain


Ore Samples


Howe Sound


Stairway To Hell


Wagons


Relics On The Shore


More Ore

Copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf

The Great Divide

In early winter I traveled to Kimberley, in south eastern British Columbia. Our Province offers such amazing variety, and this area is no exception. The massive Rocky Mountains loom on the horizon, while Kimberley entertains with its vibrant Bavarian community. Just up the road is the tiny town of Skookumchuck. Who could resist a place with a name like that?


Marysville Falls


Rust


Hahas Lake


Mill At Skookumchuck


Touched By Fire


Misty Mountain Top

Copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf

Westminster Abbey

More experiments, this time at Westminster Abbey, home of Mission's Benedictine Monks. Although not far from an urban center, this serene property exists in a world of its own. Even in winter, the pastoral landscape has a warm glow, and the interior of the cathedral soars with transcendent grace.


Evensong


Cubism

Copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf

What's An HP315?

This is a burning question! The Hewlett Packard 315 was my first digital camera, circa 2002. It had 2 whopping megapixels, and an image resolution of 1600 x 1200 - prehistoric by today's standards. This is the camera that introduced me to photography, and as such it deserves recognition. There is a certain charm in the delicate colors of these tiny files. Most of the pictures were taken during various trips to the United States. I'm noticing a distinct water theme here - clearly those seeds were sown a long time ago.


Sea Foam


Buoy on the Beach


Silver Lake


Rialto Red


Sawtooth Sunset


Sidney Marina


Clouds Over Lake Crescent


Lillooet Field


Fishing the Salmon


St. Augustine Beach


Kalaloch Sunset


Couple at Santa Monica


Dungeness Spit

Copyright 2011, Kathy Neudorf