More Physics!

More Physics!

Another portrait from a recent project for the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus. The assignment was to create portraits of scientists from the Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences departments. No layouts as usual and the challenge was how to find a good visual situation that not only gave good clues, but also simplify an extremely busy background. Had fun here with the Tesla machine. Another example of the “magic” of physics.

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Recent portraits

A couple of weeks ago I shot an assignment for the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus. The assignment was to create portraits of scientists from the Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences departments. No layouts as usual and the challenge was how to find a good visual situation that not only gave good clues, but also simplify an extremely busy background. I loved the expression of the chair of the physics dept. here and the display of a little of the “magic” of physics.

From the Archives. National Ballet School Toronto/Betty Oliphant

Another shot from the analog days. Way early in my career. Was an editorial assignment profiling Betty Oliphant with her students. The shot was taken in the old rehearsal hall which was/is a lovely space. The lighting was fairly simple-most of my lighting was in those days! I wanted everyone to pop from the rich wood wall in the background. I also wanted to achieve a balance between the formal quality of dance and a relaxed feeling.

"Nice kitty, nice kitty."

This shot is from my analog archives. It was an assignment for Goldstar televisions. I think the subject’s name was Bruno. Bruno came with his trainer to a studio that I had rented. There were no restraints, and for this shot, I was only about 6 feet away. Fortunately for me he was a very nice kitty and didn’t eat me.

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Michael

More stories to come.

About this portrait

Katharine is a friend of mine who asked me to do a new portrait of her a couple of weeks ago to use for her teaching and judging projects. I started thinking about it and asked her to wear black so I could shoot against a black background. I wanted her body to blend into the background so that her face, hands, viola, and bow would pop with warmth and richness. I also wanted to keep the lighting very simple to support the idea. We shot in my small space where I live and work. She is very pleased with the results.

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Michael

About this assignment

For the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of shooting assignments for MaRS, the innovation hub in Toronto. I’ve had a lot of freedom in coming up with visual solutions that are both aesthetic and informative. As we all know, today the vocabulary is visual and we only get a few seconds to grab a viewer’s attention.

I find it very rewarding as the variety of the entrepreneurs that I am asked to photograph are involved in leading edge technologies that are very exciting and helpful. Shyam Ramchandani is a very nice guy and was very cooperative and generous with his time and enthusiasm. The device he is holding is a non-invasive diagnostic tool. How cool is that? After I scouted his office, I decided that I should photograph him in from of this very cool wall on his floor. Even though I brought lighting, the available light was great which also saved time and cables being everywhere. I did a little Photoshop in post to enhance a scientific feel.

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Michael

Photography and Portraiture

A photographic portrait can be created in a variety of styles; one style does not fit all. The first thing that I consider is what the portrait is being used for and who the audience is. The second thing is what is the story that needs to be told? Every portrait should contain a story. Some stories are large and others subtle like an expression. The language isn't verbal, it's visual. 

This photograph was an assignment from MaRS, the innovation hub in Toronto. Kamran Khan is the CEO of Blue Dot, an organization that monitors global epidemics and how they impact the world.