A Claw Footed Bathtub

Digital original

When Nicole told me her apartment had a claw footed bathtub, I immediately asked her if she'd be interested in modeling in it; a week later, I was trying to fit my camera gear into the smallest bathroom I have seen in ages. Fortunately, for portraits at least, the close quarters were not an issue.

Digital original, 2 frame stitch

When I shifted to try to make images of the entire tub, with Nicole in it, thingsbecame more interesting; there was so little room that I had my tripod half on the sink, and was even then, I had to stitch together two wide angle images to get everything into the composition. The effort was worth it however, as this is my favorite photograph from the session.

Digital original, 3 image stitch

At the end of the session, Nicole's boyfriend joined her for a small set of images; the bath wasn't built for two, so posing options were limited, but the two of them were more than patient as I worked with them to find something that worked.

A Portrait Session

Digital original

I don’t show a lot of clothed portraits on my site, simply because I don’t really see the universal appeal of them to strangers…where pretty much anyone can relate to an image of a body (as we all have them), a portrait is a different matter, unless there person is famous, or the image unique. 

Digital original

That being said, when Jessica and Ryan said they'd be up for some couple portraits, I took them up on the offer, both because it's always nice to work with friends, and because I knew I could use the results for examples in portrait courses and classes.

Digital original

The last image set was the most enjoyable to make - by this time the light had dropped, and I was able to get some longer exposures, to blur the harbour waves behind the couple; this did mean they had to stay still for two seconds at a time, which proved to be a little challenging.

A Return to Working with Frozen Flowers

Digital original, 4 frame stitch

Digital original

Digital original, 2 frame stitch

A Sunset Over Halifax

Digital original

There are times when the subject of an imahe is nothing more than light.

Digital original, 2 frame exposure blend

Made moments after the above image, I have often caught a glimpse of a sunset in the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal, but this was the first time I had a camera ready, and was able to record it.

Digital original, 4 frame exposure blend

Made during a class field trip, when I was demonstrating the importance of a foreground subject with extreme wide-angle lenses, this ended up yielding a very pleasing image!

A Macro Workshop

Digital original

Created during a demo in a Macro Photography Workshop, I particularly like the soft shades of orange on this flower.

Digital original

Made minutes after the first image, the inclusion of the stems (all be it out of focus) really brings this image together, and permits both images to work together - rather than simply restating the same thing in a different image.

A Couple in the Studio

Digital infrared original

While much of my work is carefully posed and composed, there is a freedom that comes from working with studio flash; in this case, it permitted me to work quickly, and capture a fleeting moment passing between lovers. Sometimes an image it is all in the expressions on people’s faces.

Digital infrared original

The real pleasure of working with couples is how the sessions are so rooted in their interaction; more often than now, my only role is to compose around their natural grace.

Digital infrared original

Everything in this image speaks to the love between two people...the soft tension in the hand, the kiss upon the head, the closed eyes.

A Night Field Trip in Halifax

Digital original

Night photograph is really enjoyable on numerous levels; often the temperature is more bearable, but more photographically, the night light is often quite magical to work with, taking the familiar and transforming it.

Digital original

A Night Session at Peggy's Cove

Digital original

The only hint that this is a night image are the tiny streaked stars in the sky (near the right edge). Lit by a moon diffused by thin high cloud, it has much the same appearance as a daytime image...though the very long exposure did make some things look different.

Digital original

With the moon behind clouds, it turned into a wonderful glow in the sky, over the long exposure necessary to view the rest of the scene (the image was made at 2am).

Digital original

Though it was challenging to compose (I couldn't see the rocks to focus on them, or ensure they were within the frame), the effort I put into making this image really paid off. Photographed well after sunset, the long exposure required due to the low light levels helped blur the gently breaking ocean into a sea of muted whites.

A Weekend Workshop in Bridgewater

Digital original

Though I have been working with digital for over 5 years, I still find colour a challenge to work with - I just don't visually respond to colour yet, though with the above image, I built it around the fall foliage, and the cool shade of the river...so I must be starting to see...

Digital original

There is something incredibly pleasing about red against green - one of the pleasures of having seasons which change.