Esperanza Gomez Photography

Hot Hot Heat @ Holland Park - Feburary 17,2010

2010-02-21T19:53:00.000-08:00

I had the privilege of photographing Hot Hot Heat last Wednesday!

This was my first time having backstage access and a photo pass given to me by the artist.
Wednesday evening I gave the manager of Hot Hot Heat a ring, he had told me that unfortunately I would have no access into the photo pit to photograph. I was quite confused at first, i was told everything would be set up and ready, but i completely understood from where he was coming from, having to get it approved by the promoter etc etc, alot of hard work was needed to allow me to photograph. I shurgged it off and thought about attending the show anyways and watching for the audience. About 10 minutes after i had spoken to HHH's manager I got a phone call from him telling me he had pulled some strings and gotten me a backstage/photo pass. Quite excited I hurried into Surrey, to Holland Park. There it literally took me 20 minutes to find where i was suppose to go. Once i got to the proper gate, I met up with one of the organizers who showed me around and gave me my pass. She then took me into the band's dressing trailer.

There I met some pretty cool guys. Don't remember their names but they both were Videographers, which have been working along side Hot Hot Heat, creating their latest videos that they've had up on their youtube. They are part of a photographer/videographer group called The Futurists ( http://thefuturists.ca/ ) they have some pretty sick stuff check it out, if you have the time. It was quite weird, sitting in the dressing trailer. I Had always dreamed of being backstage see what went on before a show, what the band is up to. But honestly its nothing extra ordinary, i mean its cool being able to see what happens. But honestly its just the band chilling out having some drinks and food before a set, relaxing before they hit the stage. Between relaxing and watching the bands on stage, I was quickly introduced to Luke guitarist of Hot Hot Heat and Parker, bassist of hot hot heat. I Spoke briefly to Parker, hes quite the sweet, laid back dude. Not to mention super energetic and passionate about music, I'm saying that based on what i saw on stage that night.

After about an hour of just sitting the trailer, i went out and checked out Bend Sinster's final minutes on stage, they were decent, not my cup of tea but they were good. I felt so legit watching from the side of the stage in the VIP area. Weird. After their set i made my way to the photo pit where there were about 9 other photographers. Made it quite challenging to move around and get different angles. I Was pretty much confined to one or two angles of shooting. Not Fun. Also not to mention the lighting was horrid. The majority of the time i was photographing there was a stale blue light on their faces that did not help me out what so ever. I mean i made what i could out of what i had, and i believe i was quite successful despite the challenges. I was only allowed to photograph for the first 3 songs, so after i was asked to leave the pit i got some cool overall shots of the band planning with the crowd into the shot as well.

Hot Hot Heat played an incredible set, just as energetic as they were when i saw them 3 years prior. Quite astonishing! After their set was over i lost the band so i headed out of the venue. I had a fantastic time, it was an interesting way of seeing things. I loved seeing and feeling the vibe behind the scenes and i would love the opportunity to do it again, as well as having a chance to improve and gain experience dealing with bands. I realized i need to open up, and quit being so shy. In this industry i need to be a bit more outgoing,and talkative. That is something i really need to work on, the artistic part i have no problems with, its the socializing part.

To see more images click link below!

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendId=215236962

Links

2010-02-15T13:37:00.000-08:00

I just recently update the look of my website once again. I'm planning on purchasing a flash template for my website as soon as I can afford it. My goal is to get my website lookin' pretty ballin'. I got rid of my links page, that had links to my fellow peers, and their photography websites. This Post is dedicated to my peers and their photography. I'll post their website links up here as well as a small description of the type of photography they do. All these photographers are different and amazing and what they have specialized in check them out!

Modified Expressions (Photography By Nick Bradley)
Specializing in Beauty & Fashion. Very Clean and Beautiful Work.
http://modifiedexpressions.com/

Anathema Photography
Creates beautiful, sensual, and dark work. Stylistic and Conceptual.
http://www.anathemaphotography.com

Ashley Perry Photo
Fellow Music Photographer. Colorful and Dynamic Images.
http://www.ashleyperryphoto.com/

Natalia Mercado Photography
Commerical Photographer who will raise the bar in the commerical industry.
Precise lighting, conceptal, and techincally strong.
http://www.natamercado.com/

Olivia J Antonini Photographer
Absoutley incrediable experimental imaging. Photographs Fine Art and Commerical.
http://www.oliviajantonini.com/

Ready Set Imaging (Photography By Debbie Kishineff)
Dynamic and Captivating Industrial Images. Stylistic and Artstic touch to industrial.
http://www.readysetimaging.com/index2.php

Sundy Nagai Photography
Heartfelt, touching, and strong photojournalism.
http://www.sundynagai.com/

Thomas Arne Strand, Photographer
Precise, Techincal, and Conceptual commerical photographer.
http://www.thomasarnestrand.com/

NPL Photography
Amazing, Serene, beautiful excecuted fine art photography.
Best work i've seen in quite some time. Absoutely breathtaking.
http://www.nplphotography.com/

Kill Matilda Photoshoot

2010-02-05T14:03:00.001-08:00

I was looking for bands to volunteer to help me out. I needed to shoot a band for portfolio images, and I found the PERFECT band. Kill Matilda!
They were a hoot to shoot, they were open to anything and definitely were not shy in front of the camera. I also had a great makeup artist come on board to help out with the shoot. Very proffesional, clear communicator. Her name is Grace Schoorl ( http://www.modelmayhem.com/405930 ) I would recommend her to any photographer, actually I have already recommended her to fellow photographer Thomas Arne Strand ( http://www.thomasarnestrand.com/) he also assisted me for during this shoot. He did an amazing job, and helped me so much with the lighting. Lighting turned out exaclly how I had envisioned it in my head.
We shot two different sets. First set was backlit with a blue gel, which created long shadows that covered the foreground. We started off by shooting Dusty and Mar, the faces of Kill Matilda. We later brought in the two boys, Mykel and Marcus, to do some group shots in the same set up. WAS A BLAST! Got a variety of looks, and emotions, quite great! We later switched over to the individual head shot set up. There we had the band members backlit with some split lighting. I'll post two photos from the shoot up here.
The next week Thomas and I went to check out their show over at the fairview pub! it was fantastic what a great set! they sound amazing live, and Dusty's raw, classic rock vocals impressed the hell out of me, she rocks hard! Fantastic!!

I'm so happy with the results and i'm using three images from this shoot in my final portfolio. I can't wait to get this career started and start shooting more talented musicians! :D

Kill Matilda's Myspace ( http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/killmatilda )

Band Promo

2010-01-25T22:36:00.000-08:00

I shot a mock band recently for an applied commerical assignment, as well as for my portfolio.
Rounded up some of the finest for mock band and shoot. I want to thank Nick Bradley (http://www.modifiedexpressions.com/ ) , my brother Gabe, and my friends Jessica and Yuta, for particpating and helping out! You guys made a great band! haha.

I had a clear idea of what i wanted these images to look like. The whole purpose of the assignment was to pre visualize and plan your ideas ahead of time. I think i executed it quite well, and i am quite happy with it!

This was also a great time to shoot, because of course the subjects where all my friends and already felt comfortable with me, so i didn't have to gain rapport, we already had that connection. So we started off quite slow with the studio set up, which was fun! We did various expressions ranging from the horns and some tougne wagging to some more serious expressions. Once we were done that we took some shots up on the roof the the studio. We had to get all the equiptment and ourselves through a tiny window that was up high. It was probably half a meter by half a meter. TINY opening! Haha had some troubles getting through the damn thing, but i made it through! Up on the roof we played around with action shots having the guys jump around jessica freezing them, well almost freezing them mid air. We shot for a total of around 2 or 3 hours, had a fantastic time with bunch!

In a few days i'll post some images i took of the band Kill Matilda. We had a band promo shoot, which ended up going really well! That will be up some time next week actually, but for now i'll leave you with an image from the mock band shoot.

Compositing

2010-01-07T11:12:00.001-08:00

I had the opportunity to be instructed by Varidy Andrew (www.vairdyandrew.com ) at Vanarts. Shes an amazing retoucher, and really knows her photoshop. Kind of wish we could of had her early in the year, could of benefited so much from her knowledge.

We were assigned a compositing assignment, which i think turned out great. I shot the model in studio on a white background, and later shot the background. The background is a railway track down in Bradner in Abbotsford.

I worked on this image for around 6hrs. I added the birds, clouds, fog, as well as the model. I had a blast putting this together, and i'm deffintely going to incorprate this into my photography.

Bang! Bang! You're Dead! , Columbia and The Senticsphere @ The Bourbon December 4,2009

2009-12-05T21:24:00.000-08:00

When over to the bourbon last night and shot Bang! Bang! You're Dead, Columbia and The Senticsphere. Had a great time, ran into some troubles though. Mid way through B!B!YD! set i ran out of batteries for my flash! I usually don't use flash because i often feel like i would be blinding the musicians, but i was planning on using some of these shots for my Action Final assignment. I went in wanting to freeze the action yet drag my shutter to have some slight creative blurred streaks in the photographs! I think they worked out quite well, I used this technique only during B!B!YD!'s set, well until i ran out of batteries. For the rest of the night i used switched on and off using flash and not using flash. I had never been to the bourbon, but i loved it! It;s such a cool, fun, and rocking atmosphere, and most important they have AMAZING lighting! BAH THANK GOD!! Love them for that! I had a great time photographing all three bands and deff. enjoyed the music! Check them out, and come out to their shows, they won't let you down!

Equipment used: Nikon D700 , with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens & 50mm f/1.8 lens
Nikon SB900 Speedlight on TTL
Settings: ISO:800-2500 Aperture: f/1.8 -5.6 Shutter Speed: '3-125

Myspace Links:
Bang! Bang! You're Dead
Columbia
The Senticsphere

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE IMAGES HERE!

Website Updated!

2009-11-26T15:52:00.001-08:00

I updated my website! Check out the new galleries and pages! I'm going to be adding more new photos, and hopefully opening up my Promotional Shoot gallery! :D

http://www.esperanzagomezphotography.com

Exit 200 & Goodbye Beatdown - Nov 14 @ Vanilla Room

2009-11-17T18:26:00.001-08:00

First time photographing at a night club! it was pretty dang awesome, have a drink pre-shooting, it was a nice change :) Exit 200 were great to shoot, really nice guys, excellent musicians! I was having a hard time with my 24-120mm lens so switched over to my 50mm fixed which allowed me to open up alot more! this was still challenging because i was having the move around alot, probably pissing off the audience! All in all i think i got some pretty great shots of them, that i hope they enjoy!
I wasn't suppose to be shooting goodbye beatdown, but i love their energy and their drive! They were a joy to photograph as, well very fun catchy music! Check both Exit 200 and Goodbye Beatdown out, you will not be dissapointed! I have posted their myspace links below!

Equipment used: Nikon D700 , with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens & 50mm f/1.8 lens
Settings: ISO:1600-2000 Aperture: f/1.8 -5.6 Shutter Speed: 125

CLICK HERE to see the rest of the images

Marianas Trench W/Carly Rae Jepsen & The New Cities - Nov 9 - Vogue Theatre

2009-11-11T11:00:00.001-08:00

Recieved my first legit photo pass experience provided by Livenation. Big thanks to The New Cities mangement for giving me this opportunity!
Had a major challenge, there was no barricade at this show so I evidently could not photograph infront of the stage. I was told i could photograph from one of the side, on these steps that led to the stage, and this was only for the first 2 songs of each set. So i was limited to one angle, would have to be relying on the musicians coming closer or further away from me, and i could only get shots of few band members.
The lighting was fantastic though, had no issues with that, i'm quite happy with my results!
I had a great time photographing at this show, and this show made me apperiate canadian music much more! I realized we canadians have some talented and inspiring musicians, and im proud tp be canadian. enough talking and on to photos. ENJOY!

Equipment used: Nikon D700 , with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens
Settings: ISO:2500 Aperture: f/2.8 Shutter Speed: 125

Click Here to see the reset of the images from the show.

Fighting For Ithaca - Nov 8,2009 @ Pub 340

2009-11-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

Went to my first 19+ show! Really exciting shooting Fighting for Ithaca again, was a great time! There high energy shows inspire me to take stronger more captivating images! I love feeding off there energy its the greatest! Everytime i watch them, they improve there live show, the really are a bunch of talented guys! I can't wait to photograph and watch them again! They deffintely never let me down!

Had some challenges lighting wise, like always too dark, not enough light, and shitty dj lighting. It was a steady green light and the drummer, Keigan, was not lit. So i captured some images of him before the show started while the lights were still up.
Seriously everyone that read this, check them out! ( www.myspace.com/fightingforithaca )

Equiptment Used: Nikon D700 , with a 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens.
Aperture F/2.8, ISO:2000 Shutter Speeds: 125-250

For The Rest of The Photos CLICK HERE

Editioral Workshop- August 11,2009

2009-10-16T10:30:00.001-07:00

Had a workshop last Monday where we had to shoot each other as authors. It was alot harder than I thought it would be. Having to turn my friend, who is a joyful and is constantly laughing, into a serious and wise author. It’s all about posing. My instructor Alex, was literally on my back, er, standing looking over my shoulder as i was shooting and directing Ashley. Ugh, nerve racking much. This is what i came up with, i attached on of the photos that turned out quite well. One soft box was used, on the left side of her, to create some short lighting to narrow her face a bit. The softbox was probably a foot away from her face. (Alex believes in putting the softbox as close to the subject as you can.) It deffintely simplifys things, sometimes more than one light setup can get tricky. Having to deal with ratios and that. I’m quite happy with how this shot turned out, she looks like she’s been through alot in life, a young adult that has seen alot, and is wise. I’m rambling, but hopefully you guys enjoy the photograph.

Jen and Alli - July 20,2009

2009-10-16T10:27:00.001-07:00

I’m doing a photo story on my best friend Jen and her horse Allie, for photojournalism. I have to follow and photograph them for three months, and at the end hand in roughly around 8-12 photographs, that cover the story of Jen and Allie training and competeing. Yesterday I did a little photoshoot for Jen and her mom, they wanted a portrait for their wall, of Jen and Allie.

It was quite tought to photograph, because Allie like most horses are scared of bright colored objects, and Jen’s dress was white and poofy, so natural Allie was freaking out and could not stay still, she was scared shitless. So i literally had like 20 minutes to shoot. I wanted to go outside to get a better scenery and background but we couldn’t because Allie was already having a tough time, so we had to settle for the arena. I attempted to make it work and i think i was quite successful actually. I love the turn out of the photos, Nick (a class mate) pointed out that the background worked very well, because it was like a fairy tale in a different kind of world, with the dirtyness in the background and enivironment. I also noticed that well it did work well because she was in the arena where she rides Allie, so its really personable, and so her mom will remember the arena she trained in when she owned Allie. I attached one of the many photos i took, again im quite happy, and Jen loved them so that all that counts. :)

Equiptment used:

Nikon D700 , 24-120 f/3.5-5.6 lens.

Fighting For Ithaca - July 17,2009 @ The Rock Box

2009-10-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

On Friday night i had the chance to photograph for Fighting For Ithaca, i was also there to watch the show, and they deffitnely did not let me down. It was a great show, i enjoy watching FFI more and more everytime, going to have to say they are my new favorite local band. Everyone should check them out
http:www.myspace.com/fightingforithaca It was pretty tough to photograph because of the lighting, it was like dj lighting, which was not really lighting up their faces all that well. and also i used the lowest apperture i could go to was f/3.5, at like 6400 iso i think. if i would of had my 50mm i could go down to 1.8, but its a fixed so i wouldnt be able to zoom in and out. I did what i could with what i had, and i’m quite happy with what i came up with considering all the challenges. Hope you guys Enjoy! Tell me what you think everyone! I’ll attach the link at the end.

Equiptment Used : Nikon D700 , with a 24-120mm f3.5-5.6 Lens.http: //blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=215236962&blogId=501169991

Esperanza Gomez Photography

2009-10-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone moving my photography blog to blogger now. I'm going to move over my past posts over here. only had two anyways. haha

Hello everyone, this is a new blog site i made, i have another that more about my private life and thoughts ( http://worldsabrokenbone.blogspot.com/ ), but this blog, this blog is going to be ALL about my life as a student photographer, and my photography. I will attempt to remember everything i did to get the photograph i produced so hopefully i can remember haha. I guess i should tell you about myself:

My name is Esperanza Gomez, and I’m a Photography Student.I’m 18 going on 19. I recieved the Top Grade 12 Photography Award in high school. I’m currently attending Vanarts, I’m in the Digital Photography Program. I love the arts and fine arts. I love bright colors and orginality. I’d say im quite unique and original.

I’m mostly into portrait and concert photography, just capturing a persons personality through a photo is just amazing. I’m really interested in working for a music magazine, because i would be working with two areas of photography i love, portraits (whether it being photo essays, promotional photos, cover story photos) and concert photography. My dream is to work for a magazine like Rolling Stone Magazine.

Here are some links, so check them out. I;m in the process of creating a website, i will have a simple splash page up soon so check back later, but here are the links.

www.esperanzagomezphotography.com

www.myspace.com/esperanzagomezphotography

http://twitter.com/esperanzagomez