No Entry to Eden

Manitick, Ontario. 2 May, 2013.

Corrina Redux

Note: The following entry is meant for Photoshop geeks. Please pardon the shop talk. And pardon the pun that I just wrote.

One of my friends, photographer Mark Dalpé, told me about a system of creating black and white digital images. Usually, I either use the HSL / Grayscale option on Photoshop's RAW interface or I convert my RAW images to jpg and use the Gorman black and white method. Both are smart options. But Mark suggested that I just desaturate the picture in the Basic interface. I was skeptical, but I tried it. I took a picture of Corrina, one that appeared in the last installment of the blog, and used it as my working canvas.The picture looked good with the saturation off, moving the slider all the way to the left. Then I added to the Vibrance, moving the slider to the right until I was satisfied. Voila! The picture came out great! I duotoned it in Photoshop and here we are. It doesn't hurt that the eminently photogenic Corrina is the subject of the picture. Thank you, Corrina! And as always, thank you Mark for a fantastic tip!

Corrina with Glasses

Here is Corrina in the latest glasses by Bohten Eyeware. This is a sneak preview of the new frames soon to be available from Bohten.

Victoria Regina

Victoria van Eyk at the Arbonne party in Ottawa, 21 November, 2013. Victoria is my partner in a fabulous work space in Ottawa, a space called...The Space. If you are a business person or artist in need of space, call Victoria by following the link.

Corrina Models Bohten Eyeware

Model Corinne is seen here with Bohten sunglasses in Ottawa.

Bohten Launch Party

On the 13th of November, 2013, Bohten Eyeware had a party, launching the new line of spectacles. Nana Osei and Vanessa Myers asked me to cover the event Go to http://www.bohten.com to see the line.

Meanwhile, my friends Gina Ree and Victoria van Eyk modeled the glasses. Gina is moving to Nevada to photograph the terrain, follow carnivals, circuses and burly cues. I will miss her immensely and ther eis a chance that we may never see each other face to face again, but I think that she is on the right track and will triumph in her endeavors. She is doing the right thing. Victoria is in the process of setting up a few businesses and is helpful as a supporter of up and coming firms. I adore both of them and am so happy to know them and call them friends.

This woman was a support staff worker at the show. I didn't get to know who she was but I really want to photograph her again. And again. And again. She's stunning!

Fashion model Alekseyvna Ponomareva, modeling Bohten sunglasses.

Vanessa Myers, fashion model, entrepreneur, social activist, co-owner of Bohten, and good friend, poses with Alekseyvna.

Woman with Cel Phone

31 October, 2013. Fly Bar night club, Ottawa.

Jana and Francko

On October 30th, 2013, I met with a friend of mine, model Francko Edge. He introduced me to his closest friend and model Jana Dickinson, who looks like she should be in the audience of the Village Vanguard in 1958. Together, they look like they should be in the audience at Gerde's Folk City in 1961, waiting for John Lee Hooker and Bob Dylan. I love anachronistes.

Bôhten Sunglasses

Bôhten sunglasses are spectacularly lovely sunglasses, the frames made out of wood. The frames are made in Africa. The company is a labour of love, developed and managed by King Osei, a dear friend of mine. Check out their website. There are many fine frames offered. King and I went on the street and photographed people wearing these remarkable sunglasses.

Gina Ree, photographer, media artist and good friend. 

I met her in front of Planet Coffee in downtown Ottawa.

She is a fascinating person who photographs circuses,

carnivals and burlesque. Check her website. You'll be

glad you did! 

Vincent Morrisette, stand up comic and a man with a truly good sense of dress. 

Even zombies like the glasses. King and I calmed down one 

with a pair of Bôhtens. Because of this, he had extra hours 

in the sunlight. 
See askzakzombie.com for more chills.

Francko Edge. Model, director, producer, friend.


The indescribably beautiful Victoria van Eyk.

Yours truly, photographed by King Osei.

Also, check out Kate Forrest's blog Suits and Stilettos. Kate is a great interviewer and art director and I always enjoy working with and for her.

Ayesha by Starlight

As always, Ayesha looks ten times cooler than any other human.

It's Ayesha!

Ayesha Eckert looking in '60s mode..

Louboutin

On the 9th of September 2013 I went to see the exhibit Christian Louboutin at the Design Exchange at...well...the Design Exchange at 234 Bay Street in Toronto. The show went from the 21st of June to the 15th September this year. All shots were done with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 at ISO 5000 to 6000. All of the pictures were shot without a flash and the white balance was set at either Auto or Kelvin. All shoes were...man, don't get me started...