A focused hobby

Local photographer Richard Paddle aims his camera at Esquimalt Harbour. Over the years he has photographed dozens of navy vessels along with a wide range of other subjects.

Peter Mallett
Staff Writer
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When Richard Paddle focuses his camera lens on Royal Canadian Navy warships and tugs, he sees majestic engineering marvels.

From the vantage of the shoreline, he captures them sailing to and from their home berth in Esquimalt Harbour.

The amateur photographer, 67, has even sailed aboard one – HMCS Winnipeg – for a day sail.   

“I am a proud Canadian and love the work those men and women aboard our ships do to protect our country,” he says. “I know they have demanding jobs and I respect the work they do.”

Which is why he devotes a lot of time at Fort Rodd Hill, Esquimalt Lagoon, and Ogden Point in hopes of taking the perfect shot of their grey hulls with the recognizable Pacific Northwest landscape in the background.

One photo recently served as inspiration for marine artist Christina Morrison’s painting of CFAV Tillicum.

“His shots of the tugboats and navy vessels are awesome, and he was more than willing to help me with my art project,” says Morrison.

He’s been at this hobby for 17 years, developing his skill and growing his equipment.

“I started with a little point and shoot then went to a Canon Rebel soon after. I now use four cameras: two Canon 7D Mark ll, a Canon 5D Mark ll and a Canon 50D. Each has its purpose, so I don’t have to change lenses all the time. The 5D is set up now for astrophotography which I’m starting to play around with.”

Over time, he has amassed over 200,000 images.

“I’d be lost without photography, it’s my outlet in life. I love nature, the outdoors, and the spontaneous road trips where I just jump in the car and go.”

On those trips he finds the beauty in inanimate objects such as abandoned trucks in overgrown fields, weathered metal and wood of unused trestles, covered bridges with their greying wood panels, and towering lighthouses overlooking the ocean.

Several of his photos featuring B.C.’s coastal beacons were featured in: To The Lighthouse, An Explorer’s Guide to The Lighthouses of Southwestern BC.

He’s taken the best of his photos and placed them on a website for all to enjoy. While he doesn’t do photograph as a business, he is willing to share an image with an interested viewer.

For a close-up look at his photography visit paddle’s website www.richardpaddlephotography.com/

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