It is both, a blessing, and a curse, to feel everything so very deeply.
— DJ
The night before the supermoon
I know we’ll make it through this winter
When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
— Max Planck
Not a cloud in the sky, just smoke.
Moonrise Amidst an Aurora Called Steve
5 years ago, I met Steve. I stumbled into Steve after being drawn out from the city by a faint green glow in the night sky. As my eyes adjusted, I watched the moon rise from a hazy horizon, which gave it a blood red appearance. Then I noticed a thin strip of light stretching across the sky from east to west.
It gave me a strange feeling, like I was connected to something bigger. Sometimes I get that feeling when I’m at an airport, with travellers arriving from and departing to unknown locations. But, at a much larger scale, a cosmic scale. It’s as if that band of light was a path from the city to the west, directly up into space, into worlds unknown.
I tried finding anything that could explain what I had seen. It wasn’t until I heard about Steve earlier this year, that finally everything made sense, and I can now call it by its name.
I originally posted my experience here > Moonrise Amidst. While the photo captures the mood of the moment, which was my intention, it doesn’t show Steve very well. At the time, my 18-200mm kit lens was all I had to work with, and I hadn’t shot an aurora before. Exposures are 30 seconds. The orange glow is light pollution from the city’s lights. After this experience, I purchased a Tokina 11-16mm 2.8, which is my go-to lens for wide-angle night photography, and since then my aurora-shooting skills have dramatically improved. These photos are enhanced versions of the originals.
If you’re curious about the name, here’s the story.
Calgary, AB · July 9, 2012
Make Monté smile. Watch the latest episode on youtube. Subscibe, like, comment and follow @acedonquan on Instagram.
Catch up on all the Episodes here.
As an artist, I live for moments like these. When everything comes together so perfectly. A multi-hued alley served as the backdrop for this last minute photoshoot. I had seen pictures of it, but had not been there personally. I guess I was waiting for the right moment, for the right shoot.
Working with Maria is always a delight, but once I saw those bright glitter boots, I knew this would be spectacular. These photos don’t capture them justly. They’re sparkly, vibrant and exude energy. Boots fit for a unicorn. A perfect fit.
Maria paired ripped jeans with an Arctic Monkeys tee, and topped it off with a jellyfish jacket, which is just exquisite. Have a closer look here.
I’ve heard various opinions about this space, after all it’s just an alley, but somehow, it just works. Add Maria’s effortless street style, with a track from one of my favourite bands, and we have a lively video to celebrate this look as well.
If you see beauty in something, don’t wait for others to agree.
If you are strong enough, you will survive. That is the law of the jungle. This girl is poison.
The wind was insane. It damaged some buildings, ferry service was canceled, and a tree crushed a car in Surrey. Reminded me of the time when the windstorm caused this blackout a little over a year ago.
WOW! What an incredible performance… Gallant is someone to watch for.
Catching the last rays of summer with Ashley Jones & Bikini Bunny
Soak up the #sunshine, and #shoot a summery Sunday. #Photoshoot or #video #ootd #fashion #lookbook with #petite #style #blogger @mariapolansky - check out her blog looking-glass.ca #yvr #beach #summerlovin #djonstyle (at English Bay)
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson