Ready for the Storm

Between Tofino & Sooke on Vancouver Island

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Scenic coastal landscape with single tree, rocky shoreline, and ocean view under clear sky. Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet BC on Vancouver Island. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160.

This project, inspired by "Ready for the Storm" by Jocelyn Pettit, is a tribute to the untamed beauty of Vancouver Island's west coast. It is a region where the contrasting forces of nature—its power and tranquillity—coexist harmoniously. From the relentless energy of storms and fierce waves to the quiet serenity of sunlight breaking through clouds and the soothing teal blues of the ocean, this series captures the ever-changing moods of this wild coastline.

It explores the theme of duality: the fierce and the calm, the fleeting and the timeless. Each image reveals the raw, unfiltered essence of the Pacific Northwest.

Shot using a mix of Ilford, Kodak, and Fujifilm 35mm film stocks, these photographs embrace the unpredictable nature of the region, much like its weather.

"Ready for the Storm" marks my second collaboration with Jocelyn Pettit; in 2022, I worked on the title track music video for her third album, "Wind Rose."

Black and white photo of large ocean waves crashing with strong surf. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white image of rocky shoreline with crashing ocean waves under a cloudy sky. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Person in hooded jacket leaning on wooden railing, overlooking ocean waves. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of ocean waves crashing against rocky cliffs. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of a lighthouse on a rocky coastline, surrounded by trees. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of ocean waves crashing against rocky cliffs. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Person standing near a wooden bench, looking at the ocean on a foggy day. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of ocean waves hitting rocky shore. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of ocean waves and rocky shore. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of ocean waves crashing against a shoreline with a tree-covered hill in the background. Tofino, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Rocky shoreline with rough ocean waves and distant trees in black and white. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of a coastal scene with a house among trees on a cliff, waves crashing onshore. Tofino, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of ocean waves crashing against rocks. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of ocean waves crashing onto rocks, splashing water and foam. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white image of ocean waves crashing against rocky coast. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of ocean waves crashing against rocks on a foggy day. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of waves crashing on rocky shore. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of a rocky seashore with waves crashing against a small island covered with trees. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of crashing ocean waves on rocky cliffs. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white image of ocean waves crashing against rocky shore. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white image of ocean waves crashing against rocky shore Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of ocean waves crashing near a forested coastline. Tofino, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Person walking on a sandy beach with waves and tree-covered island in the background, grayscale photo. Tofino, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Black and white photo of waves between rocky cliffs and misty forested islands in the background. Tofino, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford Film.
Rocky coastline with ocean waves and evergreen trees in the foreground. Ucluelet BC. Shot by Robin Ferand.
Jocelyn Pettit playing guitar on rocky coastline with ocean background. Ucluelet BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160.
Rocky coastline with pine trees and ocean waves in overcast weather. Vancouver Island BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm.
Rocky coastline with small islands and pine trees in a foggy atmosphere. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Gold 200 35mm film.
Black and white photo of a rocky coastline with pine trees and rough ocean waves. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Ilford 35mm film.
Foggy road with trees and mountains, overcast sky. Ucluelet, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Gold 200 35mm film.
Rocky beach with driftwood and forest. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Small rocky island with trees on a beach, surrounded by driftwood. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Coastal landscape with rocky shoreline, driftwood, and evergreen trees overlooking the ocean. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Gold 35mm film.
Boats docked in a harbor with trees and buildings in the background and birds swimming in the calm water. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak 35mm film.
Lighthouse near ocean with yellow daffodils, trees, and cloudy sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Coastal scene with a waterfall cascading from a rocky cliff into the ocean, surrounded by pebbles and waves, with evergreen trees in the background. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Sunset over the ocean with dramatic clouds and sun rays reflecting on the water. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Jocelyn Pettit playing guitar on rocky shoreline with ocean view and forest in background. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Pebble beach with driftwood and pine trees by the ocean, cloudy sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Waves crashing against rocky coastline. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Close-up of Jocelyn Pettit playing an acoustic guitar outdoors. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Rocky shoreline with waves crashing against rocks and forest in the background. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Bald eagle perched on a tall tree against a blue sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Close-up of an acoustic guitar headstock with tuning pegs and decorative inlay against a blurred natural background. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Coastal beach scene with pebbles, large boulders, and tall leaning trees against a blue sky, waves hitting the shore. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Jocelyn Pettit playing a guitar outdoors by a rocky shoreline, wearing a purple jacket and knit hat. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Bald Eagle flying in a clear blue sky next to a tree. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Jocelyn Pettit playing guitar outdoors on rocky terrain with trees in the background, wearing a purple coat and beanie. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Rocky coastal beach with waves crashing against rocks, forested cliffs in the background, under a partly cloudy sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Acoustic guitar in open case on rocky ground. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Forest with waterfall on rocky beach, blue sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
A tall evergreen tree stands on a rocky coastline with the ocean and distant islands in the background under a clear blue sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Portrait of Jocelyn Pettit in purple hat playing an acoustic guitar outdoors. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Rocky coastline with ocean waves and trees in the background under a clear sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Rocky beach with waves crashing, tall evergreen trees along the shoreline, and a partly cloudy sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Close-up of a gnarled tree trunk with textured bark and twisting knots. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Gold 35mm film.
Forest pathway surrounded by lush green trees and foliage. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Gold 35mm film.
Close-up of green fern fronds with blurred background. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Gold 35mm film.
White seashells scattered on green grass and moss. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Gold 35mm film.
Rocky beach with ocean waves, trees, and cloudy sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Driftwood on a beach at sunset with ocean waves. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Driftwood on a beach with ocean waves. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Ocean waves crashing onto a rocky beach with a forested coastline under a clear blue sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Fujifilm 35mm film.
Sunset over ocean with silhouetted mountains and islands, golden light reflected on water, cloudy sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Sunset over coastal mountains with silhouetted trees and a cloudy sky. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Sunset view of islands and mountains with trees silhouetted against an orange sky, and reflections on calm water. Vancouver Island, BC. Shot by Robin Ferand on Kodak Portra 160 35mm film.
Learn more about the project

    • Canon R5C Cinema Rig (See the detailed rig below)

    • BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro Cinema Rig (See the detailed rig below)

    • Canon Elan 7

    • Nikon F3T

    • Nikon F3

    • Kodak Portra 160

    • Fujifilm Fuji 400

    • Ilford HP5 Plus (Pushed 1 stop)

    • Ilford Delta 400 (Pushed 2 stops)

    • Ilford FP4 Plus (Pushed 2 stops)

Gear Used for this Project