f/action collaborates with the ArtStrong Ensemble at the University of Manitoba

Music and art filled St. John’s Chapel at the University of Manitoba on December 4th & 5th with my art collective’s latest show: INTERVALS. The ArtStrong Ensemble collaborated with f/action to create a beautiful experience of sight and sound based on the theme of time and space. After months of planning, rehearsing and preparing artwork, the show came together quite delightfully. We were honoured to have our artwork on display amidst a very talented duo of harpist Olivia Ritchey and flutist Sara Hahn. Here are a few photos from the event. Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed the music and artwork. We got some great feedback and are excited to have come together to make it happen! Thanks also to Olivia and Sara of ArtStrong – we had an amazing two evenings of beautiful music.

Duncan McNairnay’s photographic series titled Zoom.

Ailsa Dyson’s photographic series titled 2:30 AM.

Gabrielle Touchette's photographic series titled Suspended Expectations.

Dallas Ludwick’s photographic series titled Lacunar Amnesia (Gaps in the Record of Memory).

Dallas, Ailsa and Duncan – f/action members.

View of Olivia’s harp from behind Dallas’ artwork.

View from the balcony during the art viewing.

Audience members reading the program notes.

Sara and Olivia introduces us to the music.

Inspired conversations during the intermission.

Sara and Olivia of the ArtStrong Ensemble – playing a Sonata by Marjan Mozetich.

The performers and artists of INTERVALS: Ailsa Dyson, Dallas Ludwick, Sara Hahn, Olivia Ritchey, Gabrielle Touchette and Duncan McNairnay. Photo credit: Liane Bergen.

Olivia explaining how she plays her harp.

Dreaming in Lomo... Double Time!

I just love Diana! Her vibrant colours, attention to detail (but only some of it - she's picky) and constant begging to be double exposed! She's a real charmer.

If you haven't gone Lomo... you don't know what you're missing!

Lomo Love!

Do you feel the love? Ahh, sigh.... my heart's been cross-processed!

Posted by f/action member, Dallas Ludwick

What to do...

When you've no one to talk to?

Take a look around...

Photograph all the lovely things!

Posted by Dallas Ludwick, f/action member

from the other side of the lens....

If you feel awkward in front of a camera, you're not alone. In fact, you're one of 12 million Canadians who complain of heart palpitations due to large cameras, especially dslrs, pointed in their direction. Being the subject of a portrait session can be an unnerving feat to overcome, but rest assured, we're all in this together.

Ok, I just made up those statistics, it just rolled off my tongue! But seriously, I wouldn't doubt that that number's accurate. It's very common and more normal than not to feel awkward when being photographed.

For those people, being photographed is something they avoid at all costs. Yet a lot have no choice, and need pictures. Whether it be headshots they need for their line of work or family photos they need for their Christmas letters (who's never gotten one of those?), being photographed can not always be avoided.

But being photographed is not as bad as you may think. True, as a photographer, it is harder to direct someone who doesn't feel comfortable in front of the camera. A person's countenance is directly affected by how they feel. As I'm directing subjects, I often ask those who look visibly uncomfortable: "Are you comfortable?". They'll say no and I'll have them reposition until they feel just right. I ask them the question so they understand that it's important to me that they feel comfortable. (please, gone are the days of the painful awkward studio poses!) Once anyone feels better about their stance or pose, all awkwardness that was once showing dissipates.

I really enjoy the challenge of working with people who aren't so keen on being photographed. Working with people in those situations brings a great dynamic between the photographer and the subject. It gets you talking about the photography -- you're creating interaction and engaging your subject in honest dialogue. Everyone who has a personality and a soul can be photographed beautifully, given the right coaxing, directing and positive encouragement. It sometimes takes a little work, but that work builds trust and energy and the results are often more dynamic and inspiring.

These pictures were taken of my good friend Mandy, and if anyone knows her, having this many photos of her is a miracle. She loves photography and has been a great support and encouragement of my pursuit of professional photography, so she agreed to pose for me for a quick shoot. We worked through a few poses and ended up with some cute shots of her. I'm glad she gave me the opportunity to photograph her, and I hope these pictures will serve as a reminder that no one is impossible to photograph! (seriously, I told her she should use these for an online dating profile. haha)

Posted by f/action member: Gabrielle Touchette