Passing the post

I attempted to post a few photos about a month ago, then blogger ate the post. Defeated, and not fond of staring at computer screens at the end of the day, I'm suddenly three months behind in photos.

A few quick notes first - I was nominated for two awards recently, one for novice reporting through the Ontario Newspaper Awards for work from the Guelph Mercury and the second for a photo essay with the Atlantic Community Newspapers Association. No results yet, but very glad for the nominations.

On top of the daily grind of photos, multimedia and writing, I also completed a few interesting projects lately. One was a freelance assignment for the New York Daily News on St. Francis Xavier University long-time basketball coach Steve Konchalski. The February shoot marked my debut south of the border.

New York native Steve Konchalski took his game north to Canada half a century ago. Now 67, Konchalski is a legend in Canadian basketball, coaching the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men. He has over 800 wins to his name. Photo by Rachel Psutka for the New York Daily News.

New York native Steve Konchalski took his game north to Canada half a century ago. Now 67, Konchalski is a legend in Canadian basketball, coaching the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men. He has over 800 wins to his name. Photo by Rachel Psutka for the New York Daily News.

New York native Steve Konchalski took his game north to Canada half a century ago. Now 67, Konchalski is a legend in Canadian basketball, coaching the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men. He has over 800 wins to his name and has coached hundreds of players. Photo by Rachel Psutka for the New York Daily News.

I also completed a photo project for International Women's Week to go along with an 16-minute video. We had just entered a new printing process for the paper that week and the images printed horribly over-exposed. Sad sighs from me, but others apparently didn't notice. Here are the unaffected versions.

Avery Carter (left), Jean MacEachern and Alyson Duff are three Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School students making a difference in their school. Avery is active in student council and theatre, Jean is a leader in sports and student council and Alyson is the captain of the debating team and helps with international student orientation. “Everyone always has to prove themselves, that they can fulfill a role, but depending on the situation females may have to try harder,” Alyson said. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Rev. Rebecca Sample is the fresh, young face of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Antigonish. She first came to the church nearly three years ago and said one of the greatest challenges she faces as a religious leader is not her gender, but her age. “Almost every time I’m introduced, people don’t expect me to be the clergy. I’m hoping I can just break through some of the traditional stereotypes people have about clergy and bring some new energy and new ideas in that other people may not have.” Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Cpl. Shannon Fear is the highest-ranked female RCMP officer in Antigonish, a 15-year member of the service and a mother of three. Balancing motherhood and community service is one of the most difficult aspects to her career, but being a woman in policing isn't a completely unheard of role, she said. "I was pretty lucky that that path was paved for me before I got in. I've certainly been in situations where you're still looked down upon, you're still not considered equal, but that's by the minority." Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Mary Coyle was the first female, and longest-serving, director fo the Coady International Institute. She has worked to promote women's rights and community development around the world. "It's a great thing that there's an opportunity to be a woman in leadership today, and working both to help other women advance in our society and societies around the world, but also playing a leadership role to help all people advance." Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Morgan Gero is the president of the Black Students’ Society at StFX, an education student and a New Glasgow native. She is grateful to not have the same struggles black women only a generation ago faced. “I don’t feel as if I am going through anything like the hardships or anything like that, that my mother and grandmother had gone through. It’s a different age, but at the same time, you still kind of have to work a little harder.” Photo by Rachel Psutka.

And of course, I have daily assignments, standalones, and the like for my paper. Some days and weeks are more content-filled than others, and news sometimes grinds to a turtle-like pace, but overall the experience is still going well.

OHIO, N.S. (31/01/13) - A school bus slid off Ohio East Road early Thursday, Jan. 31. No students were on board and the driver escaped through a hatch in the roof. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (24/02/13) - Sydney Anthony dances a jazz routine at the Antigonish Creative Dance Association annual student choreography showcase Sunday afternoon at St. Andrew Junior School. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (23/01/13) - Despite temperatures dipping to -18C, and a windchill closer to -30C, runner Kevin Sweet takes in a run in shorts along Hillside Drive in Antigonish. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (11/01/13) - Premier Darrell Dexter participates in a roundtable discussion in Antigonish Friday, Jan. 11. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (24/02/13) - Sarah Rogers, and furry friend Fuzzy Wuzzy, watch dancers at the Kids First annual Valentine’s Day dance at the Antigonish Legion Sunday afternoon. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (24/01/13) - Skiers get ready to take on the trails at the snowed-under golf course in Antigonish Jan. 24, 2013. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (04/02/13) - Martin Fleuren clears snow from the side walk of Main Street, Antigonish after a heavy snowfall Feb. 4. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (01/02/13) - Nancy Forestell (left) and Christie Lomore, both St. Francis Xavier University professors, rally Friday, Feb. 1 at the end of the first week of strikes by the StFX Association of University Teachers. The three-week strike would see 400 members of the union picket at campus entrances while classes stopped and students left town. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (28/01/13) - St. Francis Xavier University earth sciences professor Dave Risk pickets wearing headwear matching the golden dome cupola atop the Schwartz School of Business behind him. He was one of around 400 members of the StFX Association of University Teachers striking for three weeks after months of negotiations with administration failed to reach a deal. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (10/02/13) - Dart Hebert shovels snow from the roof of his home after a weekend on heavy snowfall Sunday, Feb. 10. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (23/02/13) - The StFX X-Women bench celebrates a last minute basket in a game Saturday, Feb. 23. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

EDMONTON, Alta. (27/12/12) - Rayleen Brosha is an Antigonish native forced to work outside the province, as jobs decline. She left nearly twenty years ago and now calls Edmonton, Alta. home. She is pictured here with her five year old son Shalom. Rachel Psutka photo.

HEATHERTON, N.S. (04/01/13) - Art and Charlotte Brosha are empty nesters, with all five of their grown children, including Art's daughter Rayleen, having left the province for work. This is the first Christmas they spent with no family in the home. Rachel Psutka photo. 

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (12/01/13) - Jenny MacDonald sings with Unidentified Funk Object at the Split Crow pub January 12. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (11/02/13) - Cara Sweet, 3, eagerly awaits a slice of cake at Chinese New Year celebrations Monday, Feb. 11 at the MacKay room at StFX. Over 200 people packed the room to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Snake. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (16/02/13) - Iain Keizer gets a taste of the snow at Keppoch Mountain as he's tossed from dad Greg's sled Saturday at Keppoch Fun Day. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (26/03/13) - Jasmin Desmond (left) and Annice Gingras (right) of the Antigonish Royals Bantam basketball struggle for control of the ball with Abbie Morton (centre) of the West End Steelers as Hannah Bance of the Royals looks on during Saturday morning action at the Bantam Girls Division 1 provincials in Antigonish. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (29/03/13) - Gary Cusack leads Fr. Jonathan Nnajiofor and the children of Saint Ninian Parish throughout the cathedral during the Children's Way of the Cross as part of Good Friday services. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (29/03/13) - Breagh MacGillivray discovers two Easter eggs with her names on them under a swing set on Mountain View Drive in Pleasant Valley, where around 20 children took part in a neighbourhood Easter egg hunt Friday morning. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ST. JOSEPH'S, N.S. (16/03/13) - Jason Haverkort produces maple syrup out of Haveracres Maple Farm in St. Joseph’s. He is pictured here amongst some of the 12,000 tapped maple trees on his property Saturday, March 16. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (16/03/13) - Novice hockey player Parker Flynn celebrates a goal with his coaches and teammates of the Antigonish Bulldogs black squad during the Novice Spring Challenge tournament Saturday, March 16 in Antigonish, N.S. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (15/03/13) - A walker passes by some of the hundreds of luminaries in the Oland Centre gymnasium Friday night during the StFX Relay for Life. (Rachel Psutka photo)

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (31/03/13) - Tristan Gallant closes in on a few Easter eggs scattered across the lawns of homes on Trinity Lane during a neighbourhood Easter egg hunt Sunday morning. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (31/03/13) - Celebrating Easter spirit in her bunny hat, Portia Gallant, one of the younger neighbourhood kids involved in a community Easter egg hunt Sunday morning on Trinity Lane, hitches a ride with mom Crystal. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (13/03/13) - Rosemary Murphy and Terry Piercey opened The Townhouse Brewpub and Eatery in Antigonish last summer and have seen their business expand. They hope to have a small brewery in the building in the coming months. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

HALIFAX, N.S. (08/03/13) - Chris Kirby performs at the R&B/Soul and Blues showcase Friday, March 8 at the East Coast Music Awards in Halifax. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

HALIFAX, N.S. (08/03/13) - Charlie A’Court celebrates a win at the R&B/Soul and Blues showcase Friday, March 8 at the East Coast Music Awards in Halifax. A’Court walked away with the award for both R&B/Soul and Blues Recordings of the Year, beating out local contenders LeeBoy (Liam Brophy) and Working Class. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

HALIFAX, N.S. (08/03/13) - StFX grad Matt MacDougall preps for his Friday evening performances at the East Coast Music Awards experience March 8 in Halifax. MacDougall was nominated for Jazz Recording of the Year for his debut album Familiar Faces. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

2012 in review

In the rollercoaster year of 2012, I worked at four newspapers in three provinces, graduated from Loyalist, retired my 16 year old minivan (RIP Grape), packed and unpacked too many times to count, and got my first permanent job as a jack-of-all-trades multimedia journalist at a small-town weekly. I've tried to keep my photography up to par and continue to improve, while juggling the occasional video, writing 10-12 articles a week, and trying to throw my name out there as a freelancer. One shoot for the Toronto Star in, I don't really feel like a successful freelancer, but hope more may come with time and with coercive badgering on my part.

In working for a weekly, I miss the quick turnarounds and mentoring aspect of working with other photographers. Seeing the opportunities others have been given to work in the field can be disheartening in an unproductive "woe is me" way. I know this isn't my permanent position and I'm trying to work my way up, as best as I know how. 

Here's approximately one photo per month of 2012:

CALGARY, Alta. (06/01/12) - Sam Hester stands in one of the dramatically painted rooms in her house on 23 Ave in Calgary on January 6, 2012. Hester is a cartoonist and painter passionate about her neighbourhood. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Calgary Herald.

KINGSTON, Ont. (13/02/12) - Vicki Keith, champion marathon swimmer and multiple world record holder, is seen at the YMCA in Kingston on Monday, February 13, 2012. Keith was the first person to swim across all five Great Lakes, as well as multiple other bodies of water. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (03/03/12) - Corbin Davies, 9, of Belleville takes to the air while ballet instructor Kristina McIntosh and fellow hopeful Emilie Anderson, 10, of Cobourg watch during the Quinte Ballet School of Canada's professional school auditions on March 3. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

WATERLOO, Ont. (19/04/12) - Wilfrid Laurier University student Emily Kennedy celebrates the end of exams by making a mid-air trek between two trees, also known as slacklining, at Waterloo Park on Thursday, April 19. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Waterloo Region Record.

GUELPH, Ont. (28/05/12) - Jackie Unsworth takes in a hot afternoon with her first ice cream of the season Monday along the Speed River in Guelph. Temperatures soared to 33 C by the afternoon with a humidex making it feel more like 38 C. The heat will continue into Tuesday along with thunderstorms, which will cool the area down by Wednesday to temperatures in the teens and low 20s. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Guelph Mercury.

GUELPH, Ont. (14/06/12) - Around 30 people, including a handful of children, gather for a tour of the dam on Guelph Lake as part of the Two Rivers Festival in Guelph on Thursday, June 14. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Guelph Mercury. 

GUELPH, Ont. (01/07/12) - New Canadian citizen Harish Vasudevasarma (left) watches as his fellow new Canadian John Ford is greeted by his 21 month old son Charlie at Guelph's Canadian citizenship ceremony on July 1. Vasudevasarma, a native of India, and Ford, a native of England, were amongst the 41 new Canadians welcomed at the ceremony. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Guelph Mercury.

GUELPH, Ont. (29/08/12) - Clelia Porzio-Gouveia, 7, practices her silks skills with the help of Jessica Martin of Centre of Gravity circus summer camp in Guelph on Wednesday, August 29. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Guelph Mercury.

This summer, I spent several mornings and long, hot and dusty days in the fields with four young farmers documenting their life on the farm and their dedication to organic growing methods. See more on my website.

ELORA, Ont. (18/06/12) - Yehuda Nestel, owner of Plowshare Farm near Elora, takes a break after lunch at the century-old farmhouse in June 2012. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Guelph Mercury.

KINGSTON, Ont. (11/09/12) - A heron stands along the shore of Lake Ontario in Kingston, Ont. on Sept. 11, 2012. Photo by Rachel Psutka. 

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (04/10/12) - Ella MacDonnell (left) and Lauryn Burke take part in a Terry Fox run with Children’s Place Day Care at Antigonish’s Columbus Field Thursday, Oct. 4. Photo by Rachel Psutka, The Casket.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (14/11/12) - Former prime minister Brian Mulroney jokes with Central Nova MP Peter MacKay, alumni and students after a speech at StFX Wednesday, Nov. 14. Photo by Rachel Psutka, The Casket. 

St. ANDREWS, N.S. (13/12/12) - Grade 2 students Brayden Michaud (left) and James Deon are rocking as cool Santas during the St. Andrews Consolidated School Christmas concert Thursday, Dec. 13. Photo by Rachel Psutka, The Casket.

Starting this fall, I began a longer-term documentary project with a local man whose life was drastically changed by a car accident five years ago. Working with Darrell has been insightful and a highlight of my weeks, and I'm far from done. More to come here in 2013.

ANTIGONISH CO., N.S. (13/12/12) - Darrell Lake leans over in his power wheelchair to greet one of his dogs, Polo, in his trailer on his acreage outside St. Andrews on Dec. 13. Despite a life-altering car accident five years ago, Lake manages to maintain an active lifestyle, restoring and adapting vehicles to his needs, breeding Bernese mountain dogs and socializing with friends and family in and around his Antigonish County home. Photo by Rachel Psutka.