I’ve always loved the art of Flamenco. From the first slash of the guitar to the syncopated clapping and emphatic stomp from the heel-toe, it seems to have such an intensity of passion above all other forms of expression. The anguish projected from the Singer’s tale, combines with hand & finger motions that seem to have a language all of their own. Together they weave a timelessly rich tapestry of emotion that is as much an [...]]]>

The Passion of Flamenco

I’ve always loved the art of Flamenco. From the first slash of the guitar to the syncopated clapping and emphatic stomp from the heel-toe, it seems to have such an intensity of passion above all other forms of expression. The anguish projected from the Singer’s tale, combines with hand & finger motions that seem to have a language all of their own. Together they weave a timelessly rich tapestry of emotion that is as much an assault as it is a caress to the senses.

While travelling throughout Spain, I’ve enjoyed the art of Flamenco as a performance and within private moments. From lonely street corners to crowded bodegas, in restaurants and ticketed concerts, it’s never lost its impact or failed to stir up emotions that are soulful and primal all at the same time… Last night, the cultures of Spain were to be found just a few steps from my door, as Centro Flamenco Rosario, brought their talents to the underground stage of Guilt & Co in Gastown, Vancouver.

“Lunes Flamencos”, featured guitarist Victor Kolstee, singer Stephanie Pedraza and the Flamenco Rosario Dancers & guest artists.

Click Here for Full  Image  Gallery…

Stephanie Pedraza is as dynamic on her feet as she is behind the microphone.

A small stage presents big talent...

The unique cavern-like ambience of Guilt & Co is perfect for setting the tone for stage and musical enjoyment.

Guitarist Victor Kolstee

I received my new Nikon D4 the other day, and thought I’d share few images to provide an idea of it’s capabilities.

Above all else, the low-light potential is simply outstanding. ISO 200,000 …wtf? Are you kidding me ? I honestly thought the EXIF was being read wrong, and had to look it up before I could believe that it was real… and yes, it is. There will be noise at that ISO of course, that is to be expected, but [...]]]>

I received my new Nikon D4 the other day, and thought I’d share few images to provide an idea of it’s capabilities.

Above all else, the low-light potential is simply outstanding. ISO 200,000 …wtf? Are you kidding me ? I honestly thought the EXIF was being read wrong, and had to look it up before I could believe that it was real… and yes, it is. There will be noise at that ISO of course, that is to be expected, but it’s still a high quality image and very usable.  That functionality can bring about a whole new realm of possibilities for shooting styles… however, that’s a topic for another post, and another time.

So I decided to take a walk with my new best friend, after sundown and before sunrise, and was working at conservative ISO’s of 25,0000 – 50,000 … (yes, this camera is able to see in the dark). The images below will give you an idea of what this camera can do, and how well it does it. Because no camera review image gallery is complete without a lovely smile, I have included two bonus images, shot at ISO 2000.

 About the images – Images are from RAW processed files through the ACR Beta 6.7, very minimal luminance noise correction applied. I always sharpen specific to output, so all sharpening has been left off these images so you can judge their potential without influence.

All Images were shot in Auto WB, and I will say that it is unbelievable how accurate it is straight out of the camera. Images samples show a variety of artificial sources, with colour renditions that would be very tough to customize any better than what the camera did automatically.

Images were shot with Picture Control Enabled, using the Standard Profile Option, and with D-Lighting set to Low. In Lightroom, the Camera Profile for Standard was applied to all images before generating the JPG File Outputs.

Images may be downloaded for personal review, and permission will be granted on request for Editorial Publication with credit and linkback.

See for yourself!

Hi Res Gallery  & Downloads – Click to View

ISO 25,600 Nikon D4 After Dark

ISO 204,800 D4 First Tests

ISO 2000 - D4 First Tests

ISO 2000 - D4 First Tests by Craig MInielly

Oakville Hospital Newborn - Justin, 7 Minutes Old

The time when it came, was somewhat chaotic, as there has been no hint at all that baby Justin [...]]]> 12 years ago today, my nephew was 7 mins old. At the time I was working on a book project, to come out later that year, entitled “Oakville: Jewel on the Lake”. As part of that project, I was photographing highlights of the local hospital, with my sister’s upcoming delivery providing some nepotistic opportunities.

Oakville Hospital Newborn - Justin, 7 Minutes Old

The time when it came, was somewhat chaotic, as there has been no hint at all that baby Justin was in any rush to greet the new world. Christmas dinner was over for the year and I was back at home when I got the panic call that my sister was in final labor and the big moment was likely minutes away. Apparently there’s differences between indigestion and the first stages of labor, that were as yet unknown to my sister, so she barely made it to the delivery room with minutes to spare. I myself got to the hospital just in time to see the newly arrived Justin whisked away to ICU, and followed the nurse in to record his first moments.

Shooting in an ICU when things are moving very fast,  is tricky enough on its own. Staying out of the way, all while getting the closeup details of this tiny human was even more challenging. Time was too short to work with my Hasselblad gear, and digital cameras were still relatively new, with my Nikon D1 being the the big game changer of the time. I had developed a trick, that allowed me to easily shoot in fluorescent (or tungsten) light conditions in combination with the camera’s SB-28 Flash. Essentially I had a green or amber filter, that I had taped in place and with velcro, could flip (either one) in front of the flash unit to match the ambient light. This allowed me to have well lit,  flash-filled images that didn’t look flash lit, and balanced nicely to the environment.

Some months later, with the book now published, I was in a presentation to Nikon, that was attended by a number of their top execs from Canada and the US. They were curious of my techniques and printed results, and were particularly intrigued by my colourful velcro flash assembly. As I explained how and why I had it set up as I did, I could see glances and notes being quickly exchanged across the room. Some time after that, when the new model flashes came out, it was an interesting surprise to see that my technique had worked its way into their regular production models that now included the coloured filters, albeit without my swinging velcro mechanism! That product combo of flash and coloured gels would last for the next nine years (SB-900 shown), and in a way, was all because my sister couldn’t tell the difference between turkey farts and labor!

Happy Birthday Justin

There is so much that can be said about this city and the short time I spent there, that it will become the source of a number of posts and stories for quite some time…

Two days and nights is hardly enough time to experience the old world splendour, the culture, history and personality of the city and its inhabitants. It was however, a good chance to experience the hospitality and open friendliness [...]]]>

Vintage Car in the Streets of Central Havana

There is so much that can be said about this city and the short time I spent there, that it will become the source of a number of posts and stories for quite some time…

Two days and nights is hardly enough time to experience the old world splendour, the culture, history and personality of the city and its inhabitants. It was however, a good chance to experience the hospitality and open friendliness of the people I met and the fabulous images opportunities I found while wandering the streets and neighbourhoods of the Central and Vedado districts that lay just beyond the grounds of the Hotel Nacional, and my room shared in the past by Walt Disney himself!

Complete Galleries are within the Travel Section, with features on the People, Vintage Cars, Architecture,  Hotel Nacional, BuenaVista Social Club, Centro and Vedado Neighborhoods of Havana.

Enjoy

Performer at Hotel Nacional, Havana Cuba

Two of the warm and friendly people I was able to chat with in Centro Habana.

Street Buskers - Sevilla, Spain - Click on Image Below for Full Size Viewing

Seville (or Sevilla as I think of it), is definitely one of my favourite cities on the planet. Perhaps as a visitor it’s easier to be enamoured with the everyday lifestyle, but there just seems to be a different vibe there that permeates every aspect of the city itself. The architecture, the clothing, the gatherings, the music… it just goes on and on…

I returned [...]]]>  

Street Buskers - Sevilla, Spain - Click on Image Below for Full Size Viewing

Seville (or Sevilla as I think of it), is definitely one of my favourite cities on the planet. Perhaps as a visitor it’s easier to be enamoured with the everyday lifestyle, but there just seems to be a different vibe there that permeates every aspect of the city itself. The architecture, the clothing, the gatherings, the music… it just goes on and on…

I returned recently having backpacked through the first time many years ago, and it was fabulous to see the same things that I loved were still well in place, and in some ways were preserved even as they were built upon. Building facades – although new, still looked centuries old. Bodega gatherings sported the latest fashions, yet were obviously reliving timeless habits repeated through generations.

Modern progress was more apparent since my first visit, as there was far more chrome and glass structures, with high tech advancements providing that much more of a contrast to the city’s medieval roots.

Everywhere you looked though, the Andalusian spirit was in full swing. That’s something I expect to never to be tamed, just as the city’s charms to this returning fan, will resonate in my memories forevermore.

Image Gallery Links 

Seville – Travel Gallery

Seville – Photo Artwork Gallery  

Click on any Image Below for Full Size Viewing

I’ve just added a Personal Use Screen Saver Option to a select group of images, available for $1.97 each.

I’ll be adding more images from time to time, as I pull them from assignments and various travels.

Look Closely, and you’ll see a few that are specially offered – absolutely Free!

Enjoy

I looked out on this for a few days, but it was only during a break in a [...]]]> When I travel, it seems that my sense get that much more tuned in to look for intriguing image possibilities, and sometimes those can be right outside your window. This image was from my view outside of the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, to the cathedral across the way. Cathedral-Basilica of Mary, Queen of the World is located on Rue de la Cathedrale downtown Montreal.

I looked out on this for a few days, but it was only during a break in a passing thunderstorm that I looked again and discovered this fabulous light going on… I love the green on green on green tones, with the splash of copper in just the right place.  10 minutes later, the moment was gone as the sun came out and the view had lost that ominous quality that seemed so powerful just moments earlier.

Copper Roof Repair, Montreal Cathedral.The Cathedral-Basilica of Mary, Queen of the World (French: Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada,

Working in new locations with new clients, often involves new and undiscovered techniques.

This was a stage of the tempering process for the parts that make up the drilling shafts in mining operations. The temperatures involved were extreme, and I was quickly advised that any additional materials or lighting I brought in was subject to melting wherever it was placed.

I had been supplied with a prototype camera (1 of 3) from Nikon, to test [...]]]>

Furnace Tempering Process for MIning Drilling Materials

Working in new locations with new clients, often involves new and undiscovered techniques.

This was a stage of the tempering process for the parts that make up the drilling shafts in mining operations. The temperatures involved were extreme, and I was quickly advised that any additional materials or lighting I brought in was subject to melting wherever it was placed.

I had been supplied with a prototype camera (1 of 3) from Nikon, to test in a variety of conditions, so I had a concern as to what might happen to it in these conditions of extreme heat. Even the transfer operators were unsure…

The solution, involved a few precautions: I was dressed in full protective gear, and given an additional  protective hood to drop over the camera if I noticed it starting to droop on the tripod. I was also placed on a Forklift platform, that was set up and left running with the ability to immediately back me out of there if I gave the “Melting Camera Signal”.

This was all further affected by the fact that the exact transfer time couldn’t be determined, so everything was placed on call during the week, with a limited amount of advance notice.

Thankfully it all worked out, with a “cool” set of images from the event, the camera held up to the heat, and I got to have an instant tan without having to head to the tanning salon.

Shhh…, I never did tell Nikon about this story behind the image.

On location in St Thomas, Virgin Islands, the weather was really not playing nice with what we were trying to accomplish. Heavy rains and huge winds just kept coming and coming, and the waves were getting bigger and bigger..

There was an old abandoned motel , near the top of a hill, which I figured might provide some shelter for shooting and an interesting location as well. No electricity of course, but [...]]]>

St Thomas Swimsuit Session with Stephanie during Hurricane Noel

On location in St Thomas, Virgin Islands, the weather was really not playing nice with what we were trying to accomplish. Heavy rains and huge winds just kept coming and coming, and the waves were getting bigger and bigger..

There was an old abandoned motel , near the top of a hill, which I figured might provide some shelter for shooting and an interesting location as well. No electricity of course, but we found a somewhat sheltered spot that had possibilities. I tried to keep the model as protected as possible from the winds, while I braced myself and tried to hold the camera steady as best I could in what turned out to be 50 and 80mph wind gusts… On return, we found out that our tropical depression had been renamed Hurricane Noel.

We were setting up to shoot this executive in the Royal Bank Tower, as part of a feature on CMA’s in Canada. A call came in and we were told that it was now to be a cover image for the magazine, and that an entirely different image and style would be required. As with many rooms ( no matter how stylish they are) they can often appear cluttered in an image, and have distracting windows etc.. [...]]]>

Royal Bank Executive

We were setting up to shoot this executive in the Royal Bank Tower, as part of a feature on CMA’s in Canada. A call came in and we were told that it was now to be a cover image for the magazine, and that an entirely different image and style would be required. As with many rooms ( no matter how stylish they are) they can often appear cluttered in an image, and have distracting windows etc.. that don’t quite lend themselves well to stand alone cover concept.

Shooting from a very low angle, is a trick I like to use from time to time, and in this case it did the job nicely, as we were able to get a sense of the richness to the environment, without including much of it and making the image too busy. A bit of strategic posing guidance, and we had a nicely styled image, cover ready, and in just a few minutes as part of the 10 minutes we had with this individual.