Solo Canoe - An ode to Bill Mason in Temagami

A short film about the stillness that can be found by going alone into nature. Shot in the remote wilderness of Temagami.
Dedicated to legendary Canadian canoeist and filmmaker Bill Mason, one of my greatest inspirations.
Director/DP: Matt Steeves
kzbin.info?s...
Music by Adam Ruzzo
adamruzzo.com/

[@justinamey2973]

I could watch this on repeat. What an absolutely therapeutic 10 minutes! Bra-friggin-oooo!!

[@MattSteeves]

Thanks so much Justin! Really appreciate that 🙏🏼

[@MrAndyballard]

A quietly reflective piece of art... an understated and beautiful homage to the natural world. 90% of the canoe trip genre here on YT is far too long and full of trippers detailing exactly what they're eating and blathering on about everything on their mind (IMO) totally ruining the footage of the beautiful surroundings. This is sublime, lovely colour grade too.

[@MattSteeves]

I can’t thank you enough for such an honest and meaningful comment, Andy… You and I are on the same page, my friend. I appreciate you taking the time to share your to thoughts, happy you enjoyed watching :)

[@canoeman1961]

Beautifully put together. Really enjoyed that. Your drone footage was outstanding and really enhanced the feel of your project. A pleasure to watch.

[@MattSteeves]

Thanks so much my friend! So glad you enjoyed it :)

[@suzukihonda_6317]

My grandfather was one of Bill’s closest friends and collaborators and accompanied him on most of his canoe trips. I grew up hearing about their travels and have probably watched everything they’ve ever made twice (lol) and when I watch this I can see that you’ve captured that rare beauty that they cared so much about. Very well done ❤

[@MattSteeves]

Amazing! How precious that must have been to hear the firsthand accounts of their adventures... Did your grandfather help Bill with filming? I really appreciate your kind words, that means a lot, thank you...

[@suzukihonda_6317]

@@MattSteeves he was credited as photographer on (I believe) all of the path of the paddle films as well as Waterwalker and Song of the Paddle, and wrote a biography on Bill’s life and career called ‘Wilderness Artist From Heart to Hand’ by Ken Buck. And it’s always incredible to be reminded that the craft he cared so much about has touched so many people.

[@MattSteeves]

Your grandfather was Ken Buck!? I love his cinematography…he was a real inspiration for me. Waterwalker is my favourite film of all time, I return to it regularly for motivation. It feels almost like a portal that transports you to the wilderness. And the biography he wrote on Bill is just beautiful, learned a lot from it you wouldn’t know from the films… really seems like he and Bill had a true partnership, if it wasn’t for their work I probably wouldn’t be on the path I’m on. Thank you for you sharing :)

[@Zakrivers]

Ken Buck is a Legend to us who film outdoors!

[@Zakrivers]

@@MattSteeves Totally agree with this! Waterwalker hits on another level! a 3 plus oner of Bill nearly dying! I was riveted, but also you don't see shots like that now... Great work here, we are blessed to not have to carry film canisters and Nagras.

[@pardon_this_1]

Love the cinematography; amazing drone shots! I think Bill would be proud!

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you P! I really appreciate the kind words

[@zojo]

The essence of a solo trip and the essence of a Matthew Steeves - absolutely beautiful. The space this film provides the viewer is beautiful (almost therapeutic) 10/10 score too. I think old billy would be proud. Thanks for sharing to the world

[@MattSteeves]

You make me smile...Thank you for such meaningful words, pilgrim 🙏

[@giancarlolorenzi7133]

Bravo! Bravissimooo! An ode ti bill

[@LSCrazyCabCo]

its simple and tranquil; and thats all it needed to be.

[@MattSteeves]

Amen to that buddy! Looking forward to sharing that tranquility with ya!

[@giancarlolorenzi7133]

An ode to bill for the next generation on line!!! Very good Complimenti from Italy, bravissimo!!!!!!!

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you so much Giancarlo!

[@kevinhasson4326]

Fire in the bones!

[@MattSteeves]

🙏🏼

[@GRSRiverrider]

Very peaceful and enjoyable. The standout for me was the waterfall segment. Beautiful stuff. Thanks.

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you kindly! I’m happy you enjoyed it. The waterfalls were definitely a highlight for me too. Cheers!

[@ladyadventurer5095]

Simply beautiful ... thank you

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you! Happy you enjoyed it :)

[@NikonF5user]

How in the world did you portage that boat up that steep cliff?!? Wow!

[@MattSteeves]

It was a bit sketchy haha, I almost lost my footing once or twice… a good workout to say the least. thanks for watching, Russell!

[@Ktyn22]

This is stunning and so well done. You truly captured the beautiful sounds of Northern Ontario.

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you, Kelly! :) nothing beats the North

[@LatitudesWildernessFilms]

I'm happy I came across this. Very beautifully filmed! I loved the silent and natural flow, no need for voices in this one. Very well done Matt!

[@MattSteeves]

Thanks a lot brother! Really appreciate that

[@ClintZold]

Stunning. Perfect time of year to release this. Love the final version.

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you pilgrim, it wouldn't have happened without yee...

[@cmccarthy3016]

Matt, my new fav youtube channel . thank you for sharing and creating awesome videos

[@MattSteeves]

Thanks so much man! That means a lot 🙏🏼

[@richardendress4494]

Outstanding film! It really gave me the feel of the river and wilderness. Thank you.

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you so much, Richard!

[@modshiftmotion]

Love this.

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you kindly!

[@donalddakota8069]

Very, very well done! You absolutely put to film what backcountry canoe tripping is really all about for so many of us. It is obvious you have a strong connection to the real world. It shows in what and how you film. I look forward to more of your work! Take care.

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you so much for your kind words, Donald...That means a lot to me! Thank you for your support :) Take care!

[@1976DSCH]

Bravo! This was gorgeous to watch - and very soothing too.

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you Mohsin! Glad you enjoyed it

[@MattSteeves]

If you enjoyed the film, Please consider subscribing! kzbin.info and check out Adam Ruzzo's music on Spotify! open.spotify.com/artist/56B2naIYg5aaTieLkzEVGD?si=OOqI_yhvTke4w1r6WDZbKg

[@adamruzzo]

Thanks bruh 👍

[@bigsky2081]

That was really nice.I saw Water Walker in a theater in Missoula, Montana and it set me on my path of canoeing. Your filming is beautiful, looking forward to all your videos. Thank You!

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you for the kind words, my friend! Bill Mason is truly a legend. All the best from Ontario, Canada.

[@bigsky2081]

@@MattSteeves I love your province's canoe parks! Came to be a sub on your channel thru Clint. He has good taste.😁

[@michaelalden1405]

Outstanding! Thank you from a paddler in Maine.

[@MattSteeves]

So glad you enjoyed it, Michael! All the best to you from Ontario.

[@Alabastrova]

stunning

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you kindly!

[@GerbenNZ]

Very enjoyable watch, great photography.

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you, Gergen! I appreciate that

[@chasedavidsson]

Incredibly well done Matt! Love the calmness that is shown throughout this.

[@MattSteeves]

Thanks a lot Chase! I appreciate that man. glad you liked it :)

[@tsdaddio]

Nice job… you really captured that feeling of man in the wild.

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you kindly! I Appreciate that! Ps. Love the name, River Metimbers :)

[@alanbierhoff6831]

That was really enjoyable. Thank you

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you very much, Alan!

[@sunnyrivers]

Jaw dropping beauty and sounds ENJOYED every minute Thank You😊✌🏼♥️

[@MattSteeves]

Aww thank you my friend! So happy you enjoyed it :) have a great day

[@colettedescent2456]

Beautiful, soothing and serene video, Glorious! Looks like you paddled up Lady Evelyn river, yes? Looked like Fat Man's Falls and Bridal Veil falls? Tough portages, those!!

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you, Colette! you nailed it! Those were a couple of doozies… and that portage from Diamond was a marathon with a double carry. But boy oh boy it sure feels great when you get to the end of the portage :)

[@redsquirrelftw]

Wow really cool video, really like the cinematics. Being in a canoe in the wilderness really is a cool feeling.

[@MattSteeves]

Thanks a lot, man! The canoe brings you places you could never get to otherwise :)

[@KanoottiTomaatti]

Beautiful film Matt. 😍 Well done! 👍

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you, my friend!

[@christiehuffman3823]

Oh my heavens!!♥️ I'm pretty sure I've watched every one of your videos.. this is five star.. Awesome!! I figured that was Adam on the guitar..great music friend!! 🤗 The waterfalls, the fire, the drone shots Magnificent!! AMEN to our Lord for such beauty and thank you for capturing it and sharing it with us🏞️

[@MattSteeves]

Well shucks, Christie! Thank you very much, I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

[@mountainpaddler2242]

very well done

[@mattc7988]

Stunning!! I feel like Bill would love it

[@MattSteeves]

Hey thanks a lot man, appreciate that!

[@SoloSchmitty]

Beautiful video. Well done 🙌

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you Schmitty! Take care

[@emiliofernandez7117]

Nice video. My health isn’t so good and it’ll be a few years before this is possible for me. So in a big way it hurts to watch videos like this as im stuck in my house or the hospital but peaceful in a way. I just hope I heal mentally and physically so im able to travel on my own one day

[@MattSteeves]

I'm sorry to hear that, Emilio... I hope you fully recover and can get back to doing the things you love. Stay strong brother.

[@emiliofernandez7117]

@@MattSteeves thank you. Nature is the one thing that makes sense to me after I was abandoned by my parents and others throughout my life. I’m mostly over it. It is what it is. Nature has always healed me from human induced pain/stress. I know not to be alone in nature forever as we are social creatures but I’ll be damned if I rot away in the city :)

[@MattSteeves]

We are a part of nature..To connect with nature is to connect with the creator and with ourselves. I hope you can get out of the city soon, my friend! 🙏🏼

[@RileyOutside]

Nicely done.

[@MattSteeves]

Thanks Riley!

[@adamruzzo]

Just popped up on my feed. EXCELLENT job!! Nice to watch it again. All those beautiful woodsy sounds are messing with my music though man… 😆😆 joking. LOVE it!

[@adamruzzo]

Really captured what Mason was talking about 👍

[@MattSteeves]

Lmao thanks pal. Algonquin park Sketches makes this IMO. You nailed the canoe vibes.

[@RickTOutdoorAdventure1969]

Absolutely Beautiful film 🙂. Really enjoyed it. You captured the feel for the place perfectly and I could sense the quiet of a remote area. Looked a very peaceful trip and one that I'm looking forward to emulate this year. Atb Rick n Billydog

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you Rick! Appreciate the kind words. All the best to you!

[@EzeAdventurer]

CINEMATIC AS F DUDE!! AMAZING, WELL DONE! Subbed so I can learn some film skills !! (Drone shots are off the scale!!)

[@MattSteeves]

Appreciate the kind words man! 🙏🏼

[@GlobalHeroes]

Nice work

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you kindly!

[@13gears]

That was well done, could be longer even, I was almost there ..

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you! Appreciate the kind words. Cheers!

[@Zakrivers]

Waterwalker is one of my favorite films, I've made some paddling docs myself. Kudos on this beautiful piece! I'd love to hear about your process, cameras, etc. It's not any easy feat dealing with camera gear in a canoe... nicely done.

[@MattSteeves]

heck yeah! Waterwalker is just so special, Bill Mason and Ken Buck are absolute legends… I Appreciate the kind words Zak! This was shot with a GH5 and Mavic Pro… My whole mission with this film was just to capture the feeling of being alone in the wilderness on a canoe trip, something slow and experiential that bridges the connection between man and nature. Thanks for watching !

[@Lemon8ism]

Did you start from Alex's cabin? You really captured the magic of the route. I will be watching this many, many times!

[@MattSteeves]

I did indeed! :) Thank you Laura, I love to hear that! All the best 🤗

[@heffernandan]

Awesome video! Beautifully done, as a drone pilot myself I particularly loved your drone footage, I love doing backcountry trips and always thought I could get some great drone footage but the Provincial Parks have a ban on drones on all the parks I’ve been too, are the rules different for Temagami? If so I think I may have to come check it out sooner than later, or is there a way to get permission to use a drone in the park? Either way out standing work I really enjoyed it

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you, Dan! It's so great to get feedback from another drone pilot. I actually shot this a couple of years ago, but I do believe it is still possible to get a permit if you are filming for a something specific. However it likely requires due diligence. Take care !

[@rayrasmussen4936]

Beautiful video Matt. What are you using for a camera? The shots are very stable while you're paddling.

[@MattSteeves]

Hey thanks alot Ray, I really appreciate that. I mainly shoot on a GH5 with a speedbooster and Sigma 18-35. Merry Christmas!

[@jordancowan759]

What part of temagami is this?waterfall central lol.amazing...I go up there near okibika lake some summers...old friend In the woods

[@MattSteeves]

Ive heard of such a fellow…This trip was right after COTS ;) you related to Kim? The waterfalls were up the Lady Evelyn near Haps.

[@jimhanson7476]

Nice………

[@MattSteeves]

Thanks you Jim!

[@dadmetcalfe]

Great video of your wilderness adventure!!! I grew up doing that in British Columbia. Did you use a drone? Were you alone?

[@MattSteeves]

Thank you so much Ken:) Yes I filmed this all myself. I did have a drone, filming while portage was a challenge haha. I have never canoe tripped in BC, I can only imagine how incredible it must be surrounded by mountains. Have you done any canoeing in Alberta?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

@@MattSteeves Hey Matt! Not to probe into your secrets, but that drone was following you, and even changing direction to go off of you from a distance and over a waterfall. I use drones all the time but mine won't follow me or pan off me and go elsewhere without me directly controlling the joystick. How on planet earth did you make that happen while you were carrying a canoe??? That's insane and I need to know! :) Excellent job! I have a broadcast/film educational background and I couldn't even figure that out!

[@MattSteeves]

Hey there! Believe it or not I was actually flying it while portaging... Nothing safe about it, but I'm always up for a challenge! Thank you for appreciating what went into getting some of these shots :)

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

@@MattSteeves Thanks Matt; My DJI Mini stops moving unless I push the joystick forward. There's no way I can paddle and have a moving drone at the same time. Maybe time for a drone update for me? Cheers!

[@MattSteeves]

When I was paddling, I was using the track feature. This was shot on the Original DJI Mavic Pro. Depending on what you want, there are definitely newer tracking features on some of the new drones, not to mention some features where the drone flies all on its own... But I have not tried that though... technology....

[@laurairvine1153]

ALmost Like yoU knew whaT yoU weRe doiNg!? Chi MiiGweTch for thiS triP!!

[@MattSteeves]

Precisely! Almost As though the path was already laid out before me, and all I had to do was keep taking the next step. Thank you Laura:)