current issue - Bragg

CELEBRATING ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON EARTH
Winter/Spring 2011
MAKING TRACKS
Get outside and
embrace the season
The CELLIST and the LUTHIER
Chris and Beth Sandvoss on why
Bragg Creek is music to their hearts
SERENITY in NATURE
Award-winning photographer
John E. Marriott shows respect
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Winter/Spring 2011
Making Tracks
K-Country leaves a lasting impression on all
who visit – the winter’s pristine snow allows
you to temporarily return the favour
The Cellist, The Luthier and The Creek
In this exclusive interview, Chris and Beth Sandvoss
explain how living in Bragg Creek helps inspire and
fuel their passion for creating music
Serenity in Nature
Award-winning photographer John E. Marriott
on the importance of respecting nature and wildlife
How to Avoid a Whiteout … and other winter photography tips
Regular contributor Dr. Robert Berdan provides
a few pointers for enhancing your winter photography
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48
“Contemplation” 36 x 48 inches
oil on canvas by Merv Brandel
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On the Cover
A magnificent lynx surveys the wintery landscape – oblivious
to the winter chill thanks to a dense, impermeable coat
Photography by John E. Marriott
© Copyright
2011. All rights reserved.
Printed in Calgary, Canada on FSC certified paper. Visit: www.fsccanada.org
Purveyors of fine original art since 1987
For information about
including
advertising rates and availability please visit: www.braggmag.com,
email: [email protected], or call: (403) 949 3400.
Showcasing the wondrous beauty of nature as seen
through the diverse eyes of Western Canada’s most talented artists.
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Bragg Creek Village Centre, 16 White Ave. Bragg Creek, AB. Phone: (403) 949 3777 - www.alicatgallery.com
BANDED PEAK
Communications
Cert no. SW-COC-000952
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Award-winning magazine!
A few months ago, I received a telephone
call from a very excited David Kalinchuk,
Economic Development Manager at Rocky
View County, who was eager to share some
good news:
had just won a National Marketing Award!
governments in recognition of outstanding
work in the marketing of a unique
geographic region of Canada – quickly hit
home.
As it turned out, David was so proud of the
magazine, which he has championed since
its inception, that he took the initiative
to submit an award entry on behalf of
.
While it sounded very exciting, I wasn’t sure
what to make of the news at first, having
never heard of the award until then.
But once I had done a little research, the
full impact of being selected to receive
the highly prestigious National Marketing
Award – generally handed out to municipal
A little while later, Roy Anstey and myself
were on our way to pick up the award
– a national honour bestowed for our
magazine’s marketing of Bragg Creek and
its surroundings – at a gala ceremony held in
Quebec City.
This is your magazine – we want to see more of you !
We always endeavour to make every
issue of
unique, but this issue has a specific
element that makes it special: it
contains more amateur photography
– submitted by the largest number
of photographers – than we have had
in any previous issue. It’s a tribute
to your continuing support and your
individual, personal perspective of
the land. Thank you.
Based on the growing number of
submissions, we’d like to take the
human interaction with nature a step
further and encourage you to send in
candid photographs showcasing how
you, your friends and family interact
with the beautiful countryside
right here on our doorstep. These
can involve any season or activity:
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fishing, hiking, canoeing, biking …
however you enjoy the great outdoors.
Once we have sufficient imagery,
we’ll publish an article based around
it in an upcoming issue.
As always, the photographs must be
taken within the greater Bragg Creek
area or Kananaskis. Please also
confirm that you have permission
from any recognizable ‘model’ for us
to reproduce their image.
Winning this National Marketing Award
would not have been possible without the
valuable input from these key contributors:
design editor Roy Anstey; copy editor
George Guidoni; my wife Kirsten CookZaba, who often does the arduous first
edits on my resident profile feature articles;
Tristan Zaba, my son and video editor at
www.braggcreek.tv (our internet-based
video network); publishing coordinators
Megan Moon-Grant and Joan Zaba; and
numerous professional and amateur
photography contributors who consistently
enable us to showcase our beautiful Bragg
Creek in true world-class style.
Amateur
Photographer
Competition
$500prize
pool
*
Submission Deadline is 04/24/2011
Lastly, a huge thank you to David
Kalinchuk for taking the initiative to
submit
for a National Marketing Award, as well
as for his continued tireless support and
encouragement!
to this issue’s first-place winner,
Greg Romp
and to the second and third-place winners,
John Kearsley and Ken Johnson
FASHION + OUTLETS + DINING + ENTERTAINMENT
Dwayne Zaba
Publisher
Visit us at www.braggmag.com
or email [email protected]
In continuing partnership with Rocky View County and
CrossIron Mills, the $500 prize pool will be shared between
the first, second and third best amateur photography
contributions, as selected by our panel. The submission
’s Summer 2011
deadline for
Amateur Photographer Competition is 04/24/11. Contributing
photographers retain full rights over their submissions.
To qualify, entries must be taken in the Bragg Creek or
Kananaskis region. Full details below.
Thanks once more to all our amateur
contributors, keep ’em coming …
and smile!
Roy Anstey
Design Editor
CONGRATULATIONS
*The total prize pool of $500 will be awarded to the contributors of the top three photographs submitted for
inclusion in the Summer 2011 issue of
, as selected by our panel: 1st Prize –
$250; 2nd Prize – $150; 3rd Prize – $100. Prizes will be awarded in the form of gift certificates to CrossIron
Mills Outlet Mall. All photographs submitted for inclusion in the Summer 2011 issue will automatically be
entered into the Amateur Photograph Competition unless specifically requested otherwise by the contributor
at the time of submission. Any photographs received after the submission deadline of 04/24/11 may not be
entered into the competition. The panel’s decision is final. The photography contribution, along with the
contributor’s name, may be used by Rocky View County and
for future
promotional purposes, however full rights for all photographic submissions are completely retained by the
respective contributing photographers. Photographs submitted by professional photographers, employees of
, Rocky View County and CrossIron Mills Outlet Mall, as well as their affiliates
and partners, are ineligible for entry.
See full versions of these photographs
on pages 11 and 16.
Thank you to our competition’s guest panelist,
professional nature photographer John E. Marriott.
Read his article, Serenity in Nature, on page 33.
Additional thanks to our other amateur
photography contributors in this issue:
Timothy Harder, Justin Howse, Sam Jack,
Mary Nichols, Morgan Price, Kailie Sykes.
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Featured Contributors
John E. Marriott is one of Canada’s most recognized professional wildlife
and nature photographers, with images that have graced the covers of
Canadian Geographic, OWL, Reader’s Digest, and EXPLORE magazines.
A strong proponent of photographing only wild, free-roaming animals in
their natural habitat, in 2010 he was named the first wildlife photography
columnist for Outdoor Photography Canada magazine.
John’s award-winning coffee table photography books are available online
at www.wildernessprints.com and across Canada at Chapters, Indigo, and
Coles bookstores. You can contact John directly for print, book and greeting
card sales, or to license stock images at 1-877-774-3850 or via email at
[email protected]. View his blog at blog.wildernessprints.com.
John is renowned throughout the industry for his care and respect for
the wildlife he photographs, and he brings this mindset into this issue’s
photography article, Serenity in Nature, on page 33. He shares some
personal experiences that illustrate how important and beneficial it is to
be respectful when it comes to photographing wildlife, and provides some
simple insights on doing so.
Robert is the contributor of the article on page 48 of this issue, How to Avoid
a Whiteout. Read all of his articles, learn about his upcoming workshops,
and view his online courses at www.canadiannaturephotographer.com
For more details, call (403) 247 2457 or email [email protected]
Chris Martin’s photography of the Bragg Creek wildlife
and the majestic drama of the Rocky Mountains is
found in personal collections, business establishments,
and magazines throughout Canada. He is available
for group or individual workshops, commissioned
assignments and portraiture – casual and promotional.
See select prints and canvases at Things to Bragg About, #226 – 7 Balsam Ave.,
in Bragg Creek’s main shopping mall. Image licensing and prints are available
at www.chrisphoto.ca where you can view all of his themed galleries.
Contact him directly at [email protected] or (403) 880 2411, or read his blog
at: www.chrismartinphotography.wordpress.com
Tom Nevesely is based in Calgary, Alberta, and covers
a variety of subject matter, but specializes in Canadian
landscapes and nature photography. His work has
been published in PhotoLife and exhibited in Europe
and North America. As an avid outdoorsman, Tom
combines his affinity for photography with his passion
for hiking, camping, skiing, and traveling.
To view Tom’s galleries, or to inquire about the purchase of prints for
personal or commercial use, visit his website at www.tnphoto.ca.
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Samantha Chrysanthou and Darwin Wiggett
are professional photographers based in Cochrane,
Alberta. Acclaimed for the quality of their
instructional photo workshops, the powerhouse
couple are renowned for their accessible teaching
style during these frequently sold-out events.
Making Tracks
Visit their websites – www.darwinwiggett.com,
www.chrysalizz.smugmug.com – or email them
at [email protected] to learn more
about their exciting upcoming workshops.
Philippe Widling is a widely-published nature
photographer based in Calgary. His work has appeared
in magazines, newspapers, calenders, postcards,
books, and on web pages around the world. Philippe is
available for assignments both locally and worldwide:
this year alone he has completed projects across
Alberta, as well as in France, Venice, Italy, and Argentina.
For some, winter means more time indoors, cozying up by
the fireside or kicking back in front of the television, but
for many who live in Bragg Creek, winter’s arrival means
it’s time to get outside and make some tracks!
View Philippe’s galleries at www.pwidling-photography.com, email him at
[email protected], or find stock images at www.designpics.com. Prints are also
available at Swirl Fine Art & Design, #104, 100 - 7th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB.
_________________________________________________________
Rob McKay is a professional nature photographer
who practices his art in and around the Calgary area.
In addition to spectacular avian photography, Rob is
proficient in a multitude of other mainstream photography
services, including product and fashion; agricultural and
architectural; commercial and environmental; personal
and executive portraiture; weddings; and stock photography.
He also provides workshops and field trips year-round for DSLR camera
enthusiasts. Acquire new skills, learn new techniques and have fun doing
it! For more details visit his website, www.robmckayphotography.com or
contact him directly: [email protected] or at (403) 700 1264.
Fresh tracks lead off to the Kananaskis Rockies in the distance.
Philippe Widling
Dr. Robert Berdan has been published in numerous
magazines, including Photo Life, Outdoor Nature
Photographer and Canadian Geographic. He is currently
an adjunct assistant professor at the University of
Calgary. Through his multimedia business, Science &
Art, he offers royalty-free CDs, prints, photography
and video services, computer training, workshops and website development.
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Tom Nevesely
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This spread, clockwise from bottom left:
a peaceful ridge ride provides an
exhilarating valley view; approaching
Moose Mountain’s fire lookout;
snowshoeing across the frozen Upper
Kananaskis Lake; a couple of young
White-tailed bucks pause on a snowy
mound while foraging for food; an
energized Alsatian excitedly surveys the
vast wintery playground that awaits it.
Sam Jack
Robert Berdan
Philippe Widling
Kailie Sykes
With K-Country on the doorstep, winter is filled with
a plethora of outdoor activities to pursue. From crosscountry skiing on the many available trails to snowshoeing,
snowmobiling and even ice-fishing – winter in Bragg Creek is
truly an outdoor lover’s paradise.
If you’re keen to take the family out and are looking for a
safe place to sled or just experience the wintery outdoors,
drive to Elbow Falls. The road is closed to cars just beyond
the Falls from October through May, but it is still accessible
by foot, making it the perfect place for a meandering amble
where you can enjoy some beautiful scenery from a wideopen hillside road.
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Ken Johnson
Tom Nevesely
Rob McKay
The drive to Elbow Falls is only ten
minutes west of Bragg Creek, so
should you feel more adventurous and
have more time to venture deeper into
Samantha Chrysanthou
Kananaskis, try the fabulous trails
out by Upper and Lower Kananaskis
Lakes. The lakes are picture-perfect
throughout the year, but during
winter they exude an almost spiritual
ambiance.
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This spread, clockwise from bottom left:
a cow moose shows surprising agility
just west of Bragg Creek; early sunrise
kisses the top of Mount Lougheed near
Dead Man’s Flats; the distinctive Snowy
owl skims over the wintery landscape;
the Downy woodpecker – a year-round
resident of K-Country; an unforgettable
view of Forget-Me-Not Pond; a thick ledge
of ice magically overhangs Elbow Falls.
John Kearsley
Chris Martin
Not only is the cross-country skiing
and snowshoeing world-class, but the
animals are often out in full force.
Bring some birdseed along, as some
of the birds in the area will gratefully
feed out of your hand.
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Be sure you stay on the marked trails,
as avalanches can be commonplace –
especially following heavy periods of
snowfall. It’s not unusual to hear the
distinct roar of a distant avalanche
launching itself down the mountainside.
And be mindful of the time – darkness
creeps up quickly when you’re in
the woods. There is no ambient light
in the evenings, which may provide
spectacularly magical star-filled skies,
but can also make navigating your way
after sunset almost impossible.
Darwin Wiggett
Closer to Bragg Creek, the Maclean
trails allow for use of motorized
vehicles. Take your family there for
a day of snowmobiling or quadriding, surrounded by some of the
most beautiful scenery to be found
anywhere. For the equestrian in us all,
horseback riding is possible on multiple
trails in and around Bragg Creek and
K-Country. And with the assistance
of local trail-riding companies that are
open year-round, there’s no excuse not
to saddle up and head on out.
Whichever mode of transport you
favour, maps are available from ranger
stations – along with knowledgeable
local advice – to help you narrow down
your trail choices.
John Kearsley
This page, top: a unique view of the river
through pine trees near Elbow Falls.
Bottom: seasonal lights illuminate
Bragg Creek’s main shopping mall.
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Next spread, clockwise from top left:
windswept ice on Upper Kananaskis Lake
exposes some deep cracks; a small red
barn in the foothills appears untouched
by the surrounding wintery encasement.
Bottom strip of photographs: the season
shows its impact on the landscape in
many varied and wondrous ways.
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Timothy Harder
Philippe Widling
Mary Nichols
Justin Howse
Chris Martin
Kailie Sykes
Philippe Widling
Tom Nevesely
Chris Martin
Greg Romp
Chris Martin
While out exploring the wintery extravaganza, keep an eye
out for all the other creatures also making tracks. Depending
on the time of season, bears may be hibernating but the fox,
deer, moose and birds are not. This is a tough time of year
for the majority of wildlife, so be respectful of the fact that
you are in their backyard.
Behold the beauty of winter during a day’s enjoyment in the
crisp, clear air of the Kananaskis mountains, and then bask
in the gentle warmth of a crackling fire.
Morgan Price
This spread, clockwise from bottom left: a late sunset illuminates
the thick clouds above K-Country; this cow moose politely poses
for the camera; a herd of Mule deer completely unaffected by the
heavy snowfall; early sun highlights hoar frost near Bragg Creek.
Next page: a Rough-legged hawk’s wings beat silently over the
snow-covered land – eyes trained on the ground in search of
some small motion indicating potential prey.
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17
Rob McKay
REALIZE your VISION
The Cellist, The Luthier
and The Creek
Renowned cellist Beth Root-Sandvoss plays with
philharmonic orchestras around the world and is a faculty
member at the Mount Royal University Conservatory, as
well as the University of Calgary. Her husband Christopher
Sandvoss is a world-class luthier who has also enjoyed a
career as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher of the
viola and violin. They recently met with our publisher
Dwayne Zaba for this interview.
_______________________________________________________
Technically precise design, exquisitely
crafted carpentry, high-end finishing, over
100 years of combined industry expertise,
and our renowned personalized service all
combine seamlessly to enhance the value
of our clients’ homes from the inside out.
18
(403) 519-5221
[email protected]
www.timberwolffdesigns.ca
From single rooms to entire homes, I
personally guarantee that we’ll turn your
vision into something that you’ll cherish
for years to come.
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Photography by Peter Gold, www.goldphotography.com
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the basic instincts sort of things. Without agriculture, we wouldn’t have a
population; without the arts, we wouldn’t be able to feed our spirit.
Where did you two meet?
B: We met at the Banff Centre for Performing Arts. We were both
doing short-term winter residencies there and we met playing the Trout
quintet by Schubert.
C: We hit it off right away. I think we laughed the whole time we were
there. We sort of conspired: We met on the 23rd of September and we
got married on December 9. That was 15 years ago.
So you just recognized each other as kindred spirits right out of the gate?
Chris, when did you first become interested in music?
C: Music had been with me from my earliest memories. At four, I
remember singing folk songs with my parents, and at the age of
seven we were singing four-part madrigals. I started playing violin at
seven. I didn’t want to play the violin at first because my mom played
violin, so I thought that only girls played it. But after my parents took
me to an all-male string quartet concert, I decided I had to learn to
play violin the very next day. I lived on a farm, and the outdoors and
music were both a big part of my life – the whole rural experience in
the European tradition.
My parents were very cultural themselves. My mother played the
violin; my father played the cello; my sister played piano and the flute;
I played piano and the violin, and a little bit of guitar. To me, music
was the intellectual and emotional side of life, while the farm side
provided the ‘bare earth’ kind of essence.
When did your passion for music emerge, Beth?
B: I was introduced to music as a nine-year-old student in Wisconsin’s
public school system. The U.S. has a unique approach to music in the
public schools: they introduce instruments to the children and you can
choose to play one for only $45 a year. I chose the cello.
Did you explore any other instruments?
B: I didn’t have any other instruments at home. I begged for a piano
and eventually got one in high-school, but cello was my focus from the
beginning. I was fortunate enough to have a good orchestra teacher
who suggested to my parents that they find me a private teacher when
I was eleven.
When did you first get a sense that music was your calling?
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C: When I was seven my mother asked me what I wanted to be, and I said
I wanted to be a violinist or a farmer. There was always this dichotomy: the
intellectual academic pursuits versus the hands-on earthy, getting back to
C: Right out of the gate. There were a lot of similarities between us,
like loving the outdoors, sharing an agrarian type of background
and, of course, the love of culture and music. We had the
highest respect for each other musically, artistically and, of
course, as individuals. Everything just clicked.
How is the passion that you had for each other when
you first met similar to the passion you have for your music?
B: I think the passion for music is very similar to when you find your
soulmate and the person you want to spend your life with. Both
have that intensity and great draw – it’s something you can’t let go. It
becomes so much a part of you that it starts to define you.
C: And it’s a comfortable fit. There’s a sense that it’s the way it should
be, and there’s a sense of calmness to that. We all choose our pursuits
– checking things out at various stages of our lives to see if there’s
something that arouses an interest. And when you don’t feel the
need to look further, you know you have found what you need.
Chris, you are a world-class musician who now spends most
of his time making musical instruments. Can you explain what
pulled you in that direction?
C: My earliest experiences growing up on a farm were watching
my grandfather and uncle building houses, fences, sheds …
you name it. I was given a framing hammer when I was four
years old, which I would take to bed with me at night. I loved
that hammer and I loved building things. I always had to do
something with my hands.
When I was grown up, the first and most obvious thing for
me to build was a viola, because that was my instrument. So
I made one, took it with me to play at festivals, and people
offered to buy it. I think that made a big impression on
me, so I decided to make another one.
So how old were you when you made your first instrument?
C: I was about 29 years old, working at a violin shop in
Vancouver. When the people running the shop went away
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on holidays, they would ask me to mind the
place – requesting that I don’t go in the
back of the shop to bother the workers. Of
course, that was the first place I went when
the shop was empty. They were very nice
people who noticed my keen interest and
curiosity, so they were fine enough to show
me a few things.
I took to it right away, but I also never
wanted to give up playing the music. At
some point though, I found myself struggling
with a year’s worth waiting list for the
instruments, and the calls kept coming in.
Talk about passion! I thought music was
a passion, but this took it to a whole new
level. I’d come home from a concert at about
11:00 p.m., full tails and bow-tie, head
straight down to the workshop and work for
24 hours straight. I have sometimes worked
for 36 hours straight without batting an eye.
I used to be on a schedule once where I
worked for 36 hours and slept for eight hours
for about two or three weeks. I was not
trying to work quicker; I just couldn’t stop.
Describe your overall philosophy as a luthier.
C: It all starts with the natural materials
– picking the right wood. The tree that
I recently purchased, for example, was
selected after I went through 80 trees to pick
out the best one, and these were 80 trees
of world-class tone-wood that are shipped to
places like Steinway or Marten guitars. Once
you have the piece of wood in your hand
and it’s dried correctly, it becomes about
‘feeling’ the wood. I don’t use power tools
because the power tools don’t give me any
information, but I can ‘feel’ with the hand
tool. I can feel what type of wood it is, and
how it feels underneath the plane. You can
tell the grain growth, the crispness of it and
the life within the wood.
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You stroke it, you listen to the sound that
your hand makes against the wood, and you
get a feeling of what that wood is telling
you as you’re working with the gouge
and the chisels. Then I make my arching
selections, my arching heights, the widths
and the lengths … essentially modeling
or engineering the instrument. If you use a router or some sort of
a CNC tool, you’re giving up a great opportunity to garner all the
information this wood is trying to tell you.
By the time I’m finished with my handwork and roughing it out, I
already know the arching heights, the type of resistance this wood
can withstand, and the type of tone it will probably impart.
Some physicists and engineers have made it their life’s work to try to
define what makes a good instrument. They have written books and
equations and it’s all pretty amazing stuff, but they can’t define or
recreate it – there is no formula.
Are there similarities in creating beautiful music and creating
beautiful instruments?
C. I think there is a fine balance. As with anything, you can always
overcompose or overanalyze, but there is a point where you say it’s
done, it’s complete. There is humanity in flaws: the little chisel marks
here and there where the varnish can pool, which gives it a life. Just
as humans are asymmetrical by nature, it is the same for music. If it’s
overproduced and made too perfect, it loses its essence.
But I must say that there’s nothing more difficult than performing
music, and Beth is one of the finest cellists on the planet. I’ve played
with great musicians my whole life and it is an incredible feeling to
play at that level, when it’s in-the-moment, and it’s error-free. It’s not
like you can glue a piece back on, or redo something from bar five
one more time. From applause to applause, you have to be perfect,
and you also have to impart real emotion. Beth plays with passion
and intensity, and she has an incredible colour palette. What she does
with her bow is remarkable: it’s never strictly aggressive or strictly
tender, but rather a whole range of all the human emotions that you
could possibly paint with sound. Most people spend their lives just
trying to get the physical aspect down, just coordinating the left hand
and the right hand, and then adhering to the music. When Beth plays,
you just watch and you go, ‘Yeah, this musician is really involved.’
B: What I’ve observed from first knowing Chris as a highly skilled
and beautiful violist, and working with him in that capacity
professionally for a number of years, then watching the transition
take over as an artist with a powerful need to create, is that there
is a similar ultimate challenge in both playing and building. When
you perform, you can always do something differently, and you can
change your mind about an infinite number of things because you’re
juggling so many parameters.
I find that very similar to violin-making, especially in the fact that
no two instruments are the same. There is nothing that is really
consistent because there are so many variables – just like in executing
a live performance. There’s this naturalness and passion in the
making of the instrument, and at the same time there is this really
high level of skill required to make it. So you’re always honing your
skills, trying to do it better the next time.
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Beth, how does it feel to play an instrument that Chris made for you?
B: It is really very special. The birth of my cello is an interesting
story. I was once preparing to play a Haydn D major concerto with
an orchestra in Ontario and I had given him a deadline, saying
I wanted to have the cello for a little while before the concert. He
didn’t actually make the deadline: he was a little bit late. But it didn’t
matter. When the cello was done, he brought it home and I left with it
so I could be by myself to try it out. I loved it from the very moment
that I put the bow on the string: it was everything I wanted! It had
all the range of sounds and colours that you could want, no matter
what kinds of things you’re playing. If I’m playing something that’s
aggressive and really intense, it has that; if it’s something that’s very
sweet and intimate, it has that; and everything in between. I was well
into my career when he made the cello, so I knew what I was looking
for. It was an intense situation, to have this instrument and to try it
out as my voice, but it was somehow just right.
C: We were living on an island in Ontario,
having taken a one-year sabbatical, when
I thought it was the right time to make
her a new cello. I had made eight or nine
cellos prior to that, with good success, but
I thought that Beth had to have something
extraordinary. So I worked 84-hour weeks
for her deadline. It was very intense work,
but it made for a great cello. It was meant
for her; I built it for her. I didn’t build it
any differently than I would build any
other instrument, but everything just
came together perfectly, just one of those
magical things. The cello’s premiere was timed to coincide with the
concert, and five days later we arrived at our new home in Bragg
Creek. About a month after that, the cello won the highest award
possible for tone at an international violin-making competition. The
best of the world were competing with their instruments, and it was
her cello that won it!
What inspired you to come to Bragg Creek?
B: Since we got married, we would often drive out here from Calgary
a few times a year. It’s year-round evergreen, which is not very
common in this particular region. It’s a visual pleasure.
C: It’s paradise. I moved to Calgary in 1990, five years before Beth,
and I remember coming out here back then. There was such an
intensity the first time coming out that I can remember thinking,
‘Yeah, they can bury me up here somewhere.’ You drive from the city,
you see the mountains, and you just leave the city behind. Life is busy
enough as it is, with so many stresses and the whole electronic age
imposing its immediacy on us all the time. And here’s a place where
24
you can leave all that behind. There is definitely a sense of a retreat
to Bragg Creek: We have deer, moose, coyotes, wolves, cougars, owls
… you name it, it’s all here.
B: From my perspective, I need to be close to the universities and the
airport, and Bragg Creek is very close to both. It’s a nice combination
because it is so wild and so beautiful, but at the same time I can run
to my urban existence. And culture is also important to us – not just
what we do, but also the art galleries, plays, theatre, opera, and things
on the fringe like indie film festivals. For us, it’s really important to
be able to partake in that, and also to have it for our children.
C: We can go to the Glenbow Museum or the Telus Science Centre
and be back home in our beautiful setting in 35 minutes. I grew up
in Vancouver, but when I first moved to Calgary and discovered the
Bragg Creek area, I fell in love with the fact that there’s a big city
nearby, with all that we need, but there is also a sense of calm to
it, the proximity of Banff and Lake Louise, the ski hills … you can’t
really get that in Vancouver: You can look
at the mountains, but getting there is
troublesome.
How does Bragg Creek inspire what you do?
C: I feel a sense of calm. I have deadlines,
but there isn’t the overwhelming sense
of urgency in the whole life experience.
Truthfully, I could work in any
environment with violin-making because
it is my passion. I could work with the
subway train roaring by, but would I
be happy? No. Here I have happiness,
peace and calm. I look out my window and see wildlife and Moose
Mountain. I can hike, visit my friends, or just hop over to the hamlet if
I need a break. I’m not constantly surrounded by noise, traffic lights,
light pollution and all those other things that can cause anxiety in
one’s life. Here I have balance.
Beth, at times you lead a fairly hectic existence. Does Bragg Creek
provide you with the same sort of balance that Chris is talking about?
B: Absolutely. I do lead a very urban and contemporary lifestyle,
whereby I often find myself in the city or going off to a concert.
Coming home to Bragg Creek daily, or coming back from a tour, is
very serene and calm. I cherish the beauty of the place and being able
to experience it by walking in it, smelling it, and touching it.
Also, it’s very important for our two children and how we want them
to see and experience life. It was a major factor in our decision to
move out here. We both grew up in the country and, in a way, I think
it creates a kind of ruggedness, beauty and heartiness. And there’s
plenty of creativity in that. Our kids have forts, and all sorts of nooks
and crannies under the trees. They sled, they
build, and they have a great respect for wild
animals because they’re so fortunate to see
them up close. We have moose that traipse
through the yard, so we see the babies, twins
sometimes, when they still have that beautiful,
fuzzy red fur.
C: They birth right across the street, and come
up around the back of the house every summer,
like clockwork, a few days after their birth.
B: We love it too, of course. When I drive back
from the city, I’m facing west and looking at
the mountains, and as I get closer to Bragg
Creek, it’s just so beautiful. You leave the other
things behind and you’re able to start fresh
with your creativity and music-making: onto
the next project, the concert’s over, the next
one’s on the horizon, there’s other music to
learn. And it just feels good.
Watch the video interview at
www.braggcreek.tv
25
S O U T H B RAGG C REEK
E S TATE
Perfectly situated on 9.5 acres in
South Bragg Creek, this spectacular,
energy-efficient custom home blends
the timeless spirit of the Rocky
Mountain foothills with the innovative
architectural style of Frank Lloyd
Wright.
Stepping
into
the
front
foyer
immediately immerses one in stylish
character and quiet luxury, with a
26
built-in antique Chinese screen in the
foyer hinting at the thoughtful design
expression and the outstanding details
found throughout this truly stunning,
8,000-square-foot home.
The elegant living room features
picture windows facing to the south,
east and west, along with a lovely,
limestone double-sided gas fireplace
to the north. The rich glow of Japanese
cherry flooring extends throughout
the main level – creating a delightful
balance to the bold, imposing fir
timber-frame.
The magnificent gourmet kitchen
is the unmistakable heart of this
extraordinary home, where traditional
hand craftsmanship meets lavish
contemporary convenience in an
inspired blend of limestone floors,
granite countertops, custom maple
cabinetry and high-end appliances. The
kitchen’s stunning granite island offers
a terrific place for casual dining, while
its comfortable sitting area provides
a perfect setting to relax with a
soothing cup of tea. The open-concept
dining room provides an elegant
space for guests to fully appreciate
the mahogany deck and the alluring
outdoor living space.
Discover the pure essence of fine living
in the grand master suite, which features
incredible mountain views and a lovely,
double-sided gas fireplace that can also
be enjoyed from the soaker tub in the
en-suite. The spa-like, 11-piece en-suite
features heated limestone flooring,
double sinks, a relaxing six-foot bubble
tub, a towel-warming drawer, a double
steam shower, and access to a huge
walk-in closet with a convenient Miele
washer and dryer. The master suite
also houses an extraordinary library,
with pocket doors leading out to the
bedroom area and the front foyer.
An impressive staircase of Indonesian
mahogany leads to the upper level
loft, containing a terrific meditation
spot with a beautiful gas fireplace and
360-degree views of the spectacular
surrounding landscape.
Tel: 403 949 3400 - [email protected] - www.braggcreek.net
27
As with the upper floors, the luxurious lower level boasts
exemplary finishing, high ceilings and superb views, with
the striking, open-concept living space containing a fantastic
game room and a bright family room beyond. A terrific space
for entertaining guests, the lower level boasts a deluxe wetbar and a stunning home theatre, with overnight visitors
guaranteed to enjoy a restful stay in one of the three
spacious bedrooms nearby.
The beautifully anointed guest wing boasts an exceptional
home office and a fully self-contained suite with a full
kitchen and two spacious bedrooms – each boasting its own
four-piece en-suite bathroom. Guests are sure to enjoy the
breathtaking mountain views, along with the convenience of
a washer, dryer, and their own private access.
This impeccable property is further enhanced by an
880-square-foot workshop, and it is well-equipped for
horses, complete with a barn and outdoor riding arena.
Offered at $2,495,000
Watch property video at www.braggcreek.tv
_____________________________________________________________________________
Dragon
L A N D S E RV I CE S
( B R AG G CR E E K ) LT D
Over 25 years of experience in the landscape
industry creating unique Residential and
Commercial outdoor spaces. Serving
Bragg Creek, the Foothills and Calgary.
Family-based Business
Reliable Quality and Service
Customized Landscape Construction
Complimentary Consultation
Legendary Solutions
for Outdoor Living
28
(4 0 3 ) 949 33 2 7
www.dragonlandservices.com
29
11 E CHLIN C OURT
Discover this charming log cabin set
on a sun-filled, half-acre property in
the beautiful hamlet of Bragg Creek.
charm is exquisitely balanced by a full
range of modern-day conveniences
subtly integrated throughout the home.
Nestled at the end of a quiet culde-sac next to a wooded municipal
reserve, this rustic heritage cabin
is celebrated in local folklore as a
former home to a high-ranking officer
of a Fort Calgary outpost in the days
gone by.
The cozy living room boasts bright
windows and a floor-to-ceiling woodburning fireplace accentuating the
original country feel of this charming
living space, with beautiful log beams
punctuating the vaulted cedar ceiling.
Full of country warmth and unique
character, the cabin provides a
peaceful throwback to simpler times,
as well as a beautiful complement to
the surrounding natural landscape.
With striking logs, hardwood floors
and vaulted ceilings, the cabin’s rustic
30
The bright and airy country kitchen
features hardwood floors, along with
generous cupboard and countertop
space.
Vaulted
ceilings
extend
throughout the bedrooms, including
the
comfortable,
rustic
master
bedroom beautifully illuminated by a
large window and a massive skylight,
22 E LK W ILLO W R O A D
while offering its own private access
to the outdoors. Likewise, the two
large guest bedrooms radiate warm
country hospitality with their smooth
logs and big, bright windows.
Situated on two picturesque acres in West
Bragg Creek and bordering environmental
reserves on two sides, this sunny home
offers the perfect country setting on a
remarkably pristine property.
A walk through this exceptional
property – situated a stone’s throw
away from the Bragg Creek and the
Elbow River – is a beautiful, naturally
rejuvenating experience that is greatly
enhanced by its close, walkingdistance proximity to the quaint
shops, gourmet restaurants, and other
many amenities located within the
hamlet.
The inviting entrance is flooded with
natural light to provide a perfect welcome
to this cheerful family home, whose
beautiful hardwood extends throughout
the main level. The charming living room
features bright windows, with great
views overlooking the Elk Valley, and a
big sliding glass door leading out to the
back deck and the enchanting woodlands
beyond. This delightful room is further
enhanced by the beautiful, brick woodburning fireplace that fills the entire space
with lively country character and warmth.
Offered at $430,000
www.braggcreek.net
Featuring an island, stainless-steel
appliances and a large pantry, the sunny
kitchen seamlessly integrates into a
bright dining area, which features a big
bay window to offer terrific views of the
surrounding natural beauty outdoors.
Just off the kitchen, additional storage
space, a well-designed home office,
and a two-piece powder room perfectly
round out the main floor with easy
access to the attached, two-car garage.
The bright flow continues throughout the
upper level to reveal a luxurious master
bedroom featuring large windows, a
spacious closet and a four-piece en-suite
bathroom. The upper level also contains
two nicely appointed guest bedrooms,
each with its own large closet, sharing
a nearby four-piece bathroom with an
integrated tub and shower.
Surrounded by environmental reserves
and overlooking the Elk Valley – a
wildlife corridor that is home to
numerous species of animals, birds
and flora – this park-like property is a
fantastic retreat in the woods.
With close proximity to all the prime
hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails,
this property offers a unique opportunity
to enjoy the area’s natural splendour and
a peaceful lifestyle a mere 30-minute
drive from Calgary.
Offered at $665,000
www.braggcreek.net
31
This gorgeous, custom-built Douglas-fir log
home is nestled on two beautiful acres in the
prestigious Wild Rose Estates of West Bragg
Creek. Warm and inviting, this spacious
well-designed home fits perfectly into the
spectacular natural landscape surrounding it.
Full of country charm and character, the
relaxed, open design features soaring vaulted
ceilings and huge windows, bringing the
full splendour of the surroundings indoors.
Perfectly complementing the natural beauty
of the logs, the stunning stone fireplace
provides a magical focal point for the living
room and the fire can also be enjoyed from
the adjacent formal dining room.
1 27 W I L D R OS E
CLOSE
The heart of this remarkable country home is
its large, open kitchen boasting beautiful pine
cabinetry, a big walk-in pantry, and Corian
countertops with seamless sinks. Just off the
kitchen, direct access to the sunny, southfacing
back deck provides for endless barbecuing
and outdoor entertaining possibilities.
An aura of peace and tranquility fills the
home’s large master bedroom, where a
beautiful bay window streams morning
sunshine onto the hand-hewn log walls,
bathing the whole room with a majestic
golden glow. This beautiful room also features
‘His’ and ‘Her’ closets, along with a spacious,
four-piece en-suite bathroom.
Serenity in
Nature
by John E. Marriott
It’s 6 a.m. and I’ve found my first subject of the day.
Perched atop a grassy ridge in front of me is a coyote,
basking in the early rays of sunlight. I check him out
through my binoculars, trying to decide if I should creep
in closer for some portrait shots or stay back and take
photographs with a longer lens. In the end, it’s an easy
decision. Rather than disturb the coyote from its morning
revelry, I set up my 500-mm telephoto lens and snap a
series of shots of the coyote laying comfortably in the sun,
framed by the faded Opal Range in the background.
The bright upper-level loft can serve as a
home office, an artist studio, or simply a
relaxing retreat. A wonderful place for rest
and recreation, the lower level consists of a
large family room with a wood-burning stove
and two large guest bedrooms, each with its
own four-piece en-suite.
32
This enchanting property includes a detached
two-car garage and a nice mix of landscaping
and natural woodland. A superb residential
location, the Wild Rose Estates development
also includes a private lake, tennis courts and
picnic areas.
Offered at $825,000
Watch property video at www.braggcreek.tv
Properties continue on page 42
33
In Kananaskis Country, where we’re blessed to have an incredible
array of animals living in a spectacular and wild mountain
environment, binoculars and big lenses are invaluable tools for
anyone wanting to view or photograph wildlife. They allow you to
keep your distance while watching and photographing dangerous
animals like moose, mountain lions and grizzly bears, while also
ensuring you do not disrupt those animals from their daily routines.
Several winters ago, I set up near a moose carcass in the dead of
winter hoping to photograph something coming to feed on it.
Because of my long lens, I was able to camouflage myself quite far
back from the moose, keeping myself and my scent away from the
kill and well-hidden from any potential visitors. After several hours,
I was fortunate enough to have a lynx walk in – as shown on the
front cover – and feed on the moose for half an hour, never once
suspecting that a human was sitting in the bush 70 metres away.
This spread, clockwise from left: a bull moose stands its ground
in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park; a family of Grizzly bears
ambles through Highwood Pass; a Pine marten peeks out
from below the snow; a White-tailed buck stands proudly in
Spray Valley Provincial Park.
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34
35
This spread, clockwise from bottom left:
a cautious Snowshoe hare near
Upper Kananaskis Lake; a bull and cow
moose stroll casually by Mount Shark;
White-tailed deer pause from grazing
beside Highway 40; a Pika squats
motionless in Highwood Pass; a chilly
Mud Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial
Park perfectly reflects the cloud-kissed
mountains beyond.
36
Keeping your distance and using long lenses can even be valuable
for roadside wildlife viewing. Much like a three-year-old who knows
it’s being watched, a roadside animal simply won’t act naturally if
you pull up right beside it and leap out of the car with a camera in
tow. In fact, it’s most likely to run like the wind if you don’t give it
a bit of space. By contrast, staying back and watching from afar can
provide you with some memorable wildlife viewing encounters.
When I was starting out in professional photography more than
15 years ago, I ran into a mother grizzly and her two cubs high in
the alpine along Highway 40 in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
in late October. I drove right up to her and stopped the car, only
to be surprised to see the three bears promptly march off into
the bush and out of sight. Half an hour later the bears were out
again, foraging in the deep snow at roadside. Again I drove right up,
causing the bears to take off and leave me and my camera in their
rearview mirror. Finally getting smart to the situation, I spotted
them pop out of the bush up ahead, and rather than race up there,
I got out my camera and a telephoto zoom lens to photograph them
as they walked across the snow-covered landscape in the distance.
My change in tactics was rewarded with an hour-long encounter,
rather than a fleeting five-second one.
37
A telephoto lens and some patience are particularly handy in the
winter, when most wildlife is under a certain degree of food-related
stress. Deer, elk, and moose find it harder to move about in the valley
bottoms and get the forage they need, so they’re often conserving
their energy to try to find food. If we get too close to them trying to
take pictures, we can often force them into expending a lot of energy
by trying to get away from us in the deep snow, which can make the
difference between them surviving a winter or not.
For smaller animals, a large lens lets you zoom in on the action,
whether it’s a pika posing on a rock or a Pine marten popping out of
the snow as if to ask, “Is that photographer guy still around?”
But taking great photos of wildlife and nature is not necessarily
always about having to use a big lens. Sometimes a wide-angle
scenic shot of a set of moose tracks going through the landscape
can tell as good a story as a picture of the moose itself. Similarly,
using a smaller zoom lens for your photos, while still maintaining a
respectable distance from the animal you’re photographing, often
leads to images that do a wonderful job of showing the animal in its
natural environment.
38
I often photograph an animal with several different lenses, using the
big telephoto to show more detail, while using smaller zooms to
place the animals in their spectacular Kananaskis habitat, or even just
to photograph the scenery on its own. This enables you to tell a more
complete story with your photographs, rather than going home with
a series of animal head shots that could have been taken at the zoo.
If all you have is a small point-and-shoot camera, try photographing
animals within their beautiful mountain setting, rather than forcing
yourself close enough that you’re likely going to disturb them.
In the end, keeping your distance from wildlife by using longer lenses
and binoculars will not only let you enjoy longer and more natural
encounters with the animals, but it will also provide you with greater
photo opportunities, as well as leave you with a better appreciation
for the amazing mountain backyard we have here in Alberta.
Watch a video interview with John E. Marriott on location in the
wilderness at www.braggcreek.tv
Available mid-February, 2011.
This page: moose tracks in the Smith-Dorrien Valley indicate a
recent visitor. Next page: Mount Lorette and the Kananaskis River.
39
john e. marriott
__________________________________________________________
J. E. M.
PHOTO GRA PH Y
CA N A D I A N W I L D L I F E
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A female wild wolf pads casually across the heavy snow.
Canadian Wildlife Photography Tours offers
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levels. Choose from tours and expeditions for more
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Join John in Churchill, Nunavut, Jasper, the Great
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photograph Polar bears, Grizzly bears, muskox, caribou,
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W E B S I T E
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CO N TAC T
[email protected] – 1-877-774-3850
B L O G
blog.wildernessprints.com
41
This beautiful cedar hillside bungalow
is nestled on two beautiful acres in the
prestigious Wild Rose Estates of West
Bragg Creek, which includes a private lake
for fishing, canoeing and swimming, plus
tennis courts and picnic areas. It is close to
the amenities in the hamlet and only five
minutes from Kananaskis Country.
Oak hardwood flooring and vaulted ceilings
are enhanced by a marble-faced, woodburning fireplace in the living room, giving
the whole room a relaxed elegance. The main
level has oversized windows and skylights
that not only brilliantly illuminate the home,
but also help bring the peaceful beauty of
the natural landscape indoors.
3 21 W I L D R OS E
The large, well laid-out kitchen has a walkin pantry, offers lots of cupboard and
countertop space, and opens up to the
beautiful bright eat-in atrium. Entertain in the
adjacent formal dining room, where guests
can enjoy lovely views of the surrounding
forest and direct access to the terraced deck.
The entire home has a comfortable flow that
extends through to the master and guest
bedrooms. The main level also boasts a
bright laundry/mudroom with direct access
to the two-car garage.
Delightfully enhancing this home, the
lower walk-out level provides an additional
1,800 square feet of living space. A huge
family room boasts oversized windows,
an impressive rock-faced gas fireplace, and
built-in cabinetry. French doors lead to a
soundproof guest suite with an adjacent
sitting room and a four-piece bathroom.
42
The property backs onto an environmental
reserve with lovely walking paths that
greatly enhance the property, making it feel
much larger. An amazing forest hideaway,
this property offers an extraordinary chance
to enjoy a peaceful resort lifestyle just 30
minutes from Calgary.
Offered at $700,000
Watch property video at www.braggcreek.tv
This remarkable, 3,600-square-foot-plus
structural timber-frame home crowns over
three beautiful acres in west Bragg Creek.
The exceptional property features stunning
views of the foothills and the majestic
Rocky Mountains. Nestled in a lovely mixed
forest on a sunny ridge, this estate-quality
home provides a perfect complement to
the surrounding natural splendour.
Hardwood floors, soaring vaulted ceilings,
glowing timber beams, and a floor-to-ceiling
rundle-rock, wood-burning fireplace give the
living room an impressive rustic elegance
that spreads throughout the entire home,
with huge windows providing generous
natural light and breathtaking mountain
views. Great for entertaining, the dining
room boasts access onto the expansive
cedar deck for guests to indulge in the
magnificent vistas and fresh country air.
The kitchen is a gourmet chef’s delight
with granite countertops, under-mount
sinks and stainless-steel appliances,
including a top-of-the-line gas range. A
large, bright main-floor laundry room,
equipped with new front-loading machines,
affords lots of storage and workspace
room. The main level also has two large
guest bedrooms, each featuring beautiful
timber beams, big bright windows, and an
adjacent four-piece bathroom.
48 F AWN H I L L S
DRIVE
Gentle elegance extends upstairs into the
gorgeous family library and the luxurious
master suite that features grand vaulted
ceilings, large windows, and a spa-like,
seven-piece en-suite bathroom.
Perfect for rest or recreation, the naturallybright lower level features a rundle-rock
gas fireplace, a wet bar and oversized
windows offering terrific views. The lower
level also has a big guest bedroom, a
four-piece bathroom, direct access to the
sunny patio and an attached, oversized
two-car garage.
Offered at $1,250,000
Watch property video at www.braggcreek.tv
43
O V E R 320 A CRES ON
K A NANASKIS
These two contiguous quarter sections of
land in South Bragg Creek offer some of
the most extraordinary panoramic vistas
imaginable, but this is just the beginning,
as the property provides direct access to
4,200 square kilometres of Crown land.
The expansive views to the east reach well
beyond the Calgary city skyline, while
looking westward provides a majestic
scene of pristine rolling sunny meadows
and dramatic valleys – all set against the
glorious backdrop of the majestic Rocky
Mountains.
44
Backing
directly
onto
the
famed
Kananaskis Country – a stunning forestry
reserve that extends directly into Banff
National Park – the property is blessed with
an abundance of natural marvels, such as a
meandering mountain stream and an oldgrowth forest, underpinned with ancient
rock outcroppings.
Offering tremendous investment and
development potential, this breathtaking
property
–
bridging
the
adjacent
communities of Pine Ridge Estates and
Aspen Creek Estates – is conveniently
located a mere half-hour drive from Calgary.
164 Acres at Aspen Creek – Offered at $2,500,000
160 Acres at Pine Ridge – Offered at $2,000,000
Watch property videos at www.braggcreek.tv
45
This spectacular country estate with
a one-of-kind custom log home, is
perfectly situated on eight peaceful and
private acres in South Bragg Creek.
The open-concept main level features
soaring vaulted ceilings, pine plank
floors, huge windows and a remarkable
floor-to-ceiling, stone wood-burning
fireplace.
W ES T L E I SURE
LAKE
The classic country kitchen boasts pine
cabinetry, stone floors, and an island
with an eat-in bar. The kitchen extends
seamlessly into the dining room, which
boasts a terrific wood-burning stove
with a beautiful stone surround. Enjoy
wonderful views of the scenic landscape
through the sliding glass doors, which
also provide access to the expansive
wraparound deck and a covered veranda.
The main floor also contains two large
bedrooms and a four-piece bathroom
with an antique claw-foot soaker tub.
A custom-made log staircase leads
upstairs to the luxurious master suite,
featuring a quiet sitting area with a
parlor stove, a six-piece ensuite and a
private deck.
There is an additional 1,700 square feet of
living space on the lower walkout level.
With in-floor heating throughout, this
is a great place for friends and family
to rest and relax in comfort. The family
room has a fantastic Chicago-brick
wood-burning fireplace, wonderfully
complemented by gorgeous Mexican-tile
flooring. This level also houses two large
bedrooms, an office, and a beautifullydesigned three-piece bathroom.
S UNNY H ILLSI D E H O M E
This beautiful, highly energy-efficient
home is perfectly situated on 4.82
extraordinary acres in the stunning
South Bragg Creek countryside. Nicely
treed and private, this terrific location
offers spectacular vistas of the Rocky
Mountain foothills.
The home itself is an impressive
extension of the surrounding natural
magnificence – offering a luxurious
country haven filled with all the modern
comforts. The elegant living room
boasts soaring vaulted ceilings, plenty of
windows and a double-sided, floor-toceiling custom stone fireplace that can
also be enjoyed from the open-concept
kitchen and dining rooms.
The large gourmet kitchen is every chef’s
delight, featuring granite countertops,
custom cabinets and stainless-steel
appliances. Great for entertaining, the
kitchen, dining and living rooms all offer
access to the spectacular wraparound deck
– perfect for treating guests to breathtaking
views of the rolling valleys. The main floor
also contains a lovely guest bedroom, a
bathroom, and a bright laundry/mudroom
that leads out both to the deck and an
oversized, three-car garage.
Gleaming, recycled fir plank flooring
extends throughout the main and
upper levels to enhance the home’s
warm, country character. The custom
staircase leads to a large library loft
with extensive built-in shelving, which
overlooks the living room below.
The grand master bedroom features
bright windows, a private covered deck,
a six-piece en-suite bathroom with a
jetted tub, a glass shower and a walkin closet. The upper level also houses
another large bedroom and an adjacent
four-piece bathroom.
The lower walkout level features nine-foot
ceilings, huge windows, a large family room,
two additional guest bedrooms and a
bathroom – all boasting the same highquality finishing.
Offered at $938,500
Watch property video at www.braggcreek.tv
This gorgeous property features a threecar detached garage with an integrated
workshop, a log gazebo and swing, and
a studio-sized cabin in the woods.
46
Offered at $997,000
Watch property video at www.braggcreek.tv
47
How to Avoid a Whiteout
… and other winter photography tips
by Dr. Robert Berdan
Unfortunately, when it comes to taking photos
during winter, modern cameras can’t do it all
for you. Most cameras underexpose scenes
that are predominantly white, resulting in
snow that appears gray. To capture winter
scenes correctly you’ll often need to increase
the exposure, but be careful: overexposing
your image will create an image “whiteout.”
The exact amount of exposure varies for each
composition and depends on what other
tones may be present. If the scene is mostly
white, increasing exposure about 1.5 F-stops
works well. If it contains dark tones such as
trees, water or blue sky, then try increasing
exposure by only 0.5 to 1 F-stop. Your camera
manual should have exact instructions on
how to alter exposure: just don’t forget to
reset it back to zero after you’re finished. The
correct exposure is critical when shooting
JPG files, but if you’re shooting RAW files,
as many professional photographers do, you
can finetune the exposure afterwards in
Adobe Photoshop. In general, to obtain better
exposures in winter, if it’s bright, add light.
Most digital cameras function quite well in the
cold, so long as you take a few precautions.
If you are outside with your compact camera,
keep it inside your coat pocket to keep the
batteries warm. If you have a large SLR
camera, keep it in an insulated camera bag
wrapped in a small blanket or scarf and, to
prolong battery power, store a chemical hand
warmer next to the camera. Remember, always
keep a spare set of warm batteries inside your
coat pocket – lithium ion batteries should
function for a couple of hours at -20 C. When
bringing a cold camera into a warm moist
room, condensation can occur on the sensitive
electronic components and even inside the
lens. If you take it back into the cold, the
condensation could freeze and permanently
damage your camera. To prevent that, keep
your camera, or the entire camera bag, inside
a tightly-sealed plastic garbage bag before
bringing it indoors, allowing your equipment
to warm up gradually. Condensation may be
allowed to occur on the bag, but not on your
equipment. If you are traveling by car you
shouldn’t need to do this, as the air inside
the car is usually dry. Most digital cameras
can handle the wintery cold almost as well
as film-based cameras, so feel free to take
your digital camera outside.
For pristine winter landscapes, especially
after a fresh snowfall, look for interesting
shapes, tones, textures and contrasts. On
overcast winter days, the usually soft and
diffused light is ideal for portraits and
sweeping landscapes, and the absence of
colour can create some great black-and-white
images. When processing photos with digital
image editing software, shoot in colour
and then convert your images to black-andwhite, as it provides more control over the
tones. On blue-sky days the angle of the sun
can create a variety of interesting shapes and
designs on the snow, with shadows tending
to have a blue cast. To capture some colour
in winter landscapes you will need to get
out at sunrise or sunset. Alternatively, look
for coloured barns, wooden fences, roads
vanishing off in the distance, or other such
subject matter to add colour.
I particularly like taking pictures when it’s
snowing: it just feels “wintery,” and spotting
wildlife in winter can be easier against
the white snow. Deer, moose, coyotes and
foxes are often found beside country roads.
Keep an eye out for commonly found birds
– eagles, owls, Snow buntings, Blue jays,
dippers, sparrows, crows, ravens, ptarmigan
and magpies – as well as the Rough-legged
hawks, Northern Hawk owls and Snowy
owls who visit our area between the end of
October and March.
As with all seasons, the quality and
direction of light during winter can help
create effective photographs, while sidelighting can enhance the dimensionality and
texture of snow or ice to create interesting
shapes, especially among snow mounds.
I rarely use lens filters in the winter, but I
sometimes use a 2 F-stop hard-edge neutral
density graduated filter to darken the sky on
white-sky days to make them look ominous.
A polarizer can help deepen the sky’s colour
on blue-sky days, as well as darken the tone
when photographing ice and water. If it is
snowing heavily, you may have to turn your
camera’s autofocus off to prevent if from
focusing on the snow, instead of the scene
or your subject.
Crystallized snow and ice create a floating “pancake”
The stark contrast of an old red barn against a snowy backdrop
Hoar frost and rime form an opaque coating
of tiny, white, granular ice particles caused
by the rapid freezing of super-cooled water
droplets on impact with a cold object. This
beautiful type of ice usually forms after
an evening fog to encrust trees, grass and
fences, while snowflakes themselves are a
form of frozen water with six-fold symmetry.
To sum it up, the main points you need to
remember in order to capture spectacular
photos this winter are:
• Overexpose winter scenes by 0.5 to 1.5
F-stops by using your camera’s exposure
compensation button;
• If possible, keep your camera and a spare
set of batteries warm;
• To prevent condensation, place your cold
camera inside a sealed plastic bag before
bringing it into a warm, moist room;
• Search for interesting shapes formed by
the snow and ice;
• Look for wildlife along rural roads and
around unfrozen water;
• If it is snowing, consider using manual
focus instead of autofocus.
Spectacular rime formation
A Snow bunting nestled in some ground snow
_______________________________________________________________________________
48
A mule deer and her fawn stand out against the stark, frost-covered landscape
Robert Berdan offers regular photography workshops and private training in Adobe
Photoshop. For more information visit his web site and subscribe to his free newsletter.
www.canadiannaturephotographer.com – (403) 247 2457 – [email protected]
49
Morning side-lighting adds vibrant colour to a dirt-track
Back of the Book
Have you checked out www.braggcreek.tv yet?
If you haven’t already done so, be sure to
check out www.braggcreek.tv for some
awesome video showcasing the beauty and
splendour of Bragg Creek and K-Country,
as well as a feature video on Chris and
Beth Sandvoss – the subjects of this issue’s
resident article on page 19. If you enjoy the
written article, be sure to watch the online
video showcasing the live interview.
www.braggcreek.tv is also where
you can find exclusive footage
of some of the most spectacular
homes in the Bragg Creek region,
including most of those
featured throughout the pages of
this issue.
You have to be in it, to win it!
We regularly update www.braggcreek.tv
with relevant and engaging video content
– the countryside; documentaries; resident
interviews; property tours – to bring the everchanging seasonal beauty of Bragg Creek into
the comfort of your home.
Congratulations to
Ken Johnson, the Fall
2010 winner of our
Amateur Photography
Competition, (shown
here with his winning
submission).
The prize pool for
the Summer 2011
issue continues to be $500 and the deadline
is 04/24/11. Full details are on page 5 or visit
www.braggmag.com.
Heat things up…
We are currently interested in images
showing how you experience Bragg Creek
and K-Country, whether you’re with family or
friends, skiing, hiking, or simply out enjoying a
picnic in the glorious setting of K-Country.
Worth bragging about. We want to thank all the incredible amateur and professional photographers for continuing to contribute their
images: especially John E. Marriott and Robert Berdan for this issue’s photography articles. Without all of your generosity and skill, this
magazine wouldn’t be what it is! Additional thanks goes to our advertisers, White Elephant Marketing, and George Guidoni.
“Take only pictures, steal only time,
leave only footprints.”
Anonymous
A solitary coyote treads lightly
through the deep snow.
Photograph by John E. Marriott
in the coolest place.
Just west of Calgary, the enchanting Hamlet of Bragg
Creek is the perfect outdoor escape for an adventurefilled outing with the kids. Watch their faces glow with
excitement as they go tobogganing down the hill. Make
snow angels in the fresh white powder. And warm up by
a cozy fire with some hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Looking for a near-perfect getaway that’s not too far from
home? Look no further than beautiful Bragg Creek.
www.rockyview.ca
50
51
“Dwayne is by far the
most impressive
real estate agent
we have ever dealt with”
10
September 8, 20
concern:
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in Bragg Creek.
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t Wilkinson
Ron and Margare
52