Shutter ○ Salsa

Living with cats

2009-12-27T19:52:00.003-05:00

A few months ago, while walking home on a beautiful fall afternoon, me and Ana decided to walk into a nearby pet store to look at some cute kitties. Subsequent visits over time produced two very spoiled, and very photogenic cats: Lady and CB.

Despite the consistent yearning of an animal sidekick to aid me in my imaginary battle against the forces of evil, I never fully grasped the full reality of having two living non-humans inside my home. For example, I had to learn that eating at the dining table is actually not a god-given right, but a privilege earned through an elaborate dance of filling the cat bowl full of food, then running to the table with my own in hopes that I will have enough time to enjoy a hard earned meal before the cats discover that the contents on my plates may consist of things better than what may or may not be made of real chicken.

Regardless, the cats has slowly purred themselves into my heart (and on my face overnight). Their continued insistence for love and affection, along with a cup of hot tea, may be the best thing for a cold winter's night. They are also terrifically photogenic.

The above two photos are of CB (short for Creme Brulee) while he is stretched out on the bed. One thing I noticed between CB and Lady is that while Lady may curl up by the bed in a polite and gentle manner, CB will not shy away from completely stretching across any surface, let it be my laptop or the bathroom counter. Which is why he makes such a great photo subject.

Study: Tilt Shift Miniatures

2009-03-20T19:30:00.003-04:00

St. Patrick's Day 2009-03-14

2009-03-18T22:23:00.004-04:00

Portrait Study 2009-02-28

2009-03-01T23:52:00.007-05:00

Valentine Reflections 2009-02-22

2009-02-22T20:38:00.003-05:00

Winterlude - Completed Works 2009-02-07

2009-02-16T20:15:00.002-05:00

Winterlude - Carving 2009-02-07

2009-02-16T20:02:00.004-05:00

Winterlude - Festivities 2009-02-07

2009-02-16T19:55:00.002-05:00

Winterlude - Carving 2009-02-06

2009-02-16T19:52:00.002-05:00

Study Revisited: Rhumba 2009-02-01

2009-02-01T11:36:00.001-05:00

Dancing

2009-01-31T20:24:00.000-05:00

If there is a way to find raw, unapologetic passion displayed in public through a socially acceptable medium, it's in dancing.

And I do love dancing.

After moving to Ottawa, I have had the pleasure of crossing paths with many dancers and performers, and have made more friends on the dance floor than I could ever have made elsewhere. Making friends is easy out here. There is a sense of connection and intimacy with every good dance that is difficult to convey through verbal means.

As you walk to the floor with your newly found partner, you'd immediately notice the intimate distance you share, especially when it's someone you have not met before. Soon you'll find yourself comparing, guiding, and testing one another to the music; a few timid steps, a few couple of stumbles, you give an apologetic glance then move on. Don't interrupt the music.

As the song continues, the world dims, the surroundings fade away, social barriers disappear, and age difference forgotten. In that moment, there is only you, your partner, and the music. Every movement becomes calculated, precise, purposeful, and every turn and spin becomes a tease. You feel exhilarated, helped by the rush of adrenaline that comes with the intensity of the movements.

As the music fades, the crowd disperses; you have a smile in your face, and the music still in your head. Right before the music starts again, and the blur of motions return, you do the only thing that seems appropriate at the moment.

You introduce yourself.

Photo analysis:

These photos were taken at a rhumba demonstration in Rahim's Latin Fridays in Ottawa. My goal for the day is to capture the motion of the dancers, and show the energy in their movements. Unfortunately, social dancers, being creatures of the night, prefer a dark setting to perform their evening activities. This does not present the best lighting situation for photography (or the best anything, seeing that the subjects are all moving and blending into one another). Thankfully, the lights were turned back on during the performances, and I was able to snap a few pictures with my 50mm with the aperture set to the highest setting possible (f/1.8). I just hope I didn't disturb too many people rummaging amongst the audience trying to get a shot.

Study: Rhumba 2009-01-31

2009-01-31T20:03:00.003-05:00

First post

2009-01-29T00:20:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone!

Well, here it is, my very first attempt at photo blogging. Here you will bear witness (hopefully) to my development and growth both as a photographer and a writer.

It will be my greatest pleasure to be able to show you my world through my lens, and hopefully, you may see a little bit of yourself in this world as well!