Gondolas in the canal in Venice, Italy. I was attracted to the vibrant colors reflected in the water and the boats.
Sunset over the Grand Canal, Venice. This is a long exposure to capture the lights of boats going by on the water and shot at blue hour or dusk. The image has been processed in Lightroom and enhanced using Luminar AI (I did a sky replacement and color toning). https://www.digitalphotomentor.com/luminar-ai-overview/
Masked characters before sunrise at Venice Carnival 2020. I used off-camera flash here to light the models and a tripod to get a long exposure for the background.
Long exposure of gondolas bobbing in the water outside San Marco Square, Venice. ISO 200, f/22, 2 seconds was the exposure, I used a tripod for this.
Sunrise on San Marco Square in Venice. You have to stand in just the right spot at the right time to get the sun coming between the columns. I was battling for position with about 50 other photographers to get this shot. Exposure was ISO 200, f/14, 1/80th. You need an aperture smaller than f/11 to get the starburst effect.
This was the spot where I wanted to pose some masked characters when we walked past this area in the morning. I was lucky enough to get perfect lighting and willing models in the afternoon and got this shot. The sky has been replaced using Luminar here.
This was shot with my Fuji XT1 which has been converted to shoot infrared. The BW conversion and processing was done using a preset or Look in Luminar.
Portrait taken near Baracoa, Cuba in a small fishing village. This is the shack this man lives in and he was happy to pose for us. We tipped him for his kindness and to assist him with his living expenses because this is a very poor area.
Two professional ballerinas from the Cuban National ballet inside an old mansion in Central Havana.
Fishermen in a small village near Baracoa Cuba. I wanted to capture the action here of them bringing in their catch of the day. I've done a sky replacement here because it was blown out in the original and I think it works really well. Fuji XT3, 18-135mm lens, ISO 2000, f/6.4, 1/250th.
We met this lovely lady when we were shooting the sunset in Baracoa, Cuba. I wasn't inspired by the sunset so was chatting with her and asked if I could take her photo, she was happy to oblige. We were even invited up onto her balcony for a better view of the bay and the sunset. I pays to speak the language sometimes!
Anita Ballerina of the Cuban National Ballet. This was shot with off-camera flash in an old building we scouted out ahead of our photo shoot.
Anna the ballerina again, this time on a street with a view of the Capital. I find the lady and the little dog funny so I left them in the image. ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/200th - with flash set to TTL (off to camera left).
Anna ballerina - shot with natural light on a Havana street. Processed to create an aged or antique look using Luminar AI.
Close-up detail of a Cree Ribbon Skirt. This image speaks to me because of the vibrant colors of the garment and the meaning and symbolism in the design. The figures represent the lady wearing the skirt (left), her mother (center), and her grandmother (right).
This was shot at one of the Indigenous rights rallies I photographed. What strikes me about this image is his stance and all the instances of red in the image as well as how he's looking up at the image on the flag.
I've always loved the dancers in the North American Indigenous culture. The regalia are so elaborate, so colorful, and the movements intricate and difficult. I admire all the craftsmanship and work it takes to create it and to dance as well as what it represents to them.
For me, two words sum up this image POWERFUL and PASSION. She displays both as she shouts a chant at an Edmonton rally for Indigenous rights. I see confidence, determination, conviction, and passion in her face - her words were very powerful as well.
I didn't make the sign or position the flowers this way, but I did create the lighting effect on it to highlight them. For me, the powerful message and symbols again are what makes it one of my favorite images from 2020.
The simplicity and color of this image are what make it one of my favorites. The Indigenous medicine wheel, the four colors, all the beadwork, and the power in her hand as she holds it. To me, it says DIGNITY and pride in her culture.
