April 26 Photo Walkabout: Decourcy Loop (Gabriola)

Posted on April 12, 2024 by gabephotoclub

This month our Photo Walkabout will be on Gabriola Island, taking in the Decourcy Loop (approximately 2 km).

The Loop offers many interesting photo opportunities, including big trees, sandy beaches, eroded sandstone formations, views of the Salish Sea, shorebirds and possibly other wildlife – not to mention some interesting signpost decorations along the way. (See the photos below for some examples.)

We’ll start at Pilot Bay, then head up the hill, taking a right on Decourcy Drive, walking the trails to all five viewpoints – with each participant photographing whatever catches their eye.

The first viewpoint is a scenic outlook, while #2 to #4 have public access paths leading down to sandstone beaches which we’ll no doubt want to explore. Viewpoint #5 leads to another sandstone beach, this one with a view of picturesque Turtle Rock. If time permits, we’ll also visit Taylor Bay. The tide will be dropping all morning, so all of the beaches we visit should be accessible.

To join, meet at 10 am at the parking area of Gabriola Sands Provincial Park (AKA “Twin Beaches”). If you’re interested, we’ll plan on an optional 12:30 pm lunch at the Surf afterwards.

Like all our Photo Walkabouts, the event is weather dependent. Though you’re welcome to simply show up, we suggest you let us know if you plan to attend, in case of any last-minute changes.

Click on an image to enlarge it and run them in carousel format.

Sandstone shoreline in foreground with stairs leading down to beach on right and bright sky with clouds in background. — © Corinne Flaws

Closeup of eroded sandstone shore — © Corinne Flaws

Studio Lighting Equipment on Offer

Posted on April 9, 2024 by gabephotoclub

A longtime Club member is generously donating his collection of studio lighting equipment to our Club as a fundraiser. What’s included:

2 light stands
2 photo flood reflectors
4 incandescent bulbs
1 large tripod with extension boom & balance weight
1 soft box with diffusion filter
2 umbrella reflectors
all relevant hardware
1 Nikon SB 600 Speedlite

Please note, this needs to go as a collection, not as individual items, and will need to be picked up from the donor’s home on Gabriola Island. From a quick search through eBay, we estimated the value of the collection at about $500+. Photos of a few of the items on offer appear below.

If you would like to offer a suitable donation to Gabriola Photography Club for this collection please let us know as soon as possible.

Photo Walkabout Part 2 – Thursday, March 28

Posted on March 17, 2024 by gabephotoclub

Nanaimo Dock Walk + Maffeo Sutton Park

Our Club is having another Nanaimo Waterfront/Marina Photo Walkabout on Thursday, March 28, and all are welcome!

On last month’s Walkabout we found there was too much material to photograph, so we stopped about half way along the docks – thus the need for Part 2.

The plan is to start where we left off on the docks, continuing along the seawall to Maffeo Sutton Park as far as the totem pole, then back to Port Place via Front Street. There will be an option to meet at the Pantry at Port Place afterwards (11-ish) for coffee or lunch.

The photo scope is wide open. It might include dock and boat details, rigging, reflections, springtime colours, details of the totem pole, a bit of street photography….whatever fires your imagination!

To join in the Walkabout: meet at the Gabriola ferry terminal at 8:25am, and catch the 8:45am sailing to Nanaimo as a walk-on passenger.

This will be a weather permitting event. Though you’re welcome to simply show up, we suggest you let us know if you plan to attend, in case of any last-minute changes.

Getting to WOW: 7 Strategies for Photographers – April 3

Posted on March 14, 2024 by gabephotoclub

With special guest presenter, Judy Hancock Holland

Perhaps you’ve been making photos for a while now and you’ve mastered the basics. Your photography is pretty solid, but how do you move from good to WOW? How do you take the next step to create images with impact and emotion – that are uniquely yours and stand out from the crowd?

Join us as award-winning photographer Judy Hancock Holland shows us seven things we can do – no matter our level of expertise or our genre – to take our work from ordinary to WOW.

Judy’s photographic work has been exhibited in Canada, the US, and Europe. She’s an award winning photographer and lifelong educator who loves to coach and mentor others. While she is best known for her minimalist work, she enjoys a variety of other genres including macro, abstracts and floral photography.

You can find more info and some of her images on her website

The meeting will be held via Zoom. The link will be sent by email to all Gabriola Photography Club members a few days beforehand. Make sure your membership is up to date (paid for 2024) so that you receive this info.

A note to non-members of our Club: you are welcome to attend this event as well, for a $5 fee: contact us by April 1 to sign up.

Images from the Great Bear Sea – on now until April 25

Posted on March 9, 2024 by gabephotoclub

As an ongoing project, Gabriola Photography Club curates the art display space downstairs at the Gabriola Medical Clinic on Church Street, Gabriola Island. Club members take turns having solo exhibitions or taking part in group exhibitions.

A ridge of green,, heavily forested mountain peaks with clouds enshrouding their tops, seen from the sea. — “Domain of the Great Bear” by Laurie MacBride, one of the new photos currently on exhibit.

A lifelong boater, Laurie has spent decades exploring the islands, inlets, shorelines and passages that make up the BC coast, sometimes venturing north to BC’s Central and North Coast – the area now being called the Great Bear Sea. This vast, remote and largely wilderness area encompasses the marine waters from northern Vancouver Island all the way up to the Alaskan border.

This exhibit includes 16 new photos which Laurie has printed for the first time, taken during her most recent trip to the Great Bear Sea in 2022. As well, 10 of her prints from earlier trips are on display in the hallway.

The show runs until April 25, downstairs at the Gabriola Medical Centre, open Monday to Friday.