Prophotographic

No I will Not Smile

Given the current environment I want to join the discussion on women taking back control over their own existence. Daily women are met with subjugation, sexualization and violence. From the violence against women portrayed in video games like GTA to Jian Ghomeshi and consent issues -- young girls like Rehtaeh Parsons being taken advantage of and driven to suicide to -- provincial health authorities making it more difficult to obtain an abortion -- GamerGate and the Dal Dentistry students posting carelessly hateful and prejudiced comments in a group on Facebook. I want to portray a woman taking back her power in in a predominantly masculine way; with the threat of violence inherently symbolized by a handgun.

Reahtah Parsons
Reahtah Parsons
Jian Ghomeshi
Jian Ghomeshi
Reproductive Justice in Nova Scotia
Reproductive Justice in Nova Scotia
#GAMERGATE
#GAMERGATE
DalHousie Dental School
DalHousie Dental School
Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V

03 Carmen Townsend Without My Love

Danny Fernandes : The home town boy

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LiVE MUSiC

A thing I love to do is capture a moment folks rarely see, a frozen frame of thrill and sonic bliss exuding from a person. I photograph live music events been doing it for about 5 years and there is no greater thrill to get a culmination of action, lighting and intent captured in a frame of (digital) film. I watch and wait and try to position myself in a place to get an 'everything'*moment *(right pose, right lighting, great look on face) for people to look at my work and go "wow that's cool". Its moments like that make me very happy and knowing I got that instant near as perfect as I can , then its on to the next one, be it the next pose of the guitar player or the lighting change up or even the next band who has different things to offer the lens. Every-time I go I endeavor to do better and plus my previous work. Each time I set out with gear in bag and get kind treatment at venues to get to the pit in front of and between the crowd and stage. Whilst shooting a band I am mindful that for 3 songs I will be some degree of distraction for the audience but I never heard or seen anyone but elated to be that close to their favorite musicians. You also work in the pit with 5 - 10+ other photographers and in general are very respectful during our tasks and getting what we think is our best shots of the performers on the lighted stage changing up positions with each other as we all can't be everywhere at once.. I do allot less writing on this topic because it has all been said before and I am no different, I am lucky to get a media pass/attend and I am lucky to know the musicians if not personally at least I have a short chat before or after the show, I find it really helps. I have as little ego as I can about these things because it has all been done before by many other folks all trying the same thing "get that shot", So I dont clog up the internet with too much chatter, but in that I have left a vacuum in place of what I think on my own work. Well in short I love it and I love the people who I have been fortunate to work with from friends to pure business deals it is all truly a learning experience. I try to get good useable shots and i'm very critical of my own work on top of the shot being acceptable. I try not to repeat too much so very similar shoots don't get posted as in other field I have worked Film and Animation, less is more. I have revived this blog in an effort of contrast, like any good photo, contrast is very important and I will endeavor with future posts to give that degree of continuous tone instead of stark blacks and whites. Nice to see you and to see you all, nice. Christopher Walzak

Coffee?....why yes please!

Updating...........please refresh your coffee :)

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Wha Choo Doo fer Music Week Bye!

Music Week a stellar event for sydney, bringing many showcase events to sydney over a few days and awarding funding for chosen up and comers. That being said I love to see so many skilled out of town musicians play here in sydney venues and in a local attic for caper radio. Having been tapped for my photography and bringing to the shoot all I could to help get the shots to the highest level of quality. The recording equipment ass stuffed into a 100+ year old attic and set rip up some Punk, Twang and some folk flavor. from Bille drae and the poor boys to town heroes to Jordan Musycian all delivered a Full bucket of chicken. Two songs were to be recorded and everyone had a near perfect set I thought in such confined spaces my fisheye could be best used, and used so close as to feel they band members breath on you, all were very cool and welcomed the new environment and thrived in it. First up as Bille drae and the Poor boys what a fun bunch of fellers, when not talking about star wars they were making mustache humor they tore apart their little 8 foot by 8 foot spot. Grabbing frames of bands in motion and these guys did not stop. Dialing up the Iso I was able to freeze the motion for nice clear photos at ISO 8000 and a high shutter like 1/200. The next band Came in set up and it was just a matter of F8 and being there all of great people doing their best whilst I did mine. The result is what you see below good fun shot as quick as we could and shot while recording was finished and the band just had fun jamming to their fave song. This is one of the best ways to meet and shoot these size bands. This close makes you feel you're not just there but almost that you are them living the rock experience playing your instrument(camera) as part of the groups performance

In Flames : The Hottest Fire

In flames for me were my “off the beaten path” fave metal band in the late 90’s, not a sound you would expect but yet something you can identify with almost immediately. Metal with a bit of synth thrown in with purpose and good effect. This swedish band have been at it for over 20 years and some of the major players like Björn Gelotte having had a few roles within the group from drummer to now guitar player and major composer of the body of work released. My attraction is the melodies and thrill of unexpected tones offered that have a heavy “Chug” on bird like wings of flow, soring you to dizzying heights of elation when you hear a new or older favorite song by them. The lyrical quality is one more supporting buttress to this Gothenburg based metal groups brand of metal, the degree of structure and story keeps your mind on the philosophical intent and how it can apply to your life experience, making it a reason to return to the song time after time, even year after year. My experience with the band has been first as a fan discovering a song off Clayman called “Only for the Weak”. This is a heavy slow chugging song with layers of heavy guitar bringing to mind mythic images of THOR and Mjolnir splitting the sky with thunder and lightening from the sound alone produced in this song. And again the thrill is there year after year and in every listening this song makes one get a good “HEAD-BANG” on and I know it will for years to come. I was fortunate That this song only for the weak was a was still on my mp4 player when i started working at CORE digital pictures in toronto 2007. I offered the suggestion to a new director friend Andrew ‘Spank’ Grant and hes like oh yeah im friends with the guys since my day at ILM. I was blown away but also very fortunate and in time i was able to meet and shoot them at Hvy Montreal and myself later shoot the show in halifax nova scotia. The show in montreal was easy to get too and greatly organized, just a subway ride and a fair walk across park grounds. Hearing Anvil starting up and a few other veterans were in the roster all the way up to Alice Cooper and Megadeth. We make our way through the grounds with the dual stages and there are others off to the sides and in other parts of the park but In Flames will be on in a few hours and all we had was to enjoy music with 40,000 of our closest friends. We had band passes which is different than expected(media passes) but it worked and there was a nice relaxed vibe from the venue staff. I was able to warm up shooting bands on stage 1 and see what was possible from my perspective in the PIT and in front of the band. The pass also allowed me to get candid moments ill share some day but for now I endeavor to show a degree of professionalism and hopefully, however similar, a unique perspective. As the the synth and the smoke begins to crank up and the photographers besides me give me a pleasant nod all are the ready with their imaging utilities. Cloud Connected a Fan favorite beings the set and gives me an idea here in Jean Drapeau park LINK in 30 degree heat how loud and pumped the set is going to be. The guys in the bad seem very energetic and thrilled to be here, expecting nothing less having met them a few hours before and sharing in their beers. Out in front of the stage I am pulling frames as fast as I can to get a good pose and something interesting. Only thing I would of loved for this outside show is that it was later at night, mid afternoon kinda ruins contrast and or need for stage lighting.

The Little Black Dress(best kept secret)

Standing with my camera at the Habitat for humanity gig at the Steam Whistle brewery I finish shoot the 2 bands I was commissioned to shoot and a humble dude asked me to shoot his band The Little black dress. Im like sure. The band was up and in 1 song I was Very Interested by the time they played ‘Call the paparazzi’ I was hooked For life. With the Jazzy sazzel and hints of this and that with intelligent and sassy lyrics did not feel like you were chewing through POP gruel. This little band had a distinct sound and polished showcase early on. Maybe all good bands do, have a hook and a feel of cohesion from the folks playing their part of the TEAM and playing exactly the right amount. I have seen even big bands where the guitar player or the drummer or whoever want to show off what they can do, or worse yet are just mailing it in lackluster effort to collect BEER money. One of the best little Secrets in this town this city(Toronto), The little Black dress delivers is really tasty and instantly loveable songs. They had a following that night of about 6 girls screaming admiration and buying the simple printed T shirts. I flexed my photographic muscle that time and got the images to them in a few days. The Singer and one of the main members of The Little Black dress, Dan Sadowski is a fun and genuine guy. They were very happy with the photos and it was an easy friendship with great guys. Next time was at the Rancho Relaxo on college street and another stellar show and nice rip though some songs in the downtime i had grown to love and desired to hear live again. Songs like “4 on the floor” and are definitely an instantly love type thing instead of just another song. They pour their heart and soul into the songs and I hope and know The little black dress will be around for a good long time to come! The band is ever evolving and with Dan(guitar/vocals) and Lewis(Drums/BkVocals) and the addition of keyboards softened and brightened the tones a bit with a broader soundscape it is seeming there is nothing this Little band cannot do, world domination through sexy sweet swinging tunes , I think so. If you get a chance check out the little black dress live or or worst case Online. See you soon guys, can’t wait!