UVic Torch Portrait

Thanks John Nsabimana for being such a great subject. His story is amazing. You can read it in the 2013 Autumn Issue here.

Backstroke, Mexico.

That's not the name of a town in Mexico. It is a relaxing activity for some on an early morning in Nuevo Vallarta though.

Mexico

We were in Mexico for two weeks...it was nice a warm...here's some stand up paddle boarders in Sayulita, Nayarit.

Industrial

I've had a busy summer, especially on industrial shoots with TBG. Here are some shots from a recent shoot.

Bob McTavish

It's been 10 years since I took this shot, pictured here in The Surfer's Journal. It was a beautiful morning at Spooky Point.
Makes me very keen to get back in the water.

Pacific Energy Portraits

Portraits for Pacific Energy Wood Stoves I shot last summer.

 

Young Welders

Grade 10 students on Salt Spring Island for BC Business.

Philippe Lucas

Shooting in the street with Philippe Lucas for BC Business Magazine.

Island Scallops

Island Scallops shoot for BC Business Magazine. This was an interesting shoot at the hatchery. Rob showed me around and was kind enough to get in the water for me. Thanks Rob.

Wade Davis

I photographed Wade Davis for BC Business Magazine. If you don't know, he is an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society, writer, photographer, filmmaker and more. He was a lot of fun to photograph. I think probably because he is curious and interested in other people...having studied, photographed, and written about cultures from around the world. He was enjoyable to be around and generous with his time. Great chatting with you Wade.

Habanero Consulting

I have shot many images for Habanero Consulting...and below are some new ones. Habanero took first place at the Globe and Mail Best Workplace in Canada Awards. It's also a fun place for me to shoot candid corporate images to help their brand. You can see more images on my site here.

Island Spirits Distillery

I photographed Pete Kimmerly and his partners about 5 years ago for BC Business Magazine, and was lucky enough to return to Island Spirits Distillery and shoot Pete again. If your on Hornby Island you can look them up and go for some tasting. It's worth the effort!

Jason @ Spooky Point

I have some great memories of shooting surfing in Australia. Here's an old one of Jason Blewitt at Spooky Point, Angourie, NSW.
I shot this from the rocks with an old Canon T90 and a 600mm manual lens...before I had auto focus. Not easy to pull into focus but nice results. I exposed for the front side of the wave letting the highlights blow out. I think it gives it a look of it's own. I don't remember what year this was but had to be early 2000's. Do you remember this Jas?

Portraits with 50mm f1.2

I love shooting portraits with a 50mm lens, usually wide open at f1.2 with the one I have. It's tough to get the focus spot on, but the results are cool.

Mexico Street Image

This image was taken in Mazatlan, Mexico. I love walking the streets there. This is a simple image showing the great architecture and streets. Of course there is great colour in Mexico but this image looked better in black and white.

World's Most Powerful Microscope

I photographed the world's most powerful electron microscope at UVic. Popular Mechanics has run my shot after clipping it out, adding some cool graphics, and creating an informative piece.

Saul Klein

Dr. Saul Klein, Dean at the Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria, for BC Business Magazine.

Rande Cook, Artist.

Portrait of Rande Cook, a Northwest Coast Artist. You can see his work here.

Creative Salmon

A food shoot for Taiji Brand Group and Creative Salmon.

Modern Country Furniture

Modern Country Furniture build beautiful furnture by hand in the Cowichan Valley.

smokewriter video

 I shot and edited this video for Kimberley. Information about her and the song, along with a link to buy her song on itunes is below. She really wanted an old film look to the video so I did my best to create the look she was after.

Smokewriter from nik west on Vimeo.


https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/smokewriter-single/id586851748?uo=4

SMOKEWRITER, written by Dawn (Kimberley Dawn Lysons), Produced By Jeff Martin. Performed by Dawn and Jeff Martin, also featuring Sheila Finke on hand percussion and Mick Easterman on drums. Video by Nik West: www.nikwest.com

Filmed in and around the haunted Stone Church or "Butter Church" over-looking Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island. Digging deep into her family history to represent the emotion behind this song, Dawn crossed paths with an incredible dance and drum group called the Quw'utsun Tzinquaw, or Cowichan Spirit Dancers. The power behind their presence and movement is undeniable. Dawn (who is also Canadian) and Jeff Martin both share a rich family history and cultural diversity. After the ancient angst subsides and all is said and done, they are now collaborating on music that is driven purely by the heart. Smokewriter, the heart is on Fire.