Blogging and all its pains

Here I am back again, sporadically blogging as usual.

Or maybe not. I've been thinking a lot recently about this whole blogging thing. Its still a good idea, but I have been churning out so much stuff [Photos, interviews, articles, facebook, website] that I barely feel up to it anymore.

When I finally get to my blogger site, its just a repeat of the crazy day I had and the many things I did. Its quite tiring! There's almost too much trivial stuff to write. This used to be my sole conduit, but now there is twitter [still have yet to do that] and I have to maintain that almighty facebook page just so my events are all kept in order and the networking continues.... Not to mention scheduling it so my photoshoots don't clash with my interviews or events I have to cover for the newspapers.

Essentially, my day is made up of clicks and taps on the keyboard. Not much fun. Not much blogging material.

Maybe I should update the look of this website too.

*look of terror*

Ok, lets give this a shot.

Today I scheduled 3 meetings, all of which were cancelled due to schedule changes [not mine!]. A model went AWOL on me for lunch, a film guy had to shaft me because of editing during tea time and I had to reschedule a dinner interview to a phone interview [boooo].

In all this, Gwen produced two articles with photos, and helped Mel sort her clothes. Also answered many emails and pokes and notifications.

What a Monday.

IDEA!!! Changing the title of this site. Maybe even migrating it to another site. THEN I can advertise it and forward everyone to the new blog.

Blog title ideas:

"Life of a newbie photographer"

"Life of a newbie female photographer"

"Life of a harried photographer"

"Life of a not-so-fit photographer running around the city"

It has to be catchy. I have to think about this one. More tapping in progress.

LG Fashion Week

The runway was a blast. Besides all the quirks and quarks of fighting for a spot in the media pit, I got to go backstage, observe the beautiful creatures being made up and had a loadful of swag from the event.

I have also edited a previous LG post for content, because bless google, from first name only basis, I have dug up a couple of leads and I wouldn't want to spread any gossip :) In my case, I literally searched up a photog's nickname and got not only a facebook page, but an entire work synopsis.

Currently, I resolve to blog more regularly, things are getting stressful with a larger workload and more photog clients.

Here is the post after editing. I honestly just removed some vital bits, and didn't bother editing for grammar just because I feel naff today. It is barely understandable but I intend to put this all in some book one day.

LG Fashion Week Post 1

I would post up pictures but my main PC is down for repairs.

Instead, for fashion week I shall type about being a newbie at the media pit at LG Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010.

Firstly, as media you have to know the rules of the pit

1. Come early and mark your territory

2. Pack lunch and coffee

3. Don't leave your spot

4. Take up as little room as possible

And here comes the ramble.

The first show, VAWK by Sunny Fong, was my first show ever. Naturally nervous I shove down a plate of sushi to calm the nerves. It helps to have a media pass and a 20 pound camera around my neck. Held at the AGO with Frank Gehry's beautiful staircase. Amore.

One important lesson throughout the week : You defend your spot in the media pit, territory worth all costs to personal property and dignity.

I then wait 45 minutes in the pit, along with the other 60 people in VIP and another 200 leaning over glass barriers. The show lasts 5 minutes.

I go later to the opening show and I make strategic alliances with other junior photographers to grab a section of the media pit from the bullies: Random pervy guys with small point and shoot digicams that doth protest too much when we point out that we have as much, if not a greater right to be there, since we are working and they are not.

The second day was more of a blur. I arrived nice and early, only to find that the show has gone on anyway. Luckily I find a spot at the back with some nice people who lend me a stool to stand on. I am in between two monster film cameras, and had someone shooting below my arm and another right above my head.

I spend the rest of the day sweating and standing in a very awkward position for hours at a stretch. You won't believe how hard it is to stand in a crowd, moving as little as possible, and shooting with tense arm muscles holding a camera, extra batteries and a giant lens] Just as all hope seems to be lost, we get free beer from the LG Fashion Week beer fairies. We toast to the camera guy at the corner who is two levels up and out of reach of a cold one.

Then I find out that for love, money or media pass, you can't skip the bathroom line.

The third day? I come extra early in time for rehearsals, and leave at 5 because I have all the shots I need. I get into a small tussle early on when someone shoos me out of a legitimate territorial claim. I end up sitting in a prime spot from sheer stubbornness and get some prime shots today. I schmooze and collect cards, I drink less liquids, I meet Enza Supermodel, and I get backstage.

Fourth day? A media pit full of tired out photographers. Pictures came out alright but most of us feel jipped from some shows that showed remarkably less fashion than the Toronto street scene, which is saying something.

Friday is a rush for the article to get to print with a noon deadline and 8 thousand photos to choose from. Also,keep in mind my pc is still down so the laptop does the job with just 30 minutes to spare before the deadline. TGIF relief comes in the form of Melissa doing my makeup. I bring my posse down to fashion week and we have a ball. Even though it was my 56th show, it felt like the first time for me and I was all excited because this time, I wasn't working or sweating.

Wiarton, Ontario

Matt and I went out to Wiarton, ON to celebrate a friend's sister's wedding. I was the photographer for the day but I also managed to get some couple pictures done for us as well.

Charmin Surprises!

Last weekend was a blast. We went out for sushi with Matt's mom Marian on Friday, and then out with his dad David on Saturday to The Keg. Awesome food, Awesome company, Awesome weather. It has been sunny, hot and humid, and I LOVE it.

On Sunday we invited our neighbours-come friends over for a BBQ. From a simple conversation at the pool, it blossomed into a day of beer guzzling and boating. It was again, HOT, we got

stopped over by the coast guard just briefly [very narrowly escaped that one, we had a six pack of beer onboard] and it was our last ride of the season. We spent it just curcling toronto island and speeding around ... totalyl exhausted by the end of the day.

On Monday, Matt takes the day off [again!] to surprise me with a trip up to Canada's Wonderland, and we rode on 11 rides, some where you're strapped standing up, some lying down. My favorite was the Behemoth, a rollercoaster as big as they come.

Here is a pic. I had a taste of absolute fear as we went over the edge and straight down. We're both definitely adrenaline junkies. You have no upper support, all you're strapped into is this pad that goes over your thighs.

My 15 Top Movies

1. Pan's Labyrinth [El laberinto del Fauno]
Simply the most mental movie I have ever watched. I could go on about its production, its soundtrack, the script....

2. Vozvrashcheniye
The first foeign film I watched in Singapore. Rare, fleeting single screen showing, my first intro into world film. Also a great movie. Stays in the mind forever.

3. Cidade de Deus
Catch the rooster! Really solid cinematography. Loved the director of photography.

4. In the Mood for Love
Wong Kar Wai, best film noir frenchie inspired flick with the coolest backscenes and a great love story.

5. Shawshank Redemption
Stick it to the man!

6. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Guy Ritchie at his best, and it reminds me of Birmingham/Black country.

7. Trainspotting
A goodie shootie.

8. Shortbus
Sex and miscellany, and a movie where I actually love the soundtrack more than the film itself. Also a movie recommended to me by an old past friend while I was staying in Montreal. Ah, the Cinema du Parc.

9. Requiem for a Dream
Cinematography, writing, production........

10. Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain
Sheer whimsy movie. Lots of frou frou abound.

11. Fargo
"Eh" . Stellar performance by Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson. Great story, and I love strong female characters.

12. Catch Me If You Can

A massive, massive influence on the way I travel, and how I managed to stay abroad for years. One of my favorite quotes come from this movie too.

An honest man has nothing to fear, so I am trying hard not to be afraid.

13. There Will Be Blood

I like the part where the false prophet dies. Knock his head in!!!!

14. London To Brighton

Painful to watch, but you can't look away. You really have to live in the black country for awhile to get it though.

15. Once

Beautiful soundtrack.

Studio Sessions

Apologies again for the lack of posting, here is the studio I work in when I am on assignment.... breaking into commercial photography is a slog, but I don't mind.

Isn't it cool? I think its cool, yeah.

Moving into the office

Today we finally put up the finishing touches to the offices of Brydson Media :)

Well, ok, we put up a cork board in the corner of our apartment, which faces my desk.

But the dream is there. Everything starts from somewhere, right?

Bowlerama

We went bowling this weekend, here are some pictures. It felt as if we were back in the bad old 70s, along with polyester seats, scruffy rental sneakers and that smell of 40WD in the air, mixed with beer and nachos.

We went for KFC after.

Another good day for Brydson Media

Today was a very productive day.

Besides the shoot this morning with Shugamai-Grace Johnson, I checked out a really, really young band at Kensington Market while I was prop shopping for a big shoot I have next week with The Ladies in Pink [burlesque] .

There I was, shopping for pink boas, garters, wigs, fans and fur, when I hear cool sounds coming from a cafe. I look in and there are these three kids with a great sound [flute, bass guitar and drums] playing to earn some money during their summer vacation.

Obviously, that screams to me, "SHOOT! COOL SHOOT!" so I get contact info and we will probably have a nice graffiti alley cover sometime next week, possibly Tuesday.

Also, after my prop shopping [woe is me, I have to go buy vintage props, such a tough job] I stopped in for an appointment at a studio I was checking out to expand my gig. Turns out they need a female shooter.........so guess who is possibly heading towards residence at a gallery. Its not me speculating here, the owner was really into the idea of getting a junior shooter on board and he was quite outright on how he felt I was a good fit.

Plus, the fashion shoot and posters/billboard really helped.

SO here is a vid of Shugamai, and hopefully some pics soon from today's studio shoot.

Celebrating Michael Jackson

The poor man is now an event.

I was watching the live broadcast [on 18 channels] of Remembering Michael Jackson today out of curiosity. I was wondering if it would be as bad as I had imagined.

Yes, yes it is.

I couldn't make it past 4 minutes and killed the signal of Stevie Wonder screeching, "Michael, why did you leave?" before it killed me.

Its awful, such a spectacle of kitchy, Michael-Jackson-dom. Apparently there is a logo of him flying out with belted booties, punching and kicking all evildoers with his magical music.

The Nitty Gritty

My website is up, I have some portfolio shots to work with, a studio that hosts me and some repeating gigs.

Its been a lot of work, but I think I am only 1/10 of the way there. Now, advertising. Where and who is now very important.

Also, might as well concentrate on another project I have on the go. Weekly shoots, projects that could apply to commerical stock shoots while at the same time generating some income from classes and stock companies... eh you have to try out everything right?

Leaky ceiling

We had a huge leak in the ceiling of our kitchen this week. Its awfully worrying when you've never had a pipe burst in your own apartment before. I was half expecting it to start gushing in an hour, so I grab the landlady and she manages to leave a massive hole in the drywall.

Downtown 2

Fashion Shoot is up!

I am incredibly happy to announce that I now have photos in public :)

Happy 1st of July!

Matt and I had a great Canada Day.

We went for a walk in the morning and slept afterwards, had a nice lunch and then went out boating even though it was slightly gray, just because it IS Canada Day.

When we got back, we had some curry and then we went out with a gigantic box full of fireworks! Being so illegal in Singapore, I could not resist buying an entire box full of fizzing whizbees, starbangers and rockets.

We crossed the bridge and walked over to Sunnyside beach, to join the rest of the young people hiding away from the main cheesy family festivities at ontario place. My favorite firework of the night was the burning schoolhouse, confirming the fact that I am yes, a little pyro at heart. There is nothing like burning stuff on a beach in the middle of the night, with some soft serve ice cream.

We had lots of little squib fireworks, and finished with a large 25-load white and red canada day rocket. .. just in time for the festival of fire at Ontario Place. I think it was more than half an hour of massive fireworks. Big things that rained down sparks, big shapes, circles, stars, huge domes of fire.

No pictures though. There are some things left better that way... instead of worrying about exposure and composition, I decided to enjoy canada day it was meant to be. Lounging around and enjoying civil liberties such as sitting in the middle of the highway on a patch of pavement and grass, watching an entire 4 lane come to a crawl. Happy 142!

Fireworks!

Here is the box of fireworks we had on Canada Day. Love it.

June 2009

Sorry I haven't updated this gor the entire month of June :) Been incredibly busy, getting the apartment ready, then hosting mum and ben and then the cleanup afterwards.

During all of this we have several cool announcements:

We got another wedding to shoot!

My fashion spread is now on the billboard! [Pictures tomorrow :) ]

The website is out. Its still in developmental stages, but figuring out how the heck to make a website takes time.

And, here are the photos of my mum;s visit to Toronto, 2009

Toronto 2009

Toronto 2009 - Part 2

Preparing

Matt and I are getting excited that mom and ben are finally coming up. We're buying extra pillows, getting bedsheets out, replenishing soya sauce and removing fuzzy oranges from the crisper.

Today I also went out as a photo assist for a very cool event... I didn't exactly take any shots, but it was still cool looking at the advance winners for the canadian media/design awards.

We end today walking on the boardwalk and buying a kilo of wings and wedges out on the pier.

Morning surprises

Sometimes, Matt leaves me a surprise on the desktop.

Wesites, weddings and cake.

My mom is coming in a week's time, and I've been practicing how to bake a cake. 

Alright, it was my first time baking a cake yesterday. I was craving my mom's butter-citrus cake, so I decided to grab an old cookbook and try it out for myself. 

I did look online for a recipe, but I have strong distrust for online recipes since other people's idea of cake is either not to my taste or they simply just can't match up to my mom... who I know used a cake recipe from the 50s. 

So, a classic yellow cake from the 50s... it was soft, moist, and lovely. 

I was supposed to take pictures, but the cake came out so well that I ate half and gave the other half away to the neighbours and my nice landlady. 

Other than that, its been a busy week getting ready for my mom's arrival; also rushing along my other projects to build a fancy new website and finish up my shoots... 

The Food Album

Here is the starting out album to the foodie blog I made for the recipe project my mum and I are going to do while she is over here :) 

From Food Album

Food Album

Twisted logic

I tried out an origami pattern online today out of sheer boredom... I haven't done those in years. Somehow, 12 year-old me figured out patterns that right now are making me tear my hair out. 

I got up to the halfway point, and then gave up at a rabbit fold. 

A rabbit fold... 

When I see him :)

The Toronto Symphonic

Last night Matt asked me to dress up in something nice and whisked me away for a seafood dinner and surprised me [again] with tickets to see a performance at Rob Thompson Hall. I had no idea where we were going, but I had a fun time guessing. 

We had fabulous seats overlooking the orchestra, and we couldn't help but notice we were probably the youngest couple there. I did not have a camera with me, but tonight I'll figure out how to get Matt's images on his phone to transfer to the PC...even a small camera shot will do! 

It was the first time for both if us, so we didn't know exactly how long intermission was.... but that didn't stop us from getting a couple of Häagen-Dazs bars at the bar. I defy anyone to find a glass of wine that can beat a chocolate coated vanilla bar with almonds and a caramel ribbon. 

I also defy anyone to find a better husband :) 

Finally, a solid book idea.

Overseas Singaporean

A cookbook of cravings from humble orgins. 

Shiok; Defined as Singaporean patois for an utterance of satisfaction and used to convey happiness or pleasure.

Introduction 

Singapore is a country located just shy from the equator, in the middle of the Malaysian and Indonesian archipelago. Its inhabitants hail from a diverse range of ethnicities, its culture and cuisine continually influenced by the coming and going of travelers, businessmen and immigrants.

Due to its high standard of living, excellent infrastructure and stable economic climate, Singapore is the gateway to Asia. It was, from its independence, the country of choice for immigrants from neighboring locales.

Yet, its own generation of middle-class, highly educated and Internet-savvy youth are reluctant to stay. The call of the wider world leads some to study overseas, some eventually leaving Singapore for popular destinations like Australia, Canada, Britain and America. The young and mobile leave in masses, encouraged by a society that deems it de-rigeur to have a relative or friend living as an overseas Singaporean.

It is the lure of bigger, better and more liberal that ultimately leads young Singaporeans away from their familiar shopping malls, hawker centers and importantly, their families. Described as the 'Brain Drain' by its civil ministers and media, a significant number of bright, liberal and creatively-inclined demographic leave in search of the illustrious, idealized somewhere-other-than-here.

Some leave, thinking never to return, for the world is large and ideas many. But invariably, you hear whispers uttered to divulge in the siren's call; the smell and taste of home, family dinners and twilight suppers. The Singaporean's yearning for food is acute, for its specialties from home are unlike any where else in the world and are painstaking to replicate.

Traditional Singaporean delicacies and humble fare is presented side by side, serving those that have yet to return.   

Start: Chapter One - Specialities 

Laksa, Chili Crab  [There should be more, lived so long overseas; I can't remember] 

The nature of Singaporean cooking is secretive and some have lineage, passed down from mother to daughter. The authenticity of the dish comes down to methodical timing, skill, and enhanced with ingredients hard to find in a conventional Walmart, Tesco, Asda or Metro.

This book is catered to those with a Singaporean  palate, and contains recipes that restaurants will never serve due to their complexity, or simplicity. These directions and recipes are tailored for those living 'somewhere else' where substitutions will have to occur and compromises made. 

PS: I think it sounds a wee too sad... it should be chirpy like a cookbook from Jamie Oliver. My mum is coming over, I might as well mine her for information :) and she is the best cook ever. 

"See how. "

The Fashion Shoot

This is what I did last night, awesome. Its my first fashion shoot, but I think it turned out well. In an ideal world, I'd edit this fully and put up the completed image..... but its Sunday morning. 

Making Lurve

Me making nutella hearts for Matt. 

International Female Ride Day

On International Female Ride Day, it is alright to idle. Founded by Toronto's own Vicki Gray at www.motoress.com, the event is celebrated internationally on May 1st, with female riders taking to the streets to promote the sport of motorcycling.

A successful 3rd-year turnout honoring International Female Ride Day, riders gather at CNE Princes Gates in downtown Toronto to kick off the cruise, headed towards Dundas Square and the financial district, with a finishing cruise through Yorkville.

Tiptoe

This is a song that Marian [Matt's mum] used to sing to him as a child :) 

By Helen Shapiro  

Female Bikers

Thats what I will be shooting tomorrow morning. Lots of them, its female biker day.

Anyway, I wrote a smashing post but it got deleted by my PC rebooting. Why?

me: microsoft knows!!
the pc just rebooted by itself and there was a message from bill gates
Matt: um, what?
me: 'oh, can we like check your computer for any pirated copies? would love to, thannx'
Matt: hehe

Here is another cat picture! Wheeeeee! 

Cats

Incredibly funny videos.... happy stuff to celebrate the sun coming out over frigid canada.

Keep it loose

Today I was finally getting up to speed with all the shoots I have been doing for the last week. This was my shoot for Outside Looking In, fron SNAP Downtown. 

And tomorrow, I'm shooting the Barenaked Ladies! 

Now, here is a cover of one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands [until their latest album] 

The Killers - Romeo and Juliet 

Weekend warriors

This weekend was exciting. On Saturday I shot a wedding, and while I was away Matt decided to sneak a giant grill into the apartment with his mum. Its my birthday present [happening next week, whoda thought]. 

The wedding was small, private and it was a hot, very hot day. I'm still stunned I managed it, and hopefully it will lead to more. 

On sunday we also went to get an ironing board, a deep fryer and assorted other things from canadian tire. It doesn't sound like much, but ite exciting for both of us because we're both foodies. 

Our list of appliances: 

Toaster oven 

Blender 

Electric wok

Family-sized hotplate 

Rice cooker 

Sandwich maker 

Microwave 

Electric grill 

Deep fryer 

What a home :) 

Outside Looking In

From Pixel Oracle

Absolute Trust

How many women let their husbands do this?

Retouching

Post production is the bane of every photographer. In some cases its fun to give a client a third arm or make something disappear, but you soon realise editing is the exception, not the norm. 

When you take 500 photos of people dancing, you end up with 500 choices multiplied onto themselves. You could straighten it, black or white, does the client look fat, how much should you crop it etc. 

I just did the shoot on Monday for SNAP Downtown, and here is an unconcious self portrait while reloading in front of a mirror. 

Nesting

Last weekend was busy for us. Matt took Friday off to surprise me [breakfast and attention galore], I was a bit of a grump for 30 minutes in the morning but I blame hormones. It got better after we went cycling and dropped off the bikes for a spring spruce-up. Then we went to check out camera stuff downtown, and then to the Distillery district. It was my first time there, and we spent the rest of the afternoon looking at galleries and taking random pictures. 

I have an awesome husband. 

On Saturday Matt made me his signature scrambled eggs with chives, and we went to pick up our bikes from repair and went to High Park, in the raw tender physical state that we both were in. Winter takes a toll on the muscles, and it felt very much like the enjoyable, but slightly painful ride through Central Park in NYC. 

Sunday was one of the best days we've ever had for decorating. We decided to tackle our patio, and its no mean feat trying to improve a rental patio and keep within budget at the same time. Here is a pic of Matt mucking around, and the state of the patio before we got to work, and folling is the transformation. 

We spent 3 hours at Home Depot, and another 3 planting, setting up and painting. Matt is so cute when he handles mud.  Look at the pretty flowers! The next thing on the list is the cabana lounge, which I am going to make from the couch I scavenged. I'm going to go pretty far with it, get outdoor fabric etc and make it pop.