Posted on Monday, June 23rd, 2014 by Bianca Stivelman
The Last Hunt, created by the National Film Board of Canada, is an interactive photo essay that explores photographer Alexi Hobbs’ last hunting expedition with his grandfather.
This innovative multi-platform work tells the story of one Quebec family, stretching from the present back to World War II. 
It focuses on Alexi Hobbs’ grandfather’s past as a runaway soldier, to his present as a grandfather going on his last hunting retreat. While presenting this story alongside stunning photographs, The Last Hunt reveals the strength of family ties, the spirituality within the act of hunting, and the connection between hunting and shooting photos. This interactive photo-book acts as a window into the world of The Last Hunt, and I found it to be a completely unique and innovative reading experience.
Meant for Your TabletThe NFB, world-renowned for its unique mobile and digital experiences, transforms Alexi’s intimate hunting story into a gorgeous interactive documentary. While it is available online, The Last Hunt is specifically designed to be viewed on your tablet for an enhanced reading experience. To follow the story, app users scroll vertically through layers of text and parallaxing animation. By taking advantage of the iPad’s gyroscope, the app creates a subtle element of lifelike depth that desktop computers lack. The app also boasts smooth scrolling and outstanding 60 fps responsiveness, further enhancing the experience. The Last Hunt is incredibly well done, and I strongly recommend viewing it on a tablet rather than online in order to gain the full effect. If you don’t have access to one, the online version is still definitely worth viewing. Be sure to check out The Last Hunt online or on your tablet–it’s free. Let us know what you think of this free photo documentary.
