Rob and Danielle's Excellent Adventure Part II

Back in Canada, but the blog goes on. ----------------------------------- Currently on Vancouver Island.

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Public Release of my film, The Green Point Project: Rewilding the Ecosystem

As mentioned in my last post, I recently completed a film I’ve been working on for three years over at my production company, Arcas Media. Having first shown The Green Point Project at Passive House Canada’s 2020 (virtual conference), and then at Vancouver Island University’s Interior Design Student’s fundraising event, I’m happy to now say it is available for public viewing. Please find it below.

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Livestream Fundraising Event of my film, The Green Point Project: Rewilding the Ecosystem

Hello all, it has been a long time since the blog was updated, due to being very busy. I’m updating the blog today however to promote one of the things I’ve been working so hard on for the last month or so.

As some of you know, I have a media production company with my close friend, Sam, called Arcas Media. Over at Arcas, we have been working on/off for the last three years documenting the construction process of The Green Point Project, a single family residence located in Cowichan Bay, B.C. which is aiming to be one of the most environmentally-friendly buildings in the world.

With the building complete, we’ve been working tirelessly to wrap-up the film we’ve been working on. Now, we are ready to share it with the world. Although we did do a private, pre-release showing of the film already at the 2020 Passive House Canada virtual summit, this will be the first public release of the 24-minute film.

The livestream event will be held on Saturday, January 23rd @ 4:00pm, and is in partnership with Vancouver Island University’s Interior Design Student’s Association as a fundraising event for them, as well as a portion of each ticket sold going to the Nanaimo & Area Land Trust. Tickets are $10.00.

For more information about the Film and Livestream, as well as to buy tickets please visit: https://www.arcasmedia.co/the-green-point-project-livestream.

Note that in order to register for the Livestream you will need a free Zoom account and to download Zoom to your device.

Thank you very much and happy 2021!

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June 26/27/28, 2020: Lomas Lake (again)

Y’already know what it is, Lomas Lake returns. I have blogged many, many, many times about one of my favourite spots on Vancouver Island, and I’ll do it again right now. Located just outside of Youbou, Lomas Lake is a few hours via logging roads and then trails from Cottonwood Creek x North Shore Road. It’s a moderate to easy hike, with no significant challenges other than a few steep sections which are well worth the tranquility of the lake and valley.

This time around in late June of 2020, I was once again joined by my girlfriend, Danielle, as well as our friend Kyla. It was Kyla’s first time to Lomas Lake, and we were happy to show someone the special place. If you remember, last time we hiked up to the lake we brought along another who’d never been, our friend Sam.

While the last couple times we’d hiked up to Lomas the weather had cooperated nicely, this time, was different. Throughout the weekend we were met with a decent amount of rain, as well as a good amount of fog. Although we did have sunny breaks, we remained somewhat soggy the entirety of the trip. Due to the fog and a bit more snowpack than anticipated, we weren’t able to summit either Landale or El Capitan, but did at least make it up to the saddle on Saturday. The rest of the time was spent around the fire (where I put a hole in the tongue of my hiking boot), playing cards in the tent, and washing some lures in the lake with no luck.

Although the weather wasn’t as good as it could have been, and I stupidly burnt a hole in my boot, we still had a great time in the hills, forgetting for a moment we were still in the midst of a global pandemic.

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June 21, 2020: Father's Day Fishing at Labour Day Lake

Father’s Day and Fishing, name a more iconic duo. As is pretty much a tradition at this point, on Father’s Day 2020, my brother, father, and I went fishing. For this year, we decided to go off the beaten path and into the bush to somewhere we’ve never explored: Labour Day Lake in the Port Alberni area.

After finishing up a breakfast at my dad’s place, the three of us threw our gear into my Tacoma, and headed towards Port Alberni. Along Highway 4 near the Port Alberni Summit, we turned off the pavement and headed into the bush, driving along the forestry roads for probably around 45 minutes, though I can’t remember exactly. Soon, having driving along ridgelines, through forests as well as clearcuts, we arrived at the parking lot for the recreation area. Parking the truck, we grabbed our bags and walked the trail towards/along the lake for about 15-20 minutes before finding an offshoot that headed down to the lake shore, where we set up our camp for the day.

Having done some preliminary research online, I’d read that this lake was a notoriously good lake for trout. In fact, one forum poster had reminisced that when they used to fish at Labour Day, the fish would bite at anything, including discarded cigarette butts. With this in mind, we were hoping for some bites. I should say that in the past when the three of us have gone fishing, we’ve had very poor luck, almost never catching a thing. This time, however, was different.

I believe it was on his first or second cast, my brother was reeling in a small trout — we were ecstatic. And so, as the day progressed, it was bite after bite, fish after fish. In total we caught 5 trout, some smaller, and one a pretty decent size. We kept a few to bring home, and cooked one up for lunch, in addition to the hot dogs we’d packed.

To be honest, I don’t think any of us were actually expecting to have such good luck, so when being blessed with such a plentiful harvest, we were grossly unprepared when it came to actually cooking the trout up. Thus, we improvised, and used some mayonnaise packets to grease our pan, some salt, and crunched up nacho chips to season the fish. While crude, it was actually pretty dang good.

After reaching our quota for the day, we packed up, headed back to the truck, and did a bit of exploring around the dirt roads nearby, including a stop at Loon Lake. We then set off back home after our most successful Father’s Day fish yet.

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MOMENTS - ROBERT WILSON

Hello all. In a similar vein to last week’s blog post, I’m promoting the work of someone else that features me. My good, good friend Niko released a little video he made starring me in which the two of us took the Tacoma out to Sombrio beach to enjoy the west coast, have a coffee, and get in a rare summer surf. Check him out on Instagram by clicking here.

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My Interview with Focal

Hello All,

It’s been a very busy time these last few months and sadly the blog has been neglected a bit. Thankfully I’m back with something a bit different than usual. My good friends over at Focal linked up to do an interview with me about my start into the photography world, my process, as well as how the coronavirus pandemic impacted me. Please check it out by clicking here. Of course I want to shout out Focal for always being so supportive and being such good people doing very cool things.

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July 18, 2020: Crusing James Bay

Well it’s surely been a while since I’ve updated the blog, and for that I am sorry. It’s been very busy for me lately having photography jobs slowly pick back up, meanwhile working other jobs to try and stay afloat amongst this global pandemic. Anyway, last night actually, I went out for a little cruise around James Bay with my good friends Marcus and Rachel. Shout out to Cowichan Cycles in Duncan for being Rachel and I’s go-to bike plug.

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Rob's Restaurant Reviews: Chicken 649, Victoria, BC

Where: Chicken 649, Victoria, B.C.

Ate: Chicken Meal with 649 Original Chicken.

When: June 15, 2020.

Cost: ~$12.00 pre-tip.

Rating: Strong 8.5/10

Nestled away inconspicuously out of the limelight, Chicken 649 Korean style fried chicken is located on Quadra St. across from the Crystal Pool. While the family owned joint has been well received and well reviewed, due to its location many Victorians I’ve spoken with aren’t aware of this hidden gem.

Before going any further with this review I just have to say, the value at 649 is unreal. The food is just so damn good and yet very affordable. The Chicken Meal as its so aptly named, comes with 6 pieces of your choice of chicken, potato wedges, pickled radish, and a pop all for the price of $11.50 before tax and a tip. For the quality of food one is getting, this price seems very reasonable.

While I tend to avoid hyping restaurants that I review too much, I’m not going to beat around the bush here, 649 might make the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. To be fair, I’m by no means a fried chicken connoisseur; I don’t get it very often, as it’s never on the forefront of my mind. However after talking about chicken with some friends the day prior, it was time to revisit this tucked-away place and go off.

Being we’re still in the midst of a global pandemic, I grabbed my meal to go and brought it home to enjoy. I decided upon the 649 Original flavour for my chicken because I wanted to judge them by their classic and most simple flavour — as previously asserted, I was not disappointed. Upon opening the box, I started with a potato wedge, because g dang who can resist a wedge? They were crispy and flavourful, and when dipped in the supplied white-sauce, taken to another level. I’m not really sure what’s in the white mayo-based sauce, but it’s so dang creamy and delicious. The chicken itself is a textbook case of what fried chicken should be: succulent and moist on the inside, with a crispy and light outside. The skin is far from saturated in grease, but instead very delicately light. There’s not too much distinct flavour here, just enough to accentuate the chicken itself and a very subtle hint of spice. The small dish of pickled radish is potently good too. The smell of it will fill the room but its fresh tang compliments its fried comrades very well.

Overall, the meal was bomb. Portioned very well, cooked to perfection, and priced aggressively competitive. If what comes to mind when you think of fried chicken is the KFC’s or Lee’s of the world, you’re not in the wrong — there’s nothing wrong with these places — but I strongly encourage you to try something more local like 649. Their Korean twist is perhaps just what the fried chicken world needs to rejuvenate this summer classic in your mind.

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Rob's Restaurant Reviews: Island Poke, Victoria, BC

Where: Island Poke, 1674 Douglas St., Victoria, BC.

Ate: Island Bowl on Salad/Rice Mix.

When: June 09, 2020.

Cost: ~$14.00.

Rating: 8/10

If you remember, in October of last year I visited Hawaii, specifically the island of Kauai. While on the Garden Isle, one of my main goals was to try poke, which I did at Hanalei Poke. In that review, I stated how much I had loved the dish, but admitted that, because it was my first time trying poke, I had no frame of reference to compare it. I also mentioned that a few poke spots had recently opened in my home city of Victoria, but I had been skeptical of trying them. Well, after some time, I now have a frame of reference.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, I found myself hungry and with a near empty fridge. Having Island Poke just down the street and meaning to try them since returning from Hawaii more than half a year ago, it was time. I opened their website, and used their online ordering tool to peep the menu. I quickly decided upon the chef’s recommendation: the Island Bowl, featuring Ahi Tuna, marinated tuna, a variety of greens, mayo and ponzu sauce, and topped with onion flakes, bread crumbs, nori, and sesame over rice. After placing my order, I waited for about 20 minutes, and then walked down the street to pick it up. The process was extremely straight-forward and contactless.

Returning home and opening the paper bag, I was very happy to find the bowl looked as if it had literally just been made. Everything looked quite fresh and crisp, without any significant wilt or droop from the greens. The rice was still a good consistency and the sauce hadn’t saturated anything too much. I’ll admit that I had been a bit nervous poke may not have been the best take-out meal, but these fears were dashed quickly.

After taking some photos of the beautiful dish, I cracked on in. Immediately I was most stoked with the onion flakes. As you must know by now, I love a good crunch, and the crunchy-deliciousness brought on by the onion flakes was perfect for me. This, added with the crunch of the radish and cucumber contrasted perfectly with the creaminess of the sauces, avocado, and tuna. In regards to the tuna, there wasn’t a hint of ‘fishiness’ but instead a feeling of freshness. The cubes of ahi were good, but the flavourful marinated tuna was the real star to me. With the nice bed of sushi rice and the hint of citrus from the ponzu sauce, the dish rounded out divinely.

All said and done, Island Poke came through with a bowl that took me back to Hawaii. Their rendition of the island staple was executed beautifully in both looks and taste. Although I missed the carefree, sunny days in Hawaii, Island Poke provided a much needed mini vacation in these trying times.

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May 2, 2020: Social Distanced Hike

With the Island thankfully not being hit too hard by coronavirus, Danielle and I felt comfortable enough venturing out of the house for a hike in early May with two of our very close friends Annika and Niko. It was a bit of a rainy day, but was really great to get out and hike again, as well as socialize in ‘the new normal’.

People in this blog: Danielle’s Instagram // Annika’s Instagram // Niko’s Instagram.

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May 9, 2020: Kyla's First Marathon

Firstly, my apologies for the long delay in posting to the blog. Coronavirus has been a pain as everyone knows.

Anyway, my good friend Kyla and my girlfriend Danielle had been set to run their first marathon this May. Sadly, due to corona, they were unable to do so, as the event was understandably cancelled. Danielle also suffered a bit of a knee injury which also prevented her from running the long distances.

That said, Kyla was still determined to get it done. So, on a beautiful Saturday morning, Kyla set out to complete a ‘virtual’ marathon. She absolutely killed it, beating her goal time. At the ‘finish line’ a small group of friends along with some of her running group had a socially distanced celebratory picnic for her.

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Pandemic Prints

My apologies for the lack of posts on the blog. Between tax season and the coronavirus, it’s been a hectic time, as most people are experiencing themselves. Sadly, many weddings I had booked for this spring have been cancelled, postponed, or reduced in some form.

While I haven’t had much time to edit through photos for the blog, I have added some prints to my store. The prints are some of my favourites from the last year or so from all over the world including Vancouver, Hawaii, Washington, and of course Victoria. All newly added prints are 8x10 and carry a total cost of CAD$55.00 shipped.

If you are interested in checking out the prints available, or would like to share with someone else that may be interested, you can find the link here: https://robwilson.photography/store.

Thanks very much and please remember to stay safe, wash your hands frequently, and stay indoors whenever possible.

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Road to Waimea

*Click to expand the photo.*

Waimea Canyon known as the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’ is located on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. In the autumn of 2019, I visited the canyon and, while driving down one evening, had to pull over the car to capture the last light on the winding road.

The 8 x 10 in. size is printed on high-quality, glossy Canon photo paper printed with Canon inks. Actual printed area is 6 x 9 in.

Limited to a run of 50 prints per size, all signed. Ships worldwide at a flat rate.

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Mar. 7, 2020: Lindsay for Discount Glasses

In early February, Discount Glasses reached out to see if I was interested in shooting some promotional content for their blue light blocking lenses campaign. I accepted the offer and was tasked with shooting some authentic content for the brand featuring a pair of their glasses, and to make an Instagram post promoting them. With this task in hand and the glasses arrived in the post, I recruited my good friend, Lindsay, to model the glasses as we wandered around Victoria. Most of the photos featured in this blog post were unused outtakes but it was a good time so I’ma share them all.

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Feb. 9, 2020: Scoring on the West Coast

In contrast to last week’s blog, I now present scoring on the west coast. Coming into 2020 I had made it a goal to surf at least once every two weeks. Into February this goal was being consistently met, typically surfing at least once a week, if not twice. Because of the wet nature of surfing, I hadn’t been shooting too many photos when I had been out, but one such outing in early February I decided to make a goal to at least shoot a few photos. Unfortunately I don’t own any waterproof housing for my cameras, so the photos are more lifestyle focused than actual surfing action shots. That said, I was really happy with how they turned out.

People in this blog: Danielle’s Instagram // Grant’s Instagram // Luke’s Instagram // Sam’s Instagram // Jack’s Instagram // Marijke’s Instagram.

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Dec. 7/8, 2019: Skunked on the West Coast

Skunked:

“essentially to be ‘cheated’ or ‘lucked out of’ waves. . . can be applied to a surf trip on which there is no swell, or. . . when you do what is sometimes termed as ‘The Drive Around’.” - James (surfbunker.com)

In early December, Danielle and I packed up my new Toyota Land Cruiser with surfboards and camping gear and headed out to the west coast to try and get some surf. Danielle had recently bought a new board, and we were stoked to get out and catch some waves wherever we might find them. Leaving from Victoria, it was natural to first stop at Jordan River and see how the swell was. As we arrived in the afternoon, we were met with disappointment — only the tiniest of waves cresting, with maybe a handful of guys catching the seldom ride. Determined to find better, we continued along West Coast Road until reaching Port Renfrew, where, instead of being met with disappointment, we were met with bitter disappointment. It was flat, nothing but a small shorebreak, nothing surfable at all. ‘The Drive Around’ was in full effect, as we hopped back into the Cruiser, and raced to Jordan River to try and catch whatever small waves were left.

Coming back down the hill into JR, we looked longingly out to the sea and saw nothing but glass. The waves had dried up, and we were out of luck. With no chance of a surf, we decided instead to make the most of it, and set up bed in the back of the Land Cruiser. We spent the late afternoon/evening walking, shooting, playing card games, chatting, and making dinner. As we drifted off to sleep, we dreamt of crashing waves, hoping the next morning would be a dream come true.

Sunday morning we woke fairly early, and looked out of the Land Cruiser’s back window. Filled with anticipation we saw the smallest of waves rising from the sea. While far from ideal, they were waves, and waves that could be caught. We began our breakfast, and sat nervously hoping the waves would continue to fire. Sadly, as we finished eating, the waves diminished.

With surfing solidly out-of-the-question, we packed our stuff and decided to head back towards Victoria. Along the way, we stopped in at a few spots to explore and snap photos. Our first stop was Sandcut Beach, only five minutes away from Jordan River. Neither Danielle or I had been before, and it was nice to see something new. After wandering Sandcut, we continued east to Sheringham Lighthouse, where we took a quick look before continuing to a secret seastack I’d previously found. Back in the Cruiser we headed home.

While the weekend was a textbook case of getting skunked, we made the best of it, spending time together and breaking in the Cruiser. Thankfully, since our great skunking, I have been able to find a great deal of waves out at JR and other west coast spots, so I haven’t remained bitter about the experience whatsoever.

People in this blog: Danielle’s Instagram.

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Jan. 23, 2020: Cass in the Stu'

Some time in early January, Cass reached out to me to shoot some headshots in the studio. She had recently been accepted into a modelling agency and she needed some headshots for them to throw up on her profile. I happily obliged and we spent an hour or so in Cinderbloc Studio over in Esquimalt getting some pretty decent stuff. Studio work is definitely something I don’t do as often as outdoor stuff, and surely something I don’t share on the blog, so I figured I’d throw some up to show I do studio work sometime.

People in this blog: Cass’ Instagram.