Cathy Dobson
For three decades, Sarnia’s Doug Bisson has been taking photographs and quietly marketing them around the world, but seldom in his hometown.
His work hangs in venues around the globe including the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas and the world’s tallest skyscraper in Dubai.
About seven years ago, an international art consultant contacted Bisson after seeing his photos online.
Vancouver-based Farmboy Fine Arts likes Bisson’s landscape photos, many of which are manipulated with time delay and other creative effects. Farmboy mass markets the images, reproducing them on products like hotel wall coverings and illuminated signs.
“I’m driven by patterns in nature,” says Bisson. “I am trying to get the most out of what nature is sharing with us and it makes me happy to have work around the world.”
Photography is a part-time pursuit for Bisson, who works full-time as a national rep selling biodegradable industrial products. He lives in Sarnia but is on the road a lot, taking his camera along to places like Banff or Lake Temagami.
Early on, he taught himself using both colour and black and white film. Retired Sarnia photographer Kai Sorensen saw potential in Bisson and encouraged him along the way, sharing tips and striking up a friendship.
In recent years, Bisson has found an audience with Black & White magazine, where his images are repeatedly published.
“I’ve never had more confidence in my abilities,” said Bisson, 55. “I am pulling off some really crazy (stuff), like hiking after sunset four kilometres along a bear trail on the shoreline of Lake Superior with nothing but my headlamp and my camera.”
Landscapes are his forte but he’s also drawn to portraits and images that tell a story. For instance, his photo of Emily Cicchini, owner of Firenze’s Pizza furiously working in her restaurant window, was widely shared on social media this month. Cicchini, who passed away recently, was a familiar figure to generations of Sarnians.
“I asked her if I could take her picture a number of times because I have known the Cicchinis for 40 years,” said Bisson. “She was significant to Sarnia.”
For all his success Bisson has never had a show of his own – until now.
“I’ve been published seven times in Black & White (magazine),” he said. “Friends challenged me by saying next time I’m published, I need to do a show.” In June, Black & White published four more of Bisson’s images.
“So I’ve dipped into my savings and I’m pulling out all the stops,” he said. “We’ve invited more than 500 people to this one-day show and opened it to the public.
“We’ve gone large on this.”
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: “Through My Eyes,” Photographer Doug Bisson’s first show
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 26. Noon – 7 p.m.
WHERE: The Herbman Farm, 42997 Sparta Line, south of St. Thomas. Elgin Central.
FOR MORE: Visit 500PX.com/dbisson.
