News. Blog.

Variety is good!

Claudia Katz — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:20:57 +0000

This past week I shot varied subjects, the best thing about it; it keeps my photo muscles in check!
Today I walked to the Bow River (a 2 minute venture), it was a beautiful afternoon in Calgary. I couldn’t hope for better weather this time of year. The bright blue skies, vibrant sun and double digit temps are great companions in my journeys down to the river. Every now and again, I don’t mind getting all scratched up and I take/carve different paths to the water, today was one of those days. Here are some photos:

sad.

A few days back I worked with Kristina and Dante on an impromptu fashion shoot, I had a blast and got to photograph a building I hadn’t noticed before – Lougheed House, it’s beautiful, the park around the property has great architectural elements.

FireStarter Vodka – it helped the shoot

Lougheed House

I tried my hand at Luge, certainly not an easy event to photograph; it’s fast, intense, and the finish line is eventful … trying to slow down the luge in a few short meters, after speeds over 110km/hr, it’s exhilarating!

Season’s inaugural World Cup Luge race, COP

Edworthy Park – Downtown Calgary

Claudia Katz — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:46:11 +0000

Last Saturday I went to Edworthy Park. I took a few frames during a cross country race (it was a 4K and 8K put on by the Calgary Road Runners), and the perfect weather was also ideal to do some exploring. Crisp and bright, I had my sunglasses on, good thing, as the thorns that scratched my lenses could’ve done some real damage to my eye!

After 3 or so hours outdoors, my hands were losing all feeling, I drove towards downtown, took a little stroll around the Armengol Sculptures at the Calgary Board of Education building and decided to end my excursion with some Chinese food; I should have ended my days’ excursion with sightseeing …

Eddie Adams Workshop – XXII

Claudia Katz — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:05:24 +0000

Two weeks ago I attended my second EAW, this time however, as part of the black team (this is the production/hospitality/transportation/audio-visual/food/… end of things). I participated as a student in 2007, and although I was able to make contact with some of the heavies, it was brief and a little overwhelming. This year, injured, I spent much of my time satisfying guests/faculty/others’ thirst; I worked the BAR!

There are always those that assume they are the world’s best bartenders, and those that expect photographers to be well-versed bartenders, I fortunately made my living for many years pouring booze. Although I started working in the food industry quite young, I was not a ‘bar wench’ until I lived in London where I worked at a pub for the better part of 1 year. Also, while attending photo school and art school, I paid my way by working in the food industry. Why all this background? Well, I want to substantiate my statement; I pour a mean and strong drink (this generated some amusing conversations, some drink induced commentary, and the ever flowing alcohol gossip).

Let me go back to EAW for a moment and what this opportunity meant for me. As a student, the workshop provided for me the spark I had lost, I fell back in love with photography. Coming back to reality I wanted in some way, to provide this for someone else, some other photographer that needed a little focus and peer support, so when a dear friend mentioned I had been nominated for the black team, this was my turn to give back. Yes, there are plenty of selfish reasons why I wanted to attend, but the opportunity to feel this event from the other side was no less inspiring!

These are a couple of images from the bus ride up to the Catskills in NY and some photos of the barn where the workshop takes place.

A warm thank you to Alyssa Adams, whose generosity and temperament allow this workshop to persist. I never got to meet Eddie Adams, but every time the workshop comes up in conversation, new and enlightening stories always surface …

Bus ride to Monticello

Beautiful foggy morning at the barn

Bill Eppridge and Jay Colton

Jen Sens on the trampoline.

Yvonne Lai helping with the balloons for Eddie’s Memorial

A toast for those no longer with us

New York City – I always leave a little piece of me when I leave

Claudia Katz — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:19:34 +0000

I was recently in NYC, one of my favorite cities. I didn’t have a lot of time, nor was the weather on my side, however, I enjoyed myself as much as any other time.

Three days prior to my trip, for the first time in my life, I had everything done, except for packing. I was so proud of myself, to celebrate; I decided to run some hills. Unfortunately, the day didn’t end up as good as it started; 1km away from home, I tore my calf muscle (I can hear you say ouch as you read), OUCHHHHHHYY, I crawled back home and stayed in bed resting my leg for the better part of two days. However, still unable to walk, I had to get to the clinic and get an air cast, this was my saviour, I was able to be somewhat mobile whilst in the US. The best part of this injury, I was able to cut all the lines at the airport; I had requested a wheel chair (note to self – the next time I am running late, I am calling the airline and requesting a wheelchair!).

So now, I have been back for a week, my NYC smile is still hanging around, and my leg is mostly healed. Now, if I could only do something about the snow …

Below are a few snippets from the trip.

Fruit stands on almost every corner, I would enjoy living in Calgary much more if we even had one!

Union Square

Katz’s Deli – This is the most memorable part, the water fountain!

Newark Airport

Mercedes Sosa

Claudia Katz — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:25:11 +0000

Mercedes Sosa – amazing musician, poet, and human being, dies at 74.

I first met her when I was 2, and as an adult I spent a little time with her when I photographed her in Vancouver; one of the most memorable moments of my life.

I have some photos of her I’d like to share, however, I shot film when I met her in the mid ’90s and I haven’t yet scanned the images. I will post some pics soon.

The world is a better place because she was in it.

We will miss you pacha mama (earth mother).

Sunsets, just love ‘em …

Claudia Katz — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:04:48 +0000

These are a few of the photos of sunsets I have shot within the past 8 days, and this, is by no means odd. I take photos of sunsets and sunrises whenever I witness them; they take me to a different place, even if only for the few short seconds that it takes for the warmth of the sun to hit my face . . .

Controlled fires west of Calgary brought smoke and haze to the city, and a very ominous light.

Recent Projects

Claudia Katz — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:42:14 +0000

I must admit, I was hesitant about starting to blog. For the most part, I stay in my own head, especially when it comes to my work. I will work on various assignments; the images will go to the client, the magazine, …, and then, unless they make it onto the final edit of my website or portfolio, they live in my hard-drive, no one sees them. But today, I embrace the venue that blogging has provided for me, I can now share photographs of other experiences I have had.

This past summer, Afsheen and Rashid got married. I was delighted when Afsheen asked me to photograph her Mehendi (a pre-wedding henna ceremony). This is the first time I was exposed to some of their traditions; the bride and (typically) all of the women present get henna applied to their hands, and the bride not only gets henna on her hands and forearms, she also gets henna applied on her legs. Tradition says the darker the henna design on the skin, the more love the husband will have for his wife … so the henna stays on for as long as possible, then once rinsed off, the stained skin should last for a min. of 1 week. Dolly (the henna artist) did a beautiful job for this Mehendi ceremony.

the henna application took approx. 4 hours

Afsheen and her adorned arms

Teaching …

Claudia Katz — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:52:18 +0000

I just returned from teaching my adult photo class in Okotoks, and surprise surprise, I actually have 4 males enrolled! Shocking, as I mostly get women taking my class.

Each time a new session starts, I tell myself the same thing, ‘don’t overwhelm the students with sooooooo much information’ yet I seem to be deaf to my own advice; by the end of the class I tend to have students lose their human looking qualities, some end up looking like cartoons with wobbly big eyes … SORRY!

I do so enjoy teaching though, I always leave class with a big smile and, a sore throat (one of the only things that makes me quiet). And, I just realized something else, I as a photographer, don’t have many pictures of myself, and in the past year or so, the best candid picture of me was taken by one of my students, a 6 year old.

me in May 2009, Okotoks

Art Walk(ed) the Runway

Claudia Katz — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:16:03 +0000

The show took place last week, although attendance was a little on the low side, the crowd on hand seemed to appreciate the effort put forth by everyone involved in this production. There were make up artists, hair crew, assistants, the artists and their work, and, photographers. I came on board on this project late, meaning, I had limited freedom. I was not the official photographer, nor was I the official second or third, nonetheless, I was able to sneak in a few fun shots.

A special thanks to Lisa! And a congrats on her belts which I think totally ROCK!

I think all in all the show was a hit, I certainly enjoyed it. The venue is great and I look forward to being involved on future projects with DMZ, Art Central, but next time, I hope to be involved from the planning stages (I just have so much to say, and do, and photograph, …)

teasing and spraying

creative cobblering

backstage with the talent and Domingo

Lisa Heinricks studio

Shona Rae designs

Retro Kristina

Frank, jewels by Shona Rae

Domingo on set

Art Walks the Runway – Rehearsal

Claudia Katz — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:02:50 +0000

I had the pleasure of meeting Domingo from Characterized Image Corp, he is leading the show ‘Art Walks the Runway’ in conjunction with STYLOCITY.

I will be photographing the show, I will however be focusing more closely on the wearable art by Lisa Heinricks and fantasy themed jewelery by Shona Rae.

These photos were at the rehearsal that took place this past weekend. The show is this upcoming Thursday September 10th, 2009 @ 6:00 PM at Art Central.

I hope to see some of you there!

Domingo Lumanog

Strike a pose

Shona Rae

Frank (a model from Rowanda) fashions Shona Rae’s jewelery