With minus 25 degree temperatures and lots of fresh snow I knew the time had come. I could finally visit several locations that I had earmarked for winter photography. Barns, vintage vehicles and even a quiet cove on Okanagan Lake that generally freezes over during very cold weather, were on the list.
As always, Tucker, my trusty sidekick was in the passenger seat. We drove north on highway 97 and turned off onto Bulman Road. Just prior to the south end of the Kelowna International Airport we pulled over. There, about 200 metres off the road was an old barn. It was leaning severely. Trees, old equipment and trucks surrounded the barn. This was going to be an interesting shoot.
I didn’t want to trespass so the long lens I had chosen would be ideal. I was able to isolate the barn and the surrounding equipment to make several different compositions, bracketing each with 5 different exposures. This, I thought would give me enough data to work with when it came time to develop them in the computer.
By the time I returned to the car my hands were frozen. But I had the shots I wanted. And we were off. This time to the upper Mission area on de Hart Road and a vintage pickup truck loaded with old wine barrels. It looked fabulous in the fresh snow. For safety I had planned my shots ahead of time as this old truck was on a busy road.
Once done I headed to Kinsman Park, hoping the neighbourhood kids might be out on the ice playing a rousing game of shinny. Snow had been cleared from the ice to form several small hockey rinks. But there were no skaters. It was just too cold.
The big reveal when I finally got my images up on my computer was interesting. The shots at the lake and of the old truck were ok but really didn’t jump out at me. However, it was a different story for the old barn. Some of the shots had real possibilities, especially as black and whites.
Eventually, the deep freeze moved on and temperatures moderated. Light fluffy snow became wet and heavy. I forgot about my winter sites.
On Saturday mornings Tucker and I generally head out with our son and his dogs to the off leash dog park on the east side of the airport. To get there we pass the old barn on Bulman Road. Driving there a week ago I did a double take. It was gone!
The old Bulman Road barn was just a pile of broken boards, roofing and rubble. I guessed that it collapsed when it couldn’t support the weight of the very wet snow. Nearby heavy equipment had finished the job. I returned a few days later to make a few shots of what was left of the old barn.
I felt very lucky! My shots of the old Bulman Road barn, likely the last ever made, had worked out. I have enough raw material to make some interesting and creative prints.
Shirley Rochon
30 Jan 2022Love the urges you have to connect with, and preserve unknowingly a historical spot to remember. Your intent to go out in the cold to catch these moments for all of us to see is remarkable. Thank you for sharing.
Stu
30 Jan 2022Thanks for commenting Shirley! When I’m out and about I make mental notes of objects and scenes that I would like to photograph. In the case of this old barn I also noted season and perhaps the kind of weather that would result in the best image. I’m starting to collect images of old barns in the area. It should culminate in an interesting body of work.
Bill (William) Locke
30 Jan 2022Timing is important – here today, gone tomorrow.
Stu
30 Jan 2022Thanks for your comment Bill. In the case of this old barn timing was absolutely critical.
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