Posts from — March 2010

The only constant is change. In this ever changing industry, the moving picture is used to tell the story as often as the still image. For the photographer, it pays to have a delivery of your work as of both the still and the moving. My next evolution as a photographer was always to make my pictures move. I recently picked up the Canon 7D, which is a 18mpxl DSLR still camera as well as a 1080p full HD video camera. Having this new tool in my camera bag has inspired me to find new ways to express myself visually, with the still and the moving.

This short film, Angel Eyes, reflects the beauty of a moment, has powerful undertones and stars Julia Monson, a beautiful face that will definitely hold your attention. She draws you in to the power of her fresh face, sexual energy and spark.

Directed by: Steve Carty
Starring: Julia Monson (Next Models)
Makeup and Hair: Dee Daly (Judy Inc.)
Editor: Cory VanderPloeg
Colour: Cory VanderPloeg
Camera: Canon 7D

Some still images from my shoot. See more at SteveCarty.com

One of our fave designers, Jenny Bird, has released a lovely eco-tote to raise funds for Haiti. Made in Canada and tree-free, the print is inspired from a Panama mole (women’s craft of reverse embroidery). Each season Jenny Bird produces an eco-tote to benefit a cause. She wanted to do something that was very much in line with the tribal trends for SS2010, while raising awareness for women’s crafts businesses.

Here’s what she says:
Our Eco Tote for Spring/Summer 2010 plays with the tribal trend of the season, offering a stylish option for those groceries on the way home. The design was conceived by our talented in-house Design Associate Noelle Hindi, and was inspired from a panel of reverse embroidery we found in an African Art Gallery during our last visit to New York.
$2 from each tote is funneled directly to Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti Foundation.

The bag is ZeroTree; made from 100% woven cotton plant that is biodegradable and recyclable. It is Made in Canada.
Haiti is just beginning a long road of rebuilding. As we run around town, lets remind our Haitian brother and sisters that we have not forgotten them. And why not look chic while doing it.
To Haiti, with Love

Pick one up here, $12.

http://jennybird.myshopify.com/collections/spring-2010

Written and photos by Jalani Morgan (www.jalanimorgan.com):

Who is he?
Jon Todd, Fine Artist

Jon Todd and I were introduced through our mutual friend, Steve Carty and I have admired his work from the get-go. His work is distinct and his choice of colour palette and inspirations spoke to me; in other words his work is very dope.

At the beginning of the month I spent the afternoon with Todd at his studio in the Junction to talk art, life and shoot portraits of him while he works on new pieces for upcoming shows in Montréal and Miami. Todd is collaborating with Carty for the Hermann & Audrey’s CONTACT exhibit this May. Some future collaborations between he and I are on deck for the coming months as well.

Todd’s studio had such an authentic and artistic feel. References littered the walls in an abstract collection and his previous work  already completed for an upcoming show stands guard over his new creations; the place had a great vibration, in my eyes a true fine artist’s studio. There was a freedom in there, when he didn’t have the best light – no problem; Todd took a construction light and drilled it into the roof!

It was great to talk with another creative from a different medium and we discussed his inspirations and what motivates his pieces. It’s really a thrill connecting and building an authentic rapport with committed and inspired artists and it’s even more special when it happens while I’m shooting!

you can view Jon Todd’s work @ www.jontodd.ca

Editors note:
JON TODD: Inspired by the underground street art culture, Jon Todd has developed a unique voice in the artworld. Perhaps this is due to the diversity in his inspiration: Jon Todd is influenced by the Asian Japanese Folklore, Mexican Luchador Wrestling as well as Russian prison tattoo artistry. His works attempt to take the viewer on a personal journey to his surreal world. Over the past 5 years his works of art have been shown in multiple galleries and exhibitions across North America including the cities of Toronto, Montreal, New York, LA, San Francisco and Miami. In 2009, he exhibited at the Toronto International Art Show (TIAF) and Aqua Miami Art Fair.

Javier spent sometime in Vancouver in December shooting Solid State: a 6 pg. fashion editorial for Nuvo Magazine which is now on news stands.

Photography by: Javier Lovera
Styling by: Leila Bani @ They Rep
Editor: Claudia Cusano
Art Director: Mark Reynolds
Producer: Katie Nanton
Set Designer: Hitoshi Okamoto
Grooming: Jon Hennessey @ Nobasura
Model: Brent @ Richard’s Model Management
Photo Assistant: Rob Seebacher
Styling Assistant: Blake Grayson Kehler

Vancouver is always fun, but its so much more fun when you get to work with talented people, and for a great publication like NUVO. The whole team was lovely to work with. They all put their 110% into the shoot, and I’m very happy and proud of the results.

Our lovely Guest: Heather Morton

What does she do?
Freelance Art Buyer, Author: HMAb blog

Her top three pointers to photographers looking to break into the commercial market:

1. As someone coming into the commercial market, you have the advantage of having something new to share with the Art Buyers and Art Directors that you hope to meet. For this reason, be sure that your work does have a consistent and fresh feel to it and that it’s commercially applicable- for example, fantastic “found” images from your trip to Cuba doesn’t say much about your ability to light, direct talent, location scout etc. For most shooters this means shooting lots of personal projects- these make great themed promos and a way to showcase your production ability and style.

2. Make sure your identity is solid. Your book should show your best work only and your branding should be consistent. When it comes to your book, you’re only as good as your worst image (sadly). Your website should be simple and easily navigated. This will be the first impression most people will have of you and its important that this platform communicates the right things about you as a creative partner.

3. Be willing and able to collaborate. Increasingly, photographers are being asked to provide treatments or mood boards to be seriously considered for the job. Showing enthusiasm and offering ideas (but don’t fall on your sword about them either) communicates that you are fully invested in creating a great shot and you will help the agency realize that vision too.

Learn more about Heather’s photographer consulting services and follow her blog at www.heathermorton.ca, on twitter at @hmartbuyer

Every week at the Hermann & Audrey homestead we do a family lunch – it’s an opportunity for everyone in the studio to decompress from the work week, chill over a home cooked meal and share what we’re up to and inspired by.

This family time quickly evolved into a meeting of the minds, per se, as we began inviting select friends we know and those we don’t, to share our talents, from culinary to artistic, bounce ideas off each other and catch up on projects, new and old.

I’ve aimed to produce a new web interface every year since there’s been an internet.  This latest incarnation, coded by css expert Derek Akers, of thed.ca and designed by yours truly, the new SteveCarty.com is viewable on the iPhone, iPad and has a clean new interface.

With each incarnation of my web presence, I’ve aimed to be an early adopter.  My choice to leave flash for a developing platform for my site has everything to do with the current battles between Apple and Adobe, and the result leaving the iPhone and the soon to be released iPad, flashless. This being said, my new website is coded in css and has an amazing backend for management.

I’ve added some new features. Big thumbnails for the openings of all my stories. I’ve stacked my images and you can digg, facebook, or tweet your favourite stories or images.  I’ve expanded my film section, I’ve directed my first short film, Angel Eyes, which was shot on the Canon 7D.  Utilizing YouTube as a host for streaming my video content, it plays smoothly and all my latest content can be viewed on mobile devices that support YouTube as well as be played in HD.

My Workshop section has also expanded with new workshops added, and the ability to register for workshops right from my website, securely using paypal. Visa and MC transactions can now be accepted.  I’ve also included a Books section, where you can purchase Positives in Hard Cover or Soft Cover.

A new website is always refreshing. Come by for a visit and feel out the interface.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed producing it.

Special Thanks to Derek Akers aka @muhr for the incredibly fast delivery.

Carty.

Javier’s collaboration with Filler Magazine continues with the recent launch of the fashion film VERSUS for their men’s issue. Below the film and some ‘behind the scenes’ shots and a little bit about the video from Javier’s perspective.

Directed by: Javier Lovera
Creative Director: Ryan Johnson
DOP: Henry Sansom
Styling: Alicia Simpson @ Plutino
Make up and grooming: Sheri Stroh @ Plutino
Models: Paul Mason @ Spot 6 + Brendan @ Elmer Olsen
Editing: Cory Vanderploeg + Javier Lovera
Digital Colourist: Scott McIntyre
Music: Metamorphoses  I & II by Philip Glass
Featured Fashion: J. Lindeberg, Phillip Sparks, Hugo Boss (@ Harry Rosen)

The VERSUS shoot was a really exciting one. Initially we had planned for it to be in October, but the location manager surprised us at the last minute and we had to cancel the shoot with only 1/2 day to production day (we did however ended up shooting another men’s story for FILLER. You can read more about that here).

After regrouping we developed the concept further, had 1 more storyboarding meeting, and really took the opportunity to solidify the thematic. This is one of the things (among many others) that’s exciting about working with Ryan and Henry: we are always striving to make the best possible end product. We take pre-production very seriously, and have a great collaboration. Everyone’s ideas are equally valid, but only the best ones move forward, which is the same approach I carry on to editing and colouring. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work with them, and I thank all of the people involved in making this such a fun and successful shoot. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did making it!

—————————-

Here are some Behind the Scenes photos (© cory vanderploeg).

On location at  5:30 am for setup and were happy with what we saw:

The rest of the team showed up at around 6:30am to start shooting. Here you see our fashion editor Alicia, and our makeup artist Sheri. Both amazing at what they do and pleasure to work with.

Below is Henry setting up for the first shot. I’ve been working with Henry for a while now. His aesthetic is amazing and he is an all-around super nice guy.

Our models Brendan @ Elmer Olsen and Paul @ Spot 6 Management were great to work with. Very professional and hard working, jokers, and incredibly talented.

Reviewing one of the shots with the whole crew.

Giving some direction while Alicia takes care of wardrobe details.

AND, that’s a wrap!