Nova Scotia

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

James’s fourth photo album celebrating his adopted province is a
collection of more than 80 full-color, full-page impressions of a land
cradled, lulled, and nurtured by the sea. The impressions are of good
times, of pretty scenes, of happy children and peaceful villages, and
the tranquility of the sun setting over quiet waters. Yet this is not a
tourist bureau collection; though James photographs good
stuff—overlooking the province’s poverty, the frustrations of a
population suffering high unemployment, and the horror of an ocean on a
rampage—his work is not shallow.

The photos range from nice to spectacular. James shows a very high
degree of technical mastery, and the color reproduction is excellent.
His appreciation for the landscape is evident: the photos suggest that
the photographer was drawn irresistibly to his subjects, that he took
pleasure in looking at Nova Scotia’s unique features and couldn’t
resist sharing his discoveries.

The portfolio is heavy in shots that capture the varying moods of
changing light on landscapes and scenics. There are a few photos of
craftsmakers and of animals, and a handful of historic sites,
cityscapes, and famous buildings. James is at his best, however, when he
forgets about the need for a well-rounded selection and points his lens
at a scene so beautiful that its tranquility seeps into the soul.