"Home" ~ Crown A Thornz featuring Shantall

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

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

“Real” is in the Reel!

I am excited to announce that our video for Crown A Thornz’s “Real” has been invited to participate in the Reel World Film Festival.  Big congratulations to Crown a Thornz, Sterling Pache and me too!  I have reposted the video below for anyone who hasn't seen it yet!  And... we are almost at 10,000 hits.  Help us celebrate by watching again!

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!

D-Sisive At Rancho

If you've been in conversation with me in the last few months, I’m sure you’ve heard the name D-Sisive once or twice. A Toronto based Hip Hop artist that’s just solid, and keeps at his music.

My favourite songs?

Up
Song to Sing
Glorious
West Coast

He was part of a lineup last Thursday at Rancho Relaxo… and I took this opportunity to see D-Sisive live!!! Originally, my only goal was to attend the show... but with some time and thinking, I decided to photograph the event. So I rented the lens I've had my eye on for the past few months and had some fun! For this shoot I decided against using flash, a challenge considering I had not done it before. This was probably not the best location to try this due to the low red lighting and low ceiling... BUT, how would we grow if we never tried. The show was solid, full of laughs and some great foot tapping beats!

Anyway, I've attached a couple of pictures from the event for your perusal!

Enjoy!

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

Koray Salih Painting Sale!

It's time for my paintings to enter the lives of others so they can do for others what they have done for me. The paintings I've created over the past few years are now available for sale!

An easy decision? No....over the years I've been very close with the images I've painted, the deep emotions in each one... often times when painting, I felt like I was chipping away to reveal the story in each canvas. Why so much feeling? Once upon a time ago I learned from an old teacher that if you don't feel what you create then the onlookers will feel very little themselves. It is as a result of this I learned to invest myself into what I do.

Now, it has come time for these paintings to enter your lives and your space. Below I've listed out each painting available for purchase along with a price. Here are some quick notes about the paintings, and please make sure you read the note at the bottom of this list for final details.

-All mediums and measurements are listed below the painting.
-If you are interested in a painting, please e-mail me at info@koraysalih.com with the painting title in the subject line.

Title: “How I see it”
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 30”x10”

Price: $350 SOLD

Title: “Too Much”

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 30”x10” 

Price: $350

Title: “Love is…"

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Size: 20”x30” 

Price: $550 SOLD

Title: “Warning signs"

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Size: 24”x36”

Price: $700

Title:
Her: “Love me…”
Him: “I wish I knew how to.”

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Size: 8”x16”

Price: $200

Title: “ten thousand words”

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Size: 8”x16”

Price: $250 SOLD

Title: “when I grow up!” or "what may...or may never be"

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas

Size: 12”x36”

Price: $600

Title: "V for Vendetta...or Valentines..."

Size: 24" x 36"

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Price: $600 SOLD

Title: "Speaking with the Soul"

Size: 24" x 36"

Medium: Acrylics 

Price: $700

Title: "Just cause I'm wrong, doesn't make you right!"

Size: 11" x 14"

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Price: $400

Title: "You'll never know dear... how much I love you..." (Expressions Series)

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Size: 3' x 5'

Price: $1250

Title: "fury..." (Expressions Series)

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Size: 36"x12"

Price: $700

Title: “…” (Expressions Series)
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 3' x 2'
Price: $700

Notes regarding the paintings:
-All paintings must be purchased in person, and paid for with a certified cheque
-Prices are non-negotiable
-Image rights belong to Koray Salih