One thing I love about this set was the numerous amount of interesting stuff. I get to play around shapes, the light, lines, shadows, reflections and textures.

I’m disappointed that a couple of shots I really like didn’t work out well, exposure-wise. I haven’t been doing my “assignment” (light metering) so I’ve been lagging behind.

Medium format has always been a dream. I love my TLR.

Taking advantage of the relatively warm weather last Sunday, I went out to Downtown to run some errands (meet friends: never happened, delivered my C-41s, etc.). Sunday in Winnipeg tends to be fairly quiet. Edmonton is quiet too (I guess, I always worked on Sundays when I lived there) and Toronto is no way near the word “quiet” even on a weekend. Interestingly I find my quiet Sundays to be enjoyable (as opposed to when I was younger–was used to the malls open longer regardless of which day of the week it is).

I suppose I am getting old and getting tired of the noise in the environment.

Downtown Winnipeg is the hub of hockey, in my opinion as a non-hockey/non-sports fan. And I think it’s good for the city. I like the idea that it brings people together in a central place.

On a Sunday however, it is still quiet. It was chilly last Sunday though but relatively warm nonetheless. Except for this week (at the time of this post), we’ve been getting higher temperatures and hit positive temperature on some days. It’s insane, but I like it.

I stayed at Tims because I was supposed to meet up with Pat (who arrived back from Taiwan) but he did not show up (jet-lagged). I ended up staying there, studying. Good thing I brought my notes.

This stranger approached me and asked if I have a camera with me (my SP was beside me) and asked if I could take his photo. I did. He then asked if I was married, to which I replied no. He (jokingly) said that he’ll marry me instead, to which I responded that my boyfriend will be mad.

He said that I should get married and have kids, and if that happens, he would like to have a copy of this photo.

Ah downtown. The things I see and the strange (yet interesting) people I meet.

Occupy Winnipeg
Polaroid Supercolor 635 + Impossible Film

Welcome to Winnipeg’s Occupy movement.

My Friday afternoon was free so I planned to visit and check out Occupy Winnipeg. I remember seeing Occupy Toronto last week but it was raining and we didn’t have enough time to drop by at the cathedral so I missed that opportunity.

I walked around a bit this afternoon seeing that I am a total stranger and I don’t want to take photos without asking. I met Jamie and he said that it’s fine to take photos. They are in a public place after all, and they’ve been exposed to the media since their camp-out last October 15th.

He did let me know that I have to ask someone for photos for portraits or if I want to be extra polite. Took me a while to enter the small crowd and started taking photos. I started with my Polaroid Supercolor (which was difficult to work with because of the cold weather) and then shifted to my dSLR later on.

I also met Terry, who showed me around the camp site and patiently answered my questions about the movement. Specifically I asked the nature of Occupy Winnipeg, where they get their provisions, what the participants do, who the participants are and so on.

While we were talking, there was a small seminar that was happening that time about capitalism I think.

I learned that UofM and UofW held a couple of classes on the camp site. There also seem to be new people from all walks of like who drop by and asks them questions, just like what I did yesterday.

This is the movement’s Comfort Zone. This is their storage area where they keep their stuff donated by people.

Interestingly, I read that our city mayor allegedly haven’t heard about the Occupy Winnipeg movement (or what are the reasons behind their protests). I asked Terry if any politicians have arrived to see them but he said no one has done it yet.

I also learned that homeless people go to the location and sleep for a couple of days or so. I asked if the homeless people know what is going on. Terry said that he doubts it, but they don’t send them away. They offer one of their tents for these people and let them stay the night (especially that it’s getting really cold now).

I also asked when are they planning to camp out. They said they plan to stay until January 2012. Would they stay if the Occupy Wall Street continues longer than January? There might be a possibility to that.

I also had a quick chat with Isaac, another member of the Occupy Winnipeg movement. I asked him if it’s possible to take photos and he said that I can do that. He also quickly pointed at the media (ever) present in the location. He also told me to drop by anytime I want.

It grew dark and cold. My eyes are tearing up so bad because I was really tired and the wind’s blowing hard. I was unable to give my card to Terry in case they wanted to ask for copies of the photos (as a sign of gratitude).

I saw another person there earlier who took photos as well but I am unaware whether he’s a participant or not.

I spent the evening talking to K about it, asking him questions about the movement and its effects in the economy and society. It was a good day to learn something about the world I live in.

Hello everyone, I’m back.

I went on holidays last week, hence the sparse update. However I’m back with more than a handful of photos and stories to share.

For now, enjoy some photos I took a couple of months back (actually way way back in June) and I just finished the roll of film two weeks ago. Yikes. So much for backlog.

K took the time to hand-developed these when I went on holidays. I don’t have fresh chemicals here at home.

YAY ZOMBIE WALK!

Perhaps among the fictional scary creatures created by Hollywood, I’m mostly scared of Zombies. Maybe because there is a big chance that they will happen in real life?

I ended up going to my first Zombie Walk here in the city. Tats tagged along with me.

Not all people wore zombie costumes. And did not walk like zombies. Which is kind of disappointing. Nevertheless it was crazy interesting being surrounded by people with pale white skin and face oozing with fake blood.

People were gracious too, when asked to have their photo taken. Unfortunately the parade started really late so by the time people started to flock at the Waterfront, I was too tired to take photos.

There will be another Zombie Walk at a different Canadian city and I will be there! Wee!

I invited Tats to join me and watch the Winnipeg Zombie Walk last week. So after my work we headed to the Waterfront and wait for the event.

Before that we decided to walk around the area and shoot.

It was already too late when I realized that I forgot to take out the yellow filter on my camera! Previously it had a black and white film in it and when I loaded it with colored film I got carried away. The results emphasized the yellows more which make it look “old.” I like it. It was a pleasant accident.

After my quick and rather unsuccessful trip to the park, I headed to the nearest coffee shop to meet up with Tat and Pat. I got there first, and then saw Pat. We waited until Tat arrives.

Pat’s Nikon F! I love its weight. Hefty but feels good on the hands.

We hung out at the coffee shop for a bit, and decided to walk around. Tat and Pat have an event to attend to this evening, but have some time to spare.

Downtown at night is lovely.

Here’s Pat, an image of the romanticized Asian drama actor, ha ha!

It’s hockey season. Winnipeg is in full support of its hockey team.

Ran out of film. Time to load a new one.

Goodbye.

I thought that Tat and I were only going for Pho but Pat joined us and it became a photowalk afternoon for me. Good thing I brought my camera. It was a hassle for me carrying my bag because I just got out of work. In my mind I know there will be photos involved but I just grabbed my D40 and left for work that day. Technically I’m not really ready for an intensive photo walk. So, well, it was very inconvenient for me carrying my shoulder bag the whole day. I managed though.

It was a small sensor kind of day.

Tat and Pat brought two cameras with them but only ended up using Olympus Pen FT (Pat) and Olympus Pen EPL-2 (Tat). I used my D40. Small sensors indeed.

We decided to go to the Waterfront. Walked all the way from Portage and ended up at Main.

It was a gorgeous day to walk around and catch up with both of them.

A man approached us and asked if we would like to have our photos together but we politely declined, saying we’re actually taking photos of our shadows. I think we convinced him. :p

I am not joking when I said that he brightens up like crazy when he takes photos.

It wasn’t that cold but it was breezy. Love these photos I took of Tat.

Crazy people in the middle of the street! Yep! That’s us!

Pat and Patterns.

This place looks like home.

We finally reached Waterfront. I haven’t been to this area before. Ack, I know. Still a foreigner in my own city.

Spectacular view of the river.

Someone reads my mind. <3 K.

More river! Golden.

Brooding Pat.

I took a couple more photos when we went to Osborne for a good and filling dinner of Pho and Bubble Tea. Caught up and laughed out loud. It was a good night.