Monochrome Mongolia
I recently returned from a life-changing month in the remotes of Mongolia, where I was co-leading a photography workshop for OFFBEAT that saw us take two groups across the Gobi Desert before heading into the wilds of western Mongolia.
I last travelled to Mongolia back in the spring of 2019, and it was, in a word, incredible to be back in what I consider one of the most photogenic countries in the world. Sure, the natural landscape there is incredible…but what makes Mongolia, for me, is the culture. Outside of the capital of Ulaanbaatar the people are sparse, but the warmth and hospitality we encountered in each encounter was beyond.
I love wide open spaces (maybe that’s why I loved living in the Canadian Arctic so much), and this place…well, it’s where your soul sours. It's a place to get lost and find yourself again.
I have a number of colour images from this trip, but my focus was primarily the monochrome medium. Black and white speaks to me in ways I can’t explain. The running joke with our group during this trip was my constant refrain of “Hey, I think this would look really great in black and white….” (I think they’re making me a t-shirt with that as the slogan).
Interested in heading back to Mongolia with us in 2026? Join the OFFBEAT Mongolia Notification list here!
Monochrome Explorations in Ireland
I’ve started out this 2019 in Ireland, exploring this ancient and dream-like land with my family. Exploring family roots and just spending time together.
I’ve started working on a number of projects while I’m here but one of the themes I’ve taken to is a simple monochrome series of this place and our relationship to it. Here’s a little of my work-in-progress…
Dimitri
PORTRAIT SERIES: Dimitri Petkov - Ottawa, Ontario.
This was photographed as part of a portrait demo a year or two back.
Shooting Dimitri "badass" or "epic" seemed a little to easy....Dimitri is both of those things, naturally. I wanted to shoot something a little more vulnerable; something with a little more feeling. I learned over a couple days of being around Dimitri that he's a fascinated, multi-faceted guy. He's got a look that stops traffic, but he's a person, first and foremost.
100 Images From 2018
It’s the time of year when many photographers look back on the year that’s been and to a certain degree reflect on what they’ve done, where they’re going, what themes and storylines emerged in their work.
I, as throughout my whole career, spent my 365 days shooting a mixed bag of passion projects, travel, commercial, editorial, portrait, and wildlife work. I thought about presenting a small series of collections, each on the theme….but my theme, for better or worse, is “photography”, not genres within photography, so I’m just going to stay on point and present my mixed bag.
I have no clue if these are my “best”. They’re just images that I like, from across time, place, and subject. They are memories and feelings and experiences. They are me, and they are my year.
I hope something within resonates.
Dave
PS - a huge shout-out to two of my incredible sponsors, Sigma Canada and Strobepro Lighting. Every single one of these images was taken on a Sigma lens, and I can’t say enough about their line-up of lenses and what a great company they are. All of the portraits that used introduced lighting were all taken with Strobepro goodness - their products have transformed my work.
The Insomniac's Sunrise
This is not your typical sunrise image but it’s one of the sunrise images I’m most proud of.
First light, Antarctica peninsula earlier this year - probably about four in the morning. Everyone still and sleeping.
I couldn’t sleep and went and sit on a rock on the edge of the water and just sat, alone. And listened to life. Ice cracking, penguins sleeping. Gentle whisper of the wind. The occasional pod of seals would swim by.
Eventually, light made her appearance and kissed me good morning. This is the sunrise that gave me all the feels.