Heather Johnston’s love affair with Vancouver is laid out in black and white in her new book.
The North Vancouver fine art photographer spent a decade retracing steps from her younger years and those of her parents, before piecing them together in For the Love of Vancouver - Connections with Beauty.
Johnston aimed her lens upwards at the Marine Building on Burrard Street, known for its art deco-inspired architecture and ornate lobby. It’s also where she worked as a university student.
In Stanley Park, she captured an image of the famous Girl in a Wetsuit sculpture.
Over time Johnston branched out from the downtown core and started collecting images on the North Shore, including The Lions. Johnston grew up in the shadow of Grouse Mountain and would have picnics at Cleveland Dam as a child.
“Most of the images are (taken) because I’m drawn to these places,” says Johnston.
Among the iconic North Shore images she captured is a panoramic view of the Lower Mainland as seen from Grouse Mountain’s Cut chairlift; grain elevators on the old Low Level Road in the mist; a shot of Lonsdale Quay’s “Q,” and Sewell’s Marina.
The Lions, captured in the wintertime, stand strong amongst her collection in the coffee table book.
“It was a beautiful day and (there were) the snow-covered Lions,” says Johnston. “Capilano Lake was so peaceful. That’s one of my favourite spots.”
Johnston’s book features more than 100 classic black and white photos of some of Vancouver’s most notable and lesser-known landmarks. Johnston purposely went with black and white to bring the nostalgia to the surface.
“It’s that relationship to the image that it isolates the image so you’re not distracted by colour,” says Johnston. “You’re right within the image, you see the lines and the forms and the shapes.”
Accompanying some of the photographs spread throughout the book are a collection of related short stories from everyday Vancouverites, recounting cherished memories of time spent with co-workers, friends and loved ones.
The collection of images began as a homage to Johnston’s family memories, but she quickly realized everyone who grew up here has a connection to the landmarks.
“The Sylvia Hotel is one of the top ones,” says Johnston.
Some of Johnston’s North Shore photos, including Deep Cove’s harbour and The Lions, have been printed on couch pillows and soft change purses, in a velveteen fabric.
“I like my work to be accessible to people so that they can enjoy the beauty of the work and the images. And sometimes people don’t want images on a wall,” explains Johnston.
In Deep Cove her lens was drawn to the boats moored in the harbour, which she says captures the feel of the Cove.
Johnston’s photos are also aimed at increasing “awareness and value of a cultural heritage under threat from rapid urban development,” she says.
The local landscape has shifted a little and some North Shore scenes have changed since Johnston started capturing the Lower Mainland through her lens.
“But not as many as you would think. It’s surprising,” she says.
Johnston will be giving a talk at Parkgate library on Jan. 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. She will share stories from interviews she did and her photography process.
Registration for the talk is required. Call 604-929-3727, ext. 8166.
