Press Button To Squee - Knives, Lots of Knives

I have had a passion for collecting knives since my edgy emo teenage years, when I had purchased my first one for, *ahem*, self-defense purposes...due to the environment I grew up in, surrounded by people with rampant "unemployed behaviors". Reasoning aside. In particular, I have always been drawn to items that some might consider to be in the realm of "mall ninja nonsense" such as zombie fighting swords, hidden blades, and other such nerdy impractical weapons have long been a fascination of mine. I am fully aware that my taste in these objects of was rather unrefined at best. Yet I felt I wielded them deftly with a certain virginic aplomb that made up for their otherwise pathetic nature. It's always been more fun to have something to show off rather than appreciating the quality of the craftsmanship or the cultural significance behind a genuine sword. Call me a basic bitch I guess.

Despite my growth and maturity over the years, I must confess that I still have a soft spot for "junk" of the MTech and Gerber varieties of which I own many, even though I now own more legitimate knives as tools and collectables. There's just something about a tacky barely sharp replica weapon that brings a smile to my face and I refuse to listen to anyone who says anything to the contrary. Maybe it's YOU that doesn't understand knife culture, bro. There's the added benefit of now having plenty of options for photography laying about, even if my pictures might put me on a governmental watch list nowadays.

Does anyone remember that one scene in the Matrix where Neo requests "guns, lots of guns"? That particular moment is what I hoped to convey in the scene, I wanted to capture the feeling of being surrounded by an overwhelming number of weapons, just laid out for discerning perusal, each with it's own unique personality and unbridled potential to wreak destruction in the hands of the wrong (or right) person. That call from the void the aches for a ballet of violence.

Yeah. That all in a picture taken on my balcony. Listen. The inspiration was there, even if the execution wasn't. I've got a bunch of knives, and that's about all I got. I then tried to spice up the scene using some additional cheap props that I had laying around to very debatable success. The baubles added some visual texture to the scene, but didn't add much to really get things sizzling.

Like many of my other early photoshoots, this was all done on my balcony so I could use natural light and open space, but of course I then faced problems with the shifting placement of the sun. Luckily the clouds were diffusing the harshness for a portion of the shoot, so even as my light source moved around in the sky it didn't dramatically impact my shoot as it did on other occasions. What did negatively affect my work was the ever blowing wind, which kept blowing dust onto my white poster board and black blades, which required me to stop taking pictures to try and wipe everything down, or simply put up with everything getting dirty.

Even though I actually do like a lot of the content that came out of that afternoon of work, that shoot among others got me to start investing in more professional equipment like lighting sets and tripods, where previously I was only working with one entry level camera and it's default lens as I learned my way around. Though I think failure is the best tutor one can learn from, even when you succeed there are still things to gather on how to improve. I like the pictures. But I can do better. Future project.

And if I don't better myself to the degree that I hope to reach in photography, well...I've got a few spare swords hanging around. The crime scene photographer can take some artistic snapshots of my corpse after I commit seppuku on it.

Press Button To Blog - Photojournalism

With a passion for storytelling, it has always been a low key dream of mine to explore the world of journalism.

There's a mental picture in my mind. An old school, grizzled detective with more salt than pepper hair with stress related erectile dysfunction. He's hitting the dingy streets with vodka soaked glasses, knocking the heads of pimps and twisting the nips of prostitutes', willing to do anything to find a lead, desperate for that miraculous just under the wire victory type of thing. That chase, but with a camera in hand. Maybe I just have no fucking clue what I'm talking about, but if that doesn't sounds like photojournalism to you, I don't have a better definition. But entering a field like that is nigh impossible to achieve as an outsider, especially without a formal background in photography or journalism. You basically just have a blog or youtube channel. Which isn't exactly the vibe I'm searching for.

I have always admired the incredible power of photojournalism in particular, the idea that a single image can convey so much about a particular story or situation. I have seen countless examples of how a compelling photograph can capture the essence of a particular moment, bringing to light the truths that are often hidden beneath the celluloid surface. There are photographs that have changed the course of history in part because of their cultural influence and the conversations that stemmed from their popularity.

In a world where mainstream media often seems to be more concerned with sensationalism and clickbait headlines than with accurate reporting, the importance of photojournalism as a tool for discussing the raw realities of life has never been more critical. There was a time before Photoshop and A.I apps when a picture still said a thousand words. But now piss poor journalists use ChatGPT to write the words to describe the fake picture Midjourney made of the Pope.

Photojournalism presents a unique way to expose important stories that might otherwise fade into the background, overshadowed by other more sensational headlines. An image stays in your mind, a byline disappears like recycled newspaper. I would love to try my hand as photojournalist, to be the one who gets to share these stories with the world, drawing attention to issues that need addressing and people who might need help.

The idea of not being able to convey a story that presents itself is one that looms large for me. I'm my own toughest critic, so it's daunting prospect to represent someone or something fully that genuinely deserves to have their story told. As someone without a formal background in anything related photojournalism, I worry that I might not be able to capture the full breadth of what is happening in a particular situation. I worry that my skills or equipment might not be up to the task of telling the story in the way it needs to be told. Even if I can capture the essence of what I intend to, what do I do with it? Post to my ZERO followers?

Despite my copious fears, I'm planning on keeping an open mind and keen ear for future opportunities of stories worth telling. It might be the case that while doing portraiture, I could encounter someone with a fascinating life story to share, someone who has spent their whole life in the shadows without anyone to listen. I can't promise that anyone other than myself might ever care, but I can promise that I will put in the effort to do the story justice.

I am hopeful that readers of this piece will reach out to me with their stories and that maybe I can help to share some of those stories with the world. Photojournalism is a powerful tool, and one that I would feel honored to be a part of. I hope that I can use my skills to make a difference, to share stories that matter, and to help people see the world from a different perspective.

Press Button To Blog - Canadian National Exhibition

Why did the photographer go to the Canadian National Exhibition? To capture some fair-tographs!

I've been visiting the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto for most of my life. I've had countless experiences and adventures at this iconic state (technically provincial) fair. Almost every year I try and come back to the CNE to soak up the atmosphere that signifies the end of summer for students and Torontonians in general. This time I was able to attend with my new camera for the first time to take home more than over-priced teddy bears and hazy junk food fueled memories.

Growing up in Toronto, the CNE was a frequent destination for me and my friends, and later on, my coworkers and significant others. Each year, the fair brought new and exciting sights, smells, and sounds that we couldn't wait to experience. It was tradition to visit, and was always particularly fun to take people who had never been before. As I try and transition into becoming a photographer, I began to view the CNE from a different perspective, one that was focused on how to capture the essence of the fair through my camera lens instead of just enjoying it for myself.

For the history buffs at the front of the class: the Exhibition has been around since 1879, and it continues to attract millions of visitors every year (when COVID policies aren't shutting it all down). One of the most significant features of the CNE is its elaborate array of historical buildings, which provide a glimpse into Canada's architectural past.

One such building is the Crystal Palace, which was first built in 1858 and moved piece by piece from its original location to what would be the new CNE grounds in 1879. Not at all pictured here. That stunning structure was made entirely of glass and iron and was once used for exhibitions and events until eventually it burned down. Today, the re-remade Crystal Palace sits in a not plot of land on the CNE grounds, but still serves as a venue for various displays and exhibits.

Another notable building is the Horticulture Building, which was constructed in 1907 after the old Crystal Palace was destroyed in a blaze. The replacement building has a stunning glass dome and brick façade. The Horticulture building is a popular spot for visitors to view elaborate displays of plants and flowers, and it also houses the annual Canadian Gardening Competition.

In addition to the impressive architecture, the CNE is also known for its thrilling amusement rides. The newest and most popular of these rides is the Sky Ride, which provides visitors with breathtaking views of the CNE and downtown Toronto. Other popular rides include the Polar Express spiny-majiggy, the innovatively named Drop Tower and the one with the name that tightens my taint, The Zipper. Just having a few expensive drinks in the adults only area and then trying to make your way through the throngs of people is it's own ride as well.

But the true highlight for many of any visit to the CNE is undoubtedly the food. From classic carnival fare like funnel cakes and deep-fried Oreos, to more innovative and downright bizarre creations like pickle lemonade and Timbit poutine. There is no shortage of delicious and unique treats to try if you've got the room in your pants to eat it all. Obviously one of my personal favorite food destinations at the CNE is the Food Building, where you can find various food vendors and concessions selling everything from traditional boring burgers and bacon-wrapped everything. For those on a budget (as I was in my high-school and college days), there's also the roughly $1 bowls of noodles from Primo Spaghetti, which has been stable sustenance there for the price conscious for most of my life.

One of the great things about doing photography at the CNE is the diversity of people and fashion styles that can be found there. As someone who cares almost none about fashion, I leave it to the people with bigger bank accounts than I have to show off. That being said, every year I'm struck by the kaleidoscope of colors and patterns, with visitors expressing themselves through their clothing and accessories as it were the main reason they attended. From vintage styles to new trends, the streets of the CNE are bursting with creativity and sweaty individuality.

Doing street style photography at a state fair also has its challenges. Crowds can make it difficult to get the perfect shot as there are always people getting into the way of my framing, and it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of activity and energy in the air when you're trying to focus on a singular subject. Additionally fairgrounds are so, so crowded with food vendors, rides, and attractions, making it a bit more difficult to catch everything I'd like because it isn't practical to spend five minutes trying to get the ideal photo when there's only so much time in the day.

But ultimately, the thrill of capturing the feeling of adventure at the CNE, and trying to convey the delicious smells and the blinding sights of blinking lights and swirling rides, makes the effort of worth it. There's a unique sense of energy and excitement at the fair that I try to capture in my photography, whether it's through capturing candid moments of joy or quirky and unconventional street style.

As summer turns to fall and the cold Canadian winters approach, I can't help but feel a sense of loss for the warm summer days at the CNE. It's a bittersweet feeling, knowing that another summer has come to an end and that it will be a while before we experience the excitement of the fair again. But when the next summer rolls around, I know that I'll be back at the CNE once more (as long as there's no more world changing diseases unleashed), camera in hand, eager to experience and capture the magic of the fair all over again.