Images From the World Eskimo Indian Olympics
©Bert Gildart: For the past two days, Janie and I have been attending and covering WEIO–the World Eskimo Indian Olympics. During this time I have taken close to 700 digital images, deleting more than half. Most of those have been of the sporting events, which is the hardest of all the aspects to cover. Though images of people as they’re discussing the arts representing their various cultures are not easy either, nevertheless individuals are static, so I can obtain quality images with fewer exposures.
About 40 men pull on a seal skin blanket propelling Andrew Walker toward overhead dome lights.
So far some of the sporting events have included the one-arm long reach, the Eskimo high kick and the every popular Eskimo blanket toss, and it is these events which require the greatest number of exposures needed to obtain a single good image. For instance, to capture the jumper in the blanket toss, it was necessary to hold the camera high overhead and then guess at placement. As well, the glaring lights tend to darken the subjects so I’ve had to use manual exposures. I also programmed the camera to take continuous pictures as I held down the shutter. During each contestants’ jump, I recorded him or her about half a dozen times. Again, I deleted many, sometimes all but just one or two.
LIGHTING TECHNIQUES
Photographs of individuals, such as the image of Carrie Nelson and Kyle, her 14 month old baby all dressed in the seal skin, was comparatively easy, though I did elicit Janie’s help. We used two strobes for this picture, and to obtain nice modeling, Janie held the one light high and to the baby’s left. My on camera served as a fill light.
We’ll provide more about the events over the next few days. In the meantime, because we’re literally going around the clock I’ll leave further descriptions for later, posting instead several images that I believe will symbolize some of what WEIO has to offer.
TO SEE LARGER VERSION OF THESE THREE IMAGES CLICK ON DESIRED PICTURE
In addition to the ones mentioned above, these also include Clyde Brown of Hydaburg in the grand ceremony dance; Chris Warrior of Wasilla performing the difficult feat of balancing on one-hand reach; and Andrew Walker leaping high into the air with the assistance of about 40 individuals pulling on the seal-skin blanket.
More images and additional details will follow in a day or so.
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THIS TIME TWO YEARS AGO:
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July 18th, 2009 at 11:29 am
I sure am enjoying your escapades and the history. I keep sending my friends to your site. Thank you to you and Janie.
July 27th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Dear Bert and Jane,
What an incredible Blogsite! And so much to scroll down and on which to marvel, ponder, and contemplate. Bert–Janie–hats off to the intrepid two of you! Oh that I could be with you! Push on, I say, and smite those sounding furrows–your Glory Days are upon you! And what a splendid memories-evoking photo of Trimble Gilbert! Please, when you have the chance and if you can catch him between sessions, tell him I still have the feather he awarded me! Oh to bring back those times of yore–our times! Least though the two of you are keeping up with the current ones, and giving hope to some of us old fuddydud stay at homes, that our day–my day!–is not done, and that there will yet be more Arctic trails & treks still out there ahead–just over that next hill yonder!
For now–living through you vicariously I am,
Burns