In Flight

I was browsing through some older images this morning and the thumbnail for this one caught my eye.  It's a photograph of the Canada Geese display at the Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto. It was an ok image - but by using some techniques that weren't available when I photographed it (2002) created a much more interesting image.

Digital photography has evolved into something much greater than traditional photography. The endless possibilities have enabled the modern photographer to take their creativity further than ever before.  

Industrial Robotics: Challenges

Large scale industrial robotics photography has many challenges.  In most cases, these items are too large, or valuable, to dismantle and bring to the studio, so we have to bring the studio to the client.
This 'machine' was assembled and tested in the client's manufacturing facility. It had to be photographed where it stood.
In other words - concrete floor, bad (fluorescent) lighting, dust, steel beams, a chip-board (un-painted) background and reflections of other machinery, tools, lights, etc. reflected not only in the glass, but also in the steel and aluminum frame of the unit.
This was photographed using 3 strobes and 2 speed-lights.  Post production work included reducing or eliminating glare and reflections to the point of rebuilding some of the structure frame within the image, close-cropped to insert a graduated background, slight perspective control, improve contrast and then optimized for print and web.

KIDS HELP PHONE - MILITARY EDITION!

Today we captured the final instalment of the 'Guns & Hoses Challenge' for the upcoming Walk for Kids Help Phone on May 2nd in Barrie. Of course, not to be outdone by our 'civilian forces' our troops from Canadian Forces Base Borden were quick to take up the challenge as well.
It was great photographing these fine soldiers as they are from the same unit my Dad belonged to when he was a member of the Armed Forces - the Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (E.M.E.). Back when my Dad was in the unit, it was called the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (R.C.E.M.E.). This particular group consisted of Weapon Techs and we photographed them in front of one of the historic cannons at the Canadian Forces School of Electrical Mechanical Engineers (CFSEME).
Thanks guys for a great shot to help out a great cause!!

Cheers

KIDS HELP PHONE #2

And to take up the challenge of the Barrie Police for the Walk for Kids Help Phone on May 2nd, we have today's contenders, the Barrie Fire Department! These guys look more than ready to meet the challenge - don't you think!?

Click here for more information or to get involved with the Walk for Kids Help Phone.

I found a great way to keep in touch with friends, family and customers. I've been wanting to print some greeting cards to do this, but the minimum orders are huge, I can only use one photo (or one collage of photos) per card and they can't be individually customized. That's where SendOutCards came in. They allow me to choose from thousands of Greeting Cards or I can create my own with my own images! I can send one card out at a time, or to multiple recipients. And each card can be customized including my own hand-writing!

I liked the system so much, I bought the company!! Nah.. just kidding - but always wanted to say that. So instead, I've become a Distributor and now not only can I use the system (all online by-the-way and very easy to use) but I can sign people up to do the same - AND - YOU can earn some extra money too!

Check them out at SendOutCards.com. You can sign up directly using my Distributor (ID) number, 99639, or if you'd like more information or to try a free card, please contact me directly.

Cheers!

WALK for KIDS HELP PHONE, MAY 2, 2010

Today I'm proud to participate in a very worthwhile cause, the Walk for Kid's Help Phone taking place on May 2nd, 2010 all across Canada, including right here in Barrie.

As part of the event, there will be the "Guns & Hoses" Challenge featuring the men and women that serve our community in so many ways. This photo is the first group that we photographed - the Barrie Police Service - featuring the Police Chief himself along with four of his posse. Visit again to see who else is taking up the challenge!

Click here for more information or to get involved with the Walk for Kids Help Phone.

Photo-shoot at Pantages Hotel, Toronto

Had a great time in Toronto last week photographing the Cosmopolitan and Pantages Hotels. I've uploaded a few of the image to my facebook gallery under the Commercial Album if you'd like to take a look. Celebrities such as Elton John and Queen Latifah have stayed in the Penthouse Suites of the Cosmo and they both have some amazing rooms, spa and architecture to photograph. And no, I didn't get to stay in the Penthouse suite! :(

Doll Face

What a sweetheart! Channing came in for her portrait this week and what a pleasure to photograph. The entire session lasted about 15 minutes, tops, but in the that 15 minutes we had an amazing amount of keepers considering she is only 11 months old. This is one of my many favourites.

Tiffany & Sean's Engagement Portrait

What an amazing location!
I travelled to Tazewell, Virginia (USA) over Christmas to photograph Tiffany & Sean's Engagement portrait.
This image is one of my favourite and works extremely well in B&W. On Tiffany's father's farm is a this amazing tree and what a great 'prop' for the photo-shoot.
Copper & Coal (their Black & Chocolate Labs) were semi-cooperative and we managed to get a few great images with them too. They didn't sit still long though. It was quite the hill we climbed on the ATVs (thought I was going to go off backwards with my equipment on my back!) but well worth the effort. With any luck, during the wedding next July, we'll return to the tree for some great wedding photographs.

Cheers Tiffany & Sean. You guys were awesome to work with.

Fallen Giant

Tiffany & Sean were gracious enough to allow me some time to photograph this amazing tree (guess they could see me drooling at the prospects). The deep contrast between the sky and tree made this one of my favourites. The trunk was large enough to accommodate the couple as well as the two dogs, which didn't have any trouble running up and down it.