When Craig Richards, the Whyte Museum’s curator of photography, was collecting images for the current exhibit celebrating the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides’ 50th anniversary, he was captivated by the stories behind the photos.
Dozens of vibrant, entrancing and dramatic photos now hanging on the museum’s walls were taken by eight ACMG guides who are also highly talented photographers. The exhibit, titled Pinnacle Perspectives, includes images enlarged to from 11x14 inches all the way to eye-popping 40x60-inch prints that capture climbers, hikers and skiers in spectacular and sometimes breath-stopping mountain places.
“When we sat down to choose the photographs for the exhibit, the stories that came from these images were incredible,” Richards said.
Those stories gave Richards the idea to invite the photographers to share some of their photos and the stories behind them at the Pinnacle Perspectives Photographers Presentation, taking place at the Whyte Museum on Thursday (Nov. 21).
Five of the guide/photographers will share presentations; Banff’s Guy Clarkson, Canmore’s Marc Piché and Gery Unterasinger, long-time Rockies’ resident Jen Olson and Golden’s Roger Laurilla.
The presentation will be moderated by veteran ACMG guide Lloyd “Kiwi” Gallagher, with each of the photographers being granted 15 minutes to share snippets of their lives through an inside view about one or more adventures, or by talking about the inspirations behind their photos. Audience members will be encouraged to ask questions.
“It’s meant to be totally informal, fun and inspiring,” Richards said.
For the photographers, the event offers an opportunity to tell a few favourite stories, but also to credit the photographers who inspire them to create the images they do.
“I feel very honoured to be able to show some of my images at the Whyte Museum,” Unterasinger said.
Admitting he had not yet had a chance to see the exhibit that opened Oct. 18 and which features several of his images, Unterasinger said he was excited to be included in the presentation, where he planned to show some photos that captured the Rockies’ early winter ice climbing season. As well, he said, he owed thanks to U.K. climbing photographer Jon Griffith and also to Rockies alpinist Jon Walsh.
“Jon Griffith inspires me, he brings his camera on huge and serious climbs and always returns with fabulous images from real mountain adventures,” Unterasinger said. “And more locally, Jon Walsh does a great job along those lines, too.”
Piché said he, too, felt honoured to be included in the Whyte exhibit, even more so because it’s his second time.
“It is an honour to be included in this exhibit,” Piché said. “It’s the second time my work has been on display at the Whyte Museum and this time it has been very inspirational to see some of the pieces blown up to such large sizes.”
Piché said the stories and images he planned to share at the presentation would highlight a wide variety of landscapes and destinations he’s visited across Canada, from coast to coast to coast.
And, he added, he had to credit many photographers for inspiring him, including a few whose work is also on display at the Whyte, to capture the best images possible while safely guiding his clients in precarious places on alpine climbs or in stunningly photogenic landscapes while backcountry skiing, rock or ice climbing.
“I have had the opportunity to work with many of them (the photographers) in other capacities over the years and have learned a great deal from how they manage to take great images and capture the moments,” Piché said. “This is usually done on the side while performing their duties as the guide. At the end of the day, people are blown away by the images because they didn’t even really notice it happening.”
To see more and hear some of the captivating stories behind the images at the Whyte Museum, don’t miss the Pinnacle Perspectives Photographers Presentation on Thursday, Nov. 21. The event is free and open to all. Donations are welcome.
