night time explorations

After working seven days in a row due to a somewhat conflicting schedule I got together with Alex and Randy to do some night time shooting around Granville Island. It was good to get out and take pictures, especially after being inside all week and its always fun to visit the island after spending four years at school there. The whole intent of the shoot was to try out this method of zooming in/and/or out during an exposure to get some neat lines with the light. Although a fun experiment, I felt that my strongest shots from the night were from other endeavours. Perhaps it was just the wrong environment to try it in, though I'm sure I'll give it another go in the future. Here are some shots from that night.

*shoot notes

Dont even have to ask, the car picture is heavily edited. The Lamborghini also had an N sign on it.

I find with most night photography, there is a lot of colour spill and casts that were unwanted. A good technique I've found is just a desaturation mask, that way you still can keep a bit of the colour to make it look more natural.

All photos were taken with my cheapo $20 travel tripod and a $10 wireless remote to trigger the shutter. No need for fancy gear!

westin bayshore bridal shower

Continuing where we left off last week, my friend Anita asked me if I would be interested in shooting her sister, Amy's bridal shower. I agreed immediately only to think to myself after, what on earth do they do at bridal showers? After some googling and talking with my female co-workers I figured out what it was all about.

The day came less than a week after I found out about it on an exceptionally hot July day. I was almost certain I walked in that day with sweat running down my forehead and recall being so sticky I couldnt even squat all the way down. The event took place at the Westin Bayshore in a specious private room with wonderful large windows. I had to make quick work of all the decor and environment shots before Amy came in for the big reveal. The rest of the day was filled with lots of delicious food (home made macaroons, what!?) gift opening, and toilet paper dress making. I wish all the best to Amy and her fiance Mike for their wedding in September!

The balloons are actually made by Amy herself! Check out her company at http://confettiandco.ca/

*shoot notes

I was so glad to have those large windows filling the room with light! There was a little bit of mixed lighting going on from the rooms lighting, which luckily was very dim. Despite this, they did have their effect, casting a bit of blue with my white balance which was a little tricky to fix.

Dont forget to have fun! It can show in your photos.

yogi anita

Anita and I have been friends since fifth grade and it has been such an amazing journey not to only watch, but to be able to grow with her as well. Recently, her adventures have brought her to a place in which she decided to become a yoga instructor and having just completed her yoga training, she is now a full fledge yoga teacher! Not too long ago I had the opportunity to take some of her promotional photos and it was great fun. Here are some samples from that day.

*shoot notes

All photos were shot in her sisters apartment with the help of a home made foam core v flat for a fill.

Finally made a post of photos that are an accurate representation of the work that I love to do. The photos are light and warm and authentic to the moments they were captured in.

I didnt think that space would be that tight, so I only brought my 50mm. Luckily her sister has a DSLR with a kit lens and graciously lent it to me for the shoot. I'm a Nikon guy, and it was a Canon, although I had to switch over to the dark side half the time, I was very glad I had it.