Local photographer Chris Attrell is excited for the release of his new book, Grain Elevators Beacons of the Prairies.
The book, which features photos of grain elevators from Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and even British Columbia, is packed with 136 images of these prairie monoliths.
“It's an end of an era - so many of those buildings have been torn down over the past 20 to 30 years,” explained Attrell. “One day, there will only be a handful of them still standing. So my inspiration was to capture them before they're all gone.”
Attrell has been photographing grain elevators since way back in 2003 and has always found them fascinating.
He got the idea of putting a book together almost from day one.
“It started way back when I was still living in Calgary," he stated. "I went out to a place called Champion, Alberta, and it just so happened they were tearing down the grain elevators that day. So, at that point, I started taking pictures of them.”
“I remember thinking to myself that I wouldn't mind having a grain elevator photo book one day,” he joked.
The book also features write ups by Canadian Author Christine Hanlon from Winnipeg, who wrote about the history of some of the places Attrell photographed.
Attrell said one of the best parts about creating the book was being able to travel to different locations.
“I love being able to travel these backroads all across western Canada - that never gets old,” he stated. “It's exciting when you get to visit these small towns that you will probably never get a chance to go back to again. It's that discovery of a place for a first time that I really enjoy.”
Although taking a photo of a grain elevator might seem simple, Attrell says there is a lot more to it than just snapping a picture.
“You could take a snapshot of the grain elevator and it will look great," said Attrell, who is known for the uniqueness of his images and their mesmerizing colours.
"But it's really tricky to get it when the lighting is just right. Or to capture an image in a way that it really kind of tells a story. Maybe there are some trees or a foreground subject that makes it seem as though it has its own spirit, or offers a feel for what the town is really like."
“In the end, it's a matter of finding the right way to shoot it or waiting until the lighting is perfect,” he added.
There are currently a small number of advance copies of the book available for sale at the museum. The book is also being presold right now on Amazon although it won't officially be released until September 1.
Currently the book is in the Top Best Selling lists sitting at number 4 for Photography Essay and number 8 for Canadian Travel Photography on Amazon.
“The presales have been going very well, much better than expected," said Attrell. "And I'm hoping once it's officially released that it gets into the top 1000 books list on Amazon just like my last book.”
Attrells last book, Forgotten Saskatchewan, and this one, are both available for purchase on Amazon now.
Forgotten Saskatchewan features 136 of Attrell's images of ghost towns, abandoned farm buildings, rural churches and other structures. The book proved to be a hugely popular hit with Saskatchewan residents.
Attrell has lived in Shaunavon for about 15 years. He moved to the community full time from Alberta in 2006, although he had been making excursions to the area long before that.
