Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Corporate Head shot


Corporate Head shot, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

Just another day at the office.
this is a standard setup which belies the efforts made.:
-Raise all the blinds, tape up the string and handles
-find an angle where you can light flatteringly whilst avoiding reflections.
-balance flash to ambient to ensure detail outside.
-engage subject in rapport to set them at ease, while encouraging client to check laptop for results, while on a ladder.
-work both horizontal and vertical view of same shot. hopefully getting same smile in both.
-keep it brief, they have to do some real work.
-pack up and get outta the way pronto.

Monday, February 01, 2010

Chef Beth McWilliam of Fresh Cafe

Heather


heather, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

Lynda's VANOC team in uniform


Lynda's VANOC team in uniform, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

I usually keep the blog to biz and such, but this can't be helped.
Lynda currently in Vancouver working for the Olympics. She is manager of venue communications, the dept that routes and controls all communications on venue. This snap is of her team outfitted with their uniforms.
Vancouver is a very exciting place to be right now and Liam and I will be visiting right in the middle of the games.

Recent work: Ciao!





latest Ciao! mag is out! Link goes to the site with recipes!



Bookmark and Share

Jynx 50mm 1.8


Jynx 50mm 1.8, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

Gotta love the 50mm F1.8. Shot available with the studio strobe modelling lights.

I dusted off my old "tablet"


I dusted off my old "tablet", originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

Just for fun, after all the iPad hype I dug out my old Newton. It's an amazing well built piece of gear.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

the best iPad reaction I've read this week

By now most people who read this blog have seen, heard and read tonnes about the Apple iPad.

I reserve judgement until I see one in use. But in the meantime, I highly suggest all the geeks in the crowd take a deep breath and read this article.

It's probably the most grounded perspective on the iPad hysteria and the people who perpetuate it.

Here's couple great quotes:

I'm often saddened by the infantilising effect of high technology on adults. From being in control of their world, they're thrust back to a childish, mediaeval world in which gremlins appear to torment them and disappear at will and against which magic, spells, and the local witch doctor are their only refuges.
--------

The tech industry will be in paroxysms of future shock for some time to come. Many will cling to their January-26th notions of what it takes to get "real work" done; cling to the idea that the computer-based part of it is the "real work".
It's not. The Real Work is not formatting the margins, installing the printer driver, uploading the document, finishing the PowerPoint slides, running the software update or reinstalling the OS.
The Real Work is teaching the child, healing the patient, selling the house, logging the road defects, fixing the car at the roadside, capturing the table's order, designing the house and organising the party.


Bookmark and Share

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Portage &main pano


Portage &main pano, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

Quick panorama made with the iphone from the 25th flr of the TD Centre, Portage&main directly below.

Liam and His NIkon


Liam and his Nikon from Ian McCausland on Vimeo.

Bookmark and Share

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Kids jumping


Kids jumping, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

When in doubt get the kid to jump. Once they realize you are an adult who wants them to act up, they'll do anything.

Shot for North West Company

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

MOO!


MOO!, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

Spent Friday visiting several dairy operations for the Dairy Famers of Manitoba.
Lots of fun seeing different operations and how their set up. I now know more about the dairy industry that most people. This is the greatest part of the job for me, learning about some cool stuff than most people never get to experience.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Wpg airport ceiling 30 yrs of grime

sorry if I haven't been too active these days. Always a good sign, if the blog is quiet it's cuz I am busy shooting!

More to come, I promise!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Aperture 3 where are you?


Everyone knows there is a Aperture 3.0. I have had hints from people who're under NDA's that it's alive and ready to go.

For the select few of us who still swear by the program in the face of the masses and their Lightroom, PDN has even offered cash bounty for any info about the elusive update. The amount of cash sadly points out the programs importance in the world of Apple Rumours.

My guess (and hope) is this media event on Jan 27th where they unveil a tablet is where they also unveil the new and kick ass Aperture 3.0. Steve needs SOMETHING to talk about for 1.5 hrs to bore most of us with so when  he does pull out the tablet everyone freaks! What better that the niche upon niche that is Aperture?! :-)

Bookmark and Share

Ultravox Quartet





Sorry it's been awhile between posts. I've been busy! So here's another music post, and even better another deluxe remastered version released for the 25th ann. I DO like new music honest! But there are so many classics that needed remastering!

I'll be honest I was never into Ultravox in a big way, this is the only album I have. But it's considered one of their best and I listen to it constantly! Produced by George Martin, the famous Beatles producer, it's a wonderful representation of 80's electropop.

I am not a music tech geek but I think this was well before the massive programming abilities keyboard have now, so it features playing that feels "live". Live drums and bass and occasional guitar also add to it make feel more alive that the electronic music to come. In one song there is a synth solo in place where a guitar solo would be and you can almost envision someone playing one of those keyboards guys would sling like axes back then! Add in some obscure lyrics bordering on pretension, and make sure you have everyone take themselves very seriously and presto! you summed up the 80's.

The copies I had previous were quite muddy and had no strong bottom end. The bass playing on this remaster coming out as strong as it should. The second disc is full of remixes, outtakes and live versions. If you own only one Ultravox album, and really you should, then this is it!


Bookmark and Share

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Help Portrait the BTS video


Help Portrait - Winnipeg from BlinkWorks -James Swirsky on Vimeo.

The gang over at Blink Works used their magic on the Help Portrait event. It looks amazing!

Bookmark and Share

Monday, January 04, 2010

UM Research Ads #2


UM Research Ads #2, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

UM Research Ads #1


UM Research Ads #1, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

Karsh at the WAG



I started the New Year by visiting the Karsh show at the WAG. Seems everyone else had the same idea to catch the show before it was gone, as it was the most crowded I have ever been in a show! People lined up to shuffle along the walls, with barely any room between them. Serves me right for waiting so long!
While the size of the show was impressive, I wasn't happy with the quality. I know Rob complained of the lighting, but having come from the Steichen show in TO I know the lighting was sufficient. I think the problem was the quality of the framing, specifically the glass. It was so reflective! To enjoy the dark rich tones of the prints, I'd have to step forward and cover the print from the reflections from around the room. I can also see why the Steichen show was shown on dark walls. The white walls of the other side of the Karsh show would reflect badly in each piece.

But beyond those shortcomings, it was a wonderful show, with an amazing career covered. The prints were exquisite and seeing some of these images up close and personal reminded me of the power of a good print. While the write talked about Karsh being the victim of his one success and be hemmed in by his technique, I think it's a testament to the time that a photographer was able to hone his vision over years.




Bookmark and Share

Friday, December 18, 2009

MAST project


MAST project, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.
Stumbled upon my work at Liam's school. You can read about the stories here

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Ted Baryluks Gorcery



This is by Jon Paskevich. Back in 1986 my teacher at Red River showed this to our class. At the time, no one was doing this kind of multimedia. John Paskevich was ahead of his time, marrying stills with audio. This was a revolutionary way of using photography.  It's something people are using everyday on the web. Now it's amazing glimpse of the North End of those days. Worth watching!

Bookmark and Share

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Winnipeg Women fashion




Bookmark and Share

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Gimmicks are the new Megapixels


It's that time of the year where people ask me "What camera should we get?" I wish it was as easy as recommending one brand or model. Now we'd need a lifestyle profile to match you to the right camera.This article showcases how the new crop of cameras come with all sorts of unusual features. Some people might want a GPS, while others see a need of a second screen or a built in projector. A camera is now a "lifestyle accessory"

Bookmark and Share

Working through the list


Working through the list, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

Liam shows Santa his list

Saturday, December 05, 2009

The Unforgettable Fire Ltd Edition Box Set



And you know it's time to go
Through the sleet and driving snow
Across the fields of mourning
Light in the distance
It's really quite hard to fathom it's been 25 years since this album came out. Back then U2 were stars fresh from their last album War. At the same time I was obsessively ambient collecting albums by Brian Eno & Daniel Lanois, not the least being Apollo. So when these two forces finally met it was magic. These days having Eno & Lanois produce your music ensures critical acclaim, but at the time the idea of these ambient guys working with a post-punk band like U2 was unheard of.


And you hunger for the time
Time to heal, desire, time
And your earth moves beneath
Your own dream landscape

The Unforgettable Fire has always been my favourite U2 release, it was an amazing cassette(!) to drive to and will always be linked to a time where I made a couple trips out to Boisseivain to see my grandfather for what ended up being the last time.


And your heart beats so slow
Through the rain and fallen snow
Across the fields of mourning
Light's in the distance


Oh don't sorrow, no don't weep
For tonight, at last
I am coming home
I am coming home 



-A Sort of Homecoming


Bookmark and Share

Sunday, November 29, 2009

2010 Calendar





2010 Calendar image
2010 Calendar image
2010 Calendar image
2010 Calendar image

This year's calendar with Jackfish is partnered with various beverage distributors and The Keg. It's free at the MLCC while supplies last.

Bookmark and Share

Friday, November 27, 2009

Andrea


Andrea, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The Stone Roses







I finally received the 20th Anniversary remastered edition of the 1989 debut by the Stone Roses. It's considered in the Uk to be one of the top album of all time, and has an almost mythic status over there. For me it's a reminder of those heady days of the late 80's, early 90's and is definitely one of my "desert island discs"
Music from the Uk was coming from all angles, in response to the grunge movement from America. I found all of it to be much more interesting than the stuff we heard on the charts here. While the one single from The Stone Roses, Fool's Gold, was more of a dance number, the majority of the album suggests 60's era pop and would go on to spur the Brit Pop movement later on in the decade. It took them 6 years to follow this one up and of course it broke the band, but this album stands the test of time. I have constantly listened to it for the last 20 years. The remastering is wonderful and has brought out details lost in the previous version.


Bookmark and Share

Friday, November 20, 2009

Recent Work Warehouse One Holiday 09




Bookmark and Share

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Toronto part 2


I wanted to get to Toronto at this time of year because there were a few shows of photography I wanted to see. One at the AGO was a collection of work by Edward Steichen did while at Vanity Fair. Steichen is one of my favourite photographers of all time, who lead an amazing life. This chapter of his long career was well represented.
The other was a collection of work from Vanity Fair done by all sort of photographers through out the years up till today. This included some of my other faves, Annie Leibovitz, Mark Seliger, Helmut Newton,
 As it happened there was also a show of Nigel Dickson's work, a Canadian editorial photographer.
All of the shows didn't disappoint. There will always be some about seeing images blown up big, framed, and on the wall. The Steichen show in particular, placement of the like minded images together really allowed you to see the evolution of his vision.
Now I have to get the WAG to the Karsh show!



Bookmark and Share

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Recent Work: Ricki's Holiday 09




Bookmark and Share

Toronto part 1

quick trip to TO to see a few shows and introduce Liam to the big city! We crammed a lot of stuff in 3 days! More to come...




Bookmark and Share

Cory Doctorow-Makers



My current book. You can read it for free, online. I think I even knew that but bought just the same. Much easier to read offline. He gives away all his books, knowing this. His last book Little Brother was excellent!


From the New York Times bestselling author of Little Brother, a major novel of the booms, busts, and further booms in store for America
Perry and Lester invent things—seashell robots that make toast, Boogie Woogie Elmo dolls that drive cars. They also invent entirely new economic systems, like the “New Work,” a New Deal for the technological era. Barefoot bankers cross the nation, microinvesting in high-tech communal mini-startups like Perry and Lester’s. Together, they transform the country, and Andrea Fleeks, a journo-turned-blogger, is there to document it.
Then it slides into collapse. The New Work bust puts the dot.combomb to shame. Perry and Lester build a network of interactive rides in abandoned Wal-Marts across the land. As their rides, which commemorate the New Work’s glory days, gain in popularity, a rogue Disney executive grows jealous, and convinces the police that Perry and Lester’s 3D printers are being used to run off AK-47s.
Hordes of goths descend on the shantytown built by the New Workers, joining the cult. Lawsuits multiply as venture capitalists take on a new investment strategy: backing litigation against companies like Disney. Lester and Perry’s friendship falls to pieces when Lester gets the ‘fatkins’ treatment, turning him into a sybaritic gigolo.
Then things get really interesting.


Bookmark and Share

Monday, November 16, 2009

Halloween 09


Halloween 09, originally uploaded by www.ian.ca.

Monday 23rd Edna Fedya


Next Monday on the 23rd from 5 to 6 pm I will talking about technology's impact to photography. It wasn't till I was reading Rob's post that I began to think about it being the end of the decade. Rob's focus was on the changes to the medium of music. As tumultuous as they were for music the say can be said about the medium of photography. I started this decade shooting a ton of film, we all know what happened! Anyway feel free to join me at this event. I believe it also will be broadcast on UMFM, live I think!


Bookmark and Share