Under Burrard Bridge, Vancouver, 1985

In 1978, I moved to Vancouver’s Kitsilano, a relative refuge from the density of the West End (nothing compared to the crowds of today). By the mid-eighties, I’d graduated to a 1-bedroom apartment, shared with three other roommates (don’t ask), in the heart of swanky Point Grey.

The main living area was commodious — I commandeered most of it as a makeshift photo studio, while renting a converted garage in Kits for larger jobs.

It rains in Vancouver. On the day recorded in this image, I’d wandered down to my old haunt along Kitsilano Beach. The storm drove me into the shelter of Burrard Bridge to protect my Mamiyaflex medium-format camera.

I’d been casting around, trying to find a new viewpoint in a place that had become familiar, perhaps too much so. Well, I guessed, that’s it for today.

Then, I looked at the scene before me. It has become one of my personal favourites; a “be here now” moment.

Prints are available in the 80s Vancouver Sales Gallery in limited editions.

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