Projects in the Works for 2016

It's very early to start making predictions about what 2016 will have in store, however there are some things that I'd definitely like to work on this year. These are a few projects / plans you can expect to see on Editing Luke in 2016.

1. Best of Around the Hat

My photo series of Medicine Hat, Alberta has been in the works since 2012 and has grown by leaps and bounds in that time. This year I plan on streamlining the collection and putting together "best of" posts where I showcase some of my best shots. This will include a variety of updated posts to summarize the collection. Here's an example I did of the Saamis Teepee. Next step could be a photo book or exhibition ...

2. More Travel Shoots

Expect to see even more travel related posts and photo essays in 2016. In addition to expanding on my Roadside California and Pacific Northwest series' (which is content that I've already shot but haven't shared yet) it seems likely that I'll do more shoots around Alberta and Canada in general to keep the momentum going. 

3. Media Passes

From concerts and festivals to other high-profile events, I'll be making an effort to get more media passes again this year to bring more original content to Editing Luke. These things are never guaranteed, but the chance of reaching a larger audience make them worth pursuing.

4. Collaborating with a School

I posted about this just a few days ago. Here are more details about this project. 

5. Brand New Video Productions

I have a handful of brand new cultural videos already in the works this year. What's exciting is that many of these projects have a regional influence that have involved me in shooting all over southern Alberta. This is obviously something that I hope continues well into 2016, so if you have an idea or concept that you'd like to discuss you can get in touch with me here. Curious about some of my previous work? Explore here.

There are some big things in the works. I can't wait to share them with you!

Von's 1000 Spirits in Seattle, Washington

After wandering around the Seattle Waterfront, Mike and I stumbled onto Von's 1000 Spirits along 1st Avenue. The food was amazing, but it was the spectacular bar that pulled us inside. I had to grab a few shots of this incredible locale for my Pacific Northwest series.

Wilson Learning Centre and Editing Luke

Last year I was contacted by Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre in Medicine Hat, Alberta about taking on an artist-in-residence position with their new school. They were interested in telling their story, adding to their cultural identity, exploring multimedia potential in the classroom, and documenting the learning and teaching process. 

In those initial discussions we touched on a lot of big concepts in search of a few specifics to get the ball rolling. The idea of having an "artist" in the school as a support and storyteller was intriguing, and honestly, it's what ultimately hooked me. It's too early to start making definitive predictions, but the scope and scale of what we're embarking on may turn out to be one of my most ambitious projects to date. 

I have to clarify that collaboration is at the root of this entire undertaking. This is not just my story or the school's story, it is about the students, staff, teachers, and community at large. Part of what makes this so exciting is that we've essentially agreed to do a giant experiment.

The footage I capture, the projects the classes create, and the day to day activities that are documented have the potential to showcase the "process of learning" in ways that we can't yet predict. We're not sure what the end looks like. A school-wide exhibition? A documentary? At this stage everything is on the table.

It's rare that a project has this much freedom where the act of making it is arguably more important than a specific outcome. This willingness to challenge ourselves to find the stories as they're unfolding is liberating. It opens the door for some really meaningful and genuine content that I don't think we could logistically capture without investing this amount of time.

Odyssey (defined as a series of experiences that give knowledge or understanding) is a word that we've used a lot to describe this idea / project. Even now as things are getting underway, I think we tend to ask more questions after each meeting than find answers. It's exciting, and maybe outrageously ambitious, but that's also what makes it seem worthwhile.   

As of this month I'm starting to become a regular face around the school with my camera. This is not a permanent position for me, and I'm still working on a number of Editing Luke projects outside of the school, however I cannot downplay the significance of this new role in my professional life. In just this last week at the school I captured over 50GB worth of material. Whatever this is, it's going to be big. It's likely to be an opportunity for incredible personal growth as well.