Fractal Series: Vol. 1

These are a few visual highlights from my new fractal kaleidoscope series featuring landmarks in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The repetition, patterns, and distortion in these images provide new perspectives on the otherwise familiar. From flowers on 2nd Street to vintage neon to the clay district and iconic Saamis Teepee, how many of these scene variations do you recognize?
   

Downtown Calgary: Ghosting Images 2

Ghosting Series: Calgary, Alberta
Archival images merged with modern day shots of the same locations in downtown Calgary, Alberta. More here: http://goo.gl/J1W6sp
Posted by Editing Luke on Sunday, April 10, 2016

The following is the continuation of my downtown Calgary, Alberta ghosting series. The process of ghosting involves merging archival images with photographs of the same locations today. Here are some of the latest additions featuring Calgary's downtown core.

Burns Building - 1920 merged with 2016.

Stephen Avenue - 1940s merged with 2016. 

The dramatic changes to 8th Avenue over the decades are especially clear in this image.

Palliser Hotel - 1940s merged with 2016. 

Imperial Bank - 1910s merged with 2016.

It's always cool to see these old street scenes and then imagine how amazed these people would be to see the towering structures that make up the scene today.

Hudson's Bay Department Store - 1930s merged with 2016. 

Minor changes to the facade show just how familiar this structure has remained over the decades.

City Hall - 1918 merged with 2016.

Calgary citizens gathered outside of City Hall to celebrate the end of World War I is contrasted with the modern surroundings of the structure today. 

Grain Exchange - 1912 merged with 2016.

One of Alberta's earliest office towers is contrasted with one of its latest as the construction of Brookfield Place dominates the background.

Herald Building (on the right) - 1920s merged with 2016.





First Street West - 1930s merged with 2016.

Ghosting Series: Medicine Hat, Alberta

Using archival images for inspiration, I've been amazed at how popular my ghosting series has become. I think everyone just likes to see the contrast and change of a location regardless of whether or not they even know where Medicine Hat, Alberta is. The effect is created by merging modern day photographs with archival images from the same perspective.

This new video is a brief highlight reel of some of my favorite shots from my Medicine Hat ghosting series. I recently expanded the series to include Calgary, Alberta - but more on that to come. Explore all of my original Around the Hat ghosting images here: 

• Medicine Hat, Alberta Ghosting Images: PART 1
• Medicine Hat, Alberta Ghosting Images: PART 2
• Medicine Hat, Alberta Ghosting Images: PART 3

Ghosting: Medicine Hat, Alberta
Archival images merged with modern day shots of the same locations in Medcine Hat, Alberta. These are "ghosting images" from the Around the Hat photo series. More here: http://goo.gl/HmwRzs
Posted by Editing Luke on Saturday, March 19, 2016

Downtown Calgary: Ghosting Images

Calgary, Alberta has a rich history, and there's a lot to see when wandering around the downtown core. From new skyscrapers to modified historic buildings, there are a lot of clues that tell a story about the city's evolution and growth. I'm fascinated by urban landscapes, and as a professional photographer I've enjoyed showcasing them through the art of "ghosting". 

Ghosting Series: Calgary, Alberta
Archival images merged with modern day shots of the same locations in downtown Calgary, Alberta. More here: http://goo.gl/J1W6sp
Posted by Editing Luke on Sunday, April 10, 2016

Ghosting is the process of taking an archival image, photographing the same location as it looks today, and then blending the two compositions together to showcase both the past and present in a single shot. I first attempted "ghosting" in my hometown of Medicine Hat, Alberta and came away with some really intriguing results. Applying this technique to downtown Calgary, Alberta meant that the juxtapositions would be even greater. Here are some of the results.

Explore part 2 of the Calgary ghosting series here.

Calgary Fire Hall No. 1 - 1915 merged with 2016.

In this image you can see the old fire engines lined up outside of the fire hall. The exterior of the building is nearly identical to how it looked a century ago, although the skyscrapers in the back demonstrate how Calgary outgrew the station. Today the building houses a car rental company.

Hudson's Bay Department Store - 1920s merged with 2016.

Still an impressive building in the heart of downtown, the Hudson's Bay store is still very recognizable. It's the traffic and towers that surround it that have changed dramatically.

Central United Church - 1930 merged with 2016.

I love that the Calgary Tower is visible in this ghosting image. The Central United Church still looks the same, however an LRT line now runs in front of it and the building across the street has been replaced with a modern office tower.

Palliser Hotel - 1912 merged with 2016.

Here you can see the exposed girders of the hotel blended with the facade as it looks today. It can't be understated what a big construction project this hotel was for Calgary at the time. Canadian Pacific Railway was constructing the Palliser as a hospitality stop for the influx of tourists heading west to their Banff Springs Hotel.

City Hall - 1920s merged with 2016.

Contrasting the old and new city halls.

Grain Exchange Building - 1912 merged with 2016.

The growth of downtown Calgary is further emphasized by the construction of Brookfield Place in contrast to the Grain Exchange - one of the first office towers in Alberta.

Bank of Montreal - 1910s merged with 2016.

The surrounding office towers, especially The Bow in the background, are prime examples of Calgary's growth around this once large downtown bank.

Train Station & Palliser Hotel - 1930s merged with 2016.

The historic Canadian Pacific train station has since been demolished, however a new icon now stands in its place. The glass base of the Calgary Tower now dominates the former plaza / parking lot that used to be in front of the station.

Stephen Avenue - 1910s merged with 2016.

The painted ads, streetcar tracks and traffic have now been replaced with pedestrians on today's Stephen Avenue. 

Stephen Avenue - 1920s merged with 2016.

One more from this amazing street.

Hutchinson Block Renovation in Medicine Hat

Formerly the home of Hutchings and Sharp, the Hutchinson Block sat vacant in downtown Medicine Hat, Alberta for years. I captured images of the abandoned space back in 2013 before there were any signs that the building would be renovated. However, that all changed in the last year. The main space was completely overhauled, and the upstairs is now in progress.

I also captured images of the grand opening event at the Hutchinson Block, and ghosted a few of the images I shot in 2013 with the completed 2015 interiors. You can also see a bit of the work in progress in these images I shot last year. The space is a beautiful mix of old and new with the original ceiling and hardwood floors having been restored. 

The brands and Charlie the horse that used to call Hutchings and Sharp home were donated to the Stampede. For the time being I think the building is going to be used as an event space for parties and functions - although that could change. I can't wait to see what's next for this amazing downtown building.

Hutchings and Sharp interior prior to renovation ca. 2013

Upstairs work in progress.

Hutchinson Block - 2013 interior merged with renovated 2015 interior.

Hutchinson Block - 2013 interior merged with renovated 2015 interior.

Hutchings and Sharp interior prior to renovation ca. 2013

Hutchings and Sharp interior prior to renovation ca. 2013

Hutchings and Sharp interior prior to renovation ca. 2013

Hutchinson Block - 2013 interior merged with renovated 2015 interior.