Random act of Photography

I went for a walk earlier with my camera of course.  At first I just wanted to scout some places I thought might be neat.  As I am walking around I hear someone say hello.  It was a woman probably in her 50's walking the 2 most adorable dogs.  It was quite obvious the women was challenged.  We started talking and walking and finally said goodbye, she was very sweet.  I plan to print these next 2 photo's and dropping them off to her.  Random acts of kindness definitely feel great.  Ok enough cheese, just thought I should load it on in case Suzanne decides to read at work again.  LOL.. ok pics...

Entries

So...  Some time ago I was awarded by Photographer's Forum Magazine as a finalist in the Best of College Photography Contest.  Can't wait to see my image published.  Their larger, more prestigious Spring Contest open to any and all amateurs around the world is closing for submissions tomorrow.  The following are images I've selected to enter.

A gift...

This is something I've been working on for the past month or so.  Decided to completely start from scratch last week.  Very happy with the decision.  I think it turned out great.  This is for my brothers wife's sister.  She was extremely generous with my mother a short time ago.  As a thank you my Mom asked is I would do this painting of her dog Maggie.  This is the 4th one I have done.  For some reason I really started to grasp the technique this time.  I look forward to the next one.  I had trouble locating a specific brush necessary for the technique.  Now that I have it (half way thru this piece) the difference is huge.  I plan on ordering a DVD collection published by a digital painter who is the best in the business.  Really looking forward to his lessons.  The only down side to this piece is that I won't get to see it printed on the canvas.  It's being delivered directly out West.  Oh well... I'll just have to do one of these for myself soon.

Maggie

Update to "Good Friday"

This is the next phase for this piece.  Getting happier and happier with how its turning out.  Pretty sure I know how I'm going to finish it, just need some new shots first.

Good Friday

This next image is something I've been working on for a while.  I still feel as though I have more work to do but I'm very happy with the start.  I belong to NAPP (national association for photoshop professionals) and received some amazing words from another member.  I can't believe what an impact all the positive feedback and critiques have had on my development.  I wouldn't be anywhere close to where I am without NAPP.  I owe them a huge dept of gratitude. 

"you couldn't have chosen a better image to represent the meaning of Good Friday. It is powerful and filled with action and remorse.. The chaos surrounding the light within... your colors and depth are amazing. Processing is beautiful, abstract,and filled with meaning".

This was written to me by one of the most inspiring artists I've ever seen, her work transcends comprehension.  Impeccably clean lines and form, her work is surreal.

Sailaboat's Work

Above is a link to some of her work on Flickr, you'll quickly realize what I mean.  And below is the piece that I am still working on.  Thanks to Sailaboat's words my vision for where I want this piece to go is much more focused.  I'll be sure to print the finished piece when I'm done.  Enjoy!

London ON, street walk...

This past weekend I went to London Ontario for the provincial basketball championships with my girls team.  We came away with the gold!!  Couldn't be more proud of them.  They absolutely blew me away.  I will be sure to post again with all sorts of pics.  This post is for the street walk I went on while I was there.  I couldn't believe the amount of graffiti in the downtown core.  It was completely covered.  Not a single brick untouched in any ally way.  I really couldn't help myself.  Enjoy!!

All this scene needed was a breakdancer and a massive ghetto blaster

JAM Basketball

So the other night I had a shoot with about 35 girls, all under the age of 13.  They were the girls from the club basketball team I help coach.  Talk about a room full of energy.  These girls are pretty amazing and have taught me a great deal over the season.  With Provincial Championships only a few weeks away we decided to due some individual shots as well as some team shots.  Needless to say I have a ton of editing to do over the next few weeks.  Here are the first few I've managed to get done.  It still amazes me how much I learn every time I take out my camera.  This was the first time I shot a group like this.  I have to say I'm very happy with how the images turned out.  However, I can't wait for next time.  I learned soooooo many little things as far as organization, posing and lighting when you have to bang out so many pics.  Regardless so far so good!!!

Abstract

So I absolutely love abstract art.  Lately I've been trying to incorporate some into my photography, obviously not through the lens but in post production.  So far it's turned out to be quite time consuming.  Very rewarding none the less.  I find myself continually going back to pieces and changes things here and there.  Makes me wonder how artists ever get to a point where they say "that's it, it's done".  Although I'm sure if food and shelter were dependent on finishing, that would change.  I am working on a huge piece that hopefully I'll be up for sharing some point soon.  I want to have it printed on canvas, it will span 3 (20"x20") panels, and look like one large image split up.  Should be awesome.  Over the summer the plan is to build a studio within my home.  I hope for it to be done to hang at the end of the summer.  The following are 2 images are abstracts I've done.  One is from a few months ago and the other is from today.

[Framed] Episode 8 Giveaway

This capture is of my niece Sophie.  This truly depicts her strong innocence and free loving personality.  Her gentle touch and look of intrigue is inspiring.  She is truly a joy to be around.  I took numerous shots over a 20 minute period on this day.  Those 20 minutes produced countless amazing shots to choose from.  This post is in response to [Framed] an amazing new resource for photographers.  Incredible how to videos from some of the industries best and a look into their personalities and how things work for them.  Please look them up on Facebook "[Framed] show", and check out their website.  www.framedshow.com

Portraits

Just on my spring break and thought I should share some portraits.  This past week could have been so well spent, instead I did next to nothing.  I'm sure I'll be kicking myself over the next few weeks.  This next set of photo's are from my first photo shoot.  Photographing people can be such an exillarating experience.  Having someone as photogenic as Stephanie, definitely helps make things easier.  Capturing that twinkle in the eye that completely reveals a personality is extremely rewarding.  Very soon I will be adding some strobes into my studio.  I can't wait for the endless creations they will allow for.

Pooch

I've taken many pics of dogs and other pets over the last year.  This is the first time in a studio type atmosphere.  I have a small at home studio that is slowly coming together.  Being a student definitely doesn't allow for having any fancy equipment.  I am finding that having less is teaching me more.  I force myself to use only manual modes.  Learning how to control every aspect gives consistency.  When I first started my skills with photoshop definitely out performed my ability with the camera.  Slowly but surely my skill with the camera is catching up.  These are a few pics I took of my girlfriends dog Gus.

JAM Basketball

For the better part of my life I was a die hard basketball player.  I ate, slept and breathed basketball.  Played a little University ball but then slowly my love for the game diminished.  Upon reflection almost 10 years later I realize there were many reasons that led to my leaving the game.  Ultimately it just stopped being fun.  I was only playing because that's what I was supposed to do.  That's what I always did.  When I finally left the game, that's exactly what I did.  I must have gone almost 5 years without so much as touching a ball.  This past September I ran into an old coach at one of the LU basketball games.  John asked if I would help coach a club team with him.  Without thinking I just said yes and gave him my number.  I was quite surprised by my answer.  Well I had no idea what I was in for.  I never imagined my return to the game would involve a group of 10-14 year old girls.  Johnny D in his long history as a coach has always managed to have very special groups of young ladies.  This crew is certainly no different.  I was blown away at the skill and dedication these young girls displayed.  I had always been a player and never a coach.  This new role has certainly been a challenging one.  Slowly but surely as time goes by my basketball mind is coming back.  I keep trying to recall all the different situations I found myself in as a player and more importantly what was going through my mind in those situations.  Our head coach is truly the face of dedication and hard work.  Often misunderstood by those who don't know him, is probably one of the most caring and inspirational people I've met.  It's a pleasure to work and learn with him.  His ability to teach the facts of life through basketball is unparalleled.  Of course like any great coach he never asks for anything in return.  This past weekend our girls were playing in a tournament down in Guelph and came home with the gold!!  Unfortunately I was unable to attend due to obligations with school.  Being the great kids that they are last night at practice they presented me with a medal.  I found myself with a perma-smile listening to them replay the overtime period which ended in a 2 point victory.  For many of these girls this was the first intense competitive battle they experienced.  Funny how it's been almost 10 years since my last competitive game.  Yet I could emphasize with these girls as if I had played in the game with them.  Being a part of this team has definitely been one of my highlights this year.

 Gold Medal

 Bantom Girls

Major Bantom Girls

...more for the school

Forgot these ones in the last post.

 LU Pool

 Outside the Ben Avery

School

The summer before last I decided to head back to school.  Under-ground contracting was very slow and it had always bothered me that I was unable to finish my degree the first time.  With very supportive parents I decided to go back.  What a difference it is to be in school as an adult.  I never realized how beneficial a little life experience could be.  I cannot lie it was no spring picnic in the beginning.  Breaking rock and learning the laws of economics are with out a doubt 2 completely different worlds.  Thankfully after my first term I was able to switch into a program much more suited for me.  Commerce to Health Promotions.  2 TOTALLY different worlds once again.  The mentality, energy and personality on the other side of campus blew me away.  I instantly felt comfortable in my surroundings.  Not to long ago an amazing opportunity came to me.  During a meeting with the director of my program, the love I have for photography came up in conversation.  I am now doing an independent study for credit based on photography.  I am doing a paper on the "photo essay".  This paper will be almost be a "step by step, how to".  The director I am doing this for is hoping to be able to use my paper as a standard for a possible "project" option in one of her upper year classes.  Talk about being excited.  When ever you are able to add a little extra purpose to something you are passionate about, I say take it.  Of course a long with the written paper will be examples of photo essays that I am presently creating.  My supervisor was interested in me creating an essay on the School of Human Kinetics.  In order to fulfill the criteria of a photo essay I am supposed to create emotion in the audience.  In order to promote the school in an uplifting and exiting way, I have been searching out images that have that "WOW" factor.  This particular essay may not tell a traditional story but in the end will definite promote all the school has to offer.  The following are a few images I have taken so far.

 The Active Living Center for Students

 Men's Basketball Action

 The library after a fresh snowfall

 Rock climbing in the Active Living Center

Has cold ever looked so beautiful?  Flawlessly groomed X-Country ski trails on campus

Personal Work

So I am definitely still riding the high of last week.  Getting recognition for something you have worked for, is so rewarding.  At this point in my photography career everything I've created has been for myself.  All personal work.  There are so many people out who neglect themselves.  They let family, jobs, drama or just life take up all of their time.  Sadly, I have to say I was certainly one of these people.  The years I spent as a fine dining chef, that is all I did.  Every aspect of my life was consumed by the restaurant.  My passion and love for food dwindled as the years went by.  I neglected myself a great deal over those years.  Whether or not your career coincides with your passion, I feel that it is pivotal to take time for yourself.  As my life as a photographer develops I will not make the same mistake twice.  There are many blogs of great photographers that I follow, I take in all the advice they give.  Personal work has brought me so far already, I vow right here.  To never let that work stop.
Speaking of personal work... This past weekend our city held a pond hockey tournament.  The pond is actually a massive lake that sits dead center in our city.  The organizer filled an entire bay with multiple mini-hockey rinks.  Stadium lights, vendors...you name it.  An unbelievable set-up.  I thought this would be a great opportunity to try some night-time HDR.  I believe it was Zack Arias (and countless others) who said in his DVD "chances are to get that shot right you are going to have to get dirty".  Pretty sure those aren't the exact words but something to that effect.  He also said by showing a potential client that you are willing to go to those lengths, the confidence they have in your ability will increase.  They will "trust your process".  Well since any and everyone is a potential client, my feeling is that it better show in your personal work.  I thought I was lucky the night I decided to shoot this shot.  It was relatively warm out, it was not snowing.  Then... I start trucking through snow that was knee deep.  Slipping on rocks, let me tell you that nice warm air changed drastically.  100' feet up with no coverage what so ever, that wind was crisp.  As so many have said before..."it was totally worth it".  I am very happy with the result.  This shot was panned with 4 shots, taking 5 exposures with each one.  Time is running out, gotta head to class.  Soon I will get to my school project which is the whole reason this blog started.

WHAT A DAY!!

I am trying to wrap my head around the last few hours.  Could it possibly be just a coincidence?  After all the thought and time it took for me to finally set up this blog that I choose today.  I went upstairs after playing with templates and wording in my profile to finally eat some food.  Well that still hasn't happened.  On the counter was a letter addressed to me.  I had let myself get foolishly disappointed that I had not heard back from a photography contest I had entered.  I was so confident that the work I had submitted was strong.  When entering contests like this the last thing you can ever do is to take them seriously.  It's impossible to know what the judges will be looking for from year to year.  The best you can do is make sure that all the technical aspects of your work are strong and hope for the best.  All of this being said, I was still pretty bummed out.  Finally accepting defeat and moving on... there sits the letter.  Sure enough one of my photo's has be selected to be a finalist.  The contest is held by the Photographer's Forum Magazine.  This year being the 31st Annual College Photography Contest sponsored by Nikon.  Some 14 000 photo's were entered from around the world.  My feelings around this are very weird.  Initially being so disappointed and now I can't believe I have made it this far.  Still a long ways from honorable mention or winner I am still happy.  Who knows this could turn out to be a winning photo.  I can't imagine how it will feel to see my shot printed in their hard-cover book.  Yes, that is right!!  As a finalist..  I GET PUBLISHED.  Can't get much cooler then that.  Now I am off to eat!!  Truly starving and feeling weak.  Oh... I guess I should put up the pic!!