Recently I had the pleasure of shooting a couple of portraits for the BC Women’s Hospital Foundation Magazine.
These images were all captured with the Fuji X Pro 1. The Fuji has become my primary camera. For it’s size, it packs a lot of punch. The X Pro has a build of a classic rangefinder from the early 60’s, but with all the necessary technology of today. Fuji has always been ahead of the game when it comes to their sensors, with the removal of the AA filter, the redesign of the APS-C chip along side their world-renowned Fujinon lenses, I am again inspired to shoot as in the days of film.
The X Pro system is not a fast machine gun style DSLR that shoots 10 frames per second, but it is a quiet, thought provoking camera that allows the user to think about each shot before making it. Although, it can shoot up to six frames per second, I rarely do.
Making a portrait takes time. Putting your subject at ease and waiting for the right moment to release the shutter is what being a good portraitist is all about. I hope to get there someday soon.
All images are copyright Vincent L. Chan / Invisionation Photography
It started off a bit cool, but the day turned out perfectly for photography. The light was even and the sky was exciting. Alex & John, the bride and groom had fun with all their friends and family as they celebrated their first day together as husband and wife.
All photos copyright Vincent L. Chan invisionation.com
Continued images from last post “The Love Umbrella”
All images Copyright 2013 Invisionation Photography
The goal was to capture love; by sending 13 of Vancouver’s finest photographers to 13 communities around Vancouver to photograph the expressions of love. The common thread to each photo was to be, red heart shaped umbrellas. 13 of the best works of art were then enlarged to about 24” and auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting
What a way to celebrate Valentine’s day.
Love Umbrella Gala
The gala was sponsored in part by The Vancouver Foundation and was attended by no less than 400 guests. All 13 images were displayed at the Ceperley Rounsfell Building. Here are some fun photos.
All images copyright 2013 Invisionation Photography
Larry Wong for Vancouver Foundation
What a special moment it was, when I was asked to capture a portrait of Mr. Larry Wong. And how cool was it, to create the session in the new legendary home of Modernize Tailors.
It all started with an email from the VP of communications at the Vancouver Foundation, Catherine Clement. The email started with one line in the header, “What are you doing the afternoon of Friday July 27th?’
She wouldn’t give me much to go on at first, with only a reference to a photo shoot in Chinatown. I took a guess and asked her if it was going to take place in Modernized Tailors? She confirmed. But there was a twist. It wasn’t going to be Bill Wong the proprietor, but the subject would be Larry Wong, a local historian. I had met Larry before from the Military Museum and knew his book “Dim Sum Stories”
At first I had brought all kinds of lights, reflectors and gels, but I had conducted a reconnaissance the day before and ultimately seeing the vintage bolts of fabric on the aged shelves, decided that a classic setup of one semi hard light in a soft box on a boom and reflector would work. Catherine was chatting it up with Larry as I shot and moved around the set. Larry was animated, to say the least, and spoke a lot with his hands. The images I captured were honest and emotional. You can read the story and see more images by going to the Vancouver Foundation website.
The shop was small, and even though they had moved from their original location, Modernized was crammed into two floors of very tight working spaces. The shoot was tight as well, but I used my special tripod, and a Fuji X-Pro 1 camera to get the angles I wanted. I used 2 cameras that day, the Nikon D800 and the Fuji X-Pro 1.
For the past 7 months now, I’ve been using the Fuji X-Pro 1 and have discovered that it has taken me back to a time when photography was fun, unobtrusive and creative. It has all the innovations of a modern digital camera and produces images that are crisp and sharp.
All images copyright Vincent L. Chan 2012 Invisionation.com
It all started at the beginning of April of this year.
I was fortunate enough to join a small group of 16 photographers to workshop with the legendary and world renowned, Nigel Parry.
This all took place at the 7th annual Palm Springs Photo Festival. A five-day workshop with one of the world’s finest portrait photographers, a crew of assistance and some of the best gear, made for an energetic and unforgettable experience.
The presence of Mr. Parry made all the difference for me, since I first picked up his book “SHARP” in 2001. Since then, I had always aspired to add Nigel’s style of work to my own. The week spent in Palm Springs had solidified my standing as a portrait photographer. And with positive portfolio critiques, a new direction was about to unfold.
With great life lessons and photographic direction, Nigel did not fail to inspire and guide me on my continued course towards the ultimate photographic experience.
With much to offer and such little time, we crammed as much as we could into those few days. From dawn to dusk, we watched and learned and shot for our own portfolios.
By the end of the day, it was time for a beer.
All photographs are copyright 2012 Vincent L. Chan Invisionation.com
Thanks to Nigel, his assistant Miles and Rep, Geoff. www.nigelparryphoto.com/
In a traditional Chinese wedding banquet, there’s nothing as enjoyable as Shark Fin Soup to complement your meal, OR IS THERE?
Well the team at Shark Truth certainly believes there is, and they set out to prove it. Shark Truth is a nonprofit group founded by Ms. Claudia Li, with a goal to end the cruel and senseless slaughter of 40,000,000 sharks every year. Shark Truth, held a contest on October 13th to find an alternative. The Sans Fin Soup Contest severed over 300 guests at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel on Thursday. Vancouver chefs created their best alternatives while guest sampled and voted for their favourites. A panel of esteemed guest and top Chefs were on hand to judge and choose a winning soup. The Vancouver Foundation was also on hand to place it’s on going support to Shark Truth.
As a photographer, I have had my share of shark fin soup, but never again. Through re-education, we all can have a better understanding of the devastation this one soup can have on the eco system, not to mention the plain outright cruelty of the harvest itself. Please follow the links if you would like to learn more about what you can do to help Shark Truth and other groups like it.
All images copyright 2011 Invisionation Photography
Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2011 Once again Vancouver is Rocked, Moved and Grooved by some of the finest players of our time. Taking centre stage last evening in Gastown was “Five Alarm Funk”. With a powerhouse energy of percussion’s backed by a 3 piece horn section and on stage showmanship, this 10 piece group Funked Up the crowd for well over 90 minutes. The light was beautifully overcast to shoot this outdoor event. The music moved me so much so that I had to remember to keep still while I was shooting. I decided to travel light and only have a 70-200 lens on an FX body for this day. The action on stage was quite intense. Shutter speeds from 250 to 400 was my choice for most of the images, however extremely slow speeds were also used to capture movement in some images. All images copyright Vincent L. Chan 2011 invisionation.com
Sneak peeks and Portraits.
“Don’t think… feeeel”
I have always remembered this little line by Bruce Lee from the movie “Enter the Dragon”. It has been the bases of my portrait photography for many years.
Every great artist, whether they are dancers, musicians, painters or sculptors must be moved in some way to create or perform. In that same moment they strive for an emotional reaction by the viewer.
It’s the same when it come to portraiture. The only difference is, a great photographer, In that split second will release the shutter to capture that reaction.
All images copyright Vincent L. Chan 2011 invisionation.com
Generation Green Award Winners
The Vancouver Foundation launched the Generation Green Awards program in January 2011.A special, one-time initiative provides up to $12,500 in cash awards for environmental projects created by young people ages 6 to 24. For more insight to the Generation Green program check out their sight. vancouverfoundation.ca
Fueled by enthusiasm, imagination and a hope of a greener future.
There’s nothing quite as fun as photographing energetic youth armed with spades, hoes and fresh ideas.
Winners and guest numbering over 120 attended Generation Green Awards Announcement on May 7th, which took place at the Neighbourhood Energy Utility’s front door. His Worship, Mayor Robertson made his way down to the event via peddle power to address the youth with some words of encouragement and took the time after to pose for photos with the winners.
Page 1 of 4
