Photo Bombing

Photo walks are always the best way to get out and test your creativity. As opposed to bringing your camera with you just in case you see something a photo walk is when you go out with the intention of taking photos of absolutely anything you can! Sometimes the results are brilliant and often times they aren't. On this Photo Bomb mission, I met up with local IG'er asim_overstands. He picked up some new gear so we went out to try it out on the streets. Both equipped with 50mm lenses and of course our iPhones we went shutter happy and bombed everything we could. Honestly, we got enough content to fill up our IG feeds for weeks. But I'm one of the few remaining photographers that still use a camera these days so here are the images from my DSLR edited in Photoshop and Lightroom. These were way over due; I think they ripened enough for sharing. Enjoy!

Monochrome Encounters: Lilac Festival 2013

It seems like the entire City heads central on the last Sunday of every May for the Lilac Festival. The first of many festivals of the year, the Lilac Festival indicates the official start of Spring for snow hardened Calgarians. Emerging from their dens after a prototypically harsh winter, much like our Punxsutawnian rodent friend, Suburbanites take over the city core in search of both their shadow and churros. The influx of pasty skinned bodies creates a furious frenzy of sun craving maniacs migrating slowly North and South on 4th Street SW. Birkenstocks afoot, strollers at the helm and toy dogs tucked tightly under arm the zombies weave in and out of the merchant stalls distracted by shiny beaded jewelry, bubble guns and foreign foods not commonly approved for sale or consumption in most suburban strip malls. Yes my friends, Spring has arrived to Calgary and the Lilac Festival is Mother Nature's red carpet.

Ok, I’m sorry for being so cynical! I’ve been watching a lot of Anthony Bourdain’s new series on CNN and his tongue–in-cheek brand of narration is quite engaging and strangely infectious. The truth is, 2013 was my first Lilac Festival in many years and I was not prepared for the throngs of people taking to the streets. I live downtown but I haven’t been the biggest fan of crowds these days. They are messy and confused and I find I have a hard time concentrating on composing good photos. I usually am quite social in most scenarios but Sunday’s Lilac Festival didn’t particularly inspire me. As a street photographer this is something I need to work on; crowds are an inevitable evil in this pursuit. It’s ones ability to work the crowd that makes them a successful street photographer. No disrespect the the Suburbanites; I've got mad love for ya'll!

Photo of the Day: 05/27/13

I Just Called to Say by Small Time Visionary

Sounds of Minerva

One week ago, I had the rather special privilege to shoot portraits for a friend of mine and her new band. They are called Minerva and they are an up-and-coming Calgary band who described their sound as a sort or girl version of Jack Johnson. The band is composed of three members, Lauren, Jess & Leela, all of which have an extensive history of working together, so really this band is a long time coming! Each being great musicians in their own right, Minerva are a sort of super group, much like Them Crooked Vultures or Velvet Revolver, but way hotter! I got a chance to hear them sing during the shoot. They had the stones to sing A capella smack dab in the center of 17th Ave. SW and it was seriously amazing. I'm definitely excited to hear more from the girls and get my hands on a copy of their upcoming album.

The photo shoot was freaking brilliant; there were a lot of times where we'd all just start laughing our asses off which was not very professional but screw it! The weather was beautiful that day and the photos turned out really well. But seriously, I'd have to be pretty bad to screw up a shoot with three beautiful models. Thanks ladies for the opportunity and for helping me look good because obviously you didn't need any help! Special thank you goes to Chloe for being my most supportive assistant for the shoot, love you girl!

























loves,

STV

Art Saving Lives

I had the pleasure of meeting two very interesting and inspiring young ladies on the weekend. They are Lauren and Jocelyn and they are amazing artists! winJuan and I had the honor of being interviewed by the two ladies for an upcoming vlog feature they are doing on local Calgary artists. They are big fans of the Rad Men 365 Project and wanted to find out what inspires us to be photographers. They were a lot of fun to hang out with and it was a perfect way to enjoy an amazing Sunday afternoon!

The ladies have an art show coming up at the Higher Grounds Cafe in Kensington on June 19th 2011 called Art Saving Lives. It's going to feature amazing live performances by the wonderfully soulful Jocelyn, as well as other talented local musicians and spoken word artists. Be sure to check it out and support local art!

To help promote the show the ladies asked winJuan to do a photo shoot for their poster. I thought it would be a good chance to get some behind the scenes candid portraits of the ladies in action. MAD #BAMPS!

MMMMMmmm tasty....

stv