Around the Hat: Ghosting Images 3

Merging archival images with modern day photography is a really cool way of showcasing history. I've had a lot of success with my previous posts where I've ghosted my Medicine Hat, Alberta images from my Around the Hat series - see PART 1 and PART 2. Have a look at my latest additions below. How many of these locations do you recognize?

1. The above image shows 2nd Street, featuring the Beveridge Block and a ghosted facade of the Station Coffee Co. (1910s merged with 2014).

2. This is a ghosted image of the Flat Iron Building located across the street from Alexandra Junior High School. (1970s merged with 2013).

3. I love the horse-drawn carts in this ghosted image of 2nd Street. The Central Block and neighbouring building burnt down and revealed the red painted wall ad seen in the background. (1910s merged with 2014).

4. Swirls Ice Cream. (1980s merged with 2014).

5. This is one of my favourite ghosting images that I've done, showing a passenger train arriving at the train station. (1970s merged with 2014).

6. The demolition of Medicine Hat's original city hall is shown merged with the modern day BATUS Park (hence all the pine trees) in this ghosted image. (1980s merged with 2013).

7. Another view of 2nd Street. (1910s merged with 2014).

8. 3rd Street. (1930s merged with 2013).

9. Another view of 3rd Street after a blizzard. (1938 merged with 2014).

10. The refurbished Station Coffee Co. (Turpin Block) merged with the old store fronts. (1910s merged with 2014).

11. An early postcard of South Railway Street showing the Hargrave Sissons Block merged with a modern shot of the Assiniboia Inn at the other end of the block. (1900s merged with 2013).

12. Passengers boarding a train on one of the sidetracks at the train station. (1930s merged with 2013).

Joshua Tree National Park, California: Part 1

As soon as my plane landed in Palm Springs I was on the road to Joshua Tree in my rented 4x4 to start my pilgrimage through the desert. I was immediately reminded of my previous visit with my friend Dave, and like I ended up doing throughout my road trip, I snapped a picture of an old photograph to mark the occasion and to kick off this next chapter. 

The desert landscape is so different to what I'm used to that I couldn't help but be fascinated by it all. As the sun began to set, the yellows and oranges of the desert were heightened in bold contrast. I climbed the rocks, wandered among the cacti, and drove the winding roads from one end of the park to other. I was exactly where I wanted to be. 

Snap of an old picture of Dave and I in Joshua Tree in 2010.

Goodbye Student Loans

Seeing as I began this website in film school as an outlet to share my projects, experiences, and student life frustrations, this particular update has been a long time coming. As of the first of this month I have officially repaid 100% of my student loans.

 

It's a great feeling to tackle something that at one time seemed so overwhelming. Although new debt has replaced old debt, financially I'm in a significantly better position than I was after university. In total it took me 6.5 years to pay back my national student loan, although I paid back the provincial portion in just over a year. Was university and the debt worth it? I'm still trying to answer that one. Right now I'm just happy that this chapter has finally come to a close. All things considered, I made it out alright. 

 

University of Regina / Film School (2002-2008)