The HEX at The Mex

  When I learned a couple friends of mine who play in a band were playing a bar gig in the town next to mine I jumped at the opportunity to go see the show. It was a time to catch up with buddies, but also a well needed night out.  When I considered I could possibly take photos I was extra enthused. My friends Scott and Dave from Victoria, BC play in a three piece band called The HEX, and they rocked it at the Mex Pub (Courtenay BC). 

  Three other bands rocked the small bar stage. Firstly, Sado Mannequin (Victoria BC) rocked out a solid short set, apparently they had only played a handful of gigs together, but you would never have known it. Second, The Daisy Stranglers, from Nanaimo BC played. I really dug their style. Reminiscent of 80s and 90s female lead punk bands like Bitch. Third up, from Victoria, The POOR Choices (great name for a band), were technically tight and solid all around. Somehow both grungy and clean, I've been listening to them on repeat for the last couple days. And finally, headlining, were The HEX, also hailing from Victoria. I've seen and heard Scott and Dave play in their numerous other bands in the past, and they sure didn't disappoint with this group.  Musically ambitious, their fast paced and complicated brand of punk rock left me wanting more, a talented trio to be sure. 

  I had absolutely awesome time at The Mex! to top it off I met up with one of my best friends that I don't see nearly often enough (thanks for coming out Vicki!) I set up my Sony a6000 on the table next to me to shoot some video, and it performed well except for the the abysmal battery life that forced me to be selective in what I was recording, and I still ran out of juice before the end.  I photographed the show using my work horse camera, the Canon 6d, and because of the low light in the bar, I slapped on the plastic fantastic Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens and never switched lenses.  

  I really love to shoot live bands, I think I will make more of an effort to do it more often.  It's a nice change from directing models and I just plain enjoy listening to good tunes while swilling beers with friends.

~Cheers, Rev. D

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The HEX bandcamp: thehex1.bandcamp.com

The POOR choices bandcamp: thepoorchoices.bandcamp.com

The Daisy Stranglers facebook: www.facebook.com/Daisystranglers

Sado Mannequin facebook: www.facebook.com/Sado-Mannequin

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Pistol-packing Outlaw Babe Photoshoot

  With only a small amount of coaxing, my formerly shy (not so much anymore) friend Maria come to visit my tombstone clad studio. With a bit of "sarsaparilla" for liquid courage, her stiff poses gradually loosened, and we made some (in my opinion) really fantastic images. With, so many more than posted here, I feel I should make an entire gallery page... but I won't. I will however definitely be posting more in drips for future occasions when it's appropriate.

  Thanks so much to Maria for agreeing to be my model. I look forward to doing it again sometime.

  Shot with Canon 6d camera, 40mm f/2.8 lens and others.

~Cheers, Rev. D

A Studio Session with a Natural Beauty

  I wanted to showcase a recent collaboration with the stunning Brianna.  Working with her was a pure joy, and lots of fun.  Poised with all the professionalism and enthusiasm of a pro top model, even though she is fresh at this, she graced me with expression and poses with little coaxing at all. Arriving with great makeup and natural beauty, we shot without much costuming, but merely a few props.  

  While this slideshow may not be a cohesive set per se, I wanted to show a sample of edits, because I was taking a photoshop course at the time. Finding a "style" is always something that has eluded me. I get bored easily and am always trying new things, while this might be to my detriment of a recognizable trademarked style, it keeps things interesting to me. 

  I shot these photos with my trusty Canon 6d. Lens choice was 40mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.8, with some shots taken with the 24-105mm f/4L when i needed a bit wider.  I was also trying out a couple of new continuous lights with soft boxes, and while I do like the results I'm building a flash setup for future sessions.

~Cheers, Rev. D

"Bathed in Smoke" (fourtwenty re-edit)

 Posting a re-edit (or did I even edit this one the first time around? I'm not positive.) to commemorate April 20th. Angela, in all her sopping wet glory, uses a prop cigarette holder while I snap some images and she takes a well deserved "smoke" break.

Happy Four-twenty readers, hope you all have a smokin' day!

~Cheers, Rev. D