DAVID ELLINGSEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Some exciting new stuff media from Polaroid was just announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. I won’t re-post the whole article here, but if you’re still in love with instant film like me, this could be an inspiring read.

I am honoured to have been asked to give a presentation on my career to date by the PPOC-BC (Professional Photographers of Canada – BC Chapter). It will happen Monday, September 20th, at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and will focus on both the Fine Art and Commercial aspects of my business.
Here’s a link to the official reminder, which you can see below.

Last night I attended the launch of Vancouver photographer Gabor Gasztonyi’s wonderful new book, A Room in the City, representing a five year project of photographing the residents of the Cobalt, Balmoral, Regent and Sunrise Hotels in the Downtown Eastside. I’ve seen many, many projects come out of that part of the city but few as strong as this collection of wonderful, heartbreaking images (Lincoln Clarkes Heroines, published in 2001, must also be mentioned).

The launch was also accompanied by a gallery exhibition, the first one for PhotoHaus Gallery, part of Vancouver Photo Workshops (and also the studio where I am based from) at 14 West 7th Ave. If you have time to make it down you will not be disappointed.

Here are a few photos of the book…please excuse the low res…

I spent last weekend in Victoria at an exciting workshop with Luz Gallery and instructor Dave Aharonian. Through a process of creating digitally enlarged negatives and contact printing them using the platinum/palladium process, it was a welcome return to traditional printing methods with breathtaking results. The fusion of modern and traditional tools in this process seems a logical hybrid for future work…I plan on incorporating this new process into my fine art work flow. Thanks again to Luz and Dave for the great weekend!
Here’s a few snaps from the darkroom…

Dave discusses the chemistry

Mix it up!

Applying the emulsion

Negative sandwich for contact printing

Into the contact printing frame

(looks like I got too excited here to photograph the exposure process in the light box)

Developing...

...and evaluating the print

And away we went printing our own work for the afternoon.

One of mine from the Pacific series...love.

“Survive? Think Thrive!”

One of the top career consultants for photographers is heading back to Vancouver.
Selina Maitreya has been here several times before to lecture, and offer private consultations for those interested, and she will be appearing at Langara College on the evening of June 17th. I had the pleasure of her advice years ago and will say I found it an invaluable experience.
Here’s the official notice we sent out:

We had a very successful event this past week with the 2nd Annual CAPIC Vancouver Portfolio Speed Reviews. I won’t go into great detail myself as I’ll re-post the official wrap up below, but this has to be the second best possible reason to join CAPIC (the first is getting those Canadian copyright laws changed!).

Without doubt, one of the most successful and rewarding events that CAPIC Vancouver has put together! There was a fantastic turnout of reviewers representing the best design houses and advertising agencies in the city including Cossette, Karacters, Emdoublyou Design, and Hangar 18. This was matched by a real cross-section of photographers showing their best work. According to the reviewers, there were some stunning world class quality portfolios being shown.
Reviewers repeatedly noted that artists that they had seen last year had taken and acted on their advice to greatly improve the overall impact and quality of their books. This was a clear indication to them of the value of the event. The designers all felt that this was time well spent. Meeting new talent, reacquainting themselves with others and being part of the community was worth every minute.
Each of the artists felt the quality of the reviews. Although five minutes often felt like only two, it created a focused and intense session which was truly like speed dating ( for those who have done that) after which they hoped that could lead to follow-up meetings and potential work.
There is no other comparable business environment that brings so many artists and buyers together to meet.
The event committee, volunteers and board members all worked hard to organize this event that saw virtually every participant in the reviews having their portfolio seen and commented on by every one of the 12 reviewers. To everyone’s real appreciation, that exceeded all expectations. A giant thank you to all of the reviewers for staying on to finish!

Comments and quotes from the evening:

It really was a fabulous evening. It was exhausting, but extremely
rewarding. The reviews are a great opportunity for us to offer some
guidance on how to get the most impact from a well designed portfolio
presentation.
Vida Jurcic – Hangar 18

It was a pleasure. Overall I found the night very organized and quality
of work shown to be quite high. A shame not one illustrators showed up.
Local reps should be slapped for not encouraging their clients to attend.
Thank you again for inviting us to participate,
Mark Busse – Industrial Brand Creative

Thanks for having me last night, it was my pleasure.
Calvin Ho  Vancouver  MacLaren McCann

“Good to see some new younger talent, not sure how you attract this and
even getting some of the more established shooters to attend.”
James Bateman – Karacters Design Group

“Thanks for the opportunity to present my work to a variety of art directors
in an atmosphere that is both relaxed and analytical. It has been invaluable
to my development as a photographer.”
Leanna Rathkelly – Whistler

“If you need a reason to join CAPIC, it is the Portfolio Speed Review. A must
attend event for both professionals and amateurs.”
Pooya Nabei -  Pooya Nabei Photography

More from my Lost + Found collection of portrait photography. This is a light hearted series I found recently…but I can’t figure out why the priest is in there.

See other images from my foraging trips at the following links, or click on the Lost + Found category down the right hand column:

Brothers and Sisters
Tintypes
Creepy Kids
Howlett Euclid Portraits
Teacher, Teacher

Cool.
My friend Farrell has been keeping an eye on my LOST + FOUND series and just sent me this great link with the top 25 historical photographs. Gorgeous.
Thanks Farrell!

More from my Lost + Found collection of portrait photography. According to the stamp on the reverse, these are from the Howlett Euclid Studio in Winnipeg.

See other images from my foraging trips at the following links, or click on the Lost + Found Category down the right hand column:

Brothers and Sisters
Tintypes
Creepy Kids

The flyer from Saturday’s opening of MOPLA…and “Another Nude Show”…if anyone made it and can send a snap or two from the opening that would be great!