Today I’m posting one more image from Bluffer’s Beach on January 1st, 2017. It was originally shot in black and white (the only film I had with me), but the image really didn’t work that way, so I added so hand tinting with pencil crayons to a inkjet print.
Nikon F2, 28mm/2.8 Nikkor lens
JCH StreetPan 400 @ E.I. 320
developed in HC-110 dilution B for 5 minutes @ 20 C
Hand-tinted print
Museum Subway Station, Toronto.
Nikon F2, 50mm/1.4 Nikkor lens
JCH StreetPan 400 film @ E.I. 320
developed in HC-110 Dilution B
This image is from our trip to Niagara On the Lake this past weekend. It was a gazebo, so I had to shoot it, but to me the woman stretching out in front gives the image a slightly different, almost surreal aspect; it would be a very different image without her.
Nikon F2, 28mm/2.8 Nikkor lens
Eastman 2366 film, E.I. 10, developed in Xtol 1+1 for 10 minutes @ 20 C
I had the pleasure of working with two very talented women recently. Katherine Matthews designs knitting patterns, and readers of my blog will recognize model/musician Jennifer Santos Bettencourt from previous posts. A lot of the photos I took for this shoot were close-up, in order to showcase the detail in the knitting pattern, and the level of detail in the shawl being showcased was quite impressive — I could learn a lot from Katherine regarding attention to detail! (Note: You can see Katherine’ pattern, and more images here.)
And of course working with Jennifer is always a pleasure — she understands that posing/modelling is like acting and choreography, and requires a lot of focus and awareness. It is certainly not a matter of just standing there waiting for the shutter to click.
It was also great to see how well the Jennifer and Katherine collaborated, and there was talk of future work together, so stay tuned!
Nikon F2, 85mm/f1.8 Nikkor lens
Kodak Portra 400 film, post production with Lightroom and Nik Efex
As I mentioned on Facebook yesterday, the Cherry Blossoms in High Park did not have a banner year in 2014, which left a lot of photographers and other visitors desperately looking for colour. A Magnolia tree became an instant magnet, and was surrounded by a crowd. While this image was shot on black and white film, I thought it might be interesting to add a pink tinge in post, to bring back some colour.
Nikon F2, Lensbaby Composer with Fisheye Optic, Rollei Retro 80S film developed in Rodinal 1:50 for 14 minutes @ 20C, Post processed with Nik Silver Efex Pro 2
There were a lot of disappointed photographers in High Park, Toronto today. The blossoming of the cherry blossoms was pretty much a bust this year, due to the very cold/late spring. Luckily there is no shortage of alternate subject matter available. As I continued my fisheye kick, I tried out the LensBaby fisheye optic (mounted in the Composer) on a film camera: my Nikon F2, loaded with Rollei 80s film. On the full frame 35mm I almost get a complete circle. I quite like the result. 🙂
Nikon F2, Lensbaby Muse with Fisheye Optic, shot on Rollei Retro 80s film, developed in Rodinal 1+50 for 14 minutes @ 20C
I am writing this blog post from the backstage dressing room of The Crucible, as we await the start of our last performance, so I thought another backstage portrait would be an appropriate subject. This is Annie, at fifteen the youngest member of our cast. She is a remarkable, talented young actor who combines wisdom beyond her years with the spirit and enthusiasm of a child; as such she is perfect for the role of Betty Parris.
(Nikon F2, 50mm/f1.4 Nikkor lens, Tri-X film at E.I. 800, developed in Diafine 3+3)
I don’t know what it is about being by the water that gets people to stop and contemplate. maybe we are unconsciously communing with our distant ancestors who lived in the sea before evolving to live on land?
(Nikon F2, 105mm/f2.5 lens, Tri-X film)
Over the last few years I’ve noticed more and more “human statues” at Yonge and Dundas in downtown Toronto. I’d say this is a pretty tough way to make a living: it requires a lot of concentration, and I am sure some passersby will do their best to break their pose.
(Nikon F2, 105mm/f2.5, Tri-X developed in Xtol 1:1)
Yesterday I had the pleasure of doing a photo shoot with Michael James. I first met Michael last year when we were both in The Alexander Showcase Theatre’s production of Man of La Mancha. Michael is a fun guy to work with: a great sense of humour, and also a lot of depth and thoughtfulness. My job as a photographer is to capture that, and I’d like to think I did.
I used the Nikkor 85mm/1.8 lens on my Nikon F2, using Kodak Tri-X film; I can see myself coming back to this combo again, especially for male portraits!
My Third Eye 