Over the last few of years I have featured themed collections of photos from the City of Vancouver Archives on my site. However, this month I thought I would change things up a bit and issue a challenge to my readers and local photographers. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to create your own photos to replicate a handful of archive photos that I have selected.
Vancouver Then and Now Photo Challenge
Calling all Vancouver photographers! The challenge is to capture photos this month that depict the same locations as the archive photos featured in this post. Try to get the same angles, adjust the to the same crop, and replicate these images as best you can. You’ll be getting the “NOW” versions of these “THEN” photographs and can potentially win some great prizes from London Drugs.
Challenge Photos
I would love to see “NOW” photos for any of these five images. Some of them may need more attention than others so you can focus on one of the photos or go for all five.
Robson at Howe
This image shows the courthouse building (now the Vancouver Art Gallery) and a previous Hotel Vancouver (where the TD Tower is now).
1917: Corner of Robson and Howe Streets. Photographer: F. Gowen. Archives# CVA 677-170.
Coal Harbour and Skyline
The best place to snap this shot will be from the Stanley Park Seawall in Coal Harbour just before you reach the rowing club (to the left).
1940s: Photographers: Burns-Miller. Archives# CVA 1376-76.
Carrall at Water in Gastown
Looking north on Carrall at Water street. You’ll definitely have the Gassy Jack statue in photos of this area today.
1907: Photographer: Philip T. Timms. Archives# CVA 677-577.
Georgia and Granville
Standing in front of London Drugs at Georgia and Granville, you’ll get this view facing north west. UPDATE: Read more about this corner on Changing Vancouver!
1933: Photographer: Stuart Thomson. Archives# CVA 99-4306.
False Creek From Main
You can’t tell by looking at it today but False Creek used be a whole lot more liquid. The water stretched all the way back to where Clark Drive is located now and it wasn’t filled in until less than 100 years ago when the rail lines came through and the Pacific Central train station was built. This image, looking north from Main and 7th, will probably be the toughest to duplicate but I’m really looking forward to seeing if someone can pull it off.
1889: Photographer: H.T. Devine for C.S. Bailey. Archives# Van Sc P147.
Prizes
I will select a third and second place winner, then one grand prize winner. Thanks to London Drugs and the London Drugs Photolab, I have some awesome prizes up for grabs:
The runners up will receive a 12×18 Gallery Wrap courtesy of London Drugs Photolab (value $79.99): “See what depth and dimension can do to your images! Using specialty pigmented inks with archival qualities, we print your images on premium fine art canvas and hand stretch onto 1 ¾” deep wooden frames – for easy placement or hanging. Your photo images can now be viewed as works of art, perfect for your living room or office. Keep dry and do not use water or any wet cleaning solutions when cleaning.”
The grand prize winner will receive a Nikon D3200 Black Body with 18-55mm VR Lens courtesy of London Drugs (value $499.99)
Features include new level of image quality with 24MP CMOS sensor, Expeed 3 processing for improved images and speed, 4 frames per second capture, Nikon GUIDE MODE for easy navigation to great pictures, and full 1080p with full time AF and stereo sound.
How to Enter
[contact-form-7 id=”88032″ title=”Then and Now Photo Contest”]
Prizes cannot be exchanged for other items or cash. Miss604 and London Drugs do not encourage you to put yourself in harm’s way to capture these images so please BE CAREFUL with your street photography. By entering the contest and submitting your photo, you give Miss604 permission to publish your photos and to create derivative works/mashups for the Then and Now series. Photos may appear on Miss604.com and Miss604’s social media networks, with full credit. Your photos (licenses) remain yours.
This contest is open to everyone 18 and older and you don’t have to be a professional to participate. I will close the contest on Thursday, March 20 Sunday, March 23, 2014 at 5:00pm. The grand prize winner will be determined after I consult with my contacts at London Drugs and the City of Vancouver Archives. Good luck to all!
Update Due to such inclement weather in early March I have extended the deadline by a few days. The new end date is Sunday, March 23rd, 2024.
The results are in for WE Vancouver’s Best of the City readers’ choice awards for 2014 and I am very honoured to be named #1 Best Local Blog and #2 Best Local Twitter account!
This is the 17th annual Best of the City edition of WE Vancouver and it’s the biggest yet, including a new “Best of Neighbourhoods” category.
The big list of the Top 3 winners in each category is listed online now and will appear in this week’s print copy of WE Vancouver. You can find it in newspaper boxes all around town and it will be your ultimate guide to the best shopping, dining, and much more in this city. Here are just a few of the results:
WE Vancouver Best of the City 2014
Local Entrepreneur
1. Ryan Holmes (Hootsuite)
2. Mark Brand (tie) (Save On Meats)
2. Jim Pattison (tie) (Signs, media, automotive)
3. Chip Wilson (Lululemon)
Local Podcast
1. Stop Podcasting Yourself
2. Caustic Soda
3. Team 1040 Podcast (tie)
3. Sneaky Dragon (tie)
Performing Arts Fest
1. PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
2. Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
3. Vancouver Fringe Festival
Burger
1. Vera’s Burger Shack (multiple locations)
2. Fatburger (multiple locations)
3. Whitespot (multiple locations)
Public Art
1. ‘A-maze-ing Laughter’ (English Bay)
2. ‘Digital Orca’ (Vancouver Convention Centre)
3. ‘East Van Cross’ (Clark and East 6th)
Shopping Street
1. Robson Street
2. Main Street
3. West 4th Avenue
|
Art Gallery
1. Vancouver Art Gallery
2. Museum of Anthropology
3. Bill Reid and Douglas Reynolds
Local TV Personality
1. Tamara Taggart (CTV)
2. Chris Gailus (Global)
3. Ian Hanomansing (CBC)
Musician/Band
1. Mother Mother
2. Dan Mangan
3. Said the Whale
Local Radio Station
1. The Peak 102.7
2. CBC
3. The Beat 94.5
Local Radio Personality
1. Kid Carson (SONiC 104.9)
2. Nat & Drew (Virgin 95.3)
3. Stephen Quinn (CBC)
Local Athlete
1. Ryan Kesler (Canucks)
2. Henrik Sedin (Canucks)
3. Joe Cannon (Whitecaps) |
Thank You!
I sincerely appreciate every single read, share, like, comment, and contest entry that this blog receives. I do not have a team of writers although I do have wonderful friends like Michelle Kim and John Biehler who help me out with events every few months so I have to thank them for their support.
I just can’t believe I’ve kept this “blog thing” going for 10 years now. I am honoured to be able to have this dream job and to write about the best city on earth each and every day. Thank you for reading and for being so generous with your time — and online votes!
One of my favourite places on the planet is bringing its talented artisans to Vancouver in March and I couldn’t be more excited. Salt Spring in the City will take place March 14th to March 16th at Heritage Hall on Main Street and will showcase the hottest artisans from this stunning island with over 30 unique brands to discover. From the modern to the rustic, chic to traditional — there will be something for everyone.
Where Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
When Friday, March 14, 2014 from 9:00am to 4:00pm; Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 10:00am to 8:00pm; Sunday, March 16, 2014 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Tickets $2 Adults $1 Kids. FREE for babes in arms. All admission proceeds will be donated to the Save on Meats Token program.
Salt Spring’s artists’ creative talents are influenced and inspired by the island and for the first time we are coming together to bring that distinct flavour to Vancouver. Visitors to the show will have a unique opportunity to discover the best of what the island has to offer, as well as win an exciting array of prizes. Salt Spring in the City is more than just a market; it is an artist-run collaboration. We invite you to come and be a part of this dynamic and engaging show.
It’s hard to put into words how John and I feel about Salt Spring Island but every time we visit, and I do a write-up about our adventures, I certainly try to express how this magical place makes us feel. The bucolic island bursts with natural inspiration, from sheep gathering in a pasture to twisted Arbutus trees clinging to cliffs along rocky shores. You can completely disconnect — spending all day curled up by a fireplace or hiking past fairy doors in the forest — or you can head into the village and try the latest cocktail creations and catch a game on the big screen while sipping a local brew.
Artistic talent abounds and is celebrated everywhere you look. We are very lucky to have but a sampling of what this place has to offer, right here at the Salt Spring in the City event.
Salt Spring in the City Giveaway
While the island is coming to the city, I have a unique opportunity to take you to the island. Salt Spring in the City has put together an amazingly romantic getaway package — valued at over $600! — for one lucky Miss604 reader to win:
Salt Spring Artisan Gift Basket
A fresh flower wreath from Odette Graham Florist ($75)
A Cherry Blossom bamboo fleece poncho ($126)
Bee Wax Works candles ($50)
Salt Spring Kitchen Company jam ($50)
Julie MacKinnon Ceramics vase ($30)
Boogaloo Bubbywear art ($40)
AND…
Ultimate Date Night Getaway
A Quarrystone B&B on Salt Spring ultimate date night stay featuring one night’s accommodation for two in your preferred room type, a full four course gourmet country breakfast for two, a $75 gift certificate to The Oystercatcher Seafood Bar and Grill, a bottle of wine or champagne with hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, fresh flowers and candles for your room.
I will be incredibly jealous of whomever gets to take home this amazing prize! Here’s how you can enter to win the entire giveaway package:
I will draw one lucky winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, March 6, 2014. Follow Salt Spring in the City on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram to learn more. Download the free Hello Salt Spring mobile app when you’re heading to the island as well.
Must be 19+. Prize package does not include transportation to/from Salt Spring Island. Based on availability, some restrictions may apply.
Update The winner is Jarrah!
The Lower Mainland received a healthy dose of snowman-worthy snow over the last few days and although much didn’t stick downtown, I found evidence in the Vancouver Archives that such wasn’t always the case. Downtown Vancouver has definitely seen its share of snow days over the last century:
Vancouver Snow Photos
1937: Courthouse (now Vancouver Art Gallery) lion in the snow. Photographer: James Crookall. Archives# CVA 260-787.
1916: Courthouse (now Vancouver Art Gallery) covered in snow. Archives# CVA 371-1119.
1914-1916 Seymour and Richards Str P94 & Snow in alley. Archives# CVA 789-85.
Georgia and Burrard in the snow. Photographer: James Crookall. Archives# CVA 260-786.
1937: Hastings Street in the snow. Photographer: James Crookall. Archives# CVA 260-788.
1936: Granville at Pender. Archives# CVA 677-276.1 & 555 Howe Street. Archives# CVA 1376-407.
1930s: Stanley Park Pavilion in the snow. Photographer: Walter E. Frost. Archives# CVA 447-242.
1916 Hastings Street. Archives# CVA 789-77 & CVA 789-75.
1918: CN Railway station. Archives# Bu N540.085
