News-Blog 2009
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January 3, 2009
Allan Gardens.
Toughed it out with a hard day of creatives and ended up at Allan Gardens in downtown Toronto. My camera fogged up for a while as I came into the greenhouse from minus 6 outside and the only good thing about that was it gave me time to defrost before snapping away. I shot a wedding formal at this location last summer and didn't quite get a good look around. Great place for some creatives and enjoyed watching other photographers shoot away at some beautiful tropical plants.
January 4, 2009
I had a much needed lazy afternoon listening to music and watching tv. Every 10 minutes a flock of at least a hundred pigeons would fly in unison from a rooftop to some bare trees not more than a hundred yards apart and back again, just skimming by my windows each time. Being in a corner unit I could see their curious flight patterns repeated on and on all day. I thought many times that they would come right through my window (let alone leave a streak of sh*t) but they seem to have the flight pattern all figured out and have great directional control of their waste.
January 7, 2009
I had to take my work horse lens (Sigma 24-70 2.8) in for repair and was using my street lens (50mm) for the last couple of days. I really enjoy this lens not just because its small and light but tack sharp as well. Decided to take a quick stroll through High Park and found an interesting perpective. Not my usual lens for the park but made me think twice about certain shots and it definitely made me move around a lot more than usual to get a shot. Hmmm...maybe the right lens to use right after xmas and all that extra weight.
January 11, 2009
Edward Gardens.
I was able to get some nice shots today. Although the weather was cold, there was hardly any wind and that made it bearable. I only wish I'd brought my tripod but I guess thats what will make me go back sooner than later. I also think some kind of snow pants would have helped as my jeans were wet right up to the knees trudging through all the snow.
January 18, 2009
I had a busy week and needed to get out and shoot badly. The weather was slightly below zero with no wind and Toronto had a good dumping of snow over night. So...once again it was off to Edward Gardens.
I'm amazed at the smoothness of the D700 with the Sigma 24-70 2.8. Everytime I transfer the images to my computer and do 100% crops, the quality just blows me away every time.
I had snow up to my thighs for this shot and believe it or not I was quite comfortable. I took about 30 shots within 15 minutes and probably could have stayed a while longer except nature was calling and the situation was beginning to be "touch and go".
February 8, 2009
Queen Street West.
The weather finally warmed up to a balmy one degree Celsius above zero. Decided to do some street shooting at Queen Street West and came across this homeless man begging for a quarter. I offered him a dollar and asked if I could take a picture of him and he declined. Then he asked again for a quarter and I said I would give him a dollar but only with a picture. He gave me this look and I braced myself ready for some serious retaliation. Then after a tense moment of him staring at my camera with great difficulty he accepted the dollar and I was able to snap a picture. As you can see he was not happy with the negotiations.
February 14, 2009
There is a very small and old Jewish Cemetery that I pass each time I drive to Blockbuster and decided today to take a closer look. The outer walls stand 10 feet tall so you cannot look in and the only door to enter is completed rusted and chained shut. I did manage to peak through a hole in the door which was probably where one of the old locks use to be and saw numerous tombstones crammed together almost leaning on one another. Anyway I thought this made for an interesting shot.
February 16, 2009
St John's Norway Cemetery
I had never been in this cemetery although I have passed by driving on many occasions. I came away with a few keepers and especially liked this one. As easy as it was to pick up the little angel and move it for a more staged shot, I left it as is and lied on the cold wet earth to capture this image.
March 1, 2009
Decided to go to High Park after some city walking in downtown Toronto. It was cold and windy and I didn't last more than half an hour but I did manage one interesting shot.
I hate to say it but I'm losing my battle against the cold and I need to go somewhere warm...no hot, NOW!!!!
March 6, 2009
Metropolitan United Church
The weather in Toronto skyrocketed to a balmy plus 14 degrees celsius and I thought it would be a great day for some street shooting. Colette and I decided to stop by this church in downtown Toronto and it made for a pleasant surprise. We were guided on a special tour of the Carillon and we also were treated to a beautiful piece of music from the Carillonneur. This keyboard which basically controls the 54 bells takes enormous strength above musicianship as the keys are played with your fists. Oh and don't forget about those pedals. It truly is remarkable to hear someone play this instrument as well as watch them.
March 6, 2009
Metropolitan United Church
To get to the upper level of the tower and the carillon, as well as the roof, you have only this tight spiral staircase to get you there (slightly easier coming down). It was dark and the steps as you can see from the picture were only 8 inches at the wide end. There are approximately 250 steps to get to the roof and I can tell you my legs and phobia had one heck of a work out. It was well worth it and definitely got some great shots for the portfolio.
March 7, 2009
Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Always seem to come away with at least couple of keepers no matter how many times I have been here. Today was a bit tougher (rain, tired, hungry, sore ankle) but I did manage a couple yet again.
Here's one straight out of the camera.
How did I do it? Its NOT the multiple image feature like the picture above.
March 21, 2009
Great fashion shots from the beautiful model Annie from Pickering, Ontario.
Thanks to the wonderful stylist Tia for an excellent job and some serious BIG hair!!
Thanks to Colette for assisting as well as some behind the scene shots.
And lastly a special thanks to Aaron Mason for his fabulous studio.
March 21, 2009
More fashion on this day wth the cute and lovely model Elly from Toronto.
Great make up and hair by Nicole who contributed her DJ skills on my iPod to rock the shoot!
Thanks again to Colette and Aaron Mason.
Hey Elly, ease off on the karate at least a few days before the shoot. Ha!
March 22, 2009
Another stroll down Queen St West and came across this cute dog waiting patiently for its master. It had the tip of its tongue comfortably sticking out of its mouth as I snapped a blind shot holding my camera close to the ground. I shot 4 frames in rapid succession with the focus point slightly left of centre and lucked out with one.
It definitely pays to practice shooting without looking through the viewfinder.
March 28, 2009
Baptismal Celebration for beautiful Tristan. He was very quiet throughout the ceremony and very brave as I took this shot. He probably thought it was bath time.
On a camera note. My D700 continues to amaze me in its high ISO low light capabilities. This shot was at ISO 2500 and not only is the noise at a minimal but the colours are held close to their true value.
March 28, 2009
Strolling through the Distillery District on this balmy Saturday afternoon and snapped this beautiful shot of Colette. I was about ten feet behind her usual fast pace walking and told her on my que to turn and look at me quickly.
I test myself and my camera on occasion with these exercises and today was perfect on the first and only attempt.
March 28, 2009
See above thread regarding this video.
Thats it! One shot!
Video by the International Man of Mystery (see below).
March 28, 2009
Maybe its just me but the hilarity of this shot just kills me. I don't think I can explain but maybe there's no need to. Don't stare at him too long as you will either laugh your *ss off or fall prey to his seduction.
(On a side note, thats my brother John. I've known him 40 years and I've never come across this look. You can bet it probably will never be duplicated again by him as well.)
April 14, 2009
Top of Parque Central Hotel in Havana.
I'm tuned in to Paul Desmond's beautiful saxophone through my iPod as I sip the strong robust cuban coffee. It's 9am and it is already 27 degrees. Colette and I arrived late last night and are ready to take to the streets of Old Havana today (check new Merrell's). No computer and no cell phones, just 20GB of compact flash cards to document all of Havana's colour, people, and culture.
I walked approximately 25km per day and took over 1000 pictures to capture this beautiful city. I have put my personal favourites in the Havana category under Portfolio or just click on this link.
http://www.louephoto2.com/gallery/8015534_wTaar#521416961_HxKzG
Enjoy! Viva Cuba!
April 14, 2009
One of the many unique characters in Old Havana. This guy definitely scared the sh*t out of me but interested the sh*t out of me as well. I kindly asked for a portrait shot in broken Spanish while pointing at my camera. He obliged for one CUC (There is a close up his face in my Havana portfolio).
April 15, 2009
There were many stray dogs and cats strolling the streets as if they owned the city. They slept where they wanted, they sh*t where they wanted, and they shagged when and whom they wanted. This cute little kitten was hanging out in a cafe escaping the heat and cooling its paws on the tile floor as I snapped a few.
April 16, 2009
After a couple of days of filling our compact flash cards with the beauty of Old Havana, Colette and I decided to take a day trip to Cayo Largo. It was a beautiful day and we set off at 5am to fly to our destination.
Once we arrived at Cayo Largo our small tourist boat took us first to Iguana Island. This place was amazing and the iguanas were absolutely amazing to photograph. I used my 70-200 2.8 but didnt really need it as these guys were not afraid of anyone and you can stand a couple of feet in front of them and they would not move. One even hissed at me as I proceeded to get closer and that was it for me as I ran back to the boat.
How the heck did the iguana's get here?
April 17, 2009
Old Havana and all those cool classic cars!! I did notice a lot more modern cars this time around in Cuba though and wonder how long before these classics are replaced. With the optimism of Obama and the possibility of lifting the embargo maybe these cars and photographs will only be a memory.
April 17, 2009
No matter how many times you walk down the same streets there is always something or someone new to shoot. Colette and I usually took either O'Reilly or Obispo Streets back to the hotel and came across this cute boy at his doorstep. You have to be quick with these guys as they are not only very shy from tourists with big cameras but their parents are close behind protecting their children from everyone.
