Photographer Rod Innes is known for his intricate studies of native plants and wildlife, including portraits and videos. He moved to Powell River with his family in 1946 and worked at the mill for much of his career while running a photography business at the same time. Innes’ wildlife photos have been published in several national and international magazines. More than 700 of his flora and fauna photographs can be found on University of BC’s Electronic Atlas of the Flora of BC website. Innes also paints, hikes, boats and is an avid reader.
How and when did you get into photography?
I had a camera when I was 16 and went to work in Ocean Falls. I quit school in grade 11; there was lots of work back then. There was a paper mill there and a thriving little community. I met a Danish guy who was working there at the same time. We were living in the bunkhouses while we waited for rooms at the hotel and he would develop film in the closet at the bunkhouse. We became friends and he showed me the film developing. Seeing those images appear in the developer, that hooked me right there. That was back in 1956.
What do you like to photograph?
Just about anything. I did weddings here for quite a few years, which was before digital. I had two Hasselblad cameras and I worked with a custom lab in Vancouver: George Kim on Cambie Street, that guy was a genius. You think about digital and things were so different before. It was one thing to take a good photo, but if you had a bad lab, it wouldn’t matter.
Do any favourite photographs or subjects come to mind?
The plants. Every single one of them I find is so exciting. After a while you get tuned in. It’s like the plants tell you where they are. I love meeting people. I look at people and the first thing I see is a photo. There are some people you think, “How could you go through life without meeting that person.” It’s just so wonderful.
What would you love to photograph?
I wouldn’t mind going up past Dawson Creek up the Dempster Highway. When you look at the country, it’s incredible. I also wouldn’t mind going to Russia.
Do you have any advice for people to become better at photography?
Take some pictures and write down what settings you’re using for ones you like. Photography is something you can do from five or six years old until you’re belly up. I just learned on my own. I’ll be 80 years old on February 7.
For more information, go to facebook.com/rodinnesphotography.
