Blog
While much of what I photograph is editorial and portrait driven. I do have a good side-line on custom interior photography as well.
This house (I didn’t shoot exterior, but know it looked like a typical suburban cookie-cutter house on the outside), was completely opened up by the addition of a glass central staircase. Where it is now, there used to be a semi-curved stair and a ugly, big white wall.
It’s cool to see how a few simple (yet expensive) renovations can transform a house, I have no doubt the folks living there have a reflected feeling of openness now, when they’re home. Though, a big reno like this really puts my little bathroom to shame.
Project by RND Construction
Jul 31, 2012 | Categories: Interiors | Tags: Architecture, Custom, Glass, Home, Interior, Interior Photography, Kitchen, Ottawa, Stairs | 2 Comments »
Proud to say I have a lot of contributions to the most recent issue of iRun.
I covered a few impromptu “fashion” shoots, with some very lovely ladies (hot mom’s really), and then the kids came out after. As expected, the women and little ladies were the easiest to shoot while the boys tried to kick over my camera, throw themselves in front of the group and all-around push and squabble in some display meant to get attention, thus is the life of an editorial photographer.
I also got to spend some time with Nutritionist Korey Kealey and her family, The kids prepared a bunch of snacks on their own and yes, I got some of those crackers she makes – which my kids are now hooked on.
Finally, we shot Julie for the cover. Julie’s fast – REALLY fast – but she was gracious with her time for our cover shoot as I made her run back and forth on a particularly hot and humid day
Thanks to iRun and their editorial staff for all the great work this month and it’s fun to get in front of so many different and talented people – I definitely appreciate it! There’s also a special *bonus* image over on Flickr from a core stretching exercise also in the issue.
Jul 26, 2012 | Categories: Editorial | Tags: Editorial, Health, iRun, Kids | 5 Comments »
Saturday’s Photowalk has come and gone. I was pleasantly surprised to find over 30 folks turn out (and many of them I didn’t know yet!). It’s the first walk that the main group walked WAY ahead of me, so far I had to tweet them to slow down. It was a beautiful day, full of colour and contrast, and I spent most of my time using my iPhone to capture shape and form.
But I figured I had to bring a good takeaway for all the participants, and one I thing I like to do that so many I know don’t is use strobes. It had been a while since I brought out the speedlights, but I wanted to show people how to do a quick balance of ambient exposure with flash, and then push the ambient down for drama. The image above is the result of using nothing more than two speedlights through a 28″ Westcott Apollo softbox. Triggered with Pocket Wizard Flex TT5’s (though an off-camera cord would have worked well too). Even if you don’t know what the products are, I wanted to show how to work in any kind of light, at any time of day. The camera, no-flash, version is below.
We ended up at Domicile’s Kavanaugh sales office, since they were the sponsors of the walk and had lots of yummy free pizza, how could we resist? It’s not like they were trying to pimp out condo’s either, just getting people out into a community they care about. Pretty cool stuff.
They have a facebook contest going on right now, if you’re in Ottawa there are some good prizes, and the hood is good enough for a stroll, even if I’m not there.
Jul 23, 2012 | Categories: Personal, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
My second cover assignment for Ottawa Woman, Carol Anne Chenard is a Fifa qualified referee on her way to the Olympics (marking my third Olympian photographed this year). Ottawa Woman prefers a more natural approach to the images they use, so I opt for soft light and locations on these editorial portraits with minimal post-processing instead of the more surreal heroic look I put into Michael for iRun.
The lead image of this post wasn’t used in publication, but I couldn’t resist showing off the soccer-ball glass window we found for the shoot. Cliché? Maybe. But It certainly makes it’s point. Thanks to David Hassar for the assist on this one and the people at Ottawa Woman for putting out a publication devoted to the leading ladies of Ottawa.
Jul 19, 2012 | Categories: Editorial, Portraits | Tags: Editorial, Fifa, Football, Ottawa, Ottawa Woman, portrait, Soccer, Woman | 1 Comment »
Hey there! Perhaps you’ve heard of photowalk I’ll be leading in Beechwood Village this Saturday July 21st. (if not, you can read about it on Metro here, and watch a TV interview I sleepily assisted on here. (note: I really do bring the fun)
If you have heard about the photowalk good for you! Maybe you’re coming along or maybe you’d just like to go on one yourself. Having done a few of these over the years I thought I’d give y’all a top 5 list of things to do on a walk:
Do bring some essential non camera equipment: hat, sunscreen, good walking shoes, water. We’re out for about 2 hours, it’s summer and it’s probably sunny (if it’s raining, also dress accordingly).
Do pack light. My first mistake on my first walk was to bring a backpack loaded with all my lenses, and I never used them! It’s not a popularity contest based on who has the most toys – we’re out for a fun walk with other photographers. Backpacks are for hauling gear, shoulder bags are great for shooting out of. My favourite bag right now is my Retrospective 30 from Think Tank Photo, but even it’s kind of big for a casual walk.
Do get out of your comfort zone. Use a lens you haven’t used in a while (or ever) shoot only with your iPhone, only with your left hand, only with film. I chose a time of day that’s known to have harsh “bad” light. And for natural light portrait photographers, that may be true, but it also presents the opportunity for us to focus on form and contrasts, light and dark especially. Maybe this is a good time to pracice balancing your off-camera flash with the ambient sunlight for some cool mid-day portraits…of people you don’t know 😉
Do socialize. We’re not entering these photos to National Geographic, we’re not looking for a pulitzer. We’re a bunch of people who love community in Ottawa and have a passion for taking photographs. Talk to someone new, ask them about their camera (be willing to answer questions asked of you), this is about sharing, and hanging out more than competition and prizes… oh, but there is a competition you know?
Do not miss the afterparty. We’re going to grab some free eats at the The Kavanaugh Sales Centre (they are hosting this event after-all) no condo-purchase obligation (but appreciated, I’m sure), and maybe even the after-after party at the Clocktower down the street!
If you have a few more tips of your own, leave them in the comments. Then register for the walk!
Jul 17, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Beechwood Villiage Photowalk
