"Home" ~ Crown A Thornz featuring Shantall

So folks, as promised... here is video number two of three shot this past holiday season.
 Enjoy responsibly.

Great Shoot with Parkside Drive? YES!

My latest photo shoot took place with the highly sought after wedding and events band Parkside Drive.  A talented group based in Toronto but often on the road due to their demand.  Their great energy and amazing repertoire of music make you want to stomp, shake, kick and boogie.  It makes the difference between a good photo shoot and a great one!

From the moment we made first contact all I could think was... I want to shoot these guys!  AND, I want it done in a 50's style!  An era of class, elegance and beauty.  Men in sharp suits and women in dresses that coule stop a freight train.  The group had the look.  After a little homework, some good discussion and a little teamwork we were all in the same place.  Yes, Yes and YES!

I quickly did some more research to pull together the right team, resources and location.  For this shoot I was lucky enough to work with the talented makeup artist Raisy Kazi and the brilliant hairstylist Natalya Vynnyk.  For the location we secured Working Proof Studios and for additional assistance I had the wonderful help of Jennifer Dillon.

Each team member including the band put in 100% effort, drive and determination to do a great job.  We work together as a cohesive unit and produced great results.  I am honoured to have had the opportunity to work with Parkside Drive and with each and every member on my team to produce great quality work.

If you want to contact any of the above mentioned people please click on the highlighted names above.

Thank you and see you soon!

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

 Head to www.koraysalih.com for more stuff!

The creative mind of Douglas Hayter

Once upon a time ago I met one of the most influential Art Directors/Artists I know named Douglas Hayter.  Doug and I worked at the same advertising agency.  He had a way of standing out with his colourful, creative style and big, expressive smiles.  However, his most memorable characteristics were his passion, motivation and energy to create.  Doug and I never worked together so our interactions were limited.  Most often I caught him in the studio reviewing proofs and other times working on campaigns in his office.  Our common ground for discussion began with illustration but most often morphed into discussions around our favourite graphic novel and illustrators.

Now, what always surprised me about my interactions with Doug and continues to surprise me to this day is how you feel when you leave.  After a 5-minute conversation with Doug you always find yourself ready to run off to build, create and motivate others.  He makes you embrace your errors and enjoy them for what they are.  In his words "how could I learn if I didn't make mistakes?"

I always felt that his talent and his inspiration should reach as many people as possible.  Not only to see the beauty of his work but to be inspired by his words.  Well, last month I asked Doug if he would be the subject of one of my photos shoots.  Upon agreeing to it I realized that this would be a great opportunity to interview him as well.  He happily agreed.

Since the New Year Doug has been on a creative streak having completed 101 trading cards followed by several pen and ink illustrations.  His style and technique are rather impactful.  Doug's images have a hint of Daliesque principle that leave the viewer asking questions about what they just saw and forcing them to revisit his images over and over again.

Below I have captured some of his illustrations but you can head to his site at www.makeworkthing.ca for a broader spectrum of his work.

Now, take a moment to step into Douglas Hayter's world to see what I mean.

Also, please share the interview with friends.  My hope is that his words inspire others like they have done so for me.

Oh, and a big special thanks to Mike Codner for helping me pull all this together!


Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

Head to www.koraysalih.com for more stuff!

Shine a little light on me… well, on my knowledge!

Lighting makes the difference between good photography and great photography.  It can have such a demanding impact on the viewer.  That is why I consider it to be one of the most important elements of photos and the reason I am spending far more time on it lately. 

Last week when reviewing my shots I realized I had some lighting knowledge gaps.  Instead of pushing it off until later I decided to do something about it ASAP.  So, in the period of 48 hours I found a class at Working Proof Studios, signed up and finished the course.  Luckily only two other students were signed up that night so I maximized on my time with the instructor Philip Maglieri and our model/dancer Jennifer Mote. 

After 4 hours of shooting and learning not only did I clear up many of my question I also walked away with a series of great shots.  Bonus!  In all fairness I thought it was of the utmost importance that I share these shots with you.  I mean, if I don’t share them… who would know they even exist?  Anyway, my point is... there is always a solution if you have a minute to look for it.

For all those interested, I highly recommend taking this course or one of the others at Working Proof Studios.  For those advanced students, take a look at what they offer!

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE MODEL JENNIFER MOTE!

Happy shooting!

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

Head to www.koraysalih.com for more stuff!

Sweet Revenge Inc.

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing Steph G the owner and baker of Sweet Revenge Inc.  The custom bakeshop known for bringing joy into the lives of those with specific dietary plans has made and continues to make an impression on all those who take a bite.  Since 2004 Steph has been in the business of custom baking; however, in her own words she has been “baking and being a "sous chef" to both my parents all my life.” 

When I caught up with Steph she was in the middle of the action as she whipped up some Maple "Buttermilk" Pancake Cupcakes for some of her vegan clients which I have captured below.  Let me say… delicious, every bite! 

Think you recognize the name Sweet Revenge Inc.?  You may have seen their work in the media as the custom baked goods have appeared both in Strategy Magazine as well as EYE Weekly.  But, don’t let that intimidate you!  The down to earth personality, warm smile and delicious baking of Steph G will have you calling her again and again!

For more information about Sweet Revenge Inc. on Facebook follow the link below:

http://on.fb.me/e6fqNS

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

www.koraysalih.com

Crown A Thornz "REAL"

And after a lot of dedication, drive and determination the Crown A Thornz music video for “Real” has been released.  Please enjoy like we have.

Crown A Thornz: Behind the Scenes with Koray Salih

The holiday season goes by without a music video shoot?  Impossible.

My good friend Sterling Pache and I got a chance to connect once again this past holiday season to shoot not one, not two but three hip hop videos over the course of three days.  No typo.  Three music videos.  Three days.

How true it is that you don’t know your own limits until you’ve tested the mind, body and soul to prove what they can achieve if the desire and passion are in every fiber of your being.

Our first two videos were shot with the talented hip hop group Crown a Thornz.  A unique combination of hip hop with an infusion of soul and a dash of reggae to produce top tapping, hip shaking, soul moving beats.  Their conscious hip hop would make the Roots and Mos Def do a double take. 

Crown A Thornz is a group of driven creative talented artists that consists of Kolor Brown, the group’s producer, an emcee an artist and a barber, J Wyze know for his contributions to Toronto’s Flow 93.5 is also a poet and an emcee, and of course Eklipz the artist, painter, emcee, photographer, videographer and the man behind www.hiphop-homage.com.

When we teamed up with Crown A Thornz we had big expectations of the group.  In the time we spent together they did nothing short of shatter every one of our expectations from a creative perspective, a performance perspective and a dedication perspective.  When we couldn’t find a way to get to Hamilton with all our equipment they hooked us up with a limo.  When we needed a restaurant to shoot in they hooked us up with an amazing restaurant.  When we need people to help out in the video they brought a crew.   They’re a quality group both on and off the screen.

Over three days we slept less than humanly necessary, carried more than thought possible, we shot more than we could believe and we produced some great quality footage.

While you may have to wait a minute or two more for the final video you have to check out the behind the scene shots found below to get a feel for what we have been up to and watch the behind the scenes video at the end brought to you by www.hiphop-homage.com!  Big PS!  Click on any of the images for the full size!!!

Special thanks goes out to….

Sizzle’s Caribbean Take Out

Working Proof Studios

Jason Laramee

Mike & Ruk Rajczak

Ravi Ramnarace

 

Go to www.koraysalih.com for more stuff!