Category — steve carty

BIG CONGRATS to Carty for his recent feature segment on ET Canada.

Fashion and celebrity photographer Carty, represented by Hermann & Audrey spoke about his career including highlight sessions with Sandra Oh, Kanye, Pharrell and Kardinal Offishall. ET Canada joined Carty’s shoot for a Studio 54 inspired Rethink Breast Cancer campaign in conjunction with promotion for their annual fundraiser the Boobyball. The event will be held on October 16th and tickets go on sale on August 31st. Carty was one of five photographers who contributed their creative prowess to creating a collaborative fashion photo exhibit for the event. The photoshoot also attracted the amazing creative talents of Hermann & Audrey producers, Judy Inc, Lotus Leaf Style, Sutherland Models, Marben restaurant and designer labels such as Andy the Anh, Harry Rosen, Jules Power and Jenny Bird.

“It was a pleasure having ET Canada on set for the studio 54 inspired shoot in support of rethink breast cancer. We had over 50 volunteers donating their time and talent to raise awareness for breast cancer, I was happy to be a part of it and it was great having ET Canada here during this particular shoot.”

watch Carty’s ET Canada spot here:

Other amazing photographers who contributed to the boobyball photoshoot include Javier Lovera, Caitlin Cronenburg, Babar Khan and Jalani Morgan. Also, it would not have been possible without the support of Rethink Breast Cancer and the over 30 volunteer extras.

I recently shot Nicole from Next Models Canada with an amazing crew. Nadia Pizzimenti styled the fall fashion and Tami El Sombati did an amazing job on makeup and hair. Nicole is great fun and i knew i had to shoot her after seeing her in person during my casting for Separated. I submitted this fashion story of Nicole to over 50 magazines, so we will see if it gets picked up. Either way, it’s an great addition to my book.

People often ask me how i choose my locations. The answer is pretty simple, i look for locations daily during my travels around the city. i make mental notes of spots i’d like to come back to. Sometimes i shoot images of special spots, mark them on my iPhone’s GPS and use them to show my stylists and clients. For larger productions, i do a location scout, shoot images and put a package together of different places and send them to the client. They choose the spot they like the best and that becomes the location for the editorial.

I like to keep my locations secret or i try to shoot certain known locations in a way that i haven’t seen before. Here is a short Behind the Scenes of Under the Bridge. See the full Spread at SteveCarty.com

From the desk of Steve Carty
Where do ideas live before they are revealed to us?

There is so much research into how the brain works, yet it still mystifies. What interests me most about our brains is the source of creativity. I question whether creativity actually lies within us. I believe that creativity lives easily, without us, we just have the ability to use it, to tap into it. I had a chance to shoot, and converse with Abbey Lincoln, a jazz legend about this. Her take was that creativity is a stream of consciousness that lies just above us, and the lucky ones can tap into it and harness it.

That talk goes back 14 years now and since the moment I heard those words from her, much about creativity and ideas made a bit more sense to me. All these amazing talents the world has seen. Singers and musicians and artists, as well as those in the sciences. The truest talents seem to be god given, although it’s also easy to believe that these people can just tap into the stream.

Some can write, sing, play and instrument or create works of art. My gift is, I can see. This is how I tap into that stream of creativity. Delivery via photography and motion is the most natural way for me to save those things and deliver them back. I’ve always called myself a mirror, nowadays, I’m a content provider.

So what about Ideas? Where do they live? For me it’s really simple. The idea is like a voice that is heard inside our heads that we must answer. An external inspiration heard internally. Ideas live in that same stream, side by side with creativity, waiting to be tapped into. Anyone can tap into this stream. Although it seems once one claims ownership to creativity, that creativity seems to elude them.

Are you tapping in?

recently carty shot a portrait of jian ghomeshi, the host of CBC show Q, which NUVO calls “arguably the most popular arts and culture radio program in this country”. “jian was such a gent,” commented carty “easy to shoot, a pleasure to deal with and we were able to shoot multiple ideas as well as get in a quick clothing change, all in 20 minutes. he’s a busy guy, i wanted to be quick, he made it easy.”

the photo appeared in the summer 2010 issue of NUVO magazine in an article titled radio active.

from the desk of Steve Carty (originally posted in April on stevecarty.com):

I’ve aimed to produce a new web interface every year since there’s been an internet. I designed and concepted my current SteveCarty.com™ over the course of a week, just after Steve Jobs announced that flash would never be on an iPhone or iPad, I knew that my new site had to be viewable on the iPhone, iPad and have a clean new interface. The new way is mobile. Your content everywhere. Every phone, every tablet, every browser, every time. (This latest incarnation of my web presence, coded by Derek Akers, of the d.)

(a screenshot of my previous website, all flash, replaced with the current SteveCarty.com early in March)

With each incarnation of my web presence, I’ve aimed to be an early adopter. I jumped on social media sites for promotion very early. As a photographer, every social media strategy goal should be to drive traffic back to where your work is. There are multiple reason for choosing to leave flash for a developing platform for my site. A very big one has everything to do with the current battles between Apple and Adobe, and the result leaving the iPhone and the US released iPad, flashless. The popularity of the Hermann & Audrey blog site is one adaptation to the way the industry is moving. People view this in RSS, on the web and mobile.

Here’s a short excerpt from an article from Mashable.

In short, Steve Jobs claims Flash drains the battery of mobile devices; it’s not very good for multi-touch operation, and its performance, reliability and security are all shoddy. It’s also a proprietary system, and while Jobs admits that their mobile OS is also proprietary, he claims that web standards should be open, like HTML5, CSS and JavaScript.

Most importantly Apple doesn’t want “a third party layer of software (to) come between the platform and the developer.” Finally, Jobs concludes, Flash is a relic. “Flash was created during the PC era –- for PCs and mice,” he says, “but the mobile era is about low power devices, touch interfaces and open web standards –- all areas where Flash falls short.” – Mashable

I use Apple products. You could call me an Apple supporter. If I thought that flash was dying just because Jobs says it is, I’d be an idiot. Here are my reasons dropping Flash like I dropped 3rd period french. (sorry Mrs. Maurice)

Mobile devices. Even if the new Android supports flash, that phone is an island. Companies aren’t going to hang their entire flash identity on the hope that users will use the one mobile phone that supports flash. Everyone has an iPhone or a Blackberry. That’s the market. All the other platforms share a very small percentage. People like to have the “it” product, the one that’s hot, fits into that lifestyle that is seen everywhere. (and it’s usually the phone that their friends have).

The iPad. My site just has to be viewable here. It just has to be. I’m in the picture business. I shoot video. Imagine showing your book on the iPad, during a random meeting on the street with a potential client. The reason I say imagine, is because the iPad isn’t available here in Canada yet and I actually do have to imagine. This device will literally change publishing. Less magazines on the stands. Every magazine on the iPad. Bloggers and online magazines that already are getting play, will get hundreds of times more. Those that have the internet working for them, are already on a database style of site management tool like Wordpress for creating custom css and java html templates that work on everything.

Direct links. This is equally as important as mobile support. When I update, I can post the direct link to that update. I send my viewers to the content i just created. That story or set of images can be reposted, relinked, excerpts can be taken and linked back to the source. Every image has a link and search engines index them all. Direct links and tags are how your images actually will get seen and shared. Add sociables to your post and it makes it a whole lot easier and faster to get to the content you are looking for.

RSS feeds. If you haven’t discovered RSS, it’s amazing for getting new content from the sites you frequent. Instant updates in your chosen RSS reader every time you post new content. I had been using feeds for a while now to read some of my favorite sites and nothing makes me happier than being able to give my viewers that option rather than having to keep checking back and searching through for the “new”.

Analytics. I’ve always tracked “hits” now I track individual images, blog posts, re-tweets, facebook mentions, refers, ping-backs, and more stat jargon than I need to get into. External site tracking i.e.: someone came to my site, vs. Internal site tracking ie: they came, they saw this, they stayed this long on this and they left on that. These are the goods that i need to know.

Load Time. 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,20,40,50,80,99………. and done. No more loader bars and countdowns till you see content. Flashy animations and Gizmos flying around distracting you from uninteresting content.

Bottom line for flash I think is this. Adapt. The inter-web has changed since it’s invention. In life for all things it’s adapt or die. Unfortunately for flash, it’s time for a retool. When Jobs says “flash is dead“; many companies, small businesses and developers listen. If you are a flash developer, it may be time to jump on the java, css, and HTML 5 bandwagon. As companies scramble to rejig their web presences, there’s going to be some new opportunities out there for those in the know. We at Hermann & Audrey are all trying to stay on the cutting edge. We are in the process of a complete redevelopment of our Hermann & Audrey site and blog. It will soon be combined into one amazing place for you to see all our latest work as well as still follow our blog posts and industry insight. Seeing all of our site features on all platforms quickly and easily is a necessity and we can’t wait to show you our new look and feel.

It’ll be interesting to watch the web in the coming months in the wake of the worldwide release of the flash killer, the iPad. How are you adapting?
(this post shared via SteveCarty.com)

tara jean popowich “freestyled her way to the top”. she was named the country’s best dancer when she won ’so you think you can dance canada’ season 2. seeing her fly through the air during that season was much like she did once again in front of carty’s lens.

here’s what carty had to say about the session; “she brought the photo shoot to life, going full out and giving me something different for every frame…a photographer’s favourite”.

carty’s picture of tara jean is on the cover of vervegirl’s may/june 2010 issue. he captures her in flight as well inside the issue as a two-page spread. make sure you pick up the may/june issue of vervegirl to see the shots and story!

special thanks to shea hurley and david goveia from judy inc.

Who he is: Liam Fay-Fright

What he does: newly appointed Communications Manager at Hermann & Audrey

Hermann & Audrey: What’s inspired you lately?
Liam: I recently saw a site-specific theatre performance at Theatre Passe Muraille that was a potted history of Queen Street West, based on the oral history of locals over the past 30 years. I’m fresh off the boat from the UK, so it was great to find out about all the cool locations along Queen West.

H&A: If I say “great design” what is the first thing that pops into your head?
Simplicity. Something that delivers in a simple format a complex idea. Great design is like great writing: an ability to express in few words or images a complicated concept is a rare talent. Subtext is more interesting than blatant exposition – if you can peel back the layers of your work, and it still stands up to being peeled, it’s probably good, but that’s very different to complexity.

H&A: What would people find surprising about you?
I got my nipple pierced at 14 because my girlfriend asked me to do it.

H&A: What are your passions?
My newest passion is for all things Canadian. I recently had the best BBQ ribs that I’ve ever had, something you never get in England. I came from a place with rain and dull days to the land of sunshine and ice-skating. It’s an exciting contrast. I also love food and the intimacy of family gatherings, which seems to fit well with the Hermann& Audrey experience.

H&A: What’s the photography world like in the UK?
The big boys / girls of the business tend to dominate the commercial world, but the creative industries have really thrived under 13 years of the Labour government, so there’s opportunities for creatives at every level if you work hard. Toronto feels like it has a similar vibe, but the simple fact of Canada’s geography makes it feel like a microcosm. I might be wrong though, I’ve only been here a few months!

I came to Hermann and Audrey having been a Campaign Manager for some of the biggest brands in UK arts and culture. I worked for the 02 and ran the press office at the UK’s largest music charity, Youth Music. Photography has always been my passion though – I also managed the photography team at a leading consultancy, RANKIN and Proud Galleries were my biggest clients.

H&A: What do you see as upcoming trends in the art & photography business?
Self-promotion is key. Even artists who are really long in the tooth are realizing that generating revenues from their work is increasingly reliant on maintaining control of how and where your work is outlet and represented. It levels out the playing field a bit for upcoming talent, but it also means there’s a lot more players!

H&A: What is the best thing about your job?
Being able to help a bunch of creative and enthusiastic people achieve their aspirations.

H&A: What is your passion outside work?
Hanging out with family at the cottage (my parents retired out here) and singing songs around the campfire. I have a passion for pre-war delta blues – first recording kind of stuff with guys who had lived in shacks their whole lives and taught themselves to play guitar with a kitchen knife. Bukka White is my god. I play slide, badly.

image by Steve Carty Photographer ©

I’ve been collaborating with graffiti artists, painters and a flashlight for nearly 5 years. This year i decided to bring it to the Contact festival with my series, “Lightworkers.”

Painting with Light. The process involves a tripod and long shutter speeds in ultra low light situations. A black studio. A night time scene. All fixed points of light create amazing star-bursts in the final image. Moving points of light create points of reference, as to where that light source has been, and where it could be potentially going. We have all seen trailing car lights blaze through an evening street scene.  Imagine this reference controlled, with masters of the line, wielding the light sources to create amazing works of art, captured only within a photograph.

By choosing to collaborate with a most accomplished graffiti artist, Skam as well as painters Jon Todd and Kwame Delfish, I put the flashlights in capable hands. The result is a body of photographs shot both in studio and on location that have the depth of a still as well as a feeling of motion as you follow the light trails through the image.

I took a unique approach with my session with Skam. Graffiti art has always been seen as vandalism, and although Skam never paints anywhere he isn’t hired to paint anymore, the roots of graffiti still lay in the underground, painting clean walls with murals and tags, often leading to arrests and neighbourhood cleanups.

On the other hand, the graffiti Skam creates with a flashlight only exist within my photograph. The entire experience is captured in a single frame. Light trails. Removed from all things except light itself, drawn once, in space over time, and saved forever. A perfect collaboration between artist and photographer.

Choosing a cross section of downtown locations, I tried to give Skam the room to work with the flashlight in ways that he was comfortable as well as forcing him to be in an overall situation that he has never been, not being able to see what he was painting.

I can’t give away the cow, but here’s a short behind the scenes from my session with Skam.

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

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.