thatsthespot.com Matt Barnes photography blog

Ronald McDonald House

Fri, 17 May 2013 06:06:22 -0400

Matt recently had the honour of working for Ronald McDonald House, out of Hamilton, in conjunction with Kevin from Cossette, for a campaign that understandably touched on the heartstrings. Be sure to follow the jump for more of this wonderfully moving series.

All Killer, A Little Filter

Wed, 15 May 2013 05:07:00 -0400

From the fledgling foodie’s gluttonous compositions to the callow coquette showing off in self-portraits for her mirror, it would seem that, thanks to the likes of apps like Instagram, everyone fancies themselves as a photographer - a fact not disputed by actual photographer Matt Barnes. Rather than take a haughty tone on the subject, Matt whole-heartedly approves of the current state of affairs, claiming influence (especially in terms of styling) from these would be shooters; gastronome and teenybopper alike. One would assume that while the playing field may be a little more level, those with both the ideas and the ability to execute them will continue to stand out, but as the subject is often brought up with Matt, we decided to have a little chat about it, all the while showing off a few of his favourite Instagram shots.

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The Passing Shot: What are your thoughts on Instagram and the role it plays in the life of a modern photographer?

Matt Barnes: I really enjoy Instagram - in fact, I think it has taken the place of Facebook as my favourite form of social media. As a photographer I often feel insecure about the photos that I take and crave the attention of people “liking” what I do, so if anything it plays the role of an ego boost. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m addicted to it, but I usually post at least one shot a day, and I spend a fair amount of time browsing other peoples photographs as well.

TPS: What, if anything, has it changed about your own work?

MB: I don’t know if it has had an influence on my work, but it has certainly rekindled my love for the snapshot, which being a commercial photographer kind of killed. I used to, especially on road trips, drive around looking for something cool to photograph, but when I stopped carrying a camera around with me all of the time I lost that ability and would just drive on. Now I always have a phone with me, which means I always have a camera, so I can pull over, explore and shoot to my heart’s content - more often than not I immediately upload my discoveries to Instagram. It’s nice to get back into something that I used to enjoy so much when I was simply photographing neat things for a laugh, not just for my career.

TPS: Do you think the instant gratification and the emphasis on quantity has had an impact on storytelling?

MB: Of course, but I don’t feel that most people over-analyze, or perhaps even analyze at all, what they post. Take last week for example; I was in Vegas and I posted a ton of shit - random snaps of our crew having a time - but I didn’t spare a thought for what I was shooting. It wasn’t as if I was putting together a scrapbook or a photo album of the trip, but I did end up telling a great deal of a story to the people who viewed it, never really stopping to think that a few thousand people were watching. When we look back I think Instagram will be remembered as a really powerful visual history book, documenting a time from a few years back, up until it’s simply not cool anymore. I liken it to the Polaroid - in twenty years or so people will look at the images shot on the iPhone 4s and 5s and they will look soft, noisy and generally shitty, but there will be a certain type attracted to that aesthetic and who will try to emulate that kind of look.

TPS: How do you decide what you show on Instragram? Would you ever release a creative exclusively on it?

MB: I guess I show a bit of everything. I feel like there are no rules on Instagram and, even as a professional, I won’t be judged quite as harshly for what I post on there. I tend to simply shoot what’s around me - old cars, cool buildings, nifty things I spot when biking, on-set snaps of jobs I’m working on - but as I went through to gather some images for this post I did start to see a theme developing. Regardless of if I’d do a real creative for Instagram or not, which is something I’m not quite sure about, I do seem to be accumulating a subconscious collection, or a sort of series on it.

TPS: Is it absolutely necessary for a photographer in 2013 to use social media?

MB: I work at a studio full of all sorts of photographers, of all ages, and some do the social media thing and some don’t. It doesn’t seem to bother them and they are as busy as everyone else - besides, when they do partake in it all it doesn’t really suit them. Personally, social media has been a big part of what I do for as long as it’s been around and a fair few of my early breaks came about from my participation in it - I shot Deadmau5 after connecting with him on MySpace, of all places. I am a terrible real-life networker - I’m a fairly shy guy, I hate crowds and I rarely go out, so sharing and schmoozing on the computer is comparatively easy.

Ride the jump for more Insta-Matt, and follow along with his ~~addiction~~ shenanigans right here.

Twisting The Wick

Tue, 07 May 2013 00:11:39 -0400

A rev-worthy showing from Canadian motor-mama Alyshia Ashlee, of Playboy & FHM Fame, who, while being gravely underdressed, should make a motorcycle maniac out of even the most enthusiastic Vespa votarist. Thanks to Jason Parker Race Cars for the gracious use of their shop!

Delivery - A Documentary

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 02:53:00 -0400

Matt has been privileged enough to work with director/producer/raconteur Mark Myers on several occasions (namely through Mark’s role at MuchMusic), so when he approached Matt about shooting the poster for his documentary film, Delivery, there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation. The film, to quote Mark, is “hovering between production and post-production,” and justifiably he’s turned to fundraising site Kickstarter for a little help finishing it off - he’s quite nearly there as well, with just over a thousand dollars left to dig up in the next three days. Have a peek at the work-in-progress that is the trailer, and hopefully you’ll feel philanthropic enough to throw some support his way!

Out Of Darkness

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:08:59 -0400

Matt’s second encounter with the lassie known as Lights was, ironic as it sounds, decidedly darker than the first time around. Older (slightly), wiser (surely) and blonder (conspicuously), the artist formerly known as Valerie Anne Poxleitner’s vivid vibe contrasted an otherwise aphotic affair, while her natural effervescence was highlighted through the help of stylist Sonia Torsan and MUA Robert Weir.

Thankfully Lights’ radiance wasn’t lost in the shadows of the shoot, but it certainly wasn’t helped by the inclusion of an animal associated with the dark arts - a bird of different feather - Ruby, a Eurasian Eagle Owl, appreciatively provided by Hands On Exotics. For more of Lights, Ruby and several sinister still-life shots, click through the jump, and be certain to pick up Lights’ acoustic version of her album Siberia, out on April 30th.

Jose Bautista

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:50:00 -0400

José Bautista, the Jays’ blue-ribbon bats-man, is no stranger to this space, having previously appeared on the Passing Shot in a spread for Sharp Magazine. His reappearance is equally as rakish, but his surroundings have shifted from the cold comforts of the Rogers Centre to the warmth of a Grapefruit League diamond in Florida - perhaps a background best befitting a man from Santo Domingo. All in the name of the venerable Harry Rosen…

We’re just the two-shot-spot today, but check back later in the week for the first-look at a new Matt Barnes creative, one which features a radiant Canadian songstress alongside a bevy of bestial beauties.

Al Kent

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:54:00 -0400

Man-about-town Matt Barnes stopped by Toronto’s Blk Box on Saturday evening for an impromptu shoot with Glaswegian disco dee-jay Al Kent, who was in town for a party with locals Cyclist and A Digital Needle. Mr. Kent, known for his rare finds and disco compilations, was making his North American debut and kicked off the Keeps Diggin’ series of parties at one of Toronto’s coolest new spots. The next disco jam at Blk Box is on June 1st, and is headlined by former Dr. Dre & Kanye sample digger Kon, but if you can’t wait that long to get your disco fix, drop into a Beam Me Up party at the Piston, any second Saturday of the month.

The Treasures

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 03:54:50 -0400

Matt’s affinity for trains has been well documented on this very blog (evidence), so when given the opportunity to combine said affinity with tangible, remunerative work, Matt was naturally, erm, all aboard.

Stepping out on the York-Durham Heritage Railway and taking style cues from our very own slice of Canadiana in Festival Express, Matt and euphonious ensemble the Treasures combined for what surely is a genuine photographic representation of their brand of soulful, down home and roots-tinged rock n roll. Thanks to Natalia Zurawska for her hair and makeup handicraft, as well as Chase Cohl for her support with styling. Ride the rails past the jump for all of the shots in the series, as well as a bit of moving imagery from behind the scenes.

Sabina Kelley

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:32:00 -0400

Not a second wasted with that bloke Matt Barnes, who was knocking about balmy Las Vegas scouting locations for a yet to be disclosed upcoming project, and decided to ring up (read - tweet) new age pinup star Sabina Kelley. Sabina was an ideal model for Matt, possessing the sort of retro styling with a modernistic approach that mirrors his own photography - the fit was nothing short of natural. Taking to what one could call a “shitty old motel” on the strip, Matt & Sabina, alongside her photogenic progeny (including son Kaiden, who is pictured above), went to work, and the results are a nice slice of glam, with the animal print outfit giving off the right amount of the bestial. Having previously modelled for the masterful David LaChapelle with the rest of his family, Kaiden was certainly not shy in front of the camera; he is a slightly studlier chip off the ol’ block!

Be sure to ride the jump for all the vivaciousness from Vegas…

A Quarrelling Quartet

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 01:56:00 -0500

Every now and then - blue moon timeline - a client comes along that is interested in really letting Matt wiggle his creative wand over a commercial gig. Some seem into his chutzpah early on, but more often than not a project falls back into a typical art director-client-photographer type relationship, which of course is perfectly fine - it’s how most work is done. It is certainly a great deal more fun to work the way east-coast agency Famous Folks go about it, which is clearly evident in how these photographs turned out.

Matt was approached by Famous Folks in connection to shooting the artwork for their Fight For Independence event and the general idea, a boxing theme, was the only real direction. This freedom allowed Matt to do his thing and he decided to incorporate his affinity for turn-of-the-century boxing cigarette cards into the creative. Casting was chiefly unconventional (Matt scoped out gyms) and his casting of Vicious Vic was especially peculiar - he was spotted while Matt was at Loblaws, and was convinced of the idea only after Matt had spent an unnerving time stalking the formidable fellow in amongst the canned goods, while he worked up the courage to ask.

Enlisting the help of artist and friend Shaun Downey, Matt had the backgrounds for the images painted, mimicking the look of the old cigarette cards. Matt sought period wardrobe himself, and enlisted both Jordana Maxwell and Crows Nest barber Jimmy to finish up the vintage touches, with makeup/moustache work and haircuts, respectively. Have a gander at a behind-the-scenes look into the process of artist Shaun Downey below.

Backstage At Titty City

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 04:22:00 -0500

A look behind the seedy scenes of a joint where sordid sirs can dream,

of acting out an obscene scheme, if sleazy act remains unseen,

with a powdered up carnal being, partly comprised of saline

performing deeds of lewd theme; she’s a fille de joie, a libertine!

The sort of girl society abhors, dubbed a trollop, minx or whore

A floozy accompanied by musical score

but debauched to one is to another a bore, or to her a callous chore,

for no girl can actually adore rigid strangers groping galore -

whether one is dashing or a snore.

Exploitation is a two way street, when dancers and their dupes do meet,

for observation from tush-to-teat and friction dealt upon one’s seat,

can be for both a sort of treat, be it monetary or to excrete

both rewards should be discrete; a taboo transaction is complete.

More unabashed lasciviousness follows the jump…

Shawn Desman

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 02:34:29 -0500

Here for your viewing pleasure is a retrospective that proves Matt is an equal opportunity photographer when it comes to exposing eye-candy - it is not just foxy females round these parts! Matt’s had the privilege of shooting the studly Shawn Desman on several occasions now, and these are but a few firm favourites - some old, some new.

Jump the break for more Desman, as well as a bonus video shot at Westside Studio, which features a few familiar faces.

Skyler's The Limit

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 04:26:00 -0500

A recent subscription to the jet-set lifestyle saw Matt stop off in the Miami heat, after leaving the equally sweltry surroundings of Cape Town, to pay a little visit to model Niki Skyler, for the purpose of a prurient photo session. The experience was a bit dine-and-dash, with Matt only in town for a spell, so I’ll express our sincerest apologies if Niki’s clothing should appear a tad ill-fitting, scant, or full of holes - I believe it worked out for the best.

Thanks to Judd Allison for use of his club house, which came complete with a ‘51 Chevy and various other man-treats - the remainder of which, alongside more nubile Niki, can be seen after the jump.

Bless The Rain

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 13:02:00 -0500

Having wrapped a week long job in Capetown, Matt and his allegiant assistant Papi took to exploring South Africa’s beauty on a rare-day off, and, naturally, he shot a creative to share with us. I’m not sure that still counts as a day off…

Having harmonized with producer Debbie Bacher throughout his commercial gig’s entirety, Matt asked the Capetown native about her help with putting together a creative befitting the surroundings, a request to which she happily obliged. She picked the duo up at dawn and they made the hour and a half journey to the west shore, namely to the charmingly-christened Cornellskop Farm, a premiere company that trains and provides animals for commercial work. As they navigated the journey west, the weather worsened, a turn which only went to heighten Matt’s anticipation - partly worried about the rain, the look of the stormy sky took the form of temptress, as aesthetically it is a look he favours, but torrid conditions could make shooting a torturous endeavour…

Matt must have packed his lucky rabbit’s foot, as he got the best of both worlds - an atmospheric backdrop with no rain. Having arrived at Cornellskop Farm, the team met with Jet, their cheetah specialist, and together they took to the hills to find a spot to shoot. The impending storm did nothing to put off either cheetah; Sarg, a twelve month old and Zulu, a sixteen month old, behaved beautifully - peaceful and friendly. They modelled as well, if not better, than any subject that Matt has photographed before, and were rewarded with tasty morsels of raw meat as the shoot dragged on. Matt’s morsel of meat, and ours, is the shot above, as well as an experience which he described as a highlight of his life.

Bless the jump for a bonus series of snap shots from South Africa, with more to follow in the days to come.

The Sheepdogs - Feeling Good

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:22:00 -0500

The music video for the Sheepdogs’ Feeling Good is a story of graft, as much as it is an exploitation homage and three & a half minutes of badass beauty. It’s the culmination of a lot of labour - labour prefacing the eight, sixteen-hour days that went into shooting this beast by several years. The real story starts when Matt, green, virginal & wafer-thin as a mint, was given a chance by Joel Carriere, owner/found of Bedlam Music Management and Dine Alone Records. Joel commissioned some band shots from Matt, materializing in their first project together for the band Moneen - shot out of a small studio in Toronto’s east end that doubled as Matt’s dwelling. As a result of these humble beginnings, Matt has been able to work with nearly all of Joel’s euphonious empire (a venerable who’s who of Canadian crooners and combos) leading up to the climactic point of this, a stop-motion short for the hairy pride of the Prairies.

The graft certainly didn’t stop with the start of this project, and will continue after it, but thanks to a tight-knit crew, as well as collaborator/Sheepdogs’ enthusiast Mike Rybinski of Spot Cinema, the toil and trouble were well worth it. You might even say that this undertaking has left those involved with a warm sense of sentiment - har, har.

The Passing Shot is just the spot to harbour the unofficial Director’s cut of the video, a version which may have been a bit sanguinary for the mainstream media. For more of an in-depth exploration into the making of the video, head over to Rolling Stone Magazine and enjoy some Director’s commentary alongside a few on-set snaps - but before you do, cannonade the jump for behind the scenes photos and video, as well as a full run down of what can be credited to whom.

Production Company: Matt Barnes Photography & Spot Cinema

Director: Matt Barnes & Spot Cinema

Executive Producer: Matt Barnes Photography

Director Of Photography: Spot Cinema

Art Direction: Matt Barnes

Second Cameraman: Mark Cannataro

Original Music: The Sheepdogs

Producer: Tara O’Malley

Editing: Spot Cinema

Assistant Editor: Joel Varickanickal

Special Effects Editor: Mark Cannataro

Sculpture Illustration (The Sheepdogs): Kira Shaimanova c/o Lunch Inc.

Stop Motion Animator: Tara O’Malley

Video Animation: Matt Barnes, Mike Rybinski, Tara O’Malley, Mark Cannataro, Kyle ‘Papi’ Topping, Lee Lindfield

Assistant To The Director: Kyle ‘Papi’ Topping

Set Design & Decoration: Lee Lindfield

Assistant Set Decoration: Kyle ‘Papi’ Topping, Patrick Moher, Megan Abele

Wardrobe Department: Kristi Holt, Kyle ‘Papi’ Topping, Tara O’Malley

Bomb Girls Season Two

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:42:41 -0500

Two-thousand & thirteen is off with a running start, as Matt aids and abets the aesthetics of the already appealing Bomb Girls, through this period-piece photo series, which commemorates the start of the show’s second season. If you’re out of the loop, stop worrying and learn to love the six-episode strong first season - the artwork for which Matt was also lucky enough to shoot. For an added treat, as watching Matt prattle on about himself is considered by many a calorie-free goody, visit the Bomb Girls page and click “go behind the scenes of the photo shoot” for a bit of insight from the man himself.

Bomb Girls is shown every Wednesday at 8pm, on Global Television, with the next episode (ep. 2) airing January 9th.

Sweetpea's Flower Shop

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:39:13 -0500

A very short (and very sweet) post of new work today, in the form of Matt’s commission by Sweetpea’s Sara Jameson for WedLuxe magazine. Not content with working merely alongside Matt (past collabs with the shop here, here & here), Sweetpea Sara brought his assistant Papi and lovely girlfriend Genevieve into their blossomy business for this efflorescent series, which appears in full as apart of WedLuxe’s Style File section of their Couture Chronicles blog.

Crows Nest Barbers

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 03:54:00 -0500

A murder of first-rate barbers…

Matt and I have both been trimmed and tapered by Jon Roth & the Crows over the last few years, so when it was decided that the natty nature of the gang needed to be preserved pictorially, who better to call upon than an enthusiast? Avid admirers of the Barnesian microcosm may recall this last round of shots, but with a bevy of new faces in the fold, an update was in order.

The Crows in question are a crew whose cuts are as easy on the eye as their mean mugs, a feat which makes for both an aesthetically-pleasing shop as well as a series of photographs. Blending an ol’ timey passion for simple, timeless cuts with modern and eclectic individual style, the Crows Nest barbers are a discerning lot, a fact which comes across clearly in Matt’s classic approach to their portraits. Razor past the jump for the series in its entirety, and book yourself in with one of these superb scissorsmiths!

Albert Watson

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 05:33:00 -0500

Photographing a fellow shooter can be a daunting task - a task made ever the more daunting when that shooter is a photographic idol…

On Friday, Matt was invited out by Vistek to a lecture that they were putting together for photographer Albert Watson. This in itself was an exciting event, as Albert’s work has long been admired by Matt, but it was to be made that much more exciting by Vistek’s Christopher Huchenski, who managed to meet Matt’s request for a post-lecture shoot with Albert. It wasn’t the first time that Matt was to meet an idol, as he’d previously spent a day in London with celebrity photographer John Stoddart, but it was the first time he’d been asked to photograph one…

After an extensive lecture (highlighted by a story where Albert recalled photographing both for Vogue in France & Vogue in NYC, followed by Frank Zappa in LA - in a single day) he was tired, but he still managed to give Matt a few tips on lighting while he sat for the photograph. What followed was a tremendous personal achievement and the final product was just as Matt set it out to be - a traditional and simple portrait. The experience harked back to an assignment Matt had back at Sheridan, about how one would approach photographing a favourite photographer - who knew it would be as easy as grabbing Jeff, Papi, and a Hassleblad!

Thanks to Vistek and Christopher Huchenski for hooking up a truly inspirational event, and to Albert Watson for such an engaging body of work, and putting up with Matt’s fandom - Matt’s favourite photographs by Albert appear below.

Fleetwood Floozy

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 03:49:19 -0400

A thrift store find, specifically a vintage leather skirt, inspired Matt’s latest creative, featuring model Stephanie Sandiland and nightlife impresario Mark Holland. When Matt stumbled across an ‘88 Cadillac Fleetwood limousine, the pieces of this creative puzzle were firmly in place. Credit to Jordana Maxwell, of Judy Inc, for her winsome work on hair and makeup. Ask your chauffeur to drive you past the jump, for the remainder of the leather-bound lechery.