A clarinet player rising from the sea
Some time ago an idea for a portrait, that could be used in advertising, started brewing in my head. The basic idea was to shoot a musician in an unusual environment. I almost immediately decided that I wanted it to be someone who played a classical instrument. And that's where things could easily have stranded, as I don't really know anyone that plays a classical instrument. That is to say, not here in Victoria.
My next hurdle was which instrument would be ideal for the shoot. Piano was kind of out the question. I'm not hauling one of those up to Mt. Douglas - at least not yet. Same thing with percussion (I was thinking a wide variety of big ones). Then I realized that I've always enjoyed the sound of the clarinet. So I started googling for local clarinet players, and very soon the name Rebecca Hissen came up.
Rebecca Hissen, clarinet player. This is my absolute favourite photo from the shoot.
Rebecca is a professional clarinet player in Victoria, a member of Music Corner, musical storytelling for young children. She has performed regularly with the Victoria Symphony, among other things, and will soon start playing with the Naden Band, Canada's Navy band on the West Coast.
I got in touch with her, told her about my idea, met her over a cup of coffee, and the idea evolved from Rebecca playing her instrument on top of Mt. Douglas, or in a forest setting, or sitting on a stone by a brook or a waterfall, to her being halfway submerged in water. A few days later we were on Willows Beach in Oak Bay, with two waders (one for Rebecca and one for Carrie, who assisted me) and the necessary photo gear. On a Monday morning, no less. My wife's niece tagged along to see how a shoot like this was done, and was more than willing to shoot a few behind-the-scenes frames for me.
We were very fortunate with how the weather turned out, as we were able to see Mt. Baker quite clearly. That made a huge difference for the final outcome.
Rebecca brought her own outfits, while I brought the waders which I had borrowed from a friend. She got into the rubber waders and almost ran into the water, happy enough to stay dry the whole time. Carrie, on the other hand, wore neoprene waders, which meant she got wet and a bit cold. As you can see in one of the photos below, Rebecca didn't have to go too far out, but instead she knelt down, so that the surface of the water was around her waist.
We didn't shoot for very long, probably less than an hour, as I didn't want anyone (meaning Carrie) to get too cold and consequently sick.
All in all it was a fun shoot, and the whole process reminded me yet again that if you don't ask, the answer is always going to be 'no'.
A mock ad for a fictional concert.
Rebecca flashed me her beautiful smile after she was finally let out of the water.
One of the outtakes from the shoot.
Another outtake.
Carrie assisted me, getting cold and wet, while aiming the umbrella at Rebecca.
Carrie helping Rebecca into her waders, while I make sure my gear is intact. Photo by Sigríður Björg Þorsteinsdóttir.
Me and Rebecca waiting for Carrie to get into her waders. Photo by Sigríður Björg Þorsteinsdóttir.
Me kneeling on the beach, having given up on trying to stay dry. Photo by Sigríður Björg Þorsteinsdóttir.
A few street portraits
This spring I went with my friend and fellow photographer Carrie to downtown Victoria. We were each armed with a camera. Our intention was to walk up to complete strangers and ask to take photos of them. That's something that takes practice, believe it or not. We were there for over three hours and we didn't get a whole lot of shots. But that was okay, we were just practising.
Years ago (I'm allowed to use "years ago" because it's already been two years since I moved to Victoria to get some schooling) my idea of comfortable street photography was to use the longest lens I could get, and to act like a sniper of sorts. Sure, the photos turned out candid enough, but there was always something lacking. I switched to a shorter lens, but my comfort level was non-existent, so I either shot from the hip or very quickly pulled the camera up to my eye, shot and hoped that I got something useful.
As for approaching people and asking them for permission or their name... I don't think so. Way too shy for that.
And now it feels silly to think that way, because what are they going to do? Break my fingers, kick my knees and eat me alive? Hardly. The worst thing that happens is that they say no. In fact, most people say yes, especially if you approach them with a smile and introduce yourself before asking. Prepare yourself and be ready with an answer for questions like "What are you going to do with them?" or "Why do you want to take a photo of me?" Even better, have a business card to give them.
I admit that this walking up to a stranger to photograph them still doesn't come naturally to me. I have to take a few deep breaths before I muster up the courage to approach people. But I'm getting better at it, and it's fun. I get to know them a little bit (some are chattier than others), and often I send them a copy if they just send me an email (that's where the business card comes in handy).
Since Carrie and I took this trip downtown in May I didn't do this again until late August. I intend to not wait three months until I do this again.
Angela Filipovic. I just had to grab this red and blue opportunity.
This gentleman was willing to let me post his picture on my website, but without his name.
Marie Josee Levesque and Sabrina Clarin.
David Brumby.
Free Deresse.
Ines from Argentina.
Kim Suenaka.
Jim Young was a farmer in Quebec for many years.
Sarah on Market Square.
The very colourful Tajah Olson.
Playing with a light
I bought a book not long ago; OneLight Field Guide by Zack Arias. I'd been meaning to buy it for some time, and when I finally did, I was far from disappointed.
So after reading it, I went to the train tracks nearby to see if I had actually learned something. I took a camera, two lenses, a tripod, a stepladder, an umbrella, a monopod, a flash, a swivel head for the flash and the umbrella, an infrared transmitter, a model (my son) and an assistant (my wife).
I haven't done a lot of shooting with off-camera flash on location, so it's about time I did something for real. I need the practice, and my family is more than willing to help me out. I stuck the flash on the monopod and attached the umbrella to it, shooting through the umbrella the whole time, my wife holding it for me at various angles.
The flash strength was a bit of trial-and-error, but I finally got what I wanted. Now I'll just have to analyze the photos, read the book again and try once more. It's all a matter of practice, practice, practice. Without it, I'll fill up with rust.
My son loves acting, so he was more than willing to fool around in front of the camera for me. I will probably take him out to the train tracks again, to shoot some publicity style photos with him and his ukulele.
Here are a few pictures from the shoot. I had a tough time picking out the ones to show you - I guess it comes with being a camera-wielding dad.
Márus with his favourite hat.
Márus doing his old-professor imitation.
Márus looking straight into the umbrella.
Márus playing scared.
Are you sure you're talking to me?
Yes, he's holding his tongue.