It was a “spooktacular” Friday evening at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon, Oct. 29th.
The very young, the very old and all ages in between took part in an evening of games and crafts and exploration of a haunted house. The museum’s Boomtown main street served as a backdrop for an old-fashioned murder mystery.
Saskatchewan boomed with economic activity from the turn of the century to 1914. Land-seekers flooded the west and towns grew almost overnight. 1910 Boomtown, the WDM’s representation of a typical Saskatchewan town, captures the atmosphere and style of this bustling period. Over 30 buildings portray community life, from the general store overflowing with everything from nails to gingham, to the blacksmith shop ringing with the sound of the hammer striking the anvil.
For several photos, I zoomed in my flash to concentrate the light, which helps to isolate the main subject and create a hot spot. This is a similar effect as a snout placed on a light source. Handheld camera movement during long exposures can also add drama to an otherwise ordinary shot.
