Peace,
Back on my blogging and it feels great!
This January must have been one of the coldest on record. Like cold enough to make me question if I should even get out and shoot. There were a few stretches where it dipped below -25 to -35! That’s just nuts even as a Canadian. I had to be strategic about when I headed out and have the right expectations about my desired outcome. In between the frigid days, we had two snowy days that warmed things up a bit and allowed me to pick up my Ricoh GR II and shoot without my fingers falling off! Here are a few moments that I landed on.
Loner’s Park - by @tahaphoto (Jan. 2022)
As of late, when I’m out shooting street I find myself connecting more to the feeling of solitude. I love the idea of stumbling upon a scene untouched and empty of humans. It’s like I’ve landed on a movie set before anyone else has arrived. So fun!
Lot Lights - by @tahaphoto (Jan. 2022)
See, the winters here in Ontario can get pretty brutal but I’ve found a way to stay warm and still get “the shot” by simply shooting from my car (made a whole video on it here). Now, I’m not the first to think of shooting from a car but it’s been really helpful on days when the weather is just too extreme. Take in “Lot Lights” (showcased above). I was driving around this parking lot for a few minutes looking for something that spoke to me when I saw this tan-ish car with its lights on. By shifting my focus to the melted snowflakes on the window I was able to create a bit of mystery and drama around a pretty simple scene.
Long Way Home - by @tahaphoto (Jan. 2022)
As I moved down the road looking for more stories to tell, I stumbled upon another moment of a gentleman on the side of the road walking against the wind and snow. Again, while driving slowly I was able to capture a few frames and a B&W edit seemed inevitable. It was pretty cool getting some of the snowflakes in the headlights. I felt it added another layer to the story showcasing the speed and intensity of the storm coupled with the harsh realities of winter.
Best of Friends - by @tahaphoto
Not every image will be perfect or your greatest but that’s OK because it’s the process that’s always exciting. I love experimenting with the tools I have in front of me whether it be a window, changing focal lengths or blurring my subjects to pique viewers’ curiosity. I love trying to tell a story without seeing the full story in front of me. It gives me a chance to be present and curious. It’s a lot of fun just to simply wander sometimes and it’s what gets me out the door on these cold days.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this short blog and a glimpse into one of my first nights out shooting in the new year. I feel it’s important to keep finding ways to get out and shoot, find new inspo and build on your consistency.
Until next time… Stay creative and believe in yourself.
Peace ✌️
t
