Shoot 11 (Part 2): Brennan @ WyteCliff Park

What: 30 minute fun shoot

Where: WyteCliff Park

Who: Brennan Massicotte

Why: Male portrait shots

Brennan and I headed on over to WhyteCliff park in the most north of North Van. It took a fourty minute bus-ride and a thirty minute walk down a very uncertain road to find the park itself. Nestled on the tip of the shore just outside of Horseshoe Bay, this park was an amazing place to discover. A large bubble island pops out of the ocean and beckons you to explore it, so we did. On top of this island were a few lonely trees, some prickly shrubs and some of the best views I have seen in Vancouver so far. Some time was spent sitting in the sun and watching the young seagulls, but I started taking pictures as sitting usually bores me pretty quickly.

What did I learn?

Sun drenched images should be warm, and not as cold as my other images. If a picture is of a warm day, make it LOOK like a warm day.
Softening skin is fairly easy but I have to make sure I do not overdo it. Some of my images went to crap because of too much post work done on them.
Unnatural poses look UNNATURAL. No matter what, I need to avoid the urge to make someone do something that they do not want to do, it will just look like crap anyways.
When Brennan says our destination is down the road, just believe him. You'll just look like an ass if you say otherwise.

Shoot 11 (Part 1): Brennan @ Granville Island

What: 1 hour fun shoot

Where: Granville Island

Who: Brennan Massicotte

Why: Male portrait shots

Brennan and I headed on over to Granville Island to have some of the best fish available in the city and figured we might as well take some photos. It seems that in spite of the hard work put into the highly manufactured storefronts, the best part of the island seems to be in the alleyways and out of sight areas. The in between spaces and nooks and crannies (the alcoves, if that is the word, alcoves?) of this place are full of interesting spaces; spaces that can be easily and freely explored. The island and surround area feels extremely safe and open; and we were able to take photos without anyone getting in the way or botching the shots. It might be hard to find direct sunlight when exploring the middle of the island, but I think that the interesting locations makes up for that.

What did I learn?

I love taking photos in parking garages. They are filled with interesting lighting and sometimes have some ridiculous architecture to take advantage of. I will be taking more photos in parking garages.

It is often more interesting to explore spaces that are not meant for the general public. That is usually where the un-manicured and thus more "real" part of the world can be found.

Brennan is good looking, which is why his life is so easy.