The Crock-Pot

Holga, a.k.a The "Art Camera"

2011-09-21T21:57:00.001-04:00

A to B (some degree of difficulty)

2011-09-18T19:19:00.001-04:00

Tapette a mouches

2011-09-12T17:02:00.003-04:00

Recent sightings in and around Winnipeg

2011-09-06T16:26:00.012-04:00

Resurrected hot water bottles

2011-04-04T12:43:00.003-04:00

Still can't seem to kick the 'pink' habit.

Dorothy and Toto

2011-01-23T19:08:00.003-05:00

A Wizard of Oz tribute produced for Snap Magazine.

Winnipeg: Arson Capital of Canada.

2010-11-25T21:41:00.007-05:00

I've been holding onto these old postcards of prominent, Winnipeg government buildings for a few years. When I bought them at the Winnipeg bus depot for 10 cents a piece (3 for 25) I was told that they were 'collectors items'. The woman was hesitant to sell them to me fearing that I may not appreciate their value. Who wouldn't appreciate seeing the original MTS building (now the Clarion Hotel), The Manitoba Medical Building (vacant for many years) or the Manitoba Hydro Building circa 1964. Unfortunately, like many Winnipeggers I like to burn things.

Subconcious Pink

2010-09-18T19:58:00.005-04:00

....And a somewhat related skit from the mid 90s sketch comedy show, Mr Show. Too Funny! Follow Your Balloon.

2010-09-11T23:08:00.000-04:00

Malcolm baiting his hooks as he attempts to win the trout lake fishing derby.

Spanish Bowling Lanes

2010-09-05T18:56:00.002-04:00

On a recent road trip east to Winnipeg I stopped at the bowling alley in Spanish, Ontario. Although empty at the time, the owner informed me that during Friday night it's a happening place. Apparently, if you're 10 years old and live in Spanish this is the place to be. Thanks to the owner for the VIP access and delicious Cheese Smokey he cooked me.

Hey Hot Shot 'Contender'

2010-08-29T15:28:00.004-04:00

I'm very pleased to be featured on the Hey Hot Shot blog as a contender in the 2010 Hey Hot Shot competition. Thank you to Stacy Oborn for the very interesting write up. It's always nice to hear what people have to say about my work. Check out all the super work of other photographers featured on the Hey Hot Shot site.

Modern Living

2010-08-17T12:06:00.002-04:00

2010-08-14T11:30:00.002-04:00

All the comforts of modern living. Notice the antique,'analog' fly swatter. Not like all of these fancy digital ones that we've all grown to love. We've come very far.

Underneath #3

2010-08-11T19:23:00.003-04:00

I tried doing something similar this past spring in the old Outremont Train Yards behind the studio. Two issues stopped me: The ground is like cement and I had a visit from two police officers. Hands calmly placed on their gun holsters, they came up and inquired about what the hell of was up to. Apparently someone was concerned about my 'suspicious' behavior. I guess the sight of a man carrying out a large piece of plastic (it was to hold water) and digging a large hole was alarming.

Analog (fake wood)

2010-08-10T15:39:00.003-04:00

Some nice looking 'analog' objects. I find myself interested in tools and machines where there are strong physical connections between the operator and the tools. I also like the idea of the tool being directly in contact with the thing that it produces...like a typewriter key on a piece of paper or the dry cleaning press on a shirt. (van horne dry cleaner)There is something pleasing about that physical connection. Coincidentally, there is a lot of fake wood surrounding these objects; which I also enjoy.

Red Sweater

2010-08-08T13:54:00.004-04:00

A nicely pressed sweater at the Van Horne Dry cleaners.

Subconcious Pink

2010-08-07T16:44:00.002-04:00

Underneath #2

Cassette Tape

2010-08-06T11:20:00.002-04:00

Something different...From a few months ago.

Clear Water Lake

2010-07-30T12:29:00.003-04:00

It's like the Caribbean only the water is ice cold.

Clear Water Lake

2010-07-29T23:39:00.000-04:00

Terrace Bay Canadians

2010-07-29T11:51:00.004-04:00

Here's a mural that I came across on The Terrace Bay arena. Even in the middle of Northern Ontario, The Montreal Canadians are the team to support. Imagine they were wearing Maple Leaf jerseys...What a terrible photo that would have been.

The Royal Hotel

2010-07-27T20:25:00.002-04:00

Cleaning Service in Flin Flon Manitoba's Royal Hotel.

Into The Wild (and back)

2010-07-24T16:24:00.003-04:00

A couple of shots taken while a big ash cloud covered the sky. I've never experienced such surreal light.

Scottie and Scottie and Ben

2010-07-23T19:44:00.005-04:00

Some recent portraits done while treeplanting in the bush. Notice all the smoke and ash in the air caused by Manitoba's largest forest fire. Good times.

Contact Sheet Experiment

2010-05-20T20:04:00.003-04:00

When you have zero dollars, are too stubborn to 'get with the times' and shoot digital... and you want to see what your shots look like with out scanning the frames one by one, try making a contact sheet with your digital camera. Tape up your negs to a dirty window at sunset and snap away.

Dry Cleaner Van Horne

2010-05-20T20:00:00.007-04:00

I have no idea what the machines do but they don't look very inviting. Detail shots to follow.

NYC Sightings

2010-05-18T00:02:00.003-04:00

Nice 12 Point Buck

2010-05-02T23:19:00.002-04:00

red plad

2010-04-27T22:43:00.000-04:00

New Website

2010-04-17T12:04:00.005-04:00

Have a look.

Taber-Vernac(ular)

2010-04-09T21:58:00.003-04:00

The first thing visitors see when they exit the Winnipeg airport.

work in progress

2010-04-04T22:14:00.001-04:00

Memories, sweet sweet memories.

2010-03-31T22:52:00.001-04:00

South Beach Casino

2010-01-23T21:16:00.004-05:00

Highway 59 North of Winnipeg.
One summer afternoon I stopped to buy cigarettes at the convenient store. In a large back room a video lottery terminal tournament was taking place. It was packed... An upgrade has since been made in the town.

Ahh, Winter

2010-01-02T17:09:00.002-05:00

Pink

2009-12-21T09:20:00.000-05:00

Subconcious Pink

2009-11-30T22:02:00.006-05:00

For the past two months I have been working on a series of photographs based around the color pink. These are some of the results. It's nice to be able to dig these abstract/ambiguous ideas out of my head and show them to people. When ever I try to explain these pictures/ideas to inquisitive minds I always find myself sounding kind of vague, hazy and stoned. "Yeah man...I'm really into like...hot pink...these pictures with pink elements...odd, out of place pink. You know..."
It's really allowed me to veer off into a variety of different directions and do things that I don't normally do.
More to come soon.

2009-05-25T19:06:00.001-04:00

Of Interest

2009-05-19T20:13:00.002-04:00

Jerome

2009-05-07T20:14:00.006-04:00

A really super guy.

Snap Magazine

2009-04-22T18:48:00.006-04:00

This is Alex, Jane and Holly.
Alex is from Kazakhstan and sells tickets at the Cinema L'Amour on St. Laurent here in Montreal. Jane is a puppeteer. She also makes made to order Voodoo dolls of loved ones which she sells on Craig's List. She has wicked sense of humor. Holly, A.k.A Miss Sugar Puss is a burlesque performer. She was recently voted one of Montreal's most desirable women and her voice appeared on the animated series, Arthur. ( I can't remember which character)
They're photos can be seen in this edition of Snap Magazine.

Simon @ 24 Mount Royal

2009-04-10T13:00:00.004-04:00

Here's something I did with Simon at our previous local. Notice how dark and underexposed everything looks... It's called underexposed negatives. Even 'sharp shooters' such as myself make poor decisions when taking meter readings. The white thing protruding from Simon's head is is arm by the way.

Chantal

2009-04-01T23:25:00.002-04:00

A mountain of sheets

2009-03-29T20:15:00.004-04:00

"Any new projects on the go Nik?"
"Nah, not much. I photographed and awsome pile of sheets though."

The "Hub of the North"

2009-02-24T09:26:00.002-05:00

two heads

2009-02-17T22:11:00.002-05:00

Some results from a lighting test.

2009-01-14T23:58:00.001-05:00

From the vault...

Action! Action! Action!

2009-01-10T22:11:00.004-05:00

Catch all the action! Live! Live! Live!
Only on igavel.com!

I was reacently approached by Daniel Cooney Fine Art in New York to participate in an online auction of photographs from various "emerging" photographic talent. Feel free to follow the action at igavel.com Maybe make a bid or two.

A man with a big beard and a little dog standing in front of a fire truck

2009-01-04T21:46:00.006-05:00

Note the "visual rythme"...2 bonus points.

Flash Forward 2008

2009-01-04T07:43:00.006-05:00

If you're in Montreal in mid January, check out this year's edition of "Flash Forward" at Gallery Art Mur. This is the second year now that I have participated in The Magenta Foundation's annual book/exhibition showcasing the work of international photographers. There should be some very good work on display and if I remember correctly from last year's show, one hell of a cheese platter.

"Ohhhh, that's right. I forgot, you're an 'artist'"

2008-12-18T18:09:00.002-05:00

More to follow... For now, let us all appreciate the passage of time and happy accidents.

2008-11-30T14:56:00.004-05:00

One night while treeplanting this summer I set up a makeshift studio in the woods and photographed all the people I was living with. For some reason this is the only frame that was exposed. The lesson learned: do not do 'photo shoots' while enjoying Lucky Lager.

More thoughts....Al Capone's hide out

2008-11-25T23:49:00.004-05:00

Over the past few years I have developed a certain approach of taking pictures. It’s an approach that involves a lot of schlepping and setting up of lights and tripods. I feel that it has become somewhat of rigid and often a far too serious approach to creativity. Not to say that I do not enjoy this method of working. However, I feel that some of the spontaneity and simple enjoyment of taking pictures has been set aside. I have gotten caught up in producing these very staged, cinematic photographs
and have disregarded any work that veers away from this method. I feel that I have hemmed myself into this style of photography and am finding that I am hesitant to explore new ideas, themes and different approaches to working. I guess this is the crux and ultimate goal of this blog: to act as a catalyst for new explorations and provide an outlet for these new developments.

I’m a sucker for anything old and abandoned. There’s a town in Northern Manitoba called Sheridon. It is seriously off the beaten trail. Imagine a banjo playing as you drive in (just like in the movie Deliverance). It’s great! There’s also an old abandoned hotel that has been there for years. (The rumor has it that Al Capone hid out there during the years of prohibition…what more could you ask for.) It looks as though one day the owner decided to tell all the staff and guests to leave and he did the same. Everything was left as it was and it has remained there ever since. It’s quite the place. It’s also terrifying exploring it alone.

Colin and Alex

2008-11-22T16:23:00.006-05:00

I tend to sit on work for quite sometime, before I realize: "hey, this is kind of nice". These are from this past summer in Northern Manitoba. I guess I passed them by while I was preparing for my show. They didn't "fit" in with everything else that I wanted to exhibit.

2008-11-20T23:11:00.004-05:00

For 5 dollars I was able to stay at this "charming" little "bed and breakfast" as a waited to be picked up for another treeplanting stint. Snow Lake, Manitoba should be the new destination for anyone interested in vacationing or enjoying a second honey moon. Seriously, it's a pretty interesting little town.

2008-11-17T09:19:00.005-05:00

To celebrate this joyous occasion here’s some work from an ongoing series of wet, distraught and joyless looking people. I’ve started to do more work in the studio and these are some explorations into different lighting ideas. It’s nice to do this kind of work in a very controlled environment and then be able to extend the techniques to on location shoots. If anyone is interested in getting soaked and pretending to look miserable for half an hour, I highly recommend it as a very therapeutic experience.

This post is dedicated to Simon Duhamel and Maxyme Delisle... To the good times to come.

Nik gets a Blog

2008-11-17T09:14:00.000-05:00

I don’t have a “Myspace”, I’m not on Facebook (I haven’t even seen the interface) but I have decided that I need a blog. So after hours of crossed leg chin scratching, numerous lattes and telling Simon Duhamel “Oh yah, a blog sounds great…for sure”, a dozen times, here goes.

The purpose of this blog is simple. I want it to act as an open sketchbook of sorts. A place where new ideas can be developed and old ones revisited. I want it as a tool to keep me motivated, keep me thinking and keep me shooting. Mainly it’s a way to keep myself spry and on my creative toes… I'll leave it at that for now.