Lighting

Well hello blog readers.
Giving another quick update on what I have been up to over the last few weeks since my last blog post.

So what have I been up to since my last update. Basically it boils down to this: School, breaking laptops, getting published and shooting.

So school. Its been good, learning lots finally and loving my new courses. I’ve been thinking more and more about what I want to do after I graduate. I’m really torn, because I love photojournalism in the sense of working for a newspaper or organization. But it doesn’t pay and no one is hiring. Unfortunately money plays a factor. I’m thinking of entering into stock photography like Canadian Press or Getty images, specifically sports photography. Obviously organizations such as those are the big ones so it would be hard getting into them, but its something I’ll have to work towards. Also, as lame and sell-out as it is, wedding photography is appealing. Financially it’s pretty nice, and I still feel its important as you are providing images that individuals will cherish for the rest of their lives. I also would like to open up my own photo studio. I love my lighting class and am getting more and more comfortable with lighting everyday. So yea, lots of thoughts on a future, I’ll just have to see where I go.

Now on to breaking laptops. So I’m an idiot. I’ll start with that. But basically what happened is I had my laptop in my backpack and was heading to my multiple pictures class (didn’t even need my laptop). Anyways I slipped and fell on some ice and my laptop decided to take the fall for me, as I landed right on it. It still works, but the screen is broken. FML. So i’m using it as a desktop computer with an external monitor. Might give me an excuse to buy a macbook pro when I have the means to now *drool*.

So my good buddy Matt Mapletoft, who I used as a subject for my special project, went on to win the Canadian Junior Championship game a couple weeks ago. Needless to say it made the papers. A quick google search of his name on images comes up with my photos. I was emailed by his hometowns paper to run my picture in the story. It can also be seen on another guys blog. Anyways, that was exciting for me. I am no longer a publication virgin, sweet.

I also recently figured out a way to add a service to my clients, basically when I shoot something for someone, they can see EVERY raw frame that I take on my website and they can tell me which ones the want and want me to edit. I also can put a password on the gallery so only they can view the photos. I’m pretty proud of myself, figured out how to do it in html code and whatnot ahaha. check out the test client galleries here. I also put up alot of my cord weekly work, its here if ya want to see it.

Anyways, my rants are lame and most of you probably just quickly drop by to see photos lets get a couple up. First one is of sled dog races in Marmora at an event called Snofest. The next one is of a buddy of mine in a band and I was doing it while experimenting for an assignment in off-camera lighting.

New Year, New Photos

Ah dusting off the old blog, needs a good updating.

Well I hope everyone had a good winter break and enjoyed the time spent with friends and loved ones. I personally went to Phoenix to visit my folks and their new winter home down there. It was a lot of fun visiting them and getting some much needed time in the sun. I went to a couple college basketball games, football games and even saw a Coyotes game, for $1.50, and for an extra $10 I could’ve become the new owner…HAH JK LOLZZZ

So yea, back to school, this semester is gonna be a lot more intense, I will be out shooting a lot more so hopefully I will get some stellar shots. I’m so glad with the new courses we’re taking, I’m finally learning things and getting valuable information out of this program.

As for pictures I have taken. Before the break I shadowed a good buddy of mine, Matt Symes, while doing a model shoot for one of his collections. Check out his photography at http://www.symplicity.ca/. Anyways, was a good session, learned lots on studio lighting, and he let me jump in a take a few shots. Here’s one of her (was her first time being in front of a camera). I want to edit out the stray hairs in photoshop but that’s for another day, also where her right hand is coming from kinda bothers me, just kind of floating there, but oh well, I still like it.

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After the break I went and shot a volleyball game (my buddy Mark wanted some new facebook photos haha, he’s #6 in the second photo) and my goal was to get a couple shots that were different than the standard spike or block shots.

I got a couple shots that I was happy with.

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This one is cool cause it was a either a great team effort, or a failure in communication, I’m gonna go with the latter. I actually got an idea for a series from this photo. Since I love shooting sports so much, I was thinking of doing a series on displays of teamwork in various sports, whether it be high fives, pats on the back or any emotions like that, that show camaraderie. Let me know what ya think, is that a stupid idea? I think it would have to be done very effectively to have an impact and work. Here’s another photo where they were hugging after a fantastic shot, I love volleyball for this, after every play (doesn’t matter if they get a point or not) they all cheer and hug and slap hands, lots of male bonding going on there haha.

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So yea those are just some of the shots I’ve taken. One of my new years resolutions was to make this blog more frequent and update constantly with work (I know, I know, I’ve said this before, so I guess actions will have to speak louder than words on this one hah)

Thanks for reading everyone.

Ryan

Special Project

So we were asked to do an assignment for special project week. This is a major assignment where we had to go out and take photos related to different subjects. I chose the subject of sports and recreation. So I contacted Matt Mapletoft, a curler on the Laurier team, went down to Waterloo, and got some shots . I got some good photos out of it and Matt was a great sport. Thanks again buddy!

Also a big thank you to anyone that voted for me in the Journalism Dream contest put on by the Globe and Mail. I didn’t even come close to winning but I appreciate those who took the time to vote anyways :)

Here are the 4 pictures I chose to use for my special project.

WATERLOO, Ont. (15/11/2009) - Matthew Mapletoft, skip of the Wiflrid Laurier University Mens Curling team, packs his gear up before his match against the University of Waterloo Warriors on Sunday, November 15th. His gear includes, athletic clothing, two brooms, and specialy designed shoes. He also proudly wears a jacket he received when he represented Canada in the 2008 World University Games held in Beijing, China. Photo by Ryan Stewart.

WATERLOO, Ont. (15/11/2009) - Matthew Mapletoft, skip of the Wiflrid Laurier University Mens Curling team, packs his gear up before his match against the University of Waterloo Warriors on Sunday, November 15th. His gear includes, athletic clothing, two brooms, and specialy designed shoes. He also proudly wears a jacket he received when he represented Canada in the 2008 World University Games held in Beijing, China. Photo by Ryan Stewart.

WATERLOO, Ont. (15/11/2009) - Matthew Mapletoft, skip of the Wiflrid Laurier University Mens Curling team, waits for his bus that will take him to his match against the University of Waterloo Warriors on Sunday, Novemeber 15th. Not having a car, Matt, has had to find alternate ways on getting to and from his practices and matches. Photo by Ryan Stewart

WATERLOO, Ont. (15/11/2009) - Matthew Mapletoft, skip of the Wiflrid Laurier University Mens Curling team, waits for his bus that will take him to his match against the University of Waterloo Warriors on Sunday, Novemeber 15th. Not having a car, Matt, has had to find alternate ways on getting to and from his practices and matches. Photo by Ryan Stewart

WATERLOO, Ont. (15/11/2009) - Matthew Mapletoft (right), skip of the Wiflrid Laurier University Mens Curling team, is directing his teamates Scott McGregor (Left), and Dave Kaun (middle) as they sweep a rock towards the button during their match against the University of Waterloo on Sunday, November 15th. Being the skip, Matthew Mapletoft decides where he would like all the rocks to be placed and gives his teammates a target, his broomstick, for them to aim at. Photo by Ryan Stewart

WATERLOO, Ont. (15/11/2009) - Matthew Mapletoft (right), skip of the Wiflrid Laurier University Mens Curling team, is directing his teamates Scott McGregor (Left), and Dave Kaun (middle) as they sweep a rock towards the button during their match against the University of Waterloo on Sunday, November 15th. Being the skip, Matthew Mapletoft decides where he would like all the rocks to be placed and gives his teammates a target, his broomstick, for them to aim at. Photo by Ryan Stewart

WATERLOO, Ont. (15/11/2009) - Matthew Mapletoft, skip of the Wilfrid Laurier University Mens Curling team is practicing his "sliding out" technique used when he throws the rocks in preperation for a match against University of Waterloo on Sunday, November 15th. Being the skip, Matt throws the last rock for the team as this is the most important rock to be thrown and can sometimes win and lose matches. Photo by Ryan Stewart

WATERLOO, Ont. (15/11/2009) - Matthew Mapletoft, skip of the Wilfrid Laurier University Mens Curling team is practicing his "sliding out" technique used when he throws the rocks in preperation for a match against University of Waterloo on Sunday, November 15th. Being the skip, Matt throws the last rock for the team as this is the most important rock to be thrown and can sometimes win and lose matches. Photo by Ryan Stewart