Portrait of Vancouver.

Description

64 pages
Contains Photos
$16.95
ISBN 978-1-894974-46-2
DDC 971.1'33040222

Publisher

Year

2008

Contributor

Reviewed by Ann Turner

Ann Turner is Financial and Budget Manager at the University of British
Columbia Library.

Review

These three collections from Heritage House were originally published by Altitude Publishing Canada between 1995 and 2002. They are composite portraits of their subjects—albums of definitive images collectively capturing the essence of each place for visitors. The colour photography is spectacular and artistically outstanding, with many full- and double-page spreads, panoramic aerial views, and creative use of lighting. Concise captions identify and explain each photograph. These slim, softcover coffee-table books are a delight to browse, as inspiration for a trip, affordably priced souvenirs of one taken, or just because they are beautiful.

 

Portrait of British Columbia presents four areas of the province: The Islands; Vancouver, Coast and Mountains; Thompson, Okanagan, B.C. Rockies; and Cariboo, Chilcotin, Coast and Northern British Columbia. The introductions to each area are brief, with the photo captions supplying most of the information. Photographer Al Harvey is a professional stock photographer, travelling the world to document the sights and natural phenomena and making his images available online.

 

Portrait of Vancouver Island covers six areas of interest to visitors: Victoria; Gulf Islands; Cowichan; Mid Island, covering Nanaimo through Qualicum; Pacific Rim National Park, including Port Alberni, Bamfield, Ucluelet, and Tofino; and Comox and North Island. Vancouver Island resident Chris Cheadle is the photographer and author of the information-packed introductory essays and descriptive captions.

 

Portrait of Vancouver highlights 11 areas popular with tourists: The Harbour; Downtown; Robson; Gastown; Chinatown; Granville Island; Stanley Park; University of British Columbia; Gardens and Parks; Beaches; and North Shore. It includes an outline map of Vancouver and its neighbouring communities showing the major traffic arteries and sites. Short descriptive essays introduce the history and character of each area.

Citation

Brissenden, Connie., “Portrait of Vancouver.,” Canadian Book Review Annual Online, accessed October 13, 2024, https://cbra.library.utoronto.ca/items/show/28862.