fym | photography

Straight Shot

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:30:44 +0000

The fym | photography Portrait Project

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:13:39 +0000

The Portrait Project is inspired by the Harvard Business School and is based on the concept of a gallery of individuals, frozen in that moment of time and accompanied by an answer to a simple question;

1) Who am I?

2) What will I be?

The complete collection will be compiled into a gallery showcasing the achievements, hopes, dreams and humanity of those involved. This will be a long term project looking for participants who will be given copies of their portraits in exchange for their piece of the big picture. For more information, or to book a your portrait session, please feel free to contact me.

I am a dreamer of a better life, new adventures and a opportunity to explore the world around me with the one I love.

Now THAT is hotel shuttle service…

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:30:50 +0000

Grand Lisboa, Macau SAR

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:30:40 +0000

September 2008.

Grand Lisboa, owned by Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau and designed by Hong Kong architects Dennis Lau and Ng Chun Man, is a 58-floor 261 metres (856 ft) tall hotel in Macau. The casino and restaurants within Grand Lisboa were opened on February 11, 2007, while the hotel was opened in December 2008. The casino offers 268 mass gaming tables and 786 slot machines. The hotel contains 430 hotel rooms and suites. The casino is the first in Macau to offer Texas hold ‘em poker ring games. It was also the first to offer craps, though several other casinos in Macau now offer the game.

The Star of Stanley Ho is on permanent display at the Casino Grand Lisboa. According to the Gemological Institute of America, the 218.08 carats (43.62 g) diamond is the largest cushion shaped internally flawless D-color diamond in the world. In his unveiling speech, Dr. Ho said that the diamond, which is named after him, reflects SJM’s timeless commitment to Macau.

The Tourist Shot

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:30:38 +0000

Since a lot of people say there aren’t many photos of us…

Victoria Peak, Hong Kong.

Macau, Portuguese Fortress overlooking Grand Lisboa Hotel & Casino.

Congratulations Aaron & Katie!

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:03:09 +0000

Congratulations on the beginning of your greatest adventure.

What’re you looking at?

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:39:26 +0000

New Toys for Wildlife & Sports

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 06:05:54 +0000

Some new toys on the way for wildlife & sports shooting! Can’t wait til they arrive and really can’t wait til next summer when I know how to use them to the best of their ability!

Ultra high performance optics
Manufactured using the very best optical components, the new EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM and EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM mark a significant step forward for Canon’s L-series, which is already renowned for its outstanding quality. Both lenses feature 16 elements in 12 different groups, using high performance fluorite lens elements that correct chromatic aberration to deliver high resolution and high contrast shots of the best possible quality – allowing photographers to capture images rich with edge-to-edge detail.

The optical elements also feature Canon’s latest Super Spectra Coatings, optimised for both the position and type of each lens element. A SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC), which uses microscopic cone-shaped structures smaller than a wavelength of visible light, reduces ghosting caused by light bouncing back from the imaging sensor. Fluorine coating is also used on the front and rear elements of the lenses, repelling dust and dirt for clearer shots. The coating is also water repellent, keeping the front element free of water marks and smearing by ensuring water runs off the lens quickly.

New, improved IS and rapid AF
Both models feature Canon’s new Image Stabilizer system, providing outstanding results when the photographer is moving around and when capturing moving subjects. A 4-stop advantage offers greater image quality during handheld shooting, allowing users to shoot at speeds up for four times slower than normally required with minimal additional blur. Operation of IS mode 2 has been improved when shooting panning motion and a new third IS mode has been added, assisting users when quickly switching between subjects by activating the IS unit only during exposure.

Both lenses offer a constant f/2.8 aperture, allowing photographers to shoot at faster shutter speeds and capture clear shots of fast-moving subjects. The wide aperture also allows users to creatively isolate their subjects from the background, with a nine-blade circular iris creating dramatic and striking background blur that instantly adds beauty to an image.

Fast, quiet Auto Focusing (AF) is provided by a ring-type USM, new dedicated AF algorithms and a new high-speed CPU, which offer quick and accurate focusing during shooting. Photographers can also utilise full-time manual focusing functionality, which enables the adjustment and fine-tuning of focus even when the AF system is activated, providing even greater control over image capture. A new Power Focus mode aids focusing during video shooting, allowing the photographer to smoothly adjust focus during filming by twisting the focus recall ring.

All-new premium L-series design
Developed in line with Canon’s philosophy for the elite L-series, both the
EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM and EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM boast a refined design that reflects their status as market-leading, benchmark lenses. Both feature a new design layout, with carefully-positioned controls that improve operation in everyday use. The AF stop buttons are now location-adjustable, improving ergonomics by allowing users to custom-select the position of the lens grip, where the AF stop buttons are located.

A choice of dedicated tripod mounts provides added flexibility, allowing photographers to use a long or short foot suitable for monopods or tripods. A new rotational mechanism for the tripod collar also provides a smoother movement when turning the lens from portrait to landscape orientation. In addition, both models feature a new high quality exterior texture, while a new shade of white casing indicates the new advanced design and higher precision that each lens offers. A new Kensington-type wire security lock has also been added, allowing photographers to keep their lenses secure during location-based shoots.
A robust weatherproof design makes both lenses suitable for use in extreme conditions when paired with a weatherproof EOS body.

Red Sun

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:00:18 +0000

As the smoke from the B.C. fires comes over the mountains, Calgary turns red once again.

Don’t ever grow up…

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:26:51 +0000

Never forget to let the 5 year old in your head out regularly

New Business Card Designs

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:20:56 +0000

Got the new business cards today. They’re looking great and are going to be an awesome way to have a portfolio on the go!

A Day on Dinosaur Trail

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:27:20 +0000

Played a round at Dinosaur Trail, remembered why that course is a sick joke for golfers.

Down by the River

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 03:13:01 +0000

An old one from the archives – Summer 2006 with Maegan & Sherri taking a break by the bow river in Banff National Park.

Photobox: 1997 Mercedes CLK GTR

admin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:01:01 +0000

Testing some new flash equipment, I decided to snap my favourite GT race car; the FIA GT dominating Mercedes-AMG CLK-GTR, a 1:12 scale model of the vehicle in my collection;

Following the design that Porsche had laid out with their 911 homologation special, Mercedes-AMG was tasked by Mercedes-Benz with creating an extreme racing car that still maintained some elements of a normal street legal car. AMG’s designers created a car which shared some design elements with the Mercedes-Benz CLK, yet had all the standard features of a racing car underneath. A Mercedes-Benz M120 V12 engine would be at the heart of the car, mounted behind the cockpit. The bodywork would be made entirely of carbon fiber, and would feature many aerodynamic design elements and cooling openings in order to survive on the race track.

To test the CLK GTR before the first chassis were built, Mercedes-AMG actually took an unusual measure. Through secrecy, Mercedes-AMG was able to purchase a disused McLaren F1 GTR, the defending BPR GT series champion, from Larbre Compétition. This purchase first allowed Mercedes-AMG to see the kind of lap times that their competitors could run, to serve as a measurement of the CLK GTRs abilities. However, more importantly, Mercedes-AMG set about modifying this F1 GTR by attaching bodywork that was meant to go on the CLK GTRs. This allowed Mercedes-AMG to be able to perfect the aerodynamics of the car before it had even been built.

Upon completion of the first two prototypes a mere 128 days after the initial drawings had been made, the CLK GTRs were entered into the 1997 FIA GT Championship season, debuting at the season-opener at one of Mercedes-Benz’s home tracks, the Hockenheimring. Unfortunately the new cars were not able to shine, as brake problems eliminated one car after five laps, and the other finished over 20 laps behind the winning McLaren. However by the next round at Silverstone, the CLK GTR began to show its pace, finishing less than a second behind the winning McLaren. By the fourth round, returning to Germany for the Nürburgring, a third CLK GTR was added to the team. In this race, Mercedes-Benz successfully outperformed the fleet of McLarens, taking first and second places. The team would finish out the season with five more wins, at A1-Ring, Suzuka, Donington, Sebring, and Laguna Seca, allowing them to secure the team championship as well as the drivers championship for Bernd Schneider.

UNITY Workstation: 2010 Visual Computing Line

admin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 06:22:13 +0000

For the first time in over a year and a half, the time finally came to upgrade my trusty workstation for image editing and composition. With the release of Adobe Lightroom 3 and Photoshop CS5 combined with the growing needs of large format production, the old workstation was finally beginning to show its age and thus came time for an overhaul. Much like the 2009 series UNITY Workstations that Calgary Theatre Systems offered, this new machine had the simple goal of setting the benchmark when it came to reliability, scalability, image processing power, and consistent output. The system developed to assist in producing the photographs, prints and books shown on this site, while also serving as a technology demonstration of the workstation capabilities of UNITY for Calgary Theatre Systems. I’m proud to introduce our new UNITY Visual Computer and would like to thank our technology sponsors at Intel & ATI for their development support with this project.

Custom built UNITY Visual Computers targeted towards the demanding imaging & workstation professionals are now available for order.

Please contact me for specification and customization options.

After a day of tweaking and tinkering, here’s the final result;

And of course, I really did have to test it out on something demanding, might as well make it Starcraft II;

Two more from Moraine 2010

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:07:07 +0000

Just as the sun broke and lit up the peaks; I think I’ll return next year earlier to do a milky way shot instead of sunrise.

Off the bucket list: Moon Set & Sunrise

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 02:07:45 +0000

I had an opportunity today to see the moon set over the Rocky Mountains shortly followed by the magic hour of sunrise lighting the mountain range. Lake Moraine at 530am with no crowds, no sounds and just a smattering of golden light is a sight to behold.

2011 Fall Photo Expedition: Hong Kong

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:27:33 +0000

October 7 – 20, 2011. This departure is limited to a maximum of twelve participants. It is intended for people of all levels of interest and accomplishment in film, or digital photography. While the emphasis will be on photography, this is also a cultural journey, which we believe will enhance your ability to capture the essence of Hong Kong in your images.

From the bustling street markets, cosmopolitan metropolis and all the way up to the lookout on Victoria Peak, Hong Kong offers a very distinct journey into architecture, east meets west and religious retreats. Join us as we explore a city entrenched in Chinese tradition, grown on colonial influence and now shining as a jewel of the modern China. Prepare to be dazzled by a breathtaking symphony of lights in cosmopolitan Hong Kong. City-lovers worldwide rank Hong Kong among their must-see destinations, and for good reason.

A former British colony perched on the edge of mainland China, Hong Kong is a fascinating city of contrasts—a place where East meets West; where the modern blends with the traditional; where shiny skyscrapers stand next to narrow alleys crammed with traditional vendors’ stalls; where new technology flourishes alongside ancient Chinese customs. With its glorious harbor, excellent shopping, renowned restaurants, and some of the best nighttime skylines in the world, Hong Kong has it all.

For more information, contact us or visit our Photo Expedition page for more details.

Death Star Unemployment

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:06:09 +0000

It’s getting desperate in a galaxy far far away… Meet Safeway’s new bag checker;

Calgary Stampede 2010

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:00:40 +0000

A Stampede Sunset

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:28:05 +0000

Calgary Stampede 2010 Panorama

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 11:57:46 +0000

A 12-shot composite of the Stampede Grandstands, track and downtown Calgary.