PERSPECTIVE: BLP Emotions Creative

(Siri of JK Models, with styling by Katie Mogan. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

Between clients, us here at Benjamin Luk Photography like to play, and our idea of fun is getting back out into the field and shooting some more. Late last March, stylist Katie Mogan and I teamed up for our first creative together, along with hairstylist Sarah Alicia Thomas and makeup artist Stacey Lynn Mitchell. The idea was to create a project revolving around emotions, possibly in a diptych format; two photos side by side representing the same emotion, two more representing a different emotion, etc.

These were some of the results. Be sure to click on each image to see it in a higher resolution, and try to take a stab at what emotions we were trying to express.

(Siri, photographed at Iona Beach. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

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

PERSPECTIVE: Charlene & Craig's Wedding

(Charlene and Craig Maitland, photographed on Whonnock Lake in March 2010. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

Now that the weather's getting nicer, wedding season is in full swing. Charlene and Craig hired me to photograph their wedding in Maple Ridge, BC and I was only too happy to oblige. Starting off with shooting both Charlene and Craig getting ready, then the ceremony in our tried-and-true documentary style, we finished off by shooting their wedding portraits on Whonnock Lake with expert studio lighting techniques. At the moment, we're working on creating a complimentary slideshow for them too, absolutely free of charge. Ask how you'd be able to get your complimentary slideshow on your iPhone!

(Charlene and Craig, photographed during their ceremony at Maple Ridge Alliance Church. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

There are still a number of dates available this summer for wedding bookings and I'd be happy to chat with you over coffee about your wedding photography plans. Please contact us to set up a free personal consultation. Sample images and slideshows will be made available for your viewing. We look forward to having you in front of our lens real soon.

(Craig and his groomsmen, looking dashing as always. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

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

PERSPECTIVE: Surrey 2010 Celebration Site

(The Surrey 2010 Celebration Site offers a family-friendly environment for Surrey residents to enjoy the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

With the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games in town, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the city. Municipalities as far out as Richmond and Surrey are getting in on the action by putting on free cultural events and concerts all through the month of February. In this case, the Surrey 2010 Celebration Site offers an alternative to those wanting to avoid the chaos of downtown Vancouver without missing out on the fun entirely.

(Spectators watching the Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremonies on a giant screen at the Surrey 2010 Celebration Site. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

I was hired to photograph two days of what the Surrey 2010 Celebration Site had to offer and came back with over 2,000 images that I had to narrow down to about 200. For those who might think 2,000 images is overkill, you're probably right, but there was an event going on every half hour and every single one demanded full coverage. Even though the weather both days was punctuated by sporadic showers and gusts of wind, you'd never know it from looking at the photos. Rain gear and preparation go a long way.

(Kytami of Delhi 2 Dublin fiddling up a storm. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

The free concerts are very much worth mentioning, by the way. I mean, check out this lineup! I may be back just to shoot some of these bands for ThatRockBlog.com! Also, don't forget to click on these images for a high resolution view. Special thanks to Jon Benjamin Photography for notifying me about this gig, and Shannon Mackay for being my assistant and second shooter.

(Blue Rodeo performing on the Celebration Stage. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

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

PERSPECTIVE: 12x12 Raw Talent Gallery Showcase

(Attendees of 12x12 Raw Talent perusing our marathoners' hard work. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

Last night, on Saturday, January 16th, 2010, over 300 photographers and photography enthusiasts gathered together at Vancouver Photo Workshops to see the grand unveiling of 600+ images created during the 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon. As one of the planning committee members, I was one of six people who helped set up and organize the layout of the show. We're especially proud because, judging by our impressive turnout, it seems we were able to bring together Vancouver's entire photographic community.

(The 12x12 Raw Talent Gallery Showcase setup at Vancouver Photo Workshops. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

I was also given the opportunity to be a roaming photographer during the show. Between checking out the work myself and grooving to the slick DJ beats of Vancouver's own Jeremy Lim, I was tasked with capturing the event, the attendees and the winners in all their photogenic glory. A big special thanks to the other planning committee members (Morten Rand-Hendriksen, John Biehler, Angela Chih, Anny Chih and Lesley Tetlow Stefanski) for making this all possible and being wonderful teammates. I look forward to working with you all again for 12x12YVR 2010/11!

Be sure to click on each image to see them in higher resolution and quality.

(The prize winners of 12x12YVR 2009/10. Well, most of them anyway. © 2010 Benjamin Luk.)

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

PERSPECTIVE: Train the Trainer '09

(Innovative Fitness trainers Scott McRae and Thomas Wan getting put through their paces at Train the Trainer '09. © 2009 Benjamin Luk.)

Every year, Innovative Fitness gives back to their community by holding an event called Train the Trainer. Personal trainers invite their clients and the public in to pledge money to a charity in exchange for five-minute blocks in which they can make their trainers do whatever they want, whether it be dancing an Irish jig, climbing a fire truck ladder in full firefighter regalia, or having meat strapped to them so dogs can chase them around a parking lot. The photos here are a bit on the tame side but if you want to see the extent of the chaos, try checking out the Innovative Fitness Facebook page. My photos should be up there shortly.

(Martie, another Innovative Fitness trainer, feeling the burn. © 2009 Benjamin Luk.)

Innovative Fitness in White Rock raised $16,000 for Canuck Place Children's Hospice and the White Rock South Surrey Community Foundation last Friday. More importantly, I got to see $20 of Sarah Thomas' money go towards watching a guy do inappropriate things to a punching bag. Hey, it's all about priorities. Besides, it couldn't have gone towards a better cause.

White Rock's Peace Arch News should be running a story on Train the Trainer '09 later this week with accompanying photos. White Rock residents, keep your eyes peeled.

(Emcee Matt taking IF trainer Josh McCaig for a ride. © 2009 Benjamin Luk.)

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

PROSPECTIVE: 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon

(Courtesy of 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon.)

On December 12th, 2009, the 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon will be taking place in and around Vancouver's Yaletown district. For the past few weeks, I've been helping out on the 12x12 planning committee, contributing thoughts and ideas as to how the contest should run. In a recent development, I'm also on the judging panel along with other esteemed Vancouver photographers and couldn't be more excited. If this goes well, it could be the first 12x12 of many.

The 12x12 Vancouver Photo Marathon challenges participants to take 12 photos over 12 hours relating to 12 secret themes. Every hour, the new theme is revealed and everyone races to snap the best shot they can before the hour is up. The only catch is, they're only given 12 film exposures to capture all 12 themes. Sound interesting to you? Click here to receive Early Bird Pricing before Sunday, December 6th!

More details on the 12x12 website.

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

INTROSPECTIVE: Hong Kong 2008 on Kodachrome 64

(The city's red taxis are ever-present in the streets of Hong Kong. © 2008 Benjamin Luk.)

Four days ago, I returned from yet another three-week trip to China. The main purpose of my visit was to see family, but never being one to pass on a photo op, I brought along my Canon EOS 500N and a few rolls of my favourite film, Kodachrome 64. For those of you who know that Kodachrome is seeing its final days, you'd understand my hurry to shoot as much as humanly possible before they pull the plug for good at the end of 2010. The Kodachrome I shot just last month is currently on its way to Kansas for processing, but here's a look at the Kodachrome I shot when I was in China in 2008.

(Hong Kong has a unique urban geometry all its own. © 2008 Benjamin Luk.)

Hong Kong's known for many aspects of its urban environment, but what attracted me most about the city was its dense geometry and complex signage. Residential neighbourhoods overlap commercial hotspots, ads dominate the skyline and the city seems so cluttered, you find yourself wondering how 7,000,000 people could possibly call it home. And yet, there's a strange peace to how Hong Kong operates, as though being around so many people day after day demands a certain calmness or patience. This was what I tried to capture. Click the link or any image in this post to see a short slideshow of what I've uploaded so far from Hong Kong, 2008.

(The line between residential and commercial districts is blurred in Hong Kong. © 2008 Benjamin Luk.)

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