The Great Elsewhere

Today I found myself in Roncesvalles and paid my friend Christian Aldo a visit. His place was steeped in character and a real feast for the eyes.

As an artist who has managed to sustain over 20 years, he reminded me to know when to burn the boats -  a concept that ancient Greek warriors took into battle.  Grecian commanders ordered their armies to “burn the boats” when they landed on enemy shores. This eliminated all opportunity for retreat and surrender, effectively offering no recourse but victory or death.

In other words, it’s important to always look ahead and leave your fear at the shore. You’ll get to where you want to be.

Fashion Flash

Last night, Adrien Veczan and I had more fun with the ring light. I enlisted the help of my friends Devon and Barbara to model and make the magic happen! It’s a photographer’s dream to have pretty and willing friends

Losing Pace

TORONTO, ON. January 31, 2010 – The Toronto Raptors won their fifth straight game, beating the Indiana Pacers 117-102 on Sunday night at the Air Canada Centre.

Put a Ring (Light) On It

Today my friend and fellow former Star intern Adrien Veczan and I played around with a Profoto ring light he had borrowed from a generous source.

Setup: Ring light from the front and two strobes on the L and R to achieve the sculpting rim light/3d look.

The results were quite fun and I saw green donuts for the rest of the day. Here is a taste of the day’s shoot. There also may or may not have been an attempt to emulate and repurpose Dave Hill-esque post processing.

Everything All the Time

*playing with the multiple exposure setting on my camera.

TORONTO, ON. Jan. 27, 2010 – Toronto indie pop band Everything All the Time perform at Show + Tell Gallery following a live taping of talk show Late Night in the Bedroom.

2010 Update

Today marks my return to the blogosphere. Through the course of my absence, I’ve shot a range of subjects from food to portraits to sports, sharpening my photographic eye with each frame. 2010 brings with it new hopes and new opportunities to embrace. Happy new year to all!

TORONTO, ON.: January 18, 2010 — Shirley Kwan performs at Richmond Hill Centre For the Performing Arts
(Sarah Dea)

TORONTO, ON.: January 14, 2010 — Gena Katz, executive director of Ernst & Young’s tax practice in Toronto,  Ont., says the earlier you start investing, the more years you have for tax-free dollars to grow, from her downtown office on Jan. 14, 2010. (Sarah Dea/Canwest News Service)

TORONTO, ON.: SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 — Blair Falconer, vice president and portfolio manager for HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc. poses outside HSBC on York Street in Toronto, Ont., on Sept. 28, 2009. (Sarah Dea/Canwest News Service)

TORONTO, ON. October 22, 2009 – Michael Walker is the head of branch investments at Royal Bank of Canada. He says it’s important for investors to select the right financial advisor to look after their investments. (Sarah Dea/Toronto Star)

A1, Saturday Star

A1, Saturday Star, October 17, 2009

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Sorry for the lack of updates. Since embarking on my own, I’ve been pretty swamped with freelance life. I will update properly in the next while. Thanks for checking!

A supernova (pl. supernovae) is a stellar explosion

Today marks my first day as an official freelance photographer in the big smoke. I finished my summer-long contract at the Toronto Star last Friday, September 11th. Never forget. It was a truly rewarding and humbling experience, grinding with some of the best news photographers this country has to offer. Thanks to a most welcoming and talented staff for letting me grow with you.

When Darkness Falls

I recently completed a 2-day documentary workshop with legendary documentary photographer Donald Weber.

He gives you a week to complete an assignment series and helps to sequence and edit it at the end of that week. It was a truly enriching experience and fascinating to watch him think. My topic was “what emerges from the woodwork when darkness falls.” It was a challenging experience but I think I walked away with a new lease on storytelling. Here is a taste of what I did last week…I plan to continue this project in the months to come, but with a tweaked focus.

Premiers premiere

TORONTO, ON. September 10, 2009 – Premier McGuinty and Premier Charest  discuss climate change during the second joint Cabinet meeting between Ontario and Quebec at the Royal Conservatory of Music in the Annex. (Sarah Dea/Toronto Star)