Author: codessocials

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Lights. Camera. Action. Behind the curtain of a photoshoot.

Details aren’t just details, they’re the key to the whole thing

– Virgil Abloh, Off-White –

I wanted to share my most recent experience I had at a photoshoot for Goat Track, a lifestyle x golf clothing brand based in Edmonton, Alberta. This was an opportunity for me to showcase the brand’s latest spring collection and bring their creative vision to life. Although the day had its challenges, we managed to overcome them and create some ideal content, for both social media and their online store.

Prepping for this photoshoot required a lot of setup. I began by searching out for 2 models who aligned with the brand’s core identity. And, that also had that evening free. Next, I chose a location that would complement the clothing collection. That place? A warehouse off Whitemud Drive. Doesn’t sound ideal, but the space I had to work in was perfect. Paired with studio lighting, a white backdrop, a couple models and some quality clothing to showcase.We were ready to cook! You couldn’t even tell we were in a warehouse, just behind Leon’s on 50th street.

On the evening of the photoshoot, I arrived early to set up the equipment and finalize the models’ looks. Everything was going smoothly. Everyone arrived on time, had all the pieces of clothing on hand (been known to forget a piece or three) and smiles were big and bright. We only had one minor issue.

I forgot to mention to the team to remove their shoes before stepping on the white paper backdrop. So, when our first model stepped into the frame for the first shot. The backdrop was instantly covered in soot and dirt. We are in a warehouse after all! That’s on me! But, despite the minor issue with the backdrop, we kept focused and worked together to get the job done. After 3 hours and 297 photos later, that was a wrap.

After the shoot was done, I headed back to my studio (also known as my house) and began to review all of the images and selecting the best ones for editing. In post-production, I use a couple basic techniques to enhance the images, including color correction and a little retouching. I tried to remove the dirt footprints from the floor. But, after reviewing with the team, we decided to keep it in. We felt it actually added to the photos, spoke more on the brand of what Goat Track is.

Real, raw and unfiltered (just a little edited).

The final images from the Goat Track photoshoot are a testament to the hard work and dedication from the entire team. I feel they showcase the essence of the brand and will hopefully capture the attention of their target audience.

The process of creating these images was a complete labor of love, and I’m so proud of the results. I invite you to visit the Goat Track instagram (@goat.track) to learn more about the latest collection.

Thank you for reading and I can’t wait to share my next photoshoot with you soon!

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From Ink and Paper to Virtual Reality:

How Digital Technology is Changing Storytelling

Storytelling has come a long way since the days of ink and paper. With the advancement of digital technology, we have seen an explosion of new ways to tell stories. From interactive websites to immersive virtual reality experiences, digital technology has opened up a world of possibilities for storytellers.

One of the biggest advantages of digital technology is the increased audience it can reach. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram provide a massive audience for stories to be shared and discovered. This increased exposure has created new opportunities for storytellers to connect with fans and build communities around their work.

Collaboration is another area where digital technology has had a significant impact. Online tools like Google Docs have made it easier than ever for writers, artists and other creative professionals to work together on projects from different locations. This has led to the emergence of new collaborative storytelling formats such as webcomics and podcasts

Digital technology has made storytelling more accessible than ever before. With the rise of ebooks and audiobooks, readers can now access stories from anywhere in the world with just a few clicks. This has opened up new opportunities for writers to reach audiences who might not have been able to access their work otherwise.

The impact of digital technology on storytelling has been enormous, providing new ways to tell stories, increasing audience reach, fostering collaboration and making storytelling more accessible to everyone. As technology continues to evolve, it’s exciting to think about what new storytelling possibilities lie ahead.

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No carts. All heart: Not all heroes wear capes.

“a significant impact on someones day and help create a sense of community and connection.”

We all know how awful grocery shopping can be, especially during busy times or when we’re short on time. The task of wandering around crowed aisles and searching for that specific item, can be both a daunting and exhausting experience.

However, within the hustle and bustle of the grocery store, there can often be an unexpected source of support and kindness: strangers. Whether it’s offering to help carry a heavy bag, sharing a friendly smile and nod or helping someone find a loaf of bread because they desperately are craving a sandwich. The kindness of strangers can make a big difference in the shopping experience.

For many people, these small acts of kindness can be a reminder of the good in people and can help to lift a persons mood. While these gestures may seem small, they can have a significant impact on someones day and help create a sense of community and connection.

So, the next time you are struggling with going grocery shopping, remember to look for the good in the people around you. If you have the opportunity, don’t hesitate to pay it forward by offering a helping hand or a kind word to a stranger. Together, we can make the awful task of grocery shopping a more pleasant and supportive experience for everyone.

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No Country For Old Men

“Somewhere you made a choice. All followed to this.”

Anton Chigurh, No Country For Old Men

It’s Christmas morning. Mariah Carey is playing over the speakers quietly. I slowly rise up from under the blankets and make my way downstairs to join my family around the tree. Little about myself; I love giving gifts, but am a horrible gift receiver. I think it’s because I have a tough time hiding my feelings. “Socks?! You shouldn’t have.”

My girlfriend at the time hands me a gift, beautifully wrapped in gold and red. I carefully tear all the paper off and in my hands I now hold a box. “Nature Valley Granola Bars? You shouldn’t have!”

“No, Cody. Inside the box..” I am politely told from a voice across the room.

Inside, there is no granola to be found. But there is a blu-ray disk.

Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country For Old Men was released in box offices November 2007 and features incredible cast members such as:

The story is set in the in 1980’s on the Texas – Mexico boarder. While out hunting for antelope, Llewelyn Moss stumbles across the aftermath of a drug exchange gone horribly wrong. After exploring the scene, he discovers a lump sum of cash (2.4 million dollars to be exact) and can’t resist taking the money. This could help solve a lot of problems in his life, but instead is the start of many more.

Unknowingly to Moss, the briefcase of cash contains a GPS tracking device. This is when our antelope hunter, becomes the hunted, and must escape the literal hands of death. Enter Anton Chigurh, now listed as #44 on Empire Magazines Top 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

“If the rule you followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule?”

Anton Chigurh
No Country For Old Men

Little spoken words. Music quietly played through out. Intense scenes of chaos. An ongoing battle between good vs evil. Well developed characters. I had no idea that Christmas morning I would be opening a box that would, not only become my favourite present, but also my favourite movie recommendation to others.

No Country for Old Men is almost considered, by me, a modern day Charlie Chaplin silent film. Almost completely removed of all music and spoken dialogue for much of the film, the strength of the film are the provided by the outstanding performances from the entire cast of actors. Josh Brolin as Llewelyn Moss, for example, often builds tension in scenes without saying a single word.

“One of the things you realize about gettin older is that not ever’body is goin to get older with you.”

Llwelyn Moss, No Country For Old Men

The Coen Brothers did an amazing job on this film. If you don’t believe me, take a look at this list of awards this movie has won since released in 2007. I highly recommend you sit down and watch this movie, not once, but a couple of times. I have seen it, I believe 5 times now, and each time I pick up on another small, but big detail, I missed the time before.