Seba Beach, Alberta - June 26, 2010 - Ashley Thompson, 13, who has attended the camp for several years, plays with Cetiva Rymer, 7, and sister Shawna Thompson, who has attended the camp as a camper's companion. They are visiting Camp He Ho Ha's (health, hope and happiness) 50th anniversary. The camp is Alberta’s first summer camp for people with disabilities and the only facility in the province that accepts individuals regardless of the type or degree of their disability. PHOTO BY JIMMY JEONG
At one time, 50 years ago, it was called the camp for crippled children. There were no paved roads and resources were scarce. Today, the camp is more like a resort with skilled staff, a boat, a huge and scary climbing wall and political correctness. After spending the day with people like Ken Thomas, who was there for the opening of the camp, one thing that hasn't changed is that the camp is this wonderful place for so many people. Like other camps, it gives these kids those great camp memories. And lets kids feel like kids.
If you get a chance read the Edmonton Journal story by Mariam Ibrahim.
The Technical Stuff: Whenever I work on longer piece stories I travel light. One Nikon D700 with a 70-200mm lends and a D3S with a 50mm f1.4 (One-point-four, can't ask for more. Just a saying I used to say). Ok, maybe that's not super light. But that combination allows me to shoot from a distance to capture candid moments and then come in for more intimate glimpses into people's lives (something a bit wider can help with this). And if people can sense that you're an honest person they will open right up and share a part of themselves with you.
