What began as a school subject for Derek Ruttle grew into an important part of his job as The Outlook鈥檚 reporter, followed by recognition for stunning photographs that have become a passion for him.
Derek was in high school when he first developed an interest in taking pictures. 鈥淚n grade 9 Industrial Arts with the late Mr. Maruschecka there was a photography class and that was my introduction to it,鈥� Derek said. 鈥淭hen in my later senior years I just started bringing a camera to school. We would set up things to make stories out of photos. It kind of snowballed from there.鈥�
It went from high school hobby to something bigger when he began working at The Outlook. 鈥淚t became something more when I started this job because it鈥檚 part of the job. Visuals have to go with the words.鈥�
But it became more than taking pictures. He soon began looking at things around him with new eyes. 鈥淭here鈥檚 certainly a work aspect to it but as I got older I realized it got me more in touch with my surroundings and landscapes and this area is ridiculously photogenic. So I would take a camera with me and just go out, spend a day cruising around and look for that perfect shot. Sometimes it comes, sometimes it doesn鈥檛.鈥�
So what makes the perfect shot? Derek said it is not only the subject, but everything around it as well. 鈥淓very morsel within the frame grabs the eye,鈥� Derek explained. 鈥淚f the whole thing grabs my attention then I鈥檝e got to capture it. Whether it鈥檚 sunsets or wildlife or people, if I put it in a frame and everything in that frame grabs my attention, or I think it would grab attention from anyone else, I snap away. Whatever grabs the eye.鈥�
Many of those shots have indeed grabbed the attention of others, most recently as part of the 鈥淭ake a Shot鈥� competition hosted by the Town of Outlook for the Communities in Bloom contest. Since judges would not be travelling to communities to evaluate beautification efforts this summer, citizens were encouraged to find the beauty through a lens and submit pictures that capture it. Following an on-line vote, the top five photos would be submitted to the Communities in Bloom contest, representing the town of Outlook.
Once the voting was complete it was announced that Derek took first and second place, with John McPhail in third, and Henry Buys with photos that placed fourth and fifth. 鈥淎ll of our photos are going in to the Communities in Bloom competition,鈥� Derek remarked. 鈥淚 hope the best for all of us. Fingers crossed.鈥�
No timetable has been set for the announcement of the judged competition so as the contestants wait to see what happens they can enjoy the gifts given to them from the town to mark their win including a Town of Outlook hat, water bottle, note pad and pen.
For Derek, it was a chance not only to shoot one of his favorite subjects, but also to shine a spotlight on the beauty of this area. He recently entered photos in a Tourism Saskatchewan competition as well. 鈥淚 sent about 20 away in different subcategories,鈥� Derek explained, 鈥渞epresenting people, places, water, woods, wildlife, and prairies.鈥�
One of Derek鈥檚 go-to places to capture Saskatchewan鈥檚 beauty is the Outlook and District Regional Park. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 go in the afternoon when the sun is blazing. I wait for that moment, just after supper, with the sun starting to set to capture it. Everything is so photogenic on a night like that.鈥� He also hopes his pictures help people reflect on an Outlook icon鈥攖he former train bridge. 鈥淚 love shooting the Skytrail with the sun behind it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t kind of makes people think about the Skytrail and say, 鈥榟ey, it鈥檚 not there anymore.鈥欌��
As he searches out more competitions to enter, he also has his sights set on a particular photo he would like to capture. 鈥淥ne of my favorite shots I try to look for is a sunset gleaming off a lake or a river. One shot I鈥檓 trying to nail down is, I鈥檓 waiting for the next full moon and I want to go to the river and try and get the moonlight shining off the water. I鈥檓 not great at night photography but I鈥檓 trying to get better at it.鈥�
His other aspirations include having calendars made that feature some of his favorite shots, as well as perhaps hosting a show of his work, possibly at the Art Gallery or another venue. He would love it if he could put a show together with other local photographers.
He encourages people to take a look at what is all around them and begin pursuing a hobby that he says is available to everyone. Although he knows phones can take good pictures, he is a proponent of a professional camera. 鈥淭hey can make a phone that can do anything in the world, but give me my Nikon, my Canon. You don鈥檛 have to break the bank,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 real camera is not expensive. Start out with something simple.鈥�
The important thing to him is to look at what may seem familiar with brand new eyes. 鈥淕o walking around outside somewhere. There are great things to take photos of in cities and I have taken a few of those, but I really just think rural small towns and this area just asks to be taken photos of. Just grab a camera, go for a walk, and see what grabs you. Frame it and snap away. Just get out there and see what there is. There鈥檚 always something to be captured.鈥�
To see more of Derek鈥檚 work check out Facebook.com/DerekRuttlePhotography
