Crossing Toronto

2011-12-23T04:57:00.001-05:00

Spent an hour taking photos at Acadia recently.
See the set here.

Alt Ninja

2011-12-08T16:16:00.001-05:00

He will bisect you in a ruthless instant but, by god, he'll do it with class.

Beach Weather

2011-01-18T18:37:00.001-05:00

I don't like to say anything bad about anyone.
I have this incredible guilt that wells up inside me when I do. It's painful and definitely the remnant of one childhood disease or another. So, if i'm going to call someone out as being a loser you can just go ahead and assume that they are.

To whoever hacked my flickr account and caused me to lose 4 years of work: you are a pretty weak example of a human. All the best in life. You are going to need it.

Rich Aucoin @ Steam Whistle

2010-11-27T16:20:00.003-05:00

I was finally able to see Rich Aucoin in a bigger venue and, as expected, it blew my fucking face off.

See the set here.
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TTC Driver Hallucinates. Channels Keanu Reeves

2010-11-24T04:31:00.004-05:00

See the set here.

Dirty Blonde

2010-11-07T20:48:00.000-05:00

Try hard, fall hard.

A Dangerous Night

2010-08-05T19:10:00.003-04:00

Polaroid XXXXX

2010-08-01T21:52:00.000-04:00

Zoobombs

2010-07-22T01:00:00.005-04:00

So it's been my loss for never having seen or heard the Zoobombs before. The way he carved long undulating arcs through the air with his guitar was weirdly arousing. That and the soulful and drawn out electronic wailing their style created... energizing. Unlike any band I've ever seen.

Click for the rest of the PICS and the VIDEO.

The Ghost is Dancing

2010-07-19T20:49:00.001-04:00

Went to the Velvet Underground to shoot the Zoobombs and saw the Ghost is Dancing unexpectedly. I was blown away by their energy! ... and their showmanship!.... and the sweatiness... definitely the sweatiness.

See the rest and the video at The Untold City.

Polaroid Thursday: Avoid the Asphalt

2010-07-09T01:30:00.001-04:00

Getting it Done

2010-07-06T19:13:00.004-04:00

Saw this family in Kensington Market. That little guy is all business.

See the set here.

Stream of Lights - NY a Tourist's View

2010-07-02T18:47:00.005-04:00

Recently went to New York for the first time. I'm still waiting for my film to get developed but I took 13 digital shots and I feel they do a good job of relaying the gritty and electric night-time energy of the city.

Film shots soon.

See the set here.

NXNE

2010-06-22T05:17:00.005-04:00

After the first day I was done in but I had no idea how much things had yet to ramp up... not the slightest.

The shows got louder, the people got drunker and the city, wet with sticky heat, burned in electric fire. After 72 hours of drugs, beer, screaming, and music the people were tweaking with manic energy and still begging for more. Grimey, beer-soaked sexuality steamed within the crowds and, inside it, I undertook one of the most intense photographic episodes, craziest weekends, and overly excessive binges of my life.

Photographing for NXNE. 38 bands, 3 days, and 1 paper-towel diffuser.

Click here for the set.

Polaroid Thursday: NXNE COMING!

2010-06-11T14:13:00.000-04:00

Darkroom Fumblings

2010-06-05T17:48:00.004-04:00

I spent my first afternoon in the darkroom. Unloading the film in the perfect darkness was terrifying. My roll survived though and after 40 minutes of pouring, agitating, and dumping I felt like a craftsman for the first time. I feel more connected somehow. I guess a strengthening of the bond between me and the process. Thanks Stina.

Polaroid Thursday: Summer Kicked me in the Balls Edition

2010-05-29T11:10:00.002-04:00

Joel Burns

2010-05-25T01:35:00.006-04:00

I've recently been able to work with some very creative and driven people. Being around talent not only helps keep me on point, but, as I take in their views and watch them work, causes me to be a little more tangental in my thinking. The question I can't help but ask myself is this: would I take this experience over a hardened cyborg endoskeleton? No, I would obviously default to the cyborg death machine. I would kill mercilessly until Jean Claude Van-Damme overcame me through a limber act of man-glory.

Also, I think I've wasted two rolls of film in my minolta XG. It keeps shooting past the max. exposures for the roll. I haven't developed them yet so i'm hoping for the best though.

Polaroid Thursday: I'm Gay for Robert Downey Jr. Edition

2010-05-21T11:37:00.000-04:00

First exam COMPLETE

Polaroid Thursday: Why did I Think it Was a Good Idea to Take Summer Courses Edition

2010-05-13T22:36:00.001-04:00

Seriously, no time for anything!

Kodak Building # 9

2010-05-10T01:38:00.007-04:00

Urban Exploration at the abandoned Kodak building # 9

DRAMA LIST 2010

Injuries: 1
Blood spilled: 1/4 pint
Pairs Underwear lost: 1
Cannibals: 6
Film Crew Mistaken for Cannibals: 5
Asbestos Dust: Omnipresent
Flaming Garbage Piles: 3
50 Foot Drops: 1
Times I pretended I was a Ninja: Unconfirmed

In a blisteringly idiotic display of absentmindedness I only brought a 50mm on the adventure; so, a lot of what was there I couldn't find the space to capture. Next time definitely.

See the set here.

Put The Rifle Down

2010-05-07T20:28:00.002-04:00

The Untold City hosted Robots //// Us at Wrong Bar a couple of weeks ago and if you missed it then you missed a precision acoustic strike to your dick. (In the interest of gender equality it must be noted that a precision acoustic strike would also have been delivered to your vagina)

Click here to see what I'm raging about.

Polaroid Thursday: Too Drunk

2010-05-07T03:30:00.003-04:00

Drunk like a sex panther.
Spread it on!

The Love Affair Begins?

2010-05-04T22:25:00.005-04:00

In 2005 I showed up at my uncle's door in England -- fresh-faced, naive, and ready to live. I travelled, met people, and had my poor small-town bearing ground into paste on the tiles of the London Underground. My Uncle, somewhat frustrated, made me take his camera (a Canon 300d Digital SLR) with me on a visit to Salisbury to see Stone henge here (one of my first 5 pics :D ).

When I first looked through the viewfinder and out onto the pentaprism directed landscape two epiphanic moments seared through me at the same time.

Firstly, and most importantly, a release of frustration like I had never known. A channel for my imagination at last. Whether or not my voice was of interest to others was moot... I derived MASSIVE amounts of enjoyment out of something created by my own hand. A positive feedback loop that has since taken control of my life. The second feeling was regret. Sadness for the 25 years I had spent without knowing about this outlet and without developing my skill. Because of these two things I inculcated myself into a world of photography. I read as many books as I could, never put down my camera, and annoyed my friends endlessly.

Now, a few years later, the passion is tempered by every day life and as much as it is a part of me and my routine it inevitably fails to spark those same emotions. Until today.

I developed my first roll of film. I had recently picked up a simple Pentax 35mm Spotomatic and a role of Blacks 400 ISO film. Firing off the frames as quickly as possible and with little eye for composition, I was really just excited to see if the camera worked and if I even knew how to properly expose... for all I knew the shutter wasn't even closing properly.

Forgoing darkroom development until next week, I went to Black's and had them developed. So, as I sit here with my pictures spread out in front of me, tangible in a way I've never had, I feel alive with the breath of art and am as excited as I was that day at Stone Henge. Maybe not as divergent a moment but every bit as satisfying.

I have loaded a new role of film and, with an assurance that I know what I am doing, am heading out to develop my eye and produce something that makes me proud.

Next up, Darkroom.

Polaroid Thursday: Polaroid Friday Edition

2010-04-30T02:04:00.000-04:00

Moments in my life. These apps are so good for me. I only allow myself one photo so the constant shoot and reframe crutch that digital has instilled in me cannot come to bear. That does mean that the photos may not be up to what I consider my standard but they do have a sense of moment (to me at least) that my digital photos do not. I hope to soon be able to get my photos taken with one shot as good as my digital ones. Either way I love the process! :D

Get This Man a Scotch

2010-04-29T12:45:00.003-04:00

See this guy? Lets call him Davenport. Davenport works in the Financial district, lives a stressful life, and he acts like a douche because he's generally not happy with the sleep he gets in his money pit. So Davenport came to the Green Living Show to go to the wine tasting and pretend he can pick out subtle undertones of oak. While there, he and his surly Bay Street buddy discover these memory foam mattresses and, in a rare display of genuine emotion, Davenport jumps back onto the bed and lies there in near-coital levels of pleasure. His surly buddy looks on in disapproval.

View his 'O' face by clicking here to get the large version.

Cat-Man

2010-04-25T16:53:00.004-04:00

I met a cat-man today.

He sprung out of an alley and, through rolling around on the ground, attempted to persuade some cats to sit for him. When he was happy with their posing he sat up, content. Then, just as suddenly, he demanded that they leave.

See the set here

Polaroid Thursday: Get your hands out of your pants edition

2010-04-22T20:34:00.005-04:00

These may be iphone apps but I treat it as film. One shot and that's it. It slows me down just enough to make me see.

Sphere in Place

2010-04-22T05:09:00.013-04:00

Ball	in	fountain
sea	of	calm

Brotherly Love, Drugs, and Small Firearms

2010-04-20T19:43:00.009-04:00

I went down to Dundas Square today to cover the Marijuana Rally. At one point the crowd suddenly dissipated like a blast wave. In the epicenter: this guy. He tried to shoot someone and got laid out pretty hard.

Also of note is how much of a fucking douche some of the other photographers were. One guy pretty much attacked me to get in front. At least I was trying to be more artistic about it and less exploitive (is that possible? I doubt it).

For pictures of the actual rally just See the set here.

One More Dark Night

2010-04-19T00:32:00.013-04:00

One more time into the night. One more slouchy and reclusive evening with the desk lamp. One more tired and dry-skinned foray into early morning light. A couple of sojourns to my coffee pot and 3 more exams. I can smell summer out my window... it's fraught with distraction.
...focus.

Caffeine Dreams

2010-04-18T02:53:00.007-04:00

best viewed large 1 2

Brittle, tired, wired. Over-caffeinated.

I think my brain is on fire. Or just my eyes.

Retaining nothing.

Kick-ass was phenomenal. Fuck Roger Ebert.
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Polaroid Thursday

2010-04-15T15:07:00.002-04:00

Hart House

Artist over Art

2010-04-14T21:13:00.009-04:00

In a concerted attempt to avoid studying, I set out the other day to find some photos for The Untold City. I almost immediately came across these guys putting up a piece on the side of a store. The art, in and of itself, was fantastic but what was more interesting to me was the art inherent in their movements, bearing, and almost mechanical translation of their vision.

Give them swords and throw them into feudal japan and they would be lopping off heads with gory accuracy. Yes.

See the set here.

Destination: Summer Hjinx

2010-04-03T02:56:00.002-04:00

I walked out of my apartment today and my olfactory bulb was immediately inundated with the smell of summer. Then, shortly after, the smell of putrescent garbage juice but that's forgivable.

Seriously though, that period of time in spring when the anticipation of summer comes on full bore is easily the best time of the year. The sticky heat of summer hasn't set in yet and the jackets are all freshly shed. So good.

Urban exploration is the name of the game this time! I cannot wait.

I Can Almost See the End

2009-12-18T00:55:00.003-05:00

I am 11 hours and one anatomy bell ringer away from glorious post exam amelioration.

Also, I have a lurid and highly sexual relationship with my pot of coffee right now.

Disclaimer: I hate cloud pics normally.

I've Checked Out

2009-12-14T21:18:00.000-05:00

This fire hydrant represents how I feel right now about studying. That is to say: saddened but resolute in my enduring commitment. Also a tad fangy.

What the Hell

2009-12-11T02:36:00.003-05:00

I was juuust starting to think I was looking forward to winter. Then, the other night, it snowed. Instead of the happy fire-crackling prelude to christmas I was hoping for I get this debacle. Toronto has been lifeless for 3 days now, I have frost bite on my forehead, and I get the nature of things in my kitchen. "Now safe from the cold, watch as the urban street mouse nibbles holes, slyly, into the food stuffs of the unwitting inhabitants".

On the brighter side, my garbage was frozen solid to my patio. Oh wait... that's not a bright side at all. Wonderful. Get back to me when Thomas Hardy is done taking a dump on my life.

Merry Fucking Christmas Toronto.

Thinking Back on it

2009-12-09T19:03:00.002-05:00

I read a post recently on Kush and Kismet about not letting life get in the way of your passion because your passion should be your life. It makes me think back over the last two years and realize that not only did I put a moratorium on the one thing I truly enjoy but I actually took a few steps back. (I know Clint, I know.)

In realizing this I've accomplished the important part; however, now I'm left standing (lounging sassily) with my path ahead of me, reigns in hand, looking for a signpost. It's all rather exciting really :).

Reflections.

Missed Opportunity

2009-12-07T04:25:00.005-05:00

Anything but Studying. For the love of god.

I was sipping a coffee near Queen and Ossington when the scene in front of me became strikingly salient.

The most startlingly blue dress. Her hands, cushioned in black velvet, held the bars of her bike with practiced ease -- a strong but alluring and feminine grip. Her posture was perfect as she checked for traffic, her head swiveling with unerring grace. A magazine was the only object in her basket, and the brief glimpses of its contents spoke to the calibre of her interests.

I looked down to follow my camera and when I looked up traffic had stopped. My view obscured. She turned and I lost sight.

I like the picture better this way.

I Need a Subject

2009-12-04T19:09:00.000-05:00

One down, three to go.

What's this photo saying? Not much. I mean, I like it. It's interesting... low-rent apartment detritus. It's not saying anything though. It's an empty chair so it's obviously begging for a model, but I'm using this photo more as a metaphor for my photography in general.

What I really need is a subject. Something to focus my photography on in an overarching way like for a photodoc but also for my everyday photography. I have many pictures of good looking scenes, well composed shots that hold a viewers interest for a second glance... but if I want to start producing something above par I need to be shooting with a subject in mind.

Studying continues.

Dropping Out

2009-12-02T02:44:00.000-05:00

During the summer we went to the woods for the day and Jacob and I climbed off on our own. Returning, we found Stina and Dana nested in. Being ridiculous.

Exams are all I should be thinking about.

Street Car Tracks -- The Quick Sand of Urban Life

2009-12-01T00:54:00.007-05:00

I was on my way to school tonight to study some brains and brain related material and it occurred to me I was going to be late to meet my girlfriend at the lab.

"No worries!", I said to myself as I committed champion-level power to the pedals of my bike. Streaking down College street like a fucking asteroid blasting through the atmosphere I revelled in the fact that I was totally dominating Toronto with my biking prowess.

While furiously rubbing down my ego my tire caught a street car track and I was ejected matter-of-factly onto the street. I slid 100 feet if I slid a foot I tell ye!!! So, as I'm sitting there staring at the inside of my bike helmet I hear a car horn a few meters away blasting repeatedly for me to move. Apparently my awkwardly-angled, still and silent body was a major inconvenience.

Mystery driver, whoever you are, you are the reason god created sudden infant death syndrome. I want to slap your mother for paying so much attention.

Done with Slacking

2009-11-29T17:08:00.006-05:00

Wow, nearly a year since my last post. I would say that's a suitable metaphor for my life during that time. You can imagine what happened if you follow the post history. I've been forced to excise huge portions of my life. People, friends, places. Things I was entirely invested in.

Was it the right decision? Absolutely. There is a lot to be said for clarity of mind and purpose. Not to mention motivation.

Let's get things moving.

Where are they going?

2008-10-22T17:31:00.002-04:00

Condiments. Everywhere.

Excuses

2008-10-17T20:50:00.011-04:00

What? Yeah that's right bitches I posted again. A lot of stuff has come to a head in my personal life and it has managed to bleed over into what I do professionally. Fortunately, it's all behind me and shit can get on getting on.

Of all the things I'm excited about the one that I'm most behind is KushQ. I've managed to find a team of talented people with similar vision and the above picture is indicative of the type of stuff we are producing. More on that as it happens.

Also, check out this for another reason why I haven't been updating this thing. These guys are sick and I've had a great time doing their photos.

Street level.

Good To Be Home

2008-08-27T23:36:00.006-04:00

Back in TO! New apartment and a new school year. I expect lots of updates and lots of fun to be had. Good times all around.

Cheers!

4AM False Alarm

2008-08-17T16:24:00.007-04:00

You know what is wonderful? 4AM fire alarms in your apartment. There is nothing that makes me happier then trying to sleep for a 6AM flight and getting woken up by a piercing klaxon that causes your cat to launch itself talon-first off your chest.

Seriously, if you can think of something more joyous then going from a happily deep sleep to an ICBM launch siren in your face I would like to hear it. Getting ravaged by your house pet is just a bonus at that point really.

At least I got some good commiseration time in with the rest of the building tenants. Nothing brings people closer together then waiting outside to find out what douche bag burned their toast.

4th time this year. Wonderful.

It's all good :)

Quiet Moments in Urban Life

2008-08-15T09:56:00.005-04:00

I like to pay respect to the background noise at times. The moments we have trained ourselves to tune out sometimes end up being worth engaging.

Crossing an intersection on Bloor I struggled to hear my friend speak. With casual irritation I glanced over at this scene. What struck me at the time was how this guys life IS that background noise. Taking a moment to appreciate his respective little bubble ended up being worth my time.

Cheers guy.

Chill Out People!

2008-08-12T22:23:00.006-04:00

Happened upon this lazy little scene the other day. Fairly fitting since I have been freaking out lately with finding a new apartment, managing my courses and playing tour guide. This moment provided me with a corollary that was staring me in the face the entire time. CHILL. OUT. MAN.

So I am.

I feel better. ;)

Also, What the Hell is up with Summer??

2008-08-10T16:47:00.004-04:00

Seriously. Look at this woman. It is like she's getting raped by mother nature.

Follow That Vespa

2008-08-10T16:29:00.004-04:00

I've been coveting Vespas now for about a month. They aren't quite up to the European level of acceptance over here yet but I think I might get on board. Look at this guy. It's like the world is playing an Of Montreal track wherever he goes, he is that cool.

;)

Sooooooo Hot

2008-08-06T13:21:00.002-04:00

I took this photo at the Carabana Festival. When sorting through them I realized I had over 300 photos of brazilians undulating on floats, a couple of a hotdog stands, and then this. I tried so hard on the other ones and took this one haphazardly... it is weird how that works.

In other news: Pineapple express comes out this week. Ohhhhhhh yeah.

I'm not going to lie to you. I've got nothing for this post. The NiN concert has jellied my brain.

Lucid Moments

2008-08-03T10:11:00.004-04:00

Have you ever had one of those moments where, for whatever reason, you transition from melancholy to a heightened awareness or clarity of self? I like those. It gives you time to think about what the hell you are doing. Everything seems comfortable and you can flirt with the things that are stressing you out... take stock of them without really engaging them.

I was feeling that way when I took this pic. Was sitting on a wall on Bay Street watching cars go by. (Reminds me of a Sasha Remix).

Life @ Kindred

2008-07-31T14:03:00.002-04:00

This summer I've been lucky enough to work at one of the most interesting jobs a student could ever hope for. The people are (without hyperbole) the most interesting I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Dylan, Stina, Al, Lindsay, Josh, Mike C, Naomi, Jim, Billy, Auggie, Charles, Buzz, Brodie, Angie, Mercedes...

So, on a day when i'm working my ass off and my legs are burning all I need to do is take a step back and look around me. At the people I've been so lucky to meet, at the context I met them in, or sometimes (like in the picture above) it's all laid out so obviously that all I can do is smile.

Life is good.

Dive In

2008-07-29T14:52:00.001-04:00

So I'm about 2 weeks away from buying the Canon 135 F/2.0L. I know what you are thinking: "Nick, are you serious? That would make you the coolest person I've ever heard of. Please can I have your children? PLEASE?"

My answer to that is no, you have herpes and you disgust me.

Pizza Pizza

2008-07-28T03:53:00.000-04:00

This is JJ. We tasked him with getting the pizza to Trinity Bellwood's intact. Nothing short of a red-hot katana blow to the jugular was going to disrupt him. So, as you can see, he handled this challenge like a f**king champion.

Lupine Vagrant 2: The Hackening

2008-07-27T04:33:00.001-04:00

Kat and I were walking up Yonge and I saw this guy. Assuming this guy was up for having his photo taken I snapped off a shot. He responded by flipping me off and calling me cheap.

Never assume a man in a wolf suit on a 28 degree day realizes he is being as conspicuous as humanly possible. Wait, I'm wrong... he could have immolated his furry wolf genitals, that would win for most striking thing in my field of vision almost assuredly.

:) on D'Arcy

2008-07-25T19:30:00.000-04:00

Great start to the evening. Sitting on D'Arcy street about to begin and one of those summer showers shows up. The kind that etches itself into your memory. At sunset no less. Rain was coating us but Dylan got started anyway. Classic moment. Sentence fragments.

Chilling

2008-07-24T14:55:00.000-04:00

That feeling of having the whole summer ahead of you has faded but the inevitable return to school life hasn't put a damper on things yet. So, we hang out. Dylan landed this and it blew my mind. Shortly after this moment he injured himself on the guard rail. Good times man, good times.