Dorset in 1987 and 1993

Dorset, Ontario, July 1987:



In 1987 I did an essay on Dorset, the village near my cottage in Central Ontario, for my photojournalism course at Conestoga College. I developed the film and printed the photos in the dark room at school.

Dorset is one of the hubs of community in Ontario's cottage country. It boasts a one-lane bridge and a general store which was once voted Canada's best country store. Besides being able to buy practically any basic necessity, you can go to Dorset just to see a few friendly faces when you have had your fill of solitude and serenity.

These images provide an interesting opportunity to compare my old Canon AE-1 with the new digital Kodak DX3500. The black-and-white photos, scanned from original 8x10 prints, were manipulated using traditional darkroom techniques; the new colour photos with computer software

Three facts strike me when looking at these images:

1. As a photojournalism student, I was much more self-confident about taking photos of people. I'm not sure when and why I lost that.



2. I prefer the images I shot with my Canon AE-1, a 28-mm Canon wide-angle lens, a 55-mm, and a 70-210mm Vivitar zoom. I'm glad I still have that camera, because it will be a long time before I can replace it with digital to my satisfaction.
   
   
3. I recall using those photojournalism assignments as an excuse for voyeurism. I see repressed homoeroticism (those bare arms, mmm!). To me, an evangelical Christian at the time, this purpose was secret, illicit and arousing. I can't remember how I justified it.
   
   ( 6 more images, all approx 650 x 425 )

Oops, happy belated

July 22 must be one of the sweetest, warmest days of the year, 'cause it was Lisa anoisblue's and Chris rangerbr's birthdays. Definitely two of my desert island LJers.

My birthday wish is for positive direction from within for new beginnings and moving on.

Fond hugs.