Vickie Emms

Thank you to Kalaryder and Clive for this wonderful interview they asked me to give for their group Endangered Plants.

We proudly present our latest interview, with the wonderful photographer Vickie Emms, see her portfolio here and view the range of lovely shots. Vickie has had photos published in “Canadian Wildlife” A Magazine of the Canadian Wildlife Federation in November/December issue in 2007 and the September/October issue 2008.

1. What drew you to photography?

I have been drawn to photography since my mom took pictures when I was a kid. I have used the old black/white cameras, polaroids, then upgrading as the years went by to whatever was new, right till today. I love photography and capturing life around us.

2. What is your favourite subject to take photos of?

I think birds and animals are my favorite subject. I never tire of going for a drive or a boat ride just to see what is there, if anything. You never know what nature is going to do next. That’s when I get my best shots. But, I also love the mountain scenery, lakes, rivers, etc. Is that too many subjects? Can I add flowers too? Of course, or I wouldn’t be able to be in your group. I love flowers, specially wildflowers and macros.

3. What camera do you use?

I currently use the Canon 50D; Canon Rebel Xti; Canon Rebel XT; and my little Canon Powershot A80 (my fav for macros)

4. What editing programme do you use?

PhotoShop CS2 is my favorite editing program, all the way! It took me too long to learn it to abandon it now :-))

5. What is your favourite image in your own portfolio and why?

My favorite image in my portfolio is How Sweet Is This? shown here:

I fell in love with this little Whitetail Buck last summer when I was out on one of my drives. He just looked straight at me with those beautiful huge eyes and what looked to me was a smile on his face. I also love the reflection of the sky behind me that I can see in his eyes. Also, this is not a cropped photo, it’s full size, so he trusted me with his little heart till I got the photos.

6. What is your favourite image of your own in the Endangered Plants Group and why?

My favorite image in Endangered Plants Group is the Rose Pegonia Orchid shown here:

I love this little plant because it is so rare here in Manitoba that most people do not know where it grows – but I do! It grows so close to where I live about 5 minutes away and every spring I wait and look for the blooms till I get my fill of photographs for the year. You have to get down in the wet swamp on your knees to get close enough for a photo, so it makes it a challenge to do so. I always love the outcome, and they are very pretty, delicate, tiny little things. It’s only around for a week or two, then gone till next year.

7. What are your favourite three images of other people’s work in the Endangered Plants Group and why?

The Silky Blue Orchid by Stuart Rose, is one of my favorite photos because it is very well taken, and I love Orchids, all kinds of Orchids. And I love the color blue, specially if it’s a flower.

Grevillea superba by wombatwal is another very beautifully photographed plant.

I found his information very interesting, because here in Canada most of the reasons plants are becoming rare is because of land clearing as well. This is a very beautiful flower, I love the shape of it.

The Lillium Michiganese by Sprinkla is another beauty in the group.

Sam captured this plant so beautifully, he is such a fine up and coming young photographer that I “almost” got to meet last summer, in fact we passed each other on the same lake! Sam’s information on the plant was well researched and spot on.

8. Where would be your dream place for a photo shoot?

Well, I am hoping my dream photo shoot will be this summer when we go to Alaska. I have seen videos, looked on the internet, have brochures, etc and this is our first visit there. We will be camping on a nice relaxing, no rush holiday for several weeks. I look forward to the scenery, animals specially the bears, lakes, rivers and of course I am hoping to see a few wildflowers to bring back for all of us.

9. Last, but not least, would you like to tell us a little more about yourself and where you live.

Sure, I live in Manitoba, Canada with my husband, 2 cats and a dog. Manitoba is a very beautiful province with many photo ops, specially around the area where I live. I have access to the woods right here at home where the rare, beautiful plants you see in the group grow. We love to fish, travel (Alaska this year), camp and enjoy our 6 grandchildren. Then, of course we love to just drive around and look for the next thing to take a picture of.
That’s me :-))

And now my personal favourite in Vickie’s collection

Thank you very much Vickie from both Clive and myself.