Photography is an art form which stands on its own merits.
But, for Yorkton's Ron Erickson the photo is only the first step in his creative process as an artist.
The photographs Erickson takes are often manipulated digitally to create works of art that transcend the original, becoming works of art that are equal parts reality and fantasy.
"After getting somewhat comfortable with digital, I started to get into more photo editing programs and just threw caution to the wind," said the artist. "I would load shots into one program after another changing color, skies, add items or delete; going back and forth between program filters 'til I arrived at what I believed was what I was looking for."
Since the process was one that did not always work out in a way that pleased, Erickson said he made sure he could go back and try again.
"I always kept my original in its original state just in case I made an error," he said.
As his knowledge of the software increased, the results turned out more and more to his own liking.
"Learning some of the software programs allowed so much more versatility in being able to manipulate a photo," said Erickson.
"You could turn it into a painting look, a sketch, night into day and day into night.
"Doors were opening to a whole new world of artistic possibilities."
Of course there was a learning curve.
"Some of the biggest challenges through all of this was to force yourself to slow things down when shooting the original shots," noted Erickson. "Check the battery for charge, check the lens for dust or other contamination. Make sure you are in focus, what about the lighting and how is it affecting the shot.
"When ready to shoot, squeeze the shutter button slowly or even better use a remote shutter.
"Sometimes you just know in advance where you want to take the photo, often you know it is going to be good, you just aren’t sure what filters you will use till you dive in. Often it is the latter and the photo just seems to lead you when editing and you generally know when you have achieved the final product."
Interestingly, photography was not an interest for Erickson until well into his adult years.
Born in Flin Flon. MB. in 1955, Erickson moved to Foam Lake with his parents Les and Myrle Erickson at a young age.
"All through my years in Foam Lake I can’t say I recall any interest in photography or to have a camera," he said.
Erickson left Foam Lake in 1974 to begin his own life, marrying Sharon Majcher in 1975 who was also from the Foam Lake area.
After a number of years in Moosomin, Erickson and family moved to Esterhazy in 2000, and his artistic journey would finally begin.
"My interest in photography would soon begin," he said. "I had the pleasure of meeting Helen Solmes who worked for the local newspaper and Harvard Zavadosky who was a retired professional photographer. They both took me under their wing so to speak and opened up a whole new world for me to explore. Helen and Harvard both had a keen interest in black and white photography and allowed me to work with them in Harvard’s dark room.
"At the time digital cameras were just starting to get popular, but I didn’t even have a film camera of my own but would accompany Helen and Harvard on their excursions. I had caught the photo bug and knew somehow I had to obtain my own camera."
Then fate seemed to play a card.
"In 2003 illness struck my wife and we spent a month in the Regina General Hospital," recalled Erickson. "My wife and I were quite heavy smokers and had talked about quitting.
"As my wife lay in a coma, I prayed she would be ok and that I would quit smoking if she recovered. I rethought things and knew you can’t just make deals and she certainly couldn’t smoke so I quit!
"Then and there I decided I would spend every cent saved from not smoking on a camera.
"My wife recuperated, we had both quit smoking and yes, I bought my first of many cameras."
Of course there was one photo that stands out in Erickson's mind, the one that pushed him deeper into the hobby.
"In my mind the photo that spurred me on was taken while on a holiday into the wilderness in Northern Manitoba," he recalled. "Shooting very early one morning across a channel of water from the cabin, fog drifting softly over water that was as smooth as glass will stick in my mind forever.
"I just knew it was going to be good but I was apprehensive at the same time till I could go home and develop it. Helen and Harvard assisted me in developing my first 11x14 black and white.
"It came out of the developing solution and a warm sense of pride came over me, believing it was so good, and reinforced by Harvard and Helen. Harvard complementing me that I had found my signature, Helen voicing how very talented to get a shot like this so quickly in my learning curve.
"Luck perhaps but it gave me the incentive to carry on, improving my skills. I have this piece that I framed myself to this day and experienced the satisfaction and drive to pursue doing more."
And take more photos he did.
"While living in Esterhazy, I would take every opportunity to drive the backroads for hours looking for something new to shoot," said Erickson.
"A profound desire to capture the old abandoned homesteads and landscapes became almost an obsession of sorts.
"You never knew what might lie around the next corner and the sense of accomplishment when you found another jewel of a home. The wonderment of who lived there and why did they leave. What their life was like when living there and what hardships did they face living so far away from any town?"
So the search continued, although film fell by the wayside as technology changed.
"The attraction to these old homes led me down the path to find more of them," said Erickson. "Digital cameras were now the go-to camera, so of course, I had to have one.
"Digital opened up a whole new world in photography. If you a make minor mistake you could fix it, if you didn’t like the photo at all you could just delete it.
"There was a danger however that you would not take enough time to set up properly. Digital allows you to be slightly careless and I soon recognized this. I have learned it is a must to set up the shot as best you can the first time to come out of it with a shot you are going to be satisfied with.
"That said, we all take many more ordinary shots than great ones but that is part of the challenge and what keeps me going to do more."
Inspiration for Erickson has come not just from the search for old buildings.
"I am inspired by so many other photographers work, and am honoured to have others who have said this of mine as well," he said.
"Many people’s names come to mind of whose work has influenced me, James Fisher for tach sharp photos, Dean Fey a master at manipulating a photo as well as Robert Hoknes enormous talent. Thank you to Gerry Pocha for his stunning Aurora Astrophotography, you constantly watch and learn from so many, to all of them, I say Thank you."
And then there are the experiences gained from his search for old buildings.
"Often you are out alone in search of something new or plan out a shot at a previously found location," said Erickson. "One such place was an old home deserted homestead. I had previously talked to the owner and obtained permission to access his land and shoot the location. He was kind enough to bring out an old painting from the early 1900’s . It was a painted picture of this grand home when it was young with a bright white picket fence surrounding it. He went on to tell me the family was large and that a family member had passed away and their ashes were sprinkled in the yard in front of the house.
"I went to the location in the early evening knowing I wanted the setting sun to shine on the house. As I waited and the sun sunk lower on the horizon, the darkness slowly crept in. I began by taking occasional test shots to observe the lighting effects. As I squeezed the shutter I sensed movement on the upper floor window. I reviewed my shot and noticed that a second floor ragged window curtain was hanging at an angle towards the middle.
"Now though it was now hanging straight down along the side of the window. I wouldn’t have thought much about it but there was absolutely no wind that evening. Now I know it wasn’t my imagination running away with me, I had the photo to back me up."
Erickson added it was so real when he had taken his final shot, packed up and got ready to go he could "hear a voice whisper you all come back now."
Ultimately, Erickson said photography comes down to capturing the present and preserving it for the future.
"For me photography is about fulfillment and the satisfaction in preserving a point in time, whether it be a homestead or a sunset," he said.
"Some will debate whether photography is an art, for me there is no question that it is. The screen of our computers are the canvas upon which we work our art. I do not profess to have the talent of someone who paints with a brush, but I still perceive it as art.
"One only has to look at all the beautiful photos displayed on various forums to know that indeed it is art. Ansel Adams being one of the greats in black and white photography. In the end of it all I do it because I just plainly enjoy it."
