I T Evans Photography

New location of Tom Evans' DAM blog

2010-04-03T23:07:00.000-04:00

I have a NEW blog. It incorporates all of this. Please come see me.

2010-03-29T13:23:00.003-04:00

Tom Speaks!

2010-01-29T11:12:00.004-05:00

To hear my radio interview with Vanessa Davies on CKCU following last year’s CATWALK Centretown Art Tour you can download the file here. The very beginning of the interview is not here, but the rest of it is.

It’s my first ever interview, and I think I am reasonably coherent, but still likely not the best choice to be an advocate for anything.

My thanks to Vanessa and to CKCU for sending this to me.

Go to the tomevans.ca/RED site to see the images we are discussing.

Please observe the Copyright and do not download any of the images.

-T

New Web Gallery Test

2010-01-26T20:40:00.000-05:00

Please have a look at this new web site for me.

It is built on a template by Sitewelder.
An amazing company with a very easy to use system for updating your site, which is hosted by them.

I will more than likely switch my web- hosting to their service soon.

Please let me know what you think of this.

Time to Eat My Words

2010-01-24T10:44:00.002-05:00

Remember this post??

I should have known this might happen. I wrote about something and expressed a strong opinion.
Now I have to revisist the topic and admit I was mistaken.

I have been asked among other things, to shoot video of property and scenery in Jamaica. A dream assignment.
I will be putting together my kit and I want to keep it light. The main purpose of the trip is to shoot still images, so I will have to bring a pile of gear for this. Video is incidental but it has to look good. Not wanting to bring a whole video kit with me and almost doubling the amount of luggage I have decided to add a Digital SLR camera that will shoot video to my inventory and take advantage of the technology I was mocking so very recently.

Not sure yet if I will stick to Nikon or make the switch to Canon to take advantage of the superior format they offer, but I will solve the video issue in this way. For now the images are for Web use only, but considering what has been done with this medium ( check out the opening credits to Saturday Night Live) either should serve me very well.

Need to travel with lights and keep things light??

2010-01-24T10:34:00.002-05:00

Link to a very cool idea

So, I have a problem.

I have been asked to take some pretty pictures in Jamaica.
I admit, it's a nice problem to be dealing with when it's as cold here as it is. It's warmer than usual, but still ...

Most of what I will be shooting is a property owned by my client. To do the interiors properly I will need supplemental lighting. I do not want to bring my own kit down for several reasons. One - it will be more than likely destroyed in transit because it is fragile, and Two - it is f-©kin' heavy.

Well as luck would have it, I happened to take a look at one of my favourite blogs while researching this job. Well lo and behold, the current post was this one linked to above. A Swedish shooter has developed a collapsible and highly portable solution for shooting indoors using tent poles with bungi cords and an umbrella with a diffusion material which covers the reflective surface and forms a balloon like shape. It is ingenious and the answer to my concerns.

I am going to build these and shoot with them.

I will report back on how it went when I get back.

Provided I haven't been murdered on the beach for being the ugly Canadian. I understand we are not too popular in Jamaica. We'll see how it goes. I'm sure it will be fine. I have met many people from Jamaica over the years, here at least, and they are beautiful people all.

I am looking forward to it, needless to say.

Valentine's Day Portraits - Again!!! Yay!

2010-01-13T11:52:00.001-05:00

This year I am once again offering inexpensive portraits for Valentine’s Day.

Last year’s event was all about Pin Up photos.

We can do Pin up photos again, or we can do headshots.

The idea is to give you an image of yourself which is a gift for your loved one, or for yourself. Who doesn’t love themselves??

For $100.00 you will have your photo taken, and receive an 8×10 print and a CD of web resolution images from the shoot in the form of a web gallery.

It is fun, and it is popular, so book now before the available times are all taken.

We can shoot anytime you like, but the last shoots will be during the last week of January. This will enable me to get your prints done and to prepare for a job I have out-of-town in February.

Drop me a line if you have any questions or comments.

Tom

tom@tomevans.ca
(613) 567-8193

Still Shooting Portraits

2009-12-03T00:06:00.001-05:00

This is my ad for December in the Centretown Buzz, our community paper.

Last month I ran an image of Cynthia O'Brien covered in mud and a lot of text describing a special offer for portraits. This month we'll see if people are inclined to explore a bit and see what this ad is all about. I will be updating my homepage to take advantage of this and direct people to another offer to do their portraits for them.

It's always a fun experience and it's always a thrill to produce something amazing like we did with Cynthia or in this case with my friend Verna.

This image almost reduced a visitor to my first CATWALK exhibit to tears. He was so touched by her expression. I found that to be very gratifying.

Beauty of a car for sale

2009-11-18T21:24:00.001-05:00

If you're interested, let me know.

Portrait Price List for November Promotion

2009-11-14T13:54:00.007-05:00

Headshot Portrait
One Hour session: $200.00

including

All images on CD at web resolution
Three (3) high resolution images on CD
One (1) 8x10 print of image of your choice.

Additional 8x10 or smaller size for no more than $30.00 each
Volume discounts will apply to orders placed at one time.

Please see previous blog entry for elaboration.
Other types of portraits are definitely available.

Half of fee is payable in advance, the balance is due on receipt of your CD and print.

Delivery is available, but hand delivery or pick up is always preferable for photographs.

November is Portrait Month

2009-11-05T16:43:00.007-05:00

The plan for November is to offer a reasonable price to everyone who needs a headshot but maybe hasn't made the time or been able to justify the expense.

I will do anything from a traditional studio portrait, suitable for a real estate bus board or an 8x10 glossy for signing and sending to your fans, to a pin-up photo. Something which may be interesting for Christmas and Valentine's Day.

I also want to encourage all to consider the photo above. If you want something expressive and creative, let's do that.

I've been photographing artists as alternately, their own art, or as their own subjects. The series is growing and is a lot of fun. There may be a show in it.

There is no good reason why this process would not be suitable for everyone else.
If you want to pose as your own professional activity - product, service or conceptual premise, then let's discuss it and give it a go.

The terms for this project may differ from the standard headshot terms.

So, for $200.00 you can come by and we'll spend a good hour, a baker's hour, with you and shoot as many poses as we are comfortable with. Pin-up and full figure poses will take more time but the rate will still apply for the shoot, and we would need to pick a suitable day.

You will receive every frame from the shoot on a CD and retouched ready to print files of at least three final selections and an 8x10 print of one of them.

More prints will be available for purchase for no more than $30.00 each.
A volume discount will be available for multiple prints ordered at the same time.

As always, everything is subject to negotiation.
I sometimes work for brownies!

Call me and let's talk about what you'd like.

It will be fun, I guarantee.

redshirt

2009-10-15T11:28:00.006-04:00

"I've worked out of a series of no's. No to exquisite light, no to apparent compositions, no to the seduction of poses or narrative. And all these no's force me to the "yes." I have a white background. I have the person I'm interested in and the thing that happens between us.
-Richard Avedon, 1994"

Amanda Sears - Remember this name.

2009-10-02T13:43:00.006-04:00

During the last week of September, I drove out to Almonte in the Spitfire. (For those of you who don't know, I own a 1971 Triumph Spitfire Mark IV and is it slowly being renovated). It was a leap of faith, but thankfully the more it is driven, the better it runs. Sadly it is almost time to put it away for the winter, which is a very brutal thing to do to an engine or transmission.

The goal of my trip was to photograph some older work for a delightful young artist named Amanda Sears.
Amanda is one of the subjects of my Portraits of Artists featured in past blog entries.

We spent an entire late morning and afternoon, with Deborah Arnold who is a mentor and friend of Amanda's, and shot these three pieces from her past and about ten paintings and a tapestry.

I truly could have photographed the sushi lunch she prepared for us as well. It was spectacular and quite delicious.

Oh, and the Spitfire got me home again! Not a hint of a problem. If you don't consider the engine shutting off when you go over a sharp bump a problem.

The next assignment: a shoot at CUBE Gallery for Karina Kraenzle.
The next challenge for the Spitfire? It was raining that day. But that's another story.

So, as I say. Remember her name. She does fine work and she is a very dedicated artist. She is destined to be very successful.

2009 CATWALK - Biggest One Yet!

2009-09-20T23:09:00.002-04:00

August 2009

2009-08-31T12:39:00.003-04:00

If I don't write something today I will have missed August entirely.
And that's not right because it has been an OK month.

Finally had the CAPIC BBQ and the younger generation is showing interest in the association.

CATWALK is happening in two weeks, so I have some work to do there.

Cynthia O'Brien - New Work

2009-07-17T18:28:00.007-04:00

You all know Cynthia, and her amazing original work in clay. If you don't you should.
The following are just a few of her new pieces done in 2009.

Her "Lucky Ducks" were the hit of the Chinatown REMIXED festival in May. Her ducks hung in the window of the Wa Kiu Grocery, temporarily replacing the BBQ ducks which are so familiar to passersby on Somerset Street.

Northern Ontario 2009

2009-07-12T16:48:00.003-04:00

Oak Island, I believe it's called. The shore in the background is the North Shore of the North Channel between Lake Huron on the left (West) and Georgian Bay on the right (East). Whitefish Falls is the first community going East.

2009 Magical Mystery Tour

2009-07-11T20:25:00.006-04:00

Portrait of a muse.

2009 Drive for the Podium

2009-06-24T00:09:00.004-04:00

CMCP Open Letter / Lettre ouverte MCPC

2009-05-14T05:13:00.002-04:00

[Une version française suit]

Open letter to Mr. Michael Audain, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Canada, and Members of the Board.

We the undersigned, including both photographic artists chosen to participate in the National Gallery consultation on the future of the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography (CMCP), and other distinguished practitioners not chosen, have been struggling with the implications of the consultation as designed by the National Gallery of Canada (NGC). We have decided not to participate in the consultation, unless it can be reformulated as open, public, and national.

On 8 April, 2009, it was announced that the NGC Board of Trustees had instructed the personnel of the NGC to conduct a national consultation with the photographic community. It was anticipated that this consultation would be open and public. Many interested members of the community, including artists, curators, researchers, educators, critics, and members of the public, contacted the NGC to ensure that they would be informed when and where the consultations would be taking place. Instead, the NGC decided to conduct the consultation on an individual basis, by invitation and by telephone, and to present its findings to the Board without attribution. The list of invited artists is confidential.

We understand that the invitation list includes artists who have exhibited their work at the CMCP or the NGC during the last five years, as well as those with scheduled exhibitions forthcoming. We note that the CMCP has been closed for renovations due to a leak in the roof for nearly three years, during which time all CMCP exhibitions were temporarily housed at the NGC. We note too that budgetary restraints and administrative changes had severely restricted the CMCP's autonomy for several years before the temporary closure of the building at 1 Rideau Canal. It is impossible to evaluate the performance and potential of the CMCP from this period of physical upheaval and institutional hardship.

We believe that a public consultation has to involve more than the artist/photographers whose work has been exhibited at the gallery over the past five years. A national consultation of the photographic community also has to include other professionals in the field: curators, collectors, dealers, researchers, educators, critics, and the large public that has an interest in the CMCP.

We are asking the Board of Trustees to ensure that an open and public process of national consultation is conducted before any further decisions are made about the future of the CMCP.

We would be happy to participate openly in a public consultation.

Signed:

Raymonde April, Benoit Aquin, Richard Baillargeon, Marian Penner Bancroft, Claude-Philippe Benoit, Phil Bergerson, Karl Beveridge, AA Bronson, Michel Campeau, Bertrand Carriére, Serge Clément, Carol Condé, Linda Covit, Marlene Creates, Donigan Cumming, Stan Denniston, Jennifer Dickson, Evergon, William Eakin, Janieta Eyre, Vera Frenkel, Richard Fung, Wyn Geleynse, Lorraine Gilbert, Don Gill, Rafael Goldchain, Adrian Gollner, Pascal Grandmaison, Sunil Gupta, Toni Hafkenscheid, Ted Hiebert, David Hlynsky, Richard Holden, Thaddeus Holownia, Holly King, Thomas Kneubuhler, Susan McEachern, Robert Minden, Shelley Niro, Sylvie Readman, Henri Robideau, Jayce Salloum, Sandra Semchuk, Cheryl Sourkes, George Steeves, Gabor Szilasi, Jeff Thomas, Diana Thorneycroft, Eve K. Tremblay, Richard-Max Tremblay, Justin Wonnacott, Andrew Wright, Jin-me Yoon

We apologize for cross-postings.
If you have not done so, please sign the petition.

Lettre ouverte à Monsieur Michael Audain, Président du Conseil d'administration du Musée des beaux-arts du Canada et aux membres du Conseil.

Nous soussignés, artistes photographes invités à participer à la consultation sur l'avenir du MCPC auxquels se joignent d'autres intervenants du milieu qui n'ont pas été invités, nous interrogeons sur les implications de cette consultation telle que proposée par le Musée des beaux-arts du Canada (MBAC). Nous avons décidé de ne pas participer à cette consultation, à moins qu'elle ne soit repensée pour devenir ouverte, publique et nationale.

Le 8 avril 2009, le MBAC annonçait par voie de communiqué que son Conseil d'administration avait demandé à son personnel de mener une consultation auprès de la communauté photographique. Nous nous attendions à une consultation ouverte et publique. De nombreux intervenants du milieu, artistes, commissaires, chercheurs, éducateurs, critiques et membres du public, ont communiqué avec le Musée pour demander d'être prévenus de la tenue de ces sessions. Le MBAC a plutôt décidé de consulter individuellement, par téléphone, certaines personnes qu'il a invitées et de présenter les résultats au Conseil de manière anonyme. La liste des artistes choisis demeure confidentielle.

Il appert que cette liste regroupe les artistes dont les oeuvres ont été exposées au MCPC et au MBAC au cours des cinq dernières années ainsi que ceux qui y ont des expositions inscrites au programme. Nous constatons que le MCPC est fermé depuis bientôt trois ans en raison de travaux de réfection à son toit qui fuit; au cours de cette période, les expositions prévues au MCPC ont été tenues temporairement au MBAC. Nous constatons aussi que, depuis plusieurs années et ce bien avant la fermeture temporaire de l'immeuble du 1, Canal Rideau, des restrictions budgétaires et des réorganisations administratives ont sérieusement compromis l'autonomie du MCPC. Il est impossible d'évaluer la performance autant que le potentiel du MCPC à partir de ses réalisations au cours de cette période de chambardements et de tribulations.

Nous croyons qu'une consultation publique doit mobiliser plus que les artistes photographes qui ont exposé au Musée depuis cinq ans. Une consultation nationale du milieu photographique se doit d'en appeler aux autres professionnels concernés : commissaires, collectionneurs, galeristes, chercheurs, éducateurs, critiques de même que le public qui lui aussi a son mot à dire sur l'avenir du MCPC.

Nous demandons au Conseil d'administration de s'assurer qu'une consultation ouverte, publique et d'envergure nationale soit menée avant de prendre quelque décision que ce soit sur le sort du MCPC.

Nous participerons de tout coeur et franchement à une consultation publique.

Signé:

Raymonde April, Benoit Aquin, Richard Baillargeon, Marian Penner Bancroft, Claude-Philippe Benoit, Phil Bergerson, Karl Beveridge, AA Bronson, Michel Campeau, Bertrand Carriére, Serge Clément, Carol Condé, Linda Covit, Marlene Creates, Donigan Cumming, Stan Denniston, Jennifer Dickson, Evergon, William Eakin, Janieta Eyre, Vera Frenkel, Richard Fung, Wyn Geleynse, Lorraine Gilbert, Don Gill, Rafael Goldchain, Adrian Gollner, Pascal Grandmaison, Sunil Gupta, Toni Hafkenscheid, Ted Hiebert, David Hlynsky, Richard Holden, Thaddeus Holownia, Holly King, Thomas Kneubuhler, Susan McEachern, Robert Minden, Shelley Niro, Sylvie Readman, Henri Robideau, Jayce Salloum, Sandra Semchuk, Cheryl Sourkes, George Steeves, Gabor Szilasi, Jeff Thomas, Diana Thorneycroft, Eve K. Tremblay, Richard-Max Tremblay, Justin Wonnacott, Andrew Wright, Jin-me Yoon

Veuillez nous excuser pour les courriels se répétant.
Nous vous prions de signer la pétition.

To go to the petition in English please click on the headline.

CAPIC XPOSE 2009 Selected Images

2009-05-12T12:45:00.004-04:00

The XPOSE exhibition is up in Toronto as part of the CONTACT Festival of Photography.

Some principals of CAPIC gathered at the gallery on the eve of the opening.

See the show at xpose

Deborah Arnold and Amanda Sears - Collaboration

2009-04-24T13:30:00.008-04:00

This exquisite stone carving done in alabaster is entitled Goddess Metamorphosis and it is a collaboration by Deborah Arnold and Amanda Sears.

After working with both of them in Deborah's studio in Almonte this past autumn it was my absolute pleasure to work with them to photograph this piece in my studio. They are both very creative and visually aware artists. To work with people who know what they want and how to ask for it is a blessing. I think we acheived a beautiful series of images of a very engaging piece of sculpture. To shoot this important piece with the two of them, working so closely together as they do, was a privlege.

For more information about Deborah and Amanda, please drop me a line. I'd be happy to put you in touch with them and tell you where you can see more of their work.

Deborah's wesite is www.DeborahArnold.com

SOLD FINALLY!! Nikon D200 Digital SLR Body for sale on eBay

2009-04-15T19:01:00.009-04:00

The camera comes complete with all the hardware items shipped with a new camera. This includes the following:

D200 body
BM-6 LCD cover
Neck strap
USB cable
MH-18a Battery charger w/AC cord
EN-EL3e Lithium Ion battery
A/V cables
Instruction manuals English and French, Original Warranty card.

This camera has served me very well. I did not use it much, it only has slightly more then 1500 exposures on the counter. I bought a D300 last year and while it was nice to have a second body, I found I rarely used it. I want to buy a wide angle lens, and I can no longer justify keeping it. I just made the same decision with my original Hasselblad because I wasn't using it either. Very sad, but necessary.

So let me know if you have questions. The camera is very clean and everything works just as it was designed to. It's a marvellous camera, I just can't use it.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=140318611813

Art Doc Services: ON OFFER

2009-03-31T00:56:00.015-04:00

This is my new promotion piece for Art Documentation services.

I will be doing a series with well known clients of mine who are respected and do amazing work.

Please send this around to anyone you may know who needs pictures or an image library.

Thanks,

Tom

Design advice is more than welcome.

6 year old blast from the past. Good friends

2009-03-25T13:02:00.003-04:00

Cell Phone Diary: Saturday

2009-03-22T09:07:00.004-04:00

Loving Oil

2009-03-20T12:56:00.002-04:00

Ahhhh ... Now I really want to hear a story he said.

I have one. I call it: "Loving Oil"

I was working a rare Saturday at my desk in a cramped office. I'd agreed to do the Purchasing for one of my photo suppliers to pay off my bill.

The shop was a low budget business which did large volumes on low prices.

As you might expect office furnishings were a luxury. My desk was one of three in a small L shaped room adjoining the owners office at the rear. Being the last to come to the space I was given a desk right inside the doorway against the wall. No phone even.
If I turned to my left I could see out the office door toward the staircase which was to the right slightly out of view and forward of the office.

To the left out the door was an Adult video store. It worked well for the owner. He had expanded into his large space from the office we were now occupying. In fact a mail slot still existed in the wall to our office which served as his movie return drop off. Occasionally a CD would drop through the slot into the desk of my co-worker. Rather than view such titles as "Thai Boys in Bondage", he simply would pick them up and deliver them next door.

To the right of the office were two shops. A used record store and a tailor shop. The tailor owned the building, Record Guy lived in his shop.

On this particular Saturday as I was working I could hear the faulting footsteps of a person having difficulty scaling the stairs to the second level where I was. I used to try and guess who was coming up the stairs by the sound of the steps. If I guessed it was someone I wanted to see I might occasionally get up to greet them.

Well on this particular day, based on the panting, and complaining, I could tell the approaching steps belonged to an elderly person. When she got to the top I had stood to offer help assuming by process of elimination she was looking for the tailor. She was very old easily 80 if she were a day.

"Have You Got Any Loving Oil?" she enquired in a loud exasperated voice. Before I could reply, she added "A Man Sent Me!"

I was taken aback and simultaneously amused, horrified and sympathetic. I toyed with the idea of saying no, sorry I was "Fresh Out", but I simply said, "Not us, but try the fellows next door" pointing towards the adult video store, "they might be able to help you".

I sat down quietly laughing and listened to her determinedly asking again, "Have you Got Any Loving Oil?? A Man Sent Me."

"Ottawa Man! WTF???"

2009-03-16T05:10:00.007-04:00

Street photography in Ottawa.

Am I the only one it drives crazy to do it?

Rather it used to drive me nuts and make me self conscious.

When I was at school in Toronto the first thing that really impressed me was the freedom with which someone with a camera could explore and photograph virtually anything. Rarely do you see people in Ottawa taking anything other than group photos in front of tourist attractions. The times you do see someone shooting for art or documentary reasons, it always draws comments and crowds. As if the natives had for the first time seen something curiously magical and bizarre. Questions and comments typically follow.

It's been years since I've been back from Toronto and now I use my cell phone quite a bit to take photos of things which catch my eye on the street.

Yesterday I was haunted by the ghost of Ottawa Native past when shooting the images above.

I was struck by the habits of the residents of the Glebe on this day, as I often am. They are a curious self-absorbed bunch who exhibit disdain and little regard for the conduct of anyone not pushing extra-wide strollers, driving a Volvo or carrying a coffee on the way to their errands.

Well, as we approached a corner featuring a coffee shop and a toy store (two of the best viewing spots for participant observation studies) I noticed a curious sight. The Glebe native, who occasionally observes the rules of conduct in their sacred franchise stores, will leave their coffees outside on the window ledge while they go in to shop. Well, next to a shop with a coffee cup on the ledge there was a toy shop with a "Sippy cup" on it's ledge. Obviously the young squire or princess who was inside was apprenticing at the hand of their chic guardians and observing their shopping etiquette.

I stooped down to document this interesting sign of social habits on display.

My wife and I carried on down the street to visit a craft and art gallery where we encountered several groups of Glebe residents in all their exasperatingly self-indulgent glory. Blocking all the passages with their paraphernalia and not acknowledging the need for other visitors to get by them to see things or even leave the building.

Heather told me after leaving that the chap obstructing us when trying to leave had observed me taking these photographs. This "patron of the arts" had been heard to say after he walked past me "Can you believe there's a guy back there taking a picture of a cup of coffee?"

Now I may be overly sensitive, but this clown's remarks hearken back to so many observances of puzzled expressions of so many of this town's residents whose taste tends to be all in their mouths. Ottawa has long had a reputation for being intolerant of art and not supporting it. If this fellow is as typical as he was striving to be in his fashionable outdoor clothing designed for the bush, but worn only in the streets of trendy neighbourhoods, then I fear the reputation is deserved and the town for all it's progress over the last 30 years has fundamentally still got a very long way to go.

At least in the Glebe.

New Project

2009-03-10T03:51:00.002-04:00

COMING SOON

To a non-traditional gallery venue in Chinatown.

My Last Polaroid

2009-03-08T14:47:00.003-04:00

Guess the identity of my famous ancestor. GUESSED!!

2009-03-07T23:42:00.006-05:00

OK, No FAMILY!!!

Unlike when I posted this on facebook, I'm hoping people will be able to guess who this dashing fellow is and what relation he is to me without someone who clearly knows and in fact told me about him spoiling the suspense.

He is a family relation and he was very famous when he was alive.

Your prize for guessing acurately is a free headshot!

The photographic kind, not the martial arts kind.

Just leave your guesses in the comments section of this post or drop me a line at ivortevans@gmail.com

GOOD LUCK!

Still can't tell?

Here's a clue. That's Boris Karloff beside him in this picture "borrowed" from Corbis.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Carmel Purkis, my excellent neighbour and genius.

Carmel accurately identified my distant ancestor as C. (Charles) Aubrey Smith, Famous Actor in such films as "The Four Feather" and ... a bunch of others where he played the butler.

Carmel wins a free portrait sitting at the time and in the style of her choosing.

Thanks to everyone who guessed. You can't win them all Ed, but thanks for trying.

SOLD: Camera for Sale

2009-03-02T14:27:00.005-05:00

New Art Show in Chinatown

2009-02-28T11:56:00.004-05:00

Canadian Art Reviews Deborah Margo

2009-02-24T20:04:00.003-05:00

Photos by yours truly. A great show by Deborah Margo at Patrick Mikhail Gallery.

CATWALK 2009

2009-02-18T14:09:00.002-05:00

The CAT's coming back!

More news soon!

OK, Just because we can doesn't mean we should.

2009-02-18T12:39:00.005-05:00

Are you a still photographer?

Does this look more than a little dumb, not to mention unworkable to you?

If not what about this one?

I'm in favour of some consolidation of technology to make us more productive, but YIKES! What's next? Really.

Much like when in character, Woody Allen said in one of his films: "I'm working on a musical version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame" and some Disney executive heard that and said, "What a good idea", a tech at Canon likely went back to a What's Next file of absurd ideas for this one.

Now some things which we said were impossible in the 70s and 80s like an 80-200mm, f2.8 zoom lens have come about, and thank goodness for it.

This may be useful once in a while, but ... I don't know when a video camera wouldn't do a better job. If you want high quality digital audio, then you should be prepared to capture it in the best way possible. This is a compromise.

And funny.

OK I can appreciate the value of digital video in a DSLR.

I attended a networking session with a diverse group of artists this past weekend. One of them is a successful photographer who is diversifying his offerings to include the aforementioned digital video. The main benefit of using the DSLR is the versatility and depth of field / selective focus options one has with existing lens inventory. One would have to use a very high end digital video camera to get the same kind of effects.

Still. The microphone sock? Oh well...

NUTs: No Uncertain Terms

2009-01-27T05:31:00.012-05:00

CAPIC Ottawa members and some invited attendees gathered at Carbon Computing on a bitter cold night without public transit to view the webcast on image rights management No Uncertain Terms. The discussion featured the presentation of the PLUS Coalition initiative by Jeff Sedlik and a Q&A hosted by Heather Morton.

Sylvia Verkley, Yvonne Duivenvoorden and the rest of the organisers of this event are to be congratulated and the participants given a huge thank you for a well presented event. The broadcast was smoothly done. The panelists and speakers were articulate, engaging and knowledgeable and the participation from the audience in the theatre provided a real sense that we watching from Ottawa were truly part of the occasion.

It looked like an extremely full house in Toronto.
We had a small group but it was a good mix of people.
Some CAPIC members, some students and some industry people.

All things considered, transit strike etc., very bitter cold, we are happy for the crowd we had.

Everyone who attended got a lot out of the presentation, which came across quite well. Kudos to the ever present and extremely helpful Cory Galbraith of Galbraith Communications.

If you missed it you are strongly encouraged to visit useplus.org to learn about this brilliant and useful initiative. There will be a CAPIC working group forming to discuss the implementation of rights management in Canada. You can be a part of that conversation.

-Tom Evans, Photographer - Ottawa

Photo ©2009 Tom EvansPhoto ©2009 Tom EvansPhoto ©2009 Tom Evans

Chinese New Year on Somerset St.

2009-01-25T21:28:00.005-05:00

Deborah Margo Installation at Patrick Mikhail Gallery

2009-01-19T19:02:00.012-05:00

Sunday I went with a friend of mine and her mother to see and hear Deborah Margo talk about her latest work at the Patrick Mikhail Gallery in south Ottawa. We were into the 40th day of the transit strike here and it was snowing, so I was very grateful for the ride.

The work, some of which I had seen before, having photographed some pieces for the invitation, was displayed in such a way as to make full use of the space. I didn't count the component pieces, but a whole lot of them were arranged in a grid which followed the perimeter of the space leaving a walkway around most of the grouping. This led one to want to walk around and observe the entire collection as a collective whole. Certainly looking in through the big front windows, that's is what one sees. A grid, a collection which form a large array.

After a closer look however the the viewer is drawn to want to get closer to the individual pieces which seem to be demanding to be observed. They are all so unique compared to the rather uniform appearance they take on when one only considers the group as an entity unto itself. Therefore people have been walking among the pieces stepping gingerly over and around them. Occasionally stooping to pick one up and look at it's bottom.

The many red stickers through out bear testimony to many visitors to the centre of the grid.

Deborah gave an enlightening talk about the process and the inspiration for the show. She then entertained comments and questions from the attendees for about the same length of time she spoke for. In all we were there for over two very engaging hours.
The show is fun and challenging. There are many things to consider when viewing this installation. It's definitely worth having a look. You mak click on the headline to this entry to be linked to the Patrick Mikhail Gallery website where you can find more information.

New Work from Cynthia O'Brien

2009-01-15T07:28:00.005-05:00

Once again Cynthia is my first client of a new calendar year. We got together in my studio to shoot a mix of new and old work for her website. We are both very busy at the moment, working in solitude on our various projects. It was very nice to be able to work together and actually have a conversation.

All images Copyright © Tom Evans - 2009

facebook PAGE created for Tom Evans - PHOTOGRAPHER

2009-01-06T15:20:00.011-05:00

If you are on facebook and reading this blog isn't enough information about me, for you, then you can see more of the same in a different form. While there you can start a wordgame with me and also see some of the personal images from my life which are not blogworthy.

Also, while you are there you can have a look at some of the facebook groups I'm involved with to see if there's something you might like to try. A good example would be the CAPIC Ottawa Fans group. We are holding regular special events and a monthly pub night. Details can be found there as well as the CAPIC National Website at www.capic.org .

Actually, since February 2009, you won't see any of my images on facebook. I'll leave the page up for the fans to find contact information. Facebook has changed the Licence agreement to make anything I post on it their property to do whatever they like with.

So, nothing interesting from me will go up on facebook. Check my website and my blogs though. I'll continue to post new work there unless that too becomes a threat.

NEW Project for Valentine's Day

2008-12-08T16:54:00.014-05:00

I have received so many requests for information about boudoir portraits I have finally decided to address them.

They are not something I normally do, but on occasion for friends I have done them. They can be a lot of fun and a very personal gift for a loved one. Or a great ego boost for one's self.

I will offer an opportunity for people who want a racy pin-up style portrait of themselves to book a sitting and try the genre on for size. The cost will be less than a private portrait sitting and the style and sensibility of the portrait will definitely be pin-up, rather than boudoir, but the novelty and the fun of it will be tremendous. We will be doing several people over the course of one or two days and devoting exclusive blocks of time and resources to each subject.

I am preparing some sample shots of volunteers to illustrate what I have in mind.

There will be minimal hair and make up assistance available. Costumes are up to the subjects, I will have some props. You are encouraged to bring something appropriate for your self. Possibly from your aunt's, mother's or grand mother's wardrobe. Props also are welcome. If you have a fabulous art deco something or a war time item, bring it along and we'll work it in.

A brief consultation prior to the shoot would be a good idea. We can do this easily by email or a face to face meeting. Whichever you prefer.

Stay tuned for details or drop me a line.

It will be fun.

(For those who can't make it on the 31st or Feb 1st, we will be shooting the following weekend also.)

Felicia Cohen is coming back to Ottawa

2008-12-06T10:27:00.008-05:00

Popular Portfolio Consultant and former Artist Recruitment Director for Masterfile is returning to Ottawa in the spring of 2009 to give another lecture to the visual arts community of Ottawa.

Last year Felicia spoke to the Ottawa Chapter of CAPIC, students from the School of Photographic Arts: Ottawa SPAO and invited guests about how to shoot for a stock agency. She supported her talk with a slide show presentation which reatured many good examples of what was current and what was not. The image above is the poster from that show.

It's been over a year and people still tell me how much they got out of her talk or how much they regret not having been able to attend.

Well, she's back and she will be talking about Trends.

Stay tuned for details.

This will be a CAPIC Ottawa Programmed Event, so you can watch for it at capic.org on the events page.

Or you can drop me a line and I'll tell you what the latest news is.

CAPIC Ottawa hears from COMBAT CAMERA

2008-12-04T08:41:00.004-05:00

The Ottawa Chapter of CAPIC - Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators in Communications held a programmed event at Carbon Computing on 20 Novemer to hear from the photo and video unit of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The following is an article written by Melanie Provencher with Photos by Brent Gervais. Both are members of CAPIC Ottawa.

SAME BUT DIFFERENT - CAPIC Ottawa and Combat Camera

Photo Copyright © Brent Gervais - 2008

We shoot they get shot at. While they do the same work we do, DND's (Department of National Defence) Combat Camera Staff produce videos and photographs under entirely different and often more challenging circumstances.

Photo Copyright © Brent Gervais - 2008

On Thursday November 20th 2008, DND's Combat Camera led by Sgt. Frank Hudec and Sgt. Ed Whitmore, gave an informative presentation to the CAPIC Ottawa Chapter and its extended community of invited students and guests. Our speakers were quite thorough. Their presentation was accompanied by examples of their work in portfolio form, visual aids and examples of typical gear. The crowd of about twenty people were quite pleased with our presenters as they followed up with an animated question and answer session.

Photo Copyright © Brent Gervais - 2008

The off-the-cuff discussions that ensued gave the attendees a further insight into and a high degree of respect for the visual communication work that Combat Camera does: Providing free still imagery and broadcast quality video of deployed Canadian Forces members on domestic and international operations to the Canadian media and public.

Special thanks to Leo Galioto and Carbon Computing for hosting the event and providing the presentation technology and also to Kim Tulipan of DND who coordinated with Melanie Provencher of CAPIC Ottawa to put this excellent presentation together. More than a few of the planned speakers for this event were deployed on short notice and it took some juggling on Kim's part to make it happen.

Melanie Provencher CAPIC Ottawa

New Art Show for Centretown in May 2009

2008-12-04T08:28:00.004-05:00

It's early days yet, but Don Kwan of the Shanghai Restaurant on Somerset Street has told me he has received funding for and is proceeding with a new art show to be held in May of 2009.

I can report that the venues will all be along Somerset Street between Preston and Bay.

More detail will be forthcoming as it becomes available.

Cell Phone Pictures

2008-11-20T23:20:00.005-05:00

Ottawa - National War Memorial

2008-11-09T21:46:00.006-05:00

Halloween - The Main Event

2008-10-31T23:28:00.004-04:00

Pumpkin Carving Contest on Percy Street

2008-10-29T21:45:00.004-04:00

It's almost Halloween and the competition for the Best Jack O'Lantern in Centretown Ottawa has begun.

Here are some photos, kind of blurry du to slow shutter speeds and shallow depth of field, but fun!

Deborah & Deborah

2008-10-22T16:30:00.005-04:00

Two of my favourite clients are two artists who happen to be close friends. Deborah Margo and Deborah Arnold are both sculptors in Ottawa and I met them both this year for the first time.

Back in Bath

2008-10-20T09:36:00.012-04:00

Heather and I were off to Picton to watch a live taping of two episodes of "The Vinyl Cafe" with Stuart Maclean. No pictures of this because we rushed in and it was at night.

The shows were quite entertaining. The behind the scenes look at a radio show were amusing. It's not the perfect performances one hears on the air.

More about these shows later.

Early morning. Wakened by the migrating Canada Geese and ducks outside the window.

On the Amherst Ferry heading to Topsy Farms to buy a wool blanket and see the sheep.

Danuszia does her best to keep Jericho from the grumps.

Danuszia. Looking glamorous as always.

Yonder be the sheep farm.

Ian, the wool meister.

Danuszia buys a blanket.

Danuszia's house in the morning light.

Pretty nice, huh?

Festival X - XPOSE CAPIC Ottawa Exhibit

2008-09-18T19:21:00.011-04:00

Photo copyright © Tom Evans - 2008
It's down now and the festival has ended.
Unfortunately I jammed my shutter on my camera, so I only have crappy cell phone images to post for now.
Also some scanned film I shot. However, I will be receiving images from other members and putting them up as soon as they come in.

Thanks to: Carbon Computing at 1065 Wellington St. W., Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Y2 www.carbonation.com

Photo copyright © Chris Lalonde - 2008

Photos copyright © Tom Evans - 2008

facebook identity created: Mark IV

2008-09-15T21:22:00.004-04:00

Look me up, see my friends, check out other Triumph and Spitfire groups.

Crabapple Jelly - An uncertain beginning, A delicous result.

2008-08-31T12:25:00.012-04:00

Heather and Beth are at it again.
Another scheme, another fruit.

Having conquered the Grape (Operation Purple Storm) and the Cherry (Operation Maraschino) Operation Crabs is about to get underway.

There is an apparent vacant lot in Centretown where there are a handful of mature crabapple trees with a load of ripe fruit gradually losing their load one by one as they fall to earth of their own accord.

A plan is afoot to don hard hats and with a big stick and some reusable grocery bags, head over to see what can be harvested. Before the police arrive that is.

Any thoughts on whether these are the appropriate kind of apples to make jelly with?

This note from an expert (a very experienced expert) my Mum:

"The crabapples look very small to me and I think they are probably Almy(sp?) crabs - an ornamental variety. They were given out by the City in 1967 so there are a lot around - including the one in my garden. You can make jelly from them apparently but it would take a lot of these small apples".

OK, as you can tell, it doesn't matter.
They were determined to experiment. And I for one am glad they did.

I'll get Heather to fill in the recipe details, but for now, here are some snaps to illustrate the process and the amazing result.

MMMmmmm.... Scum sandwiches...Aaaaahhhhh delicous.

And is it ever RED!

CAPIC BBQ - Summer 2008

2008-08-22T13:19:00.002-04:00

Ottawa Chapter members Marc Fowler, Randy Harquail, Tom Evans (Chapter President) and Philippe Landreville (Past President Ottawa Chapter) were part of the action at the annual CAPIC Ottawa Chapter BBQ. The event was hosted by Remi Theriault and Mike Ross.

Many members turned out to share the great food with old friends and some up and coming young prospects from the local scene.

Plans for the upcoming xpose entry in Festival X - The Ottawa Photography Festival (see Ottawa Events page) were discussed as well as several initiatives that will be undertaken this year.

Among them, an xchange type pub night is to be a regular event at the Lieutenant's Pump pub on Elgin Street. This will be a recreation of the spontaneous meetings that used to take place there without direction many years ago. Watch for dates and time on the Ottawa Events page and feel free to stop by when in the Nation's Capital.

Cottage Life - Ed. 2008-08

2008-08-18T00:38:00.008-04:00

This August we were fortunate to be invited to join friends of ours at their cottage at a location which shall remain a secret. The only thing I'll say is that it's a lot closer than Manitoulin Island and it's a lot quieter too.

As you can tell it's pretty amazing. No power, unless you happened to bring a generator and own a huge TV antenna and have a portable flat screen monitor with a tuner so you can watch the Olympics or the Hockey playoffs in the spring.

You can even get cell phone service if you stand on one foot at the western tip of the island and don't rotate.

James Street Block Party of 2008

2008-07-24T12:59:00.010-04:00

On July 05, 2008 the second edition of the James Street Block Party and Yard Sale took place.
It was an opportunity for everyone on the street and surrounding homes to get to know their nieghbours.

Previously held in 2005, the event organisers were pressed into resurrecting the plans and holding it again. Many more people contributed to the effort this time around and a much more diverse and comprehensive program was presented.

Lots of kids turned out, mostly to see the amazing Dog Show.
They left a lot of great chalk hieroglyphics on the pavement.

Naturally, there were many dogs in attendance.

Heather and Alex brought out their huge aerial photo of James Street for everyone to sign, and resign if they were here in 2005.

It was a really good party and there is a lot of interest in doing it as an annual event.
Possibly it should move to a different block in alternating years.

CATwalk After Tour Tour

2008-07-18T09:04:00.007-04:00

The day was long and the night to come promised to finish us off if we weren't careful.
With legs cramping and vision blurring, I headed over to Cynthia's to follow her, younger and more alert, out into the world to see the rest of my fellow exhibitors from CAT 2008.

Good thing I brought a map and enjoyed orienteering as a boy, because I had the best notion of the three of us where to go. Meaghan had joined us at Cynthia's. Picking up Anna on the way we headed uptown toward Genevieve's appartment at post number 1 on the CAT map.

After many delicous snacks (the only significant sustenance we would have on the night) we intrepedly set out toward Remi and Mike's exhibit at post number 2 on Lisgar St.

July 01 in Prince Edward County

2008-07-16T13:04:00.003-04:00

2008 CAT Centretown Art Tour

2008-07-15T00:24:00.009-04:00

CAT happened again this year and it was slightly bigger than last year, but better attended by almost twice as much for most of the participants.

CATWALK Kick-Off at SHANGHAI

2008-06-27T11:19:00.006-04:00

June 26, 2008

This Thursday in June most of the participants in the 2008 CATWALK Centretown Art Tour gathered at the Shanghai Restaurant with family, friends and our chief benefactor Don Kwan to officially launch the 2008 version of the event.

Delicious food and cocktails were enjoyed by everyone.

Drive for the Podium

2008-06-25T21:40:00.004-04:00

June 23, 2008

I was honoured to be the photographer for the third annual Mark Lowry Golf Tournament, the Drive for the Podium. This is the third year in a row I was able to join Mark's family, friends and associates in a celebration and rememberance of him to raise some money for the Mark Lowry Memorial Sport Excellence Fund which was established as a tribute to Mark, the Canadian Olympic Committee's Executive Director of Sport, who passed away on October 22, 2005. If you wish to support the fund, you can make a donation directly to the fund online or by cheque., For details, visit the Canadian Olympic Committee site.

Daily Photos, June 09, 2008

2008-06-12T15:16:00.006-04:00

There isn't much to say about this posting, other than the images tell the story.
Heather's garden was totally demolished in the aid of replacing the water service from the City.

PLATES Show taking shape

2008-06-06T10:14:00.006-04:00

Last night I had dinner with my fellow artists who are all exhibiting in the 2008 version of CAT.
CAT is the Centretown Artists Tour and this is the second year this exibition has been held.

Thanks to Remi Theriault for the group photo.

I will be showing work from my new project PLATES (working title).

The show will be photographs of volunteer models from my community.
Both the personal and artistic community. They are largely "real" people with little or no modelling experience, with only a couple who have previously modelled.

The theme of the show is "How would you present yourself for a traditional style photograph retaining the sensibility of the images from a 19th century collection of photographs which make up an anatomy text for art students".

The results are a true collaboration. After viewing the images the models bring a previsualized image with them to the set. I also have my preconceptions. Between the two of us we achieve something that hopefully matches or excedes our expectations. There are discoveries along the way. Particularly with the models with the least experience in front of the camera.

The models from the book are all young healthy and attractive white students from English universities. They are mostly athletes and represent the ideals of the day in body type and features.

I was given this book when I was quite young and beginning to explore art and the differences between looking and seeing.

In looking back on many years of work since those days, it has become apparent that this book was quite influential. My portraits seem to strive for much of the same sensibility of this work. Granted much of classical art is also full of similar poses and romantic light, but the plates in this text have a certain warmth and charm which still engages me today.

Copying or reproduction is not permitted without a written agreement with Tom Evans.