Issue No. 11 - Fall 2015
Canada’s Premier Magazine for Professional Photographers
The Making of a
Three
STORIES
ACCREDITATION : STORIES TO INSPIRE YOU Alph Leydon Bruce Hendricks Jeffrey Wu
© Copyright PPOC
w w w. p p o c . c a
Salon Chair Something Fresh!
Reclining Bridal Poses
A bit of their life and a piece of their story
Location Lighting
PPOC photographers exhibited at world’s largest exhibition
PPOC Lands in China Cover image by: Claude Brazeau MPA
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GALLERIE - FALL 2015
CONTENTS
07 28
Concept to Cover by: Claude Brazeau MPA
16
The Making of a Salon Chair by Rima Dickson, MPA
Location Lighting by Rick Friedman
20
Something Fresh! Lying or Reclining Bridal Poses by Lindsay Adler
22
PPOC Lands in China by Brian K. Smith MPA
ACCREDITATION : 3 stories to get you inspirered
8
Alph Leydon Travel Illustration
10
12
Bruce Hendricks Family Portrait
Jeffrey Wu Nature
In this issue A Message from the PPOC Chair................................................. 4 Are you an Accredited Professional Photographer?..................... 14
My PPOC ...................................................................................... 25 Concept to Cover........................................................................... 28
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Welcome to Gallerie From your PPOC Chair
The Professional Photographers of Canada is the largest and most recognized professional photography association in Canada, and as such, we continue to promote and educate fellow photographers, as well as the public. Over the years photographers have seen tremendous changes within our profession, however, PPOC has embraced these changes and their accompanying challenges, continuing to assist photographers in their growth, not only as creative artists, but also as technicians, business owners, and marketers. Recently, PPOC was invited to represent Canadian photography in the Pingyao Photography Festival in China, one of the world's most influential photographic festivals, attracting the attention of the world's photographic community. Our members' work was proudly displayed among that of photographers worldwide, showcasing the talents of Canadian photographers, and specifically the talented members of PPOC. In keeping with our commitment to bring attention to professional photography, and those members who produce exceptional imagery, PPOC has just submitted our third entry into the World Photography Cup, where it will be judged alongside images created by photographers from over 20 other nations. To have images included in the Team Canada entry is a huge honour for those members who have had their work selected. We eagerly await the preliminary judging and announcement of the finalists, which will be made public in January 2016. Keeping the interests of our members at the forefront is PPOC's motivation. Bringing international attention to the skills and abilities of our Canadian talent within PPOC benefits us all, and maintains Canada's presence on an international stage.
PPOC is pleased to present our flagship publication, Gallerie. With award winning images, feature articles, editorial information, member services, and advertising, Gallerie is the premier magazine for professional photographers across Canada. Publisher: PPOC Office: 519-537-2555 Email: info@ppoc.ca Editor: Louise Gingras Email: editor@ppoc.ca Advertising Manager: Jillian Chateauneuf Email: advertising@ppoc.ca
Subscription All PPOC members receive the printed issue directly to their doorstep. On-line issues are available to all photographers. To be added to our email mailing list please contact the PPOC office at info@ppoc.ca indicating your province of residence. Additional printed copies of Galllerie are $6.95, plus postage. Please contact the PPOC Office.
Advertising
Gallerie is published three times annually; Winter (on-line issue) Summer (print and on-line) Fall (on-line issue) One single advertising package will secure your ad space in all three issues. Full Page: $925/year Full Page Inside (front or back) $1075/year Full Page Outside Back Cover $1300/year Half Page: $600/year Quarter Page: $375/year PPOC Trade Members receive a 20% discount. To reserve your ad please contact the editor.
Submissions
Articles and member stories are welcome, please submit to the editor noted above for consideration.
Sincerely, Tina Weltz, MPA
Join the Professional Photographers of Canada! PPOC Office / Bureau du PPOC 209 Light Street Woodstock ON Canada N4S 6H6
www.ppoc.ca
Bus: (519) 537-2555 Toll Free: (888) 643-PPOC (7762) Fax: (888) 831-4036 Email: info@ppoc.ca
Š All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material appearing in this magazine in any form, without permission of the editor, is strictly prohibited. Views expressed by contributors may not be the representative views of PPOC and the publisher.
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...there was energy in that room that I will never forget.
The Making of a Salon Chair
Article by Rima Dickson, MPA
M
y introduction to the Professional Photographers of Canada was at a BC Regional conference. It was 2008 and I lived in Langley BC. As a BRAND NEW member I was making friends and getting to as many of the events as possible and everyone kept talking about the BC Image competition. “Go watch the Image Competition” they said, so I made a plan to attend. The judging room was a strange place for sure! There were rows of people all sitting very quietly and I would say they were quite restless: fidgeting A LOT. This was before digital images and online broadcasting, so the room was pretty full with a constant stream of people coming and going as their printed images came before the judges. I sat next to someone I knew, not really understanding AT ALL what has happening, but I quickly learned. As I sat there captivated by the images I saw, the judges’ comments or lack thereof, and hearing scores be given, I experienced with my new friend what it would be like if one of those images were mine. The anxiety of waiting for their image to come up, the anticipation in those last moments before their image was before the judges, that ‘deer in the headlights’ moment that seemed to last forever while the judges were scoring. WOW. My favorite part was when an image came up that had real impact and the judges would leap out of their seats and move closer to get a better, more detailed look. That pretty much guaranteed a heated discussion about that image and its merit. Today, this is STILL my favourite part of the judging. While it was a quiet, dark place where nobody was talking, there was energy in that room that I will never forget. I was hooked! The next year, with a lot of help from my new friends, I entered the competition for the first time, and have never looked back. Finding a way to help in this Association is very easy if you are willing to ask. If you are not sure who to ask, just email anyone on your regional board or branch and let them know what you are interested in doing. For me, it was natural to want to help at the Image Competition. As an encourager by nature, and a person who loves to celebrate, being a part of the Salon team has allowed me a view of our members that is so special.
Calling out image names for the judges as they came up during the judging was the first way that I helped. After that I started to learn the database that was built for PPOC Competition. That year was a real eye opener for what was involved in the administering of the competition, especially because the BC Competition Chair became VERY sick two days before our BC judging. Kent Wong, our current PPOC NEC Chair, called me as he was driving into town and said ‘it looks like it is just you and me!’ Between Kent being so organized and detailed with the process of PPOC Competition, and the help of Brian Lee, PPOC Database Mastermind, I muddled through that year. Brian is a thorough and patient teacher. The next year I took on the database again. FAST FORWARD … 2015. By now, I have had the privilege of administering the 2014 National Competition Database, and Chairing the 2014 PPOC-BC Regional Competition, Chairing the 2015 National PPOC Competition, and look forward to Chairing the 2016 PPOC National Competition. When I think back to that dark room, that first competition, and remember sitting next to my new friend, I now know firsthand those feelings of anxiety, anticipation, and ‘deer in the headlights’. I know the thrill of having the image be successful, and even win a trophy. As the 2015 National PPOC Competition Chair I was able to live it all again, but this time the reward was so much sweeter! With the help of many wonderful volunteers, I saw images come to our competition; go through the process of judging, trophy selection, and preparation for the Awards Banquet. Then, standing at the trophy table, I was teary eyed as I proudly handed my esteemed colleagues and friends their trophies ... I’m Still Hooked! The PPOC 2016 Competition is open to all Active, Accredited and Retired members. -7-
Alph Leydon,
Woodbridge, ON
Travel Illustration Accreditation All images by: Alph Leydon Article by: Alicia Kingsland
Alph Leydon Photo by: Erin Leydon
A
lph Leydon joined his first camera club at 11 years old, armed with a brownie box camera that had been a gift from his older brother. “I was so blown away that I could take pictures with it and then go into the darkroom and see the pictures appear before my eyes. It fascinated and delighted me.” When digital photography arrived that delight only grew as Leydon began to learn what he could do in what he calls the “digital darkroom”. “I really felt that I had full control of the image from capture all the way to output,” he says. With the transition from slides to digital he felt his images could now properly reflect his emotions toward the places he’d photographed. Travel photography has some unique challenges, the first being getting to the location. Opportunities have to be planned and researched in advance, factoring in costs, time of year and weather expectations.
“You’re always at the mercy of the weather and the lighting,” Leydon says. “You have no control, so you hope and pray that when you’re there you’ll have at least some of the conditions you hoped for because you can’t just come back next week.” And of course, when traveling to a popular destination, tourism is a factor. “One is always trying to capture the reason why these places are popular; their natural beauty, so trying to find a time of day when no one else is around is challenging”, this might mean being up before the sun rises, but for images as beautiful as those Leydon produces, it is certainly worth it.
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Bruce Hendricks,
MPA, Winnipeg, MB
Family Portrait Accreditation All images by: Bruce Hendricks Article by: Alicia Kingsland
B
Bruce Hendricks Photo by: Selfie
ruce Hendricks has a been a member of the Professional Photographers of Canada since he was 17 years old, joining as a student member in high school. However, Hendricks’ first application for full membership, submitted shortly after graduating, was not accepted. “It was a huge blow to my ego,” he says. He felt he had two choices: walk away or accept that he still had a lot to learn and that the PPOC could teach him. Hendricks chose to learn from the association. “Honestly,” he says, ”I think it’s the most important thing that I’ve ever done in this industry”. Hendricks plans every session with the expectation the client is going to end up with a large piece to go on their wall. He uses a program called Pro Select Pro that allows his clients to see what their photos will look like in their own homes.
“The very first time I used that software I sold my largest portrait ever, a 45 inch. And the second time, I beat that and sold a 54 inch.” This kind of sales ability is vital for a business to flourish, but of course the work has to sell itself too. “It could be an image that is very contemporary or wild and crazy, but I still try to make everyone look their best”. For this, Hendricks feels you need an understanding of the human body, to know when to ask people to shift their weight or move their head. “It’s easy to flatter someone and that’s what portraiture is all about”.
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Jeffrey Wu,
Etobicoke, ON
Nature Accreditation All images by: Jeffrey Wu Article by: Alicia Kingsland
J
Jeffrey Wu Photo by: Anthony Angelucci
effrey Wu was born and raised in China by a mother who was a professional portrait photographer and a father who was in the air force. When school was out, Wu’s mother would bring him to the studio and sometimes even into the darkroom. Wu moved to Canada in 1994 but it was not until 2002 that he picked up a camera again. In 2010 he joined the Toronto Camera Club and it changed his life. In 2011 he went on a club photographic tour to Kenya and fell in love with Africa. Wu has been making return trips to Africa on a regular basis ever since, still taking pictures, but also learning more about the culture and doing philanthropic work. “I always try to go the extra mile”, Wu says, noting his goal is to get the maximal story value from his images. One of Wu’s accredited images, near and dear to his heart, is the photo of two bald eagles fighting, which
was taken in Houston. The image has been highly praised and Wu feels the experience taught him an important lesson; “I found out that the best nature photography image comes one moment before impact. It gives the viewer the most space so they can imagine what happened”. And as he gains experience in nature photography, the easier it becomes for Wu to spot this moment coming. “The more you do it, the more you get to know about animal behaviours and you start to predict their moves”.
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Are you an Accredited Photographer? PPOC accreditation
A
n Accredited member of PPOC is a specia list in his or her chosen f ield of photography. The accreditation process recognizes photographers who have reached a nationally accepted standard of proficiency and k nowledge in photographic arts. It is achieved by submitting samples of photography to a PPOC Board of Review. This peer-reviewed program cha llenges candidates to demonstrate their capabilit y of delivering exceptiona l qua lit y photography in a chosen categor y. Interested in becoming a professiona l in the most recognized photographic association in Canada? We encourage you get connected by visiting our website where you can join on-line or f ind contacts in your region.
Accreditation Submission dates: Februar y 1 st , 2015 April 4 t h , 2015 July 12 t h , 2015 October 3 rd , 2015
www.ppoc.ca
What Members Say “The response to my first accreditation has been amazing... from past clients to new ones. Recently a client came back, not only because she loves my style but since I earned my accreditation I must be even better now! Those are her words not mine :).� ~ Doxa | PPOC Member since 2011
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We get to drop into people’s lives for a short period of time
Location Lighting Article by Rick Friedman
O
ver my career I have had the honor to photograph some of the world’s most powerful, talented and smartest people. This includes 6 U.S. Presidents, Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Dali Lama, the Pope, Nicolas Sarkozy and Yassar Arafat, in addition to many other world leaders, and hundreds of professors, Nobel Laureates, actors and musicians for magazines and newspapers around the globe. My work has appeared on over 75 book and magazine covers and in countless publications. As a photojournalist, my approach to photography is flexible and practical. We get to drop into people’s lives for a short period of time. Our job is to create a photograph that shows the subject’s personality, a bit of their life and a piece of their story, often in a single frame. Content, perspective and light are the elements that contribute to a good photograph. Often in my work, I photograph a situation that is spontaneous. I need to see the moment and capture the image from the angle that gives the photograph the most impact. In other situations, I create the photograph from scratch; thinking up the idea for the image, positioning my subject and creating the light, often done by mixing available light with strobes and adding colors to the image. This is regularly the case when creating portraits or shooting lifestyle images for editorial or advertising. As a magazine photographer, I receive a variety of photo assignments. Lighting is one of the tools I use to craft my photography.
This image of Keith Richards, Chuck Berry and Leonard Cohen was shot on assignment, when I was the only photographer allowed in the room. This was a moment, not a posed shot. This was shot with one speedlight on camera bounced off a small Rogue Flashbender. When mixing available light with strobe, my camera is set on manual and my strobe on TTL. The photograph was shot at ISO: 400 Aperture: 7.1 and Shutter: 1/250.
I photographed President Obama campaigning at a bar in New Hampshire. This is a news photograph, no time to plan. This is flash on camera with the speedlight bounced off the ceiling through a dome. I was inside the bar with the President, and my back against the wall, thinking any moment the Secret Service was going to ask me politely to leave. My camera was set on manual, the speedlight was set on TTL shot at ISO: 200 Aperture: 4.5 and Shutter: 1/40. My shutter speed allowed me to have ambient light in the background and movement while the speedlight on camera made the President in sharp focus without movement. Studio Strobe
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This photograph of New England Patriots player Rob Gronkowski in the weight room was done for Sports Illustrated. I had 2 hours of set-up time and less than 20 minutes shooting time. During that time I shot 5 situations on 2 sets. Everything was pre-lit and tested before Gronk arrived. For this shot I used 2 Chimera strip lights with Dynalite strobes for the backlight, a Chimera 30� beauty dish with egg crate on a Dyna head for the main and a speedlight with a Rosco gel directly behind him. When mixing speedlights and studio strobes make sure your speedlights are on manual. This was shot at ISO 200, Aperture 5.6 and Shutter 1/200. On a shoot like this, test everything, and then test it again. There is no time for a redo.
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I shot this portrait of Anthony Hopkins for People magazine in a hotel room. The white background is a curtain. For lighting I used a large Chimera softbox on a Dynalite strobe and a reflector on the other side. My camera setting was ISO 100, Aperture 9.5 and Shutter 1/8. I slowed down my shutter speed to have hint of blue coming in through the white curtain background. The photo was shot at dusk. The lower the outside light dropped the slower my shutter became.
Rick Friedman is speaking at the Canadian Imaging Conference in Calgary, April 2015 www.conference.ppoc.ca
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unusual poses can certainly be challenging, so here are some tips to bring out the best in your couple
Something Fresh! Lying or Reclining Bridal Poses Article by Lindsay Adler Here I’ve included some of my own images while posing the bride and/or groom in a sitting, reclining or lying pose. Several of these are featured in my bridal couple posing guide. If you are going to try this technique, below are five things I recommend you keep in mind to help your poses be more successful. These unusual poses can certainly be challenging, so here are some tips to bring out the best in your couple and your photographs. 1. Shoot after the wedding: Some brides simply refuse taking the risk of getting their dress dirty before the wedding. They wouldn’t dare sit or lie down for fear of ruining the perfect white of their gown. No problem! You can still get these great unusual shots by shooting after the wedding! I urge photographers to arrange pre or post-bridal wedding shoots where you have more control over the lighting, location, concept and more. These images become beautiful works of art worthy of the mantle piece. This is an ideal time to create images that stand out and to do something different-- like having the bride or couple lie down. 2. Bring white trash bags
W
hen photographing a bridal couple, there are a wide range of go-to poses for portraits that help you achieve flattering images.
Seldom, however, do you see a bride or the couple reclining. If you want to create images that are fresh, eye catching and break free of the usual posing mold, try having the bride or couple sitting or lying down! I’ve judged thousands of images in professional photography competitions. As I’ve looked back I realized that in several of the most dynamic winners, the couple were often in an unusual pose lying down while photographed from an unusual angle.
If you are shooting the bride laying or sitting, bring along a bunch of white trash bags. You can strategically place these white trash bags under the bride to protect the dress, and then tuck them beneath her. Even if the edges of the bags are slightly visible, it often blends in with the edges of the dress. This way you protect the clothing and you really require minimal or no retouching. You protect the dress and save yourself time! 3. Be sure the head is slightly elevated When you have a bride laying, be very wary of her head being flat to the ground. This often causes two distinct problems. First, if the bride has her head laying flat, often her chin sinks back to her neck, causes problems with a double chin and a lack of defined jaw line. If you can, find a way to prop the head up slightly with a hand, something behind her head, or have her exaggerate the jaw by sticking her chin out further.
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Also, gravity may cause a problem, making the face look too flat. If the face is not flattered (it will depend from person to person), try tilting the head to the side or shooting from a slightly different angle to help remedy this problem. 4. Avoid Foreshortening: If your couple is sitting or laying, be careful to avoid foreshortening. Foreshortening occurs when limbs come toward or away from the camera, making them appear shorter. Instead, aim to elongate the arms, legs and bodies to help flatter your subjects or make them appear more slender. Furthermore, by avoiding foreshortening you create more pleasing lines and curves in your pose and composition. 5. Watch your angle If your subjects are lying on the ground, be aware of
your own angle. Whatever is closest to the camera will look larger and whatever is further from the camera will appear further away. If you shoot from an angle at or below the waist while the subject is lying down, you may make their head and torso look smaller. If you shoot a full length from an angle much further toward the head, you may make the body look short and compressed. There is no right or wrong angle, since it depends on your height, lens and desired effect. Just be aware of where you are shooting in relation to your subject-- it can make a massive difference! Keep these 5 tips in mind along with some inspiration photos! Get out there and create something unexpected! Lindsay is speaking at the Canadian Imaging Conference in Calgary, April 2015. www.conference.ppoc.ca
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10 PPOC photographers that had their work showcased in China and received Exhibition Certificates from PIP
PPOC Lands in China
Article by Brian K. Smith MPA
This past September three members of the Professional Photographers of Canada had the incredible experience of attending China’s (and the world’s) largest photographic exhibition in Pingyao, Shanxi province. Pingyao International Photography (PIP) Exhibition is held annually within the historical walls of this UNESCO World Heritage site. With over 3000 photographers participating and over 100,000 attending during the festival’s five days it is truly a grand event. When I arrived in China preparations were well underway for the official opening on September 19th. I had organized two exhibits — one of my own work called Luminous Vancouver, with 48 images, and also the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) exhibit with 43 salon images from ten awarded members, chosen by PPOC National Board and NEC. Jason Brown, two-time consecutive Photographer of the Year award winner (2014-15), arrived the same day as I did. We had the pleasure to view the PPOC exhibit that had already been installed the day before. My exhibit would take a group of four volunteers two days to install. An extra wall was added to accommodate my large display. We were very fortunate to have prime
locations — my exhibit was in the first building “A” at the official gate entrance and the PPOC’s exhibit was in the fourth building “D”. PPOC had one half of the building - making a large space to show a beautiful display of members’ images. The buildings on the abandoned factory site, such as the Cotton Mill and Diesel factory, made for unique settings of the photographic exhibitions from both national and international photographers. The photography was a visual smorgasbord of delight - over 20,000 images in three sites. Late at night on September 17, PPOC President Tina Weltz arrived from Toronto. PIP generously covered travel expenses from Canada to PIP for Tina and myself. The three of us also had hotel and meals covered. Printing and framing of the 91 images was also provided by PIP. There was no cost for PPOC participation in the event. This really was a great opportunity with such generosity from the Chinese. On September 19 we attended the Official Opening Ceremony at the new Pingyao "Ancient City" Train Station. This was far beyond what I could ever imagine a year earlier when I did an overnight trip to check out PIP. At that time I had the fortunate opportunity to have a meeting with Mr. Zhang Guotian, the director of PIP, and Mr. Zengyue Liu, Public Diplomacy Officer for the Canadian Embassy (Beijing). That meeting started the ball rolling for an amazing opportunity this year.
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The 45th anniversary of China/Canada relations and the 10th anniversary of a strategic partnership between the two nations are being celebrated this year. The opening ceremony focused on the importance of China/Canada relations as much as about the PIP event. Ms. Cindy Termorshuizen, Deputy Head of Mission, along with Mr. Liu from the Canadian Embassy attended. PPOC Chair, Tina Weltz, was invited to give a speech during the opening ceremonies, in which she thanked PIP and China for the wonderful opportunity to showcase the talents of Canadian photographers. The Canadian flag flew prominent at the back of the stage. A mix of formalities and entertainment (Peking Opera) made for a very emotional event in the mid morning sun. Afterwards, Cindy from the Canadian Embassy invited us for a networking lunch before the official opening of the PPOC exhibit. The Embassy Deputy, Director of PIP, Tina and Jason all gave speeches for media and attendees. The embassy had printed a large 45th Anniversary banner that was presented at the PPOC exhibition site. The next morning I did a half hour presentation at my exhibit. We had many media interviews and seemed to be the "Fab Three"! Anytime we stopped to take pictures or joke around fellow photographers and fans would surround us wanting to photograph us. The 15 minutes of fame seem to last a few days. The traditional Hutong style hotel we stayed in was
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wonderful. We shared meals three times a day with photographers and curators from all over the world. Many had attended PIP multiple times. The amount of information gained from the camaraderie was incredible. I knew attending PIP this year as an exhibitor could be a life-changing event for me - I never imagined it would rock my world as it has. To have the opportunity to bring PPOC to the event was a double bonus! Since I received my Masters of Photographic Arts, there have been incredible changes in my life that have empowered me to go for the goals I always dreamed of. I would like to acknowledge the ten PPOC photographers that had their work showcased in China and received Exhibition Certificates from PIP: • • • • • • • • • •
Jason Brown Daphne Carlyle Scott Forsyth Hiroaki Kobayashi Brian Lee Pete Mather Alexandra Morrison Trevor Pottelberg Louise Simone Joseph Simone
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My PPOC
PPOC members share their stories
I
n September I had the honour of being invited to participate, along with nine other PPOC members, in the Pingyao International Photography Festival in China, the world’s largest photography festival. It was certainly the trip of a lifetime: I experienced a completely new culture, as well as a diverse array of incredible photography from all over the world. It was awesome to be able to share the experiences with member Brian K Smith, who helped make the opportunity possible, as well as PPOC Chair, Tina Weltz. Being a member of PPOC has had many perks over the years, and this trip was definitely a memorable one! The PPOC was invited to participate in the festival by featuring the work of ten photographers from across Canada. I am very grateful to have been selected as one of the photographers and have five pieces selected to be on display. The festival took place in Pingyao Ancient City a historical UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back over 2,700 years. We stayed at a traditional style hotel with several other photographers from around the world. During our stay, the hotel provided three meals a day and those were great times for mingling with the other artists. I must say the food was amazing - Chinese food here will never be the same! We were able to walk around and experience the people and the city’s unique sights and sounds from within the approximately 6 km perimeter wall. The photography displays were in three abandoned factory sites, and they were so large with so many photographs being displayed, that we could not see all of them in three days! Such a vast array of photographic style in such a gorgeous setting was amazing to experience and so inspiring. The PPOC’s large display took up half of a factory building, and Brian had a solo exhibit in the first building people would enter. We each spoke to an audience about our work with a “floor talk”, and with the amount of interviews and photographs being taken of us after, it made us feel like celebrities! As a member of PPOC, there have been many benefits, including the publicity from winning several image salon competitions and many great educational opportunities – but the involvement in the Pingyao International Photography Festival was a benefit beyond measure. It was an incredibly unique experience and I am thankful to the PPOC that I could be a part of it.
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Jason Brown PPOC-BC Member
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Concept to Cover The creative story behind the cover photo By : Claude Brazeau, MPA
In the Summer 2015 issue of Gallerie, the talented Louise Simone, MPA and PPOC’s 2015 Photographic Artist of the year, shared this bit of important advice: “find who you are and create your own signature”. I agree wholeheartedly with her. Photography for me is not only how I make a living but also, my passion. When I first started, I quickly found that I was, first and foremost, a portrait photographer: people are just so fascinating—the whole gamut of personalities, expressions and emotions speak to me. I concentrate on the person(s), get in close and then, wait for those moments when people let their guard down: a moment lost in thought, a quiet smile, a look shared. I just love capturing those moments! And low-key portraits became my signature: I love the drama, atmosphere and classic look. And it works so well with those interesting weathered faces. For me, the setting is secondary and the focus is on the person—as you can see in “Unforgiven”, from a session with my
Original photo before retouching
long-time friend Carl, known for his smile and easy laugh. But that’s not what I was looking for here: I waited for “that” moment and love the result.
After retouching Images By: Claude Brazeau, MPA
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Behind every successful photographer … stands a lighting unit. And more often than not, that lighting unit is an Elinchrom. It’s the name behind many of the world’s leading photographers, because Elinchrom lighting products provide the superior lighting tools that inspire.
PHO T O | VI D E O | D I G I TA L | SA LE S | R E N TAL S | S E RV IC E TOR O N T O • M I S S I S S A U G A • OT TAWA • C A LG A RY • E D M O N T O N
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