Freddy's Photos (26/52)

I have a secret. I have to come clean. I actually don't think it's that weird, what I have to confess, but it's a strange obsession that I thought I should be honest about as we hit 2013. I'm obsessed about getting people to use my photos I take of them in their facebook profiles. Not that long ago, I counted how many professional dancers have used my photos in their profiles and I counted 10. But that wasn't enough for me. I want them ALL to use my photos. In a digital age, where photos only last as long as they are "liked", hitting those moments are key for me. And hitting those moments over and over again are moving from an obsession into a real photography goal to work with as many people as possible. There - the secret is out. Gotta go check my facebook page.

Freddy's Photos (25/52)

I think technology has gotten in the way. I'm not going to deny, I wouldn't have the career that I do without it, but today I noticed my unbelievable reliance on it to aid my voice in photography. The instant gratification we now get with sharing our photos online shouldn't be the reason for sharing. We share our photos with our online followers to say something, to give a moment to think and be thankful for the world around us. I noticed today that the fleeting use of technology gets in the way of pausing, admiring, and thinking about the moments we observe. I need to spend more time away from my phones and more time just being.

Freddy's Photos (24/52)

Busy times requires a lot of organization, but what happens when disaster strikes and you have to make a change to your plan on the fly? At a recent shoot, all my remote triggers suddenly went dead, leaving me without my plan to use the lights I had brought. So I improvised, by using my speedlight (which I always carry as a back-up) and the on-camera flash. The results weren't the best, but I was able to complete the shoot with some usable results. It made me think more about my pre-shoot routine. Usually I decide, based on the setting, my 1st lighting set-up, but I'm starting to think I need more options going in, rather than changing on the fly like I've been doing. I know I need to remain flexible, but some further planning can't hurt. Luckily the lesson was learned on a low-stakes shoot, next time I may not be so lucky.

Freddy's Photos (23/52)

Sometimes I see the world in a series of photos - it's like a photo album is moving at top speed through my mind as I catch interesting sights throughout my day. But as I start to delve more into video projects, the photo album in my head is slowly starting to change into a movie. Today, while discussing a possible project with a friend, I couldn't stop thinking about how I would film the piece. It was unstoppable. I suppose it's like what happens when a musician gets inspired to write a song, at that moment, they MUST write the idea down as it happens. I'm learning to tap into this inspiration by writing down every idea that comes through. I think this means, I'm learning to become an artist.

Freddy's Photos (22/52)

Taking control of your set the moment someone steps into it is so important. I believe in having complete control of the process if my name is on the line for delivering the end product. I find the best way to do this is to be over-communicative with your artists. Tell them exactly what you expect, what you're looking for and above all when those expectations change. Compliment them on work well done the moment it happens, so they can learn from the process and above all if you need something different, tell them why. I need people to want to work with me, and if they get nothing out of the process, the reason for repeat business dwindles significantly. It's a simple concept, but something that can make the job go so much smoother.

Freddy's Photos (21/52)

One of my favourite moment of a dance show is the moment before the door opens and an empty stage sits ahead of me. It's almost like I've been able to see what's behind the curtain before the curtain is even built. It's also a moment to collect my thoughts about what I am about to shoot. Sometimes I only get 30 secs, sometimes I get 1/2 hour, but in that time I have to decide what is important for the night. Sometimes it's the entire stage, sometimes it's just a hand.  But I do need those moments to decide.

Freddy's Photos (20/52)

Sitting in Montreal this week working with some creative people  - it's the strange double reality that exists for me, supporting a full- time job in advertising and working on my passion for photography. But a week like this also gives me a chance to stretch my creative brain in a different direction which can only mean good things for my photography. Recently, I've continued to stretch to find new ways to shoot live dance performances.  But there are some performances where all I need to do is be a witness and enjoy. Any show that I've been to by the Toronto Rhythm Initiative (TRI) has been that kind of show, mainly for the dancers coming alive on stage. I may be continuing to stretch creatively, but I will never stop enjoying these shows.