Helene Cyr Photography » Photo Essay

Tweed Bike Ride, Victoria, BC (sneak preview)

Helene — Sun, 13 May 2012 00:47:45 +0000

Truly a remarkable event where 350 riders dressed in tweed all come together and shared a days’ ride throughout Victoria’s streets for a common cause… it was magic! more to come.

Christines’ remarkable horses

Helene — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:33:58 +0000

Energetic, kind, majestic, wild, magnificent and gentle are just a few words that come to mind when describing the boys Edwoud and Taeke. Christine’s love and care towards these outstanding horses is reciprocated in ways I can not explain. The boys had but 30 minutes in the fresh pasture as their digestive systems would not handle more. Even so, their gratitude came out in a visual spectacle!

London Chef & Co., & Different Fish

Helene — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:22:25 +0000

I did not know that in order to fish 1 kilo of Shrimp, 30 kilo’s of by catch are wasted and thrown back into the sea, often too mangled to survive. Dan and Micayla founders of London Chef, makes a point for the Slow Foods’ event last night. “We are wasting valuable tasting fish simply because we don’t know how to cook it”. Much to my surprise the Squid, Mackerel, Dogfish, Octopus, and Smelt were most delicious! Well not so much the Smelt, but that’s just me, others were devouring them. Thank you to Christine Smart for yet another wonderfully planned and successful event.

Yelapa, Jalisco, Mexico

Helene — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:42:10 +0000

It’s remarkable how time stands still when there’s no cars, but donkeys, mules, horses and the odd ATV. Literally, Yelapa has no cars and the significance of it’s name (according to what I heard) means the meeting of elements where ocean, river, waterfall, mountains and jungle meet. It’s a visual treat riddled with textures, laughter, kindness and tasty tacos. No one but the indigenous families of the area can own the land. Snowbirds north of the border who migrate there for convenient short periods of time can only lease the land from an agreeable family and for a set time. When the period of the lease agreement is over, you are to revisit the negotiation process with the family land owner’s. This keeps most of the houses, palapas and huts to a reasonable size. No big developer of the Puerto Vallarta type dare venture here which is why this place is magic amongst many other countless reasons! Gracias Miguel for showing me this gem.

Race Rocks, Jan 2012

Helene — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:17:43 +0000

Race Rocks, a tiny and special Island where it holds BC’s 2nd oldest lighthouse. The Island no bigger then 2 hectares in size holds my sweet friend Mike, a few Elephant Seals and countless birds that come and go. The neighboring rock islands hosts Stellar Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles, Cormorants, Oyster Catchers and the list goes on… Such a privilege it is to witness these blubbery friends at such close range! I can’t pretend to be a pinniped biologist but if you wish to know more please follow the Race Rocks blog: http://www.racerocks.ca/wp/
The little I do know is that the baby pup “Squall” named by Mike was born last Saturday in the middle of a storm. I arrived a few days after and watched it grow (I say “it” as I don’t know it’s gender) from a wet shivering somewhat weak looking pup to a strong assertive one within a few short days! Despite the bitter cold and pushing winds it grew stronger each day. It carries its name well.
Mystery is the Papa and defends his Bertha and Squall well. He will tolerate us at a certain distance but for only so long before he pushes his weight around! I very much enjoyed being happily stranded on Race Rocks with Mike for a full 5 days witnessing time, winds and storm in a very different way. Close up of Mystery (4th picture) is taken by Mike Robinson.

Walmart

Helene — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:59:22 +0000

Could not help pair these two images. What can I say apart from Walmart is distrurbing and the results are predictable.

s. Caicos, spr 2011

Helene — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:22:03 +0000

With a 2nd visit under my belt to the friendly, intriguing and at times defeated s. Caicos Island, I continue my visual search.

It’s truly a fascinating island where people are at times defeated by political corruption, witness relentless hurricanes, feel the financial despair, uncertain fish stock and few resources if any, where countless religions runs ramped, a myriad of homes with no running water, where fried chicken is cheap and imported vegetables are off the chart expensive yet for the most part they hold their heads high.

I don’t think it’s wise to assume I know the Island after 2 short visits.. but what I do know, is how the people are often welcoming despite their predicament. This alone both fascinates me and humbles me.

You can hear their laughter and much heated discussions from early sunrise to sunset. A passionate crowd I would add. Some play dominoes so hard that the chips hitting the table hurt my ears. The haitian church near by have a mix of gospel and very very animated preachers belching out indecipherable gargle with an impressive PA system into the wee hours of the morning. According to Mike, this is their only entertainment, not much else to do. The sounds that ring in my ears right now are much of that, preachers relentlessly preaching, numerous under nourished barking dogs, a mysterious rooster, S.Caicos (ians) discussing passionately, the slamming of domino chips, the kindness in their “hello’s”, and the slapping of skin aiming for that adamant blood sucking mosquito!

beautiful snow

Helene — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:00:51 +0000

To an average Canadian, snow is what it is, to us here in Victoria, it’s pretty exciting! Thanks Félix as always!

Christine’s remarkable horses

Helene — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:53:35 +0000

Christine’s gentle giants are horses filled with deep soul, kindness and stunning beauty! They are a very old European breed called Friesians from the northern Netherlands. To witness the relationship between herself, Teake and Ewoud is extraordinary. I can not wait to see them again!

last shot taken by Christine

Shelley’s family, Esquimalt BC

Helene — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:29:16 +0000

People often ask wether I do family portraits and indeed I do but mostly during the slower wedding season. Often former wedding couples with new families!
In this case, Shelley whom I did not know nor did she know me, was brave enough to bid for a photography package donated for the
Dirty Wall Project, founded by a very young and talented visionary Kane Ryan. All good karma brought us together and I can’t say enough good things about this family!