I caught a morning screening of The Informant! this morning for six dollars. Despite a few very funny moments, the movie itself was a disappointment - but what happened when the ending credits rolled was a different story.
As I was getting ready to leave, I thought I recognized the face of an acquaintance from my former workplace. It turned out that I was right; we exchanged greetings and started conversating about her job and my lack thereof. Since I already learned the hard way to always carry my MOO cards with me, I made sure to give her a card as our conversation drew to a close. Result: one less missed opportunity to blog about (actually, two - but I'll let you figure that one out).
By the way, I think a certain self-dater* is preparing for the day when she becomes rich and famous. If she didn't walk by me while I was eating lunch, then she's got a really good doppleganger who fooled the heck out of me.
*I'm not naming names; this is your only clue.
October 12, 2009
October 11, 2009
Near Misses
I almost missed a critical opportunity to give away my MOO cards while at yesterday afternoon's photo shoot. It was right after I took the shot of Rick Campanelli and Amber Payie; as I prepared to give them a card each, other people moved in for their shots. Being a gentleman, I waited until they were done in order to do my giveaways. However, since this was taking longer than expected, I moved on and shot other things. Lord knows, however, that this could have turned into another missed opportunity.
Fortunately, closer to the main event, I took the initiative and gave Rick and Amber my cards. Disaster averted - now, if only I could have remembered Talia Russo's name right after taking the photo with her and Julie Tyios instead of asking for it again.
Fortunately, closer to the main event, I took the initiative and gave Rick and Amber my cards. Disaster averted - now, if only I could have remembered Talia Russo's name right after taking the photo with her and Julie Tyios instead of asking for it again.
October 10, 2009
Pulling For The Hungry (Oct 10 2009)
In order to benefit the Toronto Foundation For Student Success and highlight the problem of student hunger in Toronto's schools, Conor Kelly pulled a school bus with his own weight.
Click this post's title to see all 109 photos at my Flickr site. Also, click here to find out more about the event itself.
Click this post's title to see all 109 photos at my Flickr site. Also, click here to find out more about the event itself.
October 09, 2009
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
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
The Resistance
I would have simply titled this entry Resistance, but I had to give Muse a nod. :-)
I confess that yesterday evening's photo shoot at the Light The Night Walk wasn't exactly the time of my life. As the day turned into night, I had a hard time getting good pictures, even with my Nifty Fifty lens attached. Perhaps this was due to the dynamic nature of the main event (i.e. people were walking instead of standing still) and the fact that Nifty can't autofocus on my DSLR.
I also experienced a bit of resistance from potential photograph subjects, which is understandable. The event itself is personal for many attendees; I'm sure they didn't come to get their photographs taken by some amateur photographer. Also, I know my motives are beyond suspicion - but they don't. Alas, one family was straight-up in telling me that they weren't comfortable with the idea of their faces being put on a blog. As for the duo of volunteers near Sick Kids Hospital, they were also uncomfortable with that idea, despite their reluctance to say it outright. Instead of wasting time in waiting for an answer, I moved on.
Instead of wasting time thinking about what this photo shoot could have been, I'm moving on from that, too.
I confess that yesterday evening's photo shoot at the Light The Night Walk wasn't exactly the time of my life. As the day turned into night, I had a hard time getting good pictures, even with my Nifty Fifty lens attached. Perhaps this was due to the dynamic nature of the main event (i.e. people were walking instead of standing still) and the fact that Nifty can't autofocus on my DSLR.
I also experienced a bit of resistance from potential photograph subjects, which is understandable. The event itself is personal for many attendees; I'm sure they didn't come to get their photographs taken by some amateur photographer. Also, I know my motives are beyond suspicion - but they don't. Alas, one family was straight-up in telling me that they weren't comfortable with the idea of their faces being put on a blog. As for the duo of volunteers near Sick Kids Hospital, they were also uncomfortable with that idea, despite their reluctance to say it outright. Instead of wasting time in waiting for an answer, I moved on.
Instead of wasting time thinking about what this photo shoot could have been, I'm moving on from that, too.
Lurking
Here's a photo which I took after the Light The Night Walk ended.
I took many photos of that fountain with and without my flash. Sure enough, the dark horse (no pun intended) turned out to be the best of the pack.
I took many photos of that fountain with and without my flash. Sure enough, the dark horse (no pun intended) turned out to be the best of the pack.
You Can't Make This Up
Here's a photo which needs absolutely no explanation.
This is the same man who stood on a fire hydrant as I waited for a streetcar at Queen and Bay. He inspired me to always take a camera with me when I'm in public.
This is the same man who stood on a fire hydrant as I waited for a streetcar at Queen and Bay. He inspired me to always take a camera with me when I'm in public.
Light The Night Walk (Oct 8 2009)
This is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's annual fundraising event to shine a light on people affected by these blood cancers. It holds particular significance for me.
Click this post's title to see all 82 photos at my Flickr site.
Click this post's title to see all 82 photos at my Flickr site.
October 08, 2009
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...
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...
October 07, 2009
One Year Ago Today
It didn't even hit me until I was preparing my lunch...but one year ago today, I found out that my job would be relocated to India. I didn't feel sad about it then, and I don't feel sad about it now. Granted, my day is turning out to be pretty bland for other reasons, but at least I'm going to see the double feature of Toy Story 1 and 2 in 3D later this evening.
As I may have said before, that job was nothing to write home about, and neither were some of my co-workers. As much as I sometimes don't like being in my own company, it was much worse being in theirs. I could have turned into a pathetic excuse for a human being if I worked with them long enough, particularly one who was so miserable that I couldn't greet her one morning without offending her (she thought I was too loud). I thank God she took a second maternity leave.
Some would argue that photography is also nothing to write home about, but lest you think that the process only involves framing subjects and pressing a shutter button, I beg to differ. There are factors which can work for and against the shot, such as weather, ISO, metering and the type of lens used. The people I meet at any given shoot can either enhance or subtract from the experience, though I usually find that they do the former.
Let's not forget about what happens after the shoot. I delete subpar photos which I initially thought were good, or even photos which are technically good but don't really say anything or add to the "story." After doing this, I make edits in Photoshop Elements,* deleting any photos which I deem beyond usability. After this step, I resize the photos for Facebook and Flickr; in addition, I add watermarks to the Flickr set. Finally, I upload them to my Facebook and Flickr accounts; this can take a very long time.
On a dry day like today, this truth isn't as evident as it is on days where major events like Nuit Blanche happen. However, I'm much happier doing this photography gig than I ever was at my former workplace, even if it's not a paying gig yet.
Losing my previous job was the best thing that could have happened to me.
*This doesn't usually go beyond subtle lighting adjustments.
As I may have said before, that job was nothing to write home about, and neither were some of my co-workers. As much as I sometimes don't like being in my own company, it was much worse being in theirs. I could have turned into a pathetic excuse for a human being if I worked with them long enough, particularly one who was so miserable that I couldn't greet her one morning without offending her (she thought I was too loud). I thank God she took a second maternity leave.
Some would argue that photography is also nothing to write home about, but lest you think that the process only involves framing subjects and pressing a shutter button, I beg to differ. There are factors which can work for and against the shot, such as weather, ISO, metering and the type of lens used. The people I meet at any given shoot can either enhance or subtract from the experience, though I usually find that they do the former.
Let's not forget about what happens after the shoot. I delete subpar photos which I initially thought were good, or even photos which are technically good but don't really say anything or add to the "story." After doing this, I make edits in Photoshop Elements,* deleting any photos which I deem beyond usability. After this step, I resize the photos for Facebook and Flickr; in addition, I add watermarks to the Flickr set. Finally, I upload them to my Facebook and Flickr accounts; this can take a very long time.
On a dry day like today, this truth isn't as evident as it is on days where major events like Nuit Blanche happen. However, I'm much happier doing this photography gig than I ever was at my former workplace, even if it's not a paying gig yet.
Losing my previous job was the best thing that could have happened to me.
*This doesn't usually go beyond subtle lighting adjustments.
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