Over a period of 4 days in April I photographed a B.C Wildfire bootcamp for forest fire fighter recruits near Chilliwack, B.C for The Globe & Mail. The course, hosted by the B.C Ministry of Forestry, places 100 invited recruits to participate in an intense weeklong ‘bootcamp’ to learn and test their skills in becoming forest fire fighters for the province. 

Over a period of 4 days in April I photographed a B.C Wildfire bootcamp for forest fire fighter recruits near Chilliwack, B.C for The Globe & Mail. The course, hosted by the B.C Ministry of Forestry, places 100 invited recruits to participate in an intense weeklong ‘bootcamp’ to learn and test their skills in becoming forest fire fighters for the province. 

In March and April I worked on a photographic story for Reuters in the Vancouver area on ‘Freegans’, or commonly known as dumpster divers. You could say this is a continuation on the subject of freeganism and under-consumption since I photographed a freegan in Ottawa, Ontario two years ago for Canadian Geographic. I also wrote up a blog on the Reuters Full Focus website on shooting the story itself. This group of ‘freegans’ all live together in a vegan household in East Vancouver. They are not poor but choose to scavenge their food from various dumpsters for their meals.  The johannesburg Times (South Africa) Forum Magazine (Croatia)

In March and April I worked on a photographic story for Reuters in the Vancouver area on ‘Freegans’, or commonly known as dumpster divers. You could say this is a continuation on the subject of freeganism and under-consumption since I photographed a freegan in Ottawa, Ontario two years ago for Canadian Geographic. I also wrote up a blog on the Reuters Full Focus website on shooting the story itself.

This group of ‘freegans’ all live together in a vegan household in East Vancouver. They are not poor but choose to scavenge their food from various dumpsters for their meals. 

The johannesburg Times (South Africa)

Forum Magazine (Croatia)

The last two weekends I have been working on a photo spread for The Globe & Mail on the Vancouver Gun Club. Check it out today, Wednesday March 28, 2012, in the BC section.

The last two weekends I have been working on a photo spread for The Globe & Mail on the Vancouver Gun Club. Check it out today, Wednesday March 28, 2012, in the BC section.

Vancouver Whitecaps Martin Bonjour (white) heads the ball against D.C United Hamdi Salihi during the second half of their MLS soccer game in Vancouver, British Columbia March 24, 2012.   REUTERS/Ben Nelms    (CANADA)

Vancouver Whitecaps Martin Bonjour (white) heads the ball against D.C United Hamdi Salihi during the second half of their MLS soccer game in Vancouver, British Columbia March 24, 2012.   REUTERS/Ben Nelms    (CANADA)

During the Grey Cup this past year in Vancouver, Reuters photographer Todd Korol, Canadian Press photographer Paul Chiasson and I went out for dinner and some drinks one night in gastown to catch up. We started talking about how the life cycle of a photograph does not last long. It is shot, printed the next day, then used as fish wrap the next morning. In this digital age, photographs are quickly sent to the archive and seldom touched again.  Paul pushed me to give more life to photographs I liked. Not necessarily the ones I have shot, but just photographs in general. The next week, I contacted Chicago Tribune photojournalist Scott Strazzante and asked him if I could purchase a photograph of his that I saw in the Globe & Mail a few months ago and recently won a HM in Sports Action at the NPPA Best of Photojournalism 2011.  I had the pleasure of working with Scott when the Tribune sent him to Vancouver to cover Round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs last year when the Blackhawks played Vancouver. Scott is one hell of a great photographer and runs a great photo blog here. A few weeks ago I received a 11x14 signed print from Scott free of charge. I recently framed it and put it up in my den at my apartment. It isn’t a photograph of a conflict nor is it a disfranchised child in some remote country. It is simply a great sports photograph that inspires me. A solid moment captured beautifully in what could be a normal day to day hockey game. This is something I strive for. -Ben

During the Grey Cup this past year in Vancouver, Reuters photographer Todd Korol, Canadian Press photographer Paul Chiasson and I went out for dinner and some drinks one night in gastown to catch up. We started talking about how the life cycle of a photograph does not last long. It is shot, printed the next day, then used as fish wrap the next morning. In this digital age, photographs are quickly sent to the archive and seldom touched again. 

Paul pushed me to give more life to photographs I liked. Not necessarily the ones I have shot, but just photographs in general. The next week, I contacted Chicago Tribune photojournalist Scott Strazzante and asked him if I could purchase a photograph of his that I saw in the Globe & Mail a few months ago and recently won a HM in Sports Action at the NPPA Best of Photojournalism 2011. 

I had the pleasure of working with Scott when the Tribune sent him to Vancouver to cover Round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs last year when the Blackhawks played Vancouver. Scott is one hell of a great photographer and runs a great photo blog here.

A few weeks ago I received a 11x14 signed print from Scott free of charge. I recently framed it and put it up in my den at my apartment.

It isn’t a photograph of a conflict nor is it a disfranchised child in some remote country. It is simply a great sports photograph that inspires me. A solid moment captured beautifully in what could be a normal day to day hockey game. This is something I strive for.

-Ben

Vancouver Canucks Zack Kassian is stopped by Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia March 17, 2012.   REUTERS/Ben Nelms    (CANADA)

Vancouver Canucks Zack Kassian is stopped by Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia March 17, 2012.   REUTERS/Ben Nelms    (CANADA)

Vancouver Canucks Ryan Kesler checks Phoenix Coyotes Antoine Vermette during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia March 14, 2012.   REUTERS/Ben Nelms    (CANADA)

Vancouver Canucks Ryan Kesler checks Phoenix Coyotes Antoine Vermette during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia March 14, 2012.   REUTERS/Ben Nelms    (CANADA)

Two weeks ago, I shot an assignment for the Globe & Mail that was a bit different than the more ‘normal’ jobs I usually shoot. The assignment, which was to photograph a group of inner-city youth taking part in a snowboard program that helps low income children hit the slopes, presented itself with a few challenges. I was going to be skiing next to them, along with Globe journalist Kate Hammer. 

The light was fading quickly, so I knew I only had a short time to photograph the group of kids in the fleeting mountain light before it ducked behind the trees. I decided to use two cameras, but keep one of them in my backpack and one around my neck with a 16-35mm attached to it. I used the other camera with a 70-200mm a bit, but only when I skied ahead of the subjects.

Sometimes being a photojournalist is simply not just being able to take pictures. A common saying among photojournalists is “taking pictures is only 10% of the job”, and this rings true. Being able to ski is just one of the many valuable skill sets that can be a deciding factor on whether you can even land the assignment to begin with.

Read Kate Hammer’s story here - 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/on-the-slopes-of-mount-seymour-a-charity-for-fun/article2366033/

B.

Vancouver Whitecaps Lee Young-Pyo (R) falls to the ground while fighting for the ball against Montreal Impact Josh Gardner during the first half of their MLS soccer game in Vancouver, British Columbia March 10, 2012.   REUTERS/Ben Nelms    (CANADA)

Vancouver Whitecaps Lee Young-Pyo (R) falls to the ground while fighting for the ball against Montreal Impact Josh Gardner during the first half of their MLS soccer game in Vancouver, British Columbia March 10, 2012.   REUTERS/Ben Nelms    (CANADA)

A young boy and girl sit in a tree during a teachers rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery in Vancouver, British Columbia March 7, 2012. B.C teachers are currently on a three day strike that will end today. REUTERS/Ben Nelms  (CANADA)

A young boy and girl sit in a tree during a teachers rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery in Vancouver, British Columbia March 7, 2012. B.C teachers are currently on a three day strike that will end today. REUTERS/Ben Nelms  (CANADA)

Vancouver Canucks Mason Raymond falls while fighting for the puck against St. Louis Blues David Backes during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia March 1, 2012.   REUTERS/Ben Nelms    (CANADA)

Vancouver Canucks Mason Raymond falls while fighting for the puck against St. Louis Blues David Backes during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia March 1, 2012.   REUTERS/Ben Nelms    (CANADA)

A newly wed Kurdish couple dance to their first dance at their wedding while girls look on in Vancouver, British Columbia on February 19, 2012. (Photo by Ben Nelms)

A newly wed Kurdish couple dance to their first dance at their wedding while girls look on in Vancouver, British Columbia on February 19, 2012. (Photo by Ben Nelms)

A pair of skiers ride the Mystery Peak chairlift at Mount Seymour during a foggy evening in North Vancouver, British Columbia on February 29, 2012. (Photo by Ben Nelms)

A pair of skiers ride the Mystery Peak chairlift at Mount Seymour during a foggy evening in North Vancouver, British Columbia on February 29, 2012. (Photo by Ben Nelms)