style and new gear

Here's a portrait of a fellow assistant, Warren Hrycun.  Now that summer is here, shooting has turned up in frequency and intensity.  I'm definitely finding inspiration starting to show up everywhere, which leads us into this post.

There are certain things that change the way I think.  I find it can generally be put into two categories.

The first category is knowledge.  It could be learning something new about myself, or a new skillset, but either way, it has a huge impact on my creativeness.

The second category, and the one that this post specifically is about is gear...

Sure, I could mindlessly chant the cliché that gear doesn't matter, but really, to a certain degree that's complete BS.  There are certain pieces of kit that have changed the way I think.

I've been saving up, researching and debating what path to take, but I finally caved into my subconscious (and conscious) demands for a location system.  Everything came into consideration; I went through the "I don't have a car" to the "I love going places without power" and everything in between.

So, I bought a battery pack system.  I'm not going to go into brand and model details on the blog (if you have questions, throw me an email) but I FINALLY have a powerful, fast and portable flash system!

Which brings us back rather neatly to the beginning.  Now that I have quality w/s wherever I go, my ideas have started to change completely.  I'm looking forward to shooting more location based portraiture and concepts.

walking with the blad

Today was one of those days where nothing was lined up.  It was rainy, miserable and quite foggy.

I had my blad already loaded so I threw it in my small pack, along with my light meter and an extra roll.  After I was all packed, I threw on my trusty trekking shoes and weather gear (aka my bright orange jacket - yes it's thomasdagg colours...) and met up with Erin Leydon.  She's a recent grad from OCAD, and a fellow filum lover.  

Here are a few frames from the roll of HP5 showing Toronto by the water in the fog.  On a related side note, I really love my blad for stuff like this. 

I also felt like attaching a frame from North Bay that was on the same roll.  I liked the contrast of shops and rolling hills.  

I can't wait to talk about some style related gear I picked up recently.  The next blog post will involve it so stay tuned!  

Easter visit

 My parents came down to visit this weekend for Easter.  They went to see a show at Canon Theatre this afternoon, so I am finally able to write this blog post/show some non-contrived portraiture.

I took these two photos yesterday at different times of the day.   They both love the balcony.  It's oddly suiting that the chair they are sitting on is an old fold up they gave to me when I moved out.

I prefer having a concept and working through my ideas before shooting, but I'm definitely starting to appreciate the spontaneous light, pose and subject matter that more documentary work brings.  I will be shooting way more of it this summer, I'm sure.

You've seen enough of my Dad on here I'm sure, but I hope you enjoy both.  Especially the one of my rarely-in-front-of-a-camera mother :-).

Exciting news is coming this week fingers crossed!  Stay tuned...

post two

Day two (yesterday) went really well.

We shot mostly inside, but had a few shots to do a few hundred feet from the campus, which was awesome.  I managed to snap this photo (during a break outside) of one of the campus buildings up here.  Imagine this style architecture in the middle of a deep valley, surrounded by a forest, a mini lake to the south(with it's own island) and rolling hills.  It has the looks of a 1970s Bond villain's evil lair...

It has such a sweet feel to it.  I wish I had a 4x5 camera, tripod and some time up here to shoot it corrected and from other cool angles.  It's quite the bummer.

BUT, I do have some exciting news in the next week (hopefully) or two!  Stayed tuned for that and maybe a few photos from our last day up here!

North Bay post one

Hello from North Bay!

Nothing here has really inspired me to take any photos yet (not that I've had any time to), but I did snap a few photos on our way up.  It was a constant battle between snow, wind, hail, whiteouts and rain... but we made it up safely yesterday, and finished our first shoot day today.

Here are a few photos from the trip north.  It was so beautiful in places, I had to take photos through the windshield and passenger window.

I love this area.  It brings back visions of my childhood.  I have so many memories of camping in our tent trailer, running around in the bush and going on wolf howls.

I brought my blad up, and actually started a roll this evening.  If any turn out, they'll be posted here first.

right shoe

This is my right indoor football/soccer boot.  As always, click the image to bring up the actual, larger image.

I have a fascination with objects that have been used, worn and appreciated.  Whether it's sports gear, clothing or camera gear, the signs of wear create intrigue and depth; a layer of interest beyond that of the object itself.  I'm a sucker for it.

There's also my love for objects designed with a specific purpose in mind.  Thought, time and evolution has created this shoe, and although it's not the top of the line, I still couldn't play indoors to the best of my abilities without it.  Each scuff has a story - whether it's from taking a pass, shooting or being fouled...

Yet as I post this, it's use is diminishing...  Spring is here and soon I'll be playing with my outdoor boots (that is, until fall rolls around again).

Getting back into soccer has made me remember my life before photography.  It was filled with sports.  Although finding ways to creatively push myself has taken over my life, I find myself thinking more and more about how I used to push myself physically.  I'm excited to pursue both now however, and I look forward to combining them more often in future projects.

I've been playing around a lot more with subtle light as well.  I might post a few more product shots up.  BUT, if you have an interest in something,  send me an email.  I'd love to do some portraits of people doing something they love.  I need a subject that talks back... ASAP!

snapshots

The last week of March was good.  I've been working constantly almost the whole month. 

I am really looking forward to the break I have this weekend.  

I had a few minutes after a shoot this week to try a lens I've never tried before on a digi blad kit (it was the 35 f/3.5).  I love the 35mm focal length on a 35mm camera, it's the perfect mix of wide and normal for documentary and street shooting... but on medium format, it was too wide for the way I see most things.

I thought I'd throw up two photos from my experimental 25 foot walk. The first one, above, is Andrew B. Myers, a photographer over at Westside Studio.  As I came back in he was on the stairs smoking.  Had to snap one.  You can see it on their blog with links here.  

Also took a shot of across Ward St. in those 25 feet.

Anyways, small/random photo documentary(ish) update with a digi blad...  Next post soon.

house I grew up in

  

These are, more or less, the places I remember the most in the house I grew up in.

I visited my parents and their house back in Ottawa this weekend, and I got nostalgically (if that's a word) inspired.  Here are some of said places, shot on my iPhone and then posted.

I'll be updating you guys with the commissioned real estate portrait later this week, so stay tuned.