Rayandra was one of the finalist in this seasons YTV young talent show called "Next Star". After listening to her sing, and viewing her proofs from the shoot, it's hard to imagine that she is only 14 years old. What wonderful opportunities she has before her to take advantage of her immense talent.
Last Saturday I participated in a portrait lighting seminar at Vistek put on by Toronto photographer Dave Black. It's always fun to be around other photographers, especially in a learning environment where there is an opportunity to test ideas and bounce them off others.
I did this work-up of 3 images on fellow participant Maliha. The first was using available light and a "normal" perspective. The second used a big studio softbox with the exposure set at the correct (measured with an incident light meter) aperture, plus a slightly elevated perspective. The third was over exposed by a couple of stops and I added a soft focus effect on the computer when I got home. Same model, same camera, same location and set up. Just goes to show how small changes can really change the mood of an image.
A few blocks from our home near Gage Park is a great Tex-Mex restaurant called "Poco-Loco". Not only do they have fantastic food, but their proprietor - Jorge - is such a wonderful host that it's always a pleasure to dine there.
Jorge asked for a framed print of yours truly to hang on the wall at Poco Loco, along with other local "celebrities". So I thought it was time for a new self-portrait....
I picked up buddy Ingy for Hamilton's monthly James North Art Crawl, and he surprised me by packing only his ancient Canon A-1 film camera. The best I could do in response was to use my trusty 105mm F1.8 manual focus portrait lens - a left over from my own Nikon F film days. It seemed only fair to post-process to black & white and add grain to simulate the Kodak Tri-X 400 ASA film Ingy was using. Oh, and to shoot with only available light as well. Mind you, I did have the advantage still of being able to use an ISO of 3200 on my modern digital Nikon...
Juliana was busking on the corner James and Canon streets with her amazing Bandura - a traditional Ukranian stringed instrument. Lovely!
Larry Strung is the photographer and author behind the Hamilton 365 project, completed on December 31st, 2008. In that project, a different individual in Hamilton was photographed each day of the year, and on the very day they were shot they were presented to the project website.
If you wish to see the original project, it is still on line at http://hamilton365.com.
Every photograph i see of this young women has a special quality resonating from it, must be that 'it' factor i hear so much about. Lovely work by you also, Larry.
I love the idea of re-usable items to make outfits!
Can I do a Rev. Wear themed fashion show @ my school?
I am looking for my brother that I have not seen in 25 years. I heard that your ay have taken a picture of hi or the news media ay have done an atricle on him. He lives on the street in Hamilton and sometimes other cities. His name is Tom Kelly (Tommy). If anyone has seen my brother or know his where abouts, I would be grateful for a reply. I am his baby sister and need to see him again before we leave this life! Thank you!
