IAN MACDONALD WORKSHOP
A big thank you to Ian MacDonald - @ianmacdonaldphotography - for a wonderful 2-1/2 days in mid August. The recent workshop was held in downtown Toronto, beside myself there were 10 other willing photographers.
Always a great experience learning from a new instructor and Ian was a willing and gracious host with lots of terrific tips.
SHOT WITH X100F AND X-PRO2
PORTUGAL BIKE TRIP
The beautiful people of Lisbon made this trip very special. What can you say about a city where you're met with smiles at every turn. In spite of the onslaught of tourists, Lisboetas are gracious and kind. This place could feel like home real fast.
SHOT WITH X100F
While the project title is "Lisbon Bike Trip, there are no images of bicycles, sweaty cyclists and thankfully you are spared the site of spandex. I have lots of snaps taken with my iPhone during the 400 or so km we rode along Portugals coastline but non of them made the cut.
Our daily rides spanned distances from 35km to 100km. We visited Setubal, Sesimbra, Sines, Sagres and finally Lagos before driving back to Lisbon. Portugal is a fantastic country to cycle. The motorists are generally very patient and polite. I think I had one car honk me the entire five days on the road.
It's almost two weeks since we've been back in Toronto, yet these pictures pull me back as if by a Star Trek transporter.
PETER + ZOE'S WEDDING
June 3, 2017: In spite of the wettest spring I can remember, the clouds parted and the sun came out for Peter & Zoe's wedding. It was a perfect day for a wedding.
For context, Peter is the content marketing specialist at the company I own. In truth, he wears about a half dozen hats on any given day. His bride Zoe is also in marketing and I hadn't met her before yesterday but after a brief introduction and listening to her deliver her speech, clearly she's a formidable companion for Peter.
Alice and I as well as a bunch of our associates from Reliable were also invited. The ceremony took place at the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Mississauga. The reception was at the RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton which looked glorious as the sun set and golden hour set in.
I brought my Fuji X100F which admittedly has been somewhat ignored as I've devoted most of my time to the X-Pro2 with interchangeable lenses. Even though these are just casual shots, as I was sifting through Lightroom, it was a reminder how incredibly difficult, technical and frustrating shooting weddings is. I have the utmost respect for wedding photographers who routinely make this look easy. Trust me, it's not.
SHOT WITH X100F
While the project title is "Lisbon Bike Trip, there are no images of bicycles, sweaty cyclists and thankfully you are spared the site of spandex. I have lots of snaps taken with my iPhone during the 400 or so km we rode along Portugals coastline but non of them made the cut.
Our daily rides spanned distances from 35km to 100km. We visited Setubal, Sesimbra, Sines, Sagres and finally Lagos before driving back to Lisbon. Portugal is a fantastic country to cycle. The motorists are generally very patient and polite. I think I had one car honk me the entire five days on the road.
While friends and family of the guests were throwing back shots of Ouzo and snacking on a variety of tasty hors d'oeuvres, I managed to stay sober and took advantage of the beautiful light.
The sun was finally setting, our bellies were full. It was time for the old folks to head back to town and let the youngins have their party. Tomorrow Peter & Zoe are off for two weeks of spanakopita, retsina, fresh fish, sunshine and the crystal blue Mediterranean. Not a bad way to start your marriage.
NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART
What a difference a year makes. When I walked into Bang Fitness two Sunday's ago, it felt like a professional powerlifting meet was going on. How the heck did they get all of those weights up the stairs? Of course it's a silly question because it's a powerlifting meet after all. There's some seriously strong men and women in this building. Kudos to the good people at Bang Fitness and Elite Powerlifting for putting on a first class event. I'm sure glad I wasn't involved in "clean-up".
I tried to be a little better prepared for this years powerlifting event. I took an extra few minutes to make sure the lenses that I put in my camera bag were the ones I intended to put in the bag (don't remind about last year). But due to other commitments I was only there for a little over an hour. I admit it, Alice and I had a “date” on a spin bike at 1:00 pm. My time was brief but I tried to make the best of it.
There were lots of proud faces, lots of grunting and grimaces and at least one spectacular f-bomb (you know who you are ;)
SHOT WITH FUJI X-E2
This is a strictly amateur event, but you wouldn't know it from the intensity in the faces of the participants. Members of Bang and other clubs showed up early on this Sunday morning after months of preparation, they gave it their all and put on a heck of a show for the few dozen spectators.
Perhaps there will be a few of those spectators that will be inspired to hit the weights for next years event. Me, I think I'm happy as a clam behind the camera.
BARCELONA + MADRID
Oh, Spain, I think we hardly know you. After 11 days in Barcelona and Madrid, I think it's fair to say we barely scratched the surface. While I've been to both cities over 30 years ago, they both appeared like a fresh slate to me. My memory doesn't work the way it used to. Other then the Sagrada Familia this was all new.
It was very comfortable visiting these cities. The language barrier was likely more of an issue then in Berlin or Hamburg, but there was always someone who spoke some English. And Alice did a stellar job of learning enough Spanish to somehow guide us through the rough spots.
This was a vacation done at a reduced speed than normal. Other than tickets for the Sagrada Familia, there were no tours planned, no schedules to adhere to. Sleeping in till 11:00 or noon was allowed. We were all doing some serious chilling.
In the end, in spite of a missed flight home, Spain was charming. Both cities are very easy to navigate. We were provided with terrific weather and lots of sunshine. The food (yes, I'm looking at you Pata Negra) and the spirits (hello Mr. Cava) were definitely to our liking. The pace and lifestyle of the Spanish definitely take some getting used to. As I said, we only scratched the surface, but there is something special about the way the Spanish live their lives. It forces you to slow down and take a deep breath. That's exactly what the doctor ordered.
SHOT WITH FUJI X100F
ABELARD FUNDRAISER
It seems like yesterday we were saying goodbye to The Waldorf Academy and middle school. By the end of June, we'll no longer have kids in high school either. It's a bit of a coming of age thing.
The Abelard is a tiny smidgeon of a school located in downtown Toronto. About 60 kids in total. Our oldest, Maximilian went there for two years and our youngest, Solomon will soon be completing his fourth and final year.
The pictures in this story were taken last week during the fundraising event at The Faculty Club at the University of Toronto. For the last four years we've attended this event, bid on stuff and trips that we didn't really need, all for the cause of raising money. The lifeblood of any small, independent school is it's fundraising. So while we may not have really needed some of the things we bid on and occasionally won in the silent auction (a weekend skiing at Blue Mountain... really?), The Abelard was the beneficiary. And a very worthwhile cause.
SHOT WITH FUJI X100T
But a highlight of the yearly fundraiser is to watch these talented kids perform and entertain. What an amazing group of young people. We listened to Broadway show hits being belted out, piano waltzes and violin solos. An eclectic range of acts, all done with enthusiasm and confidence.
And with this, one of our final school events as the end of high school nears, I cant' help but feel sentimental. There's something that will be missing with the passage of these years. We may look back with a tearful eye. Simple times. Happy days. Next year, I might need to crash a fundraiser just to bid on some things I don't really need.
SOLOMON @ 18
But a highlight of the yearly fundraiser is to watch these talented kids perform and entertain. What an amazing group of young people. We listened to Broadway show hits being belted out, piano waltzes and violin solos. An eclectic range of acts, all done with enthusiasm and confidence.
And with this, one of our final school events as the end of high school nears, I cant' help but feel sentimental. There's something that will be missing with the passage of these years. We may look back with a tearful eye. Simple times. Happy days. Next year, I might need to crash a fundraiser just to bid on some things I don't really need.
SHOT WITH FUJI X100T
