Almonte, Spirit of Place A New Book from Photographer John McQuarrie - theHumm June 2020
Almonte, Spirit of Place A New Book from Photographer John McQuarrie - theHumm June 2020
John McQuarrie is a photographer and publisher of the recently released book Almonte, Spirit of Place. We contacted him to find out how his most recent book came to be, and how the current lockdown is affecting its reception in the community.
theHumm: Your photos are stunning — can you tell us a bit about your training and background?
John McQuarrie: Like many working photographers, I simply consumed print and online tutorials along with each advance in imaging technology to continually add new tools to my skill set over the years. In the process I found that the diverse elements of the areas I studied continually built upon each other in a way that worked beautifully. As my almost 50 published photo books will reflect, each one is just a little bit better than the last, but the learning never stops. I would also like to point out that, unlike the “olden days” of film, our new digital world of imaging tools has changed the face of photography to the point where those JPEGs that move from your cameras to your computers are only the starting point for your special photographs. That digital file you created has a lot of your work hidden in those pixels that can be made to reveal details you saw when you pressed the shutter button but do not now show up in your image. People often ask me what percentage of the images in my books are “Photoshopped”. The answer is “100”.
Your approach is to take the photos and then to find local writers to do the wordcrafting — what are the advantages of this collaborative approach?
As you read the wonderful stories written by your neighbours and friends, stop and take a moment to imagine all that this book would have lost without their heartfelt contributions. Flat and one-dimensional comes to mind.
So yes, the oldest colour images in Almonte, Spirit of Place were taken on July 26, 2019. And the story of my first ten minutes appears on the front cover flap as follows: “It had been some time since it happened. Talking here about a simple ‘smitten at first sight’ experience. It was early on the morning of July 26, 2019 when I first visited Almonte. Approaching along Main Street, the view through my windshield suddenly flipped from ordinary to extraordinary the moment I crested a hill, heading down to a river that had to be the Mississippi — then, on my left a stone flour mill beside a pedestrian bridge crossing the river to downtown. Next, an aged white powerhouse, and another old mill with a tantalizing series of staircased residential terraces overlooking a steaming waterfall. A left turn onto Mill Street was impossible to resist, and a spell was being woven as I drove slowly up and through this 19th-century dreamscape. In very short order, a red light offered a few seconds to decide on the obvious necessity of a left turn. Good things happen when advancing downhill on ‘Bridge Streets’ everywhere. What I soon discovered was the Old Town Hall on the river, and a parking lot that demanded yet another left turn. A rising sun was warming the tops of some of the buildings around me, and I knew in that moment that a book was being born. And, of course, you now hold in your hands the offspring of a love affair.”
Later that morning I made a long-anticipated visit to Mary and Terry Lumsden at Mill Street Books and they outdid themselves, from the moment I introduced myself. One of the first of their recommendations was that I connect with Millstone News and theHumm. Best advice that ever came my way! And much of my good fortune in the process of building this book started in their shop.
How does it help to have someone “from away” see and show the area with a fresh perspective?
For this one I will defer to Mayor Christa Lowry and her lovely and most-flattering Foreword that speaks to this point, an excerpt from which follows here: “While John’s photography is truly a work of art on its own, what makes his book such a treasure is how he has woven stories from the people of Almonte, Blakeney, Appleton, Clayton and Pakenham into the pages. Not only does John’s photography itself provide unique angles, depth and dimension, varying perspectives are also articulated from the quotations and stories included from the people who live here. While his spectacular photographs are of landscapes and architecture, the actual story John tells is about people and community. Like when returning home ‘from away’, John’s stunning work has given me yet another lens to see my community from new angles. I thank you whole-heartedly, John, for sharing your striking perspective of our beloved home.” —Christa Lowry (March 2020)
Her roots are over 200 years deep and she answers your question perfectly. As a photographer I look for warm light shining on beautiful places that show off their “best sides”. I don’t need to know much of anything about them to do this reasonably well, but doing the words is for people living in the “256”.
Why did you choose Almonte, and where are you thinking of heading next?
It was more like Almonte chose me! By mid-summer of 2019 my Toronto, Spirit of Place (coincidentally, also with a foreword by another mayor, John Tory) was launched and distributed in the GTA and I was beginning the design of Vancouver, Spirit of Place. Normally my workflow is to make photographs in the spring — summer — fall and do the designs in the winter. So I was craving a little shooting. I had always been attracted to Lanark County so decided to do exploratory shoots in Carleton Place, Perth and Almonte. Started with Almonte and never left. I felt like the proverbial “kid in the candy store” and I could eat all I wanted. But those other two towns are still on the table.
Your press release includes this quote from Mason Cooley: “Books give us someplace to go when we have to stay Home.” How do you think the current situation is affecting the book’s reception?
The book’s rather robust reception has been a most encouraging sign for us, and the sentiment reflected in Cooley’s quote (c.2000) seems to resonate now, particularly, in the midst of our current situation. People have to have hope, and a book like this, which shines a light on the extraordinary community this place is, will perhaps help to put a hopeful face on just how much we have to look forward to when we get to the other end of all this.
What are you personally most concerned about during this pandemic?
Apart from all of the obvious fear and tragedy, my biggest hope is that the new normal that must follow will be as close as possible to the old. And there can be no doubt that our experiences now will make everything in our futures taste better. Of course, a vaccine would be a nice condiment.
What are you optimistic about in terms of what happens to our community (or perhaps specifically Canadian authors/publishers and local bookstores) during and after the pandemic?
For the book business in general, I have seen a growth in the challenges since 2008 that makes me work a little bit harder every year and I have adjusted my workflow accordingly. My new interest in looking at smaller communities like Almonte is certainly encouraged by this book’s success, right out of the gate.
And for your community, I have to be optimistic when I see your appetite for arts and culture, the value you place on supporting local businesses, and your unbridled enthusiasm for the place you call home. I love your chances.
You can order this glossy 152-page book now from Mill Street Books by calling 256–9090. Mary and Terry will donate 10% of the book’s sales to the Almonte General Hospital.
Where to Find the June Humm - theHumm June 2020
We’re heading out to deliver the June issue of theHumm! Because things have changed a wee bit since the last time we did our distribution, here’s a list of the places we will be trying to deliver to. Hours and more information can be found at the links. Happy Humm hunting!
Almonte:
Dandelion Foods dandelionfoods.ca
Don’s Meat Market donsmeatmarke......
Jeff Wallace — Wallflower Turned Art Auctioneer! - theHumm June 2020
By Sally Hansen
Art… and Soul
A new artist is blossoming in our midst. Rising to the COVID-19 challenge, Burnstown artist and businessman Jeff Wallace is discarding his anonymity and charging into the fray, determined to make a positive contribution. But first, introducing:
Jeff Wallace — Artist
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theHumm: Since becoming Curator, you (with the assistance of your staff, board and numerous volunteers) have made many improvements to the Museum and have hosted incredible exhibitions by artists from......
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theHumm: You had me from the title, because hope seems to be one of the most precious “commodities” — albeit one that isn’t for sale ......
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Yes, you may be wondering if I’m the minister of education to declare something like that, and to be clear… no I am not. But as the d......
Almonte, Spirit of Place A New Book from Photographer John McQuarrie - theHumm June 2020
John McQuarrie is a photographer and publisher of the recently released book Almonte, Spirit of Place. We contacted him to find out how his most recent book came to be, and how the current lockdown is affecting its reception in the community.
theHumm: Your photos are stunning — can you tell us a bit about your training and background?
John McQuarrie: Like many working photographers, I simply consumed print and online tutorials along with each advance in imaging......
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For some it has meant exploring those long-forgotten books neatly displayed on bookcases at home. For others ......
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Apr 20 Perth Trashure Hunt Clean-up
Apr 20 Solitary Man
Apr 27 Festival of the Maples
Apr 27 The Moth Project
May 4 - 5 Spring Fine Art Show
May 4 Outskirts
May 5 Music at Mera: The Andrew Collins Trio
May 11 - 12 Art in the Attic
May 11 Engelbert Humperdinck & Tom Jones Tribute
May 16 MMLT Talk & AGM
- IS THIS A PROTEST?
- A Classic Whodunnit Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee at Studio Theatre
- Readers, Writers, and Poets
- Celebrate Indigenous Culture in CP
- Celebrate the ClassicsWith the Arnprior Choir
- 4F Auction Concoction Food, Fun, Fashion & Favourites
- Cheerfully Made Spring Market
- Electrify to Decarbonize Lanark
- Volunteer Forum
- Frankenstein Comes to The Station Theatre
