Canadian Geographic's upcoming Canada 150 Years 2017 wall calendar will feature an image by a Cochrane photographer.
Canadian Geographic's upcoming Canada 150 Years 2017 wall calendar will feature an image by a Cochrane photographer.
Fourth-generation Cochranite Tim Hall's photo - taken on Memorial Drive in Calgary when all the crosses were displayed for Remembrance Day - was chosen to be the main photo for the month of November.
“When I got the (confirmation email) I just about fell off my chair, ” Hall said. “It definitely sets the bar a little higher (for my photography) and that is going to be a tough one to top. ”
Hall laughed as he reflected on the day he took the photograph. When he arrived at the location, he realized he forgot his camera. Hall then and had to drive back to Cochrane and race back to try make sure he had the right lighting.
“I definitely didn't expect for it to be chosen and to have the photo be picked it is like ‘oh wow,' ” Hall said. “If there are rules to photography and if the rules were in the shape of a box then I have always shot out of the box. ”
This is not the first time Hall's photos have been used by the prominent magazine. His photos have been featured as Canadian Geographic's photo of the week and have also been paired on the magazine's website with Alberta-related articles.
“Not everybody is willing to go that length to get a shot … you have to chase the shot to get it and I'm willing to go that extra mile to get the shot, ” Hall said.
He discovered his passion for photography when he began building websites and needed to shoot pictures to go with his designs.
“You are constantly working with images and with the equipment nowadays. You can do amazing things once you learn how to use them, but you have to be there to get the shot, ” Hall said.
Hall also hosts a local photography group on Facebook bringing photographers of all skill levels together to collaborate with monthly challenges and offering advice to beginners.
Photography is all about trying to better yourself, Hall said.
“I would hate to compare myself to anybody just short of comparing myself to the photographer I used to be. My shots are very wide and dynamic and Alberta is good for that, you got such a big sky and it is just damn beautiful for that here, ” Hall said.
Hall's advice to anyone who is interested in photography or just beginning is to “just take the shot. ”
“Don't be scared to take the shot - if you drive by, why wouldn't you stop and take the shot? Just make the time, just try it once and take the shot and you'd be amazed at what could happen, ” Hall said.
To see more of Hall's Alberta photography, go to timhall.ca
