Introduction
“Here you go”. With these words my instructor handed me a well-used Zeiss Praktica camera equipped with a 50mm lens. Of course it was manual focus back then. And the camera controls were manual too. There were no auto settings or programs to help with the taking of photos. “I want you to shoot some street scenes and anything else you find interesting” he continued and also handed me five rolls of black and white film, 36 exposures each. I was all of 19 years old but that day in 1971 started a passion that continues to this day. Between trying to remember how to get the most out of this manual camera with all the different settings and trying to find interesting things to shoot the time passed quickly and the five rolls of film were used up in a relatively short period of time. Developing the film and making contact copies was next. Much to my surprise I had some really good shots. Next I had the chance to experiment with some high-end studio equipment. Another instructor showed me how to extract colors from color negatives and how to manipulate these colors for printing. Suffice to say that I was hooked. The shutterbug had bitten and found in myself a willing victim. Over the years I have owned several still cameras, all film. Some with manual film advance, some with motor drives, some with interchangeable lenses, which I used to shoot lots of pictures. When the film was full I took them to my favorite photo lab and waited with great anticipation for the results, sometimes great and sometimes not so much. I have boxes of them. Without a proper darkroom there was little choice on what a photo could be.
Then, in the late 1990s, digital photography was the new thing and film was slowly dying. A good quality digital camera was very expensive. So I went on a self-imposed hiatus from photography for almost a decade and a half.
Then the old passion came back with a vengeance. After experimenting with different formats and cameras I finally figured out what was needed to take great photos with the new digital equipment and I also had to decide on how I would like to present myself as photographer. I like to think of myself as a storyteller. Sometimes the story unfolds in a series of photos of an event like a Hooded Merganser devouring a white fish or two Blue Herons fighting over fishing-rights. Other times it is the power of just one photo, which leaves the viewer wondering what exactly happened. One good example is a wolf I photographed a while back. I had been very exited initially when I took the photo but, when I looked at the picture on my computer screen, I discovered that he was blind in one eye. Being no longer part of the pack he was out on his own fending for himself. How did he receive the eye injury? Or it is the story of a trip I took and what I saw through the camera’s viewfinder. Another time two photos taken in two different locations at different times with similar textures can tell a story. The possibilities are endless.
I sincerely hope that you enjoy this website and take part in my adventures of discovery.
Arnim Preuss
portals
GRIZZLIES
Bowron lakes, paddling the cariboo mountain lakes chain
BISON AND PRONGHORN ANTELOPE
Grizzlies have always fascinated me. These powerful creatures roam the mountains and valleys of British Columbia, mainly along the pacific coast. Trophy hunters mostly display them with bared teeth to look ferocious, but the only time I encountered a bear baring its teeth it was encroached upon by people and it was defending its space.
This portal will take you to several grizzly stories of trips I took over the years.
And thanks for visiting.
BISON AND PRONGHORN ANTELOPE
Bowron lakes, paddling the cariboo mountain lakes chain
BISON AND PRONGHORN ANTELOPE
Three different stories and lots of photos of Bison, the largest land animal in North America and the elusive Pronghorn Antelope.
And thanks very much for your visit.
Bowron lakes, paddling the cariboo mountain lakes chain
Bowron lakes, paddling the cariboo mountain lakes chain
the four seasons of Cottonwood island park in prince george
Two stories two years apart paddling the Cariboo Mountains Lakes Chain. They couldn't have been more different. This trip is for the real adventurer.
Your visit is very much appreciated.
the four seasons of Cottonwood island park in prince george
the four seasons of Cottonwood island park in prince george
the four seasons of Cottonwood island park in prince george
Cottonwood Island Park in Prince George is located close to the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako Rivers in the Central Interior of British Columbia. I spent several years exploring and photographing this jewel of a park, and this is the result. Please enjoy the adventure of discovery, and thank you very much for your visit..
ORCAS AND THE THINGS THEY EAT
the four seasons of Cottonwood island park in prince george
funny advertisements for this site
This portal will take you to several whale related stories.
And thanks for dropping by.
funny advertisements for this site
the four seasons of Cottonwood island park in prince george
funny advertisements for this site
This is a collection of funny advertisements for this site. Wildlife photos and advertising? What could be so funny? Have a look and find out.
And thanks for the visit.
BLACK BEARS
BIGHORN SHEEP AND MOUNTAIN GOATS
MOOSE, ELK, DEER AND CARIBOU
This area is currently still under construction, but there are some photos to see, with newer photos having to be edited especially for this site.
As this is site is under reconstruction some of the links may not work yet. Please return at a later date when everything is operational. And thank you very much for your visit..
MOOSE, ELK, DEER AND CARIBOU
BIGHORN SHEEP AND MOUNTAIN GOATS
MOOSE, ELK, DEER AND CARIBOU
This area is currently under construction and there is nothing to see yet. This portal will take you eventually to several stories and photos of trips I took over the years. As this is site is under reconstruction some of the links may not work yet. Please return at a later date when everything is operational. And thank you very much for your visit.
BIGHORN SHEEP AND MOUNTAIN GOATS
BIGHORN SHEEP AND MOUNTAIN GOATS
BIGHORN SHEEP AND MOUNTAIN GOATS
This area is currently under construction and there is nothing to see yet. This portal will take you eventually to several stories and photos of trips I took over the years. As this is site is under reconstruction some of the links may not work yet. Please return at a later date when everything is operational. And thank you very much for your visit.
Wolfs, coyotes and foxes
the great blue heron and relatives
BIGHORN SHEEP AND MOUNTAIN GOATS
This area is currently under construction and there is nothing to see yet. This portal will take you eventually to several stories and photos of trips I took over the years. As this is site is under reconstruction some of the links may not work yet. Please return at a later date when everything is operational. And thank you very much for your visit.
the great blue heron and relatives
the great blue heron and relatives
the great blue heron and relatives
This area is currently under construction and there is nothing to see yet. This portal will take you eventually to several stories and photos of trips I took over the years. As this is site is under reconstruction some of the links may not work yet. Please return at a later date when everything is operational. And thank you very much for your visit..
eagles
the great blue heron and relatives
the great blue heron and relatives
This area is currently under construction and there is nothing to see yet. This portal will take you eventually to several stories and photos of trips I took over the years. As this is site is under reconstruction some of the links may not work yet. Please return at a later date when everything is operational. And thank you very much for your visit..
The englishman river estuary
more portals will be added soon
The englishman river estuary
The tide comes and goes, and so are the inhabitants of this magical place. These are some stories of the estuary and its many inhabitants.
Serial Photography
more portals will be added soon
The englishman river estuary
Sometimes photography affords the opportunity to show something from start to finish. here are some of my favourite sequences.
more portals will be added soon
more portals will be added soon
more portals will be added soon
This area is currently under construction and there is nothing to see yet. This portal will take you eventually to several stories and photos of trips I took over the years.
As this is site is under reconstruction some of the links may not work yet. Please return at a later date when everything is operational. And thank you very much for your visit..