|
|
 Enchanted Isles - The Southern Gulf Islands has been a wonderful project that I was fortunate to work on for the past few years. Enchanted Isles is the result of two years of travel through these spectacular islands. I met many wonderful people, spent many weekends at the endless festivals and explored beaches and trails on almost every island, some accessible only by private boat. I hope you enjoy this personal view of the incredibly beautiful Southern Gulf Islands.
From this site you may purchase autographed copies of the book, fine art quality prints form the book, limited edition prints and view additional technical data and detailed location information.
I’m often asked what type of equipment I use and what my digital workflow entails. Most of the photographs in this book were shot with a Nikon D2X, a very versatile and workhorse of a camera. At 12.4 mp, the D2X is capable of producing images that I think are far superior to the quality of film. Some will argue this point and state that it’s only different. I used lenses ranging form the extremely wide angle of 10mm to long telephotos of 300mm and every focal length in between.
Recently I purchased a Nikon D300 and my initial reaction has been very positive, in fact I can see the D300 becoming my primary camera in many circumstances. The Nikon D300 is certainly a better camera in low light situations, something that the Nikon D2X was never really known for. It’s amazing what 3 years of technology can do.
What lenses do I own?
For the book I used a small set of largely unimpressive lenses. These included:
- Sigma 10-20mm, a wonderful lens designed specifically for digital cameras,
- Nikon 24-50mm, an old film camera zoom, hopefully to be retired soon,
- Nikon 85mm f1.8, one of Nikon’s classic film lenses,
- Nikon 55-200mm DX, a lousy, slow focusing cheap consumer lens that is surprisingly sharp. This lens also focuses surprisingly slowly and has now been replaced, and
- Nikon 300mm f4, again one of Nikon’s classic lenses for sports and wildlife.
The past year I have been upgrading my lenses routinely as I have been shooting more often as I work on my new book about the Cowichan Valley. My lenses as of today are:
- Sigma 10-20mm, a wonderful lens designed specifically for digital cameras,
- Sigma 30mm f1.4, bought for low light photography,
- Nikon 17-55mm f2.8, just purchased to replace the 24-50mm,
- Nikon 85mm f1.8, one of Nikon’s classic low light film lenses,
- Sigma 50-150mm zoom, a lens that has quickly become a favourite,
- Sigma 150mm f2,8 macro, an amazing macro lens for the little things in life and
- Nikon 300mm f4, again one of Nikon’s classic lenses for sports and wildlife.
BC Adult Bestseller List
For the Week of December 9, 2007
1 The Blue Flames that Keep Us Warm
2 Had a Glass 2008
3 The Last Wild Wolves
4 Trail of 1858
5 Black to the Grindstone
6 Cooking for Two Revised
7 Enchanted Isles
8 It Aint Easy
9 Slumach`s Gold
10 A Long Way Gone
For those who’ve been everywhere, there are even more exotic places
Joseph Kula, The Province
Published: Sunday, December 09, 2007
- Enchanted Isle — The Southern Gulf Islands, by David A.E. Spalding; photography by Kevin Oke (Harbour Publishing, $34.95).
How many of us have seen the Southern Gulf Islands from the deck of a B.C. ferry? Good.
Now, how many have actually gotten off to explore?
If you answered the first question in the affirmative, let this splendid coffee-table book whet your appetite.
Part history, party commentary and travel guide, the book covers the entire island chain from Gabriola in the northwest to James, Sydney and D’Arcy to the southeast.
In between are the more familiar Galiano, Mayne, the Penders, Saturna and Saltspring, where eccentrics, artists and artisans have found a refuge from the chaotic world on the mainland.
David Spalding’s sometimes whimsical style melds beautifully with Kevin Oke’s artistic quality of his photographs to capture the essence of these tiny, remnants of Eden on the Pacific.
His portrait of an arbutus tree painted in gold by the setting sun, brings back memories of a laid-back, carefree lifestyle — a fitting symbol for the Southern Gulf Islands.
An enchanting book on the isles
By Alli Vail - Parksville Qualicum Beach News - November 13, 2007
I’m convinced. The southern Gulf islands are beautiful, enchanted places.At least the book Enchanted Isles: The Southern Gulf Islands would definitely push a reader to believe that — if they didn’t already.The book, written by Pender Island resident David A.E. Spalding is a thorough volume.
Beautifully shot by Kevin Oke (from North Pender Island), this is stunning tribute to the southern Gulf islands.
Spalding mixes the historical facts about the islands with stories and anecdotes, letting the anecdotes lead the way. The result is a pleasant read.
This is an informational book, but it’s also a story book. It definitely escapes textbook dryness. It also incudes media reports from current events affecting the islands, like a fire on Galiano Island in 2006.
Stories about Brother Xll, Madame Zee and Portuguese Joe fill pages alongside black and white historical photos.
Partially written in a narrative first person, the book is engaging. Spalding has a causal writing style, as though he is relating his favourite memories and places. He’s comfortable with his subject matter.
But the best part, and the star, of this book are the photographs. Kevin Oke’s photos are breathtaking.
It’s almost hard to believe the areas are in British Columbia, and not some tropical paradise or hidden forest. It’s wonderful the entire book is in colour, aside from the historical photos.
The aerial views are particularly fascinating, as it’s rare we get to see things from the air.
Overall, it’s amazing to see what Oke can do with lighting, water and reflection.
Enchanted Isles: The Southern Gulf Islands by David A.E. Spalding, photography by Kevin Oke (Harbour Publishing) 144 pages
Spalding and Oke chronicle and celebrate a special part of the world — the magical islands nestled between the southern most part of mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island. And they do it in a way that hasn’t been done before. The southern Gulf Islands are up there as one of the most popular destinations in the region. These two long time Gulf Islanders are the perfect duo to present this area, from the most populated island, Saltspring, with 12,000 residents, to tiny unpopulated D’Arcy almost straddling the American/Canadian border. Spalding’s unusual textual treatment is as layered and unexpected as the islands themselves. Coffee table books like this are usually read; this one you experience. Somehow the flavour has gone into the mix along with the ingredients; how did they do that? The people, the places and the history all visually unfold on the page. A stunning gift book or to grace your own coffeetable. — Cherie Thiessen
Showcases their local wildlife, the incredible scenic beauty, and engaging history., December 2, 2007
| By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) |
David Spalding’s informed and informative text is superbly embellished with the full color photography of Kevin Oke in “Enchanted Isles: The South Gulf Islands”. Offering a true insider’s perspective of the lovely southern British Columbia gulf islands found just off the coast between Victoria and Nanaimo, “Enchanted Isles” showcases their local wildlife, the incredible scenic beauty, and engaging history. Ideal for the armchair traveler and very highly recommended reading for the on-site tourist, “Enchanted Isles” truly and fully lives up to its title!
Bounty for armchair travellers
Linda Bates
Vancouver Sun
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Last but not least is the beauty in our own backyard, as presented in Enchanted Isles, The Southern Gulf Islands, by David A.E. Spalding and Kevin Oke (Harbour Publishing, $34.95. Although Oke’s photos are lovely, this isn’t just a picture book. There’s plenty of history provided by Spalding, who has published 13 previous books, many on western Canada. A quick look at the section on Saltspring Island provides not only information on its multicultural settlers, including blacks from the U.S., but also this — did you know that Saltspring has an Eco-Home tour and a sustainable building forum? And that Paul and Becky Niedziels insulated the roof of their rammed earth house with a load of recycled blue jeans?
The book covers islands from Gabriola at the North to D’Arcy at the south.
Malaspina Gallery
Camera: NIKON D2X | Date: 7/10/06 8:53 PM | ISO: 100 | Exp. Time: 1/15s | Aperture: 8.0 | Focal Length: 40.0mm
I have photographed the Malaspina Gallery on Gabriola Island many times in the past 10 years or so. It is an amazing natural formation that is well worth the ferry trip over to the island to view. The best time to photograph the Malaspina Gallery is at sunset but keep in mind that around the summer solstice the sun is too far north. This image was shot on July 10. The tide level is also critical as the galleries look best at high tide.
In a nutshell, you need to figure out when the high tide is close to sunset and plan accordingly. Fortunately most people have long gone back to their cottages so the chances are you will have the place to yourself.
|
|
