New Toronto Street Shots, Joey Lawrence

[Joey Lawrence]

Thought I'd share some of my newest works from my last photo-visit to Toronto.

This is my favourite picture from the day. The girls name is Bell and they live homeless. She didn't have any pants so covered herself with that skirt for the picture.

http://joeyl.com/image/girlsmokeandboycombinededit.jpg

http://images.dpchallenge.com/images_portfolio/25397/orig/351249.jpg

I was taking pictures of a sidewalk artist called 'CHALKMASTER' when this homeless man walked up looking mad. He wondered why I was giving so much attention to the chalkartist and not him, so I told him I'd take his picture too... The guy lightened up right away and hugged his dog for the picture.

http://joeyl.com/image/mananddogresized.jpg

And here is 'Chalkmaster.' This is a chalk artist who does his work, usually movie posters, around downtown Toronto on the sidewalks.

http://joeyl.com/image/chalkmasterres.jpg


You can find this man in Toronto playing his melodic tunes on the main streets of Toronto. He sells his own CDs, my friend bought one. Very nice guy.

http://joeyl.com/image/guitar2resized.jpg

http://joeyl.com/image/guitarres.jpg





http://joeyl.com/image/priestbwresized.jpg

[Joey Lawrence]

This church was open to the public but a mass was going on. We couldn't go inside while this was happening to take pictures of course, so I asked this priest if it was okay if I took his picture in the lobby.

http://images.dpchallenge.com/images_portfolio/25397/orig/351245.jpg


There was a little peace march going on against gang violence.

http://images.dpchallenge.com/images_portfolio/25397/orig/354997.jpg

http://images.dpchallenge.com/images_portfolio/25397/orig/355282.jpg

After that I noticed some music coming from the Much Music headquarters and some bands were practising before the MMVA's. I love the band Metric, here are some photos of the singer.

http://joeyl.com/image/metric.jpg

http://joeyl.com/image/metric2.jpg


Thank you, I have more on my website http://www.joeyl.com

[tankgirl]

Brilliant man!! Great job. I'm blown away.

[Derek_Sine]

looking real good! what do you shoot with?



Thanks.
Derek

[matt s.]

awesome pics!!!

you didnt happen to snap any of chalkmasters work?? that little le bit i could see looked amazing.

[Barry_Green]

You could get hired right now shooting photos for Time magazine... great job Joey!

[Alex DePew]

Simply amazing. Your work is great and will get noticed. Have you applied for any photo journalist work? You definitely have the eye and the talent. Seriously.

[MattinSTL]

All very very good shots... excellent composition and subject.

I would be curious to hear more about shots like the first two... how do you approach these people? Also... since I didn't see it elsewhere I'm also curious what cam you use?

I wonder what the chalkmaster lements more... footsteps or rain?

[mikecentola]

great pics. love the composition, and artistic flair.

[Alex DePew]

All very very good shots... excellent composition and subject.

I would be curious to hear more about shots like the first two... how do you approach these people? Also... since I didn't see it elsewhere I'm also curious what cam you use?

I wonder what the chalkmaster lements more... footsteps or rain?

Gotta be the rain I would think. Would you walk over that? I know I wouldn't unless it covered the sidewalk. And he knows that his work is going to be stepped on, he puts it on the sidewalk!

[Joey Lawrence]

looking real good! what do you shoot with?



Thanks.
Derek

I still don't have an SLR. I use a 5 megapixel Minolta Dimage 7hi. I hope to upgrade to something like a 20D when I get a little extra money.

awesome pics!!!

you didnt happen to snap any of chalkmasters work?? that little le bit i could see looked amazing.

I think I have something here and there, I was more interested in his face. He is working on a remake of the new Superman poster there.

Simply amazing. Your work is great and will get noticed. Have you applied for any photo journalist work? You definitely have the eye and the talent. Seriously.

I've thought about it and it does interest me. There is nothing around my town that is inticing enough for me, which is why I travel to Toronto. As soon as I get out of highschool and move away then the real fun can start.

All very very good shots... excellent composition and subject.

I would be curious to hear more about shots like the first two... how do you approach these people? Also... since I didn't see it elsewhere I'm also curious what cam you use?

I wonder what the chalkmaster lements more... footsteps or rain?

I am a very open person and very confident when I approach these people. I explain everything such as why I want to take their picture and what it will be used for. You'd be surprised at how cool street people are about this. I sat down with them for about 15 minutes and chatted, hearing their stories and snapping pictures. I am not only in it for the picture, I am really interested in that way of life.

Here is a picture of me my friend took of me with them, hope this gives you a better understanding.

http://images.dpchallenge.com/images_portfolio/6388/orig/351053.jpg

[Blaine]

That shot of the priest is a work of art (not that the others aren't:) ). A whole story could be built around it. :thumbsup:

[Cryogenic Filmworks]

Again. Totaly awesome. A true artist. :thumbsup: (and yea, I still need to order your DVD, just a procrastinator).

[oneinfiniteloop]

That shot of the priest is a work of art (not that the others aren't:) ). A whole story could be built around it. :thumbsup:

I agree, I love the shot of the priest, his facial expression has endless levels of depth!

Good job! I'm taking the camera out this weekend because of this thread.

[egproductions]

I enjoy your pictures and obviously your photoshopping is "grade A" I am just curious about your first two pics. More about your choice to photoshop it in the artistically rough manner. I don't particularly like the choice because it makes the viewer equate this figure with that rough effect you gave to it and I'm not sure if your giving enough credit to the figure. I think the most amazing picture i have seen from you was the homeless man (or begger) in the other thread of yours and i think one of the reasons it was so good was because of how clean it was which makes people see that figure in a different light and really show the beauty that someone can have even when it might not be so apparent. just my two cents...

[Rick Meyer]

Man, you've got MY vote for another DVD. As Barry said, you could work for TIME magazine today....that is no small praise from a man who has been classified as THE DVX guru.

Please keep your threads and new pics coming. They are inspiring and moreso, real treats to look at.

Rick

[MattinSTL]

I gotta' disagree on the homeless guy versus this homeless girl... I think the grunge works in this case... perfectly. Frankly I didn't even realize it was a girl until you said so... and this girl is living by her own rules with poor results. She is still clinging to the air of rebellion and self-identity as if she has an admirable presence... even the shirt, "uncensored"... she doesn't like society and doesn't mind showing that attitude. The grungy burn 'n dodge is absolutely fitting.

I didn't see the other homeless man as "clean"... I saw his face as animated. As if that were a perception that we all have of people in this situation... as if they aren't real... and I would guess that from that man's perspective... well I'd guess that reality isn't something that he has come to grips with either... so the animated (litterally in a cartoon sense) appearance of his face totally sells the picture for me. It gives the shot a far greater statement on life then some of the other techniques would.

My .02

[Joey Lawrence]

I enjoy your pictures and obviously your photoshopping is "grade A" I am just curious about your first two pics. More about your choice to photoshop it in the artistically rough manner. I don't particularly like the choice because it makes the viewer equate this figure with that rough effect you gave to it and I'm not sure if your giving enough credit to the figure. I think the most amazing picture i have seen from you was the homeless man (or begger) in the other thread of yours and i think one of the reasons it was so good was because of how clean it was which makes people see that figure in a different light and really show the beauty that someone can have even when it might not be so apparent. just my two cents...

I gotta' disagree on the homeless guy versus this homeless girl... I think the grunge works in this case... perfectly. Frankly I didn't even realize it was a girl until you said so... and this girl is living by her own rules with poor results. She is still clinging to the air of rebellion and self-identity as if she has an admirable presence... even the shirt, "uncensored"... she doesn't like society and doesn't mind showing that attitude. The grungy burn 'n dodge is absolutely fitting.

I didn't see the other homeless man as "clean"... I saw his face as animated. As if that were a perception that we all have of people in this situation... as if they aren't real... and I would guess that from that man's perspective... well I'd guess that reality isn't something that he has come to grips with either... so the animated (litterally in a cartoon sense) appearance of his face totally sells the picture for me. It gives the shot a far greater statement on life then some of the other techniques would.

My .02

My artwork is meant to be taken in all perceptions. For me art is not just about who created it and his or her intentions, I feel the viewer has just as much a role because they link it to their feelings and experiences.

I am glad both view points are here.

Thanks to everyone for enjoying what I do, I'll be sure to continue to post each time I have a series of shots from an outing.

[chris grieder]

wow. i seriously cant get over the fact your 16 and have probably the best photos i have ever seen. so amazing