Seals
Hey Folks,
Mark Stewart here. For those who don't know me I'm a Loyalist Photo grad. I'm not shooting for anyone but myself these days...
Every April, there is a festival known as Toonik Time. It's basically a northern version of any other community festival. The festival has yet to officially begin, but there are some interesting things going on... quite unique to the arctic. Today there was a seal carving competition. Locals bring in the seals they've hunted, and then race to see who can skin it first.
This is a pretty political issue right now and people were pretty sensitive to having pictures taken, I was even accused of being from greenpeace while shooting this. With celebrities and green thumbs continually attacking seal hunting, I think its important to remember that the seal is an integral part of inuit culture. Nothing is wasted, not even the intestines.
Anyway, the pics are pretty pedestrian, but may be interesting none the less.
-mark-
Mark Stewart here. For those who don't know me I'm a Loyalist Photo grad. I'm not shooting for anyone but myself these days...
Every April, there is a festival known as Toonik Time. It's basically a northern version of any other community festival. The festival has yet to officially begin, but there are some interesting things going on... quite unique to the arctic. Today there was a seal carving competition. Locals bring in the seals they've hunted, and then race to see who can skin it first.
This is a pretty political issue right now and people were pretty sensitive to having pictures taken, I was even accused of being from greenpeace while shooting this. With celebrities and green thumbs continually attacking seal hunting, I think its important to remember that the seal is an integral part of inuit culture. Nothing is wasted, not even the intestines.
Anyway, the pics are pretty pedestrian, but may be interesting none the less.
-mark-
posted by photogs at 6:27 PM
16 Comments:
Where exactly was this? Interesting pictures Mark! We are getting quite a bit a variety on this here blog.
Thanks Jordan. Long time no see budy! Sorry, forgot to mention that I am in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
-mark-
Good job. Nice to see the access you were given to shoot such a hot topic....
Good job. Nice to see the access you were given to shoot such a hot topic....
Marky Mark,
how goes north of 60? good to see you online.
So, Mark.......I'm sure some newspapers would be interested in some of your pictures. Perhaps the Canadian Press.......
Access wasn't really an issue...It was just a fairly informal community event. The sort of restrictions that media/photogs face in the south simply don't exist up here. It's quite refreshing actually. I guess similar to a lot of small towns, where media haven't stepped on too many toes yet.
...and of course i'm not really a working photog anyway, just a dude on the street with a camera.
Jordan...no captions. Just shooting for fun. I like the idea of sharing, which is why this blog is such a good idea, but am not pursuing any freelance right now.
Yo Mark, good to see you're still shooting.
I agree with you completely when it comes to access north of 60. I pretty much go wherever I want whenever I want.
Although most of the time there is nothing but trees and snow to shoot.
I agree on the access of small towns, Brandon is less then 50,000 people and because of that I am on a first name basis with the chief of police, mayor and most importantly . . . owner of the best pub in town, the Double Decker.
I have rarely been told I can not go somewhere (except for the provincial bowling championships the other week where they were really anal). Definitely one of the upsides to being in a smaller market.
-pike-
You should totaly start pitching ideas to National/City (trying to be national) papers!
I could guess that if you keep pursing hot topics like the seal hunt you could sell stories. If you get something else on the go I can talk to the National Editor at the Citizen. He is always looking for neat interesting stories from anywhere.
fell free to drop me an email regarding this at:
afraser@thecitizen.canwest.com
Thanks Ashley, next time I'm on to something interesting I'll keep that in mind. I've taken down your email. Now to find some more news!
Mark - this is your mom - please let Carlos know this is a great idea. I enjoy all of the pics - even the pedestrian ones 8). My thoughts are - if you start selling pics to big papers, you may find that you quickly become "persona non grata" in that very small community. Having access is a wonderful thing - and there are other things besides news. BTW, we watch for Carlos' pics in the TStar. Feels great to know someone famous. Anyway - I'm late for work... back from NY - call your uncle john and say HI! Love to Sophia too... mamacita
Ha ha ha ha, Mark your mom called.
Good to see you on here. Interesting stuff for sure. If you're not freelancing, what have you been doing with yourself?
Joe O
I echo what everyone said about the photos. there would be lots of interest at the national papers or the CP wire... Good to see you posting!
Carlos
oh and Arifa (is that the right spelling), if you are reading this, Hello!!!! Next time im in belleville I will visit!
Carlos
Carlos... it is AArifa... like alcoholics anonymous... only not really. Stop by anytime. We like you young people. 8)))
Hey Mark - looking forward to seeing more True North photos here.
Take care everyone!
mamasan
Hey Mom, thanks for stopping by.
Joe...thats enough out of you! I'm working as a shuttle driver for a hotel. Snooooze. It's alright though, some interesting folks come up this way.
thank you all for being so encouraging...now everybody look over there! *runs away*
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