I think I’ve mentioned before how so much of my portrait work is close-up; I am addicted to the biography (indeed the landscape) that is the human face. I have to force myself to pull back ever now and then, and let more of the setting into the story, or even become the story, as I think it does in this image of model Theresa in High Park.
A wavy fence in High Park really caught my eye, and I had to work it into a portrait!
Last night I had a great photo shoot with Shreeti, a Toronto model of Nepalese background. She brought a number of beautiful Nepalese outfits. I shot film (colour and black and white), some instant black and white with my Polaroid, and some digitals, one of which is today’s image.
I was truck by the intricacies of the outfits, and the eye for detail that Shreeti had for posing and arranging the outfits; she definitely made them sing!
This is another image with a theme about being conflicted about religion. It didn’t pop out when I was shooting, but when I looked at the image later, I couldn’t help but see baleful eyes, angry eyebrows, and a gaping maw, ready to devour. It reminds me of how fear has been an essential part of almost all religions since the dawn of humanity, with the message being worship me or die.
I like taking pictures of people on public transit here in Toronto, and as I have a long commute to work, I have plenty of opportunity! I take the pictures on the sly most of the time, and an iPhone is perfect for this stealth photography. I also like the look of the various Hipstamatic vintage effects. I don’t know for sure if this woman realized I was taking her picture, but I think she realized on some level that something was going on — her look is unsettling, and fascinating, and I like the random hand forcing its way into the image
Yesterday I had the pleasure of working with Rebecca Zur, in a park near Yonge St. / St. Clair Ave. in Central Toronto. Twenty minutes before the shoot was to begin, the heavens opened and there was a brief but intense sun-shower. Afterwards, the sun stayed out, and the air remained quite damp and steamy, but the light took on a soft, diffuse and magical quality, which made it perfect for the shoot/ (I was melting in the humidity, but that doesn’t matter :-)) . I shot Polaroid, digital and conventional film for this shoot, and I have chosen one digital and one Polaroid for today’s post, as the looks are quite different, but equally valid.
It has been quite awhile since I have seen non-expired colour infrared film available for sale. Black and white is easy to get, though not inexpensive, but not colour, so today I have a faux-infrared image taken with my iPhone using the Hipstamatic application. When I walk to from the bus stop to my office I pass large power lines and towers every day, and I am always struck by the lines and drama.
My day job is located in North Etobicoke in Toronto, and frankly it is not the most picturesque part of town. However, in the morning light there are things of interest I pass by every day, as I walk from the bus station to the office.
I am not a purist. While I love traditional film, I don’t get religious about it; I will use digital as well, when the situation calls for it. Today’s image is an example, shot with the talented and very creative model Emily Decoteau. I did use film as well for this shoot (currently hanging drying in my darkroom), but there is a certain kind of vibrancy in this image that I ascribe to the use of a digital camera. It will be interesting to compare this image to the film versions, and I suspect it won’t be better/worse, just different.
I love it when models come to a shoot with ideas — a good shoot is always a collaboration, and Miranda came not only with some amazing props (such as the broken garnet jewelry) but great ideas for unconventional poses (she was shot from above in this image).
One item of note: this is the second post in a row where I have featured a digital image (taken with a Nikon D90 camera). I wouldn’t call it a trend, but in this case, being able to show Miranda the shots immediately helped spur the creativity and refine ideas, which is never a bad thing.
My Third Eye 