Jan 12, 2014

Around the Hat: Ghosting Collage #1

Following the success of my ghosting images from my Around the Hat series last year, I thought it was about time I tried to put a print together. The challenge here was that the archival images that I merged my modern photographs with were very small. This meant that creating prints of them individually simply didn't work without distorting them. So, creating this collage was the next best thing.

Each collage features 23 of my original ghosting images on a 8x12" print. The result is a captivating look at the history of Medicine Hat, Alberta and the evolution of our city. Click here to check out this print in my online shop.



Jan 10, 2014

Vintage General Hospital Postcard

This vintage postcard of the former General Hospital in Medicine Hat, Alberta was mailed on August 13, 1914 to Wyoming, Ontario - a small town near Sarnia in the south of the province. Judging by the message it sounds like they were travelling across the country. 

Medicine Hat Hospital Postcard VintageThe postcard reads: "Having a fine time. Wish you were along. Will leave here for Calgary this afternoon and from Calgary to Vancouver." 

The postcard really was the text message of its day, and this one would've made the journey back east on the railway. I can only imagine what a different journey that would've been to take 100 years ago. The general hospital on this postcard has long since been demolished, however when it was built it was noted for being the first civilian hospital past Winnipeg in 1889.

Medicine Hat Hospital Postcard Vintage


Medicine Hat Hospital Postcard Vintage
Medicine Hat Hospital Postcard Vintage


Medicine Hat Hospital Postcard Vintage
Medicine Hat Hospital Postcard Vintage

Medicine Hat Hospital Postcard Vintage

Jan 9, 2014

New Year, New Challenges

Here we go. 2014. Let's do this.

If I'm honest, this is always one of my least favorite times of the year. I know it's not an ideal welcome back message as I get everything up and running again, but it's true. The weather sucks, the decorations are gone, the holidays are over, and despite all of the energy that went into wrapping everything up at the end of the year, now I have to find the energy to build up the momentum again. 

I'm the kind of guy who holds myself accountable to my time. I like it to mean something, I like to accomplish goals, and I like to have concrete achievements to point to as proof of that. As you might expect, this mentality can just cause added stress because it makes it more difficult to take a break without feeling guilty about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm very optimistic about 2014, but this is my roundabout way of saying that some things are going to change this year. 


For starters, this blog will remain the centrepiece of my social networking, but I can't promise that I'll be posting as frequently in 2014. My Medicine Hat photo series has also been a big deal for me, but I'm going to wind that down this year to feature more variety - like I did with my Pacific Northwest series. And finally, I'm going to be more selective about the extra work I take on in 2014. I love what I do for living, but having more free time seems like a necessity right now.

This is going to be another hugely productive year. I can already see some of the opportunities forming on the horizon. Thanks for sticking with me, showing me your support, and for keeping me in check. I've grown a lot over the course of this project I call, Editing Luke. I truly believe the best is still yet to come.