a photographer's blog: rick etkin

100 WEST 49TH AVENUE TEL: 604.323.5511
VANCOUVER, BC FAX: 604.323.5555
CANADA, V5Y 2Z6 WWW.LANGARA.BC.CA
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For immediate release
June 17, 2010

Rick Etkin Named 2010 Langara Outstanding Alumni

Presentation of the Outstanding Alumni Award to Rick Etkin

Vancouver, BC –

Rick Etkin is the recipient of the 2010 Langara College Outstanding Alumni Award for Industry Achievement. The annual award celebrates the contribution of exceptional individuals who have enhanced the reputation of the College through their inspirational career, public service, community service, athletic, arts and culture, or academic achievements. He was awarded the honour at the College’s 44th annual Convocation Ceremony held on June 3.

Since his graduation from the Langara College Photo Technician program in 1978, Etkin has owned and operated a successful advertising photography and commercial production business. He is an active member of the photographic community and is a founding member and current president of the Vancouver Chapter of Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators in Communications (CAPIC). In addition to his work with CAPIC, he has volunteered with the Variety Telethon providing photographic services during the telethons as well as for public relations purposes.

In 2010, Etkin realized a childhood dream of being part of the Olympics when he was chosen to be the Supervisor Photo Services for the Mountain Region with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He shared his Olympic experience with the Langara community by recruiting photo department instructors, alumni, and students to be part of his press operations team.

“Rick is an active leader in his industry and a sincere advocate for our College,” said Dr. David Ross, president of Langara. “He has served on our Professional Photo-Imaging program advisory board for over 25 years, guest lectures for the program and hosts students for work practicums. We are honoured that he is a Langara alumnus.”

Langara College, located in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada, provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies programs and courses to more than 20,000 students annually. The College’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students to choose their own educational path. The College offers three bachelor’s degrees as well as a comprehensive variety of diplomas, certificates, and citations.
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Media contact:
Dr. Ian Humphreys, Ph.D.
Director, Communications & Marketing Services

Langara College
604.323.5671
news@langara.bc.ca

What is keeping me busy these days?

Inflatable moose, part of "Made in Canada" at Vancouver 2010 Closing Ceremonies

Just when I thought I could get back to do what I love the most by shooting as much as I can, there seems to be a thousand deadlines for other important things that all need to be done first.

WEB SITE, PORTFOLIO, SHOWS, & MEETINGS

Before launching an email announcing this blog, I have had to update my website with my new work, juggle placement, run colour tests, revamp my portfolio, and decide on the cover for a new print portfolio. I also have worked on building networks and reconnecting with many people since the games, including attending the Capalino University IDEA Grad Show, The 2010 GDC Graphex Awards Night, and the Langara College Photography Grad show. Of course there were also CAPIC board meetings and the Langara Photography Program Advisory Board meetings, which I sit on.

View of downtown Vancouver from Granville Island - Yaletown at twilight

CAPIC PORTFOLIO SPEED REVIEWS

Next week (May 25th) is CAPIC’s Portfolio Speed Review, where I am the reviewer contact person and  will be the MC. We have a great panel of reviewers from Vancouver’s top AD agencies and design firms. Cossette, Emdoubleyou Design, Hangar 18, Karacters, Rethink and others, for a total of 18 creative reviewers. I am really looking forward to hearing the comments and getting feedback from both the reviewers and the artists involved.

Kudos to the CAPIC Board and volunteers who have helped make this a reality. A review of the event will be posted after its over.

AN INSPIRING TALK TO PHOTO INSTRUCTORS IN WINNIPEG

On top of the smaller items above, I have been asked to make a four hour presentation, on June 1st, to Winnipeg School District instructors, about my experience at the Olympics and on how to inspire students in photography. This all came about during the Olympics, as one of the Volunteer Press Assistants at the Whistler Media Centre (Ron Weston) was the Superintendant of the School system for Winnipeg. He was writing a daily blog for the students and teachers back home, and included some photo related information that I passed on. There were some great collections of 2010 photography at the Denver Post blog that was a big hit with the students (and almost anyone who sees them). The next day Ron approached me thinking that what I was doing was interesting enough to invite me to speak.

So now I am in the middle of writing and creating a multimedia extravaganza that hopefully might get shown in more than Winnipeg.  It’s been great doing research on other photographers’ blogs to see what the results of all the planning that went into the Games’ Photo Services. I will post a link to an excerpt from the presentation when it’s done.

If you have a group that may be interested in seeing part of the finished presentation, let me know!

OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE COMPILATION BOOK

At the same time as everything else, I am trying to edit my hard drive full of games images into a meaningful collection of my memories of the experience.

" Devotees" Fans of Devo at Whistler Medals Plaza during the Games- wearing the trademark Devo hat in "Games Blue"

I have had many requests from people to see the “inside” of the Games, so I am making it a priority along with an online gallery linked to my website. Watch this blog for the announcement of the completion of my book.

GUEST KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Lastly, there is the ten minute keynote speaker address that I am writing to present to a potential audience of 500 people, on June 3rd. You will have to wait before I can let you know what this is all about. Come back after June 4th.