Sunday, July 5, 2009

Spring Flowers


With Spring comes of course flowers; the most photographed subject matter.
When they bloom I can't resist. Last year I missed the short bloom window but not this year. My first Iris picture was way to colourful so I simplified the beauty of the flower by treating it as a black and white and of course intimate with my proximity to the flowers . The obvious is not so prevelant but becomes a study of light, shadow, texture, line, shape, form, and most of all the composition. The obvious transforms into something else revealing the essence of it's beauty. The poppy also becomes an array of flames of orange. The challenge in good photography is to capture more than the obvious, allowing an inviting dance for the eye to study and appreciate the image while trying to figure out the subject matter.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

April Fools Snow Day


The early April snow storm caught a few of us by surprise ...even this Maple tree ! Although I'm sure it's used to it after so many years!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

More Kitchen Art

Last month I mentioned to post more of Diane Smith's Kitchen Art. Well, this week I had the opportunity to do another assignment for Diane at Jef and Barry's home this week. A true work of "Kitchen Art"! A professionally designed kitchen requires an image to portray exactly that! By highlighting all the elements involved. From the designer, the service, the product and of course the installers' craftmanship.
Good kitchen art is like baking a cake.

The right ingredients of shutter speed, aperture, daylight from the windows, strobe lights and existing incandescents; to give the kitchen some warm, golden light (a kitchen should always look warm and inviting). Lots of test shots and realigning the viewpoint and light sources while trying to balancing and juggle a perfect blend of the ingredients during tests. This is where patience is required and the heat is cranked up ...the creative process or the alchemy of professional photography. So if you can't stand the heat , get out of the kitchen!
The toughest part for this assignment was to create enough of a reflection in the dark wood without washing it out too much while showing off the wood colour and detailing. Hint: The secret ingredient is white sheets of foamcore.

Jef and Diane take a moment for a designer/customer testimonial photo.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Rocking the Competitions


Here's a new series of photographs that have won awards in both Applied Arts Magazine's 2008 Annual Competition in the conceptual series category and also in the creative digital category for Nature's Best Windland Smith Rice International Awards Competition.
Here are a few of the award winners and artist's statement.


“Rock of Ages”

"Rock of Ages" is a fine art series of depicting the three-billion-year old-Precambrian Shield . The rock was liquefied by forces of extinct volcanoes and tectonic pressures and scraped clean of ancient mountain ranges by two-mile-thick glaciers. Time and weathering reveal these powerful forces of energy at play. By mirroring abstract patterns and shapes in the rock some form is given to those ancient forces as mythological creatures and symbolic representations of the earth’s antiquity and energy.

To a keen pair of eyes and a still mind, the rock’s surface is engraved with the wrinkles and scars of permanence that are a result of natural forces from within the earth.

Also known as the Canadian Shield, it has an abstruse nature; its shape has the appearance of a warrior’s shield which evokes mythical imagery of an era lost in the earth’s origins.


In this series of concepts, I have attempted to create form with my perceptions of the rock while characterizing the antiquity of our earth. I start by utilizing existing elements of light and shadow, line, texture, patterns and shapes to capture an original abstract image. Through the use of Photoshop, I simply mirror the abstract image to give it form with reflective symmetry.


Mythological creatures, ancient structures, symbolic animals and primeval human forms with some earthy recognition immediately emerge from these images. There is a familiarity with these conceptualizations--as if they trigger our childhood imaginations or are understood as a result of our inherent connection with creation.

The symmetry seems to connect with our subconscious need for order in the chaos of nature. The images evoke in me a curiosity or wonder where the analytical mind becomes hampered and the playful imagination awakens. They are a like a mirror to reflect on the earth's past--and on our--future. It is permanent and will always exist, long after its current inhabitants have disappeared.

To recognize that this earth is a living, breathing entity of energy that is billions of years old and that all species are dependant on it for our survival is a reminder to contribute respectfully and react with responsibility. We play a significant role as caretakers even though we are temporary guests.

* The “Rock of Ages” photographs are available as a limited edition of 10, in both black and white and color, printed as giclĂ©e on canvas.

Size: 20x30 inches Price: $550.00 ea.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Model for Hire


As a father and photographer I'm like a cobbler with shoeless children or at least I feel like that at times. But alas! When the proper elements align themselves like a dusky sky with traces of cloud, a daughter who actually didn't have any sport practice or game for the next hour plus an inspired father/photographer (notice which one came first); the creative process evolves. After about 40 jumps on our backyard trampoline, a warmed up but yet relaxed mood from both of us, the balance of the skylight as a subdued BG, the flash and the drag of a slower shutter, to brighten and create a halo type soft edge, juxtaposed with Kristin's blend of action, a little direction on my part, and voila, the creative juices flow. Many years of practice from both of us allowed the opportunity to blend and weave the talent we each have towards our passions of expression. I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree?

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Last weeks winter wonder!


The three day freeze after last weeks’ thaw made me feel like a kid so I ran home and dusted off my skates. Good thing my blades were still sharp. There's nothing like a farmer's field where the ice was smoother than glass. At first it was a bit tense but after awhile we got used to the moans and cracking sounds.

"Live the moment…and let infinity reveal itself!

Do something different…"

Cooper Moores did!

Snowboard Action






Eight years of skiing at Whistler, photographing a few World Cup races and various mountain sports gave me the professional edge to produce cutting edge images. It means staying in top shape, being able to read the weather, having the right angle and taking a few calculated risks. It's about truly expressing the excitement, thrill, and pure adrenaline that's involved. You no longer think about it, you act instinctively. Photgraphy of this nature is the same. "Use the camera as an extension of your perceiving body ...make it an appendage; a part of you." That's what my film studies teacher Bruce Elder used to stress. Here's some dynamic snow board shots taken at Moonstone; which has the best riders and best terrain Park this side of Whistler. Capture the essence by going where the best elements present themselves.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

More Kitchen Art




Here's a few more of Diane Smith's kitchen designs and many more at www.cabinetsbykitchenart.ca

Kitchen Art












Diane Smith, designer extraordinare, asked me to photograph some of her clients' newly installed kitchens. The main use of these photos will be for her website to promote her products, services and of course her image..."semi custom & custom hand crafted contemporary, traditional kitchens at down to earth prices"
Here are some of the selects from the 1st two assignments. Stay posted to see more upcoming kitchen shoots for Diane and of course to her website once it's launched. Good Luck Diane!