Devra

I still remember the day when actor's headshots used to always be done in B&W and in the studio - and always on just a plain background. I'm glad those days are long gone! I much prefer the naturalness of an environment and real light - it's so much more dynamic and interesting.

It was great this morning to photograph Devra - an experienced and creative actor, a natural beauty and a super nice person. Oh yeah, and she's from the west - Bonus!








© Dwayne Brown

Congratuations Elmwood Grads!

It's been a fun year of capturing imagery for Ottawa's Elmwood School. Congratulation Grads!


© Dwayne Brown

Summer Sky

With summer and the heat, comes weather and cool skies. It was a super hot and humid day, and this evening it looked like we were going to get cooled off with a storm. Instead just some intimidating and dramatic clouds.

Always a treat. :)


© Dwayne Brown

A Gold Mine of Rusted Steel.

This weekend I found this lovely gold mine of oxidized steel at a pedestrian overpass in the west end. Ottawa is typically a pretty polished up town, so it's so fun to find some urban decay to shoot.

I've always love the way steel, paint and rust work together over time to create such beautiful abstract and random compositions. I guess it's mother nature's way of showing us who the true abstract artist is. :)












© Dwayne Brown

A Graceful Bow.

I love how flowers always seem to maintain their beauty and grace even when faced with the inevitable.


© Dwayne Brown

The Guerilla Party - Love, Red and the Spider Dance!

My buddy Rob Smith and I checked out the GuerillaLIVE party and magazine launch last night (my first time) and I was super impressed to say the least. It was an exceptionally eclectic mix of folks - artists, dancers, photographers, kids, film makers and everyone in between. I have to say Tony Martins does/did a really great job introducing and sharing art in the most interesting and approachable way.

It was a cool night of art, dance and music. And tons of super conversations. Get Guerrilla!

Thanks Tony!






© Dwayne Brown

The Age of Innocence and Evolving Maturity.

Ten years old. It's a magical age - somewhere between the innocence of childhood and the discovery of becoming a teenager. Yesterday I photographed Katy, a really special ten year old. I've known her for a good part of her life and she is always full of life, full of stories, super kind and she always has a smile for everyone.

As photographers we have the control to capture what we want - so much control and an immense responsibility really. I didn't want to capture Katy's unstoppable energy (everyone already sees it), but I wanted to try and capture that delicate balance between her innocence and her evolving maturity. I wanted to try and capture a bit of who she is when no one is looking.

Thanks Clare and Jen! And of course thanks Katy!




© Dwayne Brown

In Pursuit of Smiles

The pursuit of smiles - what could be a better challenge?

As a result of my question of what motivates us on a Monday, a super good friend of mine set me out on the challenge of finding smiles - smiles that are out there hidden. Kind of a photo smiley scavenger hunt.

They tend to be everywhere, so it's given me the idea to put the challenge out there to my friends. Look for examples of these smiles that are everywhere hidden - in the office, on the street and in nature. Capture them with your iPhone, Blackberry or point and shoot. Then send them my way via studio@dwaynebrown.com. I'll then post the best ones on Friday, and I'll think of a cool prize for the best!

Have fun smiling! :)




© Dwayne Brown

Hallmark Got it Wrong

It's nice that the folks at Hallmark or who ever decides on our holidays, came up with a day for dads. But fathers know that it's not June 20th that is really Father's Day. (And no I'm not going to be cliché and say every day is either) Throughout the year there are many days that stand out (different for everyone), and the true Father's Days are likely days that are not fun and definitely are not about us. They might be a day that we have to teach our kids life lessons, or a day when we need to bail them out of trouble, or pick them up at 2:00 in the morning because they got stranded somewhere, or just a day to hang out with them.

To be a father - a dad, is an awesome challenge some days, others it's so easy and fun, but always it's a responsibility. A responsibility to watch over, to teach and guide, to make unpopular decisions, to be super patient and to always love.

June 20th - Father's Day, for me is a day for my kids. They are both super smart and creative, so different from each other in many ways, and most importantly both really really nice kids.

Thanks Hallmark, but I'd prefer to call today Claire and Alex Day. My kids! :)

Ride

Who knew buying a scooter would be so fun and such a cool experience? And no it's not a half baked attempt at a mid-life crisis, just having a little fun scooting when I'm not shooting! It's made just driving from here to there a fun experience.

It's just such a different driving experience - so much more sensory than driving in a car. On a scooter you feel every bump in the road - every curve, you feel the ever persistent resistance of the wind and you even get to experience the fragrances along the way. (oh yeah....and you can park almost anywhere you like)

I also really love the imperative focus that you need to have the entire time while you're on the bike, you have to be so in control of every moment and be totally mindful of not only what you're doing but also everyone else.

All in all, I'm loving getting to know my new Italian friend 'Pearl' and I'm definitely enjoying the RIDE!




© Dwayne Brown

Gatineau Park is soooooo Green

Alex and I did a little drive through the Gatineau Park today, did you know how GREEN it is up there!? Green is so the color of life, I love it!






© Dwayne Brown

Saturday Mornings

In all of her furry feline wisdom, I think Polly has it nicely figured out - she treats every day like it's Saturday morning. Enjoy your Saturday! =^..^=


© Polly and Dwayne

Late Night Conduit

Where would we be without it - the keyboard - the computer. It helps us communicate and bridge distance, connecting. It helps us to create and express, to explore and learn, and to teach and share. It's an amazing tool that we tend to forget how lucky we are to have it at our fingertips. It's such a cool conduit.

Docking

I was driving in the Colonnade Business Park this afternoon and I just loved the start and graphic shapes of this abandoned loading dock as well as the contrast of the random shapes and textures of the worn cement lot in front.


© Dwayne Brown

The Hill

The longer I live here in Ottawa, I find, as with most people, it's gets easier to just drive by the Parliament Buildings and kind of take them for granted. The other night I found it impossible to not stop in awe and appreciate what beautiful buildings they are - and wonder how impressive they must of looked when they were first built.


© Dwayne Brown

Ten Minutes

A great little shoot this morning for Carleton University, photographing Jacques Shore the Chairman of the university's advisory council. Jacques was such a treat to photograph - so kind, so gracious and very generous with his time, all ten minutes of it! (I thought I'd only have five)


© Dwayne Brown

The camera and the light definitely love Romeo.

I'm often asked what do I like to photograph the most. It's kind of a hard question - there's so much to shoot, but if I needed to pick one thing or a subject, I'd have to say people - faces. Because it's so much more than just the face, it's the personalities and stories behind the face.

Last night I did a shoot with Romeo Godin, a great designer I get to work with from the University of Ottawa, who also happens to be one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. And if you ask anyone who knows Romeo, they'd tell you he's also just a little photogenic, to say the least. So my job was half done before I even started.

Last night I was again reminded of the critical partnership between photographer and subject and the degree of symbiotic trust between the two.

Thanks Romeo!





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© Dwayne Brown

Raintree

I love the random abstract effect of shooting through a rainy window. It almost gives the scene movement.


© Dwayne Brown

Weekend Free Download - Rearview

I know it's kinda against the law to use a cell phone or a pda while driving, but I took this photo today with a real camera, so I guess it's okay, right? And I thought it looked kinda cool, honest officer. ;)


© Dwayne Brown

Please use this 'link to download the file'. Feel free to print and frame it, just please don't use it for any commercial applications or look at while driving.

The Creative Collaborative Dance

As I sip on my second coffee on this gray wet Sunday morning and start on some digital production from Friday's shoot for the University, I'm struck and reminded by what I like most about commercial shooting. It's without a doubt the collaborative partnership that happens to make a shot happen and then to help it find it's home on a website, in an annual report or an ad.

As a photographer it seems we get to take the most credit, but in reality there is a much larger collaborative team that makes it all happen - and I'm super fortunate to work with one with uOttawa. The creative management team (Jerry, Jim, Marie and France) are awesome, the writers and researchers (Dominic and Dave) find great stories and people to shoot, production co-coordinator extraordinaire (Nathalie), and of course Romeo who has such a wonderful way to direct a shoot with his kind yet detailed determination. The other partners who are so important to mention, are the people we get to photograph - just so interesting and so obliging!

Another critical partnership to the process are my assistants (Brent and Lindsay). We always work together before hand to plan the shots, whether that be lighting, props, logistics and creative approach to the shoot. All in all, it's such a super fun collaborative dance that I am lucky to be a part of!




© Dwayne Brown

Happy Home Screen Images for your Blackberry or iPhone

Just a quick note/tip that the images on my blog are totally fine for personal use for your blackberry or iPhone's home screen. The easiest way is to just visit the blog with your phone and then save the image you like to your phone - or copy it with your computer then email it to your phone. Here's a LINK to some of the images I think make nice home screen images. Enjoy!

A Little Japanese in Little Italy

Just had a super lunch at a cool little Japanese restaurant in Little Italy. Kiko Sushi Bar. Awesome food, unusually affordable, and a great 'lounge feel' atmosphere. Oh yeah and cool music! My bento box was only $12.95 and it was so delicious!

Smile - The Inspiration of a Blog.

I was out this evening for a bit with a couple of new friends, Leila and Sam - they're in town for a short working stint from the UK. A super nice couple! Leila's a writer doing some work for Guerilla Magazine and we were talking about the value of observation and 'seeing' - and how it helps what we do as a writer and a photographer. I know I know....it's obvious for me as a photographer, but you can be a photographer and not really have your eyes open.

I was telling Leila how my blog helps me as a photographer by it's hunger for imagery, and how inspired I am to feed it. And that I am always looking - always seeing. I told her how even a small piece of fruit in a drink can have beauty and interest. Now I know a close up an orange slice isn't a life changing artistic statement, but it is a lesson to enjoy and to appreciate the small things in life - something we all can do easily and maybe even by doing it, evoke a smile. :)


© Dwayne Brown

Run Polly Run!

Okay maybe this is why Polly's been sporting a few extra pounds - it could be her version of running. ;)

Très belle Isabelle

I did a small shoot with my friend Isabelle Légaré, and I was reminded why I love being a photographer so much. I've wanted to photograph Isabelle for quite some time - I've always loved her face and her soft yet strong confidence.

I've always believed a good portrait should try and capture the person within, so it can be a vulnerable event and/or experience and strongly relies on trust between photographer and subject. So to shoot a portrait for someone like Isabelle who embraces the potential of that trust and a partnership in the creative process of a portrait, is well......oh so rewarding et très exceptionnelle!




© Dwayne Brown

Memorial - Peace and Liberty

I was poking around downtown this evening for a little while, and I thought I'd take a closer look at the National War Memorial - and no matter how many times I see it, it's just so overwhelming. It's sheer size and scale, not to mention the detail. The 23 bronze figures (originally designed, sculpted and cast in the UK), represent the various Canadians who fought in the First World War, emerging from an memorial arch - moving from war into peace. And the winged figures overhead symbolize Peace and Liberty.

I just love Ottawa for it's historic architecture!






© Dwayne Brown