DAVID ELLINGSEN PHOTOGRAPHY

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…

Some out-takes from a recent shoot…more to come…

Some of the work I photographed for BC Place Stadium last year has been included in the updated website for the new renovations…

“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:

CAPIC Vancouver is again hosting Portfolio Speed Reviews with art directors + graphic designers.
On the evening of May 25th get your book in front of a great list of art buyers!

Should be a great event.

When I was in Winnipeg recently I went to the Manitoba Museum and wandered through the natural history exhibit…love those crazy dioramas. My 5 year old nephew, Angus, is a wildlife nut and I thought since he wasn’t there that I’d take some photographs for him to see. iPhone to the rescue…

Hmmm…I think a “Diorama Photo Contest” may be in order…any takers?

I’m in the process of signing a new contract with stock agency Corbis.

While still firmly focused on portraits and people in my commercial work (which will be a large part of this new venture) I have also always made a lot of images outside of those parameters and am very pleased to have this partnership with Corbis to get them out in the world. The beginning stages have been smooth, professional and yet nicely personal…with a great art director, Dennis, to guide us through. Looks like we’ll be working together this summer on some projects here in Vancouver and I’m looking forward to meeting in person.

I’m very interested to see what the end result will be, in terms of income anyway, when it gets down to brass tacks. There’s so much discussion right now of Stock being dead, the decline of income in this industry, microstock’s effect, etc, etc, etc. Check out an enlightening discussion at A Photo Editor on this subject.
I’ll keep you posted on my end…

Speaking of stock, I was recently observing all the press after the release of the iPad from Apple and it got me thinking about the speed of obsolescence in our culture, especially with our media tools…and what a great stock shoot that concept would make. The image above is the first…

Had a great time on this shoot…Lisa was certainly the right choice…

“Come celebrate the spirit of the 2010 Winter Games at the Power Smart Village, a family-friendly exploration of sustainability, BC Hydro history and more. Create an inspirational message on the digital expression wall, tour our “future is now” home exhibit, or cheer on our athletes while you watch competitors live on a big screen. You can even create electricity by dancing on our sustainable dance floor. It’ll be great fun, and by sharing your energy, you may even win tickets to the Games.”

My agent Gina of THEY Representation Inc. is opening a brand new, beautiful studio here in Vancouver. Sugar Studios is comprised of two separate spaces, one being the best daylight studio I’ve seen in town, and will be available in February. Congratulations on the imminent opening.

Men’s Journal requested a portrait of Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson to illustrate an article about the city and the 2010 Winter Olympics. I had photographed Mayor Robertson previously, during his election campaign, where he arrived to the shoot by himself, in a sharp suit and commuting on his bicycle…he had my vote right then.