Brenda Johima: Photographer: Painter: Mixed Media Artist

Zig Zag Composition Using Lines

admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:15:53 +0000

My focus for this photograph, was on composition, and on the combination of zig-zag lines with horizontal lines. This photo was taken while on Sidney Spit, on Sidney Island, just outside of Victoria, B.C.

~ Brenda Johima ~

Bald Eagle on Hornby Island

admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:33:30 +0000

As wildlife photographers, many of us dream of the perfect photo of a bald eagle, zoomed in, perfectly in focus, and the award winning shot. It’s an ideal to aim for, and one day it will happen. Unfortunately, photography has become all about the gear, the most expensive, the fastest, the best, the biggest longest lens. Hey, I LOVE gear, and want all the great gear money can buy one day. But what if your budget does not allow for that 400 mm or a 600 or an 800 mm wildlife lens?

Remember why you started photography in the first place. You love it!

Sometimes we don’t get the “perfect” shot, but we are having a good time, just being outdoors, walking, exploring, and then we get to experience the moments that we come upon wildlife that take your breath away, even if only just for that small magic moment of a close encounter. You know what I mean. We are in awe, when we get to be close to the birds and animals of the wild.

So on this day, on Hornby Island, this bald eagle was just right above my head. Bald eagles always take my breath away. Always. I have a deep connection to these beautiful and powerful, amazing animals. These photos are good, but not great, not perfectly in focus, they are good, but not award winning, even kind of artsy-fartsy.

AND, I LOVE them. These photographs give me the memory of being there again in that moment, the feeling comes back of being there in the moment with this incredible bird.

THAT, is good enough for me. So next time you are wishing for better, bigger and faster gear, remember why you are into photography. And be grateful that as wildlife photographers, we have been given talents and gifts to see things in a different way from other people, and we have been given the gift of being in the right place at the right time, to capture wildlife, that most people only ever get to see in a magazine.

I LOVE photography! I LOVE the outdoors and nature.

Gratitude. THAT, is good enough for me today.

~ Brenda Johima ~

Thank You To British Columbia Magazine!

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:03:34 +0000

A BIG Thank You to British Columbia Magazine, a division of Tourism British Columbia, for placing one of my photographs and a brief write up, on the Editor’s Blog!

One of my wildlife photos of the baby seal pup I saw on Long Beach in Tofino, made it to BC Magazine (online version) and here’s the direct link to the permanent page on their website: Brenda Johima’s Photograph of a Baby Seal, Up Close, is on British Columbia Magazine

I’m proud and grateful to now be part of this scenic geographic and travel magazine of British Columbia Canada, which has been around for 50 years! Let’s keep this magazine alive and show your support. Thank You So Much!

~Brenda Johima~

Johima Abstract Paintings Finally For SALE!

admin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 22:11:05 +0000

Johima Abstract Paintings are Finally For SALE!

I’ve been resting, taking a break, and now I’m back in full-swing! … ready to sell, and ready for you to buy art! How’s that for BOLD?

I have two pieces available for sale through a wonderful collaboration, via Cedar Corner Art Gallery in Tofino, who is now representing me and my work. Freshly delivered and hung on June 30th, there are two Brenda Johima pieces available for sale in this West Coast gallery right now!

Here is one of my favorite mixed media pieces, which was sold by a Gallery in Nanaimo, and went to a physicians office, and this painting happily lives in the waiting room for patients to enjoy. Smart Doctor!

It is loaded with paint, layers and layers of paint and acrylic inks, with objects added and embedded for a heavily textured, fascinating piece to look at. (Everyone wants to touch this one, the textures are so interesting)

And sorry, the bad news for you? YES, it is already SOLD. And, the Good News for you? If you love this one, I can create one very similar, (never exact), as everything I create is one of a kind, however, I can use similar techniques, and in the color palette of your choice.

These next paintings are available directly through me, and I can arrange shipping or if you are in Vancouver, or anywhere on Vancouver Island or the Gulf Islands, I will personally *deliver it right to your door! (*for an additional fee)

This multi-colored abstract mixed media grid painting is large in scale, at 36 inches X 48 inches and painted with acrylic and ink using a variety of techniques, including embedded objects, in order to achieve a multi-layered feature piece, suitable for any high end home, office, resort or hotel.

**NEW! This piece is now available for sale from my home office, on Vancouver Island:
Where? Fanny Bay
Price: $2400.00 (plus applicable taxes and shipping if required)
Contact: Brenda Johima at (250) 335-1195
Location: View my art in person by appointment only: Fanny Bay in the Comox Valley

This abstract painting is 36 inches X 48 inches plus frame (included), and ready for hanging. It was painted with acrylic and metallic acrylic inks, using a variety of painting techniques in order to create a calming yet energized feature piece, suitable for any high end home, office, resort or hotel.

**NEW! This piece is now available for sale from my home office, on Vancouver Island:
Where? Fanny Bay
Price: $2400.00 (plus applicable taxes and shipping if required)
Contact: Brenda Johima at (250) 335-1195
Location: View my art in person by appointment only: Fanny Bay in the Comox Valley

Abstract Landscape Photography

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:51:51 +0000

From animals, pets and wildlife, to abstract nature, and abstract landscape photography, I do enjoy a mix of photographic experiences, and all the better if I am outdoors!

Reflections are always FUN, beautiful, and a peaceful experience in the outdoors for me. Here’s a couple that I captured on my way to Tofino, along the Pacific Rim Highway on Vancouver Island.

Oh, and by the way, here are a few photographers who inspire me in so many ways, in new ways of seeing, and also specifically related to landscape photography:

Elizabeth Carmel

Steven Friedman

Dewitt Jones

Richard Martin

Courtney Milne

Adorable Baby Seal Pup | Long Beach Tofino

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 03:03:47 +0000

An adorable baby seal pup, right on the beach today, at Long Beach in Tofino, on Vancouver Island … this just totally made my day.

Lucky me, in the right place at the right time. I’ll post more photos shortly, but here’s one for starters … What a Cutie!

OK. So here’s an addition to this blog post, I just today, July 1st, Canada Day! … decided to post an entire page of these adorable baby seal pup photos. This baby is just so super cute I wanted to share more photos, and so far, lots of interest from publications as well!

Enjoy, and thanks for popping by my website and blog!

~ Brenda Johima ~

Surfing Long Beach Tofino

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:56:36 +0000

Long Beach in Tofino on Vancouver Island is one of my favorite hangouts, as it is also for surfers, from regular surfing locals to tourists trying it out for the first time, Long Beach is a great place to visit, any time of year, rain or shine.

Of course I prefer the heat of the SUN, because I’m a boogie boarder … and I need a little more warmth than we have today (June 26, 2010) to get me into those waters.

Sports and Action Photography

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:32:15 +0000

I LOVE Tofino! One of the best things about living on Vancouver Island, is my fairly close proximity to Long Beach, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. I get there as much as I possibly can, year round.

And yes, I DO love action and sports photography, and preferably when I am in, under, around or near water.

Here are a few Long Beach images from a couple of days ago of a skimboarder, having a great time, while perfecting his skimboarding craft, tattoo and all.

Old Growth Forest on Vancouver Island

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:38:58 +0000

Just East of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, and on my way to Tofino and Ucluelet, which I frequent in spring and summer, is MacMillian Provincial Park, and in there, I know that you will be blown away by the beauty, the awe and serenity when you enter the magnificent old growth forest of Cathedral Grove, which some call, the “Doorstep to the Pacific Rim.”

I will be posting more photos after my next trip this coming weekend, but here’s a little glimpse into the green wonderland you can experience.

In this image, I really was focused not only on the green(ness) of it all, but on the composition of vertical lines, and how I could make them as interesting as possible. (I could spend days in there, doing just that, and next time, with tripod.)

- brenda -

Get Spontaneous

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:25:25 +0000

As a lover of animals, wildlife and nature, some days it’s very hard for me to keep on driving past something interesting that I see on the side of the highway without pulling over to get closer.

If there are farm animals, horses, wildlife, cows, whatever, and they are close enough for my lens to reach a fair distance, I pull over (if it’s safe of course) and hop out, camera in hand.

This Mom with Calf was just too cute and content to pass by. The baby was super curious about me, and the Cow was super calm having me be there.

Unfortunately I couldn’t get any closer (there was a huge ditch between me and the subject) without maybe injuring and ankle (learned that lesson already last year) or ending up in mud, or even worse, treading on private property (something I won’t do). Plus, these cows were so peaceful and content under these trees, I wanted to respect them, and not disturb them.

Which by the way, is a rule I almost always follow in my photography of wildlife, pets and animals. Pay respect and try to not be invasive. I want them to continue doing, what they are doing in the moment I first saw them, as much as possible.

I’m not one of those photographers who will disturb animals to get the best shot (a few exceptions of course). I believe that the best shots are the ones that are real and natural, and not forced. Sure, I wanted to go climb in that ditch and right over to the fence to zoom in and get really close, but how would that have worked?

The cows would likely have have got up, moved away, and I would have lost that moment of trust I had gained with the calf already, and maybe ended up with no photo. Not worth it.

Also, this is never just about photography for me, it’s about gaining trust with animals and wildlife, and it’s about the deeper connections that can be had, with silent communication and moving slowly.

The other option is to have a $10,000 zoom lens which … and well … it’s on my list

- brenda johima -