Sunday, April 28, 2013

PERSPECTIVE: Amanda Palmer at Whidbey Island Winery

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(Amanda Palmer rocking the uke at her private Whidbey Island Winery show. © 2013 Benjamin Luk.)

It was over a year ago that assistant Lauren Mulcahy first asked if I was interested in pitching in for Amanda Palmer's Kickstarter with her so we could go to a private house party where she'd be playing. Admittedly, I didn't know Amanda's music well, but I'd known her since The Dresden Dolls so I agreed. On April 23rd, Lauren and I hopped in a car and headed down to Whidbey Island Winery where a fellow Amanda fan named Zoe was hosting the show. There were ukuleles and cameras everywhere.

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(Amanda also brought her friend, Jason Webley. © 2013 Benjamin Luk.)

From where I was sitting, I made do with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM. The light was fairly good and it was a nice reminder of my roots; I'd first gotten into photography with the intent of shooting live music. Being limited in my lens choice was a great learning opportunity too. I'm getting more accustomed to packing lightly and creating great images while doing so. To the folks at Whidbey Island Winery, I'll be back. It'd be a beautiful place to shoot a wedding.

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(Amanda pounding away on the keys. © 2013 Benjamin Luk.)

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

PERSPECTIVE: The Gear Collective

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(Want to borrow high-end camera gear in Vancouver for free? Join us at The Gear Collective. © 2013 Kinta Maeda.)

In late 2012, Roman Seregin of Dark Edge Media and I were kicking around the idea of a rental house that allowed us to share gear rather than trying to generate profit. It seemed more a pipe dream than reality. After all, with a concept so simple, why hadn't it been done before in Vancouver, a city that thrives on community and creativity? Nevertheless, we started small with a soft launch on Facebook (seen here) and are currently looking for active and engaged members. E-mails zipped around, lawyers were called, and we now have the groundwork for what we hope will become Vancouver's foremost gearshare community. Want to borrow a Canon 35mm f/1.4L for a weekend with no fees? What about a Nikon D600? Maybe a Profoto AcuteB 600? That's only what we have right now with two members. We hope to build up to eight dedicated members, four Nikon and four Canon. Applications for membership can be sent to info@benjaminluk.com. Good luck.

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

PERSPECTIVE: Sarah & Matt's Engagement

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(Meeting in the middle in Gastown. © 2013 Benjamin Luk.)

My lovely friend and colleague Sarah Alicia Thomas has always been there for me over the years. In fact, I'm still not sure when our first shoot together was; I only know we bonded over glamour shoots when I still had my studio in Port Coquitlam. She's a talented hairstylist and went on to work full-time in a salon. I left my glamour studio behind and now do a modest number of weddings each year. I suppose it was only a matter of time before our paths crossed again professionally. She's getting married to her man Matt in October and needed engagement shots. In two separate sessions due to time constraints, we shot through Gastown and Mount Seymour.

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(Matt and Sarah getting chilly on Mount Seymour. © 2013 Benjamin Luk.)

Starting for 2014 dates, a confirmed wedding booking now means an opportunity to get an engagement session too for just $100 + PST. We'll also be doing more engagement shoots than usual this year. May 4, 2013 is our first engagement booking this season and we'll be working with a great-looking young Indian couple. Got a wedding photographer already, but their package doesn't include engagement shots? Inquire directly at info@benjaminluk.com for rates. 2013 is already looking like our best year yet and we want you to come along for the ride.

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(Hockey love. © 2013 Benjamin Luk.)

Benjamin Luk Photography is available for assignment at BenjaminLuk.com.