I arrived at the Strobist meet at the old Kamloops Courthouse with another photographer, Nancy Burkholder, and walked in to a bustling scene of photographers, models, and bystanders. The place was in motion!

Ray Perrault, the organizer, quickly gave me a tour of the ongoing October photography exhibition, entitled “Blowup”, located in the art gallery, and then hustled me to the main courtroom pointing out available locations.

I had helped Nancy in with her studio lighting, but before I could even put it down I got a big bear hug from long time friend, Bob Clark, who I hadn’t seen for the better part of a year. He admonished me for missing his last photography exhibition then introduced me to two young models he was about to photograph; but was interrupted when another photographer, Rick Tolhurst yelled at me from across the room. I waved at him while he climbed a ladder, as his subject posed in what I assume was once the judge’s box.

Ray said, “Look around the building, find someone, and start shooting”.

There was music blaring from somewhere, and I must have counted at least 10 young women coming and going from the dressing room. As a group, they had decided their clothing “theme” would be the 1960’s.

If all this sounds frantic, then you understand the feeling I had as I surveyed the scene. I will also add the words “electric and inspiring”.

Watching other photographers work is always fun and having seen the kind of people photography that Ray, Bob, Rick and Nancy have done in the past I couldn’t help but smile and looked forward to seeing what they each would produce from this strobist evening.

For those interested I will take a few lines to mention the lighting equipment each invited photographer was using.

I had elected to use Nikon’s wireless flash system, using a master flash connected to my camera that would also control, wirelessly, another mounted on a stand with an umbrella.

Tolhurst was using the same, but had two wireless flashes on stands.

Perrault and Clark were using wireless also, but, instead of the infrared connection that Rick and I were using, they had “Pocket Wizards” connected to flashes using radio wave control.

Burkholder had stayed with her tried and true studio kit with two lights on stands. Both Perrault and Tolhurt also brought studio lighting that they used later.

I wandered around the building looking for a quieter, less trafficked area and ended up in the basement’s white brick hallway. I moved my flash around, took some test shots, readied myself, and wandered off in search of a model.

I apologize to any models I photographed that may read this, as I was so intent and one-minded on my photography that their names escaped me, but I photographed at least six young women in that location before heading back up to the main room.

The place was still busy and I noticed many bystanders were now taking part with on-camera flashes, not the best way to light, but I am sure they made good memories.

All in all the evening was just great.

I returned home later that evening and loaded my photos on the computer. I had lots of keepers, but decided to only put 18 on a CD for Perrault to add, from the strobist meet, to the current courthouse exhibition I mentioned earlier hosted by Arnica, “Blowup”.

I hope I have helped you to get thinking about producing interesting photography. If you have questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll have more next week. Email your comments and suggestions to me at fotoplace@uniserve.com.

John Enman owns and operates Enman’s Camera at 423 Tranquille Road in Kamloops. Enman’s Camera sells an interesting selection of used and new photographic equipment and offers professional wedding photography and photographic instruction. Check out www.enmanscamera.com or call John at (250) 376-4715.