ellipsis…

2010 is coming to a close. this year has been a good stepping stone to the next with some fantastic new clients, a better grip on where things are heading, and a renewed sense of creativity. i’m excited to see what 2011 has to hold.

i decided over Christmas that it was time to purge a few of my cameras that i no longer use and pickup something that would serve as both a good everyday camera and possibly shoot some short films on. i never thought i’d be saying this, but i bought an Olympus; the E-P2 to be precise. i was chatting with a friend earlier this week and we both would have never imagined owning an Olympus camera (he has an E-P1). the images quality is really good. high-ISO may not be as good (or even close) to my D3 but it’s really not the purpose of the camera. and the best part, it’s smaller than my Hexar. i’m really enjoying shooting with it. it’s been in b+w mode for most of the time, though i just realized that LR3 doesn’t retain the b+w effect. anyways. here’s a picture of the always stylish Shiv.

Happy New Year everyone!!!! see you on the flip side.

i’ve had a roll of Fuji Velvia 100 sitting in my Konica Hexar for most of the year. figured that i might as well develop it and see what i’ve randomly shot this year. there were really only two things on it; a trip i took to Lake Louise with my dad and future brother-in-law, and a charity fashion show. maybe i’ll load another roll at the start of 2011 and see what comes out at the end. (funny how long it take to shoot a roll of 36 now…)

back in mid-October i was in Milwaukee for a weekend. an good friend of mine asked me to shoot her wedding, in Milwaukee. up till then my knowledge of Milwaukee was…. beer. a city i’ve never been to, why not? and thus, started my 60 hours in Milwaukee’s downtown core. the architecture is pretty cool i must say. everyone kept telling me to scout out the 5th Ward. cobble stone streets and old buildings with steal accents, locations were not sparse here. had a great time shooting the wedding, catching up with old friends i hadn’t seen in years and managing the biggest wedding party i’ve ever shot, 23!

i’m pretty sure i’ve watched the video below at least 2 dozen times already. no joke. i can’t get enough of it. i can never really appreciate the impact that Help-Portrait has during the actual event. i tend to have my attention on making sure everything is running smooth. and with this year having more people receiving portraits, i didn’t really stop to soak up the day. it isn’t until i watch the fantastic story telling of Mr. Steve Tan that i am really able to see the effect a picture can have.

i am always impressed with the calibre of people i get a chance to work with. from musicians, to makeup artists, greeters and hot chocolate backpackers, and of course photographers. one of my biggest joys during a Help-Portrait event is to see photographers so excited to give portraits. the enthusiasm, and huge smiles and laughter, and the eagerness to show subjects how amazing they look puts the biggest smile on my face. the first minute of the video is almost all photographers, i had to fight a tear or two the fist time i saw it.

Steph Forster, you continually amaze me with the relationships you build in the DTES, the paperwork and permits you can negotiate, and the pure drive you have to see us succeed. Help-Portrait Vancouver wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. we’d just be a bunch of camera geeks that need a lot of help. my amazing core team, Arne, Michael, Tony, Bernard & Leigh, you have taken Help-Portrait to a new level. i would have not been able to keep my sanity without you. Jennifer Ruth, thank-you so much for leading the makeup and hair team. i knew with the team in your hands we’d have a great group of artists to make people feel beautiful. Nelson, you booked so many acts for us! it was great! thank-you so much. watching you jam on the piano was so good. Mr. Danny Taylor, thank-you for stepping into lead the volunteers. thanks for also freezing your ass off for us. and to the brilliant Steve Tan, who’s videos allow me to really see the impact that Help-Portrait has, thank-you!

Help-Portrait Vancouver 2010 (Thank You) from Steve Tan on Vimeo.

the morning crew

the afternoon crew

Help-Portrait 2010 was amazing! here is the first video of many to come from the 2010 event. stay tuned for more!

Help-Portrait Vancouver 2010 from Steve Tan on Vimeo.