Yesterday I went to the Beaches in Toronto early; at 7 am the sun is lower in the sky, making for dramatic lighting and shadows. I’m surprised there isn’t more flare in this image, since I was shooting into the sun.
Nikon N90s 35mm SLR, 28mm/2.8 Nikkor lens with 25A red filter
Rollei Retro 80s film, developed in Rodinal 1+50, 14 minutes @ 20 C
Today’s image comes from last weekend: I had my Lensbaby Composer with the Sweet 35 Optic mounted on my Nikon N90s 35mm SLR (a camera which more than one passerby has mistaken for a DSLR). I was drawn to the contrast of the curved graffiti lines over top of the straight lines of this alley garage door.
Nikon N90s, Lensbaby Composer with Sweet 35 Optic
Film: Rollei Retro 80s, developed in Rodinal 1:50 for 14 minutes.
I was out shooting at the Beaches yesterday. and one of the lens I was using was the Lensbaby Composer with the Double-Glass optic. The narrow “sweet spot” of focus in the middle results in a miniature effect, to my eyes at least. In actuality I was at least 40 yards away from the gazebo.
Nikon F3 35mm SLR, Lensbaby Composer with Double-Glass optic
Ilford Delta 400 film developed in TMax developer 1:4 for 6.5 minutes @ 20C
Negative scanned and post processed (contrast/vignette) using 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 call this post About Face for multiple reasons. Firstly, after months of shooting black and white, or colours muted by a seemingly endless winter, I wanted to do an about face and shoot some bold, vibrant, highly saturated, over the top colour. Secondly while I still shoot a lot of film, I felt like doing something shamelessly digital, not trying to emulate a film look at all.
Lastly, this post is called About Face as a tribute to the model Jennifer Bettencourt, who consistently delivers great facial expressions, whenever we work together! (Jennifer is multi-talented: she is also the singer on the demo version of a song from my Blitzed musical I am writing. )
Nikon D7100, 18-200 lens, Illumination via Nikon SB600 flash and Lightsphere Diffuser.
Post work done in Adobe Lightroom and Nik Color Efex 4
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 