JTK Photography

I have just returned from Ontario where I was there for close to a month visiting family and friends. My travels took me all over the place which was a nice change from the norm. I was able to sneak up to Tobermory and shoot some underwater scuba in the near freezing water at the grotto, shot a duathlon in the Milton area, and boated around the 30,000 islands. It was a great time back home but I was quite excited to get back to Whitehorse.

Once I returned to Whitehorse I was off again the next day to Old Crow with Yukon Energy and One Change. The trip north was to educate the residents on the benefits and importance of reducing electricity. It was a great day of documenting and fun to head back up to Old Crow.

After settling back into place I participated in the 24 Hours of Light Mtn Bike race. Our team consisted of 8 people and for the full 24 hours we managed to have everyone on course and luckily run ins with the few grizzlies that were seen on course. It was a great event and although we were on one of the largest teams, it made it difficult biking at 2,3 or even 4 am. The up side to the lack of sleep was the photo opportunities that were had!

I am currently getting ready to shoot the Yukon River Quest over the course of the next few days and am looking forward to the event. This will be the first time I have done the whole event and am looking forward to the challenges!
Stay tuned and take care
Justin Kennedy

It is 6:45 am. We have 90lbs of food packed, camera gear, recording gear, tent, -30 sleeping bags, winter parkas and pants and a handful of clothes. We are about to jump on a plane and travel 3 hours north to Old Crow where we will spending 3 weeks working on our spring fur trap documentary. We got a phone call yesterday am stating that our grant had been expected, which gives us clarity and excitement!
I have to get packed on the plane and leave this + degree weather in Whitehorse and get ready for the -20 degree weather of Old Crow.
I will have little internet access but will try to post about our trip while there!
Looking forward!!

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. With family visits in Ontario, to late night snowboard shoots, broken lenses to planning an arctic photo trip, it has been a busy few weeks.
I had a great time in Ontario with lots of family hang-outs and being able to shoot lots of snowboarding. The weather was great and much warmer than the cold Yukon but I was also very happy to get back home to the cold weather.
On the equipment end of things I have had a few failures and unforeseen upgrades. While I was on the Yukon Quest I had my 2x converter snap while paired with my 300mm and body while on a monopod that I placed, in what I thought was a snowbank but ended up having buried jumble ice under the fluffy white stuff. The weight of my 300mm lens, the camera body and cold weather took its toll and snapped the converter.
While in Ontario I picked up the new 2x converter version III, which has more screws added on the mounts which will hopefully result in a more rigid connection, but I will make sure to feel what is under those fluffy snowbanks before sticking the mounted monopod in it.

When I got back to Whitehorse I ended having my 17-40 lens zoom mechanism seize up during a shoot, luckily it was at the end of the shoot. Regardless, one of mostly used lenses had to be replaced quickly. Since owning the 17-40 I have had barely any unsatisfied encounters with the f4 and if so, I would try to assist with a strobe. Within the last few months I have had a craving for that extra stop of light for extremely low light scenarios, which got me thinking of the 16-35 2.8. After a week of tedious research I ended up going with the 16-35 2.8 version II, which has been more than I expected. Very small vignetting wide open results in esthetically pleasing images with bright colors combined with great af accuracy makes for a superb lens. Since getting it I have been very happy with my decision and results I have been getting.
I have also sold my full frame 1d body and purchased a 5d Mark II. My main reasons was due to high iso capabilities and camera size. So far I have tested the high iso in numerous night/low light settings and have been blown away compared to my old 1ds Mark II and current 1d Mark II n. I have also enjoyed the video aspect of the camera giving a new spin on creativity. The size helps fit it in between cracks for remote shooting compared to my old 1ds Mark II.
Some shots with my new 5d and 15mm fish-eye mounted to my bike frame, followed by an evening shot of some xc country photos at 2500iso.

Since being back in Whitehorse I have been planning for a trip to Old Crow, which is a fly in community about 130km north of the arctic circle and the furthest northern community in the Yukon. We are heading up for a documentary on the spring fur trap, where my colleague and myself will be living in the arctic tundra. The logistical aspect of a out of pocket freelance trip like this gets quite in depth with the weather cycles making it impossible to guess when we should make our way up there, the costs for flights, guides, food and fuel, the unknowing duration of our time up there waiting for the safest moment to head out into the tundra by snowmobile. The best part is that we get more winter with temperatures ranging from -9 to -30, and the best part will be having to charge batteries with no power outlets….

I must get packing, but stay tuned for more Old Crow updates!
Until next time

Justin Kennedy

A few days ago I hooked up with the Simple Snowboard crew at Mount St.Louis Moonstone in Ontario. It was a great shoot and these kids are impressive snowboarders making the shoot that much better. I have posted a few shots, with hopes of getting more up in the next week!