Ed Finlay and Beth Hourie are rarely happier than when they are out in nature, sharing their common interests.
Framed photographs, the results of that precious time in the outdoors, can now be seen at the new Skimmerhorn Gallery at 312-5th Avenue South.
“It’s always fun to see the different images we come up with when we photograph in the same location,” Ed said last week. That’s one of the joys of photography—moving just a few feet or crouching changes the angle of the camera and the end products can differ dramatically.
Finlay has been a professional photographer for much of his adult life, having studied the art/craft in Edmonton at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. And he’s seen a lot of technological changes, having been trained to use larger format cameras and to process his film and print photographs in a chemical-filled darkroom.
“I do wish at times that I still had a darkroom,” Finlay said. He agreed that photographers love film the way music lovers love vinyl for similar reasons—the older analog technology brings a depth and richness to the art that digital lacks.
“Not that I’m complaining, though,” he laughed. “Digital has it’s own advantages, of course.”
Immediacy, obviously, is one. Digital cameras allow the photographer to do an instant check of his results, and not have to wait until he gets back to a darkroom. Finlay points to one of the photos in the gallery, a dramatic prairie canola crop in a looming rainstorm.
“I used several different images, taken to compensate for the high dynamic range and changing light conditions, to get that result by using computer programs,” he said.
Finlay and Hourie, both Calgary residents at the time (Beth was born and raised in the city) met a decade ago, and quickly learned that outdoor activities were a shared enthusiasm. Hiking, kayaking, skiing and snowshoeing helped knit their relationship, and soon Beth became fascinated with Ed’s photographic interests.
“Beth really got into photography after we met, and I encouraged her to get a Nikon camera so that she could use my lenses and other equipment. She has also learned how to use digital software and she does a lot of her own editing now.”
Since relocating to Creston last summer, they have been busy getting their home-based gallery together, paying particular attention to the lighting, using LED technology to reproduce the most natural light possible. It shows their photographs beautifully and is more comfortable to live in, too.
The home’s basement is home to the gallery, but also has rooms devoted to the production of prints, where large printers can produce images on a variety of paper as well as canvas. Finlay designed his own stretcher so he can make canvas prints in the studio. And, because he isn’t restricted by commercial production standards, he can make the photos in any size configuration he likes, custom framing them to suit the image.
With summer approaching, they look forward to getting out and about, exploring the beauty that drew them to the Creston Valley and finding new favourite spots that they can return to at different times of the day, and through the seasons.
“Seeing the different images we get when we shoot together—that’s the beauty of it,” Finlay smiled.
More information about Skimmerhorn Gallery can be found at www.skimmerhorngallery.com. The Gallery is now open to the public May – September, Tues. – Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and by appointment. Their Grand Opening is May 7th from 10 -5.