Firstly, I’d like to give you a little background on the project. Celebrate Canada 2010 is intended to make Canadians aware about their own country and themselves! I wasn’t hired by anyone to do this year long trip, in other words, I’m spending my own money and committed with my heart to do this because I feel strongly about photographing Canada for the right reasons. Period. We need at least one photographer out there who isn’t photographing just to make a buck or who’s hired by some company with objectives.
I have dedicated all of my energies to producing a number of books and travelling exhibitions for Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017. All too often we are fed an idealistic or beautiful view of Canada, which is great we need those kind of books etc. But what about the soul of Canada, what does it really look like? My job is to think about everyone I’ve met on my journey across Canada or learned about on either the radio (CBC) or TV. I process all sources of information and this determines what I point my camera at. I’m no academic, but I have great intuition and people skills which I think shows in my photographs.
My theory is that every one of us wants to be immortalized at least once is a spell binding photograph. In the back of our minds we all almost except a kind, adventurous photographer to drive up, jump out and snap a photo of us and making us feel important and accounted for.
To get a better idea of my life in the van, picture this: an 84 square foot space occupied by one adult and two dogs (one Black Lab and one Flat Coat Retriever).
Tim getting gas in Red Deer on our departure day. It was a lot more expensive for gas at the beginning of the trip. That being said, gas is still probably the biggest expense. This is one huge country, and you really realize it once you start driving around for days.
A room with a view! I’ve been very fortunate on this trip with finding some great places to spend the night. With not one single campground open in all of Canada right now, I stay were we can. I take into consideration intruding on people’s space and often park in an unpopulated area which is refreshing after spending the day surrounded by people. Occasionally I’ll get a visit from an RCMP officer, but there’s never any problem; they just ask what I’m up to, check out our paperwork and they’re off. One night in Ottawa I parked just behind the RCMP detachment, knowing full well I’d be getting a visit and I did. According to the officer it was RCMP property, but they let us stay anyways. Too funny. I spent a lot of time designing the exterior of the van to look as professional as possible. This has helped with folks understanding what we are up to and all too often I’ll get people stopping by to ask us why the heck I’d be doing this trip in the winter!
Maya loves to see where we are headed!
Tim completely rebuilt the inside of the van, and it is now a camperized adventure vehicle. We have a kitchen complete with a two burner propane stove, a sink, a water tank and a cooler to keep the food cool. In the winter, the doorwell acts as a freezer, which is great for some things, but not so great for the milk that you would like to put in your morning coffee.
Always ready for the next shot!
Since I decided to make this a 365-day journey, I have a responsibility to shoot everyday. I shoot about 3-5 hours a day, which will increase when the weather warms up. There are days that I walk for at least 2 hours, and I come back to the van with very sore feet. In addition to this, I need to blog everyday, which can take hours, especially depending on the signal that I find. I use an aircard to upload our pictures which works with the cellphone towers, and when the signal is good, the pictures don’t take too long to upload. All I really do in the day is go out and shoot and come back to the van and blog. There isn’t a lot of extra time for socializing or galavanting around.
Tim Getting a Good Angle on Top of the Van in Ontario
Tim Roasting Peppers
Here’s a common question: “Do you sleep in Wal Mart parking lots”? I have never parked in a Wal Mart parking lot, but I did park in an IGA parking lot the other day behind the store in La Baie. Unfortunately I was woken early in the morning to the sounds of big trucks unloading their groceries and trying to get by us. Needless to say, I moved and then promptly headed out. For the most part I park down by the river (yes, in a van, down by the river) if there is one, or down near some water. Yesterday I parked on a dock right beside the St. Lawrence Seaway in Saint Simeon, and the view was outstanding.
Working on the blog while overlooking the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Many are shocked to discover that I been sleeping in my van during the winter. How do I survive at minus 30 degrees? (and there has been plenty of those, too) I have a 25 000 btu furnace that keeps me nice and cozy, as long as I keep the propane tanks filled. I have had to go outside many nights in the freezing cold to change the tank over to a new one. These days we run about 4 days in the cold weather with a 20 lb barbeque tank of propane.
Getting the furnace going for the first time.
In the five months that I have been on the road, we have taken about 55 000 pictures and we have logged around 10 000 kilometers.
Eyes Closed – Oh Yes, I’m That Good
Shooting at the fire hall in Picton. People that I meet are very cooperative when they find out about the project.
The van always draws attention, with a continuous ribbon of photographs going around it.
Putting up more signage to let folks know what we’re doing in their community
Kensington Market Through Tim’s Lens
Dinner time on the wharf in Clark’s Harbour.
Dinner on the back of the van in Chester, Nova Scotia
Lobster and eggs!
The office/kitchen!
A room with a view, Cape Spear, NFLD
Tim Up Close and Personal – This dad was clearing his outdoor rink for his kids to play hockey.
During winter I becomes the shooting superhero…”Puff Coat Man”
Staying connected to the world using a wireless aircard. Space is tight in the kitchen, and I accidentally used the steak as the mouse this day!
I meet all sorts! Even the scary-looking ones are usually friendly.
Bo is a real sweetheart, and he can be a bit of a lush when it comes to getting attention. A social creature, he makes friends with everyone. He tends to get into trouble sometimes, and so far he has fallen off a roof, almost stumbled down a cliff and just about landed in the water at the docks in Toronto. He makes me laugh everyday and I love him like crazy most days.
Maya is a gentle dog, and she can be a bit shy sometimes. She has really come out of her shell on this trip, and she will venture forth into unknown territories with less caution now.
Playtime is anytime the van door is open.
Bo and Maya make it to Parliament Hill twice in two years, lucky dogs!
Mya crashed out on my new camera.
OMG!
The people I meet give me the energy to keep going everyday. Otherwise the road would be a lonely place to live for a year.
In my job I can’t discriminate who I photograph, everyone is an equal.
Celebrating 9 months on the road in Happy Adventure, NFLD.
Wow!
Peggy’s Cove had the biggest storm I’ve ever witnessed!
Another free camp spot, Peggy’s Cove!
Thanks CAA! A free tow job to GM to fix a sensor. The only break down on the whole trip.
Shooting a apple in a birds net in Chester, Nova Scotia
Shooting an abandoned ship in Sidney, Cape Breton
Time for a new windshield!
The sun rises on yet another free waterfront camp spot.
Serving Canada the best I can!
Mya loving the front seat!
Shooting the tugs in Halifax.
Can you believe the only time I got the van stuck was on my land in Nova Scotia! My own land!!!! My neighbour came over and pulled me out with the tractor.
My home in Halifax for two weeks!
My favorite Canadian flag in all of Canada!
Shooting a gigapan in St. John’s, NFLD
