My Desk at Hole's

Over 21 years ago, I started working at Hole's Publishing in St. Albert. Here's my desk and Apple computer; I think it was a IIc with a  monochrome monitor. 

All About Alliums

At least, I think these are alliums. Shot at Hole's, St. Albert, Alberta, 1998. 

New Selection of Bonsai

I shot this just after I started working for the publishing department of Hole's in St. Albert, back in 1998. Bruce encouraged me to wander about the property in search of stories, to learn about the way the greenhouses operated, or just to clear my head. It was a nice perk, and I believe it helped the books I contributed to.

This would be a better photo if the Hole's sign itself weren't so underexposed. Maybe it's something I can fix with Photoshop; it would be nice if you could see more of the cloud reflections in the sign. I like the lens flare.

It's hard to believe I was in my 20s when I shot this, almost 19 years ago. I didn't buy any bonsai. 

iMac Flashbac

Here I am sometime in the late 90s working on one of the first iMacs; this one was aqua-coloured. Presumably I was ghostwriting one gardening book or another. My desk at ATCO is even messier than this. Bruce or Jim probably shot the photo; I was trying to finish a roll of black and white. Yes, this was shot...on film. 

Really, Shouldn't Everyone?

Sign spotted outside Mission Fun & Games in St. Albert

Panorama Mania

For three or four years after I purchased my little Pentax point and shoot, I was enthralled by the camera's panorama feature, which allowed users to easily compose and stitch together panoramic shots to create a super-wide-angle effect. As you can see, the images can sometimes turn out a little distorted, but overall the effect is pretty good, at least to my eyes. Plus you can craft some interesting special effects with a little creative staging. Click to embiggen for the full effect!

The Arch at Hole's

Once in a while I borrow Mom and Dad's old Canon T70 and load it with black and white film. Back in August 2002 I photographed the show garden at Hole's Greenhouses and Gardens in St. Albert. I'm pretty happy with it, though I wish I'd caught the flag fully unfurled - it would have been more picturesque.

I assume this show garden won't be around much longer, since the members of the Hole family are moving their operations to the new Enjoy Centre, a multimillion dollar megaplex opening sometime this year.

Working for the Official Opposition is very rewarding, but I'll admit that I do miss Hole's sometimes. If I needed a mental break, all I had to do was step outside to - quite literally - smell the flowers.