matt-kwok.com

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I would like to thank all of you guys for the support over the years. It’s been a great milestone for me and I sincerely wish the best for all of you for this new year and many years to come.

matt

Here I am, again.

“It’s been a long time since the last update” is how I usually start my blog entries.

There’s been quite a bit of changes for the past few months. The previous entry of reworking on the blog was left aside. Now here’s the real deal.

I’ve been working with Austin (a buddy of mine) and started a new local automotive blog. Instead of working with another group of friends, we decided that it would be best to run the blog ourselves because our goals and views for the blog are rather different.

http://otcmaterial.com

When we started OTC, things wasn’t quite what we expected. Our group of 4 people went down to 2, and neither of us had enough experience with blogging. So at first to me it seemed like I would just start off OTC, set up the basics and let Austin do the rest. OTC to me is not trying to become competitive with other local automotive bloggers. It’s not looking to become the most popular local blog. I want the blog to promote what the northwest automotive culture is like. It’s to get to know local enthusiasts alike. It’s to promote motorsports. It’s my way to help keep the sport alive.

Anyway, so after a few weeks OTC was running and I started working on my own stuff. When I am talking about my “own stuff”, I’m talking about my wedding photography. Previously I had shot quite a few weddings but had my priorities into automotive photography. It wasn’t until last year that I’ve decided to put more effort into shooting weddings. For many reasons I used to convince myself not to shoot weddings. It’s something that I always wanted to do but I guess it’s because everyone is doing it so my mind automatically tells me NOT jump on the bandwagon.

Long story short. I will be shooting less cars now. Any of the car related stuff would go on OTC instead. As for the wedding site, I’m currently working on it but I’m still missing a name. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! The website will be posted when it’s ready.

So what am I going to do with this blog? You ask. I think this might become my very own personal blog. You will hear more of my voice. May be more photography and personal related things.

This is most likely my longest post yet, and definitely won’t be the last one!

matt

September 21, 2012 Turn 2 track day

This was a hectic month. Been swarmed with work and more work. Not in anyway a complaint though. I’d still like to have an equal balance of work and fun rather than doing nothing at all.

This trip was planned right after the August 22nd trip. We figured that after the first track day at the Ridge we’d be able to run faster times this time around.

So here we are, after a good 4 hour drive from Vancouver, BC to Shelton, WA.

August 22nd, 2012 Turn 2 track day

Yes it’s been almost a month after the day but I wasn’t planning to upload these photos.

It was my first time tracking at the Ridge Motorsports Park. This track is awesome! Had so much fun and I’m going back again sometime this month. I was spending more time prepping the car and running off the track so I didn’t take a lot of photos that day haha.

Vossen Wheel shoot

I’ve been commissioned to shoot for Vossen Wheels again, this time a 4 door Infiniti G37 sedan. The owner was very excited to see this so instead of taking my time typing, I’m just going to upload it so he can see it haha. Thanks Manny for bringing out such a wicked ride and Anthony from Vossen wheels.

Turn2 open track day at Pacific Raceway

Went to Pacific Raceway in Kent 2 days ago and shot an open track day event for 2 of my friends. They’re both part of the APL motorsports crew. Both of the cars are at the extreme ends-597whp sti vs give or take 90-100whp miata. I also met a few guys there. There are a few Audi R8s, 911s, mustangs and vipers, but the one that caught my eye was a NSX with an amazing exhaust note. I also like the black BMW M3 E46 which is running a nice set of motons for suspension and RAC monolites wrapped in nt01s. It’s okay if you don’t understand one bit of what I just said because the pictures explain everything!

Arthur’s STI getting ready for track

Haven’t forgot about my blog yet!

It’s been quite a while since my last update. There’s a bit of changes for me lately and mostly it’s been my photography career. I’ve been shooting more engagement and weddings but I haven’t forgot about cars. It’s just a tad harder to make a living shooting cars in Vancouver. Over the last year, there’s a lot of planning involved regarding my career in Toronto and in the US. I am trying to find a balance to shoot full time but due to many other issues, leaving Vancouver is not exactly an option anymore. Weddings are one of my favorite things to shoot so I’m not missing out too much. Just different priorities :)

A picture of my “new” car. The place where I live in currently doesn’t allow me to work on my car anymore. It’s been a challenge trying to find the right place to work on it.

95 mazda miata

“The Winter Package” wallpaper series

Wallpapers as promised :) The “winter package” idea came up when I was looking for photos. Shot a lot of white cars in 2011 haha.

1920×1200. Enjoy!

Leaving to Hong Kong!

I’m going to be in Hong Kong till December 10th. Any questions or bookings for photoshoot can be requested via email matt-kwok@matt-kwok.com. I will not be replying any sms or text until I’m back.

I’m going to be at the WTCC races in Macau on the 20th! Let me know if any of you are heading there as well!

More Subby love

Before I continue any further, R.I.P. Steve Jobs. A great innovator and visionary. He will be remembered as the tech legend.

Okay now onto the happier things. Through out the summer, I’ve done a few shoots here and there, and this is one of them I would love to share. A track prepped STI with nothing short of amazing. It’s not the most powerful out there, and certainly not the lowest, but the car stands out by itself because of  how clean the car is with combination of unique parts. Not something we would normally see in Vancouver, B.C.

The setting of the shot was quite a coincidence. The weather was perfect, the time was plenty, and the subject was perfect. I know to most people, shooting a black car is hard, but for me, to make a white car stand out in photos are far more challenging than any other color.

Thanks Barry! It was real fun shooting the car! Canibeat feature right here!