Bike to Work Week Vancouver
It’s Bike to Work Week here in Vancouver! Time for those who don’t to give it a shot…and those who already do, to get their friends & colleagues on board & inspire! There really isn’t a better way to get around Vancouver than on a bike, especially with the separated routes connecting downtown with the outlying areas. It’s fast, cheap & easy and there is always a free parking spot, usually steps from your destination.
Here’s a shot I did for HUB (Vancouver’s cycling coalition) during a big re-branding photo session in April to prepare for their recent transformation from VACC to the current, hipper look and new name. Check out their resources, then change your life…ride a bike!
Hornby Street, Vancouver, 2012.
Riding Bikes: Civia’s Halsted
Another entry in my Riding Bikes series. This one is the Civia Halsted – a light-cargo bike in the cycle truck style. This bike can take about 50lbs up front with a large, modular recycled plastic basket that’s handy for lots of loose items, or with the sides removed, oversize cargo. I’ve been riding this bike for about six weeks, reviewing for the July/Aug issue of Momentum Magazine and it’s almost time to bring it back to the shop. Look for my short review in the print edition of Momentum #57, with a flushed out review online in July, 2012. In the meantime, here’s an iPhone shot to give you a glimpse of this family errand runner.
Little Mountain, Vancouver, 2012.
Let’s Ride
We’re here, we’re ready, it’s summer….let’s ride.
First Light in Viñales
The view from the rooftop of our fabulous room at Casa Nenita (highly recommended) at sunrise before our trip out to Cayo Jutias.
Viñales, Cuba, 2011.
Top Down, Empty Roads in Cuba
A rented 50s convertible (with driver) took us to Cayo Jutias, a slice of paradise an hour or so away from the tobacco-strewn fields of Viñales, Cuba. Just looking at this shot puts me right back into that zone, which happened to be our first taste of the Caribbean Sea on this particular trip. Another perfect day.
Pinar del Río Province, Cuba, 2011.
Jungle Vines, Climbing Limbs
The second in a series of Limited Edition black & white fine art prints from the jungles of Guatemala and Honduras (here is the first). These are jungle vines heading back towards the sun on an unexcavated mound at the ancient Mayan site of Quiriguá, Guatemala. If you are interested in one of these archival, digital prints please drop me a line. More from this series will be released in the weeks to come.
Quiriguá, Guatemala, 2012.
Shattered
Seen in the Lower East Side, New York City, 2011.
Portrait of a Cuban Cabbie
A Trinidad taxi driver takes a moment to pose with his vehicle while awaiting another fare.
Trinidad, Cuba, 2011.
The Mayan Temazcal in Copán
The Classic period site of Copán was home to one of the most advanced Mayan kingdoms in their history. It’s sometimes known as the Art City and the level of artistic expression is unmatched elsewhere. Copán features an extremely complex system of hieroglyphs – the Hieroglyphic Stairway has 2200 glyphs that together form the longest Mayan hieroglyphic text yet discovered. Along with the incredibly well-preserved, painted temple Rosalila, a wide ballcourt, multiple pyramids, a massive residential complex and the famous stelae & altars scattered throughout, Copán really can’t be beat for awe-inspiring sights.
We spent a full day wandering the site, wondering what it was like between the 5th and 9th centuries AD when the city was flourishing and the 25,000 residents went about their daily lives. Along a jungle-covered path on the edge of the main courtyard, we came across the remnants of a Temazcal – a Mayan sauna or sweat lodge. Sandra took the opportunity to get out of the heat, relaxing after a few hours of temple climbing in the Honduran sun. Imagine this place covered in thatched roof and filled with hot water, allowing the Maya to reconnect with the regenerative powers of the earth that was such a strong part of their culture. Along with artists, Copán had a large population of healers, a tradition that continues as the Temazcal remains an important aspect of modern Mayan life in Central America.
I’ll share a lot more from the amazing Copán in upcoming posts. For now, here are a couple shots to give you that daydream feeling for a Friday afternoon.
Copán Ruinas, Honduras, 2011.
Heels on Wheels
Who says the fellas can’t do it up for a ride once in a while, too?
This was from one of my first photo shoots for Momentum Magazine (actually an unpublished outtake from issue #24). In the years since, I’ve done well over 100 different shoots with the magazine, from environmental portraiture, gear shots & events to full-blown outdoor-studio fashion gigs. The work has allowed me to explore bicycle culture through the lens in Indianapolis, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Las Vegas and around British Columbia. It’s become a nice little collection over the years. Happily, I’m still at it as Momentum keeps building with each issue. And hey – look at that. Our latest, and largest issue yet, has just been released this morning: Momentum #56 (May/June 2012). Have a look!
Vancouver, 2006.
Meeting Fires Creative 