I was recently reminded of a great website that I used to visit regularly. The Selby is basically a blog that showcases photos of creative, artisitc and interesting people in their homes and studios. It's a great way to spend some time, get inspired and see some amazing photography. The best part about it is that it is so simple but at the same time there is so much to it. It's a great idea and Todd Selby is definitely reaping the rewards. It appeals to all kinds of people on many levels. You can check it out for the photos which are colorful, well composed and have a distinct editorial feel. You can check it out for the interior design because almost all of the places are pure eye candy. And you can check it out to see who's who and what's what.

After having revisited the site again a few times recently I started to realize that I have been influenced by this style subconsciously. One of the things I love about what I do is that I get to invade peoples homes and places of work to shoot their photo. This is one of my favourite types of shooting. Natural light+casual pose = good photo. Here's a couple photos of mine that stood out in my mind that are in the same style as The Selby:

2008



2010



So now that I got that off my chest and no one can accuse me of plagerizational activities, where is the line between an influence and a rip off?? And isn't imitation the biggest form of flattery?? I'm sure Todd Selby would not be too concerned with my photos being similar to "his style" of photos. He is shooting campaigns for Louis Vitton and Cole Haan now so I'm sure there's room for me out there too. But who has the final say about this one? Copying someone else's work is probably the biggest "No No" out there in photography but can someone really lay claim to a style?? Doesn't art just build upon itself and become a newer version of the past?...............anyone?

I was in California all last week working with DC on some image selection and ad campaign stuff. There wasn't really much time to shoot photos but I was lucky enough to get some very small but fun waves.  And then this morning I came across this surf/skate inspired little video from Animal Collective, a band I like to listen to when I'm working on photos or video projects.



I also came across this video from Broken Social Scene via the Timebomb newsletter (originally posted on Pitchfork). It's very politically charged and visually chaotic and matches the song really well. The riot footage from the recent G20 in my hometown of Toronto is really intense and matched with some random pop culture and funny clips. Definitely worth a look (even if you're not a fan of BSS).

I just finished a really fun shoot with "the boss" Devun Walsh and "Captain Ron" Karl Fuhre for IS Eyewear today in Deep Cove. Karl and IS Eyewear have been behind some very clever ad campaigns in the past and I'm stoked on how the shoot went today. It involved the Party Snake boat known as "the cobra", a "responsible amount of beer" as Karl put it and me being stranded on an abandoned dock swarming with angry Seagulls.............all in a days work.

Here's a post shoot snapshot........look for the IS Eyewear ad to drop soon, an article in the next KNOWMag and a making of video, a first for Colin Adair Photography!

This blog has now reached an all time low.........not only am I posting "teenbeat" type schlock but I'm also exploiting the fairer sex for my own personal gain.

There's a surfer out there named Alana Blanchard. Let's just say she's easy on the eyes. The problem is she can also surf really well. Really well. And I won't say she surfs well "for a girl" either. She rips plain and simple. She is part of the SB Surfboards team which is run by a guy named Steve Boysen who is a friend of my friend down in Southern California. I have one of these boards and it is really good. I'm about to order a new one and if you want an insane board for an amazing price you should call them up.

This video was originally produced by Transworld Surf and it's pretty cheesy but there is a funny moment at the end about a fat red head kid............."it funny cause he fat" - leave a comment and tell me where that quote came from and I'll be stoked to know someone is reading this shit.......

First time ever posting a video here on the blog! Exciting times indeed.

It's summer so things are slow in the snowboard photo world but the video teaser world is really heating up........

Here's the latest creation from the 8 Mile gang including many of the faces you've seen posted here.

I've been shooting a bunch of random stuff lately and spent last week up at the Camp of Champions in Whistler so I'll have some new work for you soon as well as stuff from upcoming shoots including: IS eyewear ad shoot with Devun Walsh (hope to shoot a video out of this as well), Mt. Hood, Tofino surf trip, Blank Cinema band shoot, and hopefully news about all my upcoming cover shots........and naked girls, always naked girls........

in the meantime, 3 minutes and 40 seconds you will never get back..............

Moose With Hat Teaser from 8MILELIFE on Vimeo.

Well it appears I have really reached the big time. I have been published on the biggest site in snowboarding, Helgasons.com. I could not be more honored by this great accomplishment.

Head on over and check out the photos posted from a trip I did with Halldor and Eiki Helgason in Utah this past winter. If you've never seen their site have a look around and you will be entertained and horrified all at the same time..............warning, this site is not for the faint of heart.

Football. Soccer. Whatever you call it, it's taking over right now and it's only gonna get better.........or worse depending on your point of view.

Argentina is looking good and I'm watching them now playing Greece. I spent some time in Argentina last summer on a DC Snowboards shoot and really enjoyed it. I definitely connected with their love of red wine and red meat. I'm not the most educated fan but I'll just make them my pick. Maradona at the helm.......

Here's a photo from the last world cup. I was in Toronto for part of it and that city was going crazy. The cultural melting pot had boiled over and spewed it's contents all over the streets.

Argentinian fans celebrating after a victory on St. Clair West Street, June 2006

 

Here is the second round of shots from my recent trip to Costa Rica. All of these photos were shot on the Nicoya Peninsula which is on the northern Pacific coast

Back in the saddle so to speak. It always takes a while to get caught up after a vacation and last week was a busy one. Plus I finally got my film back from the lab and now I have some photos to share from my Costa Rican adventure. This time of year down there is called the 'green season'. You can see for yourself why. We had quite a bit of rain while we were there. We kept hearing the phrases "it doesn't usually rain this much" or "this is unusual for this time of year". As such, I didn't get to shoot as much as I would have liked but it was still a blast.

I will do my best to be much more regular with posting now that I'm home.

I am officially on vacation until June 9th.

My computer battery melted and warped the heck out of my MacBook Pro from so much editing and processing lately and the SLR is also staying behind. Instead there will be the mechanical beauty of the Hasselblad 501 film camera and the trusty G9. There will likely be no posts until I get back. Unless of course I find reliable internet and have something so amazing to share that it just can't wait a week or two.....So yeah, see you when I get back........I have a lot of good shit planned for the summer and many posts on the back burner so keep checking back.

Until then..........a personal fav from about a year ago on a trip with an underground renegade group of drunken gypsy seamen known only as The Scallop Boys......to be continued.......