Bits And Pieces

Apart from my Flickr set posts, it’s been slow here at He Shoots… It’s not for a lack of trying; I’ve had a few ideas which ultimately weren’t worth posting full blog entries. However, in order to prove that the rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated, here are a few bits and pieces of what’s been happening with me.

• Before the Protest Against Protests, someone recognized me and even called me by my Internet handle. I don’t recall seeing him at a previous shoot, though he may have seen me.



• Record Store Day at Sonic Boom was the first event where Nifty (50mm lens) and Jane (35mm lens) really worked as a tag team. The resulting set would have been shortchanged if I had used only one of those lenses. Having said that, remembering to bring earplugs would have improved my overall experience. Ergo, I’ve packed one pair in my camera bag for similar situations in the future.



• At that same shoot, my regular camera battery almost ran out of juice; before it died, I replaced it with my spare battery. Without it, I would have missed shots like this one (shot with Nifty):
  
  
  Andrew Scott of Sloan



• I recently contemplated a smartphone purchase (i.e. BlackBerry or iPhone) due to my highly active Twitter account. However, this would not have been wise due to my current lack of steady income; my monthly expenses would have increased by at least $56.50. Also, buying the phone outright would have cost me at least $549.99! I could probably purchase more camera gear with that money.



• Speaking of my Twitter account, there’s a reason I haven’t been posting too many individual pictures here. I’m now likely to post them to my Yfrog account, especially if I shot them with my point-and-shoot camera. Heck, I didn’t even post the last few that I shot with Nicky, but you can find them at that same Yfrog page. You can also find older shots at my TwitPic account.

Indignation Vs. Privacy

Last year, I had an incident where a former photography teacher attempted to draw me into a debate about taking photographs without permission. Immediately after this event, I stopped taking pictures of people sleeping on public transit. Also, I’ve become much more careful about taking pictures at public events.

Needless to say, I find the recent brouhaha caused by this photo of a sleeping TTC worker very interesting. George Robitaille, the worker in the photo, obviously couldn’t ask that the photo not be taken. Regardless, he has become the lightning rod for transit users’ discontent with the TTC. In light of the recent fare hike and the bad disposition of some employees, this is not a surprise. However, it seems as if George’s right to privacy has taken a back seat to our right to use him as a whipping boy. None of the stories I’ve heard or seen about this photograph have even mentioned the privacy issue. The situation isn’t much better on the photo’s TwitPic page; only two users mentioned personal rights in their comments. Having said that, both of them made fair points.

In light of my aforementioned experience, I likely would not take a photo of a sleeping TTC worker if I saw one. Given how I handled my “debate” with the former photography teacher, I don’t think I’d be prepared for the ensuing privacy questions. Then again, since they’ve taken a backseat to customer indignation in George’s situation, I’d probably have nothing to worry about.

Quick News Bite: Shroombab Edition

DJ Shroombab's Neurotech Fever mix is wrapping up as I begin this entry; it's a high-energy drum 'n bass mix I downloaded last year. I like to crank up music like this (or anything energetic) when I'm editing photos or doing batch edits in Flickr.

Anyway, I sometimes Google myself to find out who is talking about me or using my photos. I never know what will arise when I do this, but sometimes, I get surprised. Such was the case earlier this evening, when I found out that paralympian Josh Cassidy used two of my photos from the Cheer event in one of his blog entries. Not only that, but he even posted a link to this blog. As expected, I've already showed my appreciation at his blog.

Tomorrow brings another photo shoot in the form of a concert. Jessie Farrell will be performing at First Canadian Place's waterfall stage at 12:15 p.m. If I'm not mistaken, she'll be signing autographs after her performance.

Onward and upward!

More Proof The World Is Ending

I just opened a Twitter account. 8-O

On paper, it doesn't make sense; I don't have a smart phone and I don't feel like paying extra money just so I can tweet on the go. However, my Twitter page is yet another place to find out about my upcoming photo shoots, plus other details like what flavour of yogurt I'm eating.

While I was getting a haircut this afternoon, I recall saying that if you build it, they will come. This means I'd better build it and be ready when they come - and they will come.*

*If I say this enough times, it will happen eventually

World Domination, One Step At A Time

Before I slept this morning, I established a Facebook page for this blog. I've previously uploaded my photos to my personal Facebook account, but I want my work to go beyond my sphere of influence. Ergo, this dedicated Facebook page is the way to go.

Right now, I'm uploading all of the photo albums I've done since starting this blog. This process may take all day, but I hope not...I may have a brand new album for you tonight.

P.S. I never thought I'd say this, but a Twitter account may not be far behind...

Paying My Respects

Seeing that this is a blog about photography, it's only fair that I pay my respects to two of this year's Nobel Prize winners in Physics. Willard Boyle (a dual citizen of Canada and America) and George Smith co-invented the image sensor that led to the advent of digital imaging: the charge-coupled device. You might better know it as a CCD; to say that their invention has changed the world is probably an understatement. If you have a digital camera or camcorder, congratulations - you're a beneficiary of Boyle and Smith's work. I know I am; both of my cameras have a CCD sensor of some kind.

To the men who enabled me to steal time with such ease and pleasure: thank you.

Have a look at this article to find out more about this year's Nobel Prize winners in Physics.

Quick News Bite: brand new eyes Edition

I bought Paramore's new album this afternoon, brand new eyes, after putting it off for a few days. I'm listening to it right now and it sounds pretty kickin'; the lyrics of "The Only Exception" could have come from my romantically-jaded mind. That doesn't mean I'm dating anyone, though! :-P

Speakin' of things that are kickin', the CBC's website just gave me a nice surprise. At their website's Nuit Blanche feature, one of the last photos I took at on Sunday morning is featured in the graphic in the bottom-right corner. Out of 299 photos currently in CBC's Nuit Blanche Flickr pool, six were featured in that same graphic; that translates to two percent when you crunch the numbers.

"Just watch my wildest dreams come true..." (Paramore, "Misery Business")

Quick News Bite: Spare Battery Edition

While shooting the Smirnoff Ice event a few days ago, my camera's battery ran out. This wasn't a catastrophe since I took many shots and the Leafs' game was almost over, but what if this happened during a much more important shoot? Besides, running out of battery charge isn't the only danger when you're shooting photos. Let's not forget my spontaneous combustion incident from a few months back.

In order to prevent disasters like those, I'm going to shell out some cash for a spare battery this afternoon. Toronto has been having some cold weather recently; this negatively affects the battery's performance. While I'm shooting Nuit Blanche tonight, it's possible that my battery could lose all of its charge - but I'm not going to let that possibility ruin what could be a fantastic night.

Speaking of Nuit Blanche...you should know by now that it's gonna be on and poppin' from 6:55 p.m. tonight. Expect to see the results of my nightlong shoot tomorrow evening.

In Need Of Z's

I had a long day of shooting photographs yesterday. Between Walk A Mile Toronto and Smirnoff Ice's event at Yonge-Dundas Square, I have more than enough photos to justify staying awake for more than twelve hours. Unfortunately, that also means that I'm very conscious of my need for shut-eye.

Ergo, I've uploaded three of yesterday's photos which didn't really pertain to the above events. As for the actual event photos, I'll probably edit them on my PC before I sleep - however, the actual uploading will have to wait until later this morning or early this afternoon.

I currently have 202 photos from both events, though that number may decrease after my editing is done. Are they worth the wait? I wouldn't present them if they weren't.

Quick News Bite: Snapped While Snapping Edition

I knew about this yesterday evening, but someone beat me to the punch in pointing this out before I blogged about it here. Have a look at this Globe & Mail article regarding yesterday's Busking For Change event; I'm in the accompanying picture with my camera to my face (in a blue jacket and jeans).

In other news, a Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle photo I shot yesterday is now featured at Wikipedia. That makes for five Wikipedia features since I upgraded my Flickr account (four with my DSLR, one with my point-and-shoot). Also, the photo shoot to end all photo shoots (i.e. Nuit Blanche) is getting closer and closer. I'm going to plan my evening for maximum impact very soon, but the weather forecast looks as if it's going to somewhat ruin things once again.

My Day: A Synopsis

As I posted earlier, I woke up very early this morning. 4:04 a.m. doesn't begin to explain it; my actual wake-up time was 2:30 a.m. Within that 1.5-hour period, I prayed, read my Bible, showered and prepared the first part of my breakfast. To make a long story short, I was out of my apartment shortly before 5:15 a.m.! The last time I did that, I think the TTC was on strike.

I'm not going to try to write coherent paragraphs to describe my day, so here it is in bullet points:

• I'd do this all over again if only to ride the 300 Bloor-Danforth Blue Night bus. There's nothing like travelling on Bloor Street above ground as opposed to underground.
• If I knew the track-cleaning car would have passed through Jane station when I got there, I would have taken a picture.
• Thank God the rain stopped right before Joshua Cockerill busked at Union Station.
• Two words: Nifty Fifty!
• Next time, remember to bring a garbage bag for kneeling or laying down when taking shots. Lord knows who (or what) did what on the ground.
• I have two less MOO cards to hand out.
• To Sara(h?) and Emma from War Child: hello. *waves*
• To Luther and Matt from Crush Luther: thanks for the jump shot.
• To Chantal Kreviazuk: don't act like you don't remember how to sing "Eve". :-P
• By the time Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle started their set, the audience pretty much disappeared. :-/

All in all, it was a good day.

Quick News Bite: Up Before The World Edition

Hello. It's 4:04 a.m. as I type; if anyone doubts whether I'm serious about this gig, refer them to this entry. :-P

If all goes well, I'll be at Union Station in time for the morning gigs for War Child's 2nd Annual Busking For Change event. I initially thought that only First Canadian Place was participating, but I found out the error of my thinking right before going to bed yesterday night.

One way or another, I'll have photos for you when I get home!

Quick News Bite: MOOving Forward Edition

The cards I ordered from MOO arrived this morning. I used ten of my better shots in their design.



I probably should have used my DSLR for this shot, but I want it to be completely fresh for tomorrow. Besides, why use a bazooka when all you need is a flyswatter?

Right, about tomorrow...First Canadian Place is hosting War Child's 2nd Annual Busking For Change event, with performances happening from 7 - 9 a.m., 12 - 2 p.m. and 4 - 6 p.m. I'll be taking photographs within the lunchtime slot.

Hell Yes (Part 2)

Let's keep this entry short and sweet: thanks to Tabercil, Old Faithful made its Wikipedia debut.

P.S. This isn't the "Part 2" I had in mind yesterday morning. Can a "Part 3" be far behind?

Is Tory Still Tory?

As I ate lunch earlier today, I noticed this story with an obvious inaccuracy.



I don't think John Tory would cross the floor in order to gain more votes for himself. At the very least, he'd have a press conference announcing his switch. Ergo, methinks someone at Global News has some explaining to do.

Hell Yes (Part 1)

Ladies and gentlemen, presenting my third Wikipedia photo feature: Rex Harrington. My first one was Measha Brueggergosman; my second one was CP24 reporter Liz West. This one feels extra special, however, because I never saw it coming (much like the first one). Once again, a tip of the hat to Tabercil at Wikipedia admin for the gesture.

P.S. I subtitled this post "Part 1" because I have a good feeling there will be a "Part 2" sometime in the near future.

Quick News Bite: Brain Cramp Edition

This morning, as I looked at one of the photos I posted to Flickr yesterday, I realized something. The watermark is where it should be, but there's no exclamation mark at the end. You'd think that I'd avoid that "mistake" when I just processed a whole slew of photos from my Leaside shoot, but hey...old age, right? (I turn thirty in about one month.)

I put "mistake" in quotes because, now that I think about it, the watermark looks better without the punctuation. Ergo, going forward, no more exclamation marks in my watermarks.

As for upcoming photo shoots: I want to shoot a Havana Cultura event tomorrow, but I don't think the weather is going to hold up. That's okay; an event I'm super stoked about is happening in one week: Nuit Blanche! Between my new DSLR camera and the tripod I'll be purchasing next week (and maybe the Nifty Fifty lens), I'm especially excited about this year's edition of NB.

Quick News Bite: Checkpoint Edition

When I made my post yesterday evening linking to my TIFF Wrap Party Flickr photos, I made a milestone. I was only able to write 68 posts for my last blog, My Life Would Suck Without Me, before I lost interest; that second post from yesterday was my 69th. I just hope I can keep it going past 100...

In other news, I'd like to shoot Car Free Day in downtown Toronto tomorrow, but the weather forecast looks gloomy. Also, the cards I ordered from Moo should be arriving sometime this week. I'll also be purchasing a tripod in the near future; I'll definitely have it in time for Nuit Blanche.

Quick News Bite: Casting Crowns Edition

I've got "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns on repeat right now. I'm preparing to sing that song at church tonight; I'm sure that I'll be good to go.

Three of my photos are at blogTO as part of their TIFF Photos collection; they're in the slideshow after the featured photos. Also, Roger Green, a professor at the University Of Western Ontario, used one of my photos to illustrate his article on TIFF's spotlight on Tel Aviv. He was even nice enough to credit me under the Creative Commons license.

Onward and upward, getting ready for two photo shoots tomorrow. I especially look forward to the TIFF Wrap Party at Yonge-Dundas Square; Chuck D and Clyde Stubblefield (the drummer behind "Funky Drummer") will be in attendance.

TK Gets A Sheen

I could have posted about this yesterday morning, but I was so caught up in getting ready for my workout that everything else became an afterthought. Anyway, Elke runs a fan site for British actor Michael Sheen; she's included four of my photos from the gala for The Damned United.

Thanks, Elke!