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“ ‘ She Bears Fruit’ is a statement about women owning their reproductive rights. With the many issues women still face surrounding their reproductive rights, I believe it’s important for artists to create works that start conversations that move us towards an equal and just world.”
IN THIS ISSUE 11
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13 PORCHTRAITS: IMAGES FROM ISOLATION 17
L IAM MACKENZIE BEAUTIFUL, MESSY, WILD, AND DYNAMIC By Ali Penko
22 L YLE XOX: ABOUT FACE By Paul Gessell
26 Q&A: XVXY PHOTO By Rita Godlevskis 30 YUCHO CHOW CHINATOWN THROUGH A WIDE LENS By Catherine Clement 39 FRESH FACES: THE FUTURE OF CANADIAN PORTRAITURE 49 READERS GALLERY Submissions by our readers
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EDITOR’S NOTE
FACE FORWARD Photo by Margaret Mulligan
PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS OF THE SELF AND OTHERS ARE PERPETUALLY INTERESTING,
“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.” — Edward Steichen
but now, more than ever, faces unguarded by masks may be a particularly welcome sight. Images of full faces and the stories from intimate portrait sessions have always been a staple of photographic storytelling. Given the year we’ve had, we may now be cherishing these images and experiences with a deeper intensity. Whilst the COVID global pandemic paused most things, the creative community found ways to work around boundaries. Photographers across Canada continued shooting, either in the form of selfportraiture, such as the beautiful, messy, wild, and dynamic images of Liam Mackenzie, or from a distance as the #PORCHtraits trend took off, documenting people and families isolating at home. In this issue, we are thrilled to share stories of resilience, connection, and community from diverse photographers who dive face-first into portraiture. Our “Fresh Faces” feature shares work by recent photo school students from
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across the country. They are the “ones to watch” going forward. Looking into our past, we’re excited to have discovered the story of Yucho Chow, the man behind countless family photos between 1906 and 1949. Now, a very special project spearheaded by Catherine Clement is helping to fill in gaps in Canadian history. Somewhat unbelievably, our next issue will be our sixtieth printed edition! Yes, it’s been over 20 years since photoED was founded. Our next edition will take a fresh look at black and white photography. If you’ve got a project that takes black and white image-making to a new level, drop us a line! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and sign up for our e-newsletter to keep up!
Your Editor, Rita Godlevskis rita@photoed.ca
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FALL 2020 ISSUE #59 ISSN 1708-282X
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
Rita Godlevskis /rita@photoed.ca
Ruth Alves Catherine Clement Paul Gessell Ali Penko ART DIRECTOR
PhotoED Magazine is published 3x/year, SPRING, FALL, & WINTER See www.photoed.ca for subscription and advertising information. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40634032 PhotoED Magazine 2100 Bloor St. West, Suite 6218 Toronto ON M6S 5A5 This issue was made possible with the assistance of the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Canada.
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Our recommendations for more portrait project inspiration PORTRAITS: CANADIAN WOMEN IN FOCUS
#BREATHEBEAUTY PEOPLE REACT TO BEING CALLED BEAUTIFUL
by Barbara Woodley Prices vary - new and used copies can be found In the spring of 1989, Barbara Woodley began documenting some of Canada’s most inspirational women. She travelled across Canada several times over three years to meet some of the most remarkable women of this country, women who have achieved success in a wide range of endeavours — from sports to politics, from business to the arts, from law to humanitarian works. This book features 66 stunning portraits, including the notorious “bare shoulders” image of Kim Campbell.
FREE on YouTube SHEA was a student at the Chicago High School for the Arts in 2015. Her YouTube channel now boasts 98K+ subscribers. We thought her Integrated Arts class project video, turned social experiment, was worth mentioning, and worth five minutes of your time. bit.ly/2x3Vz1N
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RANDOM IS MY FAVOURITE COLOUR FREE on CBC Gem Random Is My Favourite Colour is a feature film showcasing the internationally renowned artist Lyle XOX. Growing up as Lyle Reimer in a small prairie town in Saskatchewan, his work now spans the globe. Lyle XOX is now at the forefront of a new medium that fuses recycled objects with high-end art, to worldwide acclaim. gem.cbc.ca
UNDERSTANDING PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY HOW TO SHOOT GREAT PICTURES OF PEOPLE by Bryan Peterson $17 digital + $36 print Bryan Peterson explains how to use lighting, setting, and exposure to reveal the wonder and joy of everyday moments. This updated edition includes new sections on capturing the perfect selfie, how to photograph in foreign territory while being sensitive to cultures and customs, how to master portraiture on an iPhone, and the role of Photoshop in portraiture. chapters.indigo.ca
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Let’s put things into perspective During uncertain times, there’s nothing like photography to focus your attention and keep you grounded. Whether you shoot for a living or do it as a sideline, your ability to cut through the clutter and see things as they are truly sets you apart. In your quest for perfection, you know where to turn when you need some direction or just want a new piece of gear to help you up your game. This year, we’ve all been challenged in ways we never expected and, as always, Vistek has been there to help you realize your creative vision. Ready for a new camera or lens? We carry the latest models from all your favourite brands. Looking for studio equipment or peripherals like a
state-of-the-art printer? We’ve got a selection you won’t find anywhere else. Considering giving videography a try? Vistek not only stocks the best gear available, we also have knowledgeable staff who are just as passionate about this and eager to help you make the right choice. Something else to consider: Vistek Rentals – the perfect solution to meeting your short-term goals and an opportunity to spend time with coveted equipment without committing to purchasing it upfront. We’ve covered all the angles, so that you can, too.
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SOCIALLY DISTANT
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Across Canada and around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic stopped us all in our tracks. Photographers who thrive when working with people were faced with an unprecedented situation.
C
reating documents of family life and using photography to foster connections and community is not an unusual part of the job. Social distancing and home isolation became a barrier, but working within confines often breeds the highest levels of creativity. In the season of quarantine, lockdowns, and “Stay Home, Be Safe,” photographers persevered to find a solution. In spring 2020, a trend emerged. #Porchtraits (porch portraits), #DoorTraits, and #WindowPortraits became a way for photographers to maintain social distance and document families during this extraordinary time in history. Understandably, the photo trend faced contention from some health officials and professional organizations; but, ultimately, and quite clearly, the photographers and participants have created documents of our time, intending to unify and uplift. We asked three photographers from across Canada about their experiences.
N8 IMAGES Victoria, BC
Nathan Smith is a self-taught portrait photographer. Growing up in Jamaica, he enjoyed a tropical life: weekends at the beach in his childhood, dirt-biking in the hills as a teen, and crewing on a sailboat as a young adult, learning life lessons from the captain and working as part of a crew. Shortly after moving to Canada in 2014, he picked up a camera for the first time and discovered a deep love for photography. One project
Nathan is especially passionate about sharing is his ongoing series Profiling Black Excellence, where he documents the stories behind instances of racism or racial profiling faced by people of colour in Victoria and Vancouver. What made you decide to start this project?
I always strive to use my photography to empower my subjects and benefit community. When lockdowns began, I was worried that I didn’t have anything to offer my community.
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“Animated,” from the Familiar Faces series, 2019.
: M A E LI KENZI C A M
BEAUTIFUL, MESSY, WILD, AND DYNAMIC BY ALI PENKO
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Focus on your future. PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY DIPLOMA Prepare for your career as a professional photographer with a diploma at Langara. Apply now for fall 2021. langara.ca/photo langaraphoto
“SOFIA” BY AUTUMN PHAM LANGARA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY DIPLOMA GRADUATE, 2020
FRESH FACES
THESE EMERGING TALENTS MAY BE GREEN, BUT THEY ARE DEFINITELY ONES TO WATCH. We asked five recent photo school students from across Canada for their reflections on becoming the next generation of Canadian portrait photographers. photo ED 39
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ALEXANDRE MAVRELLIS OKTAN Toronto, ON FRACTAL PORTRAITS “ I wanted to create portraits that go beyond traditional portraiture. I have created images to be viewed up close, and from a distance, creating different viewing experiences. Each image is composed of one person in various positions or with their facial features.” @alexandre_mavrellis_oktan