Welcome

Posted on October 17, 2010 by Norm
Norm Hamilton

In My Digital Darkroom

Welcome to my space on the web where I will share my thoughts and observations of people and events in Yukon, Canada.

You’ll find articles here on  photography, theatre,  artists, dance and much more.  I look forward to your comments and to sharing a discussion.

I am a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse, Yukon with a website titled Authentic You as well as this blog.

You can read my column, The Digital Eye, now published in What’s Up Yukon.

 

 

Fawn Fritzen, Singer, Songwriter

Working with Norm was a pleasure from the beginning.  He truly lives up to his “Authentic You” promise; I was impressed with his warmth and his genuine interest in all our conversations.  The photo shoot itself was very fun, and I appreciated Norm’s guidance when it came to posing to help me look my best.  I was looking for a few photos that I could use to promote myself as an artist, and Norm provided exactly what I was looking for.
Fawn Fritzen, Whitehorse

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.
Posted in Photography | 1 Comment

Hills and Underbrush – an Art Show

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Norm

Halin de Repentigny

This article was published in the Yukon News February 1, 2012.
Halin de Repentingny’s art is “constantly changing”

Yukon painter Halin de Repentigny’s new art show, Hills and Underbrush, opens at Whitehorse’s Copper Moon Gallery this week.

He believes people will appreciate his work as coming from someone with decades of Yukon living.

“It’s a show for Yukoners,” he said. “There are colours and feelings they will recognize because I can share it with them.”

Gallery owner Nerissa Rosati finds de Repentigny’s talent to be pure and real. “There is nothing strained or stressed about it,” she said. Continue reading →

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Not So Wildlife Photography

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Norm

The Digital Eye is my column in What’s Up Yukon. This article was published November 24, 2011.

Where is wildlife considered to be “not so wildlife?” Why, in a zoo of course.

Here are some tips and ideas about shooting in that setting that may be of some help should you find yourself at one during your next vacation.

I made the photos accompanying this column at the internationally renowned Frankfurt Zoo this past summer.

Zoos and game farms provide a wide variety of subjects in different settings, frequently with difficult lighting and with different levels of shyness.

They are often some distance from you at one display and up very close at the next so having a variety of lenses handy is useful including a macro for some displays. (zooms are useful if you have a good one) Continue reading →

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Fine Art Photography

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Norm

The Digital Eye is my column in What’s Up Yukon. This article was published November 10, 2011.

Andy Warhol once said, “Photographers feel guilty that all they do for a living is press a button.”

The digital era has made it possible for most everyone to take “good” pictures so what sets fine art photographers apart from the rest?

In my view, fine art photography has more to do with the creative concept of the photographer as an artist than it does with the technical perfection of the piece.

It is created to express the artist’s feelings and interpretation of their world.

Contrary to Warhol’s theory, the fine art photographer embraces the possibility of capturing a split second in time that touches the hearts of the viewer. Continue reading →

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Respectful Nature Photography

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Norm

The Digital Eye is my column in What’s Up Yukon. This article was published October 27, 2011.

Taking your digital camera along for a trek in the tundra or through the woods allows you to capture all the wonders and visions that being outdoors can offer.

Yukon has some of the most pristine wilderness area anywhere on Earth. However taking advantage of the opportunity to visit it carries some responsibilities.

You are responsible to preserve the unspoiled nature that the boreal forest and watersheds offer. Be a good steward of the wilderness so it’s not ruined for those that follow you.

The arctic tundra is a sensitive biosphere that took millenniums to create and may take decades to recover from even minor damage. Continue reading →

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Still the Rhetoric

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Norm

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This letter to the editor was published in the Whitehorse Star on December 12, 2011 in response to an article printed December 9, 2011.

In last Friday’s Star it was reported that Councillor Pillai is suggesting there should be a non-binding plebiscite regarding Porter Creek D and the roads through Middle McIntyre Creek.

Councillor Irwin is also saying that the decision should go back to the people.

I’m pleased so see the discussion taking this direction.

Although I understand the desire to make sure that citizens are heard, I’m hesitant about the idea of continued surveys and studies “until we get it right” that Councillor Irwin is reported to have suggested as that continues to cost money that the City doesn’t have. There is enough information for a decision to be made now.

In a letter to the editor on November 23, 2011 I suggested a referendum and said throughout the by-election campaign that the decision making has to come back to the people, through City Council.

A binding referendum, however, always carries the risk that the outcome would not be one’s own particular preference; particularly if one group manages to garner enough support to sway the vote. However, it does put the decision smack in the hands of the citizens of Whitehorse.

Friday’s article attributes Pillai with the statement “The issue is of such significance that it deserves a city-wide plebiscite – a non-binding vote – to help city council get a better handle on how residents – all residents– feel.”

A non-binding plebiscite seems like an expensive way to receive the same information already in existence and carries the probability that people will still believe no-one is listening as Council would not have to abide by the outcome.

The appearance that it is the administration that drives the decisions needs to be addressed. Council must show the citizens just who is steering the good ship Whitehorse.

Councillor Cameron promised that he will vote “no” to the next stage of planning on December 12. There is no reason for him to not fulfill that promise.

Now that there appears to some other Councillors thinking in the same direction, perhaps the rhetoric can be stilled and a decision made on December 12.

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

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Civic By-election 2011 Results

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Norm

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The results of the 2011 Civic By-election are in. Out of a possible 11760 elegible voters 2268 exercised their franchise. This amounts to a mere 19.29%.

Kirk Cameron is the new Councilor elect with 405 votes.
My congratulations to Kirk.

The unofficial results are as follows:

Kirk CAMERON       405  (17.86 %)
Duke CONNELLY    369  (16.27 %)
Mike TRIBES            292  (12.87 %)
Norm HAMILTON  284  (12.52 %)
Kirn DHILLON         215  (9.48 %)
Pat BERREL              152  (6.70 %)
Cam KOS                   126  (5.56 %)
Ted LAMBERT        106  (4.67 %)
Patrick SINGH           92  (4.06 %)
Murray MARTIN      83  (3.66 %)
Linda BONNEFOY    64  (2.82 %)
Martin LEHNER        50  (2.20 %)
Harry HREBIEN        29  (1.28 %)
- Rejected -     1  (0.04 %)

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

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By-election today

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Norm

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The Whitehorse Civic By-election takes place today, December 1, 2011.

According to Returning Officer Norma Felker there are more than 11,000 eligible voters.

“Traditionally, there isn’t a huge turnout for the byelection,” she said. It was only a 20 per cent at the last by-election.

Felker went on to say that the numbers from the advance polls are high this time.

If the amount of interest in this by-election is an indication, it’s possible for Whitehorse to break records for the numbers of voters coming out to exercise their option.

I’m looking forward to representing you on City Council and encourage you to take the time to drop into the polling station for your region and place your ballot.

Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Norm Hamilton
Candidate for Whitehorse City Council

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Nakai 24 Hour Cabaret

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Norm

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Nakai Theatre held their 24 Hour Cabaret on Friday, November 25. A number of contestants from the 24 Hour Playwriting Competition presented a five minute snippet of their plays.

We were entertained by everything from the silly to the sublime. Some of the plays dealt with difficult, heart tugging subjects while others were fabulously funny. Each of them was read by judges for their opinion and the decisions rendered during this Cabaret.

The results were as follows:

1st: “Undying” by Anthony Trombetta ($250 from Yukon News)

2nd: “The Busker and the Barista: A Downtown Opera” by Jack Jenkins ($50 from MEADIAsolutions)

3rd: Was a tie between “Help Our Heritage” by Mike Ellis and “Curtis and the Yukon Letters” by Tanyss Knowles (each received $30 from Mac’s Fireweed and $30 from North End Gallery)

Best Next 24 Hr: ‘Fracture Zone’ by Doug Rutherford ($250 from Yukon News)

Best Line: ‘My Brain in Plastic’ by Arlin McFarlane (tickets to Yukon Film Society’s Available Light Cinema)

Ryan’s Championship Title (Best Title): ‘No Place to Hide in a Small Town’ by Shannon Albisser (prize provided by Yukon MP Ryan Leef)

Best Use of the Line ‘Muchas gracias, but why can’t we just be friends?’: ‘The Busker and the Barista: A Downtown Opera’ by Jack Jenkins (prize offered by Cole’s)

Larry’s (Bagnell that is) Last Line (prizes provided by Larry Bagnell)
1st: ‘Rupert and Rose’ by Anna and Norm Hamilton
2nd: ‘Think Like a Lady, Act Like a Man’ by Carol Ann Gingras
3rd: ‘Curtis and the Yukon Letters’ by Tanyss Knowles
Honorable Mention: ‘The Busker and the Barista: A Downtown Opera’ by Jack Jenkins

Best Appearance by a Sasquatch Philosopher: ‘Curtis and the Yukon Letters’ by Tanyss Knowles (prize offered by Better Bodies)

People’s Choice: ‘Rupert and Rose’ by Anna and Norm Hamilton (tickets to Nakai Theatre’s Pivot Theatre Festival show)

There is a strong possibility that we may be given an opportunity to see some of these pieces being presented this Spring during Nakai Theatre’s Homegrown Festival. They will have had some more work done on them and will be even more polished than what we’ve already seen. I’m looking forward to that festival.

Congratulations to all the participants. It was indeed a fun evening and so wonderful to see how much talent that is here in Yukon.

And, of course, a big thank you goes out to Nakai Theatre and the volunteers that made it all possible.

Norm
Norm Hamilton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Whitehorse.

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Waste to Energy – Saving Grace or Insatiable Fiend?

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Norm

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This Letter to the Editor was sent to the newspapers on November 25, 2011 and published in the Whitehorse Star on November 28, 2011.

Yukon Energy is researching the possibility of using Whitehorse’s solid waste to produce electricity. Their website says that would be after recycling and composting at current levels. They are saying the incineration would be through a clean-burning gasifier. A side-product would be that heat would be generated that could heat buildings.

The cost of this kind of development is in the neighbourhood of $30 million dollars and the potential savings by using this form of waste disposal is approximately $5 million in diesel per annum. To understand this a bit better I talked to Janet Patterson of Yukon Energy and received the following helpful information.

One gigawatt hour (GWh) will power 80 non-electrically heated homes. Once all Yukon Energy’s sources are online they will have 382 GWh renewable energy available them per annum. The Waste to Energy proposal will provide 10.78 to 17.1 GWh per year or approximately 3 to 4 per cent of the total.

While Yukon Energy talks about recycling and composting at current levels, the City of Whitehorse was clear in the April 14 Council and Senior Management meeting that City position was that compostable and recyclable materials were not to be included; there was no mention of “current levels” in the minutes from that meeting.

Continue reading →

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Riverdale Roundabout

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Norm

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Just a quick note to respond to the query I heard at the All Candidates Forum regarding the roundabout in Riverdale. I asked the City Manager why/how the roundabout that was first suggested at Hospital Road was not created and the one at the intersection of Nisutlin and Lewes came to be.

The response is as follows: “The Nisutlin / Lewes roundabout was part of the Riverdale neighbourhood plan and fits in with the traffic study conducted on the new FH Collins school. Effectively it was at the request of the Riverdale community association and supported by other technical work done on traffic in the area.”

According to this it was as a response to citizen’s requests. i.e. Riverdale Community Association. This raises some questions I’d like to hear from you on.

1.  Do you find it to be a helpful tool in controlling traffic?
2.  Do you feel like you had reasonable notice that this roundabout was going to be built?
3.  Is the input from a community association sufficient for the City to act on?
4.  What can City Hall do to better communicate this kind construction within a residential area such as Riverdale?

I have my own thoughts on these questions, but I’d like to hear yours.

Norm Hamilton
Candidate for Whitehorse City Council

Posted in Musings and Rants, Whitehorse City Council | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments