Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: bcooter on February 18, 2013, 03:09:08 am

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on February 18, 2013, 03:09:08 am
Since we're speaking small flash, shot with Quantum a month ago for a lifestyle health/fitness brand.

(http://spotsinthebox.com/malibu_sandles.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: inthesouthofireland on February 18, 2013, 03:41:01 am
Hi Scott, it's a 45-85 3.5 Pentax 645 lens with adapter. I just bought a Nikon 60 macro G which is fabulous, but was too large for this set.
Bima is a south american store, similar to Ikea. I work with my assistance, visual and production comes from the store. We have an hour for each shot and most of the time works fantastic.
Of course not all set are as nice as this one.
ACH
Looking at the depth of field in the image - did you use focus stacking?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on February 18, 2013, 05:04:45 am
Since we're speaking small flash, shot with Quantum a month ago for a lifestyle health/fitness brand.

(http://spotsinthebox.com/malibu_sandles.jpg)

BC




BC - you are blessed. Nothing more to add.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 18, 2013, 07:25:23 am
Jim, thanks for the tip. Indeed we had space to shot, that's not the usual in interior photography I know.
Inthesouthofireland, I didn't use focus stacking for this one. At f/11 you get quite acceptable focus. Few time I use focus stacking in architectural or interiors. When doing jewellery and watches I use it all the time..
Thanks for the comments. ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 18, 2013, 03:22:49 pm
Ezra Stoller: Beyond Architecture

http://www.archdaily.com/333251/ezra-stoller-beyond-architecture/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter (http://www.archdaily.com/333251/ezra-stoller-beyond-architecture/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)

Ezra Stoller Exhibition

http://www.yossimilo.com/exhibitions/2013_01-ezra_stoller/ (http://www.yossimilo.com/exhibitions/2013_01-ezra_stoller/)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 18, 2013, 04:02:45 pm
Not a huge shoot or high end design, but I think this sunroom came out nice.  Used two strobes, one bounced off of the wall behind the camera, the other was a ceiling bounce.  Also, some clouds that day.  Waited for the sun to go behind one and grabbed the shot just as the sun was coming out, getting a little less intensity than full sun. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ChristopherBarrett on February 19, 2013, 10:28:23 pm
New interiors project were shooting this week for one of my Chicago clients.  Straight outta camera, about a dozen lights...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/130202_GLP_Mart45110.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on February 19, 2013, 11:35:19 pm
Wow, Just saw this, great photograph!

Hello,

From the other day

Nikon D800E, Nikon 70-200 F2.8G and Nikon SB900/Pocket Wizard lights.

Ciao

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on February 19, 2013, 11:36:08 pm
Love this photograph! Outstanding!

Since we're speaking small flash, shot with Quantum a month ago for a lifestyle health/fitness brand.

(http://spotsinthebox.com/malibu_sandles.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on February 20, 2013, 12:03:33 am
Nice Chris!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 20, 2013, 03:41:52 pm
Hi Ian,

Glad you like the shot.

Here another one from the series.

These shots where used for a campaign for Kellogg's Nutrigrain.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ed Foster, Jr. on February 20, 2013, 04:49:23 pm
Very nice, Simon. Good stopping power on the water. What strobes did you use?

Ed
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeffery Salter on February 20, 2013, 06:37:24 pm
Nice shoot!  Black on black is always tough.  I like the concept too.

J
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 21, 2013, 01:19:59 am
Hi Ed,

I used Nikon SB900 flash units attached to Pocket Wizard Flex TT5 receivers and then mounted on a Bowens adapter so I can use my Bowens modifiers.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: K.C. on February 21, 2013, 02:10:38 am
Outstanding images, as usual.

I used Nikon SB900 flash units attached to Pocket Wizard Flex TT5 receivers and then mounted on a Bowens adapter so I can use my Bowens modifiers.

Which now makes sense. When you posted the first image and mentioned you used the SB900s it wasn't clear why.




Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on February 21, 2013, 04:35:00 am
Thanks Rob and Ian,

This is the same model about 30 minutes later.

(http://spotsinthebox.com/bk_denim_1.jpg)

And since it's wet Wednesday this is a series I shot a couple of years ago for an energy drink campaign and packaging, re-licensed last week.

All with a P30+ and Profoto monoheads.

(http://spotsinthebox.com/rb_wet_blk_1.jpg)

(http://spotsinthebox.com/rb_wet_blk_2.jpg)

(http://spotsinthebox.com/rb_swing_blk_3.jpg)

(http://spotsinthebox.com/rb_bbal_blk_4.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 21, 2013, 07:14:34 am
BC, awesome set of images.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on February 21, 2013, 12:08:15 pm
This is the same model about 30 minutes later.

(http://spotsinthebox.com/bk_denim_1.jpg)


Love this one even more than the 30 minutes earlier one! Amazing colors and tonality.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on February 21, 2013, 12:29:16 pm
Hi Ian,

Glad you like the shot.

Here another one from the series.

These shots where used for a campaign for Kellogg's Nutrigrain.

Cheers

Simon


Very nice Simon. Nice lighting and "explosive motion effect". Great use of your tools too.
Don't you just love working with a small agile kit, controlling your lighting ratios from
the camera and the speedy camera handling.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 21, 2013, 06:22:39 pm
Hi Fred,

Totally agree with you.

These lights are fast, surprisingly powerful and liberating especially on location like this shot taken one morning on location as the talent is walking to camera. Also they can flash sync up to 8000th of a sec which is great.

I used two Nikon SB900 and Pocket Wizards with the assistance hold one and the art director holding the other.

I was using my old Nikon D3x at the time which was having problems trying to focus on the talent in the low light but now the the Nikon D800E with face recognition it will solve that problem in the future.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on February 21, 2013, 09:44:25 pm
The 2nd photo with her in the swim goggles is one that I remember from your website and left an unforgettable impression on me. Truly amazing work!

Thanks Rob and Ian,

This is the same model about 30 minutes later.

(http://spotsinthebox.com/bk_denim_1.jpg)

And since it's wet Wednesday this is a series I shot a couple of years ago for an energy drink campaign and packaging, re-licensed last week.

All with a P30+ and Profoto monoheads.

(http://spotsinthebox.com/rb_wet_blk_1.jpg)

(http://spotsinthebox.com/rb_wet_blk_2.jpg)

(http://spotsinthebox.com/rb_swing_blk_3.jpg)

(http://spotsinthebox.com/rb_bbal_blk_4.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on February 22, 2013, 06:14:18 am
Thanks for the compliment Ian.

(http://spotsinthebox.com/rb_swim_blk_6.jpg)

(http://spotsinthebox.com/rb_vbal_blk_5.jpg)

This black series is one of my favorite.  We shot it in our Dallas studio which meant we had a different but more unique on camera talent base to draw from.

We wanted attractive people, but as realistic as possible.  In LA, we'd usually cast through a dozen agencies, see way too many people, probably get lost in the process and then fight our way back to the original creative brief.

In Dallas, the talent range is more limiting, but for this project, I think  better, because we went to all types of sources, swim clubs, schools, pro, semi-pro, amateur sports leagues and found the talent we wanted that was realistic and comfortable in their sport.

The talent also didn't have the pre disposed thought of "I have to look this way".

I'm fortunate in that my partner is the producer, usually does the styling, either does makeup and/or directs the makeup so when we review the talent she knows how a subject is going to look in final as she will construct the look.

For the lighting, I wanted a textured look, so we used profotos on some but for all the images I have this older set of photogenic monoblocks.  Have about 30 of them (obviously didn't use them all for this) and they're amazing lights in that the power is on a sliding type reostat.

We drop a 1/4 or 1/2 spun over the reflectors to keep from blowing the highlights, or do get less/more specular.

I also have crew handhold lights to follow talent or to get an exact highlight without a lot of moving stands and forcing the talent into one exact place.

I went with my P30+ and Contax which probably doesn't seem like the right camera for this type of project considering 1/2 the images had fast movement and with my contax you have to slightly anticipate the action as there is a slight delay.

I think it actually works well to "plan" one frame rather than 10 fps, but everyone works differently.

I also wanted to work the files deep and have a oversharp look and I think CCD's and no AA filter pulls this off easier than modern cmos.  Once again, my opinion only, but I do like the look of CCD cameras.

It's interesting that today with the economic pressures on a project and the client anticipation of the on set turn around time of digital I think the photographer and in this case photographer/dp/director's role is  more about time management than anything else.

I know the look is important, but with a list of 20 setups, you have to get it right and move on, so in this case reliable tethering was a must.

Just to note, I'm really format agnostic.  I use what I use, just because at the time I think it's right.  When I'm working on the computer I listen to the ASC podcasts which features DP's and their latest movies.

It's always interesting to me what cameras, or film/digital format they chose.  Sometimes they have technical reasons, sometimes it's a format that forced upon them, but usually there is no exact logical reason they select a camera.

Usually under high pressure, especially economic pressure, the camera selection is to use what is trusted and comfortable and maybe that's why I shot this with my Contax/Phase.  

Sorry to go off topic, but this week we finished shooting a video project of a high pressured, high profile news/political analyst with two RED 1's and 1 Scarlet.  Our studio manager was processing out the clips and shows me how much better the Scarlet footage looks.

I'm never convinced as the R1's I love, I understand them, they have t-stops on the lenses, they don't have that glossy, over sensitive touch screen thing of the Scarlet and redundant buttons.

The cameras I like best, I know the best and I trust the most.

I also shot the stills of the that project with the Contax and a p21+


IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: yaya on February 22, 2013, 09:03:27 am
BC you're a brave man how you dare using MF professionally....chapeaux!

Loving the beach shots!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on February 22, 2013, 10:29:15 am
BC, I love the work and the look, but I'm wondering why you think it has anything to do with CCD over CMOS?  As far as I know there are no medium format CMOS sensors on the photography market today.  There are so many other factors involved that make a bigger difference in the look of a photo, AA filter, color filter tuning, and of course sensor size.  I'd expect to see great midtone response from medium format of any kind.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on February 22, 2013, 02:11:10 pm
Yair,

Lately, I've just been doing things differently.

Like everyone for the last few years due to compressed production and shooting parallel production with video, we've shot a lot of 35mm.

That's fine, the client's paid, etc. etc., but when I realized that the samples that client's referenced and get us working were not from most of the recent projects, they were projects a few years ago when we had a fraction more time to work, a fraction more time to craft the light and using (cough, cough) slower cameras that required a little more effort in front and behind the lens.

With the amount of images that are thrown in front of people everyday, as a profession we run the risk of becoming a commodity, or worse where a photo is like a streaming song.  You hear it but you don't invest in buying it.

So, maybe it's just me, but I thought I should dance with who brung me.  (Sorry for the Texas term).

It's interesting.  Everyone now says equipment doesn't matter to a client, or subject, but just got this e-mail from the client (the names have been obscured to protect my wallet).

"...it went great. I know it did. _ _ _ _ _ was invited to go to lunch and J_ _ k N_ _ _ _ _ _ _n was there, yet he stayed the full time with us. That is largely due to you guys. He was impressed with the gear, you were ready to shoot as soon as he got there, the wardrobe, and everything!"

The subject we photographed is brilliant and suffers no mistakes, no glitches, no lack of effort.   He is taped or filmed in a network studio or location almost every day of his life, though he knows little about cameras, but was impressed with our RED's, our crew and when I shot the main stills, I walked over with my Contax/Phase and he said "that's a camera".

The client is good, but has high expectations, obviously can't have problems and puts a lot of faith in us, (which I appreciate), so we should do it the hard way, even if that only adds a few percent to the project.

Did it change anything?  I don't know, would like to think it's our talents and crew and attitude, but with that comes the complete effort.   Going further always is appreciated and once again, I'm camera agnostic and will use anything that works for me, but shooting a larger camera is as close as "I" can come to shooting in a film like style.

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on February 22, 2013, 02:34:04 pm
.........I'm wondering why you think it has anything to do with CCD over CMOS?  As far as I know there are no medium format CMOS sensors on the photography market today.  There are so many other factors involved that make a bigger difference in the look of a photo, AA filter, color filter tuning, and of course sensor size.  I'd expect to see great midtone response from medium format of any kind.


Luke,

Of course everything you mentioned probably makes a difference, especially the lack of AA filter.

Thing is I've done about a trillion digital files and the DCS 760, Valeo, Aptus 22, p30, p30+, p21+, Leica all have a somewhat common trait when it comes to sharpening and how the file moves when you start masking and moving different tonal values around on a layered file.

I don't know because I'm not an engineer but I do see a difference in look and recently had an AD see it also (either that or it was a huge coincidence) as every image she pulled of ours for reference was shot with a ccd based camera.

Even this m8 image was on her sample list and this was not in the style of the planned shoot.  

(http://spotsinthebox.com/jeep_800px.jpg)

She thought it was film, I don't think digital looks like film, but I think ccd's look different.

No file is perfect, no camera does everything and obviously talent and subject have a lot to to with the image.

I still shoot 35mm, probably will always, but if my mfd backs disappeared I'd buy them or something comparable again.

IMO

BC

P.S.  This ccd talk probably isn't what the mfd makers want to hear as I would imagine they're eventually moving to cmos.

That's not that interesting to me, unless the file is prettier, because I rarely use live view on any of my dslrs and even with the RED's have added EVF Bombs to get away from standing 2 ft. back and looking at a lcd screen.   I like having the world shut out when I look through a camera, but hey, that's just me.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on February 22, 2013, 03:43:18 pm
Thing is I've done about a trillion digital files and the DCS 760, Valeo, Aptus 22, p30, p30+, p21+, Leica all have a somewhat common trait when it comes to sharpening and how the file moves when you start masking and moving different tonal values around on a layered file.

[...] I do see a difference in look and recently had an AD see it also (either that or it was a huge coincidence) as every image she pulled of ours for reference was shot with a ccd based camera.

[...]I rarely use live view on any of my dslrs and even with the RED's have added EVF Bombs to get away from standing 2 ft. back and looking at a lcd screen.   I like having the world shut out when I look through a camera, but hey, that's just me.

To be sure, if anyone else but you had said this, I wouldn't have given it a second thought.  I think you're enough of a one-person experimental data bonanza to get engineers to run back to double-check their calculations.  You've got me thinking about what reason, in principle, might account for your observations. 

I also think you're an amazing photographer, and valuable source of hardcore professional advice.

BTW, I can't stand live view shooting (except for critical focus confirmation on a tripod).  I have to be alone with the image, and I have to literally put my eyepoint on the spot.  I've also noticed that subjects feel much more disturbed when being "shot" by someone at arm's length. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ChristopherBarrett on February 22, 2013, 09:21:53 pm
I like having the world shut out when I look through a camera, but hey, that's just me.


Heh, I spent the first 15 years of my career composing from underneath a blanket.  It was a good place to get away from clients.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 23, 2013, 03:15:50 am
Hello,

I know what you mean I miss the days when I could hide under my blankey with my Sinar P2.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on February 23, 2013, 04:39:59 am
No-one could see your lips move! But still dangerous to whisper.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on February 23, 2013, 06:38:06 am
I know somebody who fell asleep under the darkcloth nose pressed up against the 10x8 ground glass.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on February 23, 2013, 06:15:04 pm
Sadly most of what I shoot is on Canon so I do not get to post here that much. I was just going to add a back to my inventory but a new project just came along and I am upgrading and buying more Canon gear to meet the needs of it. Hopefully after this next project I will move on and add a new MF system.

I promise not to bore you with more Canon photos but I thought I would add one anyway. I actually did the RAW conversion on this one in Phocus as a tryout. Not as many options as Capture One but I am fairly pleased.

Thanks



Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on February 23, 2013, 10:58:58 pm
BC...

Thank you immensely for all of your added information and detail.

I hope I get to meet you in person and shake your hand!

You are a good guy!

Ian
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on February 24, 2013, 04:21:37 am
Sadly most of what I shoot is on Canon so I do not get to post here that much. I was just going to add a back to my inventory but a new project just came along and I am upgrading and buying more Canon gear to meet the needs of it. Hopefully after this next project I will move on and add a new MF system.

I promise not to bore you with more Canon photos but I thought I would add one anyway. I actually did the RAW conversion on this one in Phocus as a tryout. Not as many options as Capture One but I am fairly pleased.

Thanks


Ian, this photograph has ruined my day. It's just 10.17am and I know that absolutely nothing built like that is going to pass in front of my nose today, tomorrow and almost certainly not the following days, weeks and months either.

Such unwarranted cruelty to a man on an island prison!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ChristopherBarrett on February 24, 2013, 09:12:33 am
I've just finished compiling bits from the last 4 short films into a reel, a moving image portfolio for chasing narrative work.

go fullscreen for full HD (https://vimeo.com/christopherbarrett/review/60301733/cfc51c3cab)

Cheers!

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on February 24, 2013, 11:53:18 am
Brings me to a deep question pondered by life's great philosopher, George Carlin...

"If a man is standing in the middle of the forest speaking and there is no woman around to hear him... is he still wrong?"

But not to lose hope,

"After all tomorrow is another day" - Scarlett O'Hara from movie Gone With The Wind.

Ian, this photograph has ruined my day. It's just 10.17am and I know that absolutely nothing built like that is going to pass in front of my nose today, tomorrow and almost certainly not the following days, weeks and months either.

Such unwarranted cruelty to a man on an island prison!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on February 24, 2013, 02:22:20 pm
Brings me to a deep question pondered by life's great philosopher, George Carlin...

1.  "If a man is standing in the middle of the forest speaking and there is no woman around to hear him... is he still wrong?"

But not to lose hope,

2.   "After all tomorrow is another day" - Scarlett O'Hara from movie Gone With The Wind.




1.  No, just taking advantage of the moment to flex his muscle; probably not even aware he's speaking out loud.

2.  Always managed to avoid the movie despite the repeated best efforts of wife and daughter before every repeat of the movie, but I gather it ends with a line to the effect: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." Much my own view on it, then. Had Bardot been in it, however... hell, no! I'd be that more ancient than I already am!

Whether Gable was standing in a forest at the time, they didn't tell me. He might even have been sitting on a horse. Or not.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 24, 2013, 04:16:26 pm
Hello,

Shot last night for the Chinese New Year celebrations for a client.

Nikon D800E, Nikon 70-200mm VRII lens

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pixjohn on February 25, 2013, 06:37:40 pm
A very differnt House,    1920's house

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 26, 2013, 01:32:45 am
Hello,

Just got approval from my client so I now can post my new image.

Nikon D800E and Nikon 14-24mm lens.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pixjohn on February 27, 2013, 03:51:50 pm
This thread seems like it stopped working? Can't view?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickCroken on February 27, 2013, 06:00:26 pm
It seems to stop working once in awhile.  I can see it if  I don't log in which is weird. I think we just have get it to the next page and it will work again.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christopher Sanderson on February 27, 2013, 06:14:34 pm
Trying to figure out why the last page (222) is going blank

Nick is right

N.B. If you want to see page 2 (old 222). log out and it's visible... ???
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christopher Sanderson on February 27, 2013, 06:23:48 pm
I think the whole thread was getting too massive for the db to handle.

I have split it off to this new thread but page 2 (was 222 in old thread) is still blank...

Chris
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Sam S on February 27, 2013, 08:40:03 pm
The level of detail and lighting are just amazing. Excellent work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Sam S on February 27, 2013, 08:42:44 pm
Been following this forum for a while now. Awesome work, BC.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on February 28, 2013, 10:15:58 am
Another one (Nikon, Kodachrome 64 Pro) from a Tennent's Lager calendar in the South of France.

I disliked having to use logos, but when they paid the bills... take the money and run?

Anyway, it shows the value of doing a recce first, and having yacht contacts! I sort of like the echo of breasts on the turrets of the Carlton hotel...  (To be truthful, I sort of like them echoes or not. Both of them. Nice hotels and breasts.) Had a chat with their PR guy (the hotel's) about shooting in the grounds; told me that had it been wine, champagne, brandy, liqueur etc. it would have been sweet, but beer? Sorry, mon frère, not classy enough. How to disagree? I wonder if they sold beer? All we had were two Campari sodas whilst sitting on the outside terrace bar watching a chopper land on the deck of a superyacht. Cool.

Golden Age, anyone? Or just Golden People? I note that Eddie Jordan has a 155ft (47.5m) Sunseeker under construction due out 2014. I can hardly wait... 12 guests and 10 crew can be accommodated. I could live on that.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Hulyss on February 28, 2013, 12:19:11 pm
Hello,

Yes it is a DB limitation. No need to dig into dangerous DB manipulations, an another thread is perfectly OK imho :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 28, 2013, 02:12:31 pm
Hello,

Just got approval from my client so I now can post my new image.

I thought I would attach a story board for the non advertising photographers out there to show the steps involved to create this sort of image.

Both shots where taken with a Nikon D800E and Nikon 14-24mm lens.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: george2787 on February 28, 2013, 03:36:42 pm
I just love seeing the different stages that lead to the image, thanks a lot :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ChristopherBarrett on February 28, 2013, 06:41:57 pm
I had to throw together a slideshow for a couple presentations I gave earlier this week.  Culled the last few year's projects for new material... we've had some damn nice assignments!

http://christopherbarrett.net/CB_Portfolio/ (http://christopherbarrett.net/CB_Portfolio/)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on February 28, 2013, 07:20:44 pm
I had to throw together a slideshow for a couple presentations I gave earlier this week.  Culled the last few year's projects for new material... we've had some damn nice assignments!

http://christopherbarrett.net/CB_Portfolio/ (http://christopherbarrett.net/CB_Portfolio/)

CB

I'm still in awe of that first image...simple and powerful.  I'll also take 10 and 20.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ed Foster, Jr. on February 28, 2013, 07:59:41 pm
I had to throw together a slideshow for a couple presentations I gave earlier this week.  Culled the last few year's projects for new material... we've had some damn nice assignments!

http://christopherbarrett.net/CB_Portfolio/ (http://christopherbarrett.net/CB_Portfolio/)

CB
Nice assignments maybe, but even better work. Really, really nice!

Ed
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 28, 2013, 09:00:10 pm
Hello,

One of a number of images for Hyundai.

Nikon D800E camera
Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VRII lens
Dedo lights.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on February 28, 2013, 10:49:11 pm
How is it since you have been posting this I am very nostalgic about Kodachrome!

Another one (Nikon, Kodachrome 64 Pro) from a Tennent's Lager calendar in the South of France.

I disliked having to use logos, but when they paid the bills... take the money and run?

Anyway, it shows the value of doing a recce first, and having yacht contacts! I sort of like the echo of breasts on the turrets of the Carlton hotel...  (To be truthful, I sort of like them echoes or not. Both of them. Nice hotels and breasts.) Had a chat with their PR guy (the hotel's) about shooting in the grounds; told me that had it been wine, champagne, brandy, liqueur etc. it would have been sweet, but beer? Sorry, mon frère, not classy enough. How to disagree? I wonder if they sold beer? All we had were two Campari sodas whilst sitting on the outside terrace bar watching a chopper land on the deck of a superyacht. Cool.

Golden Age, anyone? Or just Golden People? I note that Eddie Jordan has a 155ft (47.5m) Sunseeker under construction due out 2014. I can hardly wait... 12 guests and 10 crew can be accommodated. I could live on that.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: mitchino on March 01, 2013, 03:38:27 am
HarperPhotos wrote: I thought I would attach a story board for the non advertising photographers out there to show the steps involved to create this sort of image.


Great final result! How long did that Job take in total? What size was the layered Photoshop file??!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 01, 2013, 04:20:55 am
How is it since you have been posting this I am very nostalgic about Kodachrome!




Maybe because it's gone? Like in the song: you don't know what you got until you lose it! I feel that way about all of the stuff I traded away chasing one damned dumb dream after another!

I've ended up re-buying various bits of Nikon stuff that I already had forty years ago - no, I don't believe a new 50mm Nikkor is better than my original 2/50mm one from the 60s! As for my 2.8/35mm it was the sharpest lens I've owned.

Of them all, the greatest regret is throwing away my two 'blads and the 50mm, 80mm and 150mm lenses that lived in the box with them. Considering all the hard work it took to buy them, I should have saved them all out of gratitude!

The song's right.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 01, 2013, 02:52:36 pm
Simon,

Excellent works, I particularly like the car shot as know the difficulties behind.
I see you getting the most out of your D800. Just wandering why you didn't use the Horseman VCC Pro for this shot??

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on March 01, 2013, 03:07:39 pm
Hi Antonio,

I do use the Horseman VCC on occasion but the reason I use the Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VRII lens for its convenience. I can zoom in and out to fill the frame of the camera. Also in some cases I can rotate the lens into a vertical position and zoom in tighter on the car. By taking 3 images from the back to the front and then stitching them together it gives me a more telephoto effect and a bigger file.

My love affair with the Nikon D800E just kepts growing every time I use it. For me and the sort of work I do this camera has no equal

I did a shoot a few days ago starting at 4am in the morning on location with lots of talent for a large hotel company shooting between 200 to 400ISO and combining available light and my now trusty Nikon/Pocket Wizard lights. The shoot was a walk in the park cause of the whole system working together beautifully.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on March 01, 2013, 03:14:29 pm
Hi Mitchino,

From the time I got the brief till the client go the finished image it was about 2 weeks. I have know Idea what the file size the client got from the retoucher Dan but he kindly supplied me a 300MG image.

The link below is to Dan’s Facebook page if you like to see more of his work.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/D2-creative-retouching/166300943405238?ref=ts&fref=ts

Ciao

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Paul Ozzello on March 01, 2013, 05:20:06 pm
My latest obsession with incinerators... can't get enough of them  ;D

(http://www.paulozzello.com/ExternalImages/incinerator1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on March 01, 2013, 06:48:57 pm
very nice!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 02, 2013, 04:27:40 am
My latest obsession with incinerators... can't get enough of them  ;D



Industrial Art!

Very nice picture in all respects.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeffery Salter on March 02, 2013, 07:11:05 am
Paul. That's beautiful!  No smoke stacks in Miami.....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on March 02, 2013, 09:29:48 am
I'm still in awe of that first image...simple and powerful.  I'll also take 10 and 20.

Chris, Wonderful work!!  Looks like it's been a good year.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on March 02, 2013, 03:02:31 pm
Great image, if you cropped it top and bottom it would make 2 great images.
Where is it?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ed Foster, Jr. on March 02, 2013, 03:16:22 pm
My latest obsession with incinerators... can't get enough of them  ;D

(http://www.paulozzello.com/ExternalImages/incinerator1.jpg)
Very nice, Paul. I enjoy the composition and tonality.

Ed
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 03, 2013, 09:44:53 pm
Ashley, excellent set of images, I like the third one in particular. It is superb.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on March 03, 2013, 11:04:02 pm
Ashley,

Nice images, but tell the truth.

You really didn't have Sunshine in Ireland in February did you?

You shot these on a set in Miami . . . right?

IMO

BC

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Paul Ozzello on March 04, 2013, 01:07:32 am
Great image, if you cropped it top and bottom it would make 2 great images.
Where is it?

Thanks for the positive feedback everyone. It's an incinerator near Newark new jersey just off the Turnpike. I wish some of these sites were more easily accessible - I almost got arrested the last time I was there !

This version is a low end scan from an old epson - and fine for 8x8 and the web. Eiger Studios is drum scanning my negatives and printing them for an upcoming show - their scans are some of the best in the business and i'm anxiously awaiting to see how the 40" prints will turn out.

Paul
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Paul Ozzello on March 04, 2013, 01:12:31 am
Very nice, Paul. I enjoy the composition and tonality.

Ed

Thanks Ed - I went back there 5 times before getting it right ! There's just something magical about film ...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 04, 2013, 09:47:26 am
Mount Juliet...

(http://www.ashleymorrison.com/2013-03/Juliet-166404.jpg)
.. in County Kilkenny.


Love the tiny guy levitating over on the right! 

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on March 04, 2013, 02:22:12 pm


.........But if it's raining, which it did for the most part here, then we just go shoot in other areas where I can control the light more...

Hey Ashely,

Don't you know that "real" professionals don't carry lights, or use lighting?

At least that's what some of the big time A list pros say on this forum.

Also they use real small cameras so they can sneak around a location and nobody knows they are there.

I would think that sneaking around would get you in trouble, especially shooting real people for commerce, but that's what they're saying here.

I mean your photos are beautiful but isn't that cheating if you actually light a scene and make daylight on a cloudy day?

Don't you have to carry heavy equipment?  I bet carrying heavy stuff is hard and you have to go to school or read something to use lights . . . right?

Wouldn't it be better to just sit in the bar for a few weeks waiting for sun?

Thanks

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on March 04, 2013, 11:51:56 pm
My latest obsession with incinerators... can't get enough of them  ;D

(http://www.paulozzello.com/ExternalImages/incinerator1.jpg)

Nice composition.
I like compositions that don't go by the cookie cutter rule of thirds.
The image has an eerie depth to it and I like the way the motion blur of the clouds sort of "beats up nature" in the way incinerators do.
Image is "pretty" but still has an environmental dark side to it
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 05, 2013, 09:37:45 am
While shooting yet another boring American architectural interiors project, I saw that there was some really nice sunlight outside.  Grabbed my 5d2 / Leica-R 80mm and snagged this frame.  Please forgive any inherent remnants of the undying pursuit of perfection...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/view.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 05, 2013, 09:50:47 am
Is there another Chris Barrett out their that is a photographer, or did you forget your password and need to create a new account?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 05, 2013, 09:57:13 am
Is there another Chris Barrett out their that is a photographer, or did you forget your password and need to create a new account?

I was actually so disgusted with recent threads that I deleted my account.  But then I found that I couldn't go more than a couple days without Cooter's sardonic wit.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 05, 2013, 11:27:05 am
I was actually so disgusted with recent threads that I deleted my account.  But then I found that I couldn't go more than a couple days without Cooter's sardonic wit.


Close to my experience a few weeks ago; I thought I'd cancelled but it turned out I'd logged out instead, whatever that actually means. Anyway, I managed to get back into posting mode, but I now have to login for every thumbnail image I want to see, other than my own, which isn't a lot of help!

But, things have become far more civilized in most threads, so all is well. I can live with that.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: stevebri on March 05, 2013, 01:03:27 pm
Hi Rob, and all....

I think for me the truly annoying thing recently has been this bashing of MFD ...

From most probably ' never owners' who continually 'ask/demand conformation' that MFD is over.... Seemingly to justify to themselves that staying with DSLR's was the 'right' choice.

Ok... So what... Who cares....?

Those of us with MFDB's just keep on doing our jobs with the tools we have, at least on here I get stimulated when I see great work, so so work and Rob's fab archive from the '70's 80's and 90's.

Keep it up guys, as WE know, a camera is a means to an end and enables us to do our jobs...

S
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Paul Ozzello on March 05, 2013, 01:12:32 pm
Nice composition.
I like compositions that don't go by the cookie cutter rule of thirds.
The image has an eerie depth to it and I like the way the motion blur of the clouds sort of "beats up nature" in the way incinerators do.
Image is "pretty" but still has an environmental dark side to it

Glad my post apocalyptic view of the world is being conveyed :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on March 05, 2013, 01:27:26 pm
Glad my post apocalyptic view of the world is being conveyed :)

You have a good eye for composition. Really nice compositions that go beyond the cookie cutter
composition rules are not that common. You also used long exposure in a manner that adds to the narrative
rather than just as a effect.

There are so many beautiful places that are scared by industry. Do a search for Port Hueneme superfund and powerstation.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on March 05, 2013, 02:45:57 pm
I was actually so disgusted with recent threads that I deleted my account.  But then I found that I couldn't go more than a couple days without Cooter's sardonic wit.

You would have been missed.

Is this a bit like coming back and reading your obituary?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pixjohn on March 05, 2013, 02:57:59 pm
I think this is the image that crashed the first Professional Works.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Nick-T on March 05, 2013, 03:18:01 pm
Yeah I think the forum mods have installed the "What-the-hell-is-that-stuffed-zebra-doing-there" plugin.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 05, 2013, 04:28:10 pm
Hi Rob, and all....

I think for me the truly annoying thing recently has been this bashing of MFD ...

From most probably ' never owners' who continually 'ask/demand conformation' that MFD is over.... Seemingly to justify to themselves that staying with DSLR's was the 'right' choice.

Ok... So what... Who cares....?

Those of us with MFDB's just keep on doing our jobs with the tools we have, at least on here I get stimulated when I see great work, so so work and Rob's fab archive from the '70's 80's and 90's.

Keep it up guys, as WE know, a camera is a means to an end and enables us to do our jobs...

S


Hi Steve,

Thanks for the kind words – you should post some of your own great shots: I remember seeing some of your pics of those girls from Elite Brazil… you could do worse than give them another airing!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 06, 2013, 07:31:25 am
Frame grab from our new short film.

The thing that's of particular interest about this shot is we did it at night (you only get so many hours of daylight during Chicago winters).  Love me some HMI's.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/HC_Night.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on March 06, 2013, 08:34:20 am
Frame grab from our new short film.

The thing that's of particular interest about this shot is we did it at night (you only get so many hours of daylight during Chicago winters).  Love me some HMI's.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/HC_Night.jpg)

Chris,

I'm glad you are still here.  This is a great frame.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on March 06, 2013, 02:17:04 pm
Chris,

I'm glad you are still here.  This is a great frame.

Chris,

Love the color.

Yea, glad your back, though you should have used a nom de plume.

I think L(little)B(bittie)Cooter is available.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 06, 2013, 05:54:10 pm
I think L(little)B(bittie)Cooter is available.

BC

Ahh, I should have tried that when "I-Wanna-shoot-Like-Cooter" returned as unavailable.  Truthfully, though, I put my name out there because I feel that anonymity breeds social irresponsibility, as is all too evident in this forum.  Anyway... back to image-making.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on March 06, 2013, 06:34:48 pm
Ahh, I should have tried that when "I-Wanna-shoot-Like-Cooter" returned as unavailable.  Truthfully, though, I put my name out there because I feel that anonymity breeds social irresponsibility, as is all too evident in this forum.  Anyway... back to image-making.

Hey Chris,

Social irresponsibility huh?

That's about the nicest comment I've received all week, on and off the computer.

BC

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 06, 2013, 06:50:09 pm
Hey Chris,

Social irresponsibility huh?

That's about the nicest comment I've received all week, on and off the computer.

BC



Oh, you know I wasn't talking about you.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on March 06, 2013, 07:29:26 pm
Oh, you know I wasn't talking about you.

Damn,

Man it's hard to build Street Cred here.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Paul Ozzello on March 07, 2013, 12:54:41 am
You have a good eye for composition. Really nice compositions that go beyond the cookie cutter
composition rules are not that common. You also used long exposure in a manner that adds to the narrative
rather than just as a effect.

There are so many beautiful places that are scared by industry. Do a search for Port Hueneme superfund and powerstation.


Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out when I head out to California in the spring. Any other recommendations closer to San Francisco ?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: epines on March 08, 2013, 06:51:04 pm
Latest test shoot. Just came out in the spring Workbook this week. The navigator shaved off his beard the next day.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on March 08, 2013, 06:58:17 pm
Hi Ethan,

Cool shot. Had a look at you website, great collection of work.

Ciao

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: epines on March 08, 2013, 07:03:54 pm
Thanks, Simon. I appreciate that. That shoot took weeks to bring together and is one of my favorite shoots ever.

You too -- very tight work on your site.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on March 08, 2013, 08:08:09 pm
Ethan, I've seen the Scrabble Kid somewhere before (CA, etc), great work you're doing.  I particularly like the interiors.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on March 08, 2013, 10:44:34 pm
I love this, very cool!

Latest test shoot. Just came out in the spring Workbook this week. The navigator shaved off his beard the next day.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 09, 2013, 03:59:56 am
Latest test shoot. Just came out in the spring Workbook this week. The navigator shaved off his beard the next day.




Nice idea nicely executed but one big elephant in the field: four guys too many! On her own, she'd have been wonderful! (The girl - the elephant hasn't disclosed anything.)

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on March 09, 2013, 07:11:56 pm
Rob and I think very much alike :)




Nice idea nicely executed but one big elephant in the field: four guys too many! On her own, she'd have been wonderful! (The girl - the elephant hasn't disclosed anything.)

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 10, 2013, 03:42:34 pm
History with a difference: instead of Kodachrome, one of those exercises where the client insisted that bigger was inevitable better. The client was a maker of ethnic Scottish jewellery, as you can tell from the brooch, I suppose. This was part of a studio calendar I did for him. It wasn't all sand 'n' surf.

Ektachrome 64, Hasselblad 500CM and 4/150mm Sonnar with the added interference of a Softar, which was fashionable at the time, but which in a digital age is not necessary... but those pale outlines did carry a sort of snobby street cred in some places at the time. Other people thought there was something wrong with the film. Oh, photography.

I tried to post this yesterday, but for some odd reason it went as pink as a flamingo the moment it landed within LuLa. I've made another jpeg, checked it was the right space (it was) and so I hope for the best.

Model: Nina Carter, aka Mrs Rick Wakeman.

According to the Sun newspaper, then a better casting medium than most agencies, she was blessed with the finest pair in the land. And to think I have none of them left... trannies, I mean.

;-)

Rob C


P.S. It's gone pink again, but not as badly. I suppose if one thinks strawberry blonde...

P.P.S.  The original tranny was copied on a Kodak lightbox using the D700 and a second-hand manual 2.8/105 Micro Nikkor. Good buy.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: epines on March 10, 2013, 07:08:14 pm
Thanks, fellahs. She was tremendous to work with (it's Rose McIver, the actress who played the living sister in "The Lovely Bones"). The whole cast for this shoot was a dream team. 

Just added all the portraits from the shoot to my website:

http://ethanpines.com/#/THE%20LATEST/LOST%20BOAT/1/thumbs
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 11, 2013, 02:38:14 pm
from Monument Valley... my first stab at shooting landscapes.  Aww... black and white... how I've missed you.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/Mnmt_Valley.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on March 11, 2013, 08:12:59 pm
Hello,

My latest image for Hyundia.

Ciao

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on March 11, 2013, 09:09:18 pm
Chris, What a beautiful landscape!  Great balance and light!!  Is this from the shoot awhile back or did you return?  I had a trip planned to New Mexico this coming Friday but work got in the way.  Will have to reschedule soon.

Simon, To me it's too manufactured and without any drama.  I think you should leave this one out of your book, you've got a lot of images with more impact. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JohnBrew on March 11, 2013, 09:29:13 pm
from Monument Valley... my first stab at shooting landscapes.  Aww... black and white... how I've missed you.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/Mnmt_Valley.jpg)

Chris, great tones! Love this rendition.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on March 12, 2013, 08:45:14 pm
Wow that's great!

Hello,

My latest image for Hyundia.

Ciao

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: heinrichvoelkel on March 12, 2013, 10:15:29 pm
"Hello,

My latest image for Hyundia.

Ciao

Simon"

Hate to say it, but where is the driver?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on March 12, 2013, 10:27:27 pm
Hello,

The car is right hand drive as we drive on the left here in New Zealand and the driver is short.

Ciao

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickCroken on March 12, 2013, 10:45:33 pm
Hello,

My latest image for Hyundia.

Ciao

Simon

The image looks very rendered compared to most of you car shots.  Are you compositing the image, shooting everything at once with a rig or using virtual rig software?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Hulyss on March 14, 2013, 05:16:00 am
I like your car shoot Simon, even if it is a composite !! The goal is to sell the car so this photo is a winner. Smooth, powerful all in one... but ... were the hell is the driver ??  ;D

Portrait of my last client (this is not a car :P ):

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/izsimgxus8cogtg/Maria-2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 14, 2013, 05:46:22 pm
Home Office shoot for Herman Miller.  AD wanted Bright and Airy but with Contrast and Saturation.  Naturally it was overcast for almost the entire shoot.  Sunlight through the windows is all HMI.

More at the blog post... (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2397)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/121003_003.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 14, 2013, 07:28:41 pm
On this shoot we had HMI outside coming in the windows, strobe inside for soft fill and tungsten DedoLights for accents.  I love all lighting!  I've been moving towards constant sources, though, since Flash doesn't work so well for movies.  One thing we've done with one of my Jokers is adapted it into an ETC Source 4.  That throws gorgeous, shapeable punchy light with shadows sharper than you could even get from a fresnel.  I once assisted a fashion shooter who adapted Source 4s to Speedo heads as well.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on March 15, 2013, 12:10:37 pm
Home Office shoot for Herman Miller.  AD wanted Bright and Airy but with Contrast and Saturation.  Naturally it was overcast for almost the entire shoot.  Sunlight through the windows is all HMI.

More at the blog post... (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2397)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/121003_003.jpg)

CB

Really nice as always Chris.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 15, 2013, 02:01:14 pm
Home Office shoot for Herman Miller.  AD wanted Bright and Airy but with Contrast and Saturation.  Naturally it was overcast for almost the entire shoot.  Sunlight through the windows is all HMI.

More at the blog post... (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2397)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/121003_003.jpg)

CB
Great work Chris.  Out of curiosity, did you find the locations or did the AD?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 15, 2013, 02:05:35 pm
Home Office shoot for Herman Miller.  AD wanted Bright and Airy but with Contrast and Saturation.  Naturally it was overcast for almost the entire shoot.  Sunlight through the windows is all HMI.

And yet the floor lamp is on. AD not eco-conscious? ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 15, 2013, 02:24:51 pm
Dude.  I think that's a little silly.  Lamps look better lit.  We're making photographs not socio-ecologic edicts. If we thought it was really a valid issue I would have removed the lamp and used a different prop rather than have it off.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 15, 2013, 02:39:42 pm
Fair enough.

I was speaking more from a perspective of an end-user (of the magazine or catalogue). My first thought seeing it was not "socio-ecologic," but simple common sense: why is the lamp on with so much sunlight and overall brightness? Yes, lamps looks better lit than not, but in situations where our brains expect them to be lit.
Title: Huge Congratulations to James Haefner
Post by: SecondFocus on March 15, 2013, 09:39:22 pm
I just opened up the latest edition of PDN to find our friend James Haefner featured about his top-secret photo shoot of the latest Corvette. The photo of the Corvette in it's car carrier is just incredible and creative and so very much shows his very enviable talent and professionalism!

Very Cool!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on March 16, 2013, 04:41:39 am

More at the blog post... (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2397)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/121003_003.jpg)

CB

So much to love here. Brief, big tick. Lighting, brilliant, crop/frame as always, inch perfect. Especially love that typewriter, quirky but not intrusive, great colour and placement. Even the pencil stack leaning the "right" way.
Just the tiny point that I find the lamp (Oh NO! not the lamp ;) ) reflection, which I know should be there and would be difficult? to remove just not looking right. I know, I feel so bad picking but a would be interested in your thought.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: johnkiv on March 16, 2013, 10:24:06 am
The reflection doesn't bother me at all, putting carbon footprint thoughts aside.  Bravo for client who doesn't want to suck the life out of a photo by turning it into an some kind of illustration. 

But, Chris paying more attention to the light made me appreciate what you did here.  Very deft handling of the combination of warmth and and cool color balance.  I have found trying to do any retouching with gradations like that, even on a bare wall, can be really tricky.  Is all this on one file?

Getting back to the light, do you interior photographers ever use a light in a frame that is not turned on?  Even when "daylight" dominates the photo?  I can't imagine the photo working as with the light turned off.  The warm tone balances nicely with the red on the chair seat.  My first thought would be, if is a problem, take it out of the frame.  I would be curious, Chirs, what discussions on this you had with stylists, or in your head, when you were setting up the photo.

Nice work, enjoyed looking at the rest of the set.  Need to buy myself a new chair.  Problem is, the rest of my workspace doesn't look like this.  But that is a discussion for a different forum.

Best, John
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 16, 2013, 12:21:16 pm
Chris, nice set of photos.
The discussion is pretty interesting and I guess there was a great team behind working on styling and others.
The lamp is in my point of view, an element included to add warmth to an otherwise cool image. See that there are lots of white and mainly daylight.
Also the warm lamp counter balances the red chair.
For that lamp to be as bright as it is, I can guess there is a strong wattage bulb inside.
Again, millimetric composition on all images. I really like number 1 in the blog.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on March 16, 2013, 01:04:49 pm
Dude.  I think that's a little silly.  Lamps look better lit.  We're making photographs not socio-ecologic edicts. If we thought it was really a valid issue I would have removed the lamp and used a different prop rather than have it off.

Actually I think the lamp itself would have looked nice off. With it on it's texture is lost. You can see more of it's geometry in the reflection in the window.

Also form what I have seen there is a trend that is liked by leading Architects that is more about how the environment looks in reality.
An architects true skills show through how he or she uses the environment as it is in reality and as it will be in use.
I also find that too much order does not reflect reality... well unless it's Adrian Monks house.

But all of this is subjective, without doubt it's well executed work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on March 16, 2013, 01:16:47 pm
Yes.
You can see lots of example here: Interiors (http://www.ampimage.com/images-02.htm).

These are really really good. They have a very good balance between tidiness and a credible homely livable in feel. Natural light when used right is
just so nice. Also these images are true to what one would see visiting the houses. This is a very important point. If you are selling something
you want the enthusiasm of the buyer or viewer to mount during the process. It is totally counter productive to show something better than it is
in photos and then when you are there in reality it looks less appealing or whatever.

This is also for example many fashion designers don't really show too much of the cloths in their ads. For example the Guess campaign is one of the best out there.
They show style and emotion and just build and build on the iconic aspect of the brand.

(http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Anna-Nicole-Smith-guess-442491_1244_846.jpg)

This leaves the boutique staff something to do with the client... more to discover, try on all sorts of things, let the boutique staff
choose what works. It's all about and upward path in the whole fun and games of shopping fashion at the higher level.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 16, 2013, 05:04:58 pm
Provably ambiguity have a to do with everything we do in live, nothing is just one way.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on March 17, 2013, 04:47:23 am
Yes.
You can see lots of example here: Interiors (http://www.ampimage.com/images-02.htm).

Ashley, are you working with strobes outside the window in this one?  If so, you did it very seamlessly, as in your other work.  I've long suspected that your mastery of creating window light involves quite a clever bag of tricks.  Not to say that you don't have a number of lower-powered instruments working for you on the inside as well.  High finesse all around.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 17, 2013, 10:26:41 am
back to my shot above....
@ Chris, yeah I don't love the lamp reflection either.  The easy way to handle that is to take an exposure with it off and drop in that window.
@ John, I set the distance of the lamp from the walls to get just the level of light and falloff from it that I desired (while keeping it centered between the storage). This would have been one file except the rug was barely wide enough to fit the chair on.  After exposing the main shot, we removed the desk and chair, I slid the rug to the left and exposed that to composite and "widen" the rug later.  And... at home, my chairs are way nicer than the rest of my office.


- however, the masters of light (i.m.h.o.) are those who work in the Movie business - where they have to budgets to play with, to achieve some truly amazing results.


Ditto, Man.  The more narrative films I shoot (and we're small productions with 15-20 man crews) the more I realize that most still photographers know barely anything at all about lighting... and I include myself in that.

Not to mention how fun films are... just look how much we're all smiling!  LoL

(http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/775763_590769800949475_1848936141_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on March 17, 2013, 01:56:42 pm
back to my shot above....
@ Chris, yeah I don't love the lamp reflection either.  The easy way to handle that is to take an exposure with it off and drop in that window.

Duhh!! Of course, you can tell that's not my area of expertise, if indeed I have any area.

Looked back at the rug, easy when you know how, they should buy a new one that size.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 17, 2013, 05:07:19 pm
back to my shot above....
@ Chris, yeah I don't love the lamp reflection either.  The easy way to handle that is to take an exposure with it off and drop in that window.
@ John, I set the distance of the lamp from the walls to get just the level of light and falloff from it that I desired (while keeping it centered between the storage). This would have been one file except the rug was barely wide enough to fit the chair on.  After exposing the main shot, we removed the desk and chair, I slid the rug to the left and exposed that to composite and "widen" the rug later.  And... at home, my chairs are way nicer than the rest of my office.



Ditto, Man.  The more narrative films I shoot (and we're small productions with 15-20 man crews) the more I realize that most still photographers know barely anything at all about lighting... and I include myself in that.

Not to mention how fun films are... just look how much we're all smiling!  LoL

(http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/775763_590769800949475_1848936141_o.jpg)
Funny, I was talking to photo consultant who began his career as a gaffer in Hollywood.  After doing that for a while, he began assisting; first shoot was an architectural shoot.  He said he showed up, look at the lighting equipment they were going to use and said "is this it?"

LOL
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on March 17, 2013, 06:44:07 pm
I wouldn't say one is better than the other (film/stills) from talking with dp's they certainly don't look down on stills photographers who know how to light, and we can learn from each other.
Not every photographer is a good crafter of light and you see plenty of adverts on tv with big budgets lit with a sledgehammer.
Once the technical details are sorted somebody who understands lighting could light a room or a portrait whatever their background.

Title: Re: Huge Congratulations to James Haefner
Post by: haefnerphoto on March 17, 2013, 08:53:29 pm
I just opened up the latest edition of PDN to find our friend James Haefner featured about his top-secret photo shoot of the latest Corvette. The photo of the Corvette in it's car carrier is just incredible and creative and so very much shows his very enviable talent and professionalism!

Very Cool!

Ian, Thanks for the compliments!!  I was thrilled about PDN's interest in running a story about the shoot.  Here's a link to some of the other shots taken that day.  http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=28709.4200  Jim
Title: Re: Huge Congratulations to James Haefner
Post by: SecondFocus on March 17, 2013, 09:26:42 pm
Tell me you got to keep the car as a bonus for job well done :)

Just kidding... I never get to keep the girls I shoot either.

Ian, Thanks for the compliments!!  I was thrilled about PDN's interest in running a story about the shoot.  Here's a link to some of the other shots taken that day.  http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=28709.4200  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on March 17, 2013, 09:45:03 pm
I wouldn't say one is better than the other (film/stills) from talking with dp's they certainly don't look down on stills photographers who know how to light, and we can learn from each other.
Not every photographer is a good crafter of light and you see plenty of adverts on tv with big budgets lit with a sledgehammer.
Once the technical details are sorted somebody who understands lighting could light a room or a portrait whatever their background.



You should see the brief from an agency on lighting and mood for those sledgehammer lit ads. My favorite quote describing a desired light quality is "directional, shadowless, bright". Yeah, what they mean is "rent every Arri sun you can find and turn them all on at once, with no scrims or gobos". Its flat and bright. TV commercials are he'll, but it's a dry heat.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on March 18, 2013, 10:53:55 am
(http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/775763_590769800949475_1848936141_o.jpg)

It's amazing how small the Red is compared to what it's capable to. I'll never get used to it. It's 1/3 of the Alexa's body. Even rigged it still is tiny.

Man, the engineers at Red are genuises.

For good skin tones tungsten is not bad, because the near IR in tungsten helps to render skin tone better [source: ARRI].
I do think so too.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on March 19, 2013, 12:46:13 am
Hello

Shoot this a few weeks ago.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on March 19, 2013, 04:43:18 am
Made me smile!

Reminds me of checking on my son one night to find him sleeping with his dirt bike helmet on....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on March 19, 2013, 05:43:43 am
Simon,  A good concept handled really well!  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on March 20, 2013, 04:37:09 am
Funny, I was talking to photo consultant who began his career as a gaffer in Hollywood.  After doing that for a while, he began assisting; first shoot was an architectural shoot.  He said he showed up, look at the lighting equipment they were going to use and said "is this it?"

LOL


Reminds me of a shoot I assisted on many years ago in Boston. I was hired by an out of town photographer for a celebrity portrait shoot on an active movie set. The shot was to make a fake magazine cover that was going to be used in the movie. The photographer apparently was more of a unit still shooter so was used to working with the set lighting provided and didn't seem to know how to light the rather large room with really high ceilings. He kept trying to light the space all morning to no avail.
After hours of wasting our time he consulted the gaffer on the movie and came back with a bunch of crazy and unrealistic suggestions for lighting the room that would have taken a large crew, many lights hanging from scaffolding inside and outside the building, etc. to achieve. I laughed as there was no way I could do all that by myself, not to mention we only had a handful of strobes
At the time I had been regularly assisting for an architectural photographer, so I finally suggested that I do the lighting, applied what I had learned from the other photographer and saved the day.  ;D

Of course the celebrity talent showed up hours late and then only allowed us to shoot 12 frames and left LOL


.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on March 20, 2013, 04:41:03 am
From a bit of a guerrilla shoot I did last week

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8574497358_d21f139d4e_c.jpg)





.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 20, 2013, 07:36:01 am
Okay, another Kodachrome to display the advantages of a tight DR.

Shot here on my terrace for a Hewden/Stuart Group plc calendar.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on March 20, 2013, 04:56:04 pm
A nice little spread of mine in a very good local magazine-rammed earth construction in Corrales NM. Efthimios Maniatis Architect. Will also appear later in Dwell as stock. My images appear on the cover and pages 10,18 and 38-45. Great spread-most happy with it.

http://issuu.com/santafean/docs/su_casa_north_spring_2013_digital_edition#.UUoNw3zCWDY.facebook (http://issuu.com/santafean/docs/su_casa_north_spring_2013_digital_edition#.UUoNw3zCWDY.facebook)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 20, 2013, 05:32:47 pm
Nice to see that some people are actually making photographs and not just staying up all night trying to find flaws in sensor engineering.  Go get 'em, Kirk!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 20, 2013, 05:38:46 pm
Congratulations Kirk.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on March 20, 2013, 06:28:22 pm
Thanks guys!

Nice to see that some people are actually making photographs and not just staying up all night trying to find flaws in sensor engineering.  Go get 'em, Kirk!

:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on March 20, 2013, 08:03:07 pm
Thanks guys!

:)

Nice work Kirk.

This is good for the forum.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on March 21, 2013, 09:46:42 am
Recent shot for a London based coffee magazine, i love shooting shiny things. (not final image just a screen grab with a few tweeks still to do)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 21, 2013, 11:39:33 am
Mr Smith,. Well done, nice style.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 22, 2013, 08:48:11 am
Some simple apparel images, using my new homemade clear plexiglass shooting table and D800 on Horseman VVC PRO + 120mm Rodenstock APO Rodagon.

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10120389/_DSC5534.jpg)

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10120389/_DSC5558.jpg)

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10120389/_DSC5561.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on March 22, 2013, 10:35:39 am
Hi Antonio,

Nice shots.

The only way you could get me to give up my Horseman VCC was to prise it from my cold dead hands.

My business couldn’t functioned without it.

Ciao

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on March 22, 2013, 11:05:58 am
A nice little spread of mine in a very good local magazine-rammed earth construction in Corrales NM. Efthimios Maniatis Architect. Will also appear later in Dwell as stock. My images appear on the cover and pages 10,18 and 38-45. Great spread-most happy with it.

http://issuu.com/santafean/docs/su_casa_north_spring_2013_digital_edition#.UUoNw3zCWDY.facebook (http://issuu.com/santafean/docs/su_casa_north_spring_2013_digital_edition#.UUoNw3zCWDY.facebook)

Kirk, Wish I'd never moved from there!  Love the house and, of course, your photographs are great!  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on March 22, 2013, 11:58:12 am
Thanks Jim!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: wolfnowl on March 23, 2013, 01:44:27 am
Recent shot for a London based coffee magazine, i love shooting shiny things. (not final image just a screen grab with a few tweeks still to do)


Is that a coffee maker or a tool stand for an avant garde dentist's office?  ;) 

Nicely done, anyway.

Mike.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on March 23, 2013, 06:14:15 am
It's an old style lever machine but with up to date boiler/internals/electrics.
It's made in England for a roaster called Londinium by a company called Fracino who are exporting espresso machines to the Italians

Having photographed it i decided Im going to have one for myself.  ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on March 23, 2013, 09:44:23 am
Proper coffee has been spreading like wildfire here in London over the last couple of years, LaMarzocco have just opened a showroom here and there is a coffee festival in a couple of weeks.
That's what I like about London, we don't turn up our noses at things from other countries because we think ours is better, we take the best bits from wherever and make something new. It's like wine and beer, we make both but will bring the best stuff from all over the world so we have more choice. I can walk in a pub and choose a craft beer from various different countries and regional beer from the U.K.  Try doing that in France where the local produce is 'the best',  try ordering a good Rioja or Malbec in France  ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on March 23, 2013, 09:53:40 am
... try ordering a good Rioja or Malbec in France  ;D

Very thruth ! I'm french and live in Madrid. I was never been able to just order a good Rioja in Paris. Nor a "ibérico" ham. They just bloody don't know what it is. Not even tried with a Ribeira del Duero.

That's indeed what I love about London. You find whatever you want almost everywhere.

Ps: and all those clichés french people have about England, that the food is crap and the girls are hugly and dress like bags are completly false. Girls are gorgeous and hornies, food is excelent everywhere, even in the remote Devon that I love (I wouldn't mind having a house in Devon). There is a lot to like about England. Well, except the climate maybe...

Ps2: very strange, in Madrid is rather easy to find british products in local supermarkets without having to go to a "british pub or specialized drugstore".
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 23, 2013, 12:38:50 pm
... Girls are gorgeous and hornies,...

Funny, I always thought that there beer is warmer than girls ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on March 23, 2013, 12:46:04 pm
"So I comment your image with a link"
i didn't read anything more into the machine/my image than shiny chrome espresso porn. you pull on the lever and the get a lovely shot.
 ::)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 23, 2013, 01:02:45 pm
"So I comment your image with a link"
i didn't read anything more into the machine/my image than shiny chrome espresso porn. you pull on the lever and the get a lovely shot.
 ::)




If made in Italy, beware: it could drop right off, and what would you do then?

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: wolfnowl on March 23, 2013, 01:06:19 pm
Lever-based machines are still the best - they allow more pressure than some of the modern machines.  Having said that, I've seen some super-automatics in local cafés that look like they'd be capable of launching a small satellite.  Saw an intriguing machine a couple of years ago at a coffee show, for people who are backpacking.  It's about the size of a portable bicycle pump and uses a similar action to build up pressure but it works really well.  Anyway, none of that has anything to do with photography (except maybe that many photographers run on caffeine!)

Mike.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MarkL on March 23, 2013, 01:38:34 pm
Proper coffee has been spreading like wildfire here in London over the last couple of years, LaMarzocco have just opened a showroom here and there is a coffee festival in a couple of weeks.
That's what I like about London, we don't turn up our noses at things from other countries because we think ours is better, we take the best bits from wherever and make something new. It's like wine and beer, we make both but will bring the best stuff from all over the world so we have more choice. I can walk in a pub and choose a craft beer from various different countries and regional beer from the U.K.  Try doing that in France where the local produce is 'the best',  try ordering a good Rioja or Malbec in France  ;D

We've all but adopted Indian and Chinese food and created our own out of it! London is a total hotchpotch of very old and very new buildings and will go on changing, seeing the Tower of London in sight of the modern buildings in The City makes some tourists heads spin.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on March 23, 2013, 02:13:32 pm
Johnny doesn't seem to like the "new" London very much: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SkUPM_T7FE

He's not wrong in many things though.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on March 23, 2013, 02:46:34 pm
I've been going to London since I could get on a plane.

At first I found it so different than anything I knew and I loved it.

Then there was a period where I believe the country looked too inward and was a little xenophobic.

Now I think it's one of the world's great cities.  It's modern and traditional and has embraced almost every culture.

Sure there's problems, (too many damn street cameras) and driving like I drive is expensive, actually all of London is quite expensive, but it's a great city.

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on March 23, 2013, 03:22:28 pm
Yes, London is a great city in many aspects. Like Johnny Rotten, I can't really relate to the glass buildings stuff they overdid. I like Foster, I lived years ago in a building designed by him, but too much bad Fosterism in the new arquitecture. The tower really looks like a dildo and Johnny's scooter helmet is spot-on. I particularly hate the hugly "Brighton's" Wheel. But it's a vibrant place.

The expensiveness was always there, but they went crazy in the late 80's. A friend of mine who passed away, suddenly went rich after he sold his appartment in London because the district he was living turned fashionable. He stopped to work with all the money and left London to live in a indian ocean island near the sea the rest of his life.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 24, 2013, 06:25:45 am
Yes, London is a great city in many aspects. Like Johnny Rotten, I can't really relate to the glass buildings stuff they overdid. I like Foster, I lived years ago in a building designed by him, but too much bad Fosterism in the new arquitecture. The tower really looks like a dildo and Johnny's scooter helmet is spot-on. I particularly hate the hugly "Brighton's" Wheel. But it's a vibrant place.

The expensiveness was always there, but they went crazy in the late 80's. A friend of mine who passed away, suddenly went rich after he sold his appartment in London because the district he was living turned fashionable. He stopped to work with all the money and left London to live in a indian ocean island near the sea the rest of his life.


Well that was considerate; usually, they move up to the nicer parts of Scotland or out to Cornwall and Wales and the locals there have to live with their parents for the rest of their lives because they themselves can't afford to buy locally anymore.

In many ways, it's the same in Mallorca: many farms were sold off and became big gardens for foreign industrialists or estate agents... and who made the money? It isn't that easy to tell: the ex-farmers who sold were long ago outwitted by inflation and can no lpnger buy back what they thought they'd sold at a huge profit, and those of us who bought at those prices now can't sell without going broke because just like the washing machine when you are in a hurry and need to go out, the system’s ever at the wrong place on the programme. I know for a fact that all of my life I have been too late for the best deals by a regular gap of ten years. Would I have traded being ten years older in order to have been able to take advantage of the correct space/time frame that I should have occupied? Probably, yes. Better older than feeling a fish out of water most of the time, and one can’t escape the fact that if you are going to get, say, eighty years in total, then what difference does it make when you spend it? You probably get the same balance of good and bad regardless; but maybe, if you have choice,  you’d get to be in synch!

I enjoyed the Johnny Rotten video, for which, thanks.

Though a far smaller place, Glasgow is just the same as London appears to be. I was last back there eight-and-a-half years ago for a funeral. I hardly knew how to drive around the city anymore: the streets have disappeared or been changed to one-ways; the  compass of landmarks has vanished behind new structures or been totally turned into history. Even the local park where I used to walk the pooch for an hour twice a day, rain, sun, freezing fog or snow has altered beyond spiritual recognition. The pond where I shot pix of models in rowing boats has lost its charm and sense of calm, and last time I was there it offered all the glory and solitude of walking around a huge puddle in a city. Perhaps that’s what opening up the world to everyone does: ruins those moments of reflection, floating swans (some have been beaten to death there in recent years) and proud mums pushing high prams around the water’s edge as they point out nature to the sleeping babes. (I can vouch for the latter from memory and snapshot.) It’s all fucking gone, along with the immediate post-war boom that created so much of that one-time prosperity. Maybe that’s why wars exist: to reboot economies. The generally unrealised natural way to prolong life on Earth could well exist in just this type of human pruning: perhaps it’s why we have not quite outgrown the world’s resources – yet; perhaps that’s why, as a species, we have this built-in structure of gratuitous violence: it keeps us culled to sustainable levels.

Have a nice day.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on March 24, 2013, 06:33:22 am
Damn Rob,

Don't you think with all this over positive, joy and sunshine outlook you might be sidestepping reality just a bit?

Ground yourself man.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on March 24, 2013, 07:47:40 am
http://www.samaritans.org (http://www.samaritans.org)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 24, 2013, 09:31:34 am
... I've all but given up trying to get you to look forward rather than backwards, but nevertheless still live in hope.

Rob, just remember that today you are younger than you'll ever be ;)

P.S. If only you could forget that you are, at the same time, older than you've ever been :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 24, 2013, 10:39:49 am
Gentlemen, gentleman, I simply can't find my tinted glasses these days!

I see reality where once I didn't is all. Or, as likely, the reality that I see today as a negative turn in the world state is the only reality our younger members know, and so natural youth prevents the comparisons with earlier realities from being made which is only normal, but if memory is long, then there's no hiding place from the knowledge of how it was.

One only has to consider how fast food has become the norm of many... I remember vividly coming home after midnight from a long stint in the darkroom and my wife having a gorgeous fillet steak, chips and beautiful fresh vegetables ready for me to enjoy! Today, that would either return to choke me to death in my sleep or give me another heart attack.

Frankly, there's little that a generous lottery win wouldn't help relieve: time spent drifting through a list of the Relais & Châteaux establishments would certainly contribute to the adoption of a new set of shades... dammit, might even go turncoat and buy Canon and a 17mm Tilter/Shifter!

Just think of me as an old bottle, and then forget new wines.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on March 24, 2013, 10:57:24 am
One only has to consider how fast food has become the norm of many...

This, for example, is just one part of a reality in wich we can decide to focus-on, or not. It's not a universal truth.
US has a HUGE problem with obesity. I've never seen so many obese people per meter-square anywhere else and the last time i was it litterally shocked me how bad it incresed to the point that I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes soon a US governement strategical concern. It of course has to do with garbage food habits, not to do with richness, with some first world obliged decadence.
Simply look at the japanese. Top developped country, you'd have hard time to find some obese people in the streets.
Genes? No, simply look at what they eat. They don't eat bloody burgers, Coca Cola and donuts, no.
Even the UK fish and ships with vinager is a sweet joke compared to the US industrial food habits.

Sorry, didn't mean fish&ships but fish&chips
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 24, 2013, 02:05:50 pm
This, for example, is just one part of a reality in wich we can decide to focus-on, or not. It's not a universal truth.
US has a HUGE problem with obesity. I've never seen so many obese people per meter-square anywhere else and the last time i was it litterally shocked me how bad it incresed to the point that I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes soon a US governement strategical concern. It of course has to do with garbage food habits, not to do with richness, with some first world obliged decadence.
Simply look at the japanese. Top developped country, you'd have hard time to find some obese people in the streets.
Genes? No, simply look at what they eat. They don't eat bloody burgers, Coca Cola and donuts, no.
Even the UK fish and ships with vinager is a sweet joke compared to the US industrial food habits.

Sorry, didn't mean fish&ships but fish&chips



Well, I can tell you the Britain is now offically the worst country in Europe for the weight problem, and problem it is, because as they tell us, the Health Service won't be able to cope with the results. And that will affect everybody, regardless of how diet-conscious they may be.

I hate to say it, but Mac and the rest do good business in Spain... the Mac carparks we passed in France always looked pretty busy, but that might be because of the early lunch hours there...

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 24, 2013, 02:18:02 pm
Hi Rob,

What has that to do with your post? I don't know. It just came to my mind, when I read your post.

AND. Man – am I jealous about the images you took in your past. All these beautiful girls on the beach. Which brings me back to the image of the espresso machine. I originally wanted to post: "This is what I see, when I wake up in the morning." (I hope I'm not banned from the forum now.) I think the french would say: "Je me suis réveillé sous un arbre". Is that right  fredjeang2?

Best,
Johannes


Hi,

Well, I’m perfectly happy that your reply wasn’t strictly on topic; most interesting posts I read are not: it’s the development of the idea and where it takes one that interests me in this posting business. It’s exactly how it often works for me: someone writes something and that sparks a memory or an attitude, and away I go.

My old images? Make you a bit envious? Shit, I envy myself these days. Where the hell did it all go? I know where it went: political correctness killed it all, the bespoke calendars and the stock side of it too. It’s the universal problem of too many eggs in one basket, to which there is but a single valid solution: find that one, enormous egg and hope for the best! Guess I didn’t quite realise the writing on the wall at the time.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on March 24, 2013, 02:32:47 pm
England is full of obese people, you really notice it when you leave London for the provinces, I'm a 'middle aged'  29in waist 6footer who years ago would be considered 'normal' but now I'm looked at as undernourished (I have a healthy appetite) when I was at school there was 1 'fat kid' now 30% are obese.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 24, 2013, 02:36:23 pm
Damn Rob,

Don't you think with all this over positive, joy and sunshine outlook you might be sidestepping reality just a bit?

Ground yourself man.

BC



Hate to tell you: I was not exaggerating at all. My old city has vanished. Perhaps it was just small enough still to be personal; it was certainly very ugly in parts, but there was also a charm, even in the bad weather and smog. There was charm in looking out of the window at the silent snow falling in the glow of the lights across our road; I can remember driving back home in the yellow fog a few times, unable to see anything much at all, but happy to follow the tramlines that took me exactly where I had to go; was a time I could park in Buchanan Street, right in front of my client's House of Fraser flagship store. Then they introduced 'pedestrianisation' and blew the whole city centre away.

There are a lot of empty shops along Sauchiehall Street.

You live in a new country; perhaps there hasn't been time for a sense of decay, of the best being behind it, to accrue. But, I suspect that the 50s were, overall, probably the best the US will see. I hope I'm mistaken.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on March 24, 2013, 08:54:42 pm
England is full of obese people, you really notice it when you leave London for the provinces, I'm a 'middle aged'  29in waist 6footer who years ago would be considered 'normal' but now I'm looked at as undernourished (I have a healthy appetite) when I was at school there was 1 'fat kid' now 30% are obese.



Well, I can tell you the Britain is now offically the worst country in Europe for the weight problem, and problem it is, because as they tell us, the Health Service won't be able to cope with the results. And that will affect everybody, regardless of how diet-conscious they may be.

I hate to say it, but Mac and the rest do good business in Spain... the Mac carparks we passed in France always looked pretty busy, but that might be because of the early lunch hours there...

Rob C

THIS is the cure, beleive me.
(http://www.madrid-restaurantes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/sushi1-493x230.jpg)

and for the ones who really can't deal with japanese food, may this will convince you?

(http://images.eldiario.es/economia/Casino-Palmas-suspende-corporal-recibidas_EDIIMA20130129_0334_4.jpg)

Come-on! eating raw is healphy. Another one for the most recalcitrants.

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzqq9fUm0O0/UPbfbsAiIZI/AAAAAAADI90/dee0Kwp3JBw/s1600/Body-Sushi-Private+(2).jpg)








Now....








AT YOUR OWN RISKS
(http://www.foodhealthnews.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/forbidden-fast-food-mcdonalds.jpg)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 24, 2013, 11:40:48 pm
Oh dear, how can anyone top Fred's post? Even Rob?

And I've been thinking of writing a new best-selling weight-loss book based on my own experiences: It will be called the Kidney Stone Weight-Loss Program. I have succeeded in losing ten pounds during the last two weeks since the Kidney Stone hit. Maybe I'm ready to try the Japanese diet now...

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 25, 2013, 04:47:48 am
As I sometimes suspected, daily bread and silver cutlery are not necessities; I'd be happy to go on a fuller diet and eat with my fingers. Succulent.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on March 28, 2013, 01:25:08 pm
fredjeang2 THANK YOU!

I can finally imagine myself as a food photographer!

THIS is the cure, beleive me.
(http://www.madrid-restaurantes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/sushi1-493x230.jpg)

and for the ones who really can't deal with japanese food, may this will convince you?

(http://images.eldiario.es/economia/Casino-Palmas-suspende-corporal-recibidas_EDIIMA20130129_0334_4.jpg)

Come-on! eating raw is healphy. Another one for the most recalcitrants.

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzqq9fUm0O0/UPbfbsAiIZI/AAAAAAADI90/dee0Kwp3JBw/s1600/Body-Sushi-Private+(2).jpg)








Now....








AT YOUR OWN RISKS
(http://www.foodhealthnews.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/forbidden-fast-food-mcdonalds.jpg)


Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 28, 2013, 02:15:40 pm
THIS is the cure, beleive me.

Not so fast, my friend!

While the prospect of eating sushi as served in the attached photographs is surely tempting (for a different reason though ;)), it shall be noted that:

Quote
Supermarket sushi is much more like typical fast food than you'd think, with a couple of California rolls packing as many calories and twice as much sugar as a Big Mac and French fries from McDonald's.

as per this article (http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/sushi--not-that-good-for-you-after-all--184102369.html).
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 28, 2013, 03:00:43 pm
But I've never seen supermarket sushi that looked at all like Fredjeang2's.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Codger on March 28, 2013, 03:08:21 pm
Probably a California Trader Joe's.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 28, 2013, 06:25:40 pm
Hasn't she got a lovely mouth!

Rob C
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on March 28, 2013, 07:19:34 pm
Not so fast, my friend!

While the prospect of eating sushi as served in the attached photographs is surely tempting (for a different reason though ;)), it shall be noted that:

as per this article (http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/sushi--not-that-good-for-you-after-all--184102369.html).

Ok Slobodan,
fast-food-shushi are crapp too...

Here is the ultimate diet.

(http://creoflick.net/images/photography-Sven-Prim-carrot-1867.jpg)

 >:(
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 29, 2013, 10:54:48 am
Kodachrome 64 Pro, Nikon F or F2 Photomic, 3.5/135 Nikkor.

Sand, palm fronds and a mango. But you knew that.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on March 29, 2013, 03:50:52 pm
Yes! My kind of food photography yet again!

When I get back from Budapest in a few weeks, it is a new specialty for me!

Gonna start practicing right now and I should be an expert quickly no matter how much I have to apply myself :)

Kodachrome 64 Pro, Nikon F or F2 Photomic, 3.5/135 Nikkor.

Sand, palm fronds and a mango. But you knew that.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on March 29, 2013, 05:04:21 pm
Hello,

Shot some years ago.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 29, 2013, 07:44:12 pm
Personal message to all the Big Pros:

Since this thread (version 1) first started, this is one that I have always thoroughly enjoyed. Being an amateur myself, I never wanted to put in my two cents when the Pros were discussing things.

But I've decided it's time to give a big Thank You to Simon, Bcooter, Kirk, Chris Barrett, Mr. Smith, and many others who have not only showed amazing stuff over and over again, but have been willing to share so much information about what they do and how they do it.

Perhaps best of all is the fact that while working for clients, you all seem to really enjoy what you are doing and continuously demonstrate imagination, creativity, and all that good stuff.

So again: Thank you all!

Eric M.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on March 29, 2013, 08:13:07 pm
Hi Eric,

Thank you for your kind words.

I am very thankful that on the 1st April it will be my 28th anniversary when I went pro. I have and still love my profession and are grateful the there a people out there who what to pay me to take photos.

Having to having a job which I find so enjoyable and the get paid to do it is a blessing.

Ciao

Simon
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on March 30, 2013, 01:06:17 am
Not so fast, my friend!

While the prospect of eating sushi as served in the attached photographs is surely tempting (for a different reason though ;)), it shall be noted that:

as per this article (http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/sushi--not-that-good-for-you-after-all--184102369.html).

Get's even worse..... Sushi may look pretty, but it hides some nasty little secrets...

(http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/04/multistate-outbreak-linked-to-raw-sushi-grows-to-200-cases/#.UVZx3xcqZ8E)

I prefer cruelty free vegan... my favorit vegan joint makes some delicious sushi inspired goodies.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on March 30, 2013, 02:40:54 am
Personal message to all the Big Pros:

Since this thread (version 1) first started, this is one that I have always thoroughly enjoyed. Being an amateur myself, I never wanted to put in my two cents when the Pros were discussing things.

But I've decided it's time to give a big Thank You to Simon, Bcooter, Kirk, Chris Barrett, Mr. Smith, and many others who have not only showed amazing stuff over and over again, but have been willing to share so much information about what they do and how they do it.

Perhaps best of all is the fact that while working for clients, you all seem to really enjoy what you are doing and continuously demonstrate imagination, creativity, and all that good stuff.

So again: Thank you all!

Eric M.


Thanks. I still find it hard to believe, 35 years later, that I get to do this for a living. In a very real sense it is both my vocation and my avocation. Personally, I have always thought sharing and or teaching my knowledge is part of paying you dues. This summer I get to add (in Santa Fe) yet a third university I get to teach at and I am stoked as it is a large format b&w film class. Though I have continued to shoot film for my personal work, I haven't taught it in maybe ten years. How sweet is that? I've found that usually (sometimes in surprising and mysterious ways) I get more back than I give.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on March 30, 2013, 06:35:21 am
I got called a 'big pro'  ;D thanks, raised a smile and made me laugh.
I wouldn't say I have posted many images or  'amazing stuff' but that's becuase the MFonly rules have only been relaxed recently. ::)

I like looking at other pro's work, but often it's hard not to think about what's outside the crop (lights,production, retouching, pain in the bum clients etc)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on March 30, 2013, 08:28:54 am
Thanks. I still find it hard to believe, 35 years later, that I get to do this for a living.


I think its might be interesting to ask how long everyone has been doing this stuff?

I'm at 32 years.  I too have many times been amazed that I get paid for doing what I love.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 30, 2013, 10:01:51 am
Shooting professionally since I was 26, so 17 years.  12 at HB, 5 at CB.

Damn, is that all??!!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 30, 2013, 10:10:53 am
I think its might be interesting to ask how long everyone has been doing this stuff?
I'm at 32 years.  I too have many times been amazed that I get paid for doing what I love.




Professionally, since 1960; on my own account since 1966.

I don't know if I have retired or am just waiting for the 'phone to ring; maybe it's not connected anymore... one day I'll check it out.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 30, 2013, 11:23:43 am
Well you guys have so much more way to go and to give. Congrats.!
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 30, 2013, 12:15:54 pm
I don't know if I have retired or am just waiting for the 'phone to ring; maybe it's not connected anymore... one day I'll check it out.
Rob C
Hello Rob? Rob? Are you there? Please pick up! I want to tell you how much I like your work, but of course I'm too cheap to spend any money on it.  :(

Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on March 30, 2013, 12:38:38 pm
I think its might be interesting to ask how long everyone has been doing this stuff?

I'm at 32 years.  I too have many times been amazed that I get paid for doing what I love.

Started doing photography in my fathers darkroom in the 6th grade-51 years ago. Got serious with my B&W photography 43 years ago. Started my architectural photography business 35 years ago.......
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 30, 2013, 01:28:09 pm
Hello Rob? Rob? Are you there? Please pick up! I want to tell you how much I like your work, but of course I'm too cheap to spend any money on it.  :(

Eric



Tell you a secret: I never call me either, but then I'm Scottish(ish) so maybe it comes with the territory. Something sure does.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on April 03, 2013, 10:05:05 am
quick screen grab of a test. i actually bought this as a gift for a friend but thought i would take a shot of it. (it's not a final, couple of things missing)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: gipper51 on April 03, 2013, 11:25:27 pm
Is it alright if a newcomer plays along  ;D

My first post here so I guess I should introduce myself.  Aaron Gipperich located in Belleville, IL near St. Louis.  I'm not a full time pro, part time A&I shooter.  I'm an architect / Revit guy full time for the day job.  I'm mostly a technical person for the 8-5 so my photography is my "creative" side of the business.  I shoot for the firm that employs me and a few other clients.  I've done portrait work in the past but realized a while ago I get along much better with buildings!

For my style, I like to use accent lighting but I keep it simple and natural looking.  I use minimal but carefully selected props and prefer a less-is-more approach to furniture arrangement.  I'm not a fan of ultra wide angles and the 24 TS-E is my favorite interior lens.  I shoot with a 5D2, a 5D, a modest assortment of lenses and a total hodge-podge of lighting gear.  My next investments will be a 35mm shift lens and a Camranger when they finally release the Android version.

A few samples of some recent work in 2013, these four are from a new classroom building at a local community college.  Have not done exteriors yet due to unfinished landscaping:
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: gipper51 on April 03, 2013, 11:28:30 pm
Follow up post.  And a few more of a gymnasium from another local college.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: gipper51 on April 03, 2013, 11:40:16 pm
And what the heck, a car dealership for a night shot  ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on April 05, 2013, 12:29:16 am
Nice work Gipper.

You will like the Camranger combined with wireless usb. It will let you put your camera backed right up against the walls
giving you significantly more composition options.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: gipper51 on April 05, 2013, 12:53:44 am
Nice work Gipper.

You will like the Camranger combined with wireless usb. It will let you put your camera backed right up against the walls
giving you significantly more composition options.

Thanks, Fred.  I'm actually more interested in the Camranger as a time-saver when I'm staging the scene.  Hoping it will save alot of trips back to the camera when I'm making small tweaks to furniture and such.  Assistants are never in my budgets, so I'm hoping this will gain some efficiency.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on April 05, 2013, 07:27:09 am
First post, first pictures!

About me: my name is Adrian Schulz, born in Heidelberg, living and working in Berlin, Germany. I received a degree in architecture from TU Berlin in 2007. Early in my studies, I became interested in architectural photography, and so it became the subject of my thesis. Currently I’m working as a professional architectural photographer in Germany (and sometimes in the States  :) ).

I ordered a Hartblei-Cam recently, so in the future, you might see some medium format pictures from me.

(sorry for any misspelling)

Project 1:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/odenw01.jpg)
(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/odenw05.jpg)
(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/odenw04.jpg)
(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/odenw02.jpg)
(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/odenw03.jpg)

Project 2:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/mkg02.jpg)
(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/mkg01.jpg)
(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/mkg03.jpg)
(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/mkg04b.jpg)
(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/mkg05.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sam@ on April 05, 2013, 09:18:23 am
Hi Adrian

Very nice images on your website..

I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the H-Cam once you have worked with that. What back and lenses will you use with it?

Best regards

Sam
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on April 05, 2013, 11:00:08 am
I'm very pleased to hear that that you like my pictures.
Its going to be the Leaf Aptus II 8 + the two Canon TS-Es (17 & 24II) + Pentax 645 lenses (35mm, 55mm, 75mm) and maybe the Pentax 67 45mm.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on April 05, 2013, 11:04:52 am
Thanks, Fred.  I'm actually more interested in the Camranger as a time-saver when I'm staging the scene.  Hoping it will save alot of trips back to the camera when I'm making small tweaks to furniture and such.  Assistants are never in my budgets, so I'm hoping this will gain some efficiency.

Do you shoot tethered?  If so try Capture Pilot fro C1 Pro.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 06, 2013, 09:20:23 am
From the project, Sit WIth Style.

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10120389/sillas/6X12_LCW.jpg)

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10120389/sillas/6X12_ROUND.jpg)

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10120389/sillas/MANPOTE_8.10X16.10_ORGANIC.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on April 06, 2013, 12:11:31 pm
Antonio -- nice, and I'm jealous! I've been wanting to shoot furniture FOREVER. May have stumbled into an opportunity recently, working on a creative proposal this weekend.
I like the last one especially - but the first one seems a little flat, to me.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on April 06, 2013, 12:32:00 pm
Thanks, Fred.  I'm actually more interested in the Camranger as a time-saver when I'm staging the scene.  Hoping it will save alot of trips back to the camera when I'm making small tweaks to furniture and such.  Assistants are never in my budgets, so I'm hoping this will gain some efficiency.

Right that is a huge advantage being able to walk around the room, hall or whatever and carry your live view around with you..
Even with an assistant it's just nice to be able to move things around yourself and contemplate what you are doing rather than
driving your assistant nuts with your tweaks.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on April 06, 2013, 12:38:18 pm
Thanks, Fred.  I'm actually more interested in the Camranger as a time-saver when I'm staging the scene.  Hoping it will save alot of trips back to the camera when I'm making small tweaks to furniture and such.  Assistants are never in my budgets, so I'm hoping this will gain some efficiency.

Do you shoot tethered?  If so try Capture Pilot fro C1 Pro.

That won't give him what he is looking for. He want's to move around the room and make adjustments to furniture and props having
live view on a tablet wirelessly connected to the camera without using another wifi network or having to set up a PC or MAC that
is hard wired to the camera.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on April 06, 2013, 01:00:13 pm
That won't give him what he is looking for. He want's to move around the room and make adjustments to furniture and props having
live view on a tablet wirelessly connected to the camera without using another wifi network or having to set up a PC or MAC that
is hard wired to the camera.



Thats why I asked him if he shot tethered....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 06, 2013, 02:35:57 pm
Antonio -- nice, and I'm jealous! I've been wanting to shoot furniture FOREVER. May have stumbled into an opportunity recently, working on a creative proposal this weekend.
I like the last one especially - but the first one seems a little flat, to me.

Hello Scott, I'm very lucky to have this client. Nice work and lots of fun.
Next week we're shooting some new sets, I'll fallow your advise.
Thanks.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 06, 2013, 03:23:41 pm
If anyone interested.. TIM GRIFFITH: Architectural Photography – Building Relationships. April 28 - May 3

http://2013.palmspringsphotofestival.com/connect-2013/workshops/tim-griffith/ (http://2013.palmspringsphotofestival.com/connect-2013/workshops/tim-griffith/)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 06, 2013, 03:24:52 pm
Copper Ring

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10120389/Ring.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on April 06, 2013, 06:02:09 pm
Hello,

In keep with the furniture theme.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 06, 2013, 06:34:40 pm
Hello,

In keep with the furniture theme.

Cheers

Simon

This is a portrait of a chair Simon.. Good one

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Mitchell Baum on April 06, 2013, 07:30:03 pm
Antonio,

I'm surprised to feel this, but all your chairs seem alive to me.
I'm not sure I'm crazy about the chairs themselves, but the way you lit and photographed them makes them seem like characters in relationship to each other. Well done!!!

Best,

Mitchell
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 06, 2013, 08:11:01 pm
Antonio,

I'm surprised to feel this, but all your chairs seem alive to me.
I'm not sure I'm crazy about the chairs themselves, but the way you lit and photographed them makes them seem like characters in relationship to each other. Well done!!!

Best,

Mitchell

I know Michael, I like mines very much. Thanks.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on April 06, 2013, 08:25:11 pm
Furniture?  Naturally I have to chime in.

A favorite from recent history.  One of the most fun parts of these shoots is arranging the set walls and platforms to add geometry to the composition and then of course lighting everything for depth and a bit of playful mystery.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Cumberland_Studio_001.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: gipper51 on April 06, 2013, 09:46:35 pm
Do you shoot tethered?  If so try Capture Pilot fro C1 Pro.

Craig,

No, I have never shot tethered.  As nice as it would be I'm afraid it might be too time consuming lugging the computer & stand around with the rest of the gear.  Hopefully the camranger will give me the best of both worlds.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on April 06, 2013, 10:56:00 pm
If anyone interested.. TIM GRIFFITH: Architectural Photography – Building Relationships. April 28 - May 3

http://2013.palmspringsphotofestival.com/connect-2013/workshops/tim-griffith/ (http://2013.palmspringsphotofestival.com/connect-2013/workshops/tim-griffith/)

I highly recommend Tim's workshop.  I took it two years ago and really enjoyed the experience!  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on April 06, 2013, 11:02:42 pm
Furniture?  Naturally I have to chime in.

A favorite from recent history.  One of the most fun parts of these shoots is arranging the set walls and platforms to add geometry to the composition and then of course lighting everything for depth and a bit of playful mystery.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Cumberland_Studio_001.jpg)

dude!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on April 06, 2013, 11:04:15 pm
Craig,

No, I have never shot tethered.  As nice as it would be I'm afraid it might be too time consuming lugging the computer & stand around with the rest of the gear.  Hopefully the camranger will give me the best of both worlds.

I simply can't imagine trying to work without the tether, both for composition and file backup. It really akes very little time.  I'm using the ipad as you suggest using the camranger. Best of luck.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Frank Doorhof on April 09, 2013, 04:47:01 am
Today I released the first set in a series I'm doing with sports at http://www.frankdoorhof.com/site/2013/04/sport-serie/
All shot with Elinchrom Rangers and Phase One DF camera with the Leaf Credo 60.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on April 10, 2013, 10:03:59 am
I think its might be interesting to ask how long everyone has been doing this stuff?

I'm at 32 years.  I too have many times been amazed that I get paid for doing what I love.



I built a rudimentary darkroom in the root cellar in 1968, when I was 14. We lived near a large air force base in New Brunswick, Canada, which also had a number of US air force personnel stationed there. One of them was a neighbour and kindly lent me his 4x5 speed graphic and 35mm Exacta, as well as a 35mm enlarger.

After three years of photography school, I started in business in 1975 as a photojournalist covering the political scene in Ottawa. I mostly do architecture now, as well as a mix of industrial, corporate and aerial photography.

Here is a recent project shot with a 5D11, 17mm TSE for the interior and 24 TSE for the exterior.

People sometimes ask me when I plan to retire. I tell them I have never had a job, so I can't very well retire!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ed Foster, Jr. on April 10, 2013, 02:07:02 pm
Harold,

Well made images.

Your comment on the Exacta brought back memories of my first left-handed, film-winding, waist level finder camera 1964, and your closing comment echos my sentiments for the past 45 years.

Ed
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on April 10, 2013, 02:44:34 pm
Harold,

Well made images.

Your comment on the Exacta brought back memories of my first left-handed, film-winding, waist level finder camera 1964, and your closing comment echos my sentiments for the past 45 years.

Ed


Thanks for your comments Ed, I think we photographers are like musicians, writers or others involved in creative pursuits. It is in our DNA, we can't stop.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Doug Peterson on April 11, 2013, 10:28:53 am
Some photos from our IQ2 Pre-Launch Party a couple weeks ago.

Phase One IQ260 (https://digitaltransitions.com/blog/news/phase-one-iq260-and-iq280-what-you-need-to-know) Prototype on Phase One DF+ with Schneider 28LS andr 110LS. Profoto Pro-B4 w/ Beauty Dish. Processing: Capture One v7.1.1. Reviewed wirelessly without tethering on an iPad 3.

Images used with permission of the photographers. See watermark and link under the image.

(https://digitaltransitions.com/images/upload/dep/iq2-event/IQ260-Prototype_DF+_28LS_f5p6_500th_ISO50_HighlightRecovery_NatashaSavignon.jpg)
Photo by Doug Peterson (http://www.doug-peterson.com/)


(https://digitaltransitions.com/images/upload/dep/iq2-event/IQ260-Prototype_DF+_110mm_f2p8_50th_ISO200_CameraShake_NatashaSavignon.jpg)
Photo by Luke Potter (http://www.lukepotterphotography.com/)


(https://digitaltransitions.com/images/upload/dep/iq2-event/IQ260-Prototype_DF+_28mm_f8_500th_ISO50_DynamicRangeAndFlashSync_NatashaSavignon.jpg)
Photo by Alessandro Casagli (http://www.alessandrocasagli.com/)


(https://digitaltransitions.com/images/upload/dep/iq2-event/IQ260-Prototype_DF+_110mm_f4p5_500th_ISO100_FastFlashSync_NatashaSavignon.jpg)
Photo by Brian Hirschfeld (http://brianhirschfeldphotography.com/)

We will be hosting another round Phase One IQ2 events (http://www.getdpi.com/forum/commercial-vendor-sales-services/45219-upcoming-phase-one-digital-transitions-events-ny-dc-tx-co.html) coming up in April and May in Washingon DC, Colorado, New York, and Texas.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on April 11, 2013, 01:57:02 pm
I hope you paid her double for that penultimate shot: my feet are suffering in sympathy.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on April 11, 2013, 10:25:04 pm
My new cover of New Mexico Magazine-from an article on Chaco Outliers. Pueblo Pintado site. This kind of editorial doesn't pay top dollar but it gets me out in the field and NOT shooting contemporary architecture for a change.....and my family loves it. I also feel like I am giving something back to my home state that has been so good to me. 5DMII with the 24T/S-handheld vertical stitch.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bill t. on April 12, 2013, 01:19:53 am
Congratulations Kirk!  You achieved editorial perfection there!  Was that two horizontals, stacked up vertically?  Last time I wash-boarded my way out to Chaco digital cameras were strictly 640 x 480, but it's on my to-do list.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on April 12, 2013, 04:28:22 am
I don't think all the images are by full time professionals? A dealer and a couple of reviewers/bloggers and shot on a demo day where there is no art direction or client.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on April 12, 2013, 09:19:33 am
I don't think all the images are by full time professionals? A dealer and a couple of reviewers/bloggers and shot on a demo day where there is no art direction or client.




So... exactly what's the point of publishing them, then?

Thanks to a recent posting by French Fred, I had another look today at some Ellen Von Unwerth shots, a lady who's been around a long time with a lot of success. Coming from way back in film, she has one great thing going for her(IMO) and that's that she shoots models showing emotion. When your fashion pix have that, you don't need to give a damn about formats, DR, ETTR or any other current shibboleth: it's in the photographs or it's not - much as has always been the case.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on April 12, 2013, 09:57:35 am
Yes Bill. I do this often to build the megapixels-two images stacked bottom and top with a decent overlap and then merged in PS. With a T/S lens this is easy. Shift to the bottom take one image-shift to the top and make another being careful to hold the camera steady and keep some overlap so the stitch program can find some registration points to get the overlap correct-a bit harder to do this handheld without a T/S lens unless it is a long shot without objects in the foreground.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on April 12, 2013, 09:58:44 am
... day where there is no art direction...

Good to know whom to thank for a good fashion/model photography... not the camera, not the photographer, but art director? ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on April 12, 2013, 10:55:38 am
...to get in the way?


Sir, you have just scored 100%.

Congratulations!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Doug Peterson on April 12, 2013, 12:01:20 pm
Tough crowd  ;D.

You're all welcome to come later this month to NY, DC, or TX (https://digitaltransitions.com/event/event) and do better :).
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on April 12, 2013, 01:02:10 pm
Two older images, just published: Charras and charros in the Los Angeles area.


(http://martinrangerimages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/100522204456_w.jpg)

(http://martinrangerimages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/100522155230_w.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on April 12, 2013, 01:09:31 pm
Some photos from our IQ2 Pre-Launch Party a couple weeks ago.

Phase One IQ260 (https://digitaltransitions.com/blog/news/phase-one-iq260-and-iq280-what-you-need-to-know) Prototype on Phase One DF+ with Schneider 28LS andr 110LS. Profoto Pro-B4 w/ Beauty Dish. Processing: Capture One v7.1.1. Reviewed wirelessly without tethering on an iPad 3.

Images used with permission of the photographers. See watermark and link under the image.

(https://digitaltransitions.com/images/upload/dep/iq2-event/IQ260-Prototype_DF+_28LS_f5p6_500th_ISO50_HighlightRecovery_NatashaSavignon.jpg)
Photo by Doug Peterson (http://www.doug-peterson.com/)


(https://digitaltransitions.com/images/upload/dep/iq2-event/IQ260-Prototype_DF+_110mm_f2p8_50th_ISO200_CameraShake_NatashaSavignon.jpg)
Photo by Luke Potter (http://www.lukepotterphotography.com/)


(https://digitaltransitions.com/images/upload/dep/iq2-event/IQ260-Prototype_DF+_28mm_f8_500th_ISO50_DynamicRangeAndFlashSync_NatashaSavignon.jpg)
Photo by Alessandro Casagli (http://www.alessandrocasagli.com/)


(https://digitaltransitions.com/images/upload/dep/iq2-event/IQ260-Prototype_DF+_110mm_f4p5_500th_ISO100_FastFlashSync_NatashaSavignon.jpg)
Photo by Brian Hirschfeld (http://brianhirschfeldphotography.com/)

We will be hosting another round Phase One IQ2 events (http://www.getdpi.com/forum/commercial-vendor-sales-services/45219-upcoming-phase-one-digital-transitions-events-ny-dc-tx-co.html) coming up in April and May in Washingon DC, Colorado, New York, and Texas.

I don't think it's fair to critique the photographers on these photos. It was a product presentation party.
I'm sure the photographers were distracted by the excitement of seeing the new gear and keep in mind
that the only new features of interest are wireless image review and long exposure... so I'm guessing more time was spent looking at that.

However what's up with the skin tone, blown out highlights and blue cast on the eyeballs. Not a critique of the photographers, but these are hardly representative of high image quality.

Photo 2: Blue cast in the white of the eyeballs, yellow cast on the highlight on her nose..

Photo 4: Skin looks plasticy and nasty blown out whites on the sky..

Love the models name Natasha Savignon..  lovely name.

Would like to hear more about how the Wifi review was working....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on April 12, 2013, 01:10:57 pm
Great stuff!
Erik

Two older images, just published: Charras and charros in the Los Angeles area.


(http://martinrangerimages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/100522204456_w.jpg)

(http://martinrangerimages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/100522155230_w.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on April 12, 2013, 01:17:17 pm
Two older images, just published: Charras and charros in the Los Angeles area.


(http://martinrangerimages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/100522204456_w.jpg)

(http://martinrangerimages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/100522155230_w.jpg)

Very nice Martin.... We need to go and eat some more dust together at another one of these events....

The composition in thesre two images is as good as it gets... I particularly like the interesting way they work so well together.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on April 12, 2013, 02:48:35 pm
Thank you, Erik. It was a lot of fun taking them.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on April 12, 2013, 02:49:48 pm
Thank you, Fred. I hope I'll make it down to LA this summer. We do need to eat more dust together.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 12, 2013, 03:43:46 pm
Hello Martin,

I saw your portfolio some month ago in the web. Me being latin I think is great. Should publish more of your images here.
Thanks.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on April 12, 2013, 07:47:41 pm
..
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: theguywitha645d on April 12, 2013, 08:01:56 pm
Photo 2: Blue cast in the white of the eyeballs, yellow cast on the highlight on her nose..

Photo 4: Skin looks plasticy and nasty blown out whites on the sky..


Fred, you are probably not really good at read light. This is mixed lighting with what looks like a lot of skylight, hence the blue. The clouds are really bright and being outside depth of field will take out detail. You really need to get out of the studio more often.

Naturally, if this was not a Phase product demo would probably would not have posted. I am sure the photographers did not ask for your 2 cents. I don't believe this is a critique thread.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on April 12, 2013, 08:57:21 pm
Fred, you are probably not really good at read light. This is mixed lighting with what looks like a lot of skylight, hence the blue. The clouds are really bright and being outside depth of field will take out detail. You really need to get out of the studio more often.

Naturally, if this was not a Phase product demo would probably would not have posted. I am sure the photographers did not ask for your 2 cents. I don't believe this is a critique thread.

If you really want to be a stickler...... It's a recent professional Works thread, not a marketing event thread.
I seriously doubt any of the photographers would consider the shots they did at a product party "professioanl work" or an expression of what they are capable of.
I'm sure they each only had a few moments with the cameras.

Regardless there are loads of technical comments on images in this thread....

My point is that these images and how they are processed are not representative of a sensors capability, especially the way they were processed. I doubt they were processed by the photographers.

Regarding the plasticy skin and blown out clouds... it's not about the depth of field... there is tonality even in very blured objects.

The file is seriously clipped

(https://digitaltransitions.com/images/upload/dep/iq2-event/IQ260-Prototype_DF+_110mm_f4p5_500th_ISO100_FastFlashSync_NatashaSavignon.jpg)

Levels of the whole image:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8398/8644516680_509d931870_o.jpg)
Both Blacks and highlights are seriously clipped.
Crushed blacks should be achieved without clipping so harshly.
Always found that to be a limitation of C1 that does not have the same control of ACR 2012 process that has separate Shadow and Blacks sliders.

Regarding the skin.... the so so skin look is due to the red channel being way to hot and clipped:

Levels of a crop on the skin.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8643421447_96b53ea40e_o.jpg)


 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on April 12, 2013, 09:21:26 pm
Thank you, Antonio. The positive feedback from people who are far ahead of me in their careers means a lot. And I must be Latin, too, because I love charreadas and all that comes with it :) In terms of photography, the escaramuza is much more interesting, though. But I haven't published any of them, so they are not strictly "professional works".
Martin
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: theguywitha645d on April 12, 2013, 11:20:18 pm
If you really want to be a stickler...... It's a recent professional Works thread, not a marketing event thread.
I seriously doubt any of the photographers would consider the shots they did at a product party "professioanl work" or an expression of what they are capable of.
I'm sure they each only had a few moments with the cameras.

Regardless there are loads of technical comments on images in this thread....

My point is that these images and how they are processed are not representative of a sensors capability, especially the way they were processed. I doubt they were processed by the photographers.

Regarding the plasticy skin and blown out clouds... it's not about the depth of field... there is tonality even in very blured objects.

The file is seriously clipped

(https://digitaltransitions.com/images/upload/dep/iq2-event/IQ260-Prototype_DF+_110mm_f4p5_500th_ISO100_FastFlashSync_NatashaSavignon.jpg)

Levels of the whole image:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8398/8644516680_509d931870_o.jpg)
Both Blacks and highlights are seriously clipped.
Crushed blacks should be achieved without clipping so harshly.
Always found that to be a limitation of C1 that does not have the same control of ACR 2012 process that has separate Shadow and Blacks sliders.

Regarding the skin.... the so so skin look is due to the red channel being way to hot and clipped:

Levels of a crop on the skin.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8643421447_96b53ea40e_o.jpg)


 

Fred, there is more to an image than a histogram. Just because it does not meet your personal criteria does not mean anything. Actually, the technocrat generally makes boring images as they limit themselves to purely technical interpretations to images. And I am sure you would never have pushed detail down into the shadows or let the highlights blowout for effect. Please refrain for using other photographers and their work for one of your crusades.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on April 13, 2013, 04:44:21 am
Fred, there is more to an image than a histogram. Just because it does not meet your personal criteria does not mean anything. Actually, the technocrat generally makes boring images as they limit themselves to purely technical interpretations to images. And I am sure you would never have pushed detail down into the shadows or let the highlights blowout for effect. Please refrain for using other photographers and their work for one of your crusades.



Come on now, that's not fair comment.

The pix suck and that's an end to it. Don't shoot the messenger, and if you must, better use a machine gun because there are several such messengers here.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on April 13, 2013, 05:07:22 am
They just don't look very proffesional, more like a couple of rushed snaps taken by enthusiasts with a cold model who are more into the gear than making images.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 13, 2013, 05:32:51 pm
From my new series Collected and Treasured.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/conchas/Focus_Result_2_B_8_4_.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/conchas/2013-03-20-07.09.06_ZS_PMax.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leuallen on April 13, 2013, 09:48:49 pm
ACH DIGITAL

Keep on with the series. I really like these. Love the toning.

Larry
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 14, 2013, 12:38:57 pm
I'm glad you like it Larry!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on April 14, 2013, 03:19:28 pm
I'm glad you like it Larry!

Very nice...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on April 14, 2013, 08:40:26 pm
ACH DIGITAL

Keep on with the series. I really like these. Love the toning.

Larry
Me too. They're great!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on April 14, 2013, 10:29:30 pm
ACH DIGITAL

Keep on with the series. I really like these. Love the toning.

Larry

Yes, lovely toning and great lighting.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 14, 2013, 11:04:37 pm
From my new series Collected and Treasured.
Beautiful works, thanks for sharing
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 15, 2013, 11:13:07 am
Thanks Guys. Been working on this on my spare time. Really enjoying this.
In 1998 and 2000 did similar series with another Horseman, the VH and 6x9 B&W film.
Now enjoying digital which is a dream for me.. No more chemicals in my lungs..
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 15, 2013, 05:20:20 pm
Thanks Johannes of course I know AA.

These are some 6x9 film scans from old work. Different Series though.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Muestreo.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Sin%20t%C3%ADtulo%2010.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/amazon.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/laquema.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on April 18, 2013, 04:37:30 pm
Got my copy of New Mexico Magazine in the mail today so it is official. I have two covers on the stands at the same time-been a few years since that happened last.

(http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/15247_10200951289854448_1433000969_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ed Foster, Jr. on April 18, 2013, 05:06:31 pm
Que bueno! Very well done, Antonio, especially the hibiscus flower. The shell series you posted earlier is outstanding.

Ed
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Paul Ozzello on April 18, 2013, 05:13:48 pm
Got my copy of New Mexico Magazine in the mail today so it is official. I have two covers on the stands at the same time-been a few years since that happened last.

(http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/15247_10200951289854448_1433000969_n.jpg)

Nice !
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 18, 2013, 05:33:31 pm
Kirk, I like Su Casa shot very much. Can you post it bigger and comment about the making?

Great job.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on April 18, 2013, 06:41:42 pm
The Su Casa image is terrific.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 18, 2013, 07:26:46 pm
Que bueno! Very well done, Antonio, especially the hibiscus flower. The shell series you posted earlier is outstanding.

Ed
Thanks Ed..

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on April 19, 2013, 01:42:24 pm
Thanks guys. The SC image is my favorite too-the NMM image I didn't even originally turn over to them-it was in my "almost but no cigar" category. But they know me and know I hold images back. There were three other images that from my POV were stronger images, BUT perhaps not better covers by their criteria with places for subtitles, elements that lead your eye into the picture etc.

Having two covers out there is powerful PR-12 years since I last did that last. New Mexico Magazine is a much larger magazine with significant more circulation & better fees. That was an idea I came up with and submitted with a writer friend. It gets to virtually everyone I know and work with. It is remendous PR-my 11th or 12th cover with them since like 1986. The SC article was an assignment (with the same writer) from the magazine and hits my bread and butter clientele-architects. It is also great pr-the best regional advertising I do for my commercial work.

The SC image was the last shot of the day (almost too dark) we were running to catch the last light-shot with a bit of halogin fill in the interior and exterior. Pretty straight forward really. The biggest accomplishment was just getting it before the sky light died-I don't shoot exteriors once the sky is pitch black-to harsh.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on April 19, 2013, 02:48:29 pm
The SC image was the last shot of the day (almost too dark) we were running to catch the last light-shot with a bit of halogin fill in the interior and exterior. Pretty straight forward really. The biggest accomplishment was just getting it before the sky light died-I don't shoot exteriors once the sky is pitch black-to harsh.

I think most of the "twilight" exteriors I see are shot about 20 minutes too late, and they end up being reverse silhouettes of windows. Dawn twi's are even harder to time properly.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 19, 2013, 02:55:11 pm
Kirk, Scott,

It's not an easy task. You make sure everything is set in advance and when the time comes there is something to change or the client wants a variant. That's when it gets too dark..

But this SC looks pretty neat. I guess you lighten up somehow in Photoshop.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on April 19, 2013, 03:24:32 pm
I think most of the "twilight" exteriors I see are shot about 20 minutes too late, and they end up being reverse silhouettes of windows. Dawn twi's are even harder to time properly.

Agreed. Given the time we set up early and wait for the perfect balance-a little earlier than this but we were doing another twilight at that time looking the same direction but on the opposite side of the house.

Yes I lightened it up a bit. ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on April 19, 2013, 11:56:45 pm
Hello,

Some shots for Honda.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on April 20, 2013, 09:16:36 am
Nice job Simon!  I like the use of the direct light.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on April 20, 2013, 09:28:08 am
nice to see a bonnet (hood for new world english speakers) without the edge of a floating ceiling or the return of the cove diagonally across it which is just lazy lighting, it's domed too so will be seeing a big area.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on April 20, 2013, 05:16:12 pm
nice to see a bonnet (hood for new world english speakers) without the edge of a floating ceiling or the return of the cove diagonally across it which is just lazy lighting, it's domed too so will be seeing a big area.



I agree, as I recall Simon works in what we call in the US, an eggshell cove.  That's a space where the cyc's radius is not only at the floor but at the ceiling too, with the ceiling structure covered with drywall.  I've built both styles (the other an open ceiling with moveable flying flats) and prefer the flying flat approach, it allows us to be more precise with the light.  There are tradeoffs with both approaches though and just a matter of preference.  The attached shot, taken for Cadillac, is a similar angle taken recently.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on April 20, 2013, 06:21:35 pm
Hello,

Jim thanks for your kind words.

I was pleased that the art director went with my idea of combining directional and non directional lighting on the job. The directional lighting just made the metallic paint just popped.

I am trilling a you wide angle lens attachment with individual rotating barn doors from Dedo this coming week which will be great on cars.

I also will be tiring my new home made 5 meter long strip light on a up coming shoot for Range Rover.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on April 20, 2013, 06:27:38 pm
As long as its grey not white :-) as you know it's a whole lot easier to keep contrast than when it's white.
Just as I was in a position to start shooting tests of cars CGI and a recession hit so I took the decision not to go down that route even though I was lighting cars for other photographers.
I learnt a hell of a lot about light in a very short time and I still think that if you can light a car and get your head round all those issues of a shiny thing in a white room you can light just about anything, the ability to look at a surface and instinctively know what part of the studio it's 'seeing' and how the light is going to play on it (and what other parts of the car it affects and looks wrong)
I don't think non-car photographers really have any idea what goes into good car lighting and would be shocked at how long it takes even if you work quickly.

Keep those car shots coming.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on April 20, 2013, 06:56:50 pm
Hi Mr Smith,

There's an old photography saying “What the easiest way to shoot a car? Give it to someone else”

Unfortunately due to the fact that I only have the one studio and have to use it for all the other types of work I do it has to white.

I haven’t found it to be a problem and when I exposed the car the studio walls look grey.

The Toyota shot is straight out of camera

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on April 20, 2013, 07:23:09 pm
I recently tried a few different shades of floor paint, white, gray and black.  It had been so long since I'd painted my studio black (existing paint was from 2008) that when I ordered more I found that the company had gone out of business.  Anyways, either white or gray works well, gray if you want a bit more contrast (just the floor), if you were to paint the whole stage gray it's no different than exposing longer with a white stage (if you're in an eggshell cove).  Using flying flats is what allows me to light with any contrast range I'd like and with the advantage of PS voodoo the car will look great almost regardless of lighting method.  My website's Advertising>Recent Work has more of the Cadillac images and other shots taken in the studio (although some placed in location backgrounds).  Attached are a couple views of my studio illustrating flying flats and strip lights.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on April 20, 2013, 07:56:27 pm
I recently tried a few different shades of floor paint, white, gray and black.  It had been so long since I'd painted my studio black (existing paint was from 2008) that when I ordered more I found that the company had gone out of business.  Anyways, either white or gray works well, gray if you want a bit more contrast (just the floor), if you were to paint the whole stage gray it's no different than exposing longer with a white stage (if you're in an eggshell cove).  Using flying flats is what allows me to light with any contrast range I'd like and with the advantage of PS voodoo the car will look great almost regardless of lighting method.  My website's Advertising>Recent Work has more of the Cadillac images and other shots taken in the studio (although some placed in location backgrounds).  Attached are a couple views of my studio illustrating flying flats and strip lights.  Jim

Back when I was working at Starcraft and shooting bunches of conversion vans and trucks I found I liked a gray cyc...floor and ceiling as well as rolling and overhead flats.  I always though it was muhc easier to get gradations on Gray then White and easier to hide the edges of the flats and wall in the reflections.

This was back in the large format/tranny film days and at the very beginning of electronic retouching...meaning out of our budget range.  I almost always used a small hard light kicker on both sides of the vehicle.  Everything had full body graphics of some sort and the hard light made them pop.  I won't talk about masking off the graphics and dull spraying each of them sometimes :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: wolfnowl on April 21, 2013, 01:53:31 am
Congrats, Kirk!!

Mike.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on April 21, 2013, 07:56:04 am
That caddy piece is nice Jim. You really created great shape.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 21, 2013, 12:09:55 pm
I recently tried a few different shades of floor paint, white, gray and black.  It had been so long since I'd painted my studio black (existing paint was from 2008) that when I ordered more I found that the company had gone out of business.  Anyways, either white or gray works well, gray if you want a bit more contrast (just the floor), if you were to paint the whole stage gray it's no different than exposing longer with a white stage (if you're in an eggshell cove).  Using flying flats is what allows me to light with any contrast range I'd like and with the advantage of PS voodoo the car will look great almost regardless of lighting method.  My website's Advertising>Recent Work has more of the Cadillac images and other shots taken in the studio (although some placed in location backgrounds).  Attached are a couple views of my studio illustrating flying flats and strip lights.  Jim
Jim, are you using that second shot as a promo piece for yourself?  Looks like a very well planned out and set up image of your studio; too good for just a quick shot to us your space. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on April 21, 2013, 02:37:25 pm
Congrats, Kirk!!

Mike.

Thanks
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on April 21, 2013, 06:53:24 pm
Jim, are you using that second shot as a promo piece for yourself?  Looks like a very well planned out and set up image of your studio; too good for just a quick shot to us your space. 

Joe, I use it on my contact page on my website.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 22, 2013, 02:02:39 pm
Shot this yesterday. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on April 25, 2013, 07:20:28 pm
Poster by the BLM from my artist-in-residency at Canyon of the Ancients last year. Now if I could only find a live body somewhere in the system to get a copy:).


(http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/wo/Law_Enforcement/nlcs/artist_in_residence.Par.31927.Image.-1.-1.1.gif)

4x5 Fuji Across, green filter, Pyrocat HD
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on April 26, 2013, 04:09:00 am
I realise this isn't a 'critique' section,  but that is one helluva good shot!

Hand of ancient Man, then?

Beautiful.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on April 26, 2013, 01:46:22 pm
Thanks Rob.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on May 01, 2013, 03:46:57 am
p30+, Contax, 800 watt Broncolor HMI, 1/2 stop spun, bounced into white card.

(http://www.spotsinthebox.com/paris_ae_ca_web.jpg)

Paris a couple years ago.  re imaged for advertising this week.

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 01, 2013, 04:25:15 am
That's a nice skin; not plastic but porcelain.

FWIW, there's a big company in Spain whose name is similar - Porcelana, or like that - and they use this ageing 'personality' lady - have for decades - as their face-of; she's amazing (or the production is) because she never changes over the years. I think she was a wife of Julio Iglesias at one time, but Fred will probably know. I used to know her name but it's slipped away; Isabel Preysler! Got it back. Haven't seen ¡Hola! since my wife died, and the ads were in that all the time. Send them a file...

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: george2787 on May 01, 2013, 08:19:59 am
The company is porcelanosa Rob... and of course fred will know, his boss has been shooting that for ages!

Nice to see you here bcooter :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on May 02, 2013, 03:10:20 pm
Contax, p21+

(http://www.spotsinthebox.com/culver_back_lot.jpg)

Sony, Culver City back lot.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 02, 2013, 05:26:52 pm
Breaks my heart: Ava Gardner sent me a picture and I think that was postmarked Culver City.

Terrible moments - I deserted her for Brigitte Bardot sometime between '56 and '59 and Buddy Holly's departure must have had little to do with it.

Speaking of which, thought this was a fitting memento but nobody seemed to know what the hell I was alluding to with the image.

C'est la vie - or quite the opposite.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 03, 2013, 11:26:43 am
Nice little interiors project.  The austere esthetic was driven by the German client.  The severity of it warms my cold heart.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/TK/121005_001.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/TK/121005_003.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/TK/121005_007.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/TK/121005_014.jpg)

C -> B
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on May 03, 2013, 11:32:07 am
@ Chris Barrett
very nice, I like the pictures very much!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 04, 2013, 11:41:55 pm
Destilo Brown Ale. D800 + 120mm Rodenstock Apo Rodagon. This shot will go in a different background by graphic artist.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Destilo-05130443cupfinale.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on May 05, 2013, 12:45:10 am
Hi Antonio,

Very beautiful shoot I like the way you have captured the detail in the beer froth, nice lighting and you have used the same camera and lens set up as I would use. I could not imagine not having a Horseman VCC system.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on May 05, 2013, 02:31:10 am
Very nice image. Almost makes me want to have a cold beer; and I don't like beer  :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 05, 2013, 11:50:43 am
Simon, Martin, thanks for your comment, if it makes you thirty means I did right then.!

I shot the bottle too but it needs to go to plenty retouching. The label was a transparent plastic sticker and does not have good color reproduction. The artist have to make their ways on it.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 05, 2013, 02:18:09 pm
@ Chris Barrett
very nice, I like the pictures very much!

ditto
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 05, 2013, 02:24:27 pm
Great images Chris, I especially like the third one.  Very simple illustration of a scene within the design. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 05, 2013, 03:52:10 pm
Simon, Martin, thanks for your comment, if it makes you thirty means I did right then.!

I shot the bottle too but it needs to go to plenty retouching. The label was a transparent plastic sticker and does not have good color reproduction. The artist have to make their ways on it.

ACH


If you could make me thirty again, you could name your price!

Rob C


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 05, 2013, 05:08:24 pm
Well Rob sorry for the typo, but if you send me your photo I might make you look 30 or 28 again. Jajaja

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 05, 2013, 06:23:22 pm
Well Rob sorry for the typo, but if you send me your photo I might make you look 30 or 28 again. Jajaja

ACH



Never mind the typo - the picture's in the post!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on May 06, 2013, 07:28:50 am
Some great work posted recently!  Chris I think the first image is stellar, the eye level is completely unexpected and works perfectly.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on May 06, 2013, 07:40:48 am
p30+, Contax, 800 watt Broncolor HMI, 1/2 stop spun, bounced into white card.

(http://www.spotsinthebox.com/paris_ae_ca_web.jpg)

Paris a couple years ago.  re imaged for advertising this week.

IMO

BC

This is brilliant, and a divine revelation
For me as I'm looking for a similar Skintone
In motion.
I had doubts it could be too artificial but
Looking at this image, if it's nailed, as Rob
Described "porcelaine", it really looks pretty
And mysterious.

I will do another Avid tutorial on face retouching
Using only on purpose the avid available tools
And roto within the editor without any compo app.
Got a shot (CU) of an actress that has many lightning
And make-up issues. So the task will be a complete
Recovery of the face, with tracking masks etc...
And this image skintone is exactly what I want
As a final result.  

Great inspiring image. Thanks for posting.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 06, 2013, 04:10:21 pm
This is brilliant, and a divine revelation
For me as I'm looking for a similar Skintone
In motion.
I had doubts it could be too artificial but
Looking at this image, if it's nailed, as Rob
Described "porcelaine", it really looks pretty
And mysterious.

I will do another Avid tutorial on face retouching
Using only on purpose the avid available tools
And roto within the editor without any compo app.
Got a shot (CU) of an actress that has many lightning
And make-up issues. So the task will be a complete
Recovery of the face, with tracking masks etc...
And this image skintone is exactly what I want
As a final result.  

Great inspiring image. Thanks for posting.



As an AP, I never deal with skin tones.  How difficult is it working with skin tones in post?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 06, 2013, 04:35:37 pm
Here's a couple from last week for a GC I work with.  He built the house 7 years ago and will be renovating the (former) owners' new house in center city Philly.  With it so neat, since they just sold it, he thought to send me out.   ;D

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on May 06, 2013, 05:18:33 pm
As an AP, I never deal with skin tones.  How difficult is it working with skin tones in post?

Well it depends on many factors, how bad, or far from the final output the original image is.
There is a lot that can be done in post, but in fact, if the original does not stand still, very little can be done.(or very expensive)
You can train some horses to do racing, but it will not work if you take a donkee for that purpose.
So post can't replace a good set.

And, oh yeah, the MUAs...and SPECIALY the MUAs with motion...because this has big consequences on the time to have to spend on
trying to recover bad make-up.

I find that the most difficult is not specially to lite well, but to lite with a final look in mind.
And that part is none of my business-habilities so I can't comment on that.

In general, in motion, the "rule" is to shoot the flatest possible files with log, to preserve the max range so
the looks are generated in post.

Now, someone like Coot who know how to lite, may not use log but directly lite to the closest final look in mind.
You can even create a look from RedCine X and load the metadatas into the Cam and shoot with it.
The Raw image is preserved so if you're not happy with it, you can always revert and recreate as many looks as you want.
That has an advantage if you know what you are doing, but a very big downside if you don't nail it because then the
footage is not really easy to recover. Using log flat file is adding extra steps in the pipeline but more flexible and safer.

The prob shooting log, is if you have clients that don't know motion, they look at the footage and go crazy because it
looks horrible. If you are shooting motion, within motion and for motion, then people are aware and know the workflows.
So shooting flat with clients that aren't coming from motion world is a mixed bag.




Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on May 07, 2013, 05:41:16 am
Well it depends on many factors, how bad, or far from the final output the original image is.




Fred,

Thanks for the kind words Fred.

I wouldn't call myself an expert colorists on motion imagery.  I can find my way around, but motion to still is a much different animal, as you know.

This image wasn't that far from what you see.  The real difference was lighting and camera, using a digital back that sees very specific colors, rather than global and the talent isn't moving all over the set.  Also working vertical, rather than a broad horizontal makes specific lighting much easier.

The real thing that makes this work is talent selection.  Sure you can take someone with a dark tan and get the same effect, or close, but it's much better to start with a subject that has this color and tonal value to start.

Also it was shot knowing what the final effect would be.

In regards to shooting this on the REDs (which we did) it looks different.  I can be moved close to the same look, but the cameras are different, the processing is different, the framing is different.

But then again, the beautiful colors we see on the big screen have huge resource behind them.  If you look at a Peter Jackson Movie, if they want red to be accented, the sets are painted deep red and the rest of the set is muted.

If they want porcelain skin, the subject and the makeup is done in a way the colorists has and easier time doing it.

I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm just saying the better prep prior on set, the better the final results.

BTW:  If you will PM me I can sent you a few seconds of this image shot with the RED.  It will be more difficult as it's lit a little different, but it will give you some idea.

I also have this session on footage that will get closer to the look.

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/julia_spot.jpg)

just let me know.

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on May 07, 2013, 06:43:57 am
Thanks very much James. That's very kind
Of you.
I'writting now from my mobile but will pm
You when back in the studio. I'm definatly
Interested to have a short sample because
It's going to be of great help.

You're absolutly right about the talent.
Yesterday I was in the Avid with my actress
Shot and had your image look in mind. But
I realise that both girls, your talent and my
Actress, are completly different animals. Skin
Has nothing to do, mine is blondish, etc...
In the end, in that particular actress shot,
Your skintone I like so much doesn't Match
With my actress style.

So in the end it's a all process from the casting
To the lightning and make-up that is driving
The post-production. Totaly true.

When I'll finish the tuto, I'll upload in my vimeo
Account. What's interesting is that it shows that
A lot can be done within the Avid app, without Nuke,
AF Or PS. Wich is a huge timesaver.
But it can't replace the right talent for the right
Look.

Cheers.

Ps: I think One of the strengh of the Avid is, a part from
Asset management and stability, are the tools to composite.
Honestly, its color correction is a bit weak, for secondaries,
, no LUT support (coming in the next), but the trackers
Are excelents, the keyers too. The roto tools truly usable
Etc...I discovered that they used the avid's keyer to do
The Marvel. No external app. That tells a lot. The next
Version will have an enhanced roundtripping with da-vinci resolve wich
Wich enables more than hd delivery.
(it can already be done, but not intuitive)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Emilmedia on May 09, 2013, 03:32:06 pm
Here is a portrait i shot the other week. My third shoot with the Hassy. There was literally no budget at all for location scouting or building a set, so we took what was available. I'm happy with the result. What do youthink?

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: chaosphere on May 09, 2013, 04:16:01 pm
nice portrait Emil ! What was the key light source and the lens used ?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Emilmedia on May 09, 2013, 04:30:29 pm
nice portrait Emil ! What was the key light source and the lens used ?

I still only have the 50 mm lense. I'll be getting the 100mm next week hopefully :) Its a 150cm octabank on Elinchrom flashes, really like it. Not very portable unfortunately. thinking about getting the original Elinchrom ones, they are easier to carry around and set up.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 09, 2013, 06:30:52 pm
Interesting video on how Apple images are made. Still Life Studio Photography on MF.

http://youtu.be/rqC2xpCaG80 (http://youtu.be/rqC2xpCaG80)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 09, 2013, 06:50:44 pm
Also an interview:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/8/4311868/the-illusion-of-simplicity-photographer-peter-belanger-on-shooting (http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/8/4311868/the-illusion-of-simplicity-photographer-peter-belanger-on-shooting)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: K.C. on May 09, 2013, 11:57:46 pm
Interesting video on how Apple images are made. Still Life Studio Photography on MF.

You might want to re-read the article. He shoots Apple's products on a Canon 5DIII with a 24-70 Canon zoom.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on May 10, 2013, 12:18:15 am
You might want to re-read the article. He shoots Apple's products on a Canon 5DIII with a 24-70 Canon zoom.

You might want to read the article all the way through. He's shooting Apple products with Sinar and Phase One gear.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 10, 2013, 08:00:24 am
The 5DIII was for the time-lapse.  Also, does this guy actually shoot Apple's product shots or just the magazine's?  The style feels fairly different from Apple's ads.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 10, 2013, 08:02:34 am

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/julia_spot.jpg)



Dude, I love this, but I want the circle centered in the triangle.  I know, I know... I'm such a freak.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 10, 2013, 08:07:02 am
The 5DIII was for the time-lapse.  Also, does this guy actually shoot Apple's product shots or just the magazine's?  The style feels fairly different from Apple's ads.

Cris in this article is all explain. He is the guy as far as the time the article was written.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/8/4311868/the-illusion-of-simplicity-photographer-peter-belanger-on-shooting (http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/8/4311868/the-illusion-of-simplicity-photographer-peter-belanger-on-shooting)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 14, 2013, 12:42:22 am
Interesting coincidence:) This one is shot in 2007, but just reprocessed while trying new skin tone settings in RawTherapee

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/LZA_356_Web900px.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on May 14, 2013, 03:55:45 pm
Interesting coincidence:) This one is shot in 2007, but just reprocessed while trying new skin tone settings in RawTherapee

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/LZA_356_Web900px.jpg)

Michael... that is just absolutely beautiful. It's naturalness is what in my eyes makes it so beautiful with gently tonality
combined with artificial light that has all the credibility of natural light.
 
The smooth on the dress and the crisp texture in the dress reminds me of a Vemeer.

You take pictures like Miles Davis plays the trumpet.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 14, 2013, 10:57:07 pm
Thank you for such kind words, Fred:)
We had a very productive session with this model, I come back to it from time to time, and this image is one of my personal favorites.
She was just getting dressed and was about to leave, but I asked her to pause it for a minute:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on May 14, 2013, 11:38:47 pm
Michael... that is just absolutely beautiful. It's naturalness is what in my eyes makes it so beautiful with gently tonality
combined with artificial light that has all the credibility of natural light.
 
The smooth on the dress and the crisp texture in the dress reminds me of a Vemeer.

You take pictures like Miles Davis plays the trumpet.
I completely agree with Fred. Your work is always first class, Michael.

Eric M.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 15, 2013, 10:11:30 am
I completely agree with Fred. Your work is always first class, Michael.

Eric M.



Ditto.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 15, 2013, 12:49:10 pm
Self assigned project to go shoot some motion for stock.  Out of the sunroof of my truck, 10 mph, 24 fps.  Red Epic & Canon 17-40 zoom.  HDRx to tame the sun's reflection.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/967201_10200679700609978_1412704575_o.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on May 15, 2013, 01:14:49 pm
Self assigned project to go shoot some motion for stock.  Out of the sunroof of my truck, 10 mph, 24 fps.  Red Epic & Canon 17-40 zoom.  HDRx to tame the sun's reflection.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/967201_10200679700609978_1412704575_o.jpg)

CB

Smart move. Motion stock pays better than stills stock. I do some work for a company the buys stock in large amounts
and as a result get special pricing. The cost of an urban landscape clip is around $ 700 while the same type of quality still is about $60 for the same usage.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: FredBGG on May 15, 2013, 01:29:24 pm
Thank you for such kind words, Fred:)
We had a very productive session with this model, I come back to it from time to time, and this image is one of my personal favorites.
She was just getting dressed and was about to leave, but I asked her to pause it for a minute:)

That magic moment. Hold it just like that and look at the camera.

Processing it in what looks like the most natural of ways is really where the magic is.
It's about the photo veritas effect. While there is a lot of work with what is called working a file deep
that looks great it is most of the time a step away from photography and much of the time very artificial.
I think that beauty in it's simplest form is harder to do well and when it is achieved it is breath taking.
That does not mean that there is not extensive post work, it is just masterfully kept under control.
It is very easy with today's software tools to create high contrast over sharpened retouched skin
or desaturated alabaster skin.

I think the same can be said for models poses and attitude. A quite and serene look or a delicate smile
is harder to pull off than fashion attitudes.

It's like the magic of a Vemeer compared to an air brushed glamour illustration.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 15, 2013, 03:08:56 pm
Self assigned project to go shoot some motion for stock.  Out of the sunroof of my truck, 10 mph, 24 fps.  Red Epic & Canon 17-40 zoom.  HDRx to tame the sun's reflection.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/967201_10200679700609978_1412704575_o.jpg)

CB
I love that building, I think it has the best cross section profile of any skyscraper. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: chiek on May 16, 2013, 12:27:26 am
Plastic Surgery
Self PR

leaf A22+ H1

(http://chiek.co.kr/list/revol_getimg.php?id=blog&no=260&num=0&fc=d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on May 16, 2013, 03:04:59 am
Hello,

Promo shoot for Jim Beam.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on May 17, 2013, 03:15:19 am
Hello,

One in a series of images shot at a local winery for a wine bottle manufacture.

Nikon D800E with a Diana lens fitted.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: phoTOMgraphy on May 17, 2013, 03:54:48 am
Nice little interiors project.  The austere esthetic was driven by the German client.  The severity of it warms my cold heart.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/TK/121005_001.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/TK/121005_003.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/TK/121005_007.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/TK/121005_014.jpg)

C -> B



chris, i like your interiours very much! the straight look is amazing.

would you mind sharing some details for those shots? focal length, lighting...?  ::)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 17, 2013, 07:32:38 am
Hello,

One in a series of images shot at a local winery for a wine bottle manufacture.

Nikon D800E with a Diana lens fitted.

Cheers

Simon

Hello Simon,

What a coincidence, I'm actually experimenting with the Holga lenses as well. Nice effect and colour mood.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 19, 2013, 10:53:34 am
Ashley,
Beautiful light and colours.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: wolfnowl on May 19, 2013, 03:15:11 pm
Ashley,
Beautiful light and colours.
ACH

Indeed!

Mike.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 19, 2013, 03:16:48 pm
As always, your work is beautiful Ashley. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 19, 2013, 07:48:22 pm
From the recent Las Vegas trip. The Clark County Wetlands Park Nature Center by Dekker Perich Sabatini. The big issue on this shoot was the lighting. It is controlled at a central facility downtown. Two nights in a row they promised the lighting was going to be on in the building. By the final night we didn't believe them and came prepared-we lit the interiors ourselves with halogen-half with halogen we brought from Albuquerque and half shop lights we bought at Home Depot. Also not only did they not get the lights on but managed to kill the hand rail lights at the top and left of the arched walkway. We solved this by splicing in those areas from a test shot we did the first night we got there. Like nothing I have ever done, AP is all about solving seemingly insurmountable problems in the field.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 20, 2013, 05:24:05 pm
Shot this a couple of weeks ago and just got around to processing it.  Not the most exciting image, but I am really enjoying the simplicity and symmetry of it. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on May 20, 2013, 10:30:26 pm
From the recent Las Vegas trip. The Clark County Wetlands Park Nature Center by Dekker Perich Sabatini. The big issue on this shoot was the lighting. It is controlled at a central facility downtown. Two nights in a row they promised the lighting was going to be on in the building. By the final night we didn't believe them and came prepared-we lit the interiors ourselves with halogen-half with halogen we brought from Albuquerque and half shop lights we bought at Home Depot. Also not only did they not get the lights on but managed to kill the hand rail lights at the top and left of the arched walkway. We solved this by splicing in those areas from a test shot we did the first night we got there. Like nothing I have ever done, AP is all about solving seemingly insurmountable problems in the field.

Kirk, Looks like you nailed it!!  Bummer about the lack of cooperation!  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Fernando Marrero on May 20, 2013, 10:52:55 pm
Hello. First post here (I think). Years watching. Rolleiflex T and T-max 100.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 21, 2013, 01:47:38 am
Kirk, Looks like you nailed it!!  Bummer about the lack of cooperation!  Jim

Thanks Jim. Coming from you that means a lot to me. One of the guys at Hedrich Blessing commented "Beautiful, intriguing, well done". You guys made my day.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 21, 2013, 08:53:52 am
The big issue on this shoot was the lighting. It is controlled at a central facility downtown.

Don't ya just love technology?  Beautifully handled, regardless Mr. Gittings.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 21, 2013, 09:43:56 am
Thanks Chris. Much appreciated.

All the tech that goes with Leeds is making us crazy. A couple of years ago in Reno at the medical school, we had 65 rooms on 4 floors in two buildings that we needed lights on in. All were on motion sensors that stayed on between 2-5 minutes once tripped. We figured we needed like 8 people to keep the lights on long enough to get a twilight shot/
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 21, 2013, 10:26:41 am

chris, i like your interiours very much! the straight look is amazing.

would you mind sharing some details for those shots? focal length, lighting...?  ::)



Thanks, Thomas... these were mostly with the 43mm.  I believe the first was the 55, tho.  I have a very Zen approach to lighting.  I'm not so clinical about it anymore.  We work with HMI, Kinos, Strobe and Dedolight tungsten.  We mix it all up and gel to match.  The big stuff is usually through 12x silks or bounced off ceilings.  The Dedo's punch the chairs, details, flowers, etc...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 21, 2013, 10:57:01 am
Something a little different for me...

My client had to make changes to an existing chapel to facilitate a relocated (humongous) pipe organ.  The finished image is a composite of 15 exposures.  6 or so were for an HDR layer of the blown hilights.  The rafters were lit with a head on a rolling Hi Boy that moved 6 or 7 times.  The chairs were lit one side at a time and we had strobe bouncing in the Narthex to create depth and layers. They gave us a day to do the shot.  We did this one and a vignette in half a day.  Really fun assignment!

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/Bond_01.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 21, 2013, 11:08:17 am
Quite a composite Chris. DO you have backstage images of the shooting?
It'd be great to see the Hi boy position and else.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 21, 2013, 11:45:37 am
something like this...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/Bond_Anime.gif)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 21, 2013, 11:52:07 am
Jejeje Chris you don't miss anything. Thanks.
Ach
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 21, 2013, 12:58:18 pm
something like this...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/Bond_Anime.gif)


Chris, you represent the diametric opposite of the photography that I like doing. I would hate having to try any of that sort of work. It would paralyse me with fear.

I prefer it to be fun! It probably is for you, which is where I came in.

Much respect, but no envy!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 21, 2013, 01:22:06 pm
Hah ha ha... yeah... this is actually what I consider fun.  Pre-visualizing all the components on location, keeping them straight, lighting for them and knowing how they'll interact in post is a hell of a challenge.  From what I've seen of Jim's breakdowns, this is very similar to car photography.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on May 21, 2013, 01:54:46 pm
That's just why I love this thread. All you pros that post here seem to enjoy what you do, and the results are magnificent, but I can't begin to imagine myself doing the kind of hard work that you folks do!

Inspiring, but daunting!

Eric M.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 21, 2013, 01:58:48 pm
My contribution today. Natural looking recipe for a Home and Kitchen client.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Magefesa-Recetas-05131040.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on May 21, 2013, 07:44:05 pm
My contribution today. Natural looking recipe for a Home and Kitchen client.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Magefesa-Recetas-05131040.jpg)

Antonio, I think this is one of the nicest shots you've posted!  Great composition and light!!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 21, 2013, 09:00:29 pm
James, most appreciated.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ed Foster, Jr. on May 21, 2013, 09:00:59 pm
something like this...

Really well executed, Chris, and thanks for the tutorial.

Regards,
Ed
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ed Foster, Jr. on May 21, 2013, 09:02:04 pm
My contribution today. Natural looking recipe for a Home and Kitchen client.

Well done, Antonio! Each post is better than the last.

Regards,
Ed
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 21, 2013, 10:42:47 pm
Something a little different for me...

My client had to make changes to an existing chapel to facilitate a relocated (humongous) pipe organ.  The finished image is a composite of 15 exposures.  6 or so were for an HDR layer of the blown hilights.  The rafters were lit with a head on a rolling Hi Boy that moved 6 or 7 times.  The chairs were lit one side at a time and we had strobe bouncing in the Narthex to create depth and layers. They gave us a day to do the shot.  We did this one and a vignette in half a day.  Really fun assignment!

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/Bond_01.jpg)

Very nicely done. Boy would this have been a bitch with film-having attempted something similar myself many times!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on May 21, 2013, 11:06:58 pm
Hah ha ha... yeah... this is actually what I consider fun.  Pre-visualizing all the components on location, keeping them straight, lighting for them and knowing how they'll interact in post is a hell of a challenge.  From what I've seen of Jim's breakdowns, this is very similar to car photography.

Chris, It is a similar workflow and occasionally I'll apply it to my architecture as you did.  I shot a comparable room for a personal project I'm working on but it was quite a bit lighter so I didn't need additional lights.  I've attached the photograph, it's one of the few shots I made with my Arca RM3di(35mm Schneider).  I miss working with that camera but I couldn't justify it's cost when the majority of my architectural work needs to be done faster than it will allow.  I ended up trading it in for a 5Dmk3 and another 17 and 24mmT/S. 

By the way, a Cadillac project I worked on last March had a behind the scenes video produced (by Cadillac) of the shoot which then became the announcement for the car at the annual dealer show in Las Vegas.  Here's a link to my blog that has links to the videos. 

http://www.jameshaefner.com/news/
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 22, 2013, 12:12:02 am
Great work Jim on that. I used to photograph historic churches-had an NEA to do so in the 80's. Here is one of my more recent "cathedrals" :) Stacked stitch, 5D MII, arsenic leach mine outside Reno.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: skimasks on May 22, 2013, 02:42:47 am
My first contribution in a long time. Some recent show home interiors.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on May 22, 2013, 03:49:08 am
something like this...

[picture]

Thank you for this! very interesting.

My latest project:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Aptus_000148kl.jpg)

I really don't like the lamps in the upper part of the picture, but this is how it is now.


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 22, 2013, 04:42:52 am
Hello. First post here (I think). Years watching. Rolleiflex T and T-max 100.


Don't know how I missed your post - anyway, better late than never.

Welcome to the scene, and I have to say, when I had my Rollei T it was well before it (or I) had the chance to do this sort of work!

Mine was usually fiull of TXP 120 - never really used anything else on 120 format other than FP3 a few times which didn't work on 120 (for me) but was great on 135... By the time T-max was out I had no more 120 cameras.

Nice tones in your shot - I never get skin like that with digital capture b/white conversions.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 22, 2013, 07:27:15 am
Well done, Antonio! Each post is better than the last.

Regards,
Ed


Thank you Ed.!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on May 22, 2013, 11:56:03 am
Great photo, Antonio.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on May 22, 2013, 01:43:13 pm
Something a little different for me...

My client had to make changes to an existing chapel to facilitate a relocated (humongous) pipe organ.  The finished image is a composite of 15 exposures.  6 or so were for an HDR layer of the blown hilights.  The rafters were lit with a head on a rolling Hi Boy that moved 6 or 7 times.  The chairs were lit one side at a time and we had strobe bouncing in the Narthex to create depth and layers. They gave us a day to do the shot.  We did this one and a vignette in half a day.  Really fun assignment!

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/Bond_01.jpg)

Nice job Chris.  Its fun shooting parts and pieces and making a frankenphoto in post.  Leads to some amazing and otherwise impossible images.

Can you imagine a single sheet of Ektachrome instead?  :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 22, 2013, 03:15:28 pm
But that's cheating, Craig: this isn't really the implied single exposure either.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 22, 2013, 05:20:28 pm
Chris, It is a similar workflow and occasionally I'll apply it to my architecture as you did.  I shot a comparable room for a personal project I'm working on but it was quite a bit lighter so I didn't need additional lights.  I've attached the photograph, it's one of the few shots I made with my Arca RM3di(35mm Schneider).  I miss working with that camera but I couldn't justify it's cost when the majority of my architectural work needs to be done faster than it will allow.  I ended up trading it in for a 5Dmk3 and another 17 and 24mmT/S. 

By the way, a Cadillac project I worked on last March had a behind the scenes video produced (by Cadillac) of the shoot which then became the announcement for the car at the annual dealer show in Las Vegas.  Here's a link to my blog that has links to the videos. 

http://www.jameshaefner.com/news/

James, amazing colours.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on May 22, 2013, 07:19:27 pm
Hello,

Keeping with the church theme.

Shot 3rd November 2005 with a Nikon D2x and a Tokina 12-24mm lens.

Corrected the perspective with Grasshopper ImageAline software.

A friend of mine was married in this church. After the service every one went across the road to the pub and they moved all the pews and set up tables, band, chocolate fountain and a mobile Barbeque and then had the reception. Very cool idea.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on May 22, 2013, 09:00:12 pm
But that's cheating, Craig: this isn't really the implied single exposure either.

;-)

Rob C

Cheating?  :) It's just more tools Rob.

http://www.craiglamson.com/rvbuild.gif
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Fernando Marrero on May 22, 2013, 11:18:51 pm

Don't know how I missed your post - anyway, better late than never.

Welcome to the scene, and I have to say, when I had my Rollei T it was well before it (or I) had the chance to do this sort of work!

Mine was usually fiull of TXP 120 - never really used anything else on 120 format other than FP3 a few times which didn't work on 120 (for me) but was great on 135... By the time T-max was out I had no more 120 cameras.

Nice tones in your shot - I never get skin like that with digital capture b/white conversions.

Rob C

Hey, thanks very much Rob!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Fernando Marrero on May 22, 2013, 11:25:23 pm
Another one with the Rolley T and Ektar 100 (I think, I don't have here the negative but an old scan):
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on May 23, 2013, 03:45:34 am
Thank you for this! very interesting.

My latest project:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Aptus_000148kl.jpg)

I really don't like the lamps in the upper part of the picture, but this is how it is now.

Fascinating room, Adrian. Where is it?

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 23, 2013, 03:03:14 pm
Stretching the temporal parameters a little:

Kodachrome 64 and Nikon F or F2 for Hewden/Stuart Group plc calendar in Spain.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 23, 2013, 03:13:30 pm
But that's cheating, Craig: this isn't really the implied single exposure either.

;-)

Rob C

No, IMHO it called problem solving and masterfully done too.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 23, 2013, 03:18:39 pm
If you're feeling hungry, be my guest.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Magefesa-Recetas-05131143.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 23, 2013, 03:25:30 pm
No, IMHO it called problem solving and masterfully done too.



Oh dear; it was meant with humour, implying that comparing a single sheet of film with the possibilities/difficulties of giving it multiple exposures in camera, à la Sam Haskins, is possible, but that doing it with digital capture via many separate exposures is no more a valid claim for digital superiority over that single sheet of film because the digital exposures are, in effect, multiple sheets of film, not a single one.

Never mind, it doesn't matter, not even to Kodak.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 23, 2013, 03:40:02 pm
That is what we used to do with film but there were many issues that are better with DC like registration and braceting exposure on each component without having to start the sequence over again with a new sheet of film. I still like film for many things but NOT a shoot like this. I apologize for misinterpreting your statement. It didn't sound like you actually.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on May 23, 2013, 04:37:33 pm
Hi Craig,

did you take that shot in your basement? ;-)

Best,
Johannes

Even worse...inside an RV ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 23, 2013, 05:33:02 pm
That is what we used to do with film but there were many issues that are better with DC like registration and braceting exposure on each component without having to start the sequence over again with a new sheet of film. I still like film for many things but NOT a shoot like this. I apologize for misinterpreting your statement. It didn't sound like you actually.


That's okay - just know I'd be terrified to be faced with that sort of work - always steered well clear of anything remotely difficult!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on May 23, 2013, 05:58:52 pm
If you're feeling hungry, be my guest.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Magefesa-Recetas-05131143.jpg)

Nicely styled and shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 23, 2013, 06:50:03 pm
Ditto.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 23, 2013, 08:19:36 pm
Thank you guys!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 23, 2013, 09:49:46 pm
Nice light outside as we were wrapping our interiors shoot...

(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/482498_10200725216307842_173832988_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on May 24, 2013, 02:48:20 am
Fascinating room, Adrian. Where is it?

Jeremy

Its an old indoor swimming pool from 1917 in Heidelberg, Germany, which they converted into a market hall (well, and Restaurants, Bar, Wellness, Hotel ...)

before:
(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/AltesHallenbad01.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/AltesHallenbad02.jpg)

after:
(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/AltesHallenbad03.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on May 24, 2013, 04:05:47 am
Its an old indoor swimming pool from 1917 in Heidelberg, Germany, which they converted into a market hall (well, and Restaurants, Bar, Wellness, Hotel ...)

Interesting. Sympathetically done, too (apart from the lights).

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on May 24, 2013, 08:36:45 am
I'm always drawn to these places before the developers move in.
Good idea.
When "arquitects" put their hands on those they
Have unlimited habilities to transform a rafined place with
Soul into a cold unpersonal and highly unfunctional
Speculative space.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 24, 2013, 09:16:55 am
Okay, one of my last commercial shoots, for a friend's sales brochure for her yacht.

Nikon F4s, Kodachrome 64 or Velvia 50 scanned via CanoScan FS4000US.

Location: off Palma de Mallorca, Baleares, Spain.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 24, 2013, 01:12:55 pm
(http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/468090_10201183091849353_1830616608_o.jpg)

Another from the Clarke County Wetlands Park in Las Vegas NV by Dekker Perich Sabatini in late afternoon light.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 24, 2013, 01:14:08 pm
Interesting. Sympathetically done, too (apart from the lights).

Jeremy

Great project (hate those tables....)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on May 24, 2013, 01:37:14 pm
Okay, one of my last commercial shoots, for a friend's sales brochure for her yacht.

Nikon F4s, Kodachrome 64 or Velvia 50 scanned via CanoScan FS4000US.

Location: off Palma de Mallorca, Baleares, Spain.

Rob C

Rob, you did good.  How many images did you use for the composite?  :) :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on May 24, 2013, 01:38:35 pm
(http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/468090_10201183091849353_1830616608_o.jpg)

Another from the Clarke County Wetlands Park in Las Vegas NV by Dekker Perich Sabatini in late afternoon light.

I prefer the after sunset version, but this is nice.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 24, 2013, 01:49:03 pm
I prefer the after sunset version, but this is nice.

Me too, but I try and need to offer my clients a lot of variety for their various requirements. Most of my clients are architects and need images for marketing and design competitions etc. Therefore I need to cover a building thoroughly. Rather than just boring documentary photographs of various angles I always try to capture them in good luscious light.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on May 24, 2013, 02:04:37 pm
Me too, but I try and need to offer my clients a lot of variety for their various requirements. Most of my clients are architects and need images for marketing and design competitions etc. Therefore I need to cover a building thoroughly. Rather than just boring documentary photographs of various angles I always try to capture them in good luscious light.

Completely understood.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on May 24, 2013, 03:04:24 pm
Great project (hate those tables....)

Yes, I'm with you there.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on May 24, 2013, 03:49:16 pm
Rob, you did good.  How many images did you use for the composite?  :) :)


As I can't even remember whether it was Kodachrome or even Velvia, you are asking too much of this addled brain!

Just pleased that I managed to catch a bit of atmosphere, though even that strikes me as rather a sad one, mirroring the reality of the need for the shoot.

Age is a bugger because it doesn't come alone, but drags along a host of tiny siblings with funny medical names. And mostly you can't see them until they bite, by which time it's too late.

Oh well, it's good while it lasts - if you're lucky!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on May 24, 2013, 05:28:29 pm
... the rendition of circular objects such as the lampshade in the second image and its relationship to the table beneath...

Gosh, I was seeing exactly the same on the same image and it really disturbed me. I wanted an eraser to remove it.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on May 24, 2013, 06:11:45 pm
Nice light outside as we were wrapping our interiors shoot...

(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/482498_10200725216307842_173832988_n.jpg)

God i  love Chicago.

I think it's the prettiest city in America, if it just wasn't so damn cold.

My studio was just behind the Wrigily Building, across the rive in the old Stone Container and later Crain communications building., on the 15th floor.

Use to have lunch in the summer one the columns on the roof.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/20070530_360_North_Michigan_and_35_East_Wacker.JPG)

BC

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 24, 2013, 06:13:49 pm
Gosh, I was seeing exactly the same on the same image and it really disturbed me. I wanted an eraser to remove it.

Totally drives me nuts, but it's a function of perspective.  If you made a mechanical drawing of the same composition from the camera position (to accurate scale) the circles would render with the same distortion.  Sometimes I do correct for this by rotating the camera until the round object is centered in the lens and then shifting the back to retain the same composition...  I did this just yesterday, but it's impossible when composing a 1 point perspective that is square to the architecture.

Actually the linear elements in the shot show the same degree of "distortion".  We just don't perceive it as much as we do with circles.

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on May 24, 2013, 06:16:46 pm
p30+/Contax
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/p30plus_stills_recent.jpg)
Shot with HMI's, Winow Light and some cutters.



Red (the medium format of the digital motion world)
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/red_stills_recent.jpg)
Shot at a trillion ISO with one small hand held led.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 24, 2013, 10:14:14 pm
BC, beautiful fashion work.
Interesting portraits. Different I'd say.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on May 24, 2013, 10:51:57 pm
Thank you Antonio.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: georgem on May 25, 2013, 02:09:59 am
Totally drives me nuts, but it's a function of perspective.  If you made a mechanical drawing of the same composition from the camera position (to accurate scale) the circles would render with the same distortion.  Sometimes I do correct for this by rotating the camera until the round object is centered in the lens and then shifting the back to retain the same composition...  I did this just yesterday, but it's impossible when composing a 1 point perspective that is square to the architecture.

Actually the linear elements in the shot show the same degree of "distortion".  We just don't perceive it as much as we do with circles.

CB

Chris, why not fix it in post?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: theguywitha645d on May 25, 2013, 02:23:55 pm
BC, beautiful. Sorry to see you are not posting at GetDPI though...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: GWStudioLA on May 26, 2013, 10:20:21 pm
p30+/Contax
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/p30plus_stills_recent.jpg)
Shot with HMI's, Winow Light and some cutters.



Red (the medium format of the digital motion world)
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/red_stills_recent.jpg)
Shot at a trillion ISO with one small hand held led.

BC

So amazing! What inspired you?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jwheaton on May 28, 2013, 12:08:05 am
My contribution today. Natural looking recipe for a Home and Kitchen client.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Magefesa-Recetas-05131040.jpg)

wow, excellent shot. may I ask how you lit it?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 28, 2013, 08:46:48 am
Sure, we used 4 diffusion screens like you see in the image, 2 soft boxes, one large to cover the back and top screens, one medium form the side and 2 raw lights that were used alternately depending on the ambience of the shot. Main power was the left one.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/la%20foto.JPG)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rogerxnz on May 28, 2013, 05:22:30 pm
Sure, we used 4 diffusion screens like you see in the image, 2 soft boxes, one large to cover the back and top screens, one medium form the side and 2 raw lights that were used alternately depending on the ambience of the shot. Main power was the left one.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/la%20foto.JPG)

Very cool, but where was the camera? I imagined the camera was above the centre of the image and looking down vertically but that would mean having the camera on an arm/bracket underneath the top screen and there does not seem to be enough room and you have not cut a hole in the top screen for the camera to poke through from above the screen.

There is a "spare" tripod in front of the table. Was the camera on that and was it a technical camera that you some how used tilts and shifts to get the top-down look?
Roger
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on May 28, 2013, 06:02:30 pm
Look at the wine glasses, it's not a level overhead shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on May 28, 2013, 06:30:37 pm
p30+/Contax
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/p30plus_stills_recent.jpg)
Shot with HMI's, Winow Light and some cutters.



Red (the medium format of the digital motion world)
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/red_stills_recent.jpg)
Shot at a trillion ISO with one small hand held led.

BC

Coot,

Watching the below sepia images, I have a question regarding Red if you see this post.

As everything is built on metadatas and therefore non-destructive, my doubt remains on the isos.

Let's take this scenario shoot on Red: if one decide to shoot pushing the isos to extreme levels on purpose (and not because it lacks light)
for ex to get a 16mm grain, and after that you give-up with the idea and want to revert to a clean image to do something completly different,
are the isos also non-destructive?
So for ex, can you take those high-isos images on RCX and going back to 800 the typical high-isos grain would disappear?
I ask this question because never had very high isos Red footage on edit.
 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: tho_mas on May 28, 2013, 07:04:15 pm
Totally drives me nuts, but it's a function of perspective.  If you made a mechanical drawing of the same composition from the camera position (to accurate scale) the circles would render with the same distortion.  Sometimes I do correct for this by rotating the camera until the round object is centered in the lens and then shifting the back to retain the same composition...  I did this just yesterday, but it's impossible when composing a 1 point perspective that is square to the architecture.

Actually the linear elements in the shot show the same degree of "distortion".  We just don't perceive it as much as we do with circles.

CB
may I ask ... why don't you just retouch it?
All your images are so absolutely wonderful minimalistic and straight... so why let the lens determine the final image?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 28, 2013, 08:40:22 pm
Not so much, Fred.  The ISO is totally metadata, however... if you expose for 3200 in the field and lower the ISO to 800 in RC-X, you will def be 2 stops underexposed. I prefer to shoot a clean ISO 800 and add grain in post if I want it.

I like CineGrain for this, which are actually film scans at 4k and under.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 28, 2013, 08:45:14 pm
may I ask ... why don't you just retouch it?
All your images are so absolutely wonderful minimalistic and straight... so why let the lens determine the final image?

Thomas, coming from film, we've always been accustomed to accepting the distortion.  It would be a hell of a retouch!  First you'd have to isolate the circular item.  Then you'd have to reshape it.  Then you'd have to rebuild the background where the reshaped item no longer overlaps.  Finally, you'd have to readjust other items, the chairs around the table for example, if their relationship is no longer appropriate.  That would require more outlining and background rebuilding.  All in all, it's not the sort of retouching that most of my clients would bother with given the cost.

Also... the more I think about it...  If you made a drawing of the same image, and rendered the objects more circular, it would feel like a mistake.  The distortion is actually correct for the given perspective.  It's actually about the physical realty of the view, not any function of lenses.  As an example, consider a table top front to back.  If you wanted to draw it in perspective, would you draw a circle or an oval?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 28, 2013, 09:11:42 pm
may I ask ... why don't you just retouch it?
All your images are so absolutely wonderful minimalistic and straight... so why let the lens determine the final image?

It is such a standard distortion in AP going back 75+ years that our clients accept it as a fact of life with WA views.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 28, 2013, 09:20:59 pm
Here is a picture of a lunchroom.  Straight out of camera and unretouched.  No distortions, tho ;)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/971181_10200750577861865_1273494874_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 28, 2013, 09:23:43 pm
I LOVE the abstractness of this, but unfortunately only some of my more sophisticated clients would like it though.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 28, 2013, 09:34:56 pm
There should be a LIKE button on LuLa.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 28, 2013, 09:37:45 pm
Here is a picture of a lunchroom.  Straight out of camera and unretouched.  No distortions, tho ;)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/971181_10200750577861865_1273494874_n.jpg)
Cool shot, however I can not really figure out what is going on with the design.  Is that the intention. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 28, 2013, 09:40:01 pm
Hah!  We do actually have an overall shot of the lunchroom.  I rarely get to make shots like this, but the marketing person from the firm said that he will actually use this a lot!

;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 28, 2013, 09:40:44 pm
Going back to distortion, I shot this last week for a friend of mine who is an interior architect.  Yes, the distortion does bother me a little, but the 2 point version just ... does't feel ... right.  Like why shoot a 2 point when a one point is possible?  BTW, I was not too keen on the owls, but, you know.   ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 28, 2013, 09:41:39 pm
Hah!  We do actually have an overall shot of the lunchroom.  I rarely get to make shots like this, but the marketing person from the firm said that he will actually use this a lot!

;)
That is what I thought.  If not, I was hoping you could post the plans so I could figure out what the space looked like. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 28, 2013, 09:58:00 pm
Hah!  We do actually have an overall shot of the lunchroom.  I rarely get to make shots like this, but the marketing person from the firm said that he will actually use this a lot!

;)

Yeehaaa!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on May 28, 2013, 09:59:06 pm
There should be a LIKE button on LuLa.

ditto-sometimes I'm just too lazy or busy to write something.......
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on May 28, 2013, 11:01:59 pm
Coot,

Watching the below sepia images, I have a question regarding Red if you see this post.

As everything is built on metadatas and therefore non-destructive, my doubt remains on the isos.

Let's take this scenario shoot on Red: if one decide to shoot pushing the isos to extreme levels on purpose (and not because it lacks light)
for ex to get a 16mm grain, and after that you give-up with the idea and want to revert to a clean image to do something completly different,
are the isos also non-destructive?
So for ex, can you take those high-isos images on RCX and going back to 800 the typical high-isos grain would disappear?
I ask this question because never had very high isos Red footage on edit.
 

Uh, well . . . gosh Fred I wish I knew.

Really, I'm sure someone from RED knows more about this than me.

The thing I've noticed with digital noise in all cameras, still and motion, the more light you have, regardless of iso, the less noise you have.

Shoot a Phase back at 800 ISO with a lot of studio flash and the noise is pretty minimal.  Shoot it with very little available light and the shadow noise can be fairly severe.

Same with the RED.

Now these images were shot with a small light panel, either handheld or mounted on a stand.  

All I did was go into the R1, move stuff around until I liked it and shot it.

Crazy right?

Anyway, once in Cine-x, there is 4 ways to make a scene brighter.  Exposure slider, ISO, Flut (which stands for something like Floating point) and obviously brightness.

Each one looks different, so in post I did a combination of all, including contrast to get the look I wanted, then made a still, then went to photoshop to match and finish out.

But, to answer your question, if I dropped the iso down to 800, and moved the exposure way up to compensate the noise was still there, but it depended on the original exposure and voume of light more than anything.

When I shot this I also tried a few images with more light and less iso and obviously less noise.  Then I tried less light, opened up the Fstop to match and though the noise should be equal I saw more noise.

In post processing I also thought it would be better to kill the denoise filter and put it in later in photoshop, but that made the blacks clump.  You really can't see the clumping in a motion image, but a still it's very evident.

So the best was was to shoot it the way I liked, look at it in the computer, make some adjustments, shoot it and then process it out with no noise killer and just move a combination of iso and exposure where I had the base image I wanted.

Does that make sense?

I don't know, but it did what I wanted.

Though the real answer is, if time permits and you know the look you want, test it, test it, test it and then shoot it.

I really only had time to shoot it, look at it, guess at the adjustment and shoot it.

BC

BTW Chris, loved that image, but it would have been great with a half eaten sandwich.  You know, human it up man.


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on May 28, 2013, 11:47:47 pm
Here is a picture of a lunchroom.  Straight out of camera and unretouched.  No distortions, tho ;)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/971181_10200750577861865_1273494874_n.jpg)
LIKE!   :D

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on May 29, 2013, 12:57:22 am
Here is a picture of a lunchroom.  Straight out of camera and unretouched.  No distortions, tho ;)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/971181_10200750577861865_1273494874_n.jpg)
[/quote

LIKE.

I have clients who would go ape-shit for this. And others who would say, "Whaaa....?"  I prefer the former.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on May 29, 2013, 05:01:53 am

But, to answer your question, if I dropped the iso down to 800, and moved the exposure way up to compensate the noise was still there, but it depended on the original exposure and voume of light more than anything.



Thanks Coot. You answered my question.
It's the available light that makes the noise
And not that much the isos.
As you point, high isos under control
Light produces little noise.
But you pointed on what was my doubt
On Red, reverting to 800 and compensate
In rcx, the noise still is there, and it makes
Sense.
Can't test by myself because I don't
Own a red camera. All footage I have in editing
Or samples downloaded are 800 isos and clean file.
Impossible to do the experiment I wanted.
So, if it's shooted in such a way that the noise
Appears, metadatas Or not, it won't be possible
To eliminate in rcx because it's not a metadata
Task any longuer but a physic of photons-sensors.
It's important because if we can de-do, redo any looks,
Isos + available light leave a definitive print.

Practicaly, my question was asked with the idea in mind
Of adding grain artificialy in post (wich imo never end
To look organic) Or trying to get the look in camera.
But trying to get the look in camera has it's pros and cons.
Sometimes we shoot something and it
Worked. Then, we want to do the same a month later
And it does not any longuer. We May have forgotten
Steps if it was an experiment, (note everything when it's
Hot !... ). Or light conditions have changed etc...

Cheers.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 29, 2013, 03:44:04 pm
Another one from the Home and Kitchen shots.

This time we had 2 additional raw lights behind the screens, coming from 11 o'clock and 2 o'clock.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Magefesa-Recetas-05131298.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JerryReed on May 29, 2013, 03:57:52 pm
Joe,

the gray floor material was that wood, tile or something else.  I like it that is why I am asking.

Jerry Reed

http://www.jerryreed.net
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 30, 2013, 09:29:57 am
I think that the seeming paradox about the ISO and the amount of light can be explained by the difference of the light spectrum in bright and dark conditions. The higher ISO settings in bright conditions are not as damaging to capture in terms of noise simply because the light spectrum is more forgiving in combination with the specifics of the Bayer sensor.

Usually bright light contains large amount of the green part of the spectrum, which, when being captured by the greater number of the green pixels in the Bayer-pattern sensor leads to lower luminosity noise, since luminosity is largely represented by the green portion of the spectrum. If (natural) light has dominant red or blue, then green pixels get insufficient signal in comparison and the luminosity noise is more pronounced.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on June 03, 2013, 06:41:42 pm
From my Patagonia shoot.
My client feedback is pretty clear, they love the waterfall.
Out of 3500 shots, I will publish 5-10 all developed to Fuji crystal archive paper and face mounted to acrylic
5-10 pieces on a ten day shoot is pretty productive for me.

Florence Welsh (waterfall on the Fitz Roy)
Pentax 645D 35mm AF stacked GND filters,CPF

Guardians
Pentax 645D 35mm AF CPF

Small things, suite of Four
Pentax 645D 35mm CPL
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on June 04, 2013, 02:33:12 pm
From my Patagonia shoot.
My client feedback is pretty clear, they love the waterfall.
Out of 3500 shots, I will publish 5-10 all developed to Fuji crystal archive paper and face mounted to acrylic
5-10 pieces on a ten day shoot is pretty productive for me.

Florence Welsh (waterfall on the Fitz Roy)
Pentax 645D 35mm AF stacked GND filters,CPF

Guardians
Pentax 645D 35mm AF CPF

Small things, suite of Four
Pentax 645D 35mm CPL


Very nice pictures, but why don't you straighten the first picture (Florence Welsh) up? Its crooked.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on June 04, 2013, 02:55:12 pm
I did in the edition master files....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on June 04, 2013, 03:01:56 pm
D800e

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/8937998251_15b29b71ae_b.jpg)



.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on June 04, 2013, 03:12:00 pm
Nice light and movement.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 04, 2013, 06:12:02 pm
A project I am currently shooting in NM for a lighting designer in NY.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on June 04, 2013, 08:05:37 pm
Hi Kirk,
Powerfull image. Very modernistic structure.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: georgem on June 05, 2013, 07:14:58 am
was shooting a similar a while ago

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on June 05, 2013, 09:29:31 am
A project I am currently shooting in NM for a lighting designer in NY.

I like it but man would that look hot with an orange sky :)


On a side note:  LEDS have really changed lighting...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 05, 2013, 10:43:16 am
I like it but man would that look hot with an orange sky :)


On a side note:  LEDS have really changed lighting...


Thanks. It would be a strong image that way for sure, but I'm not sure I would prefer it over the blue. My clients, including Tillett Lighting Design in Brooklynm an architecture professor at UNM and the city, went bonkers over this. To me the blue associates the pedestrian bridge with the sky which makes it more ethereal. Besides I live in New Mexico and I get weary of flaming sunsets :). Here is another. You may wonder why I left the sign in. If this image was for me I would take it out, but this bridge is in a really unromantic part of town-there is a strip club next to one end and warehouses on the other. The clients want to emphasize this project as a jewel in an otherwise unremarkable urban setting and show elegant infrastructure can transform an area.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: niteart on June 05, 2013, 11:14:13 am
These look amazing even as a small web sized image. I can only imagine how great they look in print.

From my Patagonia shoot.
My client feedback is pretty clear, they love the waterfall.
Out of 3500 shots, I will publish 5-10 all developed to Fuji crystal archive paper and face mounted to acrylic
5-10 pieces on a ten day shoot is pretty productive for me.

Florence Welsh (waterfall on the Fitz Roy)
Pentax 645D 35mm AF stacked GND filters,CPF

Guardians
Pentax 645D 35mm AF CPF

Small things, suite of Four
Pentax 645D 35mm CPL

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: 32BT on June 05, 2013, 11:24:13 am
You may wonder why I left the sign in. If this image was for me I would take it out,

I think that sign makes a brilliant addition. Almost makes this a prime candidate for the street-photography genre. Not so sure about that fence-pole or whatever it is. And the blueish lensflare(?) is rather immediately distracting. But great image nonetheless...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 05, 2013, 11:27:09 am
I think that sign makes a brilliant addition. Almost makes this a prime candidate for the street-photography genre. Not so sure about that fence-pole or whatever it is. And the blueish lensflare(?) is rather immediately distracting. But great image nonetheless...

Thanks. I haven't turned this over to the client yet and am still thinking about the pole and the little one too, but I don't know what blue flare you are referring to? I just went back and looked closely over that image and see no flare. Are you talking about the light cloud edge at the top left of center? On close inspection it does not appear to be flare.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: 32BT on June 05, 2013, 11:40:47 am
Thanks. I haven't turned this over to the client yet and am still thinking about the pole and the little one too, but I don't know what blue flare you are referring to? I just went back and looked closely over that image and see no flare. Are you talking about the light cloud edge at the top left of center? On close inspection it does not appear to be flare.

I may have misjudged it, could well be the reflection of the blue light on the ground. Sort of looks like something reflecting in glass forming a blueish haze.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on June 05, 2013, 12:21:36 pm
Thanks. It would be a strong image that way for sure, but I'm not sure I would prefer it over the blue. My clients, including Tillett Lighting Design in Brooklynm an architecture professor at UNM and the city, went bonkers over this. To me the blue associates the pedestrian bridge with the sky which makes it more ethereal. Besides I live in New Mexico and I get weary of flaming sunsets :). Here is another. You may wonder why I left the sign in. If this image was for me I would take it out, but this bridge is in a really unromantic part of town-there is a strip club next to one end and warehouses on the other. The clients want to emphasize this project as a jewel in an otherwise unremarkable urban setting and show elegant infrastructure can transform an area.

Don't get me wrong Kirk, I like the image.

The second one strikes my fancy more than the first.

But great work as always and what a cool project!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on June 05, 2013, 09:22:35 pm
Thanks. It would be a strong image that way for sure, but I'm not sure I would prefer it over the blue. My clients, including Tillett Lighting Design in Brooklynm an architecture professor at UNM and the city, went bonkers over this. To me the blue associates the pedestrian bridge with the sky which makes it more ethereal. Besides I live in New Mexico and I get weary of flaming sunsets :). Here is another. You may wonder why I left the sign in. If this image was for me I would take it out, but this bridge is in a really unromantic part of town-there is a strip club next to one end and warehouses on the other. The clients want to emphasize this project as a jewel in an otherwise unremarkable urban setting and show elegant infrastructure can transform an area.

Kirk, This shot tells the story better for me.  Great composition and color, sorry to hear the sunsets are getting boring!  I'll trade with you!!  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on June 05, 2013, 10:19:37 pm
Thanks. It would be a strong image that way for sure, but I'm not sure I would prefer it over the blue. My clients, including Tillett Lighting Design in Brooklynm an architecture professor at UNM and the city, went bonkers over this. To me the blue associates the pedestrian bridge with the sky which makes it more ethereal. Besides I live in New Mexico and I get weary of flaming sunsets :). Here is another. You may wonder why I left the sign in. If this image was for me I would take it out, but this bridge is in a really unromantic part of town-there is a strip club next to one end and warehouses on the other. The clients want to emphasize this project as a jewel in an otherwise unremarkable urban setting and show elegant infrastructure can transform an area.

That's frackin awesome. I hate the sign. It doesn't speak to the roughness of the area, it's just an ugly traffic sign, a blight upon your gorgeous shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JohnBrew on June 06, 2013, 06:48:23 am
Kirk, really nice shot. Personally I'd PS the sign.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: 32BT on June 06, 2013, 08:29:26 am
Why would one want to remove that sign? Occupational deformation?
It perfectly depicts that bit of human confusion that one should always strive for in any photographic endeavor.

It complements the grandeur of the architectural object that even so lets you move in one tangential direction only. Equally so for how a highway is designed. Ah, but not so the sky! A beautiful representation of nature with an ever so slight movement visible. Do people not see this? Or do they simply not care?

The sign is not an element, it is a statement. It is not a distraction that needs removal, it attracts our attention to a broader message: that movement designed by humans is oddly restrictive versus the freedom of movement in nature depicted by the sky so brilliantly.

I would be tempted to adjust the image to somehow draw more attention to the sign, and then vehemently defend its existence as a very relevant element to any client who might want to remove it. Fortunately they don't.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 06, 2013, 09:54:38 am
Why would one want to remove that sign? Occupational deformation?
It perfectly depicts that bit of human confusion that one should always strive for in any photographic endeavor.

It complements the grandeur of the architectural object that even so lets you move in one tangential direction only. Equally so for how a highway is designed. Ah, but not so the sky! A beautiful representation of nature with an ever so slight movement visible. Do people not see this? Or do they simply not care?

The sign is not an element, it is a statement. It is not a distraction that needs removal, it attracts our attention to a broader message: that movement designed by humans is oddly restrictive versus the freedom of movement in nature depicted by the sky so brilliantly.

I would be tempted to adjust the image to somehow draw more attention to the sign, and then vehemently defend its existence as a very relevant element to any client who might want to remove it. Fortunately they don't.

Because in my opinion, ANYTHING that pulls your attention away from the architecture I try and remove. My job with my commercial AP is to illustrate and drive attention to the architecture-period. It is an old school ideology for AP (no offense Iwan Baan) but it is my long held ideology.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 06, 2013, 09:57:26 am
That's frackin awesome. I hate the sign. It doesn't speak to the roughness of the area, it's just an ugly traffic sign, a blight upon your gorgeous shot.

Thanks Chris.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 06, 2013, 09:59:41 am
Kirk, This shot tells the story better for me.  Great composition and color, sorry to hear the sunsets are getting boring!  I'll trade with you!!  Jim

Thanks Jim. I am rather fond of Detroit too, but wouldn't want to have to live there and try and make a living. You have really made the most of it.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: 32BT on June 06, 2013, 10:18:35 am
Because in my opinion, ANYTHING that pulls your attention away from the architecture I try and remove. My job with my commercial AP is to illustrate and drive attention to the architecture-period. It is an old school ideology for AP (no offense Iwan Baan) but it is my long held ideology.

Sure, but that is what I meant by occupational deformation (in a non-derogatory way mind you). I can fully appreciate that an architectural assignment requires stringent filtering of distractions, but in this case it would equally remove a very interesting conjunction and statement.

For the sake of argument though, if distractions are to be removed, then what to make of the saturated colors? Because frankly, the image primarily lives on the foundations of a "pleasing palette", not particularly on the basis of an impressive piece of architecture...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 06, 2013, 11:05:24 pm
Light, whether sunlight or artificial  is essential to every architectural design. There is no separating them.

This local project, however humble, attracted a very talented NY design firm-it wasn't for the money. I know the budget on the project. It was to see what they could do with it-pushing the boundaries of local taste and the budget. I take every assignment my clients give me as an "impressive piece of architecture" and give it 110%.  I don't care if its a starchitect clients or a one person shop in his bedroom. I'm not there to judge. I'm there to make the project soar. Nor when I'm shooting for the architect (editorial AP is different) am I there to document-I'm there to fullfill his/her imagination.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 06, 2013, 11:08:10 pm
Hi Kirk,

is there a version with the strip club in the image ;-)

Don't be shy. Eugène Atget did it: http://images.zeno.org/Fotografien/I/500-635/PHO00563.jpg

Best,
Johannes


I've tried I just can't make it work visually :)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 06, 2013, 11:10:53 pm
... Because frankly, the image primarily lives on the foundations of a "pleasing palette", not particularly on the basis of an impressive piece of architecture...

I think there is another possibility: it becomes an "impressive piece of architecture" at night, precisely because of  the "pleasing palette" of its lighting?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on June 07, 2013, 02:27:23 am
Thanks,

The proofing sized prints look good, I corrected a few things and will get display size pieces mounted to acrylic back from my lab
next week, I got lots of good shots, can't wait to see them blown up on fuji flex and mounted. I only had the proofs to go by but have sold 8 pieces in two weeks! so I'm well on my way to paying for the trip! so far it's been the waterfall piece (both a vertical and a horizontal version are available.) Also the grass, go figure, but it's a fun little piece. I'll release five images to start. 

Here's a couple more.

Patagonia=photographers heaven! 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: 32BT on June 07, 2013, 04:20:29 am
Light, whether sunlight or artificial  is essential to every architectural design. There is no separating them.


-I'm there to fullfill his/her imagination.


And a brilliant job you did here. The orange glow of the highway complements the blue of the architectural object which is faintly replicated in a dramatic sky. Well done, well seen, well captured, and well processed.

I doubt that I will ever perceive the colors IRL as they are represented here, but that doesn't make the picture any less competent, and I suppose it is a bit like selling soap: artificially clean surfaces sell better. In that respect I agree that removing the sign, poles, and other distractions is better.

But I still maintain that the sign makes a brilliant statement. It would be a bit like this: looking at the picture I see a beautiful and clean, strongly colored scene, and the sign seems a bit out of character. So I am forced to wonder why the artist has left it in. I then "read" the sign, which says "no left turn" and "one way only" and realise that that is exactly what the elements in the picture represent.

The elements represent singular directions, with a single destination, much like what human society (represented by the urban setting) imposes upon our daily lives. Then the sky shows natural forms with slight movement in a direction of its own choosing, which alludes to our inner nature of freedom and creativity that every person possesses.

Yes, indeed, I do write a crack'n artist's statement, no?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: 32BT on June 07, 2013, 04:29:19 am
I think there is another possibility: it becomes an "impressive piece of architecture" at night, precisely because of  the "pleasing palette" of its lighting?

That would fly if we actually saw the colors as they are reproduced here. As much as I would like that: by choice seeing stripes of light as opposed to cars driving, or consciously adjusting whitebalance so I see orange, I can't do either. I also find it hard to comprehend that the glow of the evening sky is less saturated than the artificial lights in the scene before me. I don't have a problem with it as an artistic representation, but surely this isn't even close to daily reality.

(In fact, i think in practice this will give me the shivers. Junky-deterrent-blue pretty much always does.)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: chrismuc on June 07, 2013, 06:11:15 am
@ joe
... a little photoshoping of the left upper corner reduces the distortion effect of circular objects in that area
:-)
chris
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on June 07, 2013, 08:41:01 am
I think if I was going to that trouble I wound have taken out those utility wires in the window  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 07, 2013, 08:44:06 am
To be honest, the distortion does not bother me.  It is a product of perspective, as Chris stated earlier.  Not to mention that now with the sconce "fixed," the sink just does not look right, and the sink would be much harder to "fix."   The wires in the window were removed later on.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on June 07, 2013, 02:27:05 pm
 The wires in the window were removed later on.  

Thank you, I feel better now  ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 09, 2013, 05:55:19 am
For SecondFocus aka Ian Sitren.

Thought of you as I was thinking of W. Eugene Smith, so maybe this makes you both content!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 09, 2013, 11:28:28 am
Rob, dare I suggest that the title is as good, if not better, as the image? ;)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 09, 2013, 11:37:09 am
Rob, dare I suggest that the title is as good, if not better, as the image? ;)



It's just what I see every morning in the mirror after my shower. Okay, there's lots of condensation about, just like in the BMW 850, and I could be a little bit mistaken... let's just think of it as a digital dream, then?

Thanks for the kind thought!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 09, 2013, 11:52:34 am
That would fly if we actually saw the colors as they are reproduced here. As much as I would like that: by choice seeing stripes of light as opposed to cars driving, or consciously adjusting whitebalance so I see orange, I can't do either. I also find it hard to comprehend that the glow of the evening sky is less saturated than the artificial lights in the scene before me. I don't have a problem with it as an artistic representation, but surely this isn't even close to daily reality.

(In fact, i think in practice this will give me the shivers. Junky-deterrent-blue pretty much always does.)

White balance was set for daylight. The "look" of this image is virtually identical to using a saturated daylight transparency film for twilights which I did for 25 years before digital. I have probably had close to a hundred magazine covers with such dramatic color twilights-I am known for it frankly-clients ask me for it. So while you are entitled to your opinion (of course), it flies in the face of my 35 years experience in the architectural photography marketplace.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: 32BT on June 09, 2013, 12:20:25 pm
White balance was set for daylight. ... it flies in the face of my 35 years experience in the architectural photography marketplace.

What's your point? I already used all the superlatives required to express my appreciation for the result, but if you're now trying to argue with me that my eyes would perceive artificial light without adaptation, then you really are being unnecessarily argumentative.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 09, 2013, 01:15:13 pm
Oscar, I think what we are talking about here is there is a "natural" way of how we perceive things and there is a "cultural" way. Take for instance your example of "seeing stripes of light as opposed to cars driving." We've all seen so many pictures of those "stripes of light" in photographs, that we have become conditioned to accept them as "normal." The same goes with the orange glow of incandescent lights. If we are inside a room lit by it, we do not notice it as orange. However, go outside into the dark night and look back at the windows and you will see that light as orange. Culturally, we have also been conditioned to see daylight-balanced film deliver those oranges, and got used to it as "normal." To the point that if Kirk balanced it back to white, I would slap him silly ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 09, 2013, 03:59:50 pm
Quote
I don't have a problem with it as an artistic representation, but surely this isn't even close to daily reality.
Quote
or consciously adjusting whitebalance so I see orange

Well I guess my point is who cares if it is close to daily reality? I don't. These are not courtroom evidence but a kind of promotional photography. You brought up these points and I am just explaining my thinking and methodology. No argument intended-just answering your question highlighted above and the one implied in the second quote where you were dead wrong.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on June 12, 2013, 12:23:55 pm
Well, it's NeoCon... the world's biggest commercial furniture expo and I am absolutely drained.  We've put in about 8 days or work so far (in 7 actual days) and produced some work that I'm really happy with at Herman Miller and a couple other showrooms.

We were working around construction, installation and styling the whole time.  The space just outside of every composition is a mess of workers, furniture and props EVERYWHERE.  I have ingested more caffeine in the last week than I care to admit and have filled up nearly a TB worth of Hard drive space.  The images, while not quite straight out of camera only had time for about 15 minutes of retouching each before they had to be turned around for the monday morning web launch.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/130603_009.jpg)

More at the blog... (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2568)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 12, 2013, 12:28:15 pm
Well, it's NeoCon... the world's biggest commercial furniture expo and I am absolutely drained.  We've put in about 8 days or work so far (in 7 actual days) and produced some work that I'm really happy with at Herman Miller and a couple other showrooms.

We were working around construction, installation and styling the whole time.  The space just outside of every composition is a mess of workers, furniture and props EVERYWHERE.  I have ingested more caffeine in the last week than I care to admit and have filled up nearly a TB worth of Hard drive space.  The images, while not quite straight out of camera only had time for about 15 minutes of retouching each before they had to be turned around for the monday morning web launch.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/130603_009.jpg)

More at the blog... (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2568)




CB

Clean and elegant as usual. Well done!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on June 12, 2013, 12:40:48 pm
Well, it's NeoCon... the world's biggest commercial furniture expo and I am absolutely drained.  We've put in about 8 days or work so far (in 7 actual days) and produced some work that I'm really happy with at Herman Miller and a couple other showrooms.

We were working around construction, installation and styling the whole time.  The space just outside of every composition is a mess of workers, furniture and props EVERYWHERE.  I have ingested more caffeine in the last week than I care to admit and have filled up nearly a TB worth of Hard drive space.  The images, while not quite straight out of camera only had time for about 15 minutes of retouching each before they had to be turned around for the monday morning web launch.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/130603_009.jpg)

More at the blog... (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2568)

CB

Nice images as usual Chris.

Many years ago I shot in the Shaw Walker display, following a crew shooting motion.  The grip from the motion crew placed a tota-light too near a sprinkler head.  Needless to say the shooting stopped :)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 12, 2013, 01:43:41 pm
Chris, excuse me if I'm mistaken, but am I looking at a bathroom?

I'm sure I detect a toothbrush in a mug, but I'm completely thrown by the screens and chairs. Please tell me I'm mistaken.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 12, 2013, 01:58:50 pm
Chris, excuse me if I'm mistaken, but am I looking at a bathroom?

I'm sure I detect a toothbrush in a mug, but I'm completely thrown by the screens and chairs. Please tell me I'm mistaken.

Rob C
I think that's a pencil (or two) in a cup, not a toothbrush.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on June 12, 2013, 02:09:36 pm
Chris, excuse me if I'm mistaken, but am I looking at a bathroom?

I'm sure I detect a toothbrush in a mug, but I'm completely thrown by the screens and chairs. Please tell me I'm mistaken.

Rob C

Looks like a very comfy toilet, but the plumbing looks kind of small :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on June 12, 2013, 03:46:57 pm
Well, it's NeoCon... the world's biggest commercial furniture expo and I am absolutely drained.  We've put in about 8 days or work so far (in 7 actual days) and produced some work that I'm really happy with at Herman Miller and a couple other showrooms.

We were working around construction, installation and styling the whole time.  The space just outside of every composition is a mess of workers, furniture and props EVERYWHERE.  I have ingested more caffeine in the last week than I care to admit and have filled up nearly a TB worth of Hard drive space.  The images, while not quite straight out of camera only had time for about 15 minutes of retouching each before they had to be turned around for the monday morning web launch.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/130603_009.jpg)

More at the blog... (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2568)

CB


Well balanced and proportioned compositions as always - what an energetic and fun environment to be a part of.
Thanks for sharing here and on your blog.

Andrew

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 12, 2013, 05:37:53 pm
Nice images as usual Chris.

Many years ago I shot in the Shaw Walker display, following a crew shooting motion.  The grip from the motion crew placed a tota-light too near a sprinkler head.  Needless to say the shooting stopped :)



I was shooting an IBM sales facility in Lubbock TX back in the day. I was shooting the demo room with dozens of computers set up and running. My client, the architect, tripped over my 1000W halogen light on a stand (bouncing light off the ceiling) but he caught it before it hit the ground. He then set it back up again but directly beneath a sprinkler head. I was under the dark cloth concentrating on the composition..................
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 12, 2013, 06:34:31 pm
I was recently honored by the acquisition and permanent installation of two of my Chaco Canyon prints in the NM State Capital-"the Roundhouse". The Roundhouse houses a premier art collection of state artists (as well as the state legislature)and I am very honored to be in it. It is a very selective collection of some 600 works-all of which are on permanent display. As space runs out they become increasingly selective. Some years ago I approached them twice-got nowhere and basically gave up, but last year a board member approached me at a group show I was in at the Albuquerque Museum and it finally happened. Scanned 4x5 Tri-X Film with orange filter.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on June 12, 2013, 06:47:10 pm
congrats Kirk.   :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 12, 2013, 07:59:16 pm
congrats Kirk.   :)
From me, too. I'll look for them the next time I get to NM.

Eric M.



Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on June 13, 2013, 06:24:00 am
I was recently honored by the acquisition and permanent installation of two of my Chaco Canyon prints in the NM State Capital-"the Roundhouse". The Roundhouse houses a premier art collection of state artists (as well as the state legislature)and I am very honored to be in it. It is a very selective collection of some 600 works-all of which are on permanent display. As space runs out they become increasingly selective. Some years ago I approached them twice-got nowhere and basically gave up, but last year a board member approached me at a group show I was in at the Albuquerque Museum and it finally happened. Scanned 4x5 Tri-X Film with orange filter.

Kirk, You've captured the essence of New Mexico in these two shots!!  I need to get back!  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on June 13, 2013, 07:55:51 am
Awesome, Kirk.  I need to get out there with you sometime and explore my new-found love of shooting rocks and sand.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 13, 2013, 10:11:59 am
Thanks guys. If you all get out here give me a ring and we can meet up.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: favalim on June 13, 2013, 06:41:42 pm
Very intersting light Chris! how did you fill the light? do you use frost?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickCroken on June 13, 2013, 07:03:18 pm
I don't typically shoot weddings but had the opportunity to shoot a friends wedding last weekend.  These are a couple of the images that I like as plow through the processing.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on June 13, 2013, 07:55:44 pm
Well, it's NeoCon... the world's biggest commercial furniture expo and I am absolutely drained.  We've put in about 8 days or work so far (in 7 actual days) and produced some work that I'm really happy with at Herman Miller and a couple other showrooms.

We were working around construction, installation and styling the whole time.  The space just outside of every composition is a mess of workers, furniture and props EVERYWHERE.  I have ingested more caffeine in the last week than I care to admit and have filled up nearly a TB worth of Hard drive space.  The images, while not quite straight out of camera only had time for about 15 minutes of retouching each before they had to be turned around for the monday morning web launch.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/130603_009.jpg)

More at the blog... (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2568)

CB
I like this. Beautiful work as always.

Ps: IMO, the plant is a mixed bag. It ads an "organic" feeling and a warmer tone in a rather cold and surgical precision environement (and also balanced the compo), but on the other hand, it has nothing to do with it.
I would have been on the difficult choice to keep or not to keep if I shooted that. In the end, I'd get rid-of the dentist waiting room plant in post and just center on the space with its pureness.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on June 13, 2013, 09:50:35 pm
Fantastic Kirk,

B&W just lends itself so well to this type of drama.
Do you still find yourself time in the darkroom to print yourself?

Andrew
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 13, 2013, 10:09:12 pm
Thanks. These are scanned film printed digitally. For many years I printed these traditionally and could not get exactly what I wanted-maybe 95%. Digitally I could get exactly what I wanted.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on June 13, 2013, 10:52:26 pm
Yeah, I hate plants.  That's all the Art Director.  Whatevs.

Here's what we did...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/130603_009_MarkedUp.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 14, 2013, 04:13:37 am
Awesome, Kirk.  I need to get out there with you sometime and explore my new-found love of shooting rocks and sand.

You can 't do that, Chris: you simply must indulge the entire triumvirate: rocks, sand and at least one tree!

Enjoy.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on June 14, 2013, 06:44:33 am
You can 't do that, Chris: you simply must indulge the entire triumvirate: rocks, sand and at least one tree!

Enjoy.

Rob C

Or...in Rob's style:
Rocks, sand, and at least One chick

Topless of course.
Shaken, not stirred
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on June 14, 2013, 08:04:44 am
You can 't do that, Chris: you simply must indulge the entire triumvirate: rocks, sand and at least one tree!

Enjoy.

Rob C

Actually, I guess I am a fan of the at least one tree...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PODAS_011.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PODAS_005.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PODAS_006.jpg)

;)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on June 14, 2013, 09:41:06 am
Yeah, I hate plants.  That's all the Art Director.  Whatevs.

Here's what we did...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/130603_009_MarkedUp.jpg)

Chris, those Dedo's are tungsten balanced, yes?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeffery Salter on June 14, 2013, 09:47:16 am
Hi CB,

Really beautiful.  If I may ask a few questions about your workflow.  (This is in regards to your office and NEOCON photography)

Do you do your own postproduction work?  Just curious to know how many layers do you typical work with?

I really appreciate how you manage the various color temperatures (strobes vs hot lights vs daylight).  Do you balance every to daylight 5500k on the location or correct the colors in post in layers?

Your style really allows the architecture and furnishings to shine.  Cool and crisp.  I can really tell you are very graceful under pressure!

Thank you for sharing.

regards,
jeffery
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on June 14, 2013, 09:57:26 am
Pfff guys.
The only thing that's missing in those
Desert landscapes is a ww hippy van
Parked next to the tree
With a fire and a guitar.
A bit of Neil Young Or CSN
And a view camera on a wooden tripod.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 14, 2013, 11:33:35 am
Pfff guys.
The only thing that's missing in those
Desert landscapes is a ww hippy van
Parked next to the tree
With a fire and a guitar.
A bit of Neil Young Or CSN
And a view camera on a wooden tripod.


What about Gram Parsons?

Speaking of whom, here goes the Grievous Angel onto the player.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on June 14, 2013, 12:53:13 pm
Thanks for sharing Chris. Really inspiring work. Can I ask are you hiding the demo's or are they behind camera?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on June 14, 2013, 02:49:43 pm
Casa Salis

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Casa_Salis_03.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 14, 2013, 03:28:55 pm
Kodachrome rescued - more or less - from a shoot in Greece.

Don't think I posted it before.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on June 14, 2013, 04:01:09 pm
Kodachrome rescued - more or less - from a shoot in Greece.

Don't think I posted it before.

Rob C

Beautiful. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 14, 2013, 05:32:50 pm
Thank you, gentleman, made my day in turn!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 14, 2013, 05:36:10 pm
Kodachrome rescued - more or less - from a shoot in Greece.

Don't think I posted it before.

Rob C

Dam...............nation!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on June 14, 2013, 06:34:03 pm
Hi CB,

Really beautiful.  If I may ask a few questions about your workflow.  (This is in regards to your office and NEOCON photography)

Do you do your own postproduction work?  Just curious to know how many layers do you typical work with?

I really appreciate how you manage the various color temperatures (strobes vs hot lights vs daylight).  Do you balance every to daylight 5500k on the location or correct the colors in post in layers?

Your style really allows the architecture and furnishings to shine.  Cool and crisp.  I can really tell you are very graceful under pressure!

Thank you for sharing.

regards,
jeffery


Thanks, Jefferey.  As for color, I go with whatever the dominant ambient light source is.  This space was lit with florescent and tungsten track lights.  It all balanced out to about 2700k and a little green.  I don't carry a color meter, we just white balance the first capture and go from there.

So, the Dedos were straight tungsten, the Strobe and HMI had Full CTO and I think we had 1/8 or 1/4 Plus Green on everything.

We mix up our sources all the time with no regard to their native color balance and we just gel to match.  I carry CTO, CTB and Plus Green in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and Full.  That usually gets me through any situation.

CB

Edit:  Yeah, I do my own post.  In the time it takes me to mark up notes for the retoucher (and I have a really good guy here in Chicago) I could have just done it myself.  I've become petty damn quick with Photoshop and reasonably skilled.  For this set of images, I've just done a quick round of work.  Next I'll ftp the High Res to the client's server and they'll work directly with my retoucher for any additional work.

Yada Yada.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on June 15, 2013, 06:29:26 am
Thanks, Jefferey.  As for color, I go with whatever the dominant ambient light source is.  This space was lit with florescent and tungsten track lights.  It all balanced out to about 2700k and a little green.  I don't carry a color meter, we just white balance the first capture and go from there.

So, the Dedos were straight tungsten, the Strobe and HMI had Full CTO and I think we had 1/8 or 1/4 Plus Green on everything.

We mix up our sources all the time with no regard to their native color balance and we just gel to match.  I carry CTO, CTB and Plus Green in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and Full.  That usually gets me through any situation.

CB



That was very interesting, along
With the light set-up pic.
I'd like to see those posts
More often.
Thanks Chris.

Ps: are you going to the Madrid festival ?
Maybe Rob could move his bottom
From the island beaches and we
All meet there. That would be a gas.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeffery Salter on June 15, 2013, 02:14:37 pm
Thanks, Jefferey.  As for color, I go with whatever the dominant ambient light source is.  This space was lit with florescent and tungsten track lights.  It all balanced out to about 2700k and a little green.  I don't carry a color meter, we just white balance the first capture and go from there.


It amazes me how much science and good technical skills go into our art form. It's a fun rabbit hole of learning shooting and shooting and learning.

Thanks again for sharing.
Jeffery
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on June 16, 2013, 05:09:50 am
It amazes me how much science and good technical skills go into our art form. It's a fun rabbit hole of learning shooting and shooting and learning.

Absolutely right! And yet there are some here who are offended by being asked the square root of 16 when registering. Bizarre.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 16, 2013, 12:48:52 pm
Absolutely right! And yet there are some here who are offended by being asked the square root of 16 when registering. Bizarre.

Jeremy
Ah, but asking for the square root of 25 would be a different story!   ::)


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 16, 2013, 01:20:18 pm
Ah, but asking for the square root of 25 would be a different story!   ::)





Doesn't count: you have to limit these trick questions to straight twelve-times tables!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 16, 2013, 01:23:53 pm
This is a very difficult type of technical shot: it means calculating the wind speed, the model's drift and the photographer's compensatory shake.  Actually, it ends up a bit like sailing.

Definitely more Gram Parsons than Chuck Berry.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 16, 2013, 03:55:58 pm
Rob, Rob, Rob,

you surprise me. How could you crop the window in this architectural image?

The girl has a bit of an awkward position and the dress is strange. But I like the image anyway.

Best,
Johannes


I was using the built-in level of the camera, but didn't realise until later that it was front-focussing a little bit. Obviously, that's what happens in such cases. No proper QC these days. Must buy a Leica.

The awkward position comes from her being hungry. The dress was from Bob Dylan's early line: Blowin' in the Wind. Wonderful label.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 17, 2013, 12:18:41 am
Just developed this one. From my 1-st DMF shoot when I rented H1 with Leaf 22MP. The shoot was with a gorgeous model I worked a year before, but she was kind enough to bring a long a body builder this time:)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/RSM_188_V1_web700px.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 17, 2013, 04:14:06 am
Michael, where's the girl? Forget the guy - he's for the birds, or at least the ones who dig bodybuilders.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 17, 2013, 07:42:40 am
She is right here:)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/SAW_B075_LEAF_V1_web700px.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 17, 2013, 09:47:08 am
And here they are together of course:

(http://michaelezra.com/images/photography/MichaelEzra_SRM_288.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 17, 2013, 10:55:58 am
Now you're shooting porcupines?  ;-)

I think your darker background tones are more pleasing than the lighter ones that I seem to remember you using before. I'm probably mistaken about the earlier ones - my memory isn't what it used to be, not that I think I remember the memory as being particularly good in the first place when it was young. But as it is, the background works very nicely with the skins.

I have a problem about the guy: isn't he missing something, what with gravity and all...?

Rob C

Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 17, 2013, 11:02:50 am
... I have a problem about the guy: isn't he missing something, what with gravity and all...?

Rob, you should remember that Michael clones out all the props that help his models appear in nearly impossible positions ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on June 17, 2013, 11:16:54 am
Now you're shooting porcupines?  ;-)


I have a problem about the guy: isn't he missing something, what with gravity and all...?

Rob C


Rob, It' known that body builder's
Are tiny, propotionaly tinied to their
Mass muscle increment.

Women don't like those kind of men.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 17, 2013, 11:25:20 am
Fred, you'd be surprised how proportional body builders can be:)!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 17, 2013, 12:11:25 pm
Rob, It' known that body builder's
Are tiny, propotionaly tinied to their
Mass muscle increment.

Women don't like those kind of men.


Strangely, that's what my wife used to say; I thought she was only being kind to me. Hey ho! she wins again.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on June 17, 2013, 03:36:26 pm
She is right here:)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/SAW_B075_LEAF_V1_web700px.jpg)

Michael, Amazing shot. Beautiful tonality
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on June 17, 2013, 07:13:11 pm
Fred, you'd be surprised how proportional body builders can be:)!

Rob, we indeed have been fooled by our wife and girlfriends !!!

B....s
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on June 17, 2013, 08:20:30 pm
Maybe he, like, tucked it....

Michael, thank you for sharing these here. I really like your work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 17, 2013, 10:33:15 pm
Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on June 18, 2013, 01:29:15 pm
This is a very difficult type of technical shot: it means calculating the wind speed, the model's drift and the photographer's compensatory shake.  Actually, it ends up a bit like sailing.

I like the shot, Rob, but I can't avoid a nagging feeling that you might be stretching the word "Recent" just a tad far.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: heinrichvoelkel on June 18, 2013, 03:33:30 pm
No, no, no. Please Rob don't listen. Recent is not an exact period of time. For me Rob's images feel very recent.

Best,
Johannes

There some breast's in the picture and some let every measure of time and space go. Some are so brutally honest with themselves. There's no wink wink or other emoticon connected to my post.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 18, 2013, 04:12:59 pm
I like the shot, Rob, but I can't avoid a nagging feeling that you might be stretching the word "Recent" just a tad far.

Jeremy


Jeremy, 'recent' is a comparative term; at my age, recent isn't the same as for a newborn babe. My mother told me, approaching her nineties, that she was still twenty-seven or so; I believed her then and I now know she was telling the truth.

Goddamit, we still make and look at documentaries about (classical) Roman mistesses, wives and mothers! If two thousand years is but the batting of an eyelid, what's a few long months or, alternatively, short years? (We may make movies about recent Roman ladies too, but I can't vouch for that because I haven't been in a cinema since Thunderball because the print I was attempting to watch was OOF and the manager, when I went to complain, said it wasn't.)

;-)

Anyway, it's light relief from other things. Such as taxes and cerebral battles about photographic morality and honesty - a paradox, no doubt - in the art world.

At least I offer no Statement!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 18, 2013, 05:14:01 pm
I wish I had a pool like this.   :(
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 18, 2013, 06:45:48 pm
I like the shot, Rob, but I can't avoid a nagging feeling that you might be stretching the word "Recent" just a tad far.

Jeremy
I think a definition of "recent" that might be useful here is "since Rob C was born."

Eric M.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 18, 2013, 06:47:37 pm
And to Michael Ezra,

I hope some day you'll tell us just how you designed and built the anti-gravity studio that you obviously use for your nude photos.  ;)

Eric M.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 18, 2013, 06:56:46 pm
Eric, it is just a 14'x21' living room with seamless 9.5 feet paper background. When I am done with the Levitation series, I might share the custom-designed support built with plumbing pipes and a few hoses from the dish-washing machine all for $60 @homedepot :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: K.C. on June 18, 2013, 11:50:44 pm
I wish I had a pool like this.   :(

Great images Joe but poor timing if you wanted anyone to pay attention. It'll take a couple of days for this predominantly male forum to get over the breasts that preceded your post.  ::)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 19, 2013, 03:56:41 am
Great images Joe but poor timing if you wanted anyone to pay attention. It'll take a couple of days for this predominantly male forum to get over the breasts that preceded your post.  ::)



You're an optimist, K.C.

I was there, shot the shots and still haven't got over either the breasts or the times. All I know is that both were real, and that in the case of the Greek ones, their owner and my wife later spent time in Cannes discussing the rash of identical Arabian ones being sported along the edges of the pool of the Montfleury Hotel where we were staying on another shoot (identical, not in the sense of being simliar to the model's but that a common design ran through the Arabian ones; you learn so much with travel. We firmly believed Slazenger had a hand in it).

Again, thank you for the kind remarks!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 19, 2013, 11:51:08 am
I never have enjoyed getting up before dawn and driving for miles. But then, you duz wot you have to duz.

Kodachrome 64, of course, one of the Nikons and probably the 2.8/35 non-AI'd Nikkor that was my crispest piece of glass at the time. I don't think I'd like to try shots like that with digital. That's one of the good things about digital though: never made me get up early.

"I think a definition of "recent" that might be useful here is "since Rob C was born."

Eric M."

I'll fly with that; thanks for the escape clause!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 19, 2013, 11:58:26 am
The online version of my recent article in Dwell:
http://www.dwell.com/house-tours/article/sustainable-rammed-earth-home-new-mexico

(http://www.dwell.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/earth-moves-front.jpg?itok=_yv0xczF)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on June 19, 2013, 12:34:37 pm
I never have enjoyed getting up before dawn and driving for miles. But then, you duz wot you have to duz.

Kodachrome 64, of course, one of the Nikons and probably the 2.8/35 non-AI'd Nikkor that was my crispest piece of glass at the time. I don't think I'd like to try shots like that with digital. That's one of the good things about digital though: never made me get up early.

"I think a definition of "recent" that might be useful here is "since Rob C was born."

Eric M."

I'll fly with that; thanks for the escape clause!

;-)

Rob C
Rob, I hated sunsets pics. Before seeing this.

(Excellent composition too)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 19, 2013, 01:46:49 pm
Rob, I hated sunsets pics. Before seeing this.

(Excellent composition too)


Keith, Fred, thanks very much - glad you like it!

Fred, it isn't a sunset - it actually was shot at sunrise, the main reason being that that beach gets a lot of low surf in the late afternoons sometimes, and that causes quite a bit of humidity to hang like a cloud; apart from that, I can't figure a way to get the damned sun to set in the east.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on June 19, 2013, 01:49:40 pm
The online version of my recent article in Dwell:
http://www.dwell.com/house-tours/article/sustainable-rammed-earth-home-new-mexico

(http://www.dwell.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/earth-moves-front.jpg?itok=_yv0xczF)


Nice work Kirk.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 19, 2013, 02:38:35 pm
Thanks. Hey does anybody have a current live contact for an editor or someone at Sunset? I have a couple of things I want to pitch to them but get 0 response from any of the listed methods of contact.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 19, 2013, 04:37:59 pm
Nice work Kirk.
+1.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on June 19, 2013, 06:58:37 pm
New project in Albuquerque-The Jerry Cline Tennis Complex by Lee Gamelsky Architects. 2X flat stitch with Canon 24 T/S II.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 19, 2013, 10:41:35 pm
Thanks, but yes, nothing like a nice pair of breast to distract my counterparts.   :D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on June 19, 2013, 10:55:23 pm
I had the opportunity to be at the Phase One World Tour in Hollywood the other day. Great program and Phase One, Profoto, Eizo and Siren Studios really were very exceptional in providing a superb experience. We also had presentations by David LaChapelle and Art Streiber.

I also had the chance to shoot a few frames with the IQ260, very impressive. But what impressed me was that in the very bright sunlight outside on the roof of Siren Studios I was able to clearly see the screen on the back of the camera. Even more visible than on my Canon 5DMkIII.



Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on June 20, 2013, 02:12:12 am
Hi,

Shot this a couple of days ago for a client of mine.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on June 20, 2013, 09:20:51 am
I never have enjoyed getting up before dawn and driving for miles. But then, you duz wot you have to duz.

Kodachrome 64, of course, one of the Nikons and probably the 2.8/35 non-AI'd Nikkor that was my crispest piece of glass at the time. I don't think I'd like to try shots like that with digital. That's one of the good things about digital though: never made me get up early.

"I think a definition of "recent" that might be useful here is "since Rob C was born."

Eric M."

I'll fly with that; thanks for the escape clause!

;-)

Rob C

Love it.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 20, 2013, 10:57:12 am
Love it.


Thank you, T; much appreciated!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 20, 2013, 12:15:08 pm
From another lifetime: my recorded struggles with Ilford HP3, 35mm and bounced flash.

Her Majesty The Queen; The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Where was Harry Benson that day?

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on June 20, 2013, 01:43:10 pm
I think a definition of "recent" that might be useful here is "since Rob C was born."

OK, then. I'll accept that.  ;)

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Emilmedia on June 20, 2013, 03:15:50 pm
Hi,

Shot this a couple of days ago for a client of mine.

Cheers

Simon

You keep delivering great work!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: wolfnowl on July 07, 2013, 01:56:45 am
Love the Harris' Hawks!  :)

Mike.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on July 28, 2013, 04:06:23 pm
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/at_ege_ca_mag.jpg)

P21+, Contax.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on July 28, 2013, 11:33:42 pm
A few stills from the new short film we just wrapped on...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/FaGTC_Blog_Cover.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/FaGTC_Blog_001.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/FaGTC_Blog_003.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/FaGTC_Blog_005.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/FaGTC_Blog_007.jpg)

More at the Blog (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2590).

Shot on RED Epics.  All the wides with the Canon 17 & 24 mm TS-Es with mediums and closeups on Leica R Series primes and zooms.  Good stuff, those '80s Leicas!

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 02, 2013, 06:56:19 pm
July was a slow month for me, but I did shoot this interesting project.  Ok, so it was not the highest budget project for my client, but I thought the stairs added a different feel. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on August 02, 2013, 07:11:26 pm
Hi Joe,

Same sort of July here!
Nice shot.  It tells the story of the twisting stair well.
My only comment/crit would be that I might have switched the bariatric (big person) chair out for a normal one.  It seems to grab my attention.

Did you use any supplementary lighting?
Is it a hospital, or health center of some sort?

Cheers
Andrew
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 02, 2013, 10:53:30 pm
The big person chairs were all over the place; about a third of the chairs were wide.  And they were so heavy, I mean all of the chairs, like 45 lb. heavy.  

I did use supplemental lighting, but mainly on the stair to make it shine.  I had a couple of flood lights in the back of the office as well.  

And yes, it is a healthcare office, here is a couple more from the same job.  

BTW, I hate being slow and waiting for people to make up their minds.  I currently have a 15 project proposal out there; one partner said lets do this, waiting on the approval of the 2nd partner.  Come on, just say yes, lets get this moving before fall college sports practice starts up again.  (I just cant show up to a college in Sept. and say, "I'm here to photograph the women's locker rooms."   :D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on August 03, 2013, 07:49:15 am
Looking at the last image with mediocre vinyl floor & everything else. Congratulations, you made a most mundane office look really great, that's a sign of a great professional photographer.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 03, 2013, 01:31:34 pm
The big person chairs were all over the place; about a third of the chairs were wide.  And they were so heavy, I mean all of the chairs, like 45 lb. heavy.  

I did use supplemental lighting, but mainly on the stair to make it shine.  I had a couple of flood lights in the back of the office as well.  

And yes, it is a healthcare office, here is a couple more from the same job.  

BTW, I hate being slow and waiting for people to make up their minds.  I currently have a 15 project proposal out there; one partner said lets do this, waiting on the approval of the 2nd partner.  Come on, just say yes, lets get this moving before fall college sports practice starts up again.  (I just cant show up to a college in Sept. and say, "I'm here to photograph the women's locker rooms."   :D


That would have been a challenge that the old Playboy of the 60s would have embraced and completed to everyone's satisfacation. Regardless of Mr Jagger.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 03, 2013, 02:04:32 pm
Looking at the last image with mediocre vinyl floor & everything else. Congratulations, you made a most mundane office look really great, that's a sign of a great professional photographer.
Thanks for the compliment!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 03, 2013, 02:08:21 pm

That would have been a challenge that the old Playboy of the 60s would have embraced and completed to everyone's satisfacation. Regardless of Mr Jagger.

;-)

Rob C
Yes, Rob, would be nice.  However I've never been that smooth. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 03, 2013, 04:09:21 pm
Yes, Rob, would be nice.  However I've never been that smooth.  



With Playboy picking up the tab, everything is smooth!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 03, 2013, 07:30:15 pm

With Playboy picking up the tab, everything is smooth!

;-)

Rob C

Not really.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on August 03, 2013, 10:34:21 pm
Ouch - that'll do the back in.

Slow is a tough frustrating one, especially when you're waiting for the green light....

Nice package.  I'm sure your client is happy with those.  As SeanBK said....you lifted the space.

Well done.
AL

The big person chairs were all over the place; about a third of the chairs were wide.  And they were so heavy, I mean all of the chairs, like 45 lb. heavy. 

I did use supplemental lighting, but mainly on the stair to make it shine.  I had a couple of flood lights in the back of the office as well. 

And yes, it is a healthcare office, here is a couple more from the same job. 

BTW, I hate being slow and waiting for people to make up their minds.  I currently have a 15 project proposal out there; one partner said lets do this, waiting on the approval of the 2nd partner.  Come on, just say yes, lets get this moving before fall college sports practice starts up again.  (I just cant show up to a college in Sept. and say, "I'm here to photograph the women's locker rooms."   :D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 04, 2013, 04:35:45 am
Not really.




Hey, it's an imaginay locker room in what was an even more imaginative epoch!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on August 07, 2013, 11:24:45 pm
Hello,

Just one in a series of ten images I did for a fitness client.

Go to the link below if you want to see the other nine

https://www.facebook.com/harper.photographics

Ciao

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JohnBrew on August 08, 2013, 07:22:13 am
Wow. Nice work, Simon.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on August 08, 2013, 10:16:01 am
Indeed!

Wow. Nice work, Simon.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 08, 2013, 03:57:01 pm
Nice comps man.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on August 08, 2013, 04:52:16 pm
Skylabs, Heidelberg, Germany:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Slablux_02.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Slablux_03.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Slablux_05.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Slablux_08.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Slablux_09.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on August 08, 2013, 05:12:46 pm
Hello,

Thanks guys.

Aphoto spectacular architecture images.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on August 08, 2013, 06:57:25 pm
Form and Shadow - Fantastic work Aphoto.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on August 08, 2013, 09:22:54 pm
Adrian, Simon, thanks for sharing these fantastic works.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on August 08, 2013, 11:51:42 pm
Adrian, Simon, thanks for sharing these fantastic works.
ACH

+1

(http://martinrangerimages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/130728162430_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on August 09, 2013, 10:53:23 am
Martin, delighting sensual and well staged shot.

This is another one from my series Collected and Treasured.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/conchas/010813%28C%2C-9%2C-7%29.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 14, 2013, 11:24:50 am
I am in the process of "relocating" to NYC from Philly and, of course, need to change branding a little.  Shot these two Sunday; although I wish I had sun, I think they came out ok.  Both shot with the Rodie 55, which I am also trying to use more often too. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 14, 2013, 01:15:50 pm
Hi Joe,

is New York the only place to be as a photographer in the US? It seems a lot of photographers are moving there – even Mark Tucker. Forgive, but I'm curious.

Best,
Johannes
That really depends on what your intentions are and what you want to do with your career.  If you are fine with being a somewhat successful photographer that has good clients and can support a family, then anywhere should be a good place.  And there is nothing wrong with this.  

But if you want to be the best, shoot the best, work for the best clients, use the best equipment, charge the highest fees, then you really need to be in a cultural Hub, and NYC is a hub.  This is where I want to be in my career in a few years, but Philly is not a hub; it is a pit stop between two hubs (sad to say about my home town, but it is true).  

I thought being in Philly would give me advantages, such as being able to learn the business before going after NYC and DC (which was actually a good thing since Philly is a little more laid back), having a lower cost of living, and being able to support NYC and DC clients equally as well since I am in between both cities.  My girlfriend, who is a food photographer, felt the same thing.  However we are finding that a lot of NYC firms do not look at us as "great photographers," but as "great photographers who live in Philadelphia."  I was flat out told by a very prestigious firm in NYC that they thought my work was exceptional and would consider working with me ... if I was in NYC, but since I am not what would be the point.  It is frustrating for both of us.  

To be the best, you need to be in a hub (or at least get established in one), plain and simple.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pixjohn on August 14, 2013, 10:52:36 pm
I can tell you from personal experience  and a lot if years in NYC. You should continue in Philly and make it look like your in NYC for awhile. Get a NYC number and address first, move in steps. living in  NYC is not a golden ticket. Why do they need to know where your house is? In the past if you shot in Brooklyn, you might has well have lived in Kansas. I had friends who got a NYC numbers and address and marketed themselves as a NYC photographers and did very well, why living in Brooklyn. I lived in NYC for over 10 years and did very well, but had very little money left to enjoy. I had another friend in the same boat that did extremely well in NYC and after 10 years moved to CT and he continues to do even better with his NYC number. Its a mind game, you just have to play it.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on August 15, 2013, 03:08:28 am
Hi Joe,

I don’t know you from a bar of soap. But there is an old saying when you are the best there is only one direction and that is down. Take some  advice from a 53 year old photographer who has done pretty good over the years. Longevity is a better option. Also I was invited to New York in the late 90’s to set up a studio and my replay was and leave my beautiful New Zealand no thanks

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 15, 2013, 03:51:01 am
awas in NYC, but since I am not what would be the point.  It is frustrating for both of us.  

To be the best, you need to be in a hub (or at least get established in one), plain and simple.  



I have to agree. It's not only about address, it's also about bonding and that means personally.

Many years ago, when I was doing quite well up in Scotland, I moved out to Spain in order to have instant calendar locations all around me. I got that. I also decided that to maximise the advantage, I should change stock libraries for one that did stock as well as provide commissioned work of the type that I did: calendar girls.

So I took a trip back to London, looked up American Susan G. who ran her own stock library as well as having a photographers' agency. She said she'd be delighted to take me on for stock, but that insofar as commissions went, I had to live in London or forget all about it. I understood then, and still do. But I couldn't maintain the lifestyle I could in Scotland and Mallorca in London. My nice house-with-studio in Glasgow would have bought a garage in London. And I had no intentions of stepping (leaping!) backwards. It was the same story when I had a day with the head of AGE library in Spain: I'd thought of moving to Barcelona for the models. He looked around my place here on the island and told me I was nuts: I'd have to be a stockbroker to have in Barcelona what I have here.

Such a lot depends on where your parents live, and how old you are when you face decisions. I guess that if you have nothing to lose, then do it, but otherwise choose between being paralysed by fear or betting the farm on a dream.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 15, 2013, 06:44:29 am
Let me just say that I am moving there in steps, both of us.  We now have NYC numbers and addresses.  The only problem with not living there is not being able to network as good as if we were.  I also need to get a portfolio of exterior buildings from NYC, which is hard since I don't live there either. 

And also that fact that I will have to leave Philly at 2:15 AM this Sat. to make a 4:15 start time in Manhattan; not looking forward to that.   :(
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on August 15, 2013, 09:25:43 am
I don't understand your rationale, Joe. Perhaps a New York rep will help you land more jobs in NYC. Photography is more competitive now than it's ever been. I live in the middle of a swamp; 90% of my projects come from clients that are at least 500 miles away. Perhaps you'd stand a better chance marketing your skills to Cleveland. I would think NYC is saturated with local talent.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on August 15, 2013, 09:28:39 am
If I were in your shoes, live in Carrol Gardens, Brooklyn for three years.  Try and save some money (almost impossible).  Make your connections, shoot a bunch, then get the hell out.  NYC is set up for boom and bust.  If you boom in NYC, have an exit strategy, diversify, make sure you shoot in LA, make sure you make the rounds to all the big clients in the US and abroad.  Otherwise, once your connections at an agency or magazine are gone, so are you.  Then you have to start over.

Good luck.  Its a good experience living there.

Let me just say that I am moving there in steps, both of us.  We now have NYC numbers and addresses.  The only problem with not living there is not being able to network as good as if we were.  I also need to get a portfolio of exterior buildings from NYC, which is hard since I don't live there either. 

And also that fact that I will have to leave Philly at 2:15 AM this Sat. to make a 4:15 start time in Manhattan; not looking forward to that.   :(
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 15, 2013, 11:48:04 am
My wife and I have toyed for years with getting an NYC apartment, just a small rental as sort of a weekend place.  It would also give me an East Coast presence, so that I could shoot there without my typical $3k travel expense.  I figured if it landed me a few extra jobs a year it would at least pay for the Apt.

We dig NYC but love Chicago too.

Here's a picture of some chairs...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/Caper_002_HERO.jpg)

...and a house...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/130707_929.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on August 15, 2013, 01:30:27 pm
@Chris Barrett
oh,
I like the first one very much!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 16, 2013, 11:29:27 am
Great work Chris, as always. 

Wow, this whole move to NYC thing is getting blown out of the water.  First, we do not plan on moving for some time now, and we would live in Brooklyn.  We already have a nice name base in NYC and our plan is to get our NYC numbers and addresses out there this winter.  Two weeks in and we are already seeing great responses, even from those we have previously met with.  One firm that I have been really trying to get in with finally returned my calls and emails after 3 years of nothing; I am sure the 646 number had a part in that. 

On another note, I hate it when people tell you they "do not have a budget, just tell us what it would cost."  Then I get the reply, your number was more then what we wanted to spend.  Me thinking, "so you did have a budget after all." 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 16, 2013, 12:27:14 pm
Perhaps they wanted to spend zero?  I don't even know what the going rate is anymore, whether I'm high or low. Naturally I'm happy people keep paying my day rate.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on August 16, 2013, 01:23:35 pm
Nice work Chris.

Good luck with that Joe. I hope it works out for you. Boy to each his own. New Mexico is full of successful photographers bailing from living and working in the big three markets-seems they hate the lifestyle usually. When I go to Chicago (to teach photo) I don't even look for work though some oftentimes comes my way. I love Chicago and need my urban fix there periodically but it is a huge PITA to work there. I am always thrilled to get back to the SW where things are more accessible and not so hectic.

The last time I was there I needed to get on the roof of The Palmer House hotel to do a shot down Michigan Ave. of another building. No shit it took 6 weeks to get them to return my phone calls (and my clients calls too).
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on August 16, 2013, 02:05:20 pm
I've never liked The Palmer House.  This makes me like them even less.

Nice work Chris.

Good luck with that Joe. I hope it works out for you. Boy to each his own. New Mexico is full of successful photographers bailing from living and working in the big three markets-seems they hate the lifestyle usually. When I go to Chicago (to teach photo) I don't even look for work though some oftentimes comes my way. I love Chicago and need my urban fix there periodically but it is a huge PITA to work there. I am always thrilled to get back to the SW where things are more accessible and not so hectic.

The last time I was there I needed to get on the roof of The Palmer House hotel to do a shot down Michigan Ave. of another building. No shit it took 6 weeks to get them to return my phone calls (and my clients calls too).
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 16, 2013, 03:54:55 pm
Nice work Chris.

Good luck with that Joe. I hope it works out for you. Boy to each his own. New Mexico is full of successful photographers bailing from living and working in the big three markets-seems they hate the lifestyle usually. When I go to Chicago (to teach photo) I don't even look for work though some oftentimes comes my way. I love Chicago and need my urban fix there periodically but it is a huge PITA to work there. I am always thrilled to get back to the SW where things are more accessible and not so hectic.

The last time I was there I needed to get on the roof of The Palmer House hotel to do a shot down Michigan Ave. of another building. No shit it took 6 weeks to get them to return my phone calls (and my clients calls too).



Isn't this an example of the benefits of living on location? One could have gone to see the right guy and got a defintive reply in moments. If I could walk in unexpectedly off the street in Cannes and get the ear of the Public Relations Manager of the Carlton, why not a joint in NY?

Belief is the miracle that opens the doors.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on August 16, 2013, 04:00:49 pm
Rob, I was living there for the summer. It took half the summer to get a phone call returned. PLUS as I said they would not return my clients calls either (their neighbor). Nor could I just "walk in" and talk to the right person-tried that and got nowhere.

A similar thing happens when trying to get my architectural photography class access to buildings to do some photography. No problem in the SW-huge problem in Chicago.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 16, 2013, 04:24:11 pm
Rob, I was living there for the summer. It took half the summer to get a phone call returned. PLUS as I said they would not return my clients calls either (their neighbor). Nor could I just "walk in" and talk to the right person-tried that and got nowhere.

A similar thing happens when trying to get my architectural photography class access to buildings to do some photography. No problem in the SW-huge problem in Chicago.


Maybe it's contemporary city paranoia and thoughts of terrorism. You don't, like I do, have a beard, do you? Never helps!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on August 16, 2013, 04:25:48 pm
Yes, But I look like Ansel Adams for pete's sake! :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 17, 2013, 03:26:33 am
Yes, But I look like Ansel Adams for pete's sake! :)


Well, there's no answer to that!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on August 17, 2013, 03:35:07 am
Hello,

Shot a couple of weeks ago for Hyundai.

Background image was supplied and the car was shot in my studio using a Nikon D800E attached to a Horseman VCC adaptor and a Rodenstock 105mm Apo Rodagon lens and Dedo lights. My assistant Renee and I took turns sitting in the car playing the driver. Its me in the shot.

Ciao

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 17, 2013, 12:36:20 pm
Hello,

Shot a couple of weeks ago for Hyundai.

Background image was supplied and the car was shot in my studio using a Nikon D800E attached to a Horseman VCC adaptor and a Rodenstock 105mm Apo Rodagon lens and Dedo lights. My assistant Renee and I took turns sitting in the car playing the driver. Its me in the shot.

Ciao

Simon

Very nice Simon.  Funny, you writing that you were in the shot hand me doing a double take, until I realized that the steering is on the other side than here in the States.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DanielStone on August 17, 2013, 12:47:45 pm
Hello,

Shot a couple of weeks ago for Hyundai.

Background image was supplied and the car was shot in my studio using a Nikon D800E attached to a Horseman VCC adaptor and a Rodenstock 105mm Apo Rodagon lens and Dedo lights. My assistant Renee and I took turns sitting in the car playing the driver. Its me in the shot.

Ciao

Simon

Hey Simon,

quick question for ya, if I may:

What's YOUR feel on the use of a "supplied" image of sorts, but then taking a separately-shot/lit car and comping it in? I know it's now a "default" practice for many in the automotive industry, but as a photographer and not just a consumer looking at pretty ad shots I'm left feeling a bit cold, so to speak.

Do you ever do rig shots? I know that many have shied away from them in the few past years due to the time involved, and the rush of modern-day shooting and budgetary constraints. But shooting both the car & background simultaneously (I've found, working on a few car jobs in the past) seems to have less of a "cut and paste" feel.

Again, just my sentiments on the issue as a whole. The lighting on the car is nice btw :)

-Dan
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on August 17, 2013, 03:48:29 pm
Hi Dan,

To be honest been in a nice warm studio in stead of a cold freezing South Island road with a team of ten people and a camera rig plus all the hassle of dealing with councils to get road permits and safety certificates as well as traffic control staff does not appeal to me. I know what you are saying but as you have mentioned it is all about money.

With fantastic software like Virtual Rig I personally can not see any reason way you would want to use a camera rig system as they are expensive, time consuming, cumbersome just unnecessary for still photography and you have to contend with the weather which is always unpredictable in winter in New Zealand. For video there is definite advantages in using a camera rig.

http://www.virtualrig-studio.com/

That Hyundai took me 4 hours to shoot compared to at lease a four day shoot on location. Personally I would have retouched the shot with more reflections of the surroundings in the car but those decisions are made by other people.

I have a couple of images I did of an Aston Marin DBS which I will releasing in a couple of weeks which was a personal project. My brief to the retoucher was Tim Burton, Batman, Gotham City, Sleepy Hollow look and I let him loss. Personally I think he hit it on the head perfectly so stay tuned.

Ciao

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on August 19, 2013, 02:31:36 am
Rob, I was living there for the summer. It took half the summer to get a phone call returned. PLUS as I said they would not return my clients calls either (their neighbor). Nor could I just "walk in" and talk to the right person-tried that and got nowhere.

A similar thing happens when trying to get my architectural photography class access to buildings to do some photography. No problem in the SW-huge problem in Chicago.

Were you offering a significant amount of money to use their property? If not, what is their incentive to be responsive to you? Can't imagine they would have any interest in photos of a neighboring building, unless they happen to own or manage it as well.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on August 19, 2013, 02:41:25 am
I am in the process of "relocating" to NYC from Philly and, of course, need to change branding a little.  Shot these two Sunday; although I wish I had sun, I think they came out ok.  Both shot with the Rodie 55, which I am also trying to use more often too.  



Excellent views. Color balance seems on the cool side to me for both, on my monitor. The left one seems a bit blue overall, with maybe a hint of magenta or purple in the highlights, and the right one looks positively purple to me, especially the sky.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on August 19, 2013, 04:54:31 am
some recent work. couple of shots for one of the U.K's biggest retailers and a small bespoke racing bike company.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on August 19, 2013, 10:56:02 am
Its called smart business. My client does a significant amount of business with them.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on August 19, 2013, 02:41:19 pm
From what I can tell, and I may be wrong, they won't even return the call to accept a large sum of money or to say no.  That is obnoxious. 

Were you offering a significant amount of money to use their property? If not, what is their incentive to be responsive to you? Can't imagine they would have any interest in photos of a neighboring building, unless they happen to own or manage it as well.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on August 19, 2013, 02:52:44 pm
Were you offering a significant amount of money to use their property? If not, what is their incentive to be responsive to you?...

The little, obscure thing formerly known as 'common courtesy'? Let alone 'professional courtesy.'
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 20, 2013, 03:40:52 am
The little, obscure thing formerly known as 'common courtesy'? Let alone 'professional courtesy.'


Goddamit Slobodan, you must be almost as ancient as am I in order to remember such niceties!

The reality? It's just another part of that long-lost Golden Age that the children amongst us deny existed.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 20, 2013, 07:24:05 pm
Shot this today.  Almost fresh out of the camera; I spent about 5 to 10 minutes in PS on it.  We used 6 strobes and 2 hot lights.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 22, 2013, 05:39:22 pm
Spent yesterday and today (and going back tonight and a day next week) in the new Ben Franklin Museum in Philly.  The interior designer (out of London) needs a couple asap, so I just worked on this one. 

Off to shoot some more. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on August 23, 2013, 07:13:32 pm
Joe K, I always enjoy your technically perfect interior shots. Do you mind sharing the Metadata > Camera, lens, f-stop, shutter speed & any supplemental lights, if u terribly wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate it. Thnx. :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on August 24, 2013, 01:17:31 am
Hello,

My first attempt at using my home made strip light. Its 5 meters long, 60cm wide and uses 3 strips of LED’s.

This shot is straight out of the camera.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on August 24, 2013, 01:39:08 am
Hi Simon,

Very soft light......

I'm interested to hear your experiences in colour balancing these.  Did you use any supplementary lights?

We light the inside of this model with tungsten balanced LED's and there was strobes gelled to tungsten lighting the exterior - not totally balanced.
If anyone is interested, the model maker is www.scaleart.ca
They also work in the US and are amazingly talented.

Cheers
A.L
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on August 24, 2013, 01:55:16 am
Hello,

The strip light is the only light sources in the shot.

I did have to use gels to balance the LED’s to the same colour temperature as my Dedo lights. So in the future I can combine the different lights together.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 24, 2013, 09:40:20 am
Joe K, I always enjoy your technically perfect interior shots. Do you mind sharing the Metadata > Camera, lens, f-stop, shutter speed & any supplemental lights, if u terribly wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate it. Thnx. :)
Hello Sean, thanks for the compliments.  Both shots were captured with a P45+ on an Arca Swiss using a SK 35mm lens with the CF.  I was shooting at f/11 for both.  The first shot that I posted was a little hairy and complicated, so get ready. 

This was an office interior in an old building; most of the walls where white and helped a lot.  I used 6 strobes and two hot lights for this image.  For strobes, I placed one at the left of camera bouncing off of the wall, one at the right of the camera bouncing into that little out cove.  I had one directly above the camera with a 30 degree grid projecting into the shot.  A fourth was placed behind that out cove bouncing off of the wall on the right.  Fifth one was reflecting out of an umbrella by the cubicles.  The last one was behind were the chairs are, bouncing off of the floor and kitchen area.  All strobes were gelled with 1/2 CTO; the strobe with the grid also had a full diffusion gel behind the grid.  The hot lights were hitting the chair to the right and the group of chairs in front of the camera.  When I work with strobes, I balance the shot as much as I can at ISO 200.  Then throw on a device that allows me to control manually the length of the exposure, sync the pocket wizards to the Copal shutter and drop the ISO to 50.  This allows me to do multiple exposures.  I do not remember the shutter speed, but this shot was 6 multiple exposures (I think, it could have been 5) at ISO 50. 

I can explain the second one later; I have a shoot to go to.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 24, 2013, 09:45:21 pm
Did I say how much I love working with Phase backs!

Last shot of the day, Rodie 55mm at f/11.  Single capture using 5 tungsten lights.  Only opened it in PS to remove an EXIT sign.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on August 25, 2013, 07:32:16 am
Thank you Joe. In addition now I have healthy respect for your hard work. Just great work, love 'em all.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 25, 2013, 11:14:26 am
Did I say how much I love working with Phase backs!

Last shot of the day, Rodie 55mm at f/11.  Single capture using 5 tungsten lights.  Only opened it in PS to remove an EXIT sign. 



Hotel California redux?

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 25, 2013, 11:18:26 am


Hotel California redux?

;-)

Rob C
:D

Very nice. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: favalim on August 29, 2013, 04:01:48 pm
Joe I think I haven't understood your method ... can you explain it better end tell us what's the advantage of it? thank you very much
Marco

Quote
... When I work with strobes, I balance the shot as much as I can at ISO 200.  Then throw on a device that allows me to control manually the length of the exposure, sync the pocket wizards to the Copal shutter and drop the ISO to 50.  This allows me to do multiple exposures.  I do not remember the shutter speed, but this shot was 6 multiple exposures (I think, it could have been 5) at ISO 50.  

I can explain the second one later; I have a shoot to go to.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on August 29, 2013, 07:13:07 pm
Simon, congratulations for that home made led strip. Wonderful.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 01, 2013, 10:29:54 pm
Hello,

This is a personal shot I did working with a great retoucher and all round nice guy Dan Coroian-Vlad.

http://www.retouching.co.nz/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/D2-creative-retouching/166300943405238

The car was shot with a Nikon D800E, Nikon 70-200mm F2.8G @F16.0.

Lighting was Dedos my new home made strip light and some light painting.

I have another shot of the Aston Martin DBS coming soon.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on September 01, 2013, 11:23:47 pm
Outstanding!

Hello,

This is a personal shot I did working with a great retoucher and all round nice guy called Dan Coroian-Vlad.

http://www.retouching.co.nz/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/D2-creative-retouching/166300943405238

The car was shot with a Nikon D800E, Nikon 70-200mm F2.8G @F16.0.

Lighting was Dedos my new home made strip light and some light painting.

I have another shot of the Aston Martin DBS coming soon.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on September 02, 2013, 12:56:16 am
Simon, That is a terrific shot of one of my fav car. Just a few hours back I was studying Rapide S (4door version) it was w/leasing company, fab lines. :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on September 02, 2013, 09:03:48 pm
From a collaboration with a local artist.

(http://martinrangerimages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/One-Roll-Project-1-3_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on September 02, 2013, 09:13:03 pm
Hello,

This is a personal shot I did working with a great retoucher and all round nice guy called Dan Coroian-Vlad.

http://www.retouching.co.nz/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/D2-creative-retouching/166300943405238

The car was shot with a Nikon D800E, Nikon 70-200mm F2.8G @F16.0.

Lighting was Dedos my new home made strip light and some light painting.

I have another shot of the Aston Martin DBS coming soon.

Cheers

Simon

Simon, This shot is one of your best!!  Nice Job!  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on September 02, 2013, 09:53:27 pm
From a collaboration with a local artist.

(http://martinrangerimages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/One-Roll-Project-1-3_b.jpg)

Awesome. Great feel.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: george2787 on September 03, 2013, 08:43:23 am
First time posting here, I'm kind of nervous...

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2525812/uploads/bea.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on September 03, 2013, 09:51:26 am
Nice feel your image gives out. Rather apropos. :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Manoli on September 03, 2013, 12:32:48 pm
First time posting here, I'm kind of nervous...

You don't need to be. I promise.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 03, 2013, 04:27:39 pm
Hi George,

Lovely image and she has nicer curves than my Aston Martin shot.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 03, 2013, 08:54:47 pm
Showing some fantastic works here. I enjoy.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 04, 2013, 03:25:30 am
Bet your ass that she doesn't feel nervous...!

Nice picture.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on September 05, 2013, 02:47:18 pm
Awesome. Great feel.


Thank you. Shot on film during an art intervention.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on September 05, 2013, 03:23:54 pm
I like the idea of an Art Intervention.  Do tell!

Thank you. Shot on film during an art intervention.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on September 05, 2013, 03:31:51 pm
I like the idea of an Art Intervention.  Do tell!


In the old days it used to be called a happening, but apparently that term has too much of a drug connotation to appeal to art buyers these days. Hence, a new term. In this project, the artist wrapped the models in cellophane and sticky tape to create a torso. The models then put on his art creation (wearable art), and danced while he played music. Then the cellophane torsos are cut off the models, and the wearable art is displayed on them. All of this is filmed and photographed as part of the intervention. Quite a lot of fun, and a very different experience from my usual work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 07, 2013, 06:22:41 pm
Hello,

This is the second shot I did of the Aston Martin DBS.

The brief I gave to Dan the retoucher was I wanted a Tim Burton, Bat Man, Sleepy Hollow look to the image.

I think he nailed it perfectly.

Stats:

Nikon D800E camera
Nikon 45mm F2.8 PC-E lens @F16.0
Dedo Lights

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ihv on September 07, 2013, 06:41:31 pm
Absolutely stunning shot.

P.S. Hold on, no driver? I hate this new world.

Hello,

This is the second shot I did of the Aston Martin DBS.

The brief I gave to Dan the retoucher was I wanted a Tim Burton, Bat Man, Sleepy Hollow look to the image.

I think he nailed it perfectly.

Stats:

Nikon D800E camera
Nikon 45mm F2.8 PC-E lens @F16.0
Dedo Lights

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DanielStone on September 07, 2013, 11:54:01 pm
Absolutely stunning shot.

P.S. Hold on, no driver? I hate this new world.


If you look closely, there IS a driver. It's a right-hand drive vehicle

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pixjohn on September 08, 2013, 12:56:17 am
The car shot is stunning.  I also agree about the driver looking like he is missing. Looks like he needs to just move a little left. The other small thing that took my eye away from the image is the 2 star effects in the  reflections, but a very nice feel to the shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 08, 2013, 02:10:29 am
Hello,

The driver is actually me so the least of me the better.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 08, 2013, 02:14:44 am
Pixjohn,

You make a good point about the star effects as catching the eye. I used direct light to pick up the metallic paint as well as the carbon fiber of the car.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on September 08, 2013, 01:27:04 pm
Hello,

The driver is actually me so the least of me the better.

Cheers

Simon
No. You should have cranked the window down and poked your head outside so we could really see you. Perhaps with tongue hanging out like a dog riding in a car...  ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 08, 2013, 10:34:11 pm
Simon, very cool images:)!

Does anyone know about this magazine - http://www.artefotografico.es ?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 08, 2013, 11:01:44 pm
Hi Michael,

Thanks, I don't know this magazine.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: K.C. on September 10, 2013, 02:32:14 am

The driver is actually me...

But you're not actually moving are you ?

I think you used http://www.virtualrig-studio.com/
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 10, 2013, 02:39:05 am
Hello,

That's correct the car is stationary in my studio.The car its self is made up of 12 different images.

Dan the retoucher doesn't have virualrig so he did it by hand.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: stevebri on September 10, 2013, 12:10:39 pm
Hi Simon,

Really great work, glad to see you actually getting the D800 singing so well and breaking forum rules shooting at f16.

What many fail to realise is how important your team is, you and your retoucher are obviously on the right page, the result is world class.

The driver thing...? So what...? It's about the car not the driver, also the empty passenger seat keeps the image culture and creed neutral and tells you the model, if you want a LHD model, just flip the ad.


Great work Simon, really love it.

Steve
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on September 12, 2013, 12:03:43 am
It makes me really really really (how many reallys can I fit in here) want to go night driving.

Love it!  Well done Simon and your retoucher!

AL

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 12, 2013, 10:57:48 am
Two new posts up on the blog:  http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/ (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/)

One project is quite colorful / ethereal, while the other is dark and elegant.  I think these speak well to the necessity of sensitivity to the environment when considering lighting as well as the importance of being well versed in different esthetics.  We did quite a bit of lighting in both projects, though it may be less apparent in the brighter one.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/Light_to_Dark.jpg)

Cheerio!
CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 12, 2013, 01:12:24 pm
Very nice Chris.  

I noticed that you leave the blue color cast from the sun in most of your images.  Do you find that some clients would have a problem with this?

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 12, 2013, 01:19:38 pm
Here are some images from a cool project I got last month.  Key to this project, scouting and more scouting.  There is a good deal of lighting with each shot, and on a scout trip I was able to capture 9 or 10 images in the space with grey cards throughout.  I then averaged the color temp from each card and figured in studio what gels I needed to match color.  (Good thing I did this before hand since the gel that I needed is not one I usually bring with me.)  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 12, 2013, 01:22:11 pm
And the upstairs...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 12, 2013, 02:22:41 pm
Very nice Chris.  

I noticed that you leave the blue color cast from the sun in most of your images.  Do you find that some clients would have a problem with this?



Nope, never.  As I sit here in my office looking at the sheers over my window... they look rather blue.  I just feel this is the natural reality and should be maintained.  I believe that neutralizing the cool exterior makes a space feel rather sterile.  Kirk and I have discussed this issue here before.  Now on your museum (?) images above, in that first shot, I would totally neutralize the blue on the right side of frame on the carpet and wall.  I don't understand where that color is coming from.

This all makes me curious, though, have you ever shot interiors on film?

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 12, 2013, 03:17:56 pm
Nope, never.  As I sit here in my office looking at the sheers over my window... they look rather blue.  I just feel this is the natural reality and should be maintained.  I believe that neutralizing the cool exterior makes a space feel rather sterile.  Kirk and I have discussed this issue here before.  Now on your museum (?) images above, in that first shot, I would totally neutralize the blue on the right side of frame on the carpet and wall.  I don't understand where that color is coming from.

This all makes me curious, though, have you ever shot interiors on film?

CB
It is a new museum.  The color on the right is from a gel that the lighting designer placed on the lights.  He put blue gels on a handful of the lights through out the space; I don't know why, but he did.  Also, the color temp of the screens are a bit blue as well. I was thinking about removing that blue, but since it was intentional in the design, I decided not to.  Out of the two design firms involved, the one who would have made that call is in London and was not at the shoot.  So, I decided just to leave the gel in place.  

I have never shot interiors with film.  Why do you ask?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on September 13, 2013, 07:47:42 am
Two of my favorite.

Same talent, left during makeup, right after.

Left, a trillion iso, right much less.

Both p30+, contax

(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/2_p30.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on September 13, 2013, 08:43:38 am
Now I remember why I missed the grain. Really love the left one & the Rt one not shabby either, it has those "Blurred Lines" ;).
Bravo. :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 13, 2013, 09:19:42 am
As ever, très jolie!

So's this:

http://youtu.be/9DkcQ09h2Vo

Wish the bars I get to had music like this instead of never-ending friggin' news and cooking programmes on tv.

She reminds me of Christie Turlington; it's the mouth.

Lucky guy, and the harder you work the more lucky you get...

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on September 13, 2013, 04:09:20 pm
As ever, très jolie!

So's this:

http://youtu.be/9DkcQ09h2Vo

Thanks Rob,

Dwight's cool, not from Texas though, raised in Ohio, but you can't hold that against him.

Saw him at some save the chipmunks, or something benefit at the Santa Monica hangers.  I don't think he wanted to be there
any more than I did.

He came out, his hat down to his nose so if it weren't for him singing you wouldn't know it was him.

Did three songs, said thank you and left.

I think one was this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWgd5UPmjqs

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on September 13, 2013, 05:49:01 pm
Two of my favorite.

Same talent, left during makeup, right after.

Left, a trillion iso, right much less.

Both p30+, contax

(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/2_p30.jpg)

BC

Love the grainy feel. Smooth high ISO performance is one of the most overrated things.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on September 14, 2013, 09:19:11 am
Rob,

This place plays the music you'd like.

(http://russellrutherfordgroup.com/lee_harveys.jpg)

it's called Lee Harvey's in Dallas.  Yea I know, it's not politically correct, but hey, the burgers are good, the music is rockin', the girls are pretty.

Problem is from where you live it would be kind of a long walk home.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 14, 2013, 09:56:51 am
Rob,

This place plays the music you'd like.

(http://russellrutherfordgroup.com/lee_harveys.jpg)

it's called Lee Harvey's in Dallas.  Yea I know, it's not politically correct, but hey, the burgers are good, the music is rockin', the girls are pretty.

Problem is from where you live it would be kind of a long walk home.

BC



Long walk home: sounds like a movie... maybe I could find that wonderful ’59 Coupe de Ville and drive it home across the Pond? Probably cost me more than I’ve got -  but there’s a couple of car collector guys here might buy it off me if I go broke. Oh well, nice idea.

I think about getting away from here every second week or so, but the house market has collapsed along with everything else, so I couldn’t sell to save my life. Thing is, to be any the better off from the move, I’d have to live in a London, Paris or Rome, and that’s more painful than buying the Cadillac! Oh the price of having cameras that love women…

Regarding your bar – isn’t that a bit of a dangerous name in Texas? Or is there a swathe of political intrigue of which non-Texans have no idea? Don’t answer that - someone may come to visit you wearing twin Colts slung low.

Thanks for posting that shot – always enjoy seeing it again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2qo1x9rcCc&feature=share&list=RD029DkcQ09h2Vo

Maybe these girls might come to Mallorca on holiday…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQcGkzXmPjY&feature=share&list=RD029DkcQ09h2Vo

Touch of Federico Fellini?

;-)

Rob C

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on September 14, 2013, 10:27:46 am


Regarding your bar – isn’t that a bit of a dangerous name in Texas? Or is there a swathe of political intrigue of which non-Texans have no idea? Don’t answer that - someone may come to visit you wearing twin Colts slung low.


Naw.  Dallas, regardless of perception would much rather be picked up and moved to the east cost.   Dallas is corporate money, Bentleys and Armani, the 25 year olds eat fusion and are foodies, well most of them.

There's still some Texas left in the area, if you go to Ft. Worth, but most of that is for tourists that still think we all ride horse and shoot on sight.

The name of this bar sounds politically incorrect, but for a long, long time Dallas lived under the stigma of that awful day and I think just grew tired of it

I've never heard a Dallasite mention it, but the national and international news mentions that time as if it were yesterday.

Anyway, the patrons of this bar just wanna have fun, sit out in the gravel lot, listen to music, get a little loaded, go home with a boy/girl and not worry about life.

To them the name Lee Harvey has about as much impact as saying John Wilkes Booth.  Both tragic, both way in the past.

But no you won't get shot with a gun.  There is more guns per capita in LA than Dallas, though perception and reality are way different animals.

Actually the most liberal county in American is the most caucasian centric, Marin County, North of San Francisco.  Dallas proper has more percentage of ethnic's groups than most American Cities, so  . . .

Once again, perception and reality.

(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/lee_h_juke_box.jpg)

Love this shot, love this model.  Kathryn is not anorexic, or afraid to eat a meal, she's just a good hard working damn pretty woman.

Not Retouched.

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 14, 2013, 06:52:51 pm
Great office shoot today.  They even thought ahead and installed windows that were already gelled 3 stops downs.   :D

Single capture, 9 tungsten lights.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 15, 2013, 04:49:29 am
The name of this bar sounds politically incorrect, but for a long, long time Dallas lived under the stigma of that awful day and I think just grew tired of it

1.  I've never heard a Dallasite mention it, but the national and international news mentions that time as if it were yesterday.

Once again, perception and reality.

(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/lee_h_juke_box.jpg)

2.  Love this shot, love this model.  Kathryn is not anorexic, or afraid to eat a meal, she's just a good hard working damn pretty woman.

Not Retouched.

IMO

BC


Hi, BC

1.  Some things are not allowed to pass. JFK and 9/11 are both in that category that the media has decided to immortalise for the quick, emotional jerk that becomes so useful when there’s a need to stir reaction to something. Both have become so entrenched in the ‘I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the news…’ category of incident. It’s been much the same with Elvis, too, and in his case I do, because my daughter was a staunch fan and cried herself to sleep that night. We heard the news over Radio Scotland, a soon-to-be-crushed breath-of-freedom pirate station at the time…

2.  Your Kate has exactly the sort of facial features that I think are so attractive to shoot. In some ways it’s not beauty at all, but put together as the package, it’s an amazingly sexy bundle that illustrates the wonders of the holistic approach to glamour and beauty. She floored me the first time you published her here.

Were the clothes put together for a fashion shoot, or were they styled to illustrate some non-fashion advertising feature that was just using the style/location to make a selling point?

It was always my choice to opt for locations when I could rather than studio; that damned white roll was a passion killer most days.

Lovely stuff you do. Keep your motor running.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on September 15, 2013, 11:47:19 am
Damn, Now I can't get it out of my head. The problem is I don't know which one comes first the image of Kathryn by James or as suggested by Rob > Dwight Yokum's " Inside The Pocket of a Clown".  :)
Title: New video interview with me
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 15, 2013, 02:48:47 pm
As i know many people here I am posting this here. I posted it in the Coffee Shop and got no traction. So I think many people who are familiar with my work never saw it

THis is probably my favorite interview of all the ones I have ever participated in-this with my old friend and collaborator VB Price. You might enjoy this. It went live last week. A tough subject to talk about publically. It is long (42 minutes) but I have been told by many people that it seems much shorter and they wished there were more actually.

http://newmexicomercury.com/blog/comments/insight_new_mexico_kirk_gittings

Thanks all.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on September 15, 2013, 10:59:53 pm
Outstanding! And the photograph on the right, so very fun!

Two of my favorite.

Same talent, left during makeup, right after.

Left, a trillion iso, right much less.

Both p30+, contax

(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/2_p30.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 16, 2013, 06:50:35 am
Kirk, really enjoyed that.  It's always great to hear where people are coming from in their work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on September 16, 2013, 10:37:29 am
Kirk,
  I enjoyed your 'Insight'. Love your image & the backstory @ lightning. Impressed w/your background, Rt 66 story & spiritual efex @ church photos.. Seems like you have mastered the art of B&W landscape photography. U should post them here.
 Thank you for sharing, muchas gracias Kirk.
 Sean
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 16, 2013, 02:32:35 pm
Thanks guys I'm happy to share this. It is a difficult topic to talk about and I am pleased it resonates with fellow photographers. This is one facet of a very diverse career which includes commercial work and teaching photo. This diversity has helped a lot in the recession, but is very demanding at times when all facets are rolling like now. I'm 63 and the busiest I have been in 40 years (though not the most profitable!). I need to clone myself to do justice to it all.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 16, 2013, 06:34:18 pm
Thanks guys I'm happy to share this. It is a difficult topic to talk about and I am pleased it resonates with fellow photographers. This is one facet of a very diverse career which includes commercial work and teaching photo. This diversity has helped a lot in the recession, but is very demanding at times when all facets are rolling like now. I'm 63 and the busiest I have been in 40 years (though not the most profitable!). I need to clone myself to do justice to it all.


Kirk,

Just watched the video - enjoyed it a lot, with one caveat: the interviewer was very difficult for me to understand. I know my hearing isn't that hot anymore; I got everything you were saying but only a tiny fraction of his input, which made me do a lot of guessing... not always my best or most accurate quality.

That idea about the sense of place isn't limited to ancient sites; I've experienced very negative vibes from relatively modern houses too, and neither does it always hit different people in the same way.

There's a little beach zone in Cyprus called Aphrodite's Birthplace. We went there to shoot part of a calendar, and before we drove down to the shale, my wife became very agitated and demanded to be let out of the car. She did walk down to the place we were going to shoot in - I'd been there before on other trips without her - and it was strange: I always used to alternate two Nikons just in case of failures, and despite doing that, I still managed to get myself two rolls of Kodachrome that were blank. The rest of the job, shot on the same cameras later on, was perfectly normal. Our model was sitting in the shale, just a couple of feet out, and she had a helluva time getting back out of it - it simply gave way under her every step. Yet, I felt no threat at all, and my wife had never been one of those hysterical sorts of people, before or after.

Very good friends of ours bought a lovely house in the valley that goes from the Pollensa road to Cala San Vicente here on Mallorca; before they moved in, the buyer's wife, my wife and I had a look. Neither of us were happy. It turned out that the buyer's daughter had also felt unhappy in it. Eventually, we discovered that the previous owners returned to Scotland where the wife took herself out; neither of the couple who bought - our friends - lived very long after they moved in. Some places are just wrong. So yes, apart from those two incidents, there are places on a much larger scale that have a presence for me, but I generally find them to be malevolent: mountains; some forests in France. The only place that really thrilled us was the present property I still have. We saw it originally as a shell, but it was built with a larger verandah than the rest of the properties in the development and the developer wanted more for it than we were happy to spend. We settled for another property next door. We returned to Scotland, and then he rang to offer us the original one we’d desired so much at the same cost as the cheaper one we had accepted but now couldn’t have: turned out he’d wrongly thought the buyers for it had cancelled when he’d offered it to us…

We spent the best years of our lives together here. Now, without her, it has lost everything, pretty much, and with the person has gone the attraction of the bricks and mortar. For some odd reason, I've just smelled a whiff of oranges. I don't have any. Time for bed, methinks.

Oh - your pony is thicker than mine. Damn!    

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 16, 2013, 06:51:01 pm
Hello,

Here’s one from awhile back.

Mamiya RZ and Leaf Aptus 75

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 17, 2013, 09:27:27 am
A little more Kodachrome 64 Pro... in Nikon F or F2.

Rob C


Strange; yes, it's been slightly blurred on purpose and grained, but for some reason the whole image, including the copy (mainly on the right), is now extra-blurred too, where it isn't on the file I transmitted to LuLa.

;-(
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 17, 2013, 10:40:39 am

Kirk,

Just watched the video - enjoyed it a lot, with one caveat: the interviewer was very difficult for me to understand. I know my hearing isn't that hot anymore; I got everything you were saying but only a tiny fraction of his input, which made me do a lot of guessing... not always my best or most accurate quality.

That idea about the sense of place isn't limited to ancient sites; I've experienced very negative vibes from relatively modern houses too, and neither does it always hit different people in the same way.

There's a little beach zone in Cyprus called Aphrodite's Birthplace. We went there to shoot part of a calendar, and before we drove down to the shale, my wife became very agitated and demanded to be let out of the car. She did walk down to the place we were going to shoot in - I'd been there before on other trips without her - and it was strange: I always used to alternate two Nikons just in case of failures, and despite doing that, I still managed to get myself two rolls of Kodachrome that were blank. The rest of the job, shot on the same cameras later on, was perfectly normal. Our model was sitting in the shale, just a couple of feet out, and she had a helluva time getting back out of it - it simply gave way under her every step. Yet, I felt no threat at all, and my wife had never been one of those hysterical sorts of people, before or after.

Very good friends of ours bought a lovely house in the valley that goes from the Pollensa road to Cala San Vicente here on Mallorca; before they moved in, the buyer's wife, my wife and I had a look. Neither of us were happy. It turned out that the buyer's daughter had also felt unhappy in it. Eventually, we discovered that the previous owners returned to Scotland where the wife took herself out; neither of the couple who bought - our friends - lived very long after they moved in. Some places are just wrong. So yes, apart from those two incidents, there are places on a much larger scale that have a presence for me, but I generally find them to be malevolent: mountains; some forests in France. The only place that really thrilled us was the present property I still have. We saw it originally as a shell, but it was built with a larger verandah than the rest of the properties in the development and the developer wanted more for it than we were happy to spend. We settled for another property next door. We returned to Scotland, and then he rang to offer us the original one we’d desired so much at the same cost as the cheaper one we had accepted but now couldn’t have: turned out he’d wrongly thought the buyers for it had cancelled when he’d offered it to us…

We spent the best years of our lives together here. Now, without her, it has lost everything, pretty much, and with the person has gone the attraction of the bricks and mortar. For some odd reason, I've just smelled a whiff of oranges. I don't have any. Time for bed, methinks.

Oh - your pony is thicker than mine. Damn!    

;-)

Rob C


Yes there are issues with his audio quality. These videos are done on a shoestring and i'm surprised they are as good as they are. It is a labor of love for them. And yes I have a ponytail :) I never figured out anything else to do with my unruly hair since the 60's.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JohnBrew on September 17, 2013, 11:49:52 am
Kirk, at least you still have hair...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 17, 2013, 12:32:20 pm
Kirk, at least you still have hair...

I still have some hair....a pale reflection of what I had :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 17, 2013, 01:51:55 pm
I still have some hair....a pale reflection of what I had :)


Don't let it bug you: I have a magnificent reflection. Right on the top of my head.

;-(

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 18, 2013, 12:14:32 am
Hello,

New image for Honda.

Nikon D800E, Nikon 85mm PC-E lens and Dedo lights

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on September 18, 2013, 12:52:23 am
I have seen these kinda concept in auto photography but this is tops IMHO just love it. As everything else is done 'fore. very creative.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: george2787 on September 18, 2013, 03:13:54 pm
I absolutely love this one Simon, pure elegance.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 18, 2013, 05:18:06 pm
Hello,

New image for Honda.

Nikon D800E, Nikon 85mm PC-E lens and Dedo lights

Cheers

Simon

Positively gothic! I love it!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 18, 2013, 09:22:27 pm
Hi Sean, George and Kirk,

Thanks for your kind words.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 19, 2013, 04:58:36 pm
Hello,

New image for Honda.

Nikon D800E, Nikon 85mm PC-E lens and Dedo lights

Cheers

Simon
This is really cool!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickCroken on September 19, 2013, 07:12:26 pm
A recent portrait of the founder of a machine shop here in Edmonton.  88 years old and still hands on his shop, a truly remarkable man.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on September 20, 2013, 03:28:24 am
Nice image Nick. Still frame from Red I assume, looking @ the title of the file.  ;) Tho' it could b his name too 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickCroken on September 20, 2013, 02:58:33 pm
Thanks Sean!  It's actually a d800e file.  My company is Redline Photography so I just changed the first few lets to red for easier file tracking.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chairman Bill on September 20, 2013, 03:11:01 pm
... yes, it's been slightly blurred on purpose and grained, but for some reason the whole image, including the copy (mainly on the right), is now extra-blurred too, where it isn't on the file I transmitted to LuLa.

;-(

That photo is pin-sharp, as I'm sure everyone else will confirm. Maybe you need to get your eyes tested  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 20, 2013, 04:33:33 pm
the view from today's location.  Just wrapped 5 days of furniture.  Now I have a week off and then start production on a new short film.  Bisy Bisy Backson!

(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/q71/s720x720/581188_10201439884494100_1918465675_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 20, 2013, 05:54:36 pm
That photo is pin-sharp, as I'm sure everyone else will confirm. Maybe you need to get your eyes tested  ;)


Thanks for the confirmation - it makes me more convinced that there's something odd going on in my computer when it deals with LuLa. Having said which, I don't find the same softening looking at other people's images on LuLa. I discount the eyes, even though I do have problems, because my images are as crisp when viewed on my LaCie via the memory of the computer on which the pix are created, as they look when I inspect them from the external hard drive on which I store them for added security and for posting via the other, Internet-linked machine. Again, thank you for your confirmation - it makes me feel happier that the world at large sees them more as they were intended to look!

But I do wish I understood where the problem lies.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 20, 2013, 07:16:07 pm
Been busy these past weeks on a Home and Apparel shooting. These are a couple of them.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC8806.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC8777.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on September 21, 2013, 12:27:11 am
Antonio, Real tough but successful results. Like the two.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on September 21, 2013, 12:28:58 am
A typical Chris Barrett smooth tones & a terrific composition. Leaf back? :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 21, 2013, 06:00:46 am
Recent, in the sense that I have developed my own, dedicated brand of colour film.

The difficulty, as ever, is in the marketing.

(500C + 4/150 + Ektachrome 64.)

;-)

Rob C

P.S. This still looks like mush to me - hope the grain is crisp for you. It's fine (for me) seen outwith the LuLa translation.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jerome_m on September 21, 2013, 07:16:15 am
This still looks like mush to me - hope the grain is crisp for you. It's fine (for me) seen outwith the LuLa translation.

When I click the image, my browser opens a small window with a bigger version of the image. The grain does not look sharp in that window, because it is too small for the image. The browser uses its internal scaling function to fit the image to the window.

When I move my mouse pointer in that small window, it changes to a magnifier. When I click with this magnifier, it tells my browser not to scale the picture and I get to see the picture in its original resolution. The picture looks noticeably sharper.

Your browser may use a different symbol than the magnifier. Internet Explorer, for example, displays a symbol at the lower right side of the picture.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 21, 2013, 08:03:59 am
Shot these recently, very cool project.  That curved wall is actually 1x3 inch (about that size) rectangles of vinyl sown together and wrapped around a somewhat soft material.  Kind of cool. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 21, 2013, 10:20:11 am
When I click the image, my browser opens a small window with a bigger version of the image. The grain does not look sharp in that window, because it is too small for the image. The browser uses its internal scaling function to fit the image to the window.

When I move my mouse pointer in that small window, it changes to a magnifier. When I click with this magnifier, it tells my browser not to scale the picture and I get to see the picture in its original resolution. The picture looks noticeably sharper.

Your browser may use a different symbol than the magnifier. Internet Explorer, for example, displays a symbol at the lower right side of the picture.


Thanks, Jerome -

I have Windows Explorer, and what I get when I click on the thumbnail is the enlarged image in a new window, along with a scale system that allows for magnifications/reductions by clicking on the enlargement percentages that run down the right hand side. I have it at 100%.

Alternatively, I can move the pointer over the image and that gives a small + or - symbol that, on clicking, does a small change in magnification.

But there's no visible change in definition beyond the expected degradation on going larger than 100%.

Best -

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 21, 2013, 10:38:53 am
Antonio, Real tough but successful results. Like the two.

Thanks Sean. It indeed was tough. Many people involved and many decisions to make, but I love it!
It is part interior photography and part still life.
 
The forum (Recent Professional Works 2) has been moving these days. That is a good sign. Sorry to be away too long.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 21, 2013, 12:36:12 pm
Joe, nice stuff... a quick pointer from my toolbox.  If you can turn off those overhead cove lights, then you can grab an exposure of the windows with no reflection.  It's usually a very quick composite in post and makes things feel a bit nicer.


Sean, thanks!  That's out of the IQ 260 which recently replaced my P65+.


CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 21, 2013, 05:00:07 pm
Joe, nice stuff... a quick pointer from my toolbox.  If you can turn off those overhead cove lights, then you can grab an exposure of the windows with no reflection.  It's usually a very quick composite in post and makes things feel a bit nicer.


Sean, thanks!  That's out of the IQ 260 which recently replaced my P65+.


CB
Chris, thanks and nice tip; I have done that before.  For this project, the cove lights in the lobby were on the emergency breaker, however maybe I should have done that with the board room image.

Oh well; I'll have to remember this for Tuesday.  Shooting an arboretum, reflection heaven.   :-\
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 23, 2013, 10:24:30 am
Some more from last week shooting. For all, previous photos and theses ones I used Nikon D800 60mm G Macro, 85mm G 1.8, Pentax 645 120mm Macro with adapter.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC8838.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC8748-1.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 23, 2013, 11:01:35 am
Nice work Antonio. Were you working with a stylist and art director? I require such for work like this even if it is low budget editorial as I have enough to do working out the lighting.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on September 23, 2013, 12:22:43 pm
Two new city houses in Berlin:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/cws01.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/cws02.jpg)

HCAM + Aptus II8 + Zork PSA + Pentax 645 A 35mm
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 23, 2013, 01:41:10 pm
Aphoto. Nice clean shots. I generally avoid cars as they date the architecture. Unless the architecture is really trendy it will look contemporary for maybe a decade or even more-but the car will look dated in much less time as car styles change more rapidly.

Twilight shots of those would be really juicy too.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 23, 2013, 02:03:10 pm
the car will look dated in much less time as car styles change more rapidly.


GLK 350?  I kinda want one of those, but what I really need is a cargo van.  Ugh.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 23, 2013, 02:45:15 pm
Nice work Antonio. Were you working with a stylist and art director? I require such for work like this even if it is low budget editorial as I have enough to do working out the lighting.

Thanks Kirk, yes we had stylist and art director, although the agency art director limits himself to diagrammatic matters.

We are thinking, in the near future to establish ourselves in the United States. I don't know if you guys run things the same way we do here in South America, but provably very similar.

There's too much political intrusion in our lives and it somehow gets on you.

So that's the next move in my career. Thanks God Hopefully!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 23, 2013, 02:49:25 pm
GLK 350?  I kinda want one of those, but what I really need is a cargo van.  Ugh.

I'm interested to know if you agree "in general" with my point about cars?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 23, 2013, 03:08:51 pm
Yeah, the last house we shot, we were actually able to get permits to post no parking all in front for a week.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 23, 2013, 03:33:16 pm
Yeah, the last house we shot, we were actually able to get permits to post no parking all in front for a week.

Yes when I shot the new history museum in Santa Fe a couple of years back we got all parking along the street in front of the museum blocked off. Then when we were ready to shoot the assistants would pull all the barricades out of the way and chase cars away trying to park. I then had to Photoshop out all the parking meters and their shadows. All in all a PITA but it sure made for some clean exterior shots.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on September 23, 2013, 04:14:02 pm
I'm interested to know if you agree "in general" with my point about cars?

I agree about cars, except for one of my clients who manages shopping centers. They want lots of cars in the parking lot to make the place look busy, this is a different purpose than most architectural photography though.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on September 23, 2013, 04:23:03 pm
Here are a couple from a Rec Center shoot:
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 23, 2013, 05:03:31 pm
Yes when I shot the new history museum in Santa Fe a couple of years back we got all parking along the street in front of the museum blocked off. Then when we were ready to shoot the assistants would pull all the barricades out of the way and chase cars away trying to park. I then had to Photoshop out all the parking meters and their shadows. All in all a PITA but it sure made for some clean exterior shots.
Interesting.  A lot of firms I have been meeting with and work with in NYC and Center City Philly like the congested look; want to keep it looking natural. 

But, alas, I would prefer the clean look you describe above; he who pays the piper calls the tune I guess. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 23, 2013, 05:29:17 pm
Quote
A lot of firms I have been meeting with and work with in NYC and Center City Philly like the congested look; want to keep it looking natural. 

Joe,
My theory is get rid of everything possible that distracts from the architecture. Its worked for me for 35 years. FWIW that museum I referred to above in Santa Fe was for SaylorGregg Architects in Philly. You can see a couple of the shots here-one of the street shots is included: http://www.saylorgregg.com/projects/NMHM.htm (http://www.saylorgregg.com/projects/NMHM.htm). Cars, meters etc. would draw your eye and your interest away from the architecture.

(http://www.saylorgregg.com/slider-images/NMHM/NMHM2.GIF)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 23, 2013, 06:12:13 pm
Hi Antonio,

This series of images are lovely. There has definitely been a lot of preparation in making these images and the lighting is beautifully.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 23, 2013, 10:07:06 pm
Joe,
My theory is get rid of everything possible that distracts from the architecture. Its worked for me for 35 years. FWIW that museum I referred to above in Santa Fe was for SaylorGregg Architects in Philly. You can see a couple of the shots here-one of the street shots is included: http://www.saylorgregg.com/projects/NMHM.htm (http://www.saylorgregg.com/projects/NMHM.htm). Cars, meters etc. would draw your eye and your interest away from the architecture.

(http://www.saylorgregg.com/slider-images/NMHM/NMHM2.GIF)

Saylor Gregg, great firm.  I have been trying to get in front of them for a while.  However, for local shoots they are very loyal to Tom Crane, a local Philly photography legend (been in the biz for over 40 years and started off with Ezra Stoller). 

Funny thing is that I really want to travel for projects, like Tim Griffith, and see the world.  But looking at those images you took and knowing that a native South-Westerner captured them, it makes me wonder is someone not native to the Southwest could capture the essence as well as you did.  Kind of makes it a hard sell to convince clients to send you to exotic locations.  I wonder, do I see city architecture differently because I live in Center City Philadelphia and am I better at photographing it? 

Anyway, great job on Sante Fe, Kirk. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 23, 2013, 10:33:29 pm
Hi Antonio,

This series of images are lovely. There has definitely been a lot of preparation in making these images and the lighting is beautifully.

Cheers

Simon

Thank you Simon.!

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on September 23, 2013, 10:56:42 pm
Yeah, the last house we shot, we were actually able to get permits to post no parking all in front for a week.


BRILLIANT (did you see those Sydney 2000 Guinness ads?)......not sure the city of Vancouver would go for that.....

Chris, did you get hit up for a pretty fortune for a weeks worth of no-parking?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 23, 2013, 11:01:17 pm
Saylor Gregg, great firm.  I have been trying to get in front of them for a while.  However, for local shoots they are very loyal to Tom Crane, a local Philly photography legend (been in the biz for over 40 years and started off with Ezra Stoller). 

Funny thing is that I really want to travel for projects, like Tim Griffith, and see the world.  But looking at those images you took and knowing that a native South-Westerner captured them, it makes me wonder is someone not native to the Southwest could capture the essence as well as you did.  Kind of makes it a hard sell to convince clients to send you to exotic locations.  I wonder, do I see city architecture differently because I live in Center City Philadelphia and am I better at photographing it? 

Anyway, great job on Sante Fe, Kirk. 
Well that's a great question. In the "old" days there were a handful of good architectural photographers so the one that were top tier got to travel extensively. I was fortunate to get my share of that. But frankly for me personally I prefer working closer to home-somewhere I can drive to. I had so many terrible experiences with airlines that I soured on traveling by air for commercial shoots. Toooooo much stress. I love to travel! But not for work unless I can drive. I love to drive and even at 63 don't hesitate to jump in the truck and drive to a shoot 12-16 hours away.

The fact is that there are more good architectural photographers than there used to be. That makes it easier for clients to find good people on location in distant areas. I think because of the internet tech info is easier to come by. You used to have to apprentice or just learn the hard way by making every mistake possible (what I did-there was no one to apprentice with).

I do think there is a  regional "sensibility" to regional forms of architecture. It comes from experience with the regional light, contrast, color, skies, weather, materials, hassles etc.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 24, 2013, 02:33:07 am
Hello,

Honda interior.

Nikon D800E, Nikon 24mm PC-E lens and 12,000 watts of Bowens flash at full power. I love the cracking sound of Bowens generators going off at full power it sounds like a bullwhip.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on September 24, 2013, 03:42:22 am
Nikon D800E, Nikon 24mm PC-E lens and 12,000 watts of Bowens flash at full power. I love the cracking sound of Bowens generators going off at full power it sounds like a bull wipe.

Lovely - and the steering wheel's on the correct side! Forgive my ignorance, but what is a bull wipe?

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 24, 2013, 04:20:31 am
Hello,

Thanks.

Whoops spelling mistake.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullwhip

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 24, 2013, 04:49:02 am
Lovely - and the steering wheel's on the correct side! Forgive my ignorance, but what is a bull wipe?

Jeremy




A veterinary version of tissue à la Kleenex.

It was originally developed to deal with the results of cat flu.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 24, 2013, 07:30:27 am
Lovely - and the steering wheel's on the correct side! Forgive my ignorance, but what is a bull wipe?

Jeremy

Simon, I guess this takes many hours to set up, I've never done cars but seen colleagues doing it and is a lot of work.
Nice post too.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 24, 2013, 09:48:07 am



A veterinary version of tissue à la Kleenex.

It was originally developed to deal with the results of cat flu.

Rob C

Yours is a lot funnier than what I was working on. Made my morning!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 24, 2013, 11:59:10 am
Yours is a lot funnier than what I was working on. Made my morning!


We live to serve!

Thanks -

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 25, 2013, 07:41:14 pm
Twin Arrows, AZ 2013. This image is from my long running project on Route 66. It is currently showing in Santa Fe at the Marion Center for Photographic Arts "In/Visible Borders" exhibit and shortly will also be in the Albuquerque Museums "Miniatures" show where it will be for sale also.

(https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1376590_10202104362840552_780292097_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 25, 2013, 08:07:09 pm
Twin Arrows, AZ 2013. This image is from my long running project on Route 66. It is currently showing in Santa Fe at the Marion Center for Photographic Arts "In/Visible Borders" exhibit and shortly will also be in the Albuquerque Museums "Miniatures" show where it will be for sale also.

Amazing!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on September 26, 2013, 04:21:21 am
Whoops spelling mistake.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullwhip

I'm never sure, when I ask questions like that, if I'm going to be revealing my own cultural ignorance  ;)

Shame, really. I like Rob's idea.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 26, 2013, 11:46:35 am
Thanks Antonio. I would have shot this with film if I had had it with me, but such was not the case. As it were it is a 3x stitch with a Canon 45 T/S.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 26, 2013, 12:01:10 pm
Of course, the micro contrast and atmospheric mood you would get with film is different, mostly in landscapes.
But still my preferences for the ease of digital.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on September 26, 2013, 02:08:54 pm
Thanks Antonio. I would have shot this with film if I had had it with me, but such was not the case. As it were it is a 3x stitch with a Canon 45 T/S.

Kirk, what are your thoughts regarding that  lens? When I tried it out I was disappointed: softness (especially when shifted), CA, barrel distortion. So I never bought one, and limped along with "regular" 50mm lenses and/or cropped down from my 24TS. Recently I bought the Schneider 50TS -- I posted a few examples from it on the "Cameras & Lenses" thread here.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 26, 2013, 02:10:54 pm
Scott, Its a great lens when you are doing 3x stitch for an 11x14 print ;).........need I say more?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 26, 2013, 02:12:50 pm
Quote
Of course, the micro contrast and atmospheric mood you would get with film is different, mostly in landscapes.
But still my preferences for the ease of digital.
For b&w I actually don't find digital any easier. Convenient yes on the capture side, but more work in post to get the tones I want.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on September 26, 2013, 02:13:25 pm
Actually, here's a couple with the Schneider Super Angulon 50mm that I was going to post here anyway...

I made the kitchen shot in a big hurry during a lunch break (because my client was utterly disinterested in it but I wanted it). Now he's licensing it....heh. 8)

I also made a 4x5 film version of that, on Ektar 100 but I'm not holding out much hope for it as I was really rushed at the time. I just don't shoot with that camera enough to be truly proficient with it.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on September 26, 2013, 02:16:37 pm
Scott, Its a great lens when you are doing 3x stitch for an 11x14 print ;).........need I say more?

I guess I was asking more in terms of interiors...I know you wouldn't have the lens if you didn't think it worked, but are you seeing any of the issues that I mentioned? I think the Canon 24 is really the gold standard for me and I tend to hold other lenses to that, which is kind of unrealistic, I suppose.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 26, 2013, 03:19:58 pm
I guess I was asking more in terms of interiors...I know you wouldn't have the lens if you didn't think it worked, but are you seeing any of the issues that I mentioned? I think the Canon 24 is really the gold standard for me and I tend to hold other lenses to that, which is kind of unrealistic, I suppose.

Scott, You missed my humor. A single capture image that looks like crap in terms of CA and soft corners can become acceptable when you then build the image from 3 frames even from the same lens and camera and only print it to 11x14. Yes the lens is very mediocre.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on September 26, 2013, 04:35:44 pm
Haha! Whew!
I respect both you and your work, and if you were going to tell me that this lens was something great I was really going to question my sanity! Or maybe yours....

Thanks for clarifying.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 26, 2013, 05:09:04 pm
Very Nice work Scott. Congrats on the Schneider Super Angulon 50mm. Quite some money there.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on September 26, 2013, 05:23:05 pm
For b&w I actually don't find digital any easier. Convenient yes on the capture side, but more work in post to get the tones I want.

Kirk, do you still print negatives conventionally, or do you print only digitally now?

Harold
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on September 26, 2013, 05:40:15 pm
Kirk, do you still print negatives conventionally, or do you print only digitally now?

Harold

Traditional silver, Piezography and silver via digital files from a couple of labs.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: epines on September 26, 2013, 10:53:09 pm
Recent personal / portfolio series. The first one is coming out in Workbook in the next week or two. It's a single capture, H3DII-39, HC 50mm lens.

The shoot was a ton of fun, but it's also hell shooting that close to the tide. Sand gets in everything. The water occasionally comes much higher than you expect, potentially drenching gear. Whether the tide is rising or receding, you're constantly moving the talent and lights with it.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickCroken on September 27, 2013, 12:59:55 pm
Great shots Ethan! 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: epines on September 27, 2013, 11:10:47 pm
Thanks! I put them through some retouching too, but I try to get as much in-camera as I can. The octopus and seagull were there in the (fake / stuffed) flesh. One of the perks of being in L.A. -- amazing FX and wardrobe houses, plus a very expensive taxidermist.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on October 01, 2013, 11:12:08 pm
A grab from a new short film we're just about to wrap on...

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1239064_10201512947800637_1452858653_o.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: heinrichvoelkel on October 02, 2013, 04:13:11 am
For b&w I actually don't find digital any easier. Convenient yes on the capture side, but more work in post to get the tones I want.

Absolutely true, b&w film is easier to handle after the capture than digital.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 02, 2013, 05:41:36 am
(http://russellrutherfordgroup.com/n_sr_.jpg)

Olympic Gold Medalist Sanya Richards for motion and ad series.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Professional on October 02, 2013, 07:18:05 am
(http://russellrutherfordgroup.com/n_sr_.jpg)

Olympic Gold Medalist Sanya Richards for motion and ad series.

BC

Nice shot, but i have 2 comments:

1. Is that flare on face a good idea? I like the sun flare if it is there without getting on the face, but maybe some like it this way i dunno.

2. It will be better if her left foot is shown fully rather than it is cropped.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 02, 2013, 11:23:45 am
It is what it is.  No retouching, other than some curve adjustments a a little skin cleanup.

That's just the face the flare exactly on the file.

That's what they wanted, that's what we did.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: epines on October 02, 2013, 12:37:55 pm
bcooter: Nice -- love the flare, the warm/reddish tones, the motion that the lines in the track lend to the shot.

Assistant holding large Sun-Bounce?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 02, 2013, 01:01:03 pm
bcooter: Nice -- love the flare, the warm/reddish tones, the motion that the lines in the track lend to the shot.

Assistant holding large Sun-Bounce?

Assistants running with multiple shiny boards.

Hey better them than me.

BC

P.S.  In regards to adding the other foot, it's not in this frame, is in others so an easy retouch, except the look, at least the creative brief I get today is for more real, less manicured.

I like real . . . I guess.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: epines on October 02, 2013, 01:08:56 pm
Same deal here, regarding less manicured shots -- My rep wants me to put a new lifestyle section on my website with looser, less-planned, less-perfected shots, since everything these days is following that Instagram style. Just not sure if it's a good idea to follow trends. By the time I've shot and finished new work, and made that gallery section a known presence in the marketplace, I might look like just another photographer shooting that kind of imagery. A while back, people wanted the Jim Fiscus look, then the Jill Greenberg look, then the Erik Almas look ... et cetera. The danger with chasing every trend is, you're always a bit behind the curve, and and you're never doing what's in your heart. (cooter -- I'm not implying you're doing this; I'm just voicing my thoughts I've had on the matter.)

ethan
 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 02, 2013, 01:25:46 pm
Same deal here, regarding less manicured shots -- My rep wants me to put a new lifestyle section on my website with looser, less-planned, less-perfected shots, since everything these days is following that Instagram style. Just not sure if it's a good idea to follow trends. By the time I've shot and finished new work, and made that gallery section a known presence in the marketplace, I might look like just another photographer shooting that kind of imagery. A while back, people wanted the Jim Fiscus look, then the Jill Greenberg look, then the Erik Almas look ... et cetera. The danger with chasing every trend is, you're always a bit behind the curve, and and you're never doing what's in your heart. (cooter -- I'm not implying you're doing this; I'm just voicing my thoughts I've had on the matter.)

ethan
 

Naw I get it.  Every agent wants you to broaden your repretioire, but hey they sell, they get use to what they see and kind of forget that not everybody they show is as bored with it as they are and I can elaborate on this, but I'd get in trouble.

Anyway, I did a video that was shot with stills and a really "real" look a while back, it still pulls work and well . . . a gigs a gig man.

video (http://www.russellrutherford.com/magic/)

Not to go of topic, but I really resist being put in a category like a brand of soap.   I dunno, I find most of it is just silly.

When we shot lingerie/inner-wear (what a strange name) we shot for the 4 largest companies in the world and two we're completely positive we only shot men, for the other two it was women.

Silly, but you just roll with it.

Personally if I just had to shoot one thing, either motion or still I'd go crazy.  It just seems boring and after a while you just can't get out of it.

After all still photography is just subject, light and background.  Always is and shooting "real" (what the heck is real?) or manufactured it's all kind of the same.

Most people will disagree, but hey, that doesn't matter.  It matters if you work.

The only thing I don't want to do is subjects that don't breath.   I just fall asleep.


IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: epines on October 02, 2013, 02:39:20 pm
Naw I get it.  Every agent wants you to broaden your repretioire, but hey they sell, they get use to what they see and kind of forget that not everybody they show is as bored with it as they are and I can elaborate on this, but I'd get in trouble.

Anyway, I did a video that was shot with stills and a really "real" look a while back, it still pulls work and well . . . a gigs a gig man.

video (http://www.russellrutherford.com/magic/)

Not to go of topic, but I really resist being put in a category like a brand of soap.   I dunno, I find most of it is just silly.

When we shot lingerie/inner-wear (what a strange name) we shot for the 4 largest companies in the world and two we're completely positive we only shot men, for the other two it was women.

Silly, but you just roll with it.

Personally if I just had to shoot one thing, either motion or still I'd go crazy.  It just seems boring and after a while you just can't get out of it.

After all still photography is just subject, light and background.  Always is and shooting "real" (what the heck is real?) or manufactured it's all kind of the same.

Most people will disagree, but hey, that doesn't matter.  It matters if you work.

The only thing I don't want to do is subjects that don't breath.   I just fall asleep.


IMO

BC

Holy moly -- that's a lot of stills. Nice video.

A gig's a gig, indeed. I had a discussion with my lady about all this, and we came to the same conclusion.

About being put in a category -- I hear you, but in my experience, agencies often want to know what to hire me for. I'm not at the level you're at in the industry, and so far it seems like it's been in my interest to specialize a bit more. If it were just up to me, I'd be shooting a greater variety of things. I love it all -- portraits, conceptual productions, moody series, quirky documentary work from traveling, spontaneous moments, film-noir series, urban landscapes, etc. Yes, stills can start feeling like just subject-light-background, but I'm still having a good time taking my conceptual / produced shoots to the next level. Sometimes I fear I might be chasing a part of the ad world that's already gone, but I'm maintaining faith that there's still a need for that kind of work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 03, 2013, 07:46:23 am
A Mamiya ZD frame from 2011, just developed

(http://timelessme.com/temp/Postings/NU_JDY_C189_web900px.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: slackercruster on October 03, 2013, 08:14:57 am
A Mamiya ZD frame from 2011, just developed

(http://timelessme.com/temp/Postings/NU_JDY_C189_web900px.jpg)


Beautiful work.

She has a wonderful symmetrical body. I love the 3 ribs! One of the best studies in gray tones I've seen.

Why did it take so long to bring to light?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: slackercruster on October 03, 2013, 08:16:14 am
Recent personal / portfolio series. The first one is coming out in Workbook in the next week or two. It's a single capture, H3DII-39, HC 50mm lens.

The shoot was a ton of fun, but it's also hell shooting that close to the tide. Sand gets in everything. The water occasionally comes much higher than you expect, potentially drenching gear. Whether the tide is rising or receding, you're constantly moving the talent and lights with it.


Nice work, very creative.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: slackercruster on October 03, 2013, 08:20:41 am
Naw.  Dallas, regardless of perception would much rather be picked up and moved to the east cost.   Dallas is corporate money, Bentleys and Armani, the 25 year olds eat fusion and are foodies, well most of them.

There's still some Texas left in the area, if you go to Ft. Worth, but most of that is for tourists that still think we all ride horse and shoot on sight.

The name of this bar sounds politically incorrect, but for a long, long time Dallas lived under the stigma of that awful day and I think just grew tired of it

I've never heard a Dallasite mention it, but the national and international news mentions that time as if it were yesterday.

Anyway, the patrons of this bar just wanna have fun, sit out in the gravel lot, listen to music, get a little loaded, go home with a boy/girl and not worry about life.

To them the name Lee Harvey has about as much impact as saying John Wilkes Booth.  Both tragic, both way in the past.

But no you won't get shot with a gun.  There is more guns per capita in LA than Dallas, though perception and reality are way different animals.

Actually the most liberal county in American is the most caucasian centric, Marin County, North of San Francisco.  Dallas proper has more percentage of ethnic's groups than most American Cities, so  . . .

Once again, perception and reality.

(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/lee_h_juke_box.jpg)

Love this shot, love this model.  Kathryn is not anorexic, or afraid to eat a meal, she's just a good hard working damn pretty woman.

Not Retouched.

IMO

BC

Beautiful, natural look. I enjoyed all your shots.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: slackercruster on October 03, 2013, 08:22:01 am
Two of my favorite.

Same talent, left during makeup, right after.

Left, a trillion iso, right much less.

Both p30+, contax

(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/2_p30.jpg)

BC

OK, not an anorexic, but she is pretty thin...nice work!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: slackercruster on October 03, 2013, 08:23:11 am
Hello,

This is a personal shot I did working with a great retoucher and all round nice guy Dan Coroian-Vlad.

http://www.retouching.co.nz/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/D2-creative-retouching/166300943405238

The car was shot with a Nikon D800E, Nikon 70-200mm F2.8G @F16.0.

Lighting was Dedos my new home made strip light and some light painting.

I have another shot of the Aston Martin DBS coming soon.

Cheers

Simon

Very nice. Reminds me of that guy that does all the sports shots.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: slackercruster on October 03, 2013, 08:25:18 am
Skylabs, Heidelberg, Germany:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Slablux_02.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Slablux_03.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Slablux_05.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Slablux_08.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Slablux_09.jpg)

I'm not too much for architecture. But you put out some nice clean work...beautiful!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on October 03, 2013, 08:48:18 am
a chemex coffee brewer for a mag cover all about coffee



Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 03, 2013, 11:12:23 am
Beautiful work.

She has a wonderful symmetrical body. I love the 3 ribs! One of the best studies in gray tones I've seen.

Why did it take so long to bring to light?

Thanks. Simply not enough time to process images. I still have many from even 2002.
A lot of retouching time is spent on the background behind the model. Paper is never as smooth as I like it to be.
Even a fresh roll of paper quickly develops some bumps on the surface. I suppose due to humidity, although it is very dry in my studio.
I was thinking of trying vinul, not sure if it is as matte as the paper, but even then it would get quickly stretched under the model's weight... well unless she is levitating:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on October 03, 2013, 11:50:59 am
Thanks. Simply not enough time to process images. I still have many from even 2002.
A lot of retouching time is spent on the background behind the model. Paper is never as smooth as I like it to be.
Even a fresh roll of paper quickly develops some bumps on the surface. I suppose due to humidity, although it is very dry in my studio.
I was thinking of trying vinul, not sure if it is as matte as the paper, but even then it would get quickly stretched under the model's weight... well unless she is levitating:)

I appreciate the effort it takes to render a smooth bkg. when working with seamless. I've found that increasing the distance of the subject in relationship to the background helps. But of course, I've only got about 20 feet lengthwise, so that severely limits what I am able to shoot. I'm fanatical about smooth bkgs. for my doggie portraits http://www.topdogimaging.net/dog-photos.html. I am stunned by how much the price of seamless has gone up over the past few years. Nothing turns me off more than seeing ripply backgrounds.

By the way, I love the image. You really have an incredible knack for taking interesting minimalist photos. I know how much perfection it takes to pull it off.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on October 03, 2013, 11:56:44 am
In re Russel and Rutherford's picture: Not to be a fuddy duddy, Michael Ezra's photos truly enter the realm of fine art. To me, this picture of the sultry woman looks well ... slutty. I've seen this type of picture ten million times in one form or another. The execution is fine. ... Not to be harsh, but I just don't get it, and I'm not trying to be mean-spirited.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on October 03, 2013, 12:23:57 pm
Thanks. Simply not enough time to process images. I still have many from even 2002.
A lot of retouching time is spent on the background behind the model. Paper is never as smooth as I like it to be.
Even a fresh roll of paper quickly develops some bumps on the surface. I suppose due to humidity, although it is very dry in my studio.
I was thinking of trying vinul, not sure if it is as matte as the paper, but even then it would get quickly stretched under the model's weight... well unless she is levitating:)
Now I understand why your models are usually levitating!  ;D

This one, like the levitaters, is stunning. And they are truly fine art, as BobDavid says.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on October 03, 2013, 06:18:09 pm
Hmm, let me think, Cooter’s earthy, colourful women or clinical, grey mannequins? ...Not to be harsh, but I just don't get it, and I'm not trying to be mean-spirited.


Have you ever tried to photograph a model in a minimalist setting? If you study Ezra's work, it's clear to see that he has the eye of a sculptor along with total mastery of the aesthetic and the technical aspects of making a timeless image. Perhaps the difference between the "grey mannequins" and "colorful women" is akin to the difference between great literature and pulp fiction. Ezra has a consistent vision and his execution is exquisite. I've been looking at his nude studies for years. More often than not they are masterpieces that I think are as compelling as Rodin's sculptures. I like the fact that he uses an obsolete entry-level  Mamiya/22MP camera.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on October 03, 2013, 07:36:33 pm
Have you ever tried to photograph a model in a minimalist setting? If you study Ezra's work, it's clear to see that he has the eye of a sculptor along with total mastery of the aesthetic and the technical aspects of making a timeless image. Perhaps the difference between the "grey mannequins" and "colorful women" is akin to the difference between great literature and pulp fiction. Ezra has a consistent vision and his execution is exquisite. I've been looking at his nude studies for years. More often than not they are masterpieces that I think are as compelling as Rodin's sculptures. I like the fact that he uses an obsolete entry-level  Mamiya/22MP camera.
Exactly! Well said, Bob.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeffery Salter on October 03, 2013, 09:06:17 pm
Art is in the eye of the beholder.  Sometimes it's easy to mix up an artfully done photograph with *fine art*.  I guess we all have our own definitions of what is fine art.  

Why compare?  Cooter's contemporary classics are rooted in a sense of place and mood, with eye to making a statement about the "now".  Looking at his images it's easy to connect and understand him as a visual artist.
Ezra's images are past views of Greek Classic nudes.  Well done and beautifully toned.  It's difficult for me to really connect with his wonderful images because I don't understand what he's trying to say, however that's doesn't diminish any visual pleasure I may derive from the work.

No need to rehash the f/64 group's manifesto. Comparing pictorialists to modernists.  Let's continue to learn and enjoy the vision of the artists who freely choose to share their images with us.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jeremydillon on October 04, 2013, 12:07:33 am
Thanks. Simply not enough time to process images. I still have many from even 2002.
A lot of retouching time is spent on the background behind the model. Paper is never as smooth as I like it to be.
Even a fresh roll of paper quickly develops some bumps on the surface. I suppose due to humidity, although it is very dry in my studio.
I was thinking of trying vinul, not sure if it is as matte as the paper, but even then it would get quickly stretched under the model's weight... well unless she is levitating:)

Hi Michael,
Do you store your paper on the wall or off?  I tend to get 'dimples' if I keep my background paper up on the wall. I think it sags slightly in the middle and when it unrolls the dimples appear. Rolls which I store off the wall, rolled up in their boxes standing vertically don't seem to have this problem.
Cheers
Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on October 04, 2013, 12:29:00 am
Greek sculpture has fascinated artists, historians, and regular folks for millinia. I think Ezra's work certainly exhibits a classical aesthetic. But, I've yet to encounter a Greek sculpture able to capture the female form as Ezra does. His models are real. The synergy between all of the elements--artist, model, space, and moment in time fit together in a manner that is truly sublime,rare. My guess is that he has spent years cultivating his skill. And his images are mysterious. His models have obviously been on a journey exploring the limits of body and mind. There is a certain contemplative/mediative aspect of his work that satisfies.

The picture of the girl in the bar is not a bad picture, nor is it a great one. It is not mysterious or subtle. It's a one-liner. And it's common. I see a lot of work like that in portfolios from enthusiast photographers that are workshop junkies. Michael's work is not like that. I cannot even imagine how beautiful one of his images would look as an artisan print. I see silver, not grey.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: epines on October 04, 2013, 12:34:00 am
a chemex coffee brewer for a mag cover all about coffee

No one's mentioned it yet, so I will -- this shot is gorgeously done. Nice composition, lighting and retouching. Great work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on October 04, 2013, 03:35:37 am
Thanks. The blue and wood is a bit more subtle that that, save for web>sRGB>browser seems to have given it some punch that wasn't there in the original.
Client was happy which is the important thing. ;D

(Edit: must be settings in Safari, the colour tone is fine on iPad, new retina MBP so I need to make safari profile aware)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on October 04, 2013, 03:19:19 pm
I'm not too much for architecture. But you put out some nice clean work...beautiful!

Thank you  :)

I've got some more:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_01gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_05gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_06gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_10gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_11gr.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on October 04, 2013, 03:33:00 pm
No one's mentioned it yet, so I will -- this shot is gorgeously done. Nice composition, lighting and retouching. Great work.

All of that AND the Chemex is the bomb.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on October 04, 2013, 03:37:32 pm
In re Russel and Rutherford's picture: Not to be a fuddy duddy, Michael Ezra's photos truly enter the realm of fine art. To me, this picture of the sultry woman looks well ... slutty. I've seen this type of picture ten million times in one form or another. The execution is fine. ... Not to be harsh, but I just don't get it, and I'm not trying to be mean-spirited.

I like them both. They don't lend themselves to comparison, really. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on October 04, 2013, 08:24:57 pm
Gosh!

Having spent a great deal of time during my formative years as an art student viewing the classical Greek statuary I still see it as a celebration of life and the personification of human sexuality and form.

Conversely…

Thankfully it is the differences between us that make for an interesting life.


You are spot on about Greek sculpture. The intent of sculptors in ancient Greece was to chip away at stone to apotheosize the human form. Well, those statues are idealized interpretations. Ezra's photos are about possibilities rather than dreams.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on October 04, 2013, 08:49:40 pm
Thank you  :)

I've got some more:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_01gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_05gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_06gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_10gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_11gr.jpg)

Adrian, You captured this building beautifully!  It's a spectacular structure and I think your approach is perfect!  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 04, 2013, 09:50:21 pm
I got trapped in photography, still sketching the sculptures I hope some day to really create.
I can't live without my BW "girls" but James' always make my day when I see them:)
Our works have similar yet very different purposes.
In the end it is all about witnessing the originals, all that we show are just copies:)




Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 04, 2013, 09:58:40 pm
Hi Michael,
Do you store your paper on the wall or off?  I tend to get 'dimples' if I keep my background paper up on the wall. I think it sags slightly in the middle and when it unrolls the dimples appear. Rolls which I store off the wall, rolled up in their boxes standing vertically don't seem to have this problem.
Cheers
Jeremy

Hi Jeremy, I store paper within the plastic bag in their boxes yet still the same problem. I remember the first days in the studio when I was just stapling the paper to the wall under the ceiling:) Don't recall that I paid attention to the "dimples" then... more to the RZ, counting the frames and the model:) I may try the vinul on PhotoExpo, see if that works better.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on October 04, 2013, 10:58:37 pm
Thank you  :)

I've got some more:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_01gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_05gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_06gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_10gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_11gr.jpg)

Really nice.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Professional on October 05, 2013, 01:32:43 am
I agree about those architectural shots, very nice, i like them, i wish to see some buildings that interesting to shoot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Hulyss on October 05, 2013, 06:02:14 am
I agree about those architectural shots, very nice, i like them, i wish to see some buildings that interesting to shoot.

Dito ... very well executed work !
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 05, 2013, 08:29:43 pm
a chemex coffee brewer for a mag cover all about coffee
I love the colors:)

Here is one (or two) more from the same session:

(http://www.michaelezra.com/images/photography/MichaelEzra_JDY_C165.C168_web800px.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on October 06, 2013, 03:21:43 pm
For my part, I don't know if I like Michaels work, but I am quite impressed by it. It's great work!

Best regards
Erik


Greek sculpture has fascinated artists, historians, and regular folks for millinia. I think Ezra's work certainly exhibits a classical aesthetic. But, I've yet to encounter a Greek sculpture able to capture the female form as Ezra does. His models are real. The synergy between all of the elements--artist, model, space, and moment in time fit together in a manner that is truly sublime,rare. My guess is that he has spent years cultivating his skill. And his images are mysterious. His models have obviously been on a journey exploring the limits of body and mind. There is a certain contemplative/mediative aspect of his work that satisfies.

The picture of the girl in the bar is not a bad picture, nor is it a great one. It is not mysterious or subtle. It's a one-liner. And it's common. I see a lot of work like that in portfolios from enthusiast photographers that are workshop junkies. Michael's work is not like that. I cannot even imagine how beautiful one of his images would look as an artisan print. I see silver, not grey.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on October 06, 2013, 04:03:58 pm
I love the 2 for 1, Michael. Keep 'em rolling.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 06, 2013, 08:06:38 pm
Shoot this last week.  P45+, single capture, and then pushed the hell out of it in post.   ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on October 06, 2013, 08:40:35 pm
Joe, I would have waited longer till when the interior spaces started to glow (not just the light sources).
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: wolfnowl on October 06, 2013, 09:22:24 pm
Greek sculpture has fascinated artists, historians, and regular folks for millenia. I think Ezra's work certainly exhibits a classical aesthetic. But, I've yet to encounter a Greek sculpture able to capture the female form as Ezra does. His models are real. The synergy between all of the elements--artist, model, space, and moment in time fit together in a manner that is truly sublime,rare. My guess is that he has spent years cultivating his skill. And his images are mysterious. His models have obviously been on a journey exploring the limits of body and mind. There is a certain contemplative/meditative aspect of his work that satisfies.

<snip>I cannot even imagine how beautiful one of his images would look as an artisan print. I see silver, not grey.

What he said, me too!

Mike.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on October 06, 2013, 09:32:46 pm
Joe, I would have waited longer till when the interior spaces started to glow (not just the light sources).

Joe, I agree with Kirk.  Your shot would have been the base capture for my approach to a backlit dusk shot.  I leave the camera in place from before sunset until it's completely dark.  I then run the inside light bracket thru Photomatix to even out the light sources and drop the file on the base shot as a lighten or screen blend.  Quite often the exterior lighting also will come into play making a more impactful image.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 06, 2013, 09:36:31 pm
Joe, I would have waited longer till when the interior spaces started to glow (not just the light sources).

I am not sure how I feel about having that happen, seeing more of the inside; you have to give me a few days to disconnect from this version before coming to a conclusion on that.  However, if this was the main shot, I probably would have waited longer.  The main shot was the interior, which I had to run inside after this and set up (not through post yet), and the backside (see below).  They were much more important than this image, which was a novelty to myself and the architect.  

With that shot (the one above), I was more impressed with how hard I could push the file and still get a very usable image.  I have tried and failed several times with my Canon gear to shoot a similar image with the sun behind the building while still being able to pull out the details in the shadows.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on October 06, 2013, 10:42:30 pm
Joe, Try experimenting with Photomatix, the extended range that is possible thru their exposure fusion mode is a tremendous asset to an architectural photographer.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on October 08, 2013, 11:30:57 pm
Standard Poodle against a grey seamless background.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on October 09, 2013, 12:14:07 am
Nice one, Bob, but I still prefer Michael Ezra's levitating nudes against a grey seamless background.  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on October 09, 2013, 08:26:19 am
Nice one, Bob, but I still prefer Michael Ezra's levitating nudes against a grey seamless background.  ;)

It's hard to compete with the female form. I prefer Michael Ezra's levitating nudes to this picture. As a dog photographer, I am a minimalist and do not stuff the backgrounds with silly props or worse, have the dogs pose in costumes. I appreciate what it takes to render a seamless paper background smooth as silk.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickCroken on October 09, 2013, 12:02:03 pm
Thank you  :)

I've got some more:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_01gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_05gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_06gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_10gr.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/Skyl_11gr.jpg)

I absolutely love these! How much post processing do you do? Would you mind sharing a before and after (publicly or privately) if not, I totally understand!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on October 10, 2013, 05:09:56 am
I absolutely love these! How much post processing do you do? Would you mind sharing a before and after (publicly or privately) if not, I totally understand!

I did some post-processing: In general, I pushed the shadows a fair amount, changed the sky a little bit (selection) and removed some objects, I don't like. 
About 1hour/picture.

raw file:
(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/skylabsbefore1.jpg)
HCAM + Aptus II 8 + TS-E 24mm + 12mm shift
Amazingly, the top of the building is still pretty sharp.


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Mr. Rib on October 10, 2013, 10:44:40 am
I like the first one, the rest looks a tad bit too much like a 3d render for my liking but that's of course only my opinion.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickCroken on October 10, 2013, 12:16:34 pm
Thanks so much Aphoto!! That's a lot less post work than I was expecting!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on October 10, 2013, 07:58:58 pm
Hello,

This shot was partly lit using my new Ice Light.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MAmaro on October 10, 2013, 08:58:04 pm
Simon,

Great shot, that Ice Light is really a nice piece of kit to work with!  I been testing mine out and find it creates great highlight lines along the contours of the body.  I think that's where you used it in your photo if I'm not mistaken.  ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DanielStone on October 10, 2013, 10:37:36 pm
Hello,

This shot was partly lit using my new Ice Light.

Cheers

Simon

Simon,
is that the new self-driving CR-V? Hence no steering wheel :P?
I like the end result nonetheless :)

-Dan
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on October 10, 2013, 10:55:04 pm
Hi Dan,

Here in New Zealand the steering wheel is on the left.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DanielStone on October 10, 2013, 11:19:13 pm
Hi Dan,

Here in New Zealand the steering wheel is on the left.

Cheers

Simon

so is that "stage left"(so when on stage looking out, it's on your left), or "audience left"(where it's on your left side when looking towards the stage)?

Assuming you mean like this?
http://youtu.be/ZzpEaLz_mnE

BTW, I was kidding you about the missing steering wheel :P

-Dan
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on October 11, 2013, 08:13:35 am
Hello,

This shot was partly lit using my new Ice Light.

Cheers

Simon

Are you light painting with it...like the old Hosemaster but without the hose?

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on October 11, 2013, 03:00:56 pm
Hi Craig,

Yes I dress myself in black like a ninja and light paint the car with the Ice Light. Its hit and miss but a lot of fun. From combining the best light brush images and other conventional Dedo lit images the retoucher came up with the finished shot.

The Ice Light just added a different look.

Craig for the RV work you do I think the Ice Lights could be very useful.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on October 11, 2013, 04:39:57 pm
Hi,

I am also quite impressed with Michael Ezra's images. Not my kind of stuff, but very well down and I think he has great respect for his subjects.

Best regards
Erik


Nice one, Bob, but I still prefer Michael Ezra's levitating nudes against a grey seamless background.  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 11, 2013, 05:09:55 pm
Thank you all for the kind words.
Here is one from the levitation series

(http://www.michaelezra.com/images/photography/MichaelEzra_SSM_B115_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on October 11, 2013, 05:20:47 pm
Simon, Way back when I used to use the Hosemaster on rv's and custom vans.  It was film back then so it was harder to combine images (digital retouching was still an infant and really pricey) It was really fun but really hit or miss. I wasted a lot of time playing with that thing, but at the time I was the senior in-hose photographer for a Boat/RV/Custom Conversion van company, so I had a lot of freedom to play.  I'll see if I can find some old samples.

You ended up with a very nice result.

The problem I would have using it now is I no longer have a studio to shoot in.  Its all location now, usually at the end of the production line or in a parts warehouse in some factory.  No way to control the ambient lighting. I use a lot of parts and pieces in my current work and strip them together in post, but is all generalized lighting from strobes. 

But its really cool seeing this technique in action again!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on October 11, 2013, 06:01:38 pm
I've been using a fluorescent light I got at Home Depot for $12 a few years ago  :P

(http://ppcdn.500px.org/31201257/7285bc107bbf4ebeaf4921e57a93bb5fce64244c/4.jpg)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8432/7518013404_672f93bf60_b.jpg)






.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 18, 2013, 05:10:11 pm
Very clean color from those lights!

A couple of new ones, shot yesterday, not sure which I like more though.

(http://www.michaelezra.com/images/photography/MichaelEzra_BLE_A_033_web800px.jpg)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/images/photography/MichaelEzra_BLE_A_035_web800px.jpg)

I find the camera raw very useful for BW conversion via a combination of tonemapping and the HSL Grayscale mixer.
I just tried the DXO film pack 3 (it is given for free here http://www.dxo.com/intl/sony) and was surprised how well the familiar BW films as simulated.
Superbly! but in the film days.. what would we give to have ease and flexibility we enjoy now and deviate from any given film recipe for an already shot image:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on October 18, 2013, 05:25:13 pm
Hi Michael,

I prefer the first one it is more symmetrical.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on October 18, 2013, 11:16:25 pm
I think whatever the material of the wall cladding/siding is along with the angle panels helps provide this feeling, effect.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: uaiomex on October 19, 2013, 02:48:56 am
+1
Mesmerizing as always.
Eduardo

Hi Michael,

I prefer the first one it is more symmetrical.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JohnBrew on October 19, 2013, 07:55:33 am
Michael, I prefer the second version. I like the impression of movement. Yes, the first is more symmetrical, but for me it is almost too perfect.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on October 26, 2013, 05:59:39 pm
I've been shooting way more furniture than architecture lately.  This is from a series that we revisit once a year as new product is designed.  I have a lot of fun designing the sets and then the lighting of course...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131002_2170.jpg)

from our new IQ 260 on the M-Line 2

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 26, 2013, 06:07:32 pm
Chris, very cool looking set!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: georgem on October 27, 2013, 07:33:36 am
maybe you wouldn't mind some architecture then...

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 28, 2013, 05:41:56 pm
As always, great work Chris and Ashley. 

Here are some recents of mine, architecture though. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on October 29, 2013, 10:02:08 am
Some recent published work (Modo de Vida (interior design magazine) ). Long time client and as usual as of late almost extremely low budget and almost zero time (private residence). These are scans from the actual magazine in print. Single image captures, no retouch other than lightroom adjustments and dust cleaning.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on October 30, 2013, 10:24:16 am
If you had been given a bigger budget to play with, what would you have done differently ?

Or to ask the same sort of question from your client's perspective: what more would he have got from you, should he have agreed to pay you more ?  

In this specific case I would have used lights for the exterior specially for the landscaping to the right and also the pool and deck area and also the interior walls. Obviously I would have needed to shoot a bit later around dusk. It would have made the location look a bit more high end which is the clientele the company is going for with this line of products (the folding aluminum and glass doors). The space inside was quite small so it would have required a lot of creativity for rigging the lights. Rigging the lights for the outside areas would not have been a big deal but still all that takes time and more money (rentals, and at least an assistant or two). Also, the lighting would have been identical from shot to shot. You can see on the published shots that the light outside changed quite a bit. I could have composited the exterior under one of the lighting conditions but that also required much more time and the images needed to be delivered that same night to meet the magazine's deadline.

I think the images came out really nice considering it was just me with my camera and tripod and no one else. I had to clean up the patio area of toys, furniture, gardening stuff and some leaves that were making the background look quite busy. Also I had to remove all the interior furniture to make room for the shot. The wind was also moving the doors so I had to keep them in position with some ingenuity. At least long enough to take the shot. :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on October 30, 2013, 06:12:51 pm
+1 I agree. Sometime that extra effort, not paid at the moment, brings new chances with clients.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on October 30, 2013, 07:50:38 pm
Ive been working with this client for 6 years. And no they will not pay for extra usage. They pay for the shooting day that is it. It is a small market but they have to / want to use new images constantly. I did this shooting for 2 hours one afternoon. On that day I had another job with another different client in the morning.

This client has tried other photographers and they come back to me now they just hire me, always. Good price, good quality, fast and I am responsible and coordinate the shoots well. It is more about the service. Not always 100% about the image. Also I deal well with the owners of the mostly expensive properties. It seems absurd but if they do not like you they might complaint to the client.

Also, if I h=give this client the service of a more involved production for free how would I justify charging for it on another shoot? They will absolutely say, and rightfully so, "last time you brought lights, grip equipment and took time to light the scene and you only charged me x amount.."
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on October 30, 2013, 08:04:26 pm
Hi Ken,

I totally agree with your comment Ken

“Also, if I h=give this client the service of a more involved production for free how would I justify charging for it on another shoot? They will absolutely say, and rightfully so, "last time you brought lights, grip equipment and took time to light the scene and you only charged me x amount.."

You start giving them the full service for the cost of a get in and out quick shoot the you are bugged.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 30, 2013, 10:41:23 pm
Hi Ken,

I totally agree with your comment Ken

“Also, if I h=give this client the service of a more involved production for free how would I justify charging for it on another shoot? They will absolutely say, and rightfully so, "last time you brought lights, grip equipment and took time to light the scene and you only charged me x amount.."

You start giving them the full service for the cost of a get in and out quick shoot the you are bugged.

Cheers

Simon

Simon, Ken,

This is something we all fight in today's economy, large production or small.

We'll get a gig that big, but still the cost is held tight and to be safe you want to double your lights, add more crew, maybe even add another 4k RED or a focus puller, steadycam op,  etc. etc., but we're working from a bottom line and they know they aren't paying for all that extra convenience and safety.  

It's a tightrope and I agree with Ken and Simon, do the very best, very professionally with what you have and get on with it.   As long as your honest about what your going to provide then everyone is usually more than happy.

Turning an image or video with twice the production values might seem like a good idea and be appreciated, but usually it works the opposite way and the next time they ask why do you need to charge for that?

Ashley,

You work differently in the fact you have a unique system of shooting on assignment with the agreement to liscense your imagery to others later.  It's a good plan and the investment pays off for you.

For me,  my client's would have a coronary if I tried to cut a deal to sell their images later.  

In most cases after the licensing is up I could, in fact I have millions of dollars in lifestyle production I could offer,  but it wouldn't go over very well.

IMO

BC

P.S.

Actually I'll tell you a little secret.  A few years ago we we're shooting a still and video production and the client's ad manager asked how I promote myself.  I said by building equity with my clients and pointed to the extra RED1, the steadicam operator and focus puller.

I said there is no line item for them, I threw that in for free and that is hard cost out of my pocket of about $8,000 plus cameras I own, lens rentals etc.

The ad manager asked why I would do that and I said because you'll get imagery that's more than you expected, more usable and should put me ahead of anyone I compete with.

He kind of smiled and said, uh yea, I guess so, but next time will you do it?

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on October 30, 2013, 11:45:39 pm
Word.

I am incredibly invested in gear.  Mostly because I am a big gear junky, but also because I believe that the right tools liberate creativity and allow me to do the best job that I am capable of.  I hire an assistant or two for every shoot I do and always have the same complement of equipment with me.  Well, unless we're also shooting motion and then I have twice the gear.

This week is crazy.  We started off in Austin.  I'm currently in Nashville and am catching a flight to D.C. tomorrow.  It's going to cost the client a few grand just to fly my gear around all week.  They look at the pile of gear though and they just go "Wow".  It almost doesn't even matter how much of it we actually use.

And then they look at the images on the laptop and they go "Wow" again... and we've just justified the costs.  Sometimes we go out with a couple dozen lights and only set up one... but every single time I've left some of my gear at home it's hurt my images... a missing hi-light here, not as much texture there, that little extra sparkle that puts the image over the top.  When that happens I just end up turning around, closing my eyes and quietly screaming "FUCK FUCK FUCK" in my mind.

I don't really know exactly what I'm getting at here, except to say... that Cooter's example struck a nerve.  If you want to make the best work possible, if you want to be in this for the long run, make money and be respected, then don't dick around.

Rant brought to you by Fat Tire Amber.

Now here's a picture of an elevator.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131005_3116.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 31, 2013, 12:30:39 am
Word.


I don't really know exactly what I'm getting at here, except to say... that Cooter's example struck a nerve.  If you want to make the best work possible, if you want to be in this for the long run, make money and be respected, then don't dick around.



I get it.

We travel with 4,900 lbs of equipment, from asia through europe and keep lighting, grip and computers in three cities and like Chris says, if I leave something I didn't want to carry like the hmi's or a lens set I curse myself.

And don't get me wrong, the image matters, really matters and in the end that's all anyone sees, but it does have an effect if you come in on set with cases of equipment, crew and work highly professional.

Professionalism, work ethic, to equipment matters and with the addition of video you can't have too much equipment (unfortunately).

Still, there is a fine line between being prepared and giving away the store and the days of a single tasking crew member is over.

The only people I work with that single task are the sound tech and usually hair and makeup.   I expect prop stylists to wardrobe, wardrobe to prop, the guy running the dit station can sure as hell pick up a light stand, or a Pelican case, because I do.

Ok, now off to bed.

BC







Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on October 31, 2013, 01:11:04 am
Hello,

A new image for Honda combining Dedo lights and my new Ice Light.

Nikon D800E and Nikon 80-200mm G lens @ 92mm, F16.0, 10 Sec, 100ISO

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on October 31, 2013, 01:21:36 am

Now here's a picture of an elevator.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131005_3116.jpg)

Mighty fine elevator at that....

Careful over delivery may make it easier for a new client to become a repeat client...but over delivery for the repetitive sake of over delivery....you'll be needing to work at the goldenarches through the midnight hours.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on October 31, 2013, 09:31:09 am
Yelhsa:

That is right. Ideally one would charge for the use of images and concede rights to certain media and time usage and based on the media's circulation / reach and the time used and calculate cost based on that. I think there are even tables for this.

I do adjust my fee depending on the usage and scope of the project or campaign the images will be a part of but my client has to at least cover the actual production and post-production costs + my fee of the shoot. (Cost + Fee).

I honestly do not have the time or the resources to monitor the usage of the images I produce for my clients. A lot of the time the client does not even have the entire media plan set in stone when the images are produced, just a general idea. I do specify the intended use on all my invoices. If by chance I see that they deviated a lot from that and / or the ad agency uses the images for another product / brand or anything else then I might confront the ad agency or client. But in the 10 years that I have been in business that has never happened.

With stock or stock type photography then it is another story since you basically run with all production costs (or the stock agency) and the stock agency manages the images for you. Also a lot of editorial and wedding photographers also put their images in their stock photography agency of choice. They mostly work for a fee and then make up their income with the stock sales.

Basically there is not one clear cut business model for everything it depends on the situation and market.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 31, 2013, 11:36:25 am
Does he or does he just need to pay you enough for 'the use of your images' to cover all of this ?
Because there is a big difference between asking someone to pay for 'the use of your work' and asking them to pay you 'to do the work' for them.

Anyway, it's sounds like you don't have time for any of this, so I'll leave it at that.

Cheers
Ashley.


My thoughts.

Being that this is the medium format forum, I assume that those who post and follow this section are either those at the top or those who aspire to be there.  If this is the case (for anyone), my question is can you really afford to produce images any less than your best? 

A few years ago, a very smart consultant told me that a potential client will always judge you on your worse images.  You could have some of the best work out there, but if a high end prospect sees a shitty set of images you shot (especially recently), none of that other work will matter in his eyes.  So, for my business development, I never will shoot less than the best I can, and most of the time I am still not completely happy with the images I produce, because there is always something else I could have done.  (How much sleep have I lost to this?)

Does this mean that you will make less than you should on a project, maybe, or maybe you just don't shoot those jobs?  So IMO, charge like Ashley does and have faith more licensing will be bought later on (happens at least 50% of the time for me) or let them go.  Either choice can be a hard pill to swallow sometimes, but in the end, most clients like this dont pay well anyway.  And if not doing this job means you'll have less money but also one less set of shitty images out there for the high end prospects (the ones who pay well) to see and degrade you with, then I would let that money go. 

But anyway, here is an image of a crappy lunch room/hallway in an township utilities garage.  Not the best space out there, but hey, they needed it documented, for, you know ... marketing stuff.  I used three strobes and two hot lights, and they were very pleased I gave it the same attention as the nicer spaces in the other building. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on October 31, 2013, 12:36:58 pm
Came across this on the web. Seems like something to come handy next time a client asks you to do it cheaper. Original source here (http://image-store.slidesharecdn.com/9d742f32-4062-11e3-bf06-22000a970267-original.jpg).  :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 31, 2013, 12:42:05 pm
.. would have said: "Why are you asking ?" - and then listened to what he had to say.

Because it's sounds to me, like he may have had something interesting to say to you here - in regards to how you could actually charged them more.

 :-X







He actually meant if I went that direction next time would I charge full tilt?   Me I'd probably try to find a good middle ground.

Ashley, you and I have had this discussion before and I respect your business model.  I also own my images, but honestly no client that runs a dedicated still and motion campaign that takes 6 months to complete is going to be happy if I keep hitting them with extra usage because some in store or product layed on a shelf for an extra month, just like they assume I won't take their imagery and sell it into stock, for anyone, even though I can.

My goal is to improve, to work, to stay busy (because I like hard work) and be paid well.  I never have a master plan but I do shake it up.  Now I've added a space in London (where I am today) and I love it.

It's opened up new business and a  new life experience, put me closer to family and allowed for a different thought process.  I just had european clients in last week for an edit.  I flew in from LA to meet them.  I could have squeezed them for airfare and transfers, but it was my decision to be here and make it easier for them.

Good work, convenience and lack of small time bullshit always pays off long term.

But understand I do appreciate your business model and if it works for you, keep on cooking.

IMO

BC

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 02, 2013, 10:33:35 am
Photographer's business models can be such a source of aggravation for clients as well as other photographers.  I have no desire to police the usage of my images, I want to spend my time making more of them.

I think in these regards I'm fortunate to be working (for the most part) in the niche of architecture.  Residual usage rights drive architects nuts.  My fee model is based upon a day rate.  Within that rate I included a license for unlimited usage of the images.  That dayrate is probably higher than a lot of my competition, but my clients seem to be happy to pay it and not have to worry about when or where they use the images.

Also, my clients usually have no problem with stock sales.  In fact, most of my stock sales are referred by the original client.

So, I make a lot of images and I make a nice living.  I really don't spend any of my time calculating and chasing usage fees.  My clients are happy.  Life is simple and good.  This business model may not work for everyone, it may even piss some photographers off but it's been pretty sound for me over the last 20 years.

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on November 02, 2013, 01:13:02 pm
Photographers don't have unions, collective bargaining power, or paid advocates in every nation's Capitol.

Photographers are just hired hands and usage has always been a sticky subject to discuss, but the real honest to god truth is nothing matters unless you turn a profit.

Doesn't mean that usage isn't a consideration, in Chris' case he uses it to bargain for more money, in Ashely's case he uses it to bargain for more money, they just come about it from different angles.

In my case we're a bottom line group.  Pay us we'll play, but we have a number we have to hit and getting rich off of one gig isn't the plan.

Doing a lot of gigs is.


IMO

BC


Photographer's business models can be such a source of aggravation for clients as well as other photographers.  I have no desire to police the usage of my images, I want to spend my time making more of them.

I think in these regards I'm fortunate to be working (for the most part) in the niche of architecture.  Residual usage rights drive architects nuts.  My fee model is based upon a day rate.  Within that rate I included a license for unlimited usage of the images.  That dayrate is probably higher than a lot of my competition, but my clients seem to be happy to pay it and not have to worry about when or where they use the images.

Also, my clients usually have no problem with stock sales.  In fact, most of my stock sales are referred by the original client.

So, I make a lot of images and I make a nice living.  I really don't spend any of my time calculating and chasing usage fees.  My clients are happy.  Life is simple and good.  This business model may not work for everyone, it may even piss some photographers off but it's been pretty sound for me over the last 20 years.

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 02, 2013, 02:40:42 pm
Photographer's business models can be such a source of aggravation for clients as well as other photographers.  I have no desire to police the usage of my images, I want to spend my time making more of them.

I think in these regards I'm fortunate to be working (for the most part) in the niche of architecture.  Residual usage rights drive architects nuts.  My fee model is based upon a day rate.  Within that rate I included a license for unlimited usage of the images.  That dayrate is probably higher than a lot of my competition, but my clients seem to be happy to pay it and not have to worry about when or where they use the images.

Also, my clients usually have no problem with stock sales.  In fact, most of my stock sales are referred by the original client.

So, I make a lot of images and I make a nice living.  I really don't spend any of my time calculating and chasing usage fees.  My clients are happy.  Life is simple and good.  This business model may not work for everyone, it may even piss some photographers off but it's been pretty sound for me over the last 20 years.

CB

I tend to be in the same boat Chris.  Direct usage billing your get me tossed out on my ear but then again the usage for most of the work I produce has a limited shelf life due to model year introductions.  I ditched the day rate model years ago because the clients just kept adding more and more shots to the list.  Its all piece rate now for me.  X shot costs X Y shot cost Y and so on. Post to my taste is included. I have some ala carte billing points to cover unusual situations but really they don't crop up very often.  Besides, if I have perfected my methods so that I produce the images in less time, why should I be penalized?

RV photography is a pretty tiny niche. My clients are generally happy and keep calling me year after year.  Not counting when the Marketing manager gets fired or takes another job and the new person like some other photography. Sometime I win some of those back again :)

But I work all I want and I earn a very good living.  Like you, no need to complicate it.   Not at this stage of my career anyways.

Which brings up another question ..off topic.  I'm 61 this year and I'm looking out over the retirement landscape.  It just kind of hit me this year that there will be some sort of end in sight someday.  I'm still capable of doing the work ( I work with just my wife so I'm the grunt too) but I'm trying to decide if I really ready to quit, or at least in a few years.  So how long is everyone looking to work?

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on November 03, 2013, 11:19:38 am
I'm doing a hybrid model: day rate + a "per image" fee. This keeps the shot list reasonable, and also allows me to do really small jobs, with maybe only 2 or 3 photos, without losing money.
Like many of the other architectural photographers here, I'm granting very broad licensing to my architect/design/build clients. Perpetuity, broadcast & display, web, print collateral, local advertising. I exclude National Print, editorial, and of course third-party usage, where I make a lot of money. I do lots of secondary licenses. When you're shooting for someone's portfolio, it's difficult to impose a time limit. I wouldn't accept it if I were on the other side.

Straight-ahead advertising work, on the other hand, has more of a tradition of more controlled rights-management, and I guess I'd be happy enough to play by those rules, if I were in that game.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 03, 2013, 03:17:32 pm
Interesting.  My clients all know about how many shots we can get in a day.  For interiors it's usually 4, 5 if we have great ambient.  I've had people come at me asking for much more (as they're accustomed to photographers not taking much time with the shots).  I just explain my process and they usually cut the shot list in half.

I do have a per shot cost that I call "Capture / Processing / Retouching" which also dissuades the "All you can eat" mindset.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 03, 2013, 05:34:02 pm
Interesting.  My clients all know about how many shots we can get in a day.  For interiors it's usually 4, 5 if we have great ambient.  I've had people come at me asking for much more (as they're accustomed to photographers not taking much time with the shots).  I just explain my process and they usually cut the shot list in half.

I do have a per shot cost that I call "Capture / Processing / Retouching" which also dissuades the "All you can eat" mindset.

Mine do to, now. I'm happy to shoot as much as I can each day, because each image adds directly to the invoice, but there is a practical limit.  That said, not all shots are major productions.  A shot of a pantry stocked with stuff takes a lot less time that a full interior for example.  So a good day might be 5 images or it might be 20.  I also bill  a "file fee". Its kind of a hold over from the transition days from film to digital and then it was a way to counter the, "its digital it does not cost you anything" mentality.  I always equated it to the drum scan and proof fees they paid with film.  Its a substantial chunk of change each so I'm not really that hip on eliminating it. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 03, 2013, 06:44:58 pm
Interesting.  My clients all know about how many shots we can get in a day.  For interiors it's usually 4, 5 if we have great ambient.  I've had people come at me asking for much more (as they're accustomed to photographers not taking much time with the shots).  I just explain my process and they usually cut the shot list in half.

I do have a per shot cost that I call "Capture / Processing / Retouching" which also dissuades the "All you can eat" mindset.

This can be a make or break with some firms.  I tell people anywhere from 5 to 7, depending on the interiors, how much staging is involved, if it will just my assistant and I or people from the firm will be there (which is how I like it).  

Although some firms like the 15 to 20 images in a day.  I met with a firm in the beginning of the year and they asked how many I could get in a day.  I said 5 to 7; they said that they usually get 12 to 15.  I asked why they would need so many.  They said they like to tell the entire story and some of the rooms would be small side rooms anyway.  I gave them a sample estimate and I never heard back from them.  I finally got a hold of them three months later.  They said the other guy priced out 15 images for about 30% less.  

I had found that I would spend more time in total making an HDR image look to the same standards as if I lit the space.  So to shoot 15 images in a day and than spend all that time in post and charge less for it makes no sense to me.  This is especially the case when I am always asked by the highest end clients if I light my interior images.  It is kind of a "your book looks great closed, so please give me a reason to open it."

Speaking of lighting, there was a good amount of lighting in this image.  The image looked a little rough in raw with no adjustments, which made me not too excited.  Now that it is done, I'm digging it; client really digs it too.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 03, 2013, 11:16:32 pm
A few recents, good to be shooting boats again.  34', and 31' boats shot in the factory

(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad296/craiglamson/Rinker14_310_rearint_zps1efc5071.jpg)


(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad296/craiglamson/Rinker14_340_frtint_zps06d59971.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on November 04, 2013, 03:59:05 am
Wish I could do that, Craig; probably find myself a new career in yacht brokerage. Plenty of big boats around the Med, but my eyes popped when I saw the ones tied up at Abu Dhabi yesterday as I watched the F1 race on tv. I'd thought Monaco was something else.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 04, 2013, 12:44:01 pm
as above. i use the AOP standard forms slightly modified.
watertight paperwork has saved my bacon many times, when clients have gone into liquidation or or accounts have moved etc.
if you set yourself up to be shafted you will be. if you are smart this only happens once. ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alan_b on November 04, 2013, 03:02:20 pm
Some interiors:
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on November 05, 2013, 12:40:38 am
A couple of new images from travels in 2006 to Colorado

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/CO_2006_D8_549-550_V3_BW_web1.jpg)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/CO_2006_D8_530-552_V2_BW_web1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 05, 2013, 06:31:48 am
A couple of new images from travels in 2006 to Colorado

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/CO_2006_D8_549-550_V3_BW_web1.jpg)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/CO_2006_D8_530-552_V2_BW_web1.jpg)

Those are really nice and you are lucky you got them in 2006. Lots of the pines are gone or dead due to a bug infection.  Even Rockey Mountain National Park looks pretty bad these days.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on November 11, 2013, 02:21:18 pm
I have a new article in NM Magazine in the November issue on one of my favorite subjects-the history of architecture in New Mexico.
Virgin Galactic Spaceport-Foster and Partners Architects London.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1462738_10202460228696976_1769783087_o.jpg)

http://www.nmmagazine.com/article/?aid=83871#.UoEnL_msio9 (http://www.nmmagazine.com/article/?aid=83871#.UoEnL_msio9)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on November 11, 2013, 02:45:37 pm
LIKE IT.!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on November 11, 2013, 02:59:01 pm
LIKE IT.!
Me too - I believe it'd be awesome in some exaggerated B/W conversion too.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on November 11, 2013, 03:58:39 pm
Kirk, is that Sun in the right place? Something in the shadows bugs me. Whatever, a very effective, simple and strong image.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on November 11, 2013, 05:01:41 pm
Wow! The Anasazi didn't build that! Great shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 11, 2013, 11:31:52 pm
Kirk, is that Sun in the right place? Something in the shadows bugs me. Whatever, a very effective, simple and strong image.

Rob C


From the lowness of the sun, you'd expect the shadows to be longer, but no... if you draw a line from the sun to the shadow, they're exactly right, no Hocus Pocus going on, which I wouldn't expect from Kurt anyway...

Optical illusion

Awesome shot Mr. G.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on November 12, 2013, 04:40:15 am

From the lowness of the sun, you'd expect the shadows to be longer, but no... if you draw a line from the sun to the shadow, they're exactly right, no Hocus Pocus going on, which I wouldn't expect from Kurt anyway...Optical illusion

Awesome shot Mr. G.

Why ever not? It's professional photography: it's the result that counts, not a declaration on the Bible or the peace of mind of another snapper!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 12, 2013, 09:15:10 am
I'm not saying there's anything wrong at all with image manipulation, Rob.  Hell, my own images have little regard for reality.  I've always felt like Kurt's work (in particular) has always been more about capturing the best moment.

Edit:  Kirk.  Way too little sleep!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on November 12, 2013, 10:18:03 am
The shadows on the left side look infinitesimally longer than the shadows on the right side...which could well be the reality if there's variation in the height of the burm.

I agree that this could make a great B&W photo. Nice work, Kirk (or is it Kurt?)   ;-)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on November 12, 2013, 11:34:49 am
Shadow-peepers! ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on November 12, 2013, 11:35:37 am
Thanks all. That was a tough shoot. It took months to get access with numerous postponements. Only the shell is finished and they haven't moved in yet. I'm shooting editorial but how do I make this sexy? Only get a couple of hours at most with strict security escort. We get there and the light SUCKS big time-flat and lifeless. So I am trying odd angles with my Canon 24 LII T/S and the results look hokey so I decide to shoot this shot straight into sun. It has potential but I am already stressed and fried and feeling like I haven't accomplished much. So I line this shot up and it doesn't feel right. But no matter where I stand and frame it it doesn't feel right. Just looking at it seems ok even thought the construction is wanky and nothing is perfectly level or lined up. I can tell the escort and my writer are getting impatient. We are running out of time and I haven't even been inside yet to see if there is anything potential in the unfinished shell. So I shoot the shot and a few slight variations and figure I'll work on fine tuning the alignments and leveling in PS. But a couple shots later when I am completely on the other side of this huge complex I realize a big part of the "feeling" wrong problem was that I had the lens shifted slightly to the left from an earlier shot.............totally amateur mistake. Too late to go back and reshoot it as the the sun would have moved. So I work on it in PS-never feels 100% right between my shifted lens, the slight distortion in this lens anyway when it is shifted and the wanky construction, but I think the image is strong enough to override the slightly "off" feel.

Ironically this is the only place I have posted it where anyone caught anything. You guys are the best. Tough audience. :)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on November 12, 2013, 11:36:58 am
Shadow-peepers! ;D

No shit!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 12, 2013, 12:13:14 pm
a couple of coffee machine bling images from a recent shoot

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: aaronleitz on November 12, 2013, 03:12:30 pm
Thanks all. That was a tough shoot....
...Ironically this is the only place I have posted it where anyone caught anything. You guys are the best. Tough audience. :)

I think it's a really nice shot considering the conditions. Since you're open to some nitpicking - It feels off to me because it's tilted a wee bit to the right. Rotate the image counter-clockwise about .5 of a degree and it will look more even.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on November 12, 2013, 03:27:47 pm
yes that helps. Though it still doesn't quite "feel" right then either.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: george2787 on November 12, 2013, 03:53:55 pm
a couple of coffee machine bling images from a recent shoot

I enjoy every one of your images and this got me wondering... isn't the left panel getting too much attention? just asking to get your point of view, it's milles away from anything I've done on product.

Thanks ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on November 12, 2013, 04:04:25 pm

Ironically this is the only place I have posted it where anyone caught anything. You guys are the best. Tough audience. :)





I'm going to take that personally.

Made my evening, Kirk!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on November 12, 2013, 04:08:46 pm



I'm going to take that personally.

Made my evening, Kirk!

;-)

Rob C

:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 12, 2013, 04:46:01 pm
I enjoy every one of your images and this got me wondering... isn't the left panel getting too much attention? just asking to get your point of view, it's milles away from anything I've done on product.

Thanks ;)

It's all arbitrary really, I look to create a bit of contrast and mood but you are right it could be flatter but I like to give things shape and form. With this shot the client picked up on the expensive attributes so the valves and the lever group were the highlights so these had to be lit and focussed on which means the end result is partly client led rather than my own self indulgence. The background tones are a quick render and not what the client went with.
I'm actually proud of the right hand reflection in the drip tray shot as it was removed to shoot so that panel didn't exist so I made it in photoshop in a couple of mins ;D. Then the final square crop meant it's not going to be seen  >:(
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on November 12, 2013, 09:37:15 pm
Since I haven't really contributed anything for a while...interior design shoot from August. Every time I look at this photo I wish I'd moved the shoes to another spot....and every time it's a different spot.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: julienlanoo on November 13, 2013, 08:27:08 am
Nice prodoct shot that coffee machine,
Shoes why dont you just photoshop them away, could be the solution, as i understand your questioning them..
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on November 18, 2013, 02:52:34 pm
Lovely shots and well beyond my skill set. Can I ask you, are the coffee maker reflections done in PS or on the shoot? Also to get the gradiated background, would you be sneaking a grid or a snoot behind and underneath the coffee maker. I wouldn't know where to begin with managing the reflections!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 18, 2013, 03:56:08 pm
The reflection under the machine is real but the rest of the background is made in photoshop.
Although I was schooled in the 10x8 in-camera way of shooting still life it's easier to do some things in post, as it's me that puts the shot together I know what I need to shoot to get the final image I want.
 If you look at the tonal fall-off across the side, front panels and lever groups it's not physically possible for the machine to look like that in one lighting exposure (the surfaces being mirrors) so they have been shot individually but the tones/gradations are real.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on November 18, 2013, 04:04:50 pm
Thanks for that. It's really interesting. I imagine you shoot it with a grey or white background then to make it easier to replace?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 18, 2013, 04:18:37 pm
It's shot on a sheet of black Perspex as a base and a white colorama a few feet behind.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 19, 2013, 01:10:02 am
I love coffee machines...I don't see it any more
 :(
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 19, 2013, 12:09:22 pm
I shot a little looser a couple weeks ago.  No lights, only my camera (although I did have to adjust window shades).  I dig the results!  But the interiors were very forgiving, so I am not going to say I can do this all the time now.   :D

I shot all with the SK 35mm; captured some shots with the CF at ISO 50 and some without the CF at ISO 100.  I grabbed people from both kinds of captures for each image.  No HDR layering, just some pushing and noise reduction in post.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on November 19, 2013, 03:23:22 pm
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 20, 2013, 12:29:12 pm
couple of stills for a trade magazine to illustrate cutting costs in construction by 1/3  managed to get the cuts done by laser cutting (or possibly water?)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Nick-T on November 20, 2013, 02:05:07 pm
Nice work as always Mr Smith, nice to see a bit of craft :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on November 20, 2013, 02:56:15 pm
Nice work as always Mr Smith, nice to see a bit of craft :)

Yup.  I agree.  Really nice.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 20, 2013, 03:28:55 pm
Thanks for your comments. :D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on November 20, 2013, 04:30:00 pm
Always nice to see people making photographs and not Photoshop renderings. Nice clean images, Mr. Smith!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 20, 2013, 04:53:00 pm
There are a couple of layers in there  ;D
Only 2 though.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 21, 2013, 09:05:21 am
Ceiling Detail.

(https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1476542_10201881010721980_1400133180_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 21, 2013, 10:26:04 am
those angles appease my visual sensibilities.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 21, 2013, 01:25:52 pm
sweet! I like those MrSmith. I still wanna see the coffee machine. Coffee still has a place in my heart!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on November 21, 2013, 01:32:28 pm
Some kinds of imagery appease parts that others cannot reach, never mind appease.

The best solution is to keep good relations going, then you never need to appease anything or anyone!

Of course, that's a life-skill all too rare in the digital age; ´face-to-face' developed that skill at an early age, back when people actually met one another.

Internet dating: can you imagine the scorn it would have raised in the 50s or 60s? It used to be all about trying it on...

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 21, 2013, 01:34:51 pm
Not sure what you mean? The machine is there!?  
The company who manufacture the machine are based in Birmingham (the real one not the U.S. One) family run business who now export machines to Italy and have won a Queens award for export.
We have a phrase 'coals to Newcastle' which is very apt.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 21, 2013, 02:34:10 pm
Thought for a second you took it down for a revise :-P
I was having a browser issue i guess.

Thats just a beauty! with a beauty of a picture to go with it. :-)
Sure would love one of these to continue where my Nuovo Simonelli Oscar left off.
These heads are like the lever style as La Marzocco GS3
That water tray looks like what I put in my shower...nice touch!

Very nice work MrSmith! I wonder what shots like that, or a group of 3-5 go for in the UK?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 21, 2013, 03:35:03 pm
The lever group (made by CMA)is the same as a lot of other more expensive machines. The 1 group machine is £1950 and the 2 group £4500
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on November 21, 2013, 03:37:26 pm
Beautifu machine.



The lever group (made by CMA)is the same as a lot of other more expensive machines. The 1 group machine is £1950 and the 2 group £4500
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 21, 2013, 03:43:13 pm
CMA, one of the largest, they make parts for a lot of the machines out there. Take a look at the Speedster by Westen  That would be fun to photograph!

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: wolfnowl on November 22, 2013, 02:46:19 am
those angles appease my visual sensibilities.
Indeed!  Interesting angles!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: mitchino on November 22, 2013, 04:53:20 am
I like these shots a lot, but I'm amazed you actually physically cut the saw blade! I hope you don't mind my asking, but what did the magazine pay for these two shots? I have a similar potential job at the moment for a small design agency and I'm unsure what to quote.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 22, 2013, 05:15:43 am
I'm not going to tell you but I felt it was a reasonable rate for a trade only editorial magazine of 90'000 circulation but less than my lower advertising/design rate. Im in the U.K. So I expect its lower than a US day rate.
What you charge is dependent on usage and what kind of client, these will only ever appear in the magazine once then after a year the licence expires, the fee's reflect this.

We cut them because we could and it wasn't that expensive.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 22, 2013, 12:57:31 pm
I doubt they are lower than the States, if it is direct to client.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 22, 2013, 02:02:24 pm
Unless it was for a trendy style/fashion mag then the fee would be £0
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on November 22, 2013, 03:02:08 pm
We cut them because we could and it wasn't that expensive.
With a little glue and duct tape you could make that saw blade almost like new.  ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on November 22, 2013, 03:07:32 pm
With a little glue and duct tape you could make that saw blade almost like new.  ;D



So that's who supplies them!

Good weeding, Eric.

Rob C
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on November 24, 2013, 04:17:08 pm
Given that I am getting paid for a jewelry shoot, I hope I can post some of them here?

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on November 24, 2013, 08:37:12 pm
Nicely done, SB.

If they were mine, I'd be tempted to do a little more PP to get rid of the chewing gum (wax) that holds them up, especially in the second one.
But they're certainly much better than I could do with such subjects.

-Eric

P.S. If you need help with PP, there's a guy on the forum who is a real whiz at such stuff. His name is Slobodan...  ;)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on November 24, 2013, 09:03:23 pm
Yes, Eric, that is exactly the sticky point ;D

Have not taken them yet to PS (LR is not well suited for that type of correction), as I still have tons of pieces to shoot. In the meantime, I ordered Crystal Clear Museum Wax, (Simon Harper's recommendation), hoping that it will be less visible than the slightly opaque one used for those shots. I am also getting used to just how small the quantity of the damn wax is needed: every time I think that's it, turns out you can get away with a half of it. Kind of down to microscopic quantities.

As an alternative, the client is ok with simply cropping out the very bottom, as the top is what counts anyway (but, pssst, do not tell Russ!). That solution might save me tons of work in PS too.

I posted them here with the wax also to gauge the reaction, i.e., to see just how much people are bothered by it. I guess they are.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on November 24, 2013, 09:49:46 pm
Slobodan, simple surf wax for tropical waters is even better than many of the expensive specialized product out there. I've tryied them all and stick to this one. It's harder so heavy rings won't fall down!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 25, 2013, 03:29:22 am
Cool Slobodan, would be nice to see the finished images.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 25, 2013, 03:36:20 am
Is this one area the MF would excel?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on November 25, 2013, 09:17:24 am
I'm sure camera types help, especially with movements, but in the end, this sort of work seems to depend for its success upon the skills of the people involved. It must be one of the few areas of photography where it's difficult to hide your mistakes. I would hate to have to try to do it. I know my limitations and lack of particular training/experience too well for that!

How nice if one could do all things photographic well!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 25, 2013, 01:36:27 pm
Very true, and if you don't have that particular interest or understanding inside, its even more effort to approach it. Lots of info to consider with metal colors, stone colors and facets, etc.

Paul does very nice work. I wonder if this requires a stylist, or he does on his own?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 25, 2013, 01:38:58 pm
Im not sure how much movements would play into this ? at such mag you are limited on the F due to sensor and lens diffrac, and TT/S is hardly going to bring that any further. I would think a smaller sensor would give you more DOF
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Paul-H on November 25, 2013, 04:58:22 pm
Hello

Thanks for the kind comments. It's my website.
Paul
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Paul-H on November 25, 2013, 05:05:53 pm
Hi Keith

I often visit the LuLa site. It reminds me I should get out of the studio more often.
P
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 26, 2013, 12:23:26 am
Yes, out of the studio is always helpful.  It would be great to also hear your take on the questions and comments regarding the actual need for tilt/shift, and MF sensors, etc.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Paul-H on November 27, 2013, 05:25:15 pm
Sorry about he delay in replying. It's been a bit busy in the studio this week.

Covering a few of the topics a page or so back.
Slobodan, a tip for gluing rings. Don't use wax use hot glue. The Bosch hot glue guns with their own brand of glue stick can deliver a tiny dab of glue to the ring shank. It flicks off afterwards with your finger nail or if stubborn, a little lighter fuel loosens it. Only on the metal! never on precious stones or pearls. Ever!
Yes I shoot MF. Yes I also use focus stacking and tilt/shift and some times I use a combination of both. It depends on the shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 27, 2013, 05:50:41 pm
Thanks for getting back Paul. good to hear.
Do you think a sensor like the D800E or A7R would be a quality option to get more DOF without giving up anything but more resolution? Any chance to test it?

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on November 27, 2013, 06:02:23 pm
Hello,

Taken with my Nikon D800E attached to a Horseman VCC adaptor with a Rodenstock 120mm Apo Rodagon lens.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 27, 2013, 06:09:40 pm
Nice Simon,
With 120, you get more DOF with it I would think. less stack. Did you compose that preshot or after? I tend to take pieces alone then composite. but this takes more shots per as I try and fill the frame. Nice how you and the D800e held the highlights on the stone...or perhaps that was handy work?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 27, 2013, 06:14:00 pm
what are some limitations to the VCC? you might be limited on extension it looks? And you can attach the screw on lenses from a "standard" Sinar lens board? Maybe not as the elements behind are gonna be close to the body. I wonder if there is a 180 of this adaptable lens?  Very cool!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on November 27, 2013, 07:02:53 pm
Hi Phil,

This image consists of 12 images which where focus stacked with Helicon Focus.

I shot all 3 rings at the same time.

I exposed for the highlights so they where safe.

The longest lens I have for the Horseman VCC is the Rodenstock 150mm Rodagon lens which is also very sharp.

This wine bottle was taken with the 150mm

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HSakols on November 27, 2013, 07:50:39 pm
Simon,
Would you tell us what type of lighting you used for the rings?  How many?  I like the way you have a subtle shadow of the rings. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 27, 2013, 08:03:14 pm
Yes, come over and light it for us...

But seriously, how do you find the differnece of MF (below 40mp) to your setup?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 27, 2013, 08:06:05 pm
Very nice wine bottle image. Besides the great light, that touch of creme background makes all the difference
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on November 27, 2013, 09:26:57 pm
Hello,

The ring where lit with 3 Bowens heads fitted with honeycombs. I have had made a large Perspex tube made with a removable lid made which I shoot the light trough. As an ex manufacturing jeweller in my past life the one thing I dislike is seeing the outlines of soft boxes and reflector boards.

I was using a Mamiya 645AFDII with a Leaf Aptus 75 on the Horseman VCC before the D800E and the Nikon has a bigger dynamic range than the Leaf.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 28, 2013, 12:58:40 am
Would be awsome to have that ring image of yours side by side with A75 vs D800
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on November 28, 2013, 01:53:45 pm
I was invited to make a posting about a large format film image of mine for the Eastern Sierra Center for Photography blog:blog.http://esc4p.org/2013/11/tales-from-the-lens-kirk-gittings/ (http://esc4p.org/2013/11/tales-from-the-lens-kirk-gittings/)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on November 28, 2013, 02:29:44 pm
I was invited to make a posting about a large format film image of mine for the Eastern Sierra Center for Photography blog:blog.http://esc4p.org/2013/11/tales-from-the-lens-kirk-gittings/ (http://esc4p.org/2013/11/tales-from-the-lens-kirk-gittings/)


Kirk, that print 'look' takes me back half a century to my pro initiation in an industrial photo-unit; 4x5 and larger give something special - there's just no getting away from it. 6x6 'blads etc., Pentax 67, nothing really looks like large sheet film.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 29, 2013, 08:55:48 am
More coffee machines  i'm afraid ;D  though i have been out on location this week shooting non-caffeinated things.
same machine but 2 different looks. top one is for a feature, bottom one a test shot for me.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on November 29, 2013, 11:13:27 am
These shots really have me salivating and lusting for one of these gorgeous machines.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 29, 2013, 12:40:29 pm
I like the agressive bottom angle machine
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sdwilsonsct on November 29, 2013, 12:59:27 pm
I posted them here with the wax also to gauge the reaction, i.e., to see just how much people are bothered by it. I guess they are.

Well I was sitting here wondering how you got the rings to stand up.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on November 29, 2013, 03:48:09 pm
Hello,

My latest car creation.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 29, 2013, 04:07:24 pm
Nice Simon, very graphic-like
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickCroken on November 29, 2013, 06:04:47 pm
Hello,

My latest car creation.

Cheers

Simon

wicked as always!  I wish we had those cars here in Canada.  Nobody appreciates a nice wagon up here!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Justinr on November 30, 2013, 07:01:37 pm
wicked as always!  I wish we had those cars here in Canada.  Nobody appreciates a nice wagon up here!

It's not all wall to wall V8 Hemi's.  :)

900+hp caught at Athabasca.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Justinr on November 30, 2013, 07:05:17 pm
More coffee machines  i'm afraid ;D  though i have been out on location this week shooting non-caffeinated things.
same machine but 2 different looks. top one is for a feature, bottom one a test shot for me.


Wonderful wonderful lighting.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 02, 2013, 10:11:13 am
just put up a little blog post (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2697) about a recent furniture shoot.

Cheers,
CB

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/CumberlandBlog_001.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on December 02, 2013, 11:11:01 am
Nice Chris. That whole suit of images on the blog are just elegant and rational.....classic modern approach and superb execution.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on December 05, 2013, 07:25:41 am
I'm really intrigued how these type of products get lit without noticeable spill. Is it multiple grids and snoots?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 09, 2013, 04:52:32 pm
Some recent stuff. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 11, 2013, 06:28:45 pm
here's a picture of someone's cubicle.  I'm fond of our lighting.

-CB

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/100506_029.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on December 12, 2013, 10:52:34 am
Hello,

My latest car creation.

Cheers

Simon


Am I seeing well? A family break Jag like the Volvos? Are they kidding me?

Simon, the work is gorgeous, as always. But I find the shade contours a Little too harsh. They almost look as a painted floor.
But this graphic approach is clear so it's more a question of choice.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on December 12, 2013, 11:16:28 am
I dig Volvos.  The new Jags don't look English, is the problem.  They look like something that would come out of Lexis' California design center.

I really want Alfa to start selling cars in teh US again.


Am I seeing well? A family break Jag like the Volvos? Are they kidding me?

Simon, the work is gorgeous, as always. But I find the shade contours a Little too harsh. They almost look as a painted floor.
But this graphic approach is clear so it's more a question of choice.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on December 12, 2013, 11:30:09 am
I dig Volvos.  The new Jags don't look English, is the problem.  They look like something that would come out of Lexis' California design center.

I really want Alfa to start selling cars in teh US again.


Yeah. G.B has sold its beautifull car industry all over the world.

I had many Alfas. Very fun to drive BUT: always electrical issues.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 12, 2013, 02:16:33 pm
Yeah. G.B has sold its beautifull car industry all over the world.

I had many Alfas. Very fun to drive BUT: always electrical issues.


Make that just Italian, and I have to agree: Alfas and Fiats were pretty unfriendly if you drove in the wet, the cold, the damp or left them outside for any length of time. Which I had to do: we took away the old garage to get enough space to build a studio alongside the house. When we came to Spain, anyone with a Panda had to beg lifts in the mornings.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on December 12, 2013, 03:17:26 pm

Make that just Italian, and I have to agree: Alfas and Fiats were pretty unfriendly if you drove in the wet, the cold, the damp or left them outside for any length of time. Which I had to do: we took away the old garage to get enough space to build a studio alongside the house. When we came to Spain, anyone with a Panda had to beg lifts in the mornings.

Rob C
True Rob.

Now, I'd like you to explain me something I never ended to understand about the british car industry:
In G.B it rains all the time init? Why then british cars are so bad in terms of oxydation?
I would have expected GB to be the best in oxyd protection, and they are the worst.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on December 12, 2013, 03:28:18 pm
Accessories for a gentleman's bespoke outfitters. The ring is their signature tie-pin.
Still a couple of things to tweak in post.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on December 12, 2013, 05:52:40 pm
So am I.

I'm put in mind of the photorealist painters.

Chris,

How many Hopper books do you keep on your bookshelf and that's not a dig.

I know of no living photographer that hasn't tried to search out a hopperesque (is that a word?) diner location.

Just like I know of no living portrait photographer that hasn't put someone in a corner of two set walls sitting on a stool because Irving did it why not?

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on December 12, 2013, 06:06:25 pm
True Rob.

Now, I'd like you to explain me something I never ended to understand about the british car industry:
In G.B it rains all the time init? Why then british cars are so bad in terms of oxydation?
I would have expected GB to be the best in oxyd protection, and they are the worst.



Not the worst. Lancia, Alfa, fiat. There was a class action against lancia as cars were turning to dust at an alarming rate so trading standards stepped in, that finished the brand off in the U.K.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 12, 2013, 06:44:17 pm
Quote
here's a picture of someone's cubicle.  I'm fond of our lighting.

-CB


Very simple clean, Nice!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on December 13, 2013, 03:18:59 pm
Ha ha! 





Just like I know of no living portrait photographer that hasn't put someone in a corner of two set walls sitting on a stool because Irving did it why not?

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on December 13, 2013, 03:28:44 pm
Ha ha! 





I think it's ok that someone does it, though it's kind of lame considering it was Irving's calling card, but I find it really strange that someone does it and thinks they're original and sticks their chest out.

I'd probably respect Penn copies more if someone stomped through the Amazon and shot the natives in a portable studio.  At least I'd give them an A for effort, but two corner walls?

I think I've seen that copied twenty two billion times.

It's the same with Hopper, who no photographer I know has copied well.  They find that corner diner on a wet 4am Sunday morning and shoot and shoot and think they invented it, or shoot straight angles and think that really is "their" style.

It's pretty funny.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on December 13, 2013, 03:38:02 pm
A friend did the corner set wall Penn thing recently but he had the subject trying to break out of it, climbing the wall, smashed into it. 

He said he was running out of ideas and then went to the corner, feeling shitty about the Penn-esque nature of it and he wanted to break it all down, so he directed teh subject to do just that.  I'll find a link and post it up.  It actually works.

Now the Hopper thing, well, its a vibe and people take it literally and try to find a diner with that mood, which is a scene that hasn't existed in Manhattan for years.  They even try to find THE diner, which was a composit of places and moods, and light it up with strobes and it looks like shit, or rather, it looks cheap.



I think it's ok that someone does it, though it's kind of lame considering it was Irving's calling card, but I find it really strange that someone does it and thinks they're original and sticks their chest out.

I'd probably respect Penn copies more if someone stomped through the Amazon and shot the natives in a portable studio.  At least I'd give them an A for effort, but two corner walls?

I think I've seen that copied twenty two billion times.

It's the same with Hopper, who no photographer I know has copied well.  They find that corner diner on a wet 4am Sunday morning and shoot and shoot and think they invented it, or shoot straight angles and think that really is "their" style.

It's pretty funny.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on December 13, 2013, 03:55:07 pm
Hopper depresses me.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on December 13, 2013, 04:06:54 pm
A friend did the corner set wall Penn thing recently but he had the subject trying to break out of it, climbing the wall, smashed into it.  

He said he was running out of ideas and then went to the corner, feeling shitty about the Penn-esque nature of it and he wanted to break it all down, so he directed teh subject to do just that.  I'll find a link and post it up.  It actually works.

Now the Hopper thing, well, its a vibe and people take it literally and try to find a diner with that mood, which is a scene that hasn't existed in Manhattan for years.  They even try to find THE diner, which was a composit of places and moods, and light it up with strobes and it looks like shit, or rather, it looks cheap.




When photographers look at work from the past, they tend to forget that a lot of the "style" is just the period of the time.  Robert Kennedy in Manhattan with a white shirt, small collar and skinny tie and everyone around him is in suits and  white shirts with khaki pants makes for an amazing photography regardless of who shoots it with any camera.

Today if you step out on broadway, everybody is wearing sweats with Jet's logos and orange knee socks which is fine, but doesn't make for a cohesive simple, background.

Alsoi people in America have grown really wide, which isn't that pretty.

We were shooting motion in the London Tube and had a simple shot of the talent walking onto a escalator and riding it down, with me tracking in front.  Talent was great, lighting was good given the budget, but wrangling civilians was impossible, due to permits and it's almost impossible to find a cut where someone doesn't have a sweatshirt on that says I heart something, but even if you have total control sometimes crazy s--t happens.

The best story I have is when I started this biz I was hired to shoot the advertising and a book for a movie.  It was a 4 month project.   Getting to the end the production was way over budget and time and we needed a sunny day on a restaurant patio and of course it was a trillion degrees below zero.

Everything was going wrong and it was a big scene where the murder scene happens.  

We'd shoot, get close, someone would knock over a light, the director would yell keep rolling and of course we'd run out of film.
This went on and on for hours until at one moment, one very special moment, everything was going perfect.  You could feel it and I just knew in thirty minutes I'd be out of there doing something a lot more fun.

The moment the lead actor pulls out the prop gun, points it and is ready to shoot, one of the extras, right in the left center of the camera view pulls out a point and shoot with a flash and fires it.

The director (who was brilliant but insane) goes postal.  He leaps over the table, slides across it, grabs the extra by the throat, tumbles to the floor and is choking him to death.  Seriously.

Being camera and being at the end of what felt like a tour of occupied Germany,  we really had no respect for anything, so when security tried to jump in to stop the real murder, we kept yelling leave them alone, we've bet serious money on this.  

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on December 13, 2013, 09:48:41 pm
Violence at the end of an ordeal like that can be very gratifying.  Sounds like a wild ride.

You'll like this.  Bridgeport Connecticut.  They want films shot there.  They offer incentives, discounts on police, easy permiting, tax breaks etc.  Its an interesting looking place as well, lots of 30's and 40's facades, lots of deco.  Reflects the money the place had before it went rust belt, before the ships stopped coming to the port.

So my ex-partner, who is from Fairfield, is all hot on shooting in Bridgeport.  I'm not convinced.  The local film/tv commission are out of it, and teh cops are not enthused.  So we agree to shoot a music video as a test case.  Its 17F outside.  We had a few streets blocked off.  We had a hot rod and driver, pulling brodies and burning rubber.  We had a fight and a shoot out with squibs.  It was a difficult shoot, made harder by:  1. a drunk woman in a Lexis runs up a curb, knocks over an Ari Sun.  She gets out, in our shot, mind you, and bottles fall out of her car.  She vomits.  Its 8:00AM.  2. The local drug dealer saunters over and offers us coke.  The cop chases him off and tells us about the guy and how he killed two people.  Its 10:00AM, really behind schedule.  At 1:30PM said drug dealer was stabbed.  Cops come in force, we were shut down for the day.  The next day we shot exteriors, no sound, natural light, just the Red on a steady cam, got out of there ASAP.  I'm glad our first try in Bridgeport was a pro bono video.  A paying client would have been pissed.


When photographers look at work from the past, they tend to forget that a lot of the "style" is just the period of the time.  Robert Kennedy in Manhattan with a white shirt, small collar and skinny tie and everyone around him is in suits and  white shirts with khaki pants makes for an amazing photography regardless of who shoots it with any camera.

Today if you step out on broadway, everybody is wearing sweats with Jet's logos and orange knee socks which is fine, but doesn't make for a cohesive simple, background.

Alsoi people in America have grown really wide, which isn't that pretty.

We were shooting motion in the London Tube and had a simple shot of the talent walking onto a escalator and riding it down, with me tracking in front.  Talent was great, lighting was good given the budget, but wrangling civilians was impossible, due to permits and it's almost impossible to find a cut where someone doesn't have a sweatshirt on that says I heart something, but even if you have total control sometimes crazy s--t happens.

The best story I have is when I started this biz I was hired to shoot the advertising and a book for a movie.  It was a 4 month project.   Getting to the end the production was way over budget and time and we needed a sunny day on a restaurant patio and of course it was a trillion degrees below zero.

Everything was going wrong and it was a big scene where the murder scene happens.  

We'd shoot, get close, someone would knock over a light, the director would yell keep rolling and of course we'd run out of film.
This went on and on for hours until at one moment, one very special moment, everything was going perfect.  You could feel it and I just knew in thirty minutes I'd be out of there doing something a lot more fun.

The moment the lead actor pulls out the prop gun, points it and is ready to shoot, one of the extras, right in the left center of the camera view pulls out a point and shoot with a flash and fires it.

The director (who was brilliant but insane) goes postal.  He leaps over the table, slides across it, grabs the extra by the throat, tumbles to the floor and is choking him to death.  Seriously.

Being camera and being at the end of what felt like a tour of occupied Germany,  we really had no respect for anything, so when security tried to jump in to stop the real murder, we kept yelling leave them alone, we've bet serious money on this.  

BC

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 14, 2013, 04:11:30 am
A friend did the corner set wall Penn thing recently but he had the subject trying to break out of it, climbing the wall, smashed into it. 

He said he was running out of ideas and then went to the corner, feeling shitty about the Penn-esque nature of it and he wanted to break it all down, so he directed teh subject to do just that.  I'll find a link and post it up.  It actually works.

Now the Hopper thing, well, its a vibe and people take it literally and try to find a diner with that mood, which is a scene that hasn't existed in Manhattan for years.  They even try to find THE diner, which was a composit of places and moods, and light it up with strobes and it looks like shit, or rather, it looks cheap.




Isn't that supposed to be the spirit of the concept of 'diner'?

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 14, 2013, 04:18:29 am
Hopper depresses me.


But isn't he wanting to? That's what happens when there's no tit 'n' ass in your life! I used to be a very happy photographer.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on December 14, 2013, 04:28:40 am

But isn't he wanting to? That's what happens when there's no tit 'n' ass in your life! I used to be a very happy photographer.

Rob C

Well, you know he answer to that.

Break open the wallet Rob.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on December 14, 2013, 04:40:03 am
T

That's the problem with small markets.  The don't know s__t or how to spin it professionally.

When we bought the Dallas studio, we did a lot of work there (not local as I don't do much local anywhere) but anyway made use of it.   Most of my crew came in from NY a few from LA and a few local pick ups.

The locals wanted more money than the NY crews, (of course), so one night one of the third assistants we called Mr. cheese (you can guess why) wouldn't leave so we invited him to dinner.

He ate the most expensive entree on the menu (though I really didn't care) parked in valet and didn't have any cash(at this point I'm starting to care)  and then a week later I get an invoice where he bills me overtime for the dinner.

When I got the invoice I laughed and had to give him a call.  I said you know, I've seem so stupid stuff in my life and I'm not cheap, but what possessed you to bill me for eating dinner,especially charing overtime?

His reply "I thought that's the way you new york guys work".

My reply, you need to intern for Seleger, Klinko or T-bone, then get back to me.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on December 14, 2013, 05:50:36 am
Lol. Assistants always order the lobster but then billing you for the time to eat it??
I know an assistant (now photographer) who was given £4 by the photographer "to get me a sandwich".
 "What about lunch for me? "
"Oh you can get your own"
He handed the money back and said "see you in an hour, I'm off for my lunch".
 I learned quickly to never take any crap from photographers when assisting and just worked with ones who you could have a laugh with but also happy to pull out the stops for because they paid you well and appreciated your efforts.
Apart from the time a photographer I had never worked with before suddenly put his jacket on to leave and told me to finish the shoot and put the studio key back through the door... ??? I was just left with a load of product, film and Polaroid and a late evening. I didn't work for him again.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 14, 2013, 06:46:58 am
Well, you know he answer to that.

Break open the wallet Rob.
BC


It wouldn't work BC; even when I did stock I couldn't make it work if I shot for myself - there simply had to be a client to provide both the money and the motivation. On the very rare occasion when I paid for the shoot myself, I was worried about everything; when it was on a client, I mostly enjoyed it and brought back what he wanted and then I used the extras (with permission) for stock.

I'm not sure why - maybe a deep insecurity about money, maybe just that I needed the affirmation that an assignment brought with it.

The exception to that rule was in my early photographic life, when I had a muse/model who was as into and informed about fashion photography and photographers of the day as was I. We often went off together for a day and just shot whatever she picked up from the boutiques, which being from a very notable Glasgow family, she was easily able to do. There was no money involved in those shoots, just the happiness of a mutual learning process and no sex, honestly, just an slight undercurrent that kept it all alive and fresh. I suppose, in a way, she was my local Penelope Tree or Marisa Berenson to my David Bailey, because at the time, even he needed the money and the ladies didn't.

I suppose muses are thin on the ground today. As are David Baileys.

A shot from the period, below, and with Twiggy eyelashes...

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 14, 2013, 07:19:03 am
Cewdson, Freidlander, Gowin, Sugimoto, Abelardo Morell.... but no Hopper on the shelves.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on December 14, 2013, 04:31:42 pm
T-Bone would not have handled that situation well, at all, especially in the old days.  Things could get ugly very quickly back then, in the Mars Bar days.



T

That's the problem with small markets.  The don't know s__t or how to spin it professionally.

When we bought the Dallas studio, we did a lot of work there (not local as I don't do much local anywhere) but anyway made use of it.   Most of my crew came in from NY a few from LA and a few local pick ups.

The locals wanted more money than the NY crews, (of course), so one night one of the third assistants we called Mr. cheese (you can guess why) wouldn't leave so we invited him to dinner.

He ate the most expensive entree on the menu (though I really didn't care) parked in valet and didn't have any cash(at this point I'm starting to care)  and then a week later I get an invoice where he bills me overtime for the dinner.

When I got the invoice I laughed and had to give him a call.  I said you know, I've seem so stupid stuff in my life and I'm not cheap, but what possessed you to bill me for eating dinner,especially charing overtime?

His reply "I thought that's the way you new york guys work".

My reply, you need to intern for Seleger, Klinko or T-bone, then get back to me.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on December 14, 2013, 04:32:20 pm
GREAT SHOT ROB!!



It wouldn't work BC; even when I did stock I couldn't make it work if I shot for myself - there simply had to be a client to provide both the money and the motivation. On the very rare occasion when I paid for the shoot myself, I was worried about everything; when it was on a client, I mostly enjoyed it and brought back what he wanted and then I used the extras (with permission) for stock.

I'm not sure why - maybe a deep insecurity about money, maybe just that I needed the affirmation that an assignment brought with it.

The exception to that rule was in my early photographic life, when I had a muse/model who was as into and informed about fashion photography and photographers of the day as was I. We often went off together for a day and just shot whatever she picked up from the boutiques, which being from a very notable Glasgow family, she was easily able to do. There was no money involved in those shoots, just the happiness of a mutual learning process and no sex, honestly, just an slight undercurrent that kept it all alive and fresh. I suppose, in a way, she was my local Penelope Tree or Marisa Berenson to my David Bailey, because at the time, even he needed the money and the ladies didn't.

I suppose muses are thin on the ground today. As are David Baileys.

A shot from the period, below, and with Twiggy eyelashes...

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on December 14, 2013, 06:11:21 pm
^ get wordpress theme/blog take pics of girls then publish in seconds.
Just get a 22yr old to show you how the wordpress/blog works (it's easy)

Tempted to shoot that way myself but I'm shy with the ladies, you have no excuses.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on December 14, 2013, 08:06:32 pm
Rob,

What Mr. Smith and Cooter said.
Title: Re: AW: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on December 14, 2013, 08:12:56 pm
Rob, I'm going to hit you with a cushion to get you out shooting in about 1.5 weeks. ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 15, 2013, 04:58:02 am


"But this isn't about me, it's you. There are dozens of aspiring models, agents, assistants and interns that would love to work with someone of your talent and our style doesn't cost that much to do.

Let them put it on line for you on insticrap, facebook and tumbler. Just send them everything with a water mark so everyone will know you shot it."..... BC.


BC, I have no argument with what you write, but you miss the point, which I'd imagined had already been made clear: were I living in the UK that's exactly what I'd be doing; I had all the model agency contacts I needed, gave them business, and I'm sure we would have continued happily for as long as suited us both. I used to get sick of requests to do model tests etc. and I know the hunger is out there, and no, I haven't lost my desire to do stuff at all. I have tried to wean myself off that particular diet with a little success, but pangs still come now and again.

The trouble is the place where I live and can't escape. The housing market has sunk below its own knees. Many estate agents have collapsed, nothing sells; neighbours trying to sell have dropped their prices to around 2/3rds of what their places were worth five years ago, but no viewers, never mind buyers, ring their bells. So, geographically, I'm on St Helena along with Napololeon. As the property represents most of what’s left to show for my life, I don’t intend to trade it for peanuts!

Models. I have been to see the only model agency I think exists here, appeared to impress the agent with the book, and then nothing happened. I contacted them a couple of times again, but still zero. I chatted up a few local girls and even ran an ad for a while in my website both in Spanish and English, and zilch. One girl did get in touch via a guy I know; she sent a vimeo of her 'working' with a male model... no, thanks, not my bag at all. I tried to look the agency up again a couple of weeks or so ago, and either they are bust or have changed their name - the site's no longer there.

Yes, I can understand that it all sounds like excuses from someone who doesn't really want to do anything, especially when you live in London, Paris, NY, Rome, Milan, Madrid, Barcelona or even Glasgow, but it's the unvarnished and inescapable truth of life where I am. I'm sure that were I to cruise the bars in Palma or Ibiza something would turn up, but it's not my style at all: I like straightforward relationships with models.

You say you too are trapped, in front of computers etc, and I understand what you mean, but the thing is, you are still working, and that's the vital difference: it's all part of the creative process. I'd love to be trapped in front of a computer if it meant I was working and turning a buck! As it is, my trap only leads to another empty Coke bottle. Which is still better than no bottle at all.

Several friendly souls have tried to lift me back to something suitable, but none realises or believes the basic facts as I've outlined them here; it's one of those things where you have to be there - with or without f8!

So yes, thanks for the concern and advice, and I can promise you, were this the UK I wouldn't be needing any friendly prod/advice at all, but it's not: it's a little Mediterranean island that, but a scratch below the skin, is still the 1800s.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on December 15, 2013, 06:22:46 am
Living where you do would be seen as a gift by some photographers, I know a photographer who spends his precious time off wandering around places similar to where you live shooting portraits of everyday people.
They will probably want to keep their clothes on though. :-)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Justinr on December 15, 2013, 06:43:22 am
Living where you do would be seen as a gift by some photographers, I know a photographer who spends his precious time off wandering around places similar to where you live shooting portraits of everyday people.
They will probably want to keep their clothes on though. :-)

Well I can't speak for Mr C but I find that familiarity brings insensitivity. For  a year, maybe two, after moving to Ireland I still saw the country as a different place and noticed what the Irish perhaps didn't but now there is little that excites me enough to want to capture it. The upside is that I see my old country in a different light which is good from a photographic point of view but politically and emotionally I doubt that I could ever return.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on December 15, 2013, 06:58:42 am
I know where you are coming from, it's not always easy to be motivated to shoot tests and ones own landscape becomes too familiar.
Same for a working photographer shooting still life/people, I need a germ of an idea or an approach to think about before wanting to create something, plus a little head-space which modern life doesn't always allow.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 15, 2013, 12:21:46 pm
Rob, what you have is too good to waste. I'm sure many of those "friendly souls" do understand that it's unlikely that you will ever take up exactly where you left off. What I and others over the years have been trying to do is to encourage you to move on, find a new passion and purpose.

Given the encouraging signs of late I'm sure we all still live in eternal hope ;-)

Best

Keith
 


I thank you for that, Keith, and it's true that I have found a new outlet - at least until the head runs dry or bored - with the green lady. It's also something that plays at my rpm: when an idea comes to call I just have to figure how to do it, or where, and that's it - no pain, no tantrums, no client breathing over my shoulder or watching the clock. And better yet: I actually enjoy shooting it!

Apart from the situation re. availability of local models, there's another angle to the thing: I had the very good fortune to end up working with the best girls that money could buy in London. Pretty much every one of them got to the casting because she'd already worked with Lichfield or Lategan (Lich for Unipart and Lategan for Mintex or similar) - I don't think there's a single one on my website's pro section that hadn't been through the process of working for those guys. The chances of landing a dummy were well weeded before I began. And having said that, I realise that it's exactly the problem novice snappers face too: people (clients) are comfortable working with others that they know have the mileage. So basically, anything I would find here has to be judged against that level of alternative, and it's a tough call. In a nutshell, why shoot stuff that you know isn't going to be what it could have been in different circumstances? I think I eventually came to terms with that reality, but I shall never like it!

Mr Smith and Justin,

Yes, you both have a point. I came to live here because my wife and I were doing a lot of travel, I was designing and producing the calendars as well as shooting them, and it seemed to make sense to live in a place that had the beaches etc. and so that's what we did. It saved a lot of travel, and the non-model opportunities got me holiday brochure work and in that, apart from hotels and apartments, I had a place to sell a lot of stock outwith what I already had with Tony Stone (Getty-to-be). I also had a separate, rep contract with him. However, as with most everything, bubbles have a habit of bursting, and those did too, in time. Frankly, I've had experience of both most enjoyable highs and depths to which I wouldn't wish anyone. In retrospect, I think it's just the photographic life.

As for getting blind to where you live: absolutely. That was why location work was so good for fashion, too, where nobody ever asked me for beaches. New places stir your juices and that, in turn, gives you ideas and enthusiasm that pretty much dies after a week with a white roll of Colorama. Then it comes full circle: your home island/town/village is just another roll of paper and new alternatives cost money and it's not a holiday: it has to bring profit.

Further, it has never been my interest to shoot people and cultures just because they are different. I leave that to National Geographic!

Regarding the snap of the 'Real 60s' that I posted above: it was actually an Ektachrome, 'scanned' on my D700, and one of the last I shot on a Mamiya C33, or whatever it was coded, using a 180mm. It ran as buddy to my new 500C with 80mm for which I couldn't, at the time, afford a long lens. As soon as I could, I bought the 150mm and almost immediately wished I hadn't. The 150mm was great in itself, but too short: the 180mm gave me bigger heads further away, so no distortion, and the hassy coudn't. They didn't have a 180mm in the hassy range at that time, and 250mm was too long.

To illustrate how shoestrings worked in pro life: the shot was done with two heads. The 'brolly front one was a black, gent's umbrella with multiple coatings of white Dulux emulsion - obviously, you couldn't fold it! - and the modelling light was a bare hundred watt domestic bulb in a socket lashed to the wooden handle of the 'brolly. The electronic head? That was a battery Braun shoulder flash - I think an F700 (though it might have been a Metz)- and the rear light was a tiny grey Braun I'd had forever. Synch. was via a splitter plug that went into the camera socket. There were several cables lying around the place... And you know what? When the main flash eventually blew up - literally burst - and I bought a proper monobloc, I found I'd been better off with the F700: it was far faster a flash, could stop motion where the mono had such a long flash duration that it was pretty much hopeless for any leaping about. Not that I encouraged that sort of thing much: Colorama rolls cost money. Mine! Don't believe what they lied about in Blow-Up.

What was also very much of the time was makeup. Twiggy was the first time any of us came across the accentuated lower lashes. Lipstick was another product that was used rather dramatically - the false lip lines were usually done with a brush and filled in, and it didn't matter that the real, natural line was visible: that was part of the game, showing the artifice. Hard to understand today, I suppose, but it was about yesterday, when yesterday was indeed today.

Frankly, I can't know, but I think it might have been more fun back then.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 15, 2013, 03:13:00 pm
The only thing I have to say about any of this (and I promise to stop because all of this is just words about the past and I care zip about the past) is . . .  to each his own and we're all different.

I never had plans to stop, hell I'm just getting good at this.

We have too much we plan and want to do, God willin' and the creek don't rise.


BC


That's the bit that gets you sometimes. But not always!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Manoli on December 15, 2013, 05:05:33 pm
The dude is not Young at all, I beleive on his 60, 65...he is working very well in your island, he sells well. I

Fred,
The dude is YOUNG, very young - a mere babe … what's the matter, no good at math ?

M
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on December 15, 2013, 05:10:38 pm
Fred,
The dude is YOUNG, very young - a mere babe … what's the matter, no good at math ?

M
uuuups... ;D

Ok Manoli: 65 is still Young !
Title: Re: AW: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on December 15, 2013, 05:24:15 pm
Rob - I'll come and hit you with a cushion to get out - all this discussion is just foul excuses. I am much younger than you are and suffer from a badly arthrotic hip - but I don't let that stop me to go out for a 9 hr hike to take images and take some painkillers with me. Dude you know enough enough about life to get rid of all these foul excuses stopping you from getting active.

Cheers
~Chris
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 15, 2013, 05:29:01 pm
Fred,
The dude is YOUNG, very young - a mere babe … what's the matter, no good at math ?

M
Yeah, that's just what I was going to say!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 15, 2013, 05:58:23 pm
Yeah, that's just what I was going to say!



I wasn't. What I was going to say was that what's numerically cool/good for Bailey is good enough for me.

I was also going to say that I'm quite surprised how effing brilliant some people are at solving problems for other people. It's reassuring to know that, obviously, nobody else has any: they've solved them all! Hence that song about bright, shiny people! Now I understand it! But it took a while.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Manoli on December 15, 2013, 06:01:46 pm
Rob,
If they burn me at the stake so be it …


Quite a few moons ago …

I was driving back in the early hours of the morning following a good friend ( actually a VERY good friend) in, as fate would have it, his Ford Fiesta. We were close to the London HILTON, Park Lane where we came across a police Panda. Needless to say he was stopped; stopped for 'driving whilst hanging out of the driver's door and waving at the car behind'.  I parked on the other side of the road. The boys in blue were so gobsmacked as to how someone in his condition could actually get behind the wheel of a car, let alone drive, that one of them came over and, still shaking from disbelief,  was in the process negotiating a safe form of passage with me, whilst 'B',  as he will be referred to from now on,  couldn't quite adopt a marginally penitent attitude with the other. His only response to the cops request to ' get out of the car ' was to tell them to 'f*** off ' - not once but thrice.

As he sat in the back of the Rover - nicked - no amount of friendly exchange was going to circumvent the 'trip to the nick' - not even his articulate ' Who do these punks think they are … ? ' 

He got driven, I drove, to Vine Street police station, Soho. No longer exists but it was, as most of these old London house were, extremely narrow  with an impossibly steep staircase.  Such was B's underlying good nature, that the cops disposition, by this time, had gone from disbelief to a rather more humorous take on the whole episode. Nevertheless the visit by the police doctor was indeed inevitable. The 'interview rooms were on the first floor, I was on the ground floor, at the base of the staircase.

The doctor turned out to be a barrel of a woman. As tall as she was wide (with a sense of humour to match). Now, what follows I didn't witness first hand - but the police did.

Doc enters the room, and finds B siting calmly in a chair, against the wall, next to a table. Doc approaches and instructs B to empty all his pockets on said table. Out came the keys, cigarettes,  wallet and a multitude of god-knows-what items. Doc approaches, picks up all the items and proceeds to lay them all out, in a square, on the floor, in the middle of the room. B sits calmly, silently, just watching her.

Doc then approaches B, looks him in the eyes, and says in a calm, soft and controlled voice  'Now, I want you to stand up and pick all these items up'.   B' s eyes widen slightly, a somewhat surprised even incredulous look comes across his face, his head cocked in disbelief, pauses and then replies

" 'Me ? ... Me ?  You put them there you silly bitch, you pick them up !"

The cops, literally, fell down the staircase, one over the other, in hysterics. It took a good 10 minutes for the mirth to subside. No exaggeration, NADA. One of them was laughing so hard she even had tears rolling down her cheeks .  By this time it was 05:00 in the morning, I had work and wasn't going to nanny him to Bow Street Magistrates Court at 10:00. They took him to court directly …

The rest I'll let him tell you in person one day - he lives in Arta, Mallorca.

\

These antics are long gone. NO, he got spared jail, just -  and before anyone comes back at me over this anecdote - this was then , I don't condone drink driving in any way, don't drink or indulge in illegal substances either.

And to complete the picture, BTW, he was also the only person to grab John Conteh by the neck and threaten to thump him! For those who don't know who John Conteh was, here's a link ..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Conteh
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on December 15, 2013, 06:21:58 pm
Great story. Did you frequent the Zanzibar? Before my time but I heard all the stories from other photographers.
Halcyon days  ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 15, 2013, 06:27:12 pm
"The rest I'll let him tell you in person one day - he lives in Arta, Mallorca."

OMG! That says it all.

A very confusing place; they have regular wildfires around there. It's something in the air... fumes?

It's one of those places that you drive through en route to somewhere else, even if you live there. You can forget, I think.

Really, after you live in Mallorca for a while, you just can't leave. You become too committed to too many things, and you end up in exactly the same situation that you were in before you left wherever you came from, only older and more confused about what in hell it actually was that you were trying to get away from in the first place. I know what we were looking for, beaches for photography, but then what? Could have been worse: I'd wanted to buy a yacht and live on that. My wife disagreed and said no, she'd be happy for us to sell the house, but no boats. No wonder I always listened to her advice, even if I didn't always quite know why. About boats, she was absolutely right: we'd have been bankrupt in five years - at a conservative estimate.

I once saw a boat here called Camera Sheik, he was probably a dealer. Perhaps of cameras. I don't know. I don't imagine he was a photographer to trade.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on December 15, 2013, 06:48:40 pm
Hey guys any chance you could move this little love in to so other section of this website or post some professional images.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 16, 2013, 02:17:52 pm
Still awaiting the scintillating pictures that we 'off topicers' were holding up...

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on December 16, 2013, 03:49:41 pm
Rob, that's what you need to knock on your door: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCZuYS-9qaw

or that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQh8oh0rj3s

 ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: abiggs on December 16, 2013, 05:37:49 pm
Hey guys. Just back from another huge amount of time in the African bush. Here is an image I captured a few weeks back with my DF+, IQ280 and Schneider 240mm lens. I know medium format isn't the best or easiest tool for the type of imagery I create, but every now and then things just line up perfectly and I can grab a shot. Over the past year I have added about 6 medium format African wildlife images to my portfolio, so I am pretty happy with the setup so far.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 17, 2013, 08:30:40 am
Rob, that's what you need to knock on your door: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCZuYS-9qaw

or that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQh8oh0rj3s

 ;)


Well, Fred, the Billy Idol one has possibilities at least because his mother lives/lived(?) in Cala Millor on this island in the 80s, and the girl - the little fille de rêves - looks fine, other than she suffers from what the locals call fate: piernas y cul bonito = tetas pequeñas. But on this occasion, I'd be prepared to overlook such little failings. From any direction.

The Stones girl looks like one of the Page 3 girls I think I recognize from a casting, but I could be totally wrong: they all looked much the same at the time. However, I can probably compete with Keef in the lines department (facial) but I surrender now, without a fight, in the battle of the tonsures - well, I have and he didn't then...

I took my broken stove door to the steel-worker today, and he said to return at four in the afternoon and he'll have welded the thing back together again. It's almost as old as the apartment,  but if I can squeeze another winter out of it, that's cool. No, that's hot. I tried the English makers a couple of years ago, but they can't replace antiques. Coños!

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on December 17, 2013, 02:24:14 pm
...I think I recognize from a casting, ...

She is Anita Morris
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 17, 2013, 04:03:57 pm
Rob, take your camera and shoot a few frames of the guy repairing/welding your stove door. That alone would be something to look at. Maybe not your usual subject, but!  Your posts are always a joy...help us with some visuals :-)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 17, 2013, 05:05:01 pm
Rob, take your camera and shoot a few frames of the guy repairing/welding your stove door. That alone would be something to look at. Maybe not your usual subject, but!  Your posts are always a joy...help us with some visuals :-)


Hey, that bird has flown and the door's back on its hinges! If it rains tomorrow, I'll see if it works. I save the fire for rain - lifts my spirits up a lot.

When we bought, the apartment had a chimney chase on the outside of the wall, running up to service the three apartments, but no fireplace was actually built inside - just a blank wall with electricity cables spreading out like spider webs underneath the plaster. Hanging a picture meant risking electrocution - guess somebody loved me at the time because 32 years later here I be. Anyway, I designed an open fireplace with one of those projecting hoods, and had the builders, still working on the site - construct it for me. It looked really nice - log cabinish? - and then came the winter. My son and I collected bits of tree and old building stuff from around the place and I set up the first fire, looking like a wigwam, proud in my learnings from the scouts during my Indian period (India, not the USA). Anyway, we all sat around and I felt really smug as the paper caught and the kindling did too. In minutes it was chaos. We had to open everything, let the freezing wind in and the smoke out. End of that.

So we decided we had to get a stove. The guy came to fit one, saw the tiny hole through the wall into the exterior chase up at the top of the new hood, and laughed. It was about the size of a golfball, when what it should have been was about six inches across at least. So we ended up with a stainless steel pipe running up from the stove, through the wall and into and up the inside of the chase to the roof, another two apartments above. That pipe cost more than the stove. No wonder I get the stove door fixed - even if for just another winter at a time.

No cellpix cameras then; no digital at all, so no snaps, I'm afraid. Anyway, the smoke would just have looked like any old rock concert, so you don't really need a picture - you've seen them all already.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 17, 2013, 05:09:02 pm
She is Anita Morris


The name doesn't ring bells. I'll google Ms Morris and see what comes up.

Thanks -

Rob

P.S. Just looked her up - not anyone I met. Funny old site I came across: they had a shot of Anita O'Day on stage at the '58 Newport Jazz Festival (a shot taken from - I suspect - the Bert Stern movie Jazz on a Summer's Day) along with a lot of other people all listed as Anita Morris. You can't rely on Google, it seems. But the real one (Morris) looks terrific when she's bending down, shot from the side.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 17, 2013, 05:43:00 pm
Time for a snap? One in a series.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 17, 2013, 10:30:21 pm
testing the A7r on our last shoot of the year...

(https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1461031_10202096581991127_706247718_n.jpg)

Happy Holidays!
CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 18, 2013, 01:17:17 am
Time for a snap? One in a series.

Rob C

I don't know my way around a guitar, let alone know who that might be strumming it...but interesting compilation


Chris, That is looking mighty solid
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: georgem on December 18, 2013, 02:51:01 am
Today's cover on the Wallpaper website.

Happy holidays!

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 18, 2013, 04:05:45 am
Today's cover on the Wallpaper website.

Happy holidays!




Now that's the house I always wanted for myself on a cliff, overlooking Monaco. Or even Loch Tay.

Sadly, I couldn't even afford the garage in Monaco. And Loch Tay would be impossible because of planning permits, anyway. You'd have to settle for building another cowshed in which to house sheep, not cows.

;-)

Rob C

P.S. It's nice to see somebody able to do these things. Same buzz as when I see a Ferrari go past.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 18, 2013, 05:16:15 am
Hey guys. Just back from another huge amount of time in the African bush. Here is an image I captured a few weeks back with my DF+, IQ280 and Schneider 240mm lens. I know medium format isn't the best or easiest tool for the type of imagery I create, but every now and then things just line up perfectly and I can grab a shot. Over the past year I have added about 6 medium format African wildlife images to my portfolio, so I am pretty happy with the setup so far.


Nice shot; not sure why you went for MF unless for huge blow-ups, but impressive nonetheless.

Looking at your site, I am absolutely knocked out by the Skeleton Coast, Namibia image you have, the flying one of the dunes and the sea. It's beyond pretty and touches something primaeval - the same kind of emotion that volcanoes induce if you find yourself near them. The sense of unstoppability, of the relative insignificance of man in the general scheme of things, even if we are quite capable of destroying the entire show. It also touches a sense of the romantic - of places we shall probably never see. I felt a similar sense as a child, sailing up the Red Sea, with Arabia on the starboard bow, that distant line of jagged mountains looking so Arabian Nights it wasn't true. The world is indeed an amazing place.

Of Africa and safari the most lasting impression that I have, which struck me immediately, was the cruelty of zoos: when you realise the vast spaces that animals require, that they use in their hunt for food and survival, the idea of caging something with all that background of latent experience, throwing it some dead meat like a tip, seems unbelievable.

I think that the preservation of species case is bunk. Why do we think of doing it? For the sake of the animals? No, for the gratification of ourselves, the curio value. We cage humans for punishment; how do we miss the point when we do it to an animal? Better to go extinct on your own terms than live in a prison.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on December 18, 2013, 09:59:56 am
testing the A7r on our last shoot of the year...

(https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1461031_10202096581991127_706247718_n.jpg)

Happy Holidays!
CB
Well I finaly shooted with the A7 in a private stuff along with the M.
I don't know you but did not like at all the combination with telemetric wides.
We found (but that is very subjective) that the M "wides" aren't really suitable for the A7.
(maybe because of sensor distance?)
But long focal worked well.
Overall great camera but I'd frankly stay with a M.

So wich lenses are for this body? The Zeiss ones that used the former ff Sony?

The body reminds me of a vintage Oly OM2 feels. (wich is not bad)

All those vintageries bodies in a world of digital, looks very much like the
same vintage copies car design bureaux are doing, like the Beattle, the Mini etc...

But as we now have 4x4 Ferraris...


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: TMARK on December 18, 2013, 10:04:49 am
You can get this in the Hollywood Hills, the Valley side of Laurel Canyon. 


Now that's the house I always wanted for myself on a cliff, overlooking Monaco. Or even Loch Tay.

Sadly, I couldn't even afford the garage in Monaco. And Loch Tay would be impossible because of planning permits, anyway. You'd have to settle for building another cowshed in which to house sheep, not cows.

;-)

Rob C

P.S. It's nice to see somebody able to do these things. Same buzz as when I see a Ferrari go past.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 18, 2013, 10:12:14 am
You can get this in the Hollywood Hills, the Valley side of Laurel Canyon. 




Isn't that the bit of California that always catches fire?

In Monaco it's not allowed too, and on Loch Tay it's usually too wet for anything to burn... but if it snows, you've got Ben Lawers for your skis.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 18, 2013, 10:18:13 am
Problem is they are going extinct due to our actions and on our terms.


This is probaby true too, and that makes it the battle of the species that ever was. Not pretty, but I do believe that we could manage everything a lot better than we do. As for ivory and animal parts for madmen abroad - what can you say other than eduction, education, education? Maybe you can say free Viagra? I don't think I heard anyone claim that poached tiger balls or snorted rhino horn can match the Big V's 4hr marathons. But local advertising there probably disputes that.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on December 18, 2013, 10:20:19 am
Today's cover on the Wallpaper website.

Happy holidays!


Very nice picture!
 :)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chokourov on December 19, 2013, 11:28:41 am
Job for Light box (transparency)  Fuji680 180mm Sinar54H Simple one light.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Mitchell Baum on December 19, 2013, 02:30:53 pm
Andy,

Love the leopard shot. I can't understand anyone not thinking the world will be a much poorer place without animals in the wild.

Happy Hols,

Mitchell
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: abiggs on December 19, 2013, 06:45:33 pm

Nice shot; not sure why you went for MF unless for huge blow-ups, but impressive nonetheless.

Looking at your site, I am absolutely knocked out by the Skeleton Coast, Namibia image you have, the flying one of the dunes and the sea. It's beyond pretty and touches something primaeval - the same kind of emotion that volcanoes induce if you find yourself near them. The sense of unstoppability, of the relative insignificance of man in the general scheme of things, even if we are quite capable of destroying the entire show. It also touches a sense of the romantic - of places we shall probably never see. I felt a similar sense as a child, sailing up the Red Sea, with Arabia on the starboard bow, that distant line of jagged mountains looking so Arabian Nights it wasn't true. The world is indeed an amazing place.

Of Africa and safari the most lasting impression that I have, which struck me immediately, was the cruelty of zoos: when you realise the vast spaces that animals require, that they use in their hunt for food and survival, the idea of caging something with all that background of latent experience, throwing it some dead meat like a tip, seems unbelievable.

I think that the preservation of species case is bunk. Why do we think of doing it? For the sake of the animals? No, for the gratification of ourselves, the curio value. We cage humans for punishment; how do we miss the point when we do it to an animal? Better to go extinct on your own terms than live in a prison.

Rob C

Thanks for the kind and well-thought-out comments, Rob. Much appreciated.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chokourov on December 20, 2013, 05:07:53 am
One more, if I may, from same shop outfit.
One shot. There No Photoshop used in this image, just Lightroom for exposure twick and crop. Rings in the scine sequred on surf-wax and carefull placement of reflectors on the same sticky stuff :-). Single light source.
Ilia
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 20, 2013, 01:16:06 pm
One more, if I may, from same shop outfit.

Ilia

These look clean for SOOC.

What reflectors are you trying on the surface?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on December 20, 2013, 01:18:55 pm
Looks like black Perspex to me.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 20, 2013, 03:31:42 pm
From what he says, it sounds like he "filled/reflected" with other material into the rings.
So you brighten the piece itself to take out the darks....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chokourov on December 21, 2013, 04:20:39 am
Hi Guys thanks for interest! I would love to have some critical response (the type can learn from ;-) this shot is on black glass .

Mr.Smith, I tried black perspex too unfortunately not good for this closup perspex got light burgundy tint ( when 2000W/s light hit them).

Phil, yes reflectors (and black flags) placed in key areas to lighten the item and Diamonds without spill of light on background. 
I often see shots of diamond set jewelery were large parts of diamonds look totally black - my customers (not an easy going type) wont accept that.
 
Anyone had any experience with shooting H-end jewellery (tricky one) ?

I'm in Poole, Dorset, UK
Ilia
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chokourov on December 21, 2013, 06:14:35 am
Phil
Reflectors made of polystyrenes ( how to spell this ?) and scrim starched on frame, flags from black card as usual.
Mirrors and highly reflective things create overexposed spots on polished jewellery and destroy smooth reflection lines on jewellery surface but this is good only for this particular rings to highlight the shape ( customer wanted to see the "flow" ). For diamond "pave" set pieces were not much of plane polished metal good to use silver pop-up reflectors they kinda break the light and diamonds pickup diffraction and rainbow colors.
Ilia
P.S. "These look clean for SOOC" jewellery has been cleaned in ultrasonic cleaner and dryed with steam after I use only microfiber gloves (black) to handle this and keep all set V clean use watchmakers blow thing to dust off right before shot taken. I know some say it can be cleaned in Photoshop I honestly given up cleaning fingerprints from jewellery shots.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on December 21, 2013, 12:58:52 pm
Now that's the house I always wanted for myself on a cliff, overlooking Monaco. Or even Loch Tay.

I doubt you'd use the pool much at Loch Tay, Rob.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 21, 2013, 01:08:21 pm
I doubt you'd use the pool much at Loch Tay, Rob.

Jeremy

I would have improvised: used a wetsuit!

(Pools: we purposely avoided a complex with pools when we bought. In 'holiday' resorts they attract children, drunks and sound-barrier punkists. I think you now also need to pay for a guard. Even country house ones are a drag: the noise from neighbouring houses is as bad unless you can live far out in the sticks. But that usually means buying an estate along with the pool.)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 21, 2013, 08:35:53 pm
...jewellery has been cleaned in ultrasonic cleaner and dryed with steam after I use only microfiber gloves (black) to handle this and keep all set V clean use watchmakers blow thing to dust off right before shot taken. I know some say it can be cleaned in Photoshop I honestly given up cleaning fingerprints from jewellery shots.

Hehe, In a pinch, I used to use my espresso machine steamer for this.  Being born into the 5th generation of the business you get to adapt with what you have :-)
You do need a commercial high pressure machine. Krups ain't gonna cut it. Ot a industry steamer. Ultrasonic is helpful too.  Its best to not handle after manufacture, rhodium plate etc. lint in prongs from clothes are a pain to work with.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chokourov on December 22, 2013, 10:52:21 am
Phil
Cannot agree more cleaning this things is pain in … I know what is lint in prongs tried with needle and tweesers stubborn stuff on the end I burn it with lighter it works :-)
Don't have industrial Espresso machine ( love to have one actually:-) I bought old steam cleaner on flee-bay it seeping stem form all aver but work ok.
Photo is my second job don't see how you guys can pay bills from photo this days. I do jewellery desighn (cad and conventional drawing) plus  gem and diamond setting, it help as I see how this gems react on different light and angles.
Here is one from rejects (swear there no manipulations except crop, exposure and colour balance don't think it needed)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Lorenzo Pierucci on December 22, 2013, 11:48:26 am
Shoot for MMoser Taipei ( Taiwan )
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 22, 2013, 02:09:19 pm
No shooting this stuff is more pain than pay. Its also very hard to explain to a manufacturers mentality about good imagery, when all they do is think how many pieces they can stuff in one shot.
But those are the newbies who have no clue about marketing.  I stopped being an educator, so I don't do these types of shoots much any more.  

You likely use Solidworks and Matrix, Rhino etc. good stuff. You can create images from those files too.  That last one, left stud can be better positioned, but it is nice. (When I say better, I mean I might have positioned it differently:-). It looks great.)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 22, 2013, 02:28:33 pm
A very good friend of mine recently finished her first high end interiors project.  Shot this about 2 weeks ago, during a blizzard; luckily we both live around the corner from this project  :D. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 22, 2013, 02:44:01 pm
These look rather good Joe
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 22, 2013, 04:55:15 pm
Thanks Phil. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on December 22, 2013, 06:13:35 pm
Hello,

This is the first of a number of 24 locations I have to photograph around New Zealand over the summer for a client of mine.

Nikon D800E and Nikon 14-24mm G lens

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 22, 2013, 08:23:23 pm
Hello,

This is the first of a number of 24 locations I have to photograph around New Zealand over the summer for a client of mine.
Cheers

Simon

Poor Simon :-) nice!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 23, 2013, 04:24:17 am
Hello,

This is the first of a number of 24 locations I have to photograph around New Zealand over the summer for a client of mine.

Nikon D800E and Nikon 14-24mm G lens

Cheers

Simon


Nice shot, Simon, just one question: it's never been my bag, so I don't know, but should interiors look so, well, yellow? Especially when shown in conjunction with the great outdoors? Perhaps it's a convention of the genre.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on December 23, 2013, 04:32:49 am
should interiors look so, well, yellow?

Warm and inviting, Rob. Not "yellow".

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 23, 2013, 08:53:20 am
Nice image Simon.  Although, I would like to see it color balanced somewhere between inside and out; the yellow just seems too strong. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on December 23, 2013, 09:13:22 am
Nice image Simon.  Although, I would like to see it color balanced somewhere between inside and out; the yellow just seems too strong. 

I agree. I like the composition the subject, the clouds and the time of day / light chosen to shoot it but the color inside is too intense and a bit warm. The sky also seems a bit purplish to me.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on December 23, 2013, 10:56:35 am

Nice shot, Simon, just one question: it's never been my bag, so I don't know, but should interiors look so, well, yellow?...

Ah, Rob, you apparently did not get the whole brief!

The client for this shot was the local fire department and this is just the first shot in a series. The next ones are showing them in full gear, entering the scene and braving the blaze that is obviously engulfing the beautiful home from within ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 23, 2013, 11:15:12 am
A few from a pretty awesome recent project...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131104_001.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131104_005.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131104_008.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131104_010.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131104_011.jpg)



All Rm3d / IQ 260

CB
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on December 23, 2013, 11:54:11 am
Now I am longing for Simon's warm interiors ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 23, 2013, 01:34:33 pm
Top shelf Chris...nicely done!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on December 23, 2013, 02:04:33 pm
Hello,

This is the first of a number of 24 locations I have to photograph around New Zealand over the summer for a client of mine.

Nikon D800E and Nikon 14-24mm G lens

Cheers

Simon

Nice image Simon.!
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on December 23, 2013, 03:32:00 pm
Hello,

This is the first of a number of 24 locations I have to photograph around New Zealand over the summer for a client of mine.

Nikon D800E and Nikon 14-24mm G lens

Cheers

Simon

Since some others have offered critiques, I will try my hand as well. I agree with some others about colors the exterior lighting. Personally, I would prefer less of a purplish bias to the exterior. This is not to say that a purplish cast is wrong for twilights, just that it seems a bit strong to me for this particular shot, with the lighting at hand.

As to the color of the interior light, which some have said is too yellow, I think maybe in this case it is too warm, and perhaps could be biased a bit more orange and less yellow. For a later, twilight, shot, I think it might be a different case. However, the colors for these kinds of shots can be rather subjective and don't necessarily have to be strictly what the eye would see in real life.

Also, I think this could have been shot later, which would have yielded a more dramatic effect (assuming that would be acceptable for the client). And, while I like the composition, I wonder what this would have looked like shot from a little further away. As it is, I find the scale (near-far) distortion a bit strong for something like this. However, maybe there wasn't enough room for other options?

Lastly, I would have added some light to those skylights on the left and maybe lightened up the upper windows to make them closer in brightness to the lower ones.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 23, 2013, 06:19:41 pm
There is always things you can do, and nice suggestions....

Though, I don't think Simon was trying to show this as a "final" image . He was saying that it's 1 of a few locations. 
If you were to look at that image...Besides color the center can be distorted to sit flatter(convex), colors can be balanced etc.
But seeing Simon's work, he just put this up about the project. Either way, not a bad image.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 29, 2013, 08:54:33 am
These are not really professional works, but close to it.  

For the first two images, I shot part the interiors for a local architect this month who did a large renovation inside.  Being so, the exteriors were not a concern during the shoot and I had to get somewhere else to grab a dusk shot of another building they did on the campus.  So I went back later and took these for my portfolio.  

The last image is probably the coolest new building in Philly and is about 2 miles from where I live.  The architect is very loyal to Esto  >:(, so I am shooting this as personal project.  Problem with this building is that dusk is the best time to shoot, but there is only a 5 minute window, and with a CF & polarizer, you can not get more than one shot a night.  So I will be return a few more nights.  I know someone who works at the university too, so I am going to try and get interiors too.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 04, 2014, 10:26:57 am
I'm putting together some promo stuff for 2014 and asked my 9 year old to rate selections from the last 5 years.  I think he did a pretty good job picking the more impactful images!

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1559259_10202216712314310_455040925_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 11, 2014, 10:57:26 am
Start of the new series
(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/BLE_A_108_web_800px.jpg)

Happy New Year, everyone:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on January 11, 2014, 02:05:20 pm
Start of the new series
[
Happy New Year, everyone:)

In colour, Michael? I'm looking forward to this.

Happy New Year.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on January 11, 2014, 03:46:39 pm
Start of the new series
(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/BLE_A_108_web_800px.jpg)

Happy New Year, everyone:)

Michael, I think this will be very successful.  Great use of color, I like the warmth alot.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ndevlin on January 11, 2014, 10:42:49 pm

Beautiful image Michael - you've got the tonality just right.

Cheers.

- N.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on January 11, 2014, 11:00:54 pm
Knockout shot, Michael!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: wolfnowl on January 11, 2014, 11:41:39 pm
Indeed!  All been said... excellent work.

I'd add, "Looking forward to seeing more" but with nudes that might be misconstrued.  ;)

Mike.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 12, 2014, 09:13:27 am
Indeed!  All been said... excellent work.

I'd add, "Looking forward to seeing more" but with nudes that might be misconstrued.  ;)

Mike.
Michael Ezra's nudes are always elegant and classy, in a league with Edward Weston's.

Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 12, 2014, 11:08:06 am
Hi,

I almost agree, but I feel that Michael is in a league of his own.

Best regards
Erik


Michael Ezra's nudes are always elegant and classy, in a league with Edward Weston's.

Eric

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 12, 2014, 01:04:45 pm
Hi,

I almost agree, but I feel that Michael is in a league of his own.

Best regards
Erik


I agree with that, too. But I feel that Edward and Michael each has produced the most sophisticated and classy nudes of their own time. Edward's were the best of the whole twentieth century, and Michael's certainly have a lock on the twenty-first, IMHO.

Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 12, 2014, 03:39:32 pm
Guys, thank you for your kind words. I don't even know what to say..., so I'll just post more pictures:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 12, 2014, 09:29:15 pm
Guys, thank you for your kind words. I don't even know what to say..., so I'll just post more pictures:)
That's exactly the response we wanted.  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on January 13, 2014, 10:39:40 pm
Just WOW

Contax P30+
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/russell_rutherford_gold_shoes.jpg)


BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on January 14, 2014, 01:03:29 am
(https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1525111_10202970932544253_1908402700_n.jpg)
One of my images currently in the "In/Visible Borders" Exhibit in Santa Fe. The City of Santa Fe Arts Commission’s Community Gallery.  An abandoned Curio Shop along Rt. 66 in AZ. Curated by Mary Anne Redding. It is up through February 21.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on January 14, 2014, 04:15:44 am
Contax P30+
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/russell_rutherford_gold_shoes.jpg)


BC


Made my morning BC; now I can go and put in my daily eye-drops a happier man! As I then have to lie with my head back and eyes closed for ten minutes, it gives me better food for thought for those ten minutes than prosaic matters such as what the lunch choices will turn out to be...

It also proves that one is sometimes just as good company as two - if not more so. I'd have stopped at just below the pants - not mad about the leg shape, but maybe you were selling shoes?

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on January 14, 2014, 04:19:33 am
Lovely shot, Kirk, and I wonder if anyone noticed just how vital the little clump of weed at the bottom left? Take it away and the entire balance is screwed. On such tiny things depend our visual lives!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on January 14, 2014, 04:54:27 am
Great shot BC.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on January 14, 2014, 10:14:54 am
Rob, Thanks and very true. FYI it is scanned 4x5 film printed digitally.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on January 14, 2014, 02:12:01 pm
Rob, Thanks and very true. FYI it is scanned 4x5 film printed digitally.


I hope Christoph finds this post!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on January 14, 2014, 09:08:42 pm
Thanks everyone.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 14, 2014, 09:26:25 pm
Contax P30+
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/russell_rutherford_gold_shoes.jpg)


BC

Pretty pallet:) Is this a real hair? It is fantastic!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 14, 2014, 10:29:44 pm
James, I am curious, on the last image - the design is clearly intricate and requires a skill, but how much "stray hair Photoshopping" could one expect from the "best" hairdresser?
Is this mostly handled in post or on the live model?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on January 14, 2014, 10:45:00 pm
James, I am curious, on the last image - the design is clearly intricate and requires a skill, but how much "stray hair Photoshopping" could one expect from the "best" hairdresser?
Is this mostly handled in post or on the live model?

All of the hair designs require a skill.  Actually the bottom less than the top.

This is one of the hardest, because it looks simple, but simple is hard.
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/fashion/pictures/005rr_beauty.jpg)


post work on hair should be minimal.  If it's a lot you blew it.

The last image actually doesn't have a lot of work, some on the garment, obviously some on the direction of the vignette and the coloration, very, very little on the face.

The makeup is either directed or done by my partner who is our producer but a tremendous makeup artist. She even developed her own base to match the lighting for a specific glow.

Nobody can make a face glow like Ann.

The top image I posted earlier has virtually nothing on the hair, or than cleaning up some stray hairs and lightly filling in one spot.

It actually has only a few spot clean ups on the face, though the legs needed some work because of veins that happens sometimes depending on talent.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 15, 2014, 02:50:52 pm
quick grab of a chair... available light.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/chair.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on January 16, 2014, 02:59:00 am
quick grab of a chair... available light.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/chair.jpg)

Oh, I really like this one!

(except for one little detail, see attachment)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 16, 2014, 06:19:06 pm
Took the A7r out on this shoot too and it performed impressively.  This was with the Leica-R 70-180 2.8, a stellar piece of glass.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131202_014.jpg)

Full Size for the pixel peepers (http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131202_014.tif)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on January 17, 2014, 06:42:54 am
Chris, Are you able to tether the camera and process in C1?  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on January 17, 2014, 10:24:33 am
I havent ever posted here but thought i may as well jump in with a pic. The jewelry images I do are heavily worked but the quality of the file is still due to the Beginnings. Sinar P3 54H and Bron lighting. this particular client has a product that needs a lot of attention. Have a look at my site for more. http://www.deanelliott.co.za/ (http://www.deanelliott.co.za/)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Manoli on January 17, 2014, 10:47:53 am
Chris, Are you able to tether the camera and process in C1?  Jim

JIm,
Apologies for butting in, but as there has been some ambiguity on other threads plus I've just been testing the A7r, today - thought I'd quickly comment.

(1) Both C1 and Lightroom offer file support but not tethering.

(2) You can tether with the SONY Remote Camera Control App. It downloads both RAW & JPEG's (or both) to a folder of your choice. It's fast - I tried it on FF RAW's - and In addition to the usual controls, you can, via the app,  control and set:
-Drive modes (both single and continuous) , exposure bracketing,  self timer, interval and host of others which I've now forgotten.
-WB (and) WB bracketing.
-DRO / HDR
-Colour Temp
-Colour Filters
-Picture Effects (the built-in ones, if you use them)

(3) You can also apparently tether with a program by DNA software.  http://dslrsoftware.com/tethered_shoot_lr5_a7_macosx.php . Allegedly this also works with their iPad remote viewer.  I haven't yet had time to try these out. Frankly the remote Camera Control works so well that I doubt I'll bother.  Just set a 'hot' folder in either Lightroom or C1.

(4) The SONY 'multi' socket may be multi, but is in fact a USB MICRO socket. I've connected the camera with a bog standard USB micro cable (in fact a 20ft one) - and it connects/tethers with no problems.  (Though it didn't mind being connected to either the mac or one of my hubs,  it didn't work when I used a USB socket on the back of a Cinema Display).

I didn't expect it to work so well. It was rock solid. Impressive.

All best
M

** Edit:
When using “Remote Camera Control,” the following ops  are available via computer.
- Changing this product’s settings and shooting.
- Recording images directly to the computer.
- Performing interval timer shooting.
NB :  MENU → (Setup)(p4) → [USB Connection] → [PC Remote].
[p360]
https://docs.sony.com/release/ILCE-7_7R_guide_EN.pdf


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on January 17, 2014, 12:49:35 pm
Took the A7r out on this shoot too and it performed impressively.  This was with the Leica-R 70-180 2.8, a stellar piece of glass.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131202_014.jpg)

Full Size for the pixel peepers (http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131202_014.tif)

Nice Chris as always. I'm back in Chicago this summer-hope to meet up with you.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on January 17, 2014, 05:31:23 pm
Took the A7r out on this shoot too and it performed impressively.  This was with the Leica-R 70-180 2.8, a stellar piece of glass.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131202_014.jpg)

Full Size for the pixel peepers (http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/131202_014.tif)

Great job. Really like the high-key look.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on January 17, 2014, 08:07:17 pm
JIm,
Apologies for butting in, but as there has been some ambiguity on other threads plus I've just been testing the A7r, today - thought I'd quickly comment.

(1) Both C1 and Lightroom offer file support but not tethering.

(2) You can tether with the SONY Remote Camera Control App. It downloads both RAW & JPEG's (or both) to a folder of your choice. It's fast - I tried it on FF RAW's - and In addition to the usual controls, you can, via the app,  control and set:
-Drive modes (both single and continuous) , exposure bracketing,  self timer, interval and host of others which I've now forgotten.
-WB (and) WB bracketing.
-DRO / HDR
-Colour Temp
-Colour Filters
-Picture Effects (the built-in ones, if you use them)

(3) You can also apparently tether with a program by DNA software.  http://dslrsoftware.com/tethered_shoot_lr5_a7_macosx.php . Allegedly this also works with their iPad remote viewer.  I haven't yet had time to try these out. Frankly the remote Camera Control works so well that I doubt I'll bother.  Just set a 'hot' folder in either Lightroom or C1.

(4) The SONY 'multi' socket may be multi, but is in fact a USB MICRO socket. I've connected the camera with a bog standard USB micro cable (in fact a 20ft one) - and it connects/tethers with no problems.  (Though it didn't mind being connected to either the mac or one of my hubs,  it didn't work when I used a USB socket on the back of a Cinema Display).

I didn't expect it to work so well. It was rock solid. Impressive.

All best
M



Manoli, I appreciate your response!  Sounds like it works well, perhaps I'll have to try one out.  Thanks, Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JWGeiger on January 17, 2014, 09:36:16 pm
I don't normally do this type of work, but had a reason to and I'm glad I did. It was a blast to do.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/11990907003_666b53da68_o.jpg)
Mamiya 645DF : Leaf Aptus II - 12 : 80mm f/2.8 LS D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on January 17, 2014, 10:38:53 pm
I havent ever posted here but thought i may as well jump in with a pic. The jewelry images I do are heavily worked but the quality of the file is still due to the Beginnings. Sinar P3 54H and Bron lighting. this particular client has a product that needs a lot of attention. Have a look at my site for more. http://www.deanelliott.co.za/ (http://www.deanelliott.co.za/)

Very nice Dean. Clean work.
When you say Bron, does that mean you lit these with standard heads, or perhaps Box?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on January 17, 2014, 11:03:44 pm
I don't normally do this type of work, but had a resin to and I'm glad I did. It was a blast to do.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/11990907003_666b53da68_o.jpg)
Mamiya 645DF : Leaf Aptus II - 12 : 80mm f/2.8 LS D

Neat! Details?

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on January 17, 2014, 11:27:12 pm
I don't normally do this type of work, but had a reason to and I'm glad I did. It was a blast to do.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/11990907003_666b53da68_o.jpg)
Mamiya 645DF : Leaf Aptus II - 12 : 80mm f/2.8 LS D

Cool looking shot !
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on January 18, 2014, 03:04:39 am
Very nice Dean. Clean work.
When you say Bron, does that mean you lit these with standard heads, or perhaps Box?

Thanks Phil Indeblanc, I lit it with Broncolor lighting, using mainly standard dishes and honeycomb grids. But not directly onto the subject. I use a bunch of diffuser paper around the setup to eliminate too much specular highlight and blowing out of the whites in the image. The lights are positioned around the setup, moved in closer and distanced to create the right gradient of light seen in the ring shanks.

I hope this answers the question. I don't use just soft boxes as it is not enough control for me.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on January 18, 2014, 04:01:39 am
(https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1525111_10202970932544253_1908402700_n.jpg)
One of my images currently in the "In/Visible Borders" Exhibit in Santa Fe. The City of Santa Fe Arts Commission’s Community Gallery.  An abandoned Curio Shop along Rt. 66 in AZ. Curated by Mary Anne Redding. It is up through February 21.

Quite dramatic. I miss New Mexico.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: skimasks on January 19, 2014, 01:56:20 am
Cool splash! You should let us know if it gets sold on ImageBrief.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on January 21, 2014, 07:53:24 am
an outtake from a recent shoot at a building research/testing facility. it's not a pretty picture but i like it. :)


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 21, 2014, 10:06:46 am
an outtake from a recent shoot at a building research/testing facility. it's not a pretty picture but i like it. :)



That is wild! I love it!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on January 21, 2014, 10:52:01 am
One from last weeks shoot...
(http://www.ashleymorrison.com/pictures2/Icehouse-177758.jpg)
.. in the restaurant at the Ice House hotel, in the west coast Irish town of Ballina.


So they feed ghosts too? Nice shot.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on January 21, 2014, 02:29:24 pm
Here is one from the Ice Hotel near Quebec City, which is made entirely of ice including the beds and glasses at the bar.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on January 21, 2014, 03:36:15 pm
Maybe you could try to use oof glasses/bottles or something with sparkle, but then oof stuff probably isn't what clients really want to pay you to give them; I'd thought of those napkin-art works some restaurants delight in offering you - those things you fear opening out in case you cut your wrist on them or, worse, remove an eye. But nothing, really that demands the human presence too close to camera. Your people are just at the right distance to give scale.

Oh the (relative) joy of unpaid work!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 21, 2014, 03:37:38 pm
Having said that, it does need something here in the foreground - so not sure what I'd do, if I were to shoot something like this again someday.


How about semi-transparent ghosts instead of invisible ones?  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on January 22, 2014, 08:55:14 am
Yes, that's the bottom line.

So we made a few suggestions and then left it up to the client and their marketing people to make the final call - as I had only a few minutes of daylight left to play with here, to capture this and the other variations which included staff in the background.

Away, 3 years web use is all they are currently talking about right now - so I'll not lose sleep over it - as this is the image they are saying they want to use a lot more...
(http://www.ashleymorrison.com/pictures2/Icehouse-177632.jpg)
.. which is okay with me.



With that ambience, who could blame them? Lovely site -at least in your photograph it is, which is job well done!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Emilmedia on January 22, 2014, 09:06:00 am
Long time no post here i guess. This is one of the things i've been doing lately. This is actually not shot with my hassy because of the extreme cold i used the 5D mk II
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on January 28, 2014, 06:24:45 am
is anyone shooting anything or just poring over the minutiae of large cmos sensors and cogitating monthly board meetings at phase/hassleblad?
about time this thread had a bump.  anechoic chamber shot on old technology low dynamic range amateur camera in an inferior format.
editorial story about a research facility.


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on January 28, 2014, 07:42:36 am
Nobody ever posts in or cares about the "Non-pro" thread, so I guess I'll post here. :)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/12188097625_b3a89f7d3d_b.jpg)

Credo 40, 80mm LS, Elinchrom Quadra + 70cm deep octa.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Manoli on January 28, 2014, 08:54:52 am
editorial story about a research facility.

compliments - intriguing photo.

Nobody ever posts in or cares about the "Non-pro" thread, so I guess I'll post here. :)

Synn, good attitude, even better photo. Don't you think that perhaps the skin tones would have been better if you'd shot it on a D800 ? - and, NO, you don't have to answer that ...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on January 28, 2014, 09:01:34 am
compliments - intriguing photo.

Synn, good attitude, even better photo. Don't you think that perhaps the skin tones would have been better if you'd shot it on a D800 ? - and, NO, you don't have to answer that ...

Boy, do I have something in store for you...  ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 28, 2014, 09:26:26 am
Nice work!

Best regards
Erik

Nobody ever posts in or cares about the "Non-pro" thread, so I guess I'll post here. :)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/12188097625_b3a89f7d3d_b.jpg)

Credo 40, 80mm LS, Elinchrom Quadra + 70cm deep octa.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on January 28, 2014, 09:48:52 am
Thank you, Erik!

Keith, I am a big fan of this series that you're doing. :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 28, 2014, 11:43:13 am
A house and a kitchen.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on January 28, 2014, 04:04:37 pm
Some new images. Architecture. Nikon D800.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Pto%20Ordaz/_DSC0664.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Pto%20Ordaz/_DSC0762.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Pto%20Ordaz/_DSC0768.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Pto%20Ordaz/_DSC0868.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 28, 2014, 04:56:05 pm
Lot of really nice architectural photography posted, Ashley & Antonio. 

Now if only no one will post an image of a half nude sexy lady, maybe we will get some more comments.   :D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on January 28, 2014, 07:38:20 pm
Thanks Joe, That's all I can do.  :-[
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on January 28, 2014, 10:13:23 pm
Non professional, not work, all play.

My recipe for getting a picture is to point the camera at random, press the shutter and trust in Kanon.

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on January 28, 2014, 10:22:03 pm
Very atmospheric.

Good job!

Edmund

Yes, that's the bottom line.

So we made a few suggestions and then left it up to the client and their marketing people to make the final call - as I had only a few minutes of daylight left to play with here, to capture this and the other variations which included staff in the background.

Away, 3 years web use is all they are currently talking about right now - so I'll not lose sleep over it - as this is the image they are saying they want to use a lot more...
(http://www.ashleymorrison.com/pictures2/Icehouse-177632.jpg)
.. which is okay with me.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: EricWHiss on January 28, 2014, 11:08:08 pm
Rob, Thanks and very true. FYI it is scanned 4x5 film printed digitally.

Kirk,  Nice shot and I was wondering if it was film or not. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: EricWHiss on January 28, 2014, 11:11:07 pm
an outtake from a recent shoot at a building research/testing facility. it's not a pretty picture but i like it. :)

Love the sign that says "all cutting must be done outside" juxtaposed to the empty chair and open wall.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on January 29, 2014, 12:40:22 am
Kirk,  Nice shot and I was wondering if it was film or not. 


Thanks, yes it is 4x5 b&w film.

And also if anyone cares, my b&w photography is a vital part of my "photography" career and my income so I post it here. I'm coming up on my 100th show next year. The only difference really between this and my architecture/editorial work is that with the b&w I am my own client-print sales are substantial but peripheral to my intent.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on January 29, 2014, 12:42:21 am
Quite dramatic. I miss New Mexico.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on January 29, 2014, 01:24:19 pm
Here are a couple from a shoot of the new aquarium in Toronto. The inhabitants were very cooperative, the big guy at the top parked there for a couple of minutes.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on January 30, 2014, 01:15:38 am
Here are a couple from a shoot of the new aquarium in Toronto. The inhabitants were very cooperative, the big guy at the top parked there for a couple of minutes.

Very nice work!  Good creative choices.  I don't think the fish could have posed any better. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on January 30, 2014, 01:42:15 am
Here are a couple from a shoot of the new aquarium in Toronto. The inhabitants were very cooperative, the big guy at the top parked there for a couple of minutes.


I love the second one.
What camera-lens combo is that?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on January 30, 2014, 07:08:31 am
I love the second one.
What camera-lens combo is that?

Thanks folks for the compliments, these were done with a Canon 5D3, 17mm tse for the large fish, 24mm tse for the jelly fish
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on February 02, 2014, 07:55:55 pm
Just playing actually...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/egg.gif)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: skimasks on February 02, 2014, 08:27:51 pm
Two can play at this game  :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on February 03, 2014, 05:37:38 pm
Just playing actually...

Fun! I bet your first attempt, without the glass sheet, was really messy.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on February 04, 2014, 11:50:50 am
revisiting some old work while doing some portfolio printing, was going to drop this shot but decided it needed some colour changes, think this was shot on an imacon 16mp back
(i guess it's hardly recent but the interpretation of the file is  ;D   )
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on February 07, 2014, 01:46:29 am
One from last weeks shoot...
(image)
.. Dior's 'Adventures in Wonderland' party set-up, in the marquee at the Lodge at Doonbeg in County Clare.

Seems the candles stand no chance here ... ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: EricWHiss on February 07, 2014, 01:50:09 am
Thanks, yes it is 4x5 b&w film.

And also if anyone cares, my b&w photography is a vital part of my "photography" career and my income so I post it here. I'm coming up on my 100th show next year. The only difference really between this and my architecture/editorial work is that with the b&w I am my own client-print sales are substantial but peripheral to my intent.

Kirk,
Thanks - hope you understood that was a positive.  I still shoot lots of film 120 in the Hy6 and TLR's and 4x5 and 5x7 in the Linhof's and love it.   I often shoot digital and film side by side and feel each has some advantages and in your shot, I felt that only film could have given that look and liked it.    I am involved with a non profit that assists the SF city run Harvey Milk Arts Center  - one of the largest public darkrooms in the country.
Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: RVB on February 07, 2014, 05:07:46 am
Thanks Michael,

All real, just a very, very good hairdresser.  Not the best hair artist I've used but 99% as good, but the best I've worked with got married, adopted a kid, opened a salon and lives a real life.

To do fake hair is costly.   I can be done, extensions work if they're expensive like 5 grand, wigs can work if they're also 5 grand and cut to the talent, but you have to really want that look and stills are much less forgiving than motion imagery.

This is the best hair artist I've ever worked with:

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/fashion/pictures/002rr_beauty.jpg)
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/fashion/pictures/003rr_beauty.jpg)
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/044rr_beauty.jpg)

I won't show you the worst.


BC

These are very nice BC.. did you use the S2 for these??

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rsmphoto on February 07, 2014, 12:19:52 pm
From a recent arch. shoot
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rsmphoto on February 07, 2014, 12:25:32 pm
...and another.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rsmphoto on February 07, 2014, 12:32:07 pm
Last one.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: kers on February 07, 2014, 12:35:54 pm
stiill have to sell this one...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on February 07, 2014, 05:46:50 pm
They actually created quite nice light when the main lights were dimmed, but that obviously then made it more difficult for me - and especially when I tried to show how it looked during the meal...
(image)
.. with everyone seated.

Seems we have a real world use case for an IQ250 here ....
Cheers
~Chris
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on February 07, 2014, 10:44:03 pm
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/11003605083_29345dba70_c.jpg)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/11941431164_53ea9a7148_c.jpg)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on February 07, 2014, 10:45:20 pm
From a recent arch. shoot

Hi Rick!  ;D

Shots look great...

.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MAmaro on February 08, 2014, 02:23:50 am
Nice work Morgan!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 08, 2014, 09:46:59 am
Hi Morgan, great images and concept.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rsmphoto on February 10, 2014, 12:33:57 pm
Many thanks Morgan!  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rsmphoto on February 10, 2014, 12:35:04 pm
As always Morgan, great work.  Hope to see you when I'm in LA next.
Rick
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 11, 2014, 03:21:18 pm
This is a new house I had the opportunity to shoot. The architecture is amazing, I love it. It has taken 4 years to build and still on going.
Some images are a bit too distorted due to walls around the perimeter.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
ACH

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1202.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1169.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1151.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1001%201.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1066.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1208.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1239.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1178.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 11, 2014, 04:56:14 pm
By the way, this is March 2011.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on February 11, 2014, 08:48:00 pm
This is a new house I had the opportunity to shoot. The architecture is amazing, I love it. It has taken 4 years to build and still on going.
Some images are a bit too distorted due to walls around the perimeter.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
ACH

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1202.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1169.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1151.jpg)




(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1001%201.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1066.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1208.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1239.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Val%200214/_DSC1178.jpg)

Nice job!  The shots look great!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 11, 2014, 08:53:47 pm
Thank you James. Coming from you is a great honor. Ach
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on February 11, 2014, 09:30:13 pm
Thank you James. Coming from you is a great honor. Ach

I agree with James. Great project.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 11, 2014, 09:59:43 pm
Thank you Kirk.!!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on February 11, 2014, 10:47:49 pm
Antonio,

Nice work. 
Visually it's a busy house....Each photograph is simple and conveys a single element (of the many) very well.

Cheers
Andrew
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 12, 2014, 08:31:50 am
Andrew Thank you, nice appreciation.!

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on February 12, 2014, 11:10:18 am
Antonio  -  killer. Love the second and third shots especially. Nice to see some exteriors that didn't get cooked to death.

4th shot from the top seems a little crowded on the left side, to me.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 12, 2014, 11:47:58 am
Thanks for your comments Scott.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on February 12, 2014, 08:53:27 pm
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/1620806_10152044503949209_386132352_n.jpg)

Credo 40, Elinchrom Quadra+ Deep octa
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on February 14, 2014, 01:33:37 pm
Two from this weeks shoot...
(http://www.ashleymorrison.com/2014-02/Dromoland-178380.jpg)
.. of the Lounge area and the Cocktail bar...
(http://www.ashleymorrison.com/2014-02/Dromoland-178564.jpg)
.. at Dromoland Castle in County Clare.

Excellent work as usual. Love the way you capture the dark, rich tones. Perspective height in the top shot is unusually low, especially with seating in the foreground, but works well here I think.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rsmphoto on February 14, 2014, 05:13:37 pm
Adding to the hotel theme...From a recent hotel shoot

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rsmphoto on February 14, 2014, 05:30:35 pm
...and when I don't shoot arch.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on February 15, 2014, 09:48:08 am
Great project in DC for a new client...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/Client_Proofs/CSIS_Retouched/photos/previews/140101_008.tif.p.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jerome_m on February 15, 2014, 12:33:33 pm
Two from this weeks shoot...
(http://www.ashleymorrison.com/2014-02/Dromoland-178380.jpg)
.. of the Lounge area and the Cocktail bar...
(http://www.ashleymorrison.com/2014-02/Dromoland-178564.jpg)
.. at Dromoland Castle in County Clare.

That is very nice. How did you light the scene, if I may ask?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on February 16, 2014, 09:10:31 am
a recent (like yesterday!) shoot for a bespoke cycle brand.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 16, 2014, 10:44:05 am
You can read more about this shoot and what was involved in creating this and some of the other images we produced at that time here: A lighting challenge (http://ashleymorrisonphotography.wordpress.com/2014/02/15/a-lighting-challenge/).



Very nice Ashley, as usual.  Love seeing how you lit the room and I would really like to incorporate more that style in my work.  Architects and designers tend to be more natural look, so maybe I just need to go after resorts more.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 17, 2014, 10:37:19 pm
"Reflections" series:


(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NU_5221.2_C1.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NU_5191.5-7.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NU_5204.3_4.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NU_OLM_0313.314.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NU_OLM_0315.322.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NU_JDY_B211.B212_V1.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NU_JDY_C165.C168.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 17, 2014, 11:47:25 pm
Fantastic new series, Michael!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on February 17, 2014, 11:50:58 pm
Talk @ thinking outside the box. Congrats, excellent series.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on February 18, 2014, 01:28:59 am
+1

Erik
Fantastic new series, Michael!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: oschebell on February 19, 2014, 09:16:18 pm
Hi people, first time posting here so please be gentle  ;D
Thought I'd post a couple of images from a real estate shoot last week, property was an old squash court converted into a dwelling. One of the most difficult images I've taken in terms of balancing colours. So many different light sources, and very specific instructions on having the CBD in the background. Any feedback is welcome. And don't worry, I know real estate photography isn't real photography but it pays the bills at this stage and I always take my time to shoot it as 'architecturally' as I can  ;)

(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/oschebell/SVIS9692.jpg) (http://s267.photobucket.com/user/oschebell/media/SVIS9692.jpg.html)

(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/oschebell/SVIS9811.jpg) (http://s267.photobucket.com/user/oschebell/media/SVIS9811.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on February 20, 2014, 07:47:24 am
A recent shot done for Jewelry client. Im quite happy with ho it turned out. What do you think? any input would be great.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on February 20, 2014, 08:43:11 am
A recent shot done for Jewelry client. Im quite happy with ho it turned out. What do you think? any input would be great.

Disclaimer: I'm not a professional.

That said: To me it looks like a gorgeous shot, but:
I'm afraid the reds - as great as they are - might overpower the jewellery - I can't judge if that would be a problem, just thought I'd mention it.
Cheers
~Chris
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on February 20, 2014, 08:52:55 am
Disclaimer: I'm not a professional.

That said: To me it looks like a gorgeous shot, but:
I'm afraid the reds - as great as they are - might overpower the jewellery - I can't judge if that would be a problem, just thought I'd mention it.
Cheers
~Chris

Hey Christoph, i did forget to mention this was a shoot for Valentines day and this was the cover shot. Essentially the idea was to set a mood, while portraying some fine product. I hope that helps clarify. I guess i should be more descriptive ha ha. Next time. Thanks for your feedback, and i agree with you, perhaps a little less red...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 20, 2014, 08:56:52 am
Hi Dean, the photography is great,  but placement of the finger and its nail seems unnecessarily intrusive. My impression is that if finger was bent with the nail appearing at shallower angle, it would allow for a greater accent on the ring.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on February 20, 2014, 09:11:21 am
Hi Dean, the photography is great,  but placement of the finger and its nail seems unnecessarily intrusive. My impression is that if finger was bent with the nail appearing at shallower angle, it would allow for a greater accent on the ring.

Thanks for your response Michael. I agree that a different angle of the finger could have been a better composition. There were actually a few shots exactly like that but unfortunately the client select is the one you see here. (I could not find the time to personally retouch extra images specific to my needs, not to say i would have chosen a better one though). Maybe ill look for a better one from the batch when i get some free time.

Thanks again, i appreciate your input.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on February 20, 2014, 09:17:11 am
Thanks for your response Michael. I agree that a different angle of the finger could have been a better composition. There were actually a few shots exactly like that but unfortunately the client select is the one you see here. (I could not find the time to personally retouch extra images specific to my needs, not to say i would have chosen a better one though). Maybe ill look for a better one from the batch when i get some free time.

Thanks again, i appreciate your input.

While I agree with Michael that the composition is wrong, as an unique image the whole thing is right. And in fact it gets across very well how diamonds really are a girl's best friend ;)

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on February 20, 2014, 09:42:57 am
While I agree with Michael that the composition is wrong, as an unique image the whole thing is right. And in fact it gets across very well how diamonds really are a girl's best friend ;)

Edmund

Thank you Edmund.  :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on February 20, 2014, 09:53:31 am
A recent shot done for Jewelry client. Im quite happy with ho it turned out. What do you think? any input would be great.

Your photograph is perfectly fine; why would you care what an electrician says about your plumbing or a sommelier about your cooking? (Of course, if you lived in Mallorca they might all be the same person...)

You have two important minds to satisfy: your own and that of your client. The rest, including my opinion, is bullshit. We all have degrees in critique...

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on February 20, 2014, 10:17:46 am
Your photograph is perfectly fine; why would you care what an electrician says about your plumbing or a sommelier about your cooking? (Of course, if you lived in Mallorca they might all be the same person...)

You have two important minds to satisfy: your own and that of your client. The rest, including my opinion, is bullshit. We all have degrees in critique...

Rob C

Thanks for your input Rob, you are absolutely right, however, although this job has already gone to print, my time for this image is exhausted and my mind has been made, the sole purpose is to get feedback. Or rather just to hear others' opinions. I find it interesting to hear what others have to say especially since there are very few valued opinions where i am from let alone a network from which to form a discussion of meaning. So not all bullshit, rather like gold. (in some cases  ;).

Thanks for your take.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on February 20, 2014, 10:41:27 am
Syd Brak eat your heart out.



Wish I'd had his abilities!

Imagine what he'd have done with PS instead of Aerograph DeVilbiss... but maybe the latter is actually better.

;-)

Rob C

P.S. I wrote 'done', but is he still working - does he need to?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on February 20, 2014, 11:10:16 am
i think it's fine composition wise, me i would reduce the detail in the finger/skin a little but it's not a deal breaker
Title: Re: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on February 20, 2014, 01:14:39 pm
I'm not showing my wife that! I can't afford it!
Great shot. It oozes Valentine's Day.
Title: Re: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on February 20, 2014, 02:21:29 pm
I'm not showing my wife that! I can't afford it!
Great shot. It oozes Valentine's Day.

Absolutely - it says "you'd better gimme!" ;)

Edmund
Title: Re: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on February 20, 2014, 02:29:40 pm
I'm not showing my wife that! I can't afford it!
Great shot. It oozes Valentine's Day.

Thanks guys for your comments.

It really isn't an expensive piece. The client is a "wholesale" client. By that i mean they do everything possible to make it as cheap as possible via mass production and the stone in there is a cubic zirconia. That ring is probably below R1500 (Rands) which is about u.s. $136
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 20, 2014, 06:42:12 pm
Michael Ezra, LIKE LIKE LIKE on those reflections.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 20, 2014, 09:34:58 pm
Thanks:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: oschebell on February 21, 2014, 01:05:35 am
Are my images that bad that there is not one comment? Oh dear...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on February 21, 2014, 01:27:40 am
Are my images that bad that there is not one comment? Oh dear...

I think the reviewers are all done for today, and are enjoying their after-squash cocktails. :)

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 21, 2014, 06:22:06 am
Are my images that bad that there is not one comment? Oh dear...
Never good to follow pics of naked women with pics of interiors if you want any kind of attention on this forum.   :D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on February 26, 2014, 02:05:23 pm
Dean,
The image overall looks sexy and attractive. Decent execution.

The finger itself is a bit weird and prominent. Perhaps fade it from the left of the frame going in. This is the only major issue I personally have with it.
Other details I myself would alter...
The polish on the finger nail can follow the direction of the finger more towards the tip and not flair out. (The way it is now makes her finger look a bit "off". Also something too edited looking about the cutical).
Your highlight blows on the lips don't look too clean.

How do you price such an image for a piece that sells for $136?

Overall sexy! And great for V Day!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on February 26, 2014, 03:44:44 pm
Dean,
The image overall looks sexy and attractive. Decent execution.

The finger itself is a bit weird and prominent. Perhaps fade it from the left of the frame going in. This is the only major issue I personally have with it.
Other details I myself would alter...
The polish on the finger nail can follow the direction of the finger more towards the tip and not flair out. (The way it is now makes her finger look a bit "off". Also something too edited looking about the cutical).
Your highlight blows on the lips don't look too clean.

How do you price such an image for a piece that sells for $136?

Overall sexy! And great for V Day!

Hi Phil, thanks so much for your Comments.
All the things you mentioned that you would change are exactly what i had done or suggested before client changes. I 100 % agree with you on them. The cuticle, the polish shape and the lips. The client chose to change back to how it is now. The nail polish i had adjusted to retain the sheen but neaten up the tip to a harder edge but keeping the natural feel as if the nail had been carefully manicured. I dont mind the finger too much, but i hear where you coming from and agree that the finger is odd. Its the best of the batch of shots taken though.

The highlight on the lips was a difficult one, because it is natural and is as it was shot.  I honestly struggled with the lips and did not have a solution for them, though i had an idea of how i wanted them to look. Basically i should have had make up done a bit different. Though not sure if it would have sold the problem. Perhaps a different light modifier?

The whole image is a little to worked if you ask me, but client expectations are sometimes just more important than my opinion.
Thanks again, i really appreciate the feedback.

Oh and lastly, to answer your question on the value of the ring and how i price a shot like this. Firstly i must mention that here in South Africa and especially my city, Durban, the whole place is about bargaining. Similar to Thailand and its negotiating system. Now i know some might say, "yes yes so is the rest of the world", trust me on this one. Its bargain central. In Durban in particular, we have a large indian demographic and are really tough negotiators which really pushes the whole city to drive a hard bargain really.

With that said - The Client is a large wholesale jewelry client. They spend fairly well on the photography and post production. Then they look for the best 'value for money' printer that can print run 100s of thousands of leaflets and a large portion of in-store posters for the countries 80 + outlet stores.  They also offer credit payments over 3 months. Value for money. Not expensive, not unique, not quality.

I am not sure if this is painting the picture? Its always difficult to explain how this crazy country works.

I hope you like the little story i wrote anyways, I seem to ramble on sometimes.   ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on February 26, 2014, 10:58:51 pm
Hahaa Dean!
I love the story. I have 3 Indian clients , and a number of other international ones. I have become accustomed to the "bargaining" songs. Many don't work with me until another couple years or even more. Competition is very tough, and the entire personability, emotion and the moment is NOT in the equation when shooting product, so it has that difficulty added to deal with.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on February 27, 2014, 02:21:33 am
Here is a work in progress. Not for client but for possible portfolio work. Feel free to comment. Or just view.  ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on February 27, 2014, 06:36:10 am
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/12812105213_62866af9fe_b.jpg)

An executive portrait I did.
Credo 40.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dragomir Spassov on February 27, 2014, 11:04:16 am
Very nice portrait Synn!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on February 27, 2014, 01:53:58 pm
Great port Synn!

Shoe looks great Dean!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on February 27, 2014, 05:50:34 pm
Thank you both!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on February 27, 2014, 06:11:56 pm
Yes, indeed!

Erik

Very nice portrait Synn!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on February 28, 2014, 02:09:21 am
Very smooth portrait. Well done.
And thanks Phil.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sam@ on February 28, 2014, 05:44:23 am

I don't think I've ever commented out aloud about images here, maybe it's a friday beer talking..

Phil
Products are not my field but I really like this shoe..I love the light and the textures / feel.
One thought was that I want to be able to define the back edge of the heel more, especially viewed at smaller size (even though I appreciate this may have been blended into the green on purpose). Nice image!


Synn
Nice light in this portrait, suits fall that way when sitting but maybe a little more attention with the clothing- 
upper left arm area (bunched)
tie feels like it's outside the jacket and the top button. (can't always get these up high enough - sometimes I extend the tie in post a smidge after)

IMO - (I learned this from BC)

Regards

Sam
 


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sam@ on February 28, 2014, 05:46:00 am
Apologies Dean (and Phil) - my comment is to Dean about his lovely shoe..

Regards

Sam
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on February 28, 2014, 07:39:59 am
Thanks again, all.

@Sam: Good points! Will take note!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickCroken on March 02, 2014, 01:18:01 pm
Some shots from a cross fit shoot I did yesterday.  The first shot I've had in a while that allowed me to do whatever I wanted.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on March 03, 2014, 05:49:10 am
Apologies Dean (and Phil) - my comment is to Dean about his lovely shoe..

Regards

Sam


Thanks Sam, I appreciate the comments and your input very much.
The Friday beer must have been good.   ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on March 04, 2014, 08:52:19 am
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3824/12927878634_c432d0e358_c.jpg)

A fun little Anime shoot I did for an aspiring cosplayer.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on March 04, 2014, 10:19:57 pm
Some shots from a cross fit shoot I did yesterday.  The first shot I've had in a while that allowed me to do whatever I wanted.

Very creative work.
Well done.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 05, 2014, 10:34:20 pm
Did a "pay the bills" job today.  When I was packing up, I saw this awesome view of the New York Times Building and could not refuse the shot (especially considering the windows actually opened in this office building).  P45+ with the Roddie 90mm. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on March 06, 2014, 01:38:33 am
About time to put some work up here.

Lots of heritage restrictions involved in the process given the Victorian era street-scape and existing building.....
The interiors were very nice with some great spatial connections - unfortunately the owner wasn't keen on them being shown online.

Forms slipping past forms....I think the Architectural response was pretty interesting.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KpwwFdy155s/UxgVoINvzLI/AAAAAAAAEg8/BcUYK5d_Zyc/w1125-h633-no/LAP0027_9195_B.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZLC6FKuztCc/UxgVmERD3pI/AAAAAAAAEgg/2sXfqjBN6EQ/w1125-h844-no/LAP0027_7847_B.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nB0DB8Ww3po/UxgVoC25uTI/AAAAAAAAEg4/FuL6HpNQ9HY/w750-h1125-no/LAP0027_9192_B.jpg)
 
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y93TmUj3q1U/UxgVmUXO73I/AAAAAAAAEgk/Y4iM_WuQ0UA/w844-h1125-no/LAP0027_8403_B.jpg)










Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 08, 2014, 03:50:44 pm
A fun little Anime shoot I did for an aspiring cosplayer.

Pretty:)

ZD & 80mm Mamiya lens

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/JDY_C219.218_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on March 10, 2014, 06:19:50 pm
I had to take a second look, and it is a secondary image, the first went through a closer look.

What kind of spaceship is this?
Ion beam drive?

Cheers
~Chris
;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on March 10, 2014, 06:20:24 pm


A fun little Anime shoot I did for an aspiring cosplayer.

Nice Synn
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on March 10, 2014, 06:22:42 pm
What kind of spaceship is this?
Ion beam drive?

Cheers
~Chris
;)

:-)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on March 10, 2014, 06:23:44 pm
Pretty:)
ZD & 80mm Mamiya lens

Nice pose
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on March 10, 2014, 06:33:43 pm
Apologies Dean (and Phil) - my comment is to Dean about his lovely shoe..
Regards
Sam

No worries Sam.
I too can understand your input on the two images. none taken away from their overall niceness. :-)

One thing with the shoe, now that I take another look Dean....I wonder how it would look if you "pull" the surrounding glow/green down a notch so it doesn't compete with the shoe, kinda helping it to emerge from the fx?  When I squint, I would still want to see a separation from product to rest of page. Just a thought to try if you can see the direction. Again, Well done.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 14, 2014, 03:51:30 pm
Hello Fellows.  Some recent work at a new Hotel. D800 + 14-24mm. C1 7

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Arq1024/desktop1857%20copy.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Arq1024/desktop1874%20copy.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Arq1024/desktop1890%201%20copy.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on March 14, 2014, 04:27:41 pm
On many of these professional interior shots I hardly see any shadows.
Is that a common requirement?
Shots often get this odd artificial look to me because of that.
(Not only the last - just recognizing on many interiors shown here.)
Sorry - I'm not a pro - so no idea.
Could someone explain?
Cheers
~Chris
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 14, 2014, 05:06:15 pm
Very nice pictures, ACH, and I'm surprised you got them looking so natural with that lens - I'd have imagined more distortion. I was never an arch. photographer though I did shoot some house stuff for holiday brochures and estate agents (just a bit!) now and again, but always found myself frustrated by lack of movements - hated cropping at the wrong levels, but knew no other way of staying vertical... no PS in those days.

Colour looks very inviting, to me, and that's what usually counts, I'd think: attractive versions of reality.

Rob C

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 14, 2014, 05:28:28 pm
Well Chris, Rob Thanks for the liking and comments.
Chris my approach is to emulate or enhance reality, or both.
What we see is not the same film or digital sees, our eyes-brain accommodate to light, contrast and color temperature.
These images reflects what my eyes saw and what my soul felt sitting in that place.
If I photograph a wooden mountain house would provably use deeper shadows and more moody color balance.
Hope this answer the interesting question.
About my nikon 14-24 I think is great for interiors, I use a 28mm, 35mm and 60mm as well. Distortion is minimal if you shoot at level.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on March 14, 2014, 05:40:30 pm
Well Chris, Rob Thanks for the liking and comments.
Chris my approach is to emulate or enhance reality, or both.
What we see is not the same film or digital sees, our eyes-brain accommodate to light, contrast and color temperature.
These images reflects what my eyes saw and what my soul felt sitting in that place.
If I photograph a wooden mountain house would provably use deeper shadows and more moody color balance.
Hope this answer the interesting question.
About my nikon 14-24 I thing is great for interiors, I use a 28mm, 35mm and 60mm as well. Distortion is minimal if you shoot at level.
ACH

Well - I think its a valid look and it has its own merits and beauty.
I just realized many interiors I see in this thread or occasionally in magazines have this sort of
soft lighting with hardly any shadows, so I wondered if its a kind of unspoken standard or market demand.

Cheers
~Chris
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on March 14, 2014, 06:58:33 pm
Well - I think its a valid look and it has its own merits and beauty.
I just realized many interiors I see in this thread or occasionally in magazines have this sort of
soft lighting with hardly any shadows, so I wondered if its a kind of unspoken standard or market demand.

Cheers
~Chris


In a sense there is no right or wrong way in this, but there is competent and incompetent. And this is very competent of a full on "strobe lit" commercial interior. I'll bet the clients loved it. But compare it to the interiors of Yelhsa (I'm probably remembering his name wrong) who also posts here-who lights with much more drama. If this was a film shoot 20 years ago I would refer to these above as "American Style Lighting" of an interior vs. a European or Asian Style which used less fill and more shadows and contrast and existing light. I say that because both as a practitioner and an academic (I have done AP for a living for 36 years and taught AP at three universities) I have studied this subject extensively. These days those distinctions are meaningless. I don't know if that confuses things more or helped-just my analysis over the years learning from some of the US greats and then having the opportunity to watch some Europeans work in Santa Fe some years ago and trying to figure out the difference. I personally have moved from the American Style to a more European Style (now obsolete terms) with the advent of digital because it is more forgiving in mixed light and by layering files I can have much greater control than I ever had with film and don't have to have total control in a single exposure as I did with film.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on March 14, 2014, 07:11:16 pm
In a sense there is no right or wrong way in this, but there is competent and incompetent. And this is very competent of a full on "strobe lit" commercial interior. I'll bet the clients loved it. But compare it to the interiors of Yelhsa (I'm probably remembering his name wrong) who also posts here-who lights with much more drama. If this was a film shoot 20 years ago I would refer to these above as "American Style Lighting" of an interior vs. a European or Asian Style which used less fill and more shadows and contrast and existing light. I say that because both as a practitioner and an academic (I have done AP for a living for 36 years and taught AP at three universities) I have studied this subject extensively. These days those distinctions are meaningless. I don't know if that confuses things more or helped-just my analysis over the years learning from some of the US greats and then having the opportunity to watch some Europeans work in Santa Fe some years ago and trying to figure out the difference. I personally have moved from the American Style to a more European Style (now obsolete terms) with the advent of digital because it is more forgiving in mixed light and by layering files I can have much greater control than I ever had with film and don't have to have total control in a single exposure as I did with film.

This is one of the answers why I love LuLa so much.
Thanks !
~Chris
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 14, 2014, 09:17:20 pm
Yes Kirk very well illustrated. Also there are signs of the times in all commercial photgraphy, kind of trends in style.
would be interesting if Yelhsa and Chris Barrett gave their opinions.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on March 14, 2014, 09:21:54 pm
The photos of the hotel's interior are very crisp and clean. It has been interesting reading everyone's comments--Kirk's in particular. I never had the patience for architectural photography. It's highly technical and highly challenging to be able to capture an architect's design or a client's intention with finesse. A lot of artistic decision-making is required by the photographer too--lots of variables to juggle. From what I've observed about photographing architecture is that it takes years of experience to really master the craft. By the way, I also have the Nikon 14-24mm lens. It is an awesome lens. I would have to guess it is one of those "must have" lenses for FF 35mm architecture gigs.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 14, 2014, 11:08:36 pm
New blog post regarding Art & Commerce with personal images derived from a commercial series...

http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2719 (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2719)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/OnSet_003.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on March 14, 2014, 11:11:47 pm
Interesting.

Edmund

New blog post regarding Art & Commerce with personal images derived from a commercial series...

http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2719 (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2719)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/OnSet_003.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 14, 2014, 11:12:13 pm
@ Antonio... I typically avoid direct shadows in my interiors, they often just add visual clutter and distract from the design.  Once in a while though, they make the shot...  Here's one where I added my own shadow with an HMI through the window...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/121003_004.jpg)

All good tools have a time and a place
CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on March 14, 2014, 11:31:51 pm
New blog post regarding Art & Commerce with personal images derived from a commercial series...

http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2719 (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2719)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/OnSet_003.jpg)

CB

Superb. ... I'm thinking Bauhaus. I like the way you are taking photography to the edge, to where the medium becomes ambiguous. CGI, painting, serigraphy? Who knows, who cares. The images are provocative.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 15, 2014, 11:58:27 am
@ Antonio... I typically avoid direct shadows in my interiors, they often just add visual clutter and distract from the design.  Once in a while though, they make the shot...  Here's one where I added my own shadow with an HMI through the window...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/121003_004.jpg)

All good tools have a time and a place
CB

Chris, beautifully executed. Inspiring Image.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 15, 2014, 09:23:02 pm
:)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/SSM_B331_V1_BW_web-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on March 15, 2014, 11:11:41 pm
:)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/SSM_B331_V1_BW_web-1.jpg)

I'm going to have nightmares after seeing this one :)

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 16, 2014, 12:25:19 am
I'm going to have nightmares after seeing this one :)

Edmund
It's the dreaded Octopaw!  :D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 16, 2014, 08:05:06 am
It just likes being photographed:)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/SSM_B324_V1_BW_web-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on March 16, 2014, 08:52:41 am
It just likes being photographed:)

... (image) ...

It invites for composites.
Since you have opened that box of Pandora - I'd add a mouth, eyes, horns and other animal parts and so on ... maybe a steam machine ... OMG OMG OMG ....
Greetings from Hieronymus Bosch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieronymus_Bosch).

Cheers
~Chris
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on March 16, 2014, 01:36:57 pm
But compare it to the interiors of Yelhsa (I'm probably remembering his name wrong) who also posts here-who lights with much more drama.

Actually, if you look through the range of Ashley's (Yelhsa) interior photos, you will also see a fair number with soft lighting and faintish, soft shadows also.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 16, 2014, 08:45:16 pm
Actually, if you look through the range of Ashley's (Yelhsa) interior photos, you will also see a fair number with soft lighting and faintish, soft shadows also.

I think it all goes down to the place and the design style you have in front, and a bit of personal seasoning.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on March 17, 2014, 01:27:27 am
It just likes being photographed:)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/SSM_B324_V1_BW_web-1.jpg)

I think it must be the Siamese twin sister of Thing (from the Addams Family film). It's really quite disturbing.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 17, 2014, 09:54:43 am
I heard about this movie, but never actually watched it... Always find myself steering away from the "dark" movies.
I don't perceive this as a threatening image and hence disturbing, I thought of it as playful and a bit funny.
That is, if it is not perceived literally, of course, or I would run from it as fast as I can:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on March 17, 2014, 10:13:08 am
I heard about this movie, but never actually watched it... Always find myself steering away from the "dark" movies.
I don't perceive this as a threatening image and hence disturbing, I thought of it as playful and a bit funny.
That is, if it is not perceived literally, of course, or I would run from it as fast as I can:)

I unreservedly recommend The Addams Family film. Its darkness is very lightly handled and it's very funny.

I do like your image, by the way: I don't see a contradiction between playful and disturbing.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 17, 2014, 11:46:07 am
Indeed Michael's photo is disturbing, very funny, and executed in a light-hearted but technically superb way. It's kind of a gentle self-parody of his beautiful, serious work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on March 17, 2014, 09:34:14 pm
@ Antonio... I typically avoid direct shadows in my interiors, they often just add visual clutter and distract from the design.  Once in a while though, they make the shot...  Here's one where I added my own shadow with an HMI through the window...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/121003_004.jpg)

All good tools have a time and a place
CB

This is spectacular.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on March 17, 2014, 09:35:49 pm
Here's a few from a Mulberry USA (handbag people) store in San Jose.
These are challenging to me for a number of reasons; the mixture of LED, Halogen and Fluorescent lighting, the speed with which I have to work (about a photo every 20 minutes, average) and the fact that they're still working on the store right up to (and after) the public opening. I kept it simple and worked with just a couple of strobes and some cards/black fabric, and focused on trying to keep consistent color and build some directionality to the (flat) lighting in there.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on March 18, 2014, 09:14:25 pm
Scott, I think the retail shop was nicely handled.  On one of the shots the bags at the edges are a little distorted, did you try turning them into the shot just a bit.  I'm not sure if it would help but perhaps it would.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on March 18, 2014, 09:51:13 pm
New blog post regarding Art & Commerce with personal images derived from a commercial series...

http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2719 (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2719)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/OnSet_003.jpg)

CB

I get it and I like it mucho.
Kirk did you get my response to your PM?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 18, 2014, 10:10:17 pm
Thanks, Man.  and yup I'll come bother you guys this summer!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Hulyss on March 19, 2014, 09:53:35 am
Spring is coming ! Time to put the models outdoor.

(http://payload113.cargocollective.com/1/9/313125/4578694/Italia.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on March 19, 2014, 11:26:07 am
Thanks, Haefnerphoto. Their merchandising people are VERY particular about how the bags are displayed, so no angling...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 20, 2014, 10:12:50 pm
It's kind of a gentle self-parody of his beautiful, serious work.
Thanks, Eric. That was the intent:)

Here is a recent Reflection.

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/JDY_B153_V3a_web900px.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 20, 2014, 10:54:32 pm
back to work today... un-retouched and hot out of C1Pro

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/Planes_006.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 21, 2014, 10:23:57 am
Some more on Hotel Cayena.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Arq1024/desktop1985.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Arq1024/desktop1909.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: craigrudlin on March 23, 2014, 06:40:08 pm
As an "intimate landscape" photographer, I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Iceland in Feb.  I have posted some
images on my website:

http://www.rudlinfineart.com/p433361521

I have attached just a few lower resolution jpg images below; please
visit the web site for more.  Enjoy and thanks for looking.

Images were captured with  a Leica S2, mostly with either the 70mm
or the 120 mm Leica S lenses.  A few with the 35mm.

I was impressed by the low light capabilities of the S2, a characteristic
it is not particularly known for having.  The detail in the ice upon inspection
at full size and resolution is incredible and fascinating.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on March 26, 2014, 03:06:32 am
Leica S2 120mm.   Broncolor 575 watt HMI

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/leica_s2.jpg)

BC

Yeah, the HMI is nice :) There is a definite sense of quality of light in this image. Of course, good model, good styling and good camera kind of helps.

Edmund

PS. Yes, congrats on very nice use of the S2; what I particularly like is that I see the light and not the S2 :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on March 26, 2014, 03:21:14 am
Leica S2 120mm.   Broncolor 575 watt HMI

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/leica_s2.jpg)

BC

Exquisite shot, BC!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on March 26, 2014, 04:39:38 am
Exquisite shot, BC!

Thank you Synn.

Edmund, I'll bet broncolor thanks you.   (insert silly smiling face thing).

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on March 26, 2014, 08:21:57 pm

Edmund, I'll bet broncolor thanks you.   (insert silly smiling face thing).

BC

Very nicely done. I like the layer trick too, used it a lot in my editorial images, in a style book I once read that "assymetry implies partial nudity" :)

The S2 seems to be working out quite well. Does it have enough pixels to let you shoot that horizontally?

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 27, 2014, 08:02:33 am
Leica S2 120mm.   Broncolor 575 watt HMI

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/leica_s2.jpg)

BC

BC this most be interesting to see mural size. Beautiful!
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on March 27, 2014, 03:30:02 pm
Edmund,

I think you see things I don't.  I just push a little button so what do I know?

IMO

BC

Isaac Asimov recounted attending a critic's discussion of one of his works. Critic says "The author tells us that". Asimov says "I don't think so". Critic, "And how would you know" ? Asimov: "I *am* the author. Critic: And how does being the author entitle you to know the signification of the story?

I confess I made up the details, from the little I remember ;)
My mother had perfect verbatim memory, but I'm more normal.

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 27, 2014, 06:07:00 pm
Nacho's Apartment. Nacho is an architect and interior designer. He has portuguese background and his family is in the gourmet business. This is his kitchen.
Later some more.
Next week I'll be working with him again in a big house in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Apto%20Nacho/_DSC1552.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Apto%20Nacho/_DSC1532.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on March 27, 2014, 07:26:22 pm
Hi,

 Nice pic; nice floor :)
 I have a friend who built a house to sell, in the middle of Paris, and the kitchen wall also has this layout. The whole thing looks the same except a darker color scheme was used. It seems to be the design trend.

Edmund

Nachos's Apartment. Nacho is an architect and interior designer. HIs has portuguese background and his family is in the gourmet business. This is his kitchen.
Later some more.
Next week I'll be working with him again in a big house in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Apto%20Nacho/_DSC1552.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Apto%20Nacho/_DSC1532.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on March 28, 2014, 03:43:05 am
Pretty photo Antonio and I love the kitchen.

From Leica S2, broncolor 575 watt hmi, leica 120
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/leica_s2_2.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on March 28, 2014, 05:47:30 am
Magazine cover about big out of town shopping centres being replaced by 'local' stores run by the big chains.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on March 28, 2014, 05:54:18 am
Another cover shot for a coffee magazine.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 28, 2014, 08:09:41 am
Pretty photo Antonio and I love the kitchen.

From Leica S2, broncolor 575 watt hmi, leica 120
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/leica_s2_2.jpg)

BC
BC good work, I wonder about your post. It goes very well with the subject matter. Nice recipe!

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on March 28, 2014, 10:19:36 am
Nacho's Apartment. Nacho is an architect and interior designer. He has portuguese background and his family is in the gourmet business. This is his kitchen.
Later some more.
Next week I'll be working with him again in a big house in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Apto%20Nacho/_DSC1552.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Apto%20Nacho/_DSC1532.jpg)

ACH

I want a floor just like that. Is it "engineered" wood, as in laminate?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 29, 2014, 07:51:56 am
Hi Bob it is not laminated. It's wood specially ordered ti be different colors sticks.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on March 29, 2014, 09:11:02 am
Hi Bob it is not laminated. It's wood specially ordered ti be different colors sticks.
ACH
Thanks for answering my question. I live in Florida. My house sits on a four-foot thick concreted slab. Wood floors do not do well here in Florida when put on concrete--moisture, condensation, etc. The only hardwood options available are planks that have been coated, top and bottom, with a thick, clear polymer. The coated wood has no appeal to me. A lot of us Floridians (with homes sitting on concrete slabs) end up using tile of laminates. I had a rental property that had a terrazzo floor--the floor was beautiful. Terrazzo was commonly used until the late 60s. I am tempted to rip up the carpeting in our house and simply polish, stain, and seal the concrete floor.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 29, 2014, 02:23:56 pm
Yelhsa the hotoel images are for website use. They are not planning campaings yet.
Your answer is very interestibg as I do advertising for crrtain produts as well.
Ach
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 30, 2014, 08:47:52 pm
Great teaching Yelhsa. I guess many here will thank you. This is the most explanatory example we have.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 02, 2014, 04:34:25 pm
BC, nice image and model.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on April 02, 2014, 05:29:27 pm
Thanks Antonio.

BC
Title: Re:
Post by: alatreille on April 02, 2014, 06:00:58 pm
I see why you liked that pose.
It's as I she was made for it.
Nice work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on April 03, 2014, 11:51:42 pm
Nice pose. Nice image.

Edmund

olympus em-1, bron hmi.

(http://russellrutherford.com/yel_vs_skirt_oly.jpg)

I know this isn't medium format, though was shooting with the S2, shot about a dozen frames of this setup with the olympus and liked this pose.

At least it's a 4:3 crop.

BC


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Manoli on April 04, 2014, 06:48:57 am
Camera set at 160 iso, image 1 1/3 stops under in exposure, so final ISO probably 800 something. Opening up and processed in lightroom, no retouching. Leica S2, Contax 55mm, window/room light

If I told you that the first thing I looked at was how the Contax drew on the S2 ...
I'd be lying.

M

ps
Nice shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on April 04, 2014, 09:10:57 am
Very nice image.
She looks a bit like she's been assembled from a kit, actually various pieces from various sizes got used.

Edmund

Not really finished, more of a production still.

Before starting, turned, noticed the talent and shot.  Camera set at 160 iso, image 1 1/3 stops under in exposure, so final ISO probably 800 something.

Opening up and processed in lightroom, no retouching.

Leica S2, Contax 55mm, window/room light
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/s2_contax_55.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Conner999 on April 04, 2014, 01:32:51 pm
A big "+1" on both counts.

If I told you that the first thing I looked at was how the Contax drew on the S2 ...
I'd be lying.

M

ps
Nice shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on April 04, 2014, 08:33:17 pm
Wonderful photograph. And she is just incredible!

Not really finished, more of a production still.

Before starting, turned, noticed the talent and shot.  Camera set at 160 iso, image 1 1/3 stops under in exposure, so final ISO probably 800 something.

Opening up and processed in lightroom, no retouching.

Leica S2, Contax 55mm, window/room light
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/s2_contax_55.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on April 05, 2014, 03:30:12 pm
I can't help but think that truly if this were shot with a Canon or Nikon or whatever, I anyway would still be really impressed. The reason is that as much as the great gear, the Leica S2, there is the continued compelling work done by bcooter. And if I am flattering, well I mean it to be. From the selection of the model, to the styling, wardrobe, scenes, all of his work is a hallmark of creativity and professionalism. There is just so much more to it than megapixels!

Not really finished, more of a production still.

Before starting, turned, noticed the talent and shot.  Camera set at 160 iso, image 1 1/3 stops under in exposure, so final ISO probably 800 something.

Opening up and processed in lightroom, no retouching.

Leica S2, Contax 55mm, window/room light
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/s2_contax_55.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on April 05, 2014, 03:51:38 pm

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/s2_contax_55.jpg)

BC

I can't really put my finger on it, but for some reason this one, for me, lacks Cooterness.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on April 05, 2014, 06:05:03 pm
I can't really put my finger on it, but for some reason this one, for me, lacks Cooterness.

It does . . your right.

This was not what we shot for real, I was just standing there and saw the talent in that pose and shot.  As I said it was nearly 3 stops under and I didn't explore it past a few frames and this was the first frame.

It even has the wrong lens, a 55, the no seam is filthy.

We're in post now on the finals which are much different than this.

Personally, I'm not wild about white studios.  It seems everything we shoot in NY has to be a white studio and I've tried every trick in the book to make white work.

I personally like more texture, more complexity and this image is not lit and at best a snapshot, but it kind of shows how well the leica works as a snapshot camera.  (go figure).

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on April 06, 2014, 02:48:56 pm
A couple of months ago I shared my work in progress from a jewelry shoot. I thought I should show the end-result:
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Pics2 on April 06, 2014, 03:19:29 pm
Slobodane, I like the last set best.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on April 06, 2014, 06:29:55 pm
Very nice work, SB. I'm glad to see you haven't given up photography while you've been away.
How about a couple of scathing (or at least perceptive) commentaries before you go into hiding again?

Eric
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on April 06, 2014, 07:19:24 pm
... How about a couple of scathing (or at least perceptive) commentaries before you go into hiding again?

Hehe... that would definitely ruin my chances of getting those letters of recommendation you mentioned in another thread  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: chiek on April 07, 2014, 12:17:47 am
2014 volvo XC60 D5 awd for magazine
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t31.0-8/1980525_747925895231667_1384875750_o.jpg)
(https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t31.0-8/1412485_747925815231675_794793538_o.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31.0-8/1782496_747926138564976_904636087_o.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t31.0-8/1926302_747925978564992_1533515871_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on April 07, 2014, 06:17:46 am
Not really finished, more of a production still.

Before starting, turned, noticed the talent and shot.  Camera set at 160 iso, image 1 1/3 stops under in exposure, so final ISO probably 800 something.

Opening up and processed in lightroom, no retouching.

Leica S2, Contax 55mm, window/room light
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/s2_contax_55.jpg)

BC

It comes across as a quick shot, but not the "quick-snap" type of image if you know what I mean. Seems controlled but looks sort of caught in the moment. Well done. Very nice.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 07, 2014, 08:55:40 am
Chieck, cool images. her and last like them very much.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Scott Hargis on April 07, 2014, 08:52:45 pm
Here's a set from last fall (apologies if I already uploaded one of these here). Renovated Joseph Eichler house in Marinwood (San Rafael, CA). Owned by an architect/builder, whose wife is a landscape architect....good combination.

Canon 5DmIII, various lenses. Some write-up and a few more photos on my blog:
 (http://scotthargisphoto.com/blog/eichler-living-with-building-lab/)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 08, 2014, 08:20:24 am
Hi Scott, interesting verticals.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rsmphoto on April 08, 2014, 03:22:48 pm
Shot for a recently published ad - two page spread
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on April 08, 2014, 05:04:41 pm
Chiek, great car shots, boom, car to car, that new motion blur app or just photoshop? Either way I like the look.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on April 09, 2014, 12:10:28 am
Love everything about it… Outstanding of course!

Nice images Chiek,


(http://www.russellrutherford.com/final_2_NY_blue_sofa.jpg)
Leica S2, Key and Rim Light 1ft. square Lightpanel LEDS.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on April 09, 2014, 12:11:01 am
Wonderful!

2014 volvo XC60 D5 awd for magazine
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on April 11, 2014, 07:10:21 am
Love everything about it… Outstanding of course!


Thank you Ian.

Now:

Leica S2, Bron 800 watt hmi with par reflector for key, 575 watt for accents.
(http://russellrutherford.com/final_armani_blue_212_sm.jpg)


BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on April 11, 2014, 07:40:37 am
doesn’t really do it for me.. ::)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on April 12, 2014, 02:02:48 am
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5130/13474075114_1a1265c453_b.jpg)



.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on April 12, 2014, 03:44:56 am
Leica S2, lightpanels
(http://russellrutherford.com/sml_rl_jeans_jacket_.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on April 12, 2014, 10:19:53 am
Leica S2, lightpanels
(http://russellrutherford.com/sml_rl_jeans_jacket_.jpg)

BC


This one has a nice 3D look to my eyes.

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on April 12, 2014, 01:05:04 pm
Grab from a documentary I'm working on.  Leica-R 50mm Summilux on the RED.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/ivor.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on April 12, 2014, 04:38:56 pm
Hello,

Olympus 50mm F1.4 MF lens on a Nikon D800E

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on April 12, 2014, 05:39:11 pm
Hello,

Olympus 50mm F1.4 MF lens on a Nikon D800E

Cheers

Simon

Is it just my impression, or are the three previous images taken from below and aimed at the left (or right?) nostril of the subject? Is there something special about nostrils? Or is it subliminally about nostril-mediated lifestyle enhancement?


Edmund
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on April 12, 2014, 05:46:49 pm
...Is there something special about nostrils?...

You have to have a nose* for such things  ;D


*Idiom dictionary: Fig. to have the ability to sense or find something, such as news, trouble, gossip, etc.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 12, 2014, 07:26:24 pm
Needless to say, lost of good work showing in these posts.
Here some more from Nacho's apartment.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Apto%20Nacho/_DSC1492.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Apto%20Nacho/_DSC1582.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on April 12, 2014, 10:23:36 pm
You have to have a nose* for such things  ;D


*Idiom dictionary: Fig. to have the ability to sense or find something, such as news, trouble, gossip, etc.

Slobodan,

Serve me right for my snotty remark :)


ACH,

 Very nice take on the geometrical motifs, with the 45 degree perspective. The image almost looks like a poster :)

Edmund

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 12, 2014, 11:07:37 pm
Just wanted to share this view from recent stay in Mexico where I relaxed from everything professional:)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/2014-MX_0091-0093_web-1200px.jpg)
3 frame stitch with Nex-5R and Sigma DN 60mm
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on April 13, 2014, 02:21:23 am
Hi,

Nice image and nicely processed. How did you get rid of those levitated ladies?

Best regards
Erik

Just wanted to share this view from recent stay in Mexico where I relaxed from everything professional:)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/2014-MX_0091-0093_web-1200px.jpg)
3 frame stitch with Nex-5R and Sigma DN 60mm
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on April 13, 2014, 02:27:38 am
Hi,

I like it, a lot.

No issue with nostrils…

Best regards
Erik


Hello,

Olympus 50mm F1.4 MF lens on a Nikon D800E

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on April 13, 2014, 02:29:39 am
Interesting stuff, well done!

Best regards
Erik
2014 volvo XC60 D5 awd for magazine

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on April 13, 2014, 11:18:59 am
Just wonderful!

As much as I would like to give the photographer all of the credit for great work; I am sure liking the skin tones coming out of that Leica S2. Is that what I am seeing?

Leica S2, Bron 575 HMI

(http://russellrutherford.com/la_per_innerwear_sm.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on April 13, 2014, 03:23:08 pm
Excellent BC I like everything about the image, the girl and the makeup!
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 13, 2014, 03:30:07 pm
Leica S2, Bron 575 HMI
BC
Adorable picture:)
Tooth seems like a minor distraction.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on April 13, 2014, 03:54:45 pm
Adorable picture:)
Tooth seems like a minor distraction.

A tiny imperfection enhances a nice image :)

Edmund
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on April 13, 2014, 04:08:52 pm
Teeth, nostrils... Invasion of the Body Nitpickers? ;)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on April 13, 2014, 04:10:49 pm
Teeth, nostrils... Invasion of the Body Nitpickers? ;)

What?  another lousy joke? ;)
Cooter is still debugging his new camera ...

Nice assets, nicely wrapped, well presented :)

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on April 13, 2014, 04:20:50 pm
Just wonderful!

As much as I would like to give the photographer all of the credit for great work; I am sure liking the skin tones coming out of that Leica S2. Is that what I am seeing?


I read this article http://www.digipixelpop.com/?p=897  go to the last paragraph and I'm so down with this.

I think most cmos is just thin and/or too smooth or something that looks like something I did't expect.  Anyway other feel different, it's now a cmos world with a trillion iso, though those things really don't concern me as I've worked at 800 iso and below my whole career.

Anyway, yes I think the S2 gives me the "base" to make a film look and I like the s--t out of the camera and I would imagine the next leica I buy will buy a ccd, though I will test the newest Leica when it comes out.

From the dcs 760, to my phase backs to the Leica, the most film like look I've ever seen is from the old aptus 22 though all the ccd cameras give a color reception that allows you to keep or toss what you want.

This is still my favorite series from the aptus and contax and boris tilt shift.
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/fashion/pictures/rr_fashion_0018.jpg)

Of CMOS I like the first 1ds, though the center was thin, the the RED 1 looks film like and the small olympus em-5 (not 1) has an interesting look.

But I'm curious what is anyone going to do with 400,000 iso?   chase the cat around their flat in the dark?

IMO

BC

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on April 13, 2014, 05:26:32 pm
J,

 I'm starting to think that the CCD to Cmos controversy actually may have something to it; which doesn't mean that CMOS will not in due course become better. I've looked at some of my old Nikon D1x images, and they were kind of interesting, had good skin tone.

 Regarding ISO, you know, when you're doing available light in this city 1600 is probably the strict minimum to use a camera handheld, in the late afternoon. My 1Ds3 is always at the limit of its abilities. I have a D4 that can at least in theory do better ISO, but I'm not happy with it, it's going to be sold soon. The 1Ds3, whatever its limitations performs wonderfully as long as you are inside its envelope.

 There is a lot of room for better high ISO; here is ISO 52000, 1/30s F1.4 from my Nikon D4;  this is within the designated usage of this camera, but go up over 3200 ISO, and you steadily loose color quality, sharpness and resolution until you are left with a postage stamp :)  if you ask me there is a lot of room for Nikon to raise their quality to marketing ratio, frankly I would recommend people just go straight to the D800 or Sony equivalent, although I did make a bunch of interesting images @6400.
 
Edmund


But I'm curious what is anyone going to do with 400,000 iso?   chase the cat around their flat in the dark?

IMO

BC


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on April 14, 2014, 06:53:12 am

 I'm starting to think that the CCD to Cmos controversy actually



There's no controversy about cmos vs ccd.

Nobody in the west wing is holding meetings ad governments in any country aren't planning hearings.

First we had film, ccd's mimicked film, in other words they needed light, sometimes a tripod, nearly always some planning, but they were just the digital equivalent of a film capture.

Then CMOS because they could stuff more electronics on the chip, in smaller camera and  it was cheaper, could evolve to higher iso, for the people that didn't want a world of lighting or crafted images.

They just wanted to shoot at film speeds that would work anywhere, but mostly cmos was cheaper ad offered more in the way of services, i.e. live view and video.

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: araucaria on April 14, 2014, 03:19:23 pm
Hello,

Olympus 50mm F1.4 MF lens on a Nikon D800E

Cheers

Simon
Did you modify the lens or how are youmadapting it to a nikon?

I have been reading this topic for a while and there is a lot of great work!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on April 14, 2014, 06:24:08 pm
Hello,

This is the adopter I used.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181298276636?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: peterv on April 18, 2014, 05:41:44 am
BC, Beautiful, very nice color separation.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on April 18, 2014, 09:00:12 pm
Sure liking that "see see dee". Gotta get me some!

Leica S2 the see see dee version
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/la_per_innerwear_1.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 19, 2014, 02:17:04 pm
D800e + Sigma 50-500mm @ Bronx Zoo
(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/BZ_201208_238_BW_web1.jpg)

I've been comparing the later version of this lens to the original EX that I purchased in 2001 and have to admit that chose the original.
The new has OS and better contrast but the sharpness of the EX beats it still.

On the subject of CCD vs CMOS... the differences are insignificant in comparison of post processing impact on the final picture..
However much fun it is to play with the toys (and yes, it is just too much fun!:)), post work would be a better time and effort spent to get a significantly better final result.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: chiek on April 21, 2014, 06:50:46 am
D800e + Sigma 50-500mm @ Bronx Zoo

Wow, Nice capture MichaelEzra.

(http://chiek.co.kr/list/revol_getimg.php?id=blog&no=332&num=1&fc=d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e)
(http://chiek.co.kr/list/revol_getimg.php?id=blog&no=332&num=0&fc=e4bde0eb46b8f32ef4b4207f5344b4d4)
(http://chiek.co.kr/list/revol_getimg.php?id=blog&no=332&num=2&fc=d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e)

silbatone acoustics
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JWGeiger on April 22, 2014, 11:08:23 am
Client: SmartDrop (http://www.smartdropbottle.com)
Photographer: Joshua Geiger (http://www.geigerfoto.com)
Gear: 645DF - Leaf Aptus II 10 - 80mm LS D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on April 24, 2014, 05:31:58 pm
first shoot with new h4x and credo 40, lookbook shots:

(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/samples/0030_crop.jpg)

(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/samples/0002_crop.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on April 24, 2014, 06:11:29 pm
Great job! Love both of them!

first shoot with new h4x and credo 40, lookbook shots:

(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/samples/0030_crop.jpg)

(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/samples/0002_crop.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on April 24, 2014, 09:10:09 pm
D800e + Sigma 50-500mm @ Bronx Zoo
(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/BZ_201208_238_BW_web1.jpg)

I've been comparing the later version of this lens to the original EX that I purchased in 2001 and have to admit that chose the original.
The new has OS and better contrast but the sharpness of the EX beats it still.

On the subject of CCD vs CMOS... the differences are insignificant in comparison of post processing impact on the final picture..
However much fun it is to play with the toys (and yes, it is just too much fun!:)), post work would be a better time and effort spent to get a significantly better final result.



Nice shot, Michael.
I prefer to think good ingredients show through in the quality of the cooking.

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DanielStone on April 24, 2014, 11:23:24 pm
I'd say you kicked ass on these ones ;)!

first shoot with new h4x and credo 40, lookbook shots:

(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/samples/0030_crop.jpg)

(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/samples/0002_crop.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: chiek on April 25, 2014, 03:05:10 pm
VW CC 2.0tdi 4motion for magazines.

Nice shape car but i like previous CC design.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on April 29, 2014, 08:35:07 am
an outtake from a recent watch shoot, sony A7r canon 100 macro, stacked in helicon focus.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on April 30, 2014, 03:31:57 pm
leica s2, lightpanels leds

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/la_perl_blu_studio.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on April 30, 2014, 04:26:05 pm
PhaseOne IQ160 on the Hasselblad H1 w/ 80mm f2.8 lens

iso200 (IIQ L, 60MP), lens @ f2.8, 1/125 s.

M Chimera soft box left of me w/ a AB1600 at low power (w/ Vagabond Mini Lithium), very light and affordable setup.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on April 30, 2014, 11:09:00 pm
Hello,

The new 2014 Subaru WRX.

Nikon D800E + assorted Nikon lenses.

Dedo’s and Ice light.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on May 01, 2014, 02:02:12 am
first shoot with new h4x and credo 40, lookbook shots:

(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/samples/0030_crop.jpg)

(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/samples/0002_crop.jpg)

Very nice images. really like the lighting. Ringflash. It was a great choice and suits the subject. And the colour background is great. Nice legs too! ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on May 01, 2014, 02:28:01 am
Hey All just thought i would post some of the more recent things i have done for this Client.
This particular one was done for the Diamond catalogue. Which the whole catalogue i have posted on my Behance for anyone that wants to see the whole thing. Follow the link: https://www.behance.net/gallery/16490437/NWJ-Diamond-catalogue-2014
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on May 01, 2014, 09:09:16 am
Hello,

The new 2014 Subaru WRX.

Nikon D800E + assorted Nikon lenses.

Dedo’s and Ice light.
As usual, crisp, clean, beautiful photography. Now, as for the WRX: Lust.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on May 01, 2014, 09:25:38 am
"dedo’s and an ice-light."

it’s so much easier now with smaller direct lights, the days of laying out blackout and building walls with rolls of black felt in a white studio to stop a black car going milky are long gone. i remember the first time i saw a photographer drag a kino along the floor and light the whole side of a car in one pass, bit of a revelation to not have to wrestle with the ceiling and trying to lose the corners of the studio.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on May 01, 2014, 04:45:37 pm
(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/erica/ManiBlack)

another outtake from the first Credo shoot. gridded profoto silver dish and ring.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on May 01, 2014, 04:49:20 pm
Dean, beautiful jewelry photography!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on May 01, 2014, 09:35:07 pm
Been busy and missed some great work in this thread. Here's one from me:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/14105457463_7a5286bb71_c.jpg)

Credo 40, 80mm LS
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 06, 2014, 12:47:51 pm
So I have decided to start fooling around with furniture I have to see what I can do.  I am not yet ready to start sourcing materials, reaching out to stylists for TFP works and renting out a studio, so these cheap black IKEA chairs were on the docket yesterday.  I am finding out that I need much more room than I thought and my living room is just big enough for a chair.  So until I get more confident and want to rent out a studio, I am not going after anything bigger than a chair.  

For these images, I used a 90mm with a P45+ on an Arca RM3Di.  I cropped very little into the images, so they are almost full frame.  For the lighting, I used 3 heads each, two with soft boxes and one with a 20 degree grid, along with many white, grey and black foam core boards as bounce cards and flags.  

Any comments or advice would be appreciated.   :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on May 14, 2014, 12:26:50 am
Hello,

Nikon D800E and Nikon 85mm F1.4G lens @F1.8.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: EricWHiss on May 15, 2014, 01:14:48 am
first shoot with new h4x and credo 40, lookbook shots:



Excellent!  2nd is my favorite!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: heinrichvoelkel on May 15, 2014, 03:35:33 am
Hello,

Nikon D800E and Nikon 85mm F1.4G lens @F1.8.

Cheers

Simon

Great picture! Love the "creamyness".
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on May 15, 2014, 03:44:47 am
Hello,

Thanks. Here's another taken on the same shoot.

Nikon D800E and Nikon 35mm F1.4 G lens @F1.6, 8000th sec.

Nikon SB900/Pocket Wizard FlexTT5/Softbox combo.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on May 15, 2014, 01:58:18 pm
Hello,
Thanks. Here's another taken on the same shoot.
Nikon D800E and Nikon 35mm F1.4 G lens @F1.6, 8000th sec.
Nikon SB900/Pocket Wizard FlexTT5/Softbox combo.
Cheers
Simon

Very nice!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on May 15, 2014, 04:48:45 pm
Recent writer portrait. 5DMKIII, Ring, Rotalux Deep

(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/CristM)

-Craig
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 15, 2014, 04:56:05 pm
Dig that, Craig.  Very Vermeer.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on May 16, 2014, 03:19:18 am
Thanks. Here's another taken on the same shoot.

He can't be a real farmer - he has ten fingers (http://www.theonion.com/articles/mr-prettyboy-farmer-still-has-all-his-fingers,2705/).

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on May 16, 2014, 03:20:38 am
Hi,

I like those images, they have character. A welcome change from the usual fashion stuff.

Best regards
Erik

Hello,

Thanks. Here's another taken on the same shoot.

Nikon D800E and Nikon 35mm F1.4 G lens @F1.6, 8000th sec.

Nikon SB900/Pocket Wizard FlexTT5/Softbox combo.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on May 19, 2014, 05:31:46 pm
a portrait I did for a podcast recently:

(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/jordy.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on May 19, 2014, 09:47:52 pm
bcooter…

Revives my urge to get a used 1Ds! Amazing work of course. Just curious, did you ever try the Kodak DCS Pro SLR Canon or Nikon versions? I remember trying one out when they were new and at that time thought the colors and skin tones were superb.

Jim, Craig . . . nice work.

Canon 1ds
(http://russellrutherford.com/la_perl_prime_sm_fl_tone.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/la_perl_prime_sm_grn.jpg)


BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on May 20, 2014, 07:51:30 am
Craig LaCourt,

Liking your portrait eye a /lot/.  Also liking your use of ring flash. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on May 20, 2014, 10:53:06 am
Thank you very much! I keep grinding away...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SeanBK on May 28, 2014, 03:50:42 pm
Terrific as always. You have that signature look that exudes perfection. Thnx for sharing.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: danlandoni on May 29, 2014, 04:50:44 pm
A few from yesterday!  Phase one P30+ and Hassey H2. 80mm and 50-110mm
(http://i.imgur.com/dlgwM0h.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YadLNYQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0twNhS0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Gd9Nxcx.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 03, 2014, 07:39:11 pm
This shot has been recently licensed to Canon through ImageBrief photo library for worldwide use, all media, one year, exclusive. More on ImageBrief blog: http://tinyurl.com/l2nkn3m

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6415581677_61f8e94933_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/aLVwVc)
Paris - Pont Notre-Dame (https://flic.kr/p/aLVwVc) by Slobodan Blagojevic (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sdwilsonsct on June 03, 2014, 08:14:12 pm
A nice little earner (and great image): congrats, Slobodan!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: wolfnowl on June 04, 2014, 02:14:30 am
Congrats indeed!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 04, 2014, 02:31:25 am
My congrats, too.
I hope you get paid!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 04, 2014, 10:51:49 am
... I hope you get paid!

Fortunately, ImageBrief is not a penny stock agency. It pays previously unheard of 70% of royalties  to the photographer. As how much the client paid, you can find in the provided link :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 04, 2014, 12:57:11 pm
Unlike the penny stock outfits, ImageBrief must have someone on staff who can actually appreciate quality photography.
I'm delighted that we got to see it here for free!  ;)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on June 04, 2014, 05:59:19 pm
This shot has been recently licensed to Canon through ImageBrief photo library for worldwide use, all media, one year, exclusive. More on ImageBrief blog: http://tinyurl.com/l2nkn3m

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6415581677_61f8e94933_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/aLVwVc)
Paris - Pont Notre-Dame (https://flic.kr/p/aLVwVc) by Slobodan Blagojevic (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

That's a great fee!  I sold a racetrack shot thru them for close to that but it included a location fee.  I think Imagebrief is an interesting concept and they've had great success as far as I can tell.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MarkoRepse on June 06, 2014, 03:11:58 am
Nice Slobodan! The income looks good too :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on June 10, 2014, 05:22:05 am
bcooter…

Revives my urge to get a used 1Ds! Amazing work of course. Just curious, did you ever try the Kodak DCS Pro SLR Canon or Nikon versions? I remember trying one out when they were new and at that time thought the colors and skin tones were superb.


I still have my Kodak DCS  ProSLR/c. I recently sold my 1Ds (It is a superb machine).
The Kodak and the software are really amazing. To this day the software is superior over many I use. The problem is that the sensor has issues with direct light into the lens.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on June 10, 2014, 07:55:44 am
I still have my Kodak DCS  ProSLR/c. I recently sold my 1Ds (It is a superb machine).


Interesting post in Lens Rentals Blog on cover glass thickness, and its effects. A trend, on the limited data, is how this has increased since the early models, perhaps contributing to the "effect' or "look" of those early models.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/06/sensor-stack-thickness-when-does-it-matter
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on June 10, 2014, 12:48:26 pm
One thing for sure, the Kodak had a very LF Db look to the files. It too had no AA filter, and the files with Leica glass were beautiful...in the right light
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on June 10, 2014, 02:19:59 pm
Yes. When ever there is ground breaking new technology, the first ones are made the best with the new born tech. But as soon as its discovered how to exploit the potential and need, the design limiters crop up to force consumers to consume more...Not all of them perhaps...but you know what I mean.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pixjohn on June 10, 2014, 06:08:58 pm
I still love my Leaf Aptus back even though I have shot with much newer Phsae One backs, I still like the look of the final images. I just wish technically it worked better. I don't need more megapixels, I am fine shooting at 50 iso and can live with the poor quality live video.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on June 17, 2014, 03:33:14 am
Hi,

Its not often I shoot fashion.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on June 17, 2014, 06:51:40 am
Simon, These look great!  Everything works well together, styling, talent, light and expression, it's really nicely done!  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sam@ on June 17, 2014, 07:06:27 am
Hi Simon

I like the lighting and the background in the second image and nice perspective.

What lens did you use for this?
(I can see a tiny bit of purple fringe in the dress, but can't quite work out the green edging on the things hanging in the top background - does that come from the green window glass panes or chromatic aberration?

You might consider removing the little support under the table leg - it catches the eye a bit.

Looks good!

Best

Sam



Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on June 17, 2014, 04:56:45 pm
Hello,

Thanks Jim for your kind words.

Sam the lens I used was a Nikon 50mm F1.4 G lens at F2.0 on a Nikon D800. I was hoping to have my new Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art lens from B&H but I think Americans get first dibs over us plebs down here in the South Pacific.

Now that is purple fringing in the dress as I hadn’t turned on the lens profile in ACR. The green is the light coming through the window which I like.

Just saw the table leg support. Thanks for pointing it out.

The model Amber is the partner of one of my assistance I have and she owns a vintage boutique shop in a lovely part of Auckland called Devonport

https://www.facebook.com/amberlavintage?fref=ts

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sam@ on June 17, 2014, 07:07:50 pm
Hi Simon

That's great - thanks for that info. I always like seeing behind the scenes images and how people work.

I recall at some stage you commented switching from ACR to CaptureOne - did you do that?
I use both but I continue to struggle to love CaptureOne (I am much faster with ACR and when under volume / time pressure find that easier).

Regards

Sam
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on June 17, 2014, 07:20:46 pm
Hello Sam,

Totally agree with you ARC is the boss. Capture One is such a dog to deal with. When shooting teethed I always use Nikon Camera Control 2 and Nikon ViewNX 2 as they aren’t pretty but they are solid as a rock. The only time I use Capture One is when I need digital overlay and the minute I don’t need it I switch back to the Nikon software.

My wish would be it Leaf capture was compatible with Nikon NEF files, loved that software for previewing when I had a Leaf Aptus 75.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on June 18, 2014, 02:53:48 am
Hello,

Another version.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bpepz on June 18, 2014, 11:15:05 am
Hello Sam,

Totally agree with you ARC is the boss. Capture One is such a dog to deal with. When shooting teethed I always use Nikon Camera Control 2 and Nikon ViewNX 2 as they aren’t pretty but they are solid as a rock. The only time I use Capture One is when I need digital overlay and the minute I don’t need it I switch back to the Nikon software.

My wish would be it Leaf capture was compatible with Nikon NEF files, loved that software for previewing when I had a Leaf Aptus 75.

Cheers

Simon

I actually prefer Capture one, not just for workflow, but more importantly color. Lightroom has a severe problem with warm tones, espically when you push an image, the colors completely fall apart in lightroom.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on June 18, 2014, 04:50:03 pm
I actually prefer Capture one, not just for workflow, but more importantly color. Lightroom has a severe problem with warm tones, espically when you push an image, the colors completely fall apart in lightroom.

Funny you should say that :-) I don't like C1 skin colors at all. To me they are way too warm, which might work in sunnier climes, but with Pacific North West light it looks a bit odd. It is almost as if C1 wants to give people a tan.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on June 19, 2014, 11:09:56 am
Funny you should say that :-) I don't like C1 skin colors at all. To me they are way too warm, which might work in sunnier climes, but with Pacific North West light it looks a bit odd. It is almost as if C1 wants to give people a tan.

The best skin colors I ever got were with a D3x and C1 using the linear profile.  I think that the use of the linear profile can make a big difference.  Other tone curves tend to cause "bunching" in the skin tones, something that is almost impossible to fix.  LR does not seem to have quite the same linearity in its "camera neutral" profile.  The "portrait" profiles in both C1 and LR, while doing less damage than the "standard" profiles, is far from ideal.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on June 21, 2014, 11:35:11 am
Recent portrait for promotion

(http://craiglacourt.com/ftp/SunnyTune_189small.jpg)

-craig
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on June 23, 2014, 01:12:03 am
The best skin colors I ever got were with a D3x and C1 using the linear profile.  I think that the use of the linear profile can make a big difference.  Other tone curves tend to cause "bunching" in the skin tones, something that is almost impossible to fix.  LR does not seem to have quite the same linearity in its "camera neutral" profile.  The "portrait" profiles in both C1 and LR, while doing less damage than the "standard" profiles, is far from ideal.

I absolutely agree, the linear profile is the way to go. And yes, LR's linear is not exactly linear. My problem with C1 was a color shift towards "warm" in the skin tones (using a D800), which didn't entirely go away with linear processing. The latest profiles might be better, though.

And, in order not to take this thread all over the place, some recent portrait work.

(http://martinrangerimages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/scan0051_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on July 12, 2014, 11:20:33 pm
Shooting this weekend, this one from a few hours ago... straight out of the IQ 260.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/LandW_CompletedShots_003.jpg)

Kirk, Sarp is gonna come 2nd assist us tomorrow, should be good fun!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on July 12, 2014, 11:47:11 pm
Chris,

great photo, but there is really heavy pixilation on the right side of the frame. Is this the CCD vs CMOS look?

:D
 
Martin
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on July 13, 2014, 05:10:42 am
And isn't 1/6 second in shutter blur territory for the A7r?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Marce1o on July 13, 2014, 07:34:31 am
bcooter
I still shoot with my beloved DCS760's in the studio today.
Perfect compromise between quality and file size for editorial work.
This was shot last year in London and the background shot in Bolivia
back in 2002!!.
It is a huge print being shown at Cannes this summer.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on July 13, 2014, 08:16:36 am
Ha!  We were moving so fast, I lost track of what camera that was shot with  (sleep deprivation).  I've been using both side by side and am really pleased with the Sony.  I don't know if I got a real gem out of the production line but I have never seen any blur (from shutter bounce), even when using my Leica-R 70-180.

Here's your IQ 260 shot...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/LandW_CompletedShots_004.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on July 13, 2014, 08:43:36 am
And since you guys are getting all technical, check out this exercise from a few days ago.  IQ260 vs Portra 160... but which is which?

(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10386970_10203508281162724_7899616052322844587_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on July 13, 2014, 09:33:32 am
Film left, digi right.
Purely based on highlight behaviour (I am looking on an iPhone though)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: billthecat on July 13, 2014, 10:36:14 am
The left one looks more like fruit, so I'd say the left one is the film.

Bill

And since you guys are getting all technical, check out this exercise from a few days ago.  IQ260 vs Portra 160... but which is which?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on July 13, 2014, 05:55:25 pm
Hello,

Latest creation.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on July 13, 2014, 09:16:39 pm
Very Cool! Love It!

bcooter
I still shoot with my beloved DCS760's in the studio today.
Perfect compromise between quality and file size for editorial work.
This was shot last year in London and the background shot in Bolivia
back in 2002!!.
It is a huge print being shown at Cannes this summer.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on July 14, 2014, 04:03:08 am
I love it!

I only think, the lightning and the clouds should end at the red line (because of the outer windowframe), so it looks more realistic.

see attachement

Hello,

Latest creation.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on July 14, 2014, 04:29:13 am
presumably thats the reflection of the frame, so you will see the lightning.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on July 14, 2014, 04:21:50 pm
Hello,

Mr Smith is correct.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on July 14, 2014, 06:49:25 pm
Shooting this weekend, this one from a few hours ago... straight out of the IQ 260.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/LandW_CompletedShots_003.jpg)

Kirk, Sarp is gonna come 2nd assist us tomorrow, should be good fun!

Just saw this. Christopher very cool! I like that guy a lot. He was a great TA.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on July 16, 2014, 04:06:14 pm
I had a recent photo session in Punta Cana Dominican Republic.
A beautiful house, very different in construction aspects and the unique interior design of Ignacio Ferreira.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1841.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC2041.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC2410.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1956.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC2050.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on July 23, 2014, 01:23:15 pm
Part of recent portrait assignment project...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Go Go on July 23, 2014, 02:28:43 pm
Recent work,

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on July 30, 2014, 05:25:57 am
Hello,

Shot a few weeks ago with a new beauty dish I just purchased. Very pleased.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on July 30, 2014, 06:44:12 am
Some images from Ammonite:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1807.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC2260.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: chris_holtmeier on July 30, 2014, 10:25:22 am
Author's portrait

(http://www.foton-foto.com/Clients/Michaelson/i-4DcGSCm/0/X2/Michaelson%2021-X2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rgmoore on July 30, 2014, 08:31:09 pm
Simon,

Very effective light source; provides definition of features, yet flattering at the same time.

Would you mind sharing the brand and the size of the beauty dish that you are using?

Thank you,

Richard
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on July 30, 2014, 10:12:56 pm
Hello,

The beauty dish I used was the 50cm white version fitted with the white sock

http://www.goldenshell.com.cn/en/productsDetalis.asp?id=216

The images below was taken with the same beauty dish set up.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on July 31, 2014, 02:23:45 am
Hello,

Same model and lighting just full length.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rgmoore on July 31, 2014, 12:56:19 pm
Simon,

Thank you for relating the information regarding the beauty dish.  The results make it seem as if you used a larger light source.
But your setup just shows the beauty dish.  Amazing light quality.

Cheers,

Richard
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on July 31, 2014, 03:20:09 pm
Author's portrait


Chris, Beautifully handled glasses. would a pen in the pocket have been too corny?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on August 01, 2014, 07:43:31 pm
Part of recent portrait assignment project...

Again, liking your work a lot.  Like the subject, shot, and treatment.  I'd be interested to know what you did in post.  It looks like your sharpening regimen allows for some local contrast enhancements, as though you constructed a hard light or overlay layer using combined sharpening.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Justinr on August 02, 2014, 02:08:15 pm
A cover shot I rather like here -

http://www.machinerymovers.ie/augsept14/ (http://www.machinerymovers.ie/augsept14/)

Taken with the Mamiya, it does show that MF still has that something over FF, well, D3 FF anyway.

Oh, and the examples I used to illustrate the Canned Air Cleaning thread appear on page 70.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on August 04, 2014, 12:20:13 pm
This is how Canon is using the photograph they licensed from me, on their new promotional web site http://bringit.usa.canon.com, devoted to promoting exceptional photography via a hashtag ‪#‎bringit‬:
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on August 04, 2014, 02:28:04 pm
A cover shot I rather like here -

http://www.machinerymovers.ie/augsept14/ (http://www.machinerymovers.ie/augsept14/)

Taken with the Mamiya, it does show that MF still has that something over FF, well, D3 FF anyway.

Oh, and the examples I used to illustrate the Canned Air Cleaning thread appear on page 70.

How does it show that exactly?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chairman Bill on August 04, 2014, 02:35:51 pm
This is how Canon is using the photograph they licensed from me, on their new promotional web site http://bringit.usa.canon.com, devoted to promoting exceptional photography via a hashtag ‪#‎bringit‬:

Shh. Don't tell 'em it was taken on a Nikon  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on August 04, 2014, 04:13:31 pm
How does it show that exactly?

I was wondering the same thing?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on August 07, 2014, 08:53:27 pm
Some exteriors.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1702.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1856.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1911.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on August 08, 2014, 06:11:55 am
I like the first one!

Edmund

Some exteriors.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1702.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1856.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1911.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on August 08, 2014, 11:46:18 am
magazine cover, a coffee ice lolly, no budget for a model maker so the real thing shot on one of the hottest days of the year, had to wipe the chocolate and then blow on it to get the right level of bloom/condensation. not an amazing shot but more of a test of shooting speed under less than ideal conditions.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: george2787 on August 09, 2014, 08:11:24 am
I find it very nice :)

Maybe the chocolate on the down left side is not 100% right and I find the whole down part very asymmetrical, but it may be on purpose... texture and color are A+ though.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 11, 2014, 03:38:15 pm
Some exteriors.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1702.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1856.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/Ammonite/_DSC1911.jpg)

ACH

Love the first image.  Great colors, nice crop.  Not the typical architectural image. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 11, 2014, 03:41:10 pm
Some images I did this weekend of a cool new addition to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.  The hanging sculpture is many hundreds of squares of polished aluminum that pivot along a lattice type structure with the blowing wind. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on August 12, 2014, 08:29:29 am
Thank you Joe, love the way the hanging sculpture renders.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on August 12, 2014, 03:39:24 pm
Penthouse:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/WGPH00.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/WGPH01.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/WGPH02.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on August 12, 2014, 08:44:32 pm
Penthouse:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/WGPH00.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/WGPH01.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/WGPH02.jpg)

A quick tip to help pull the nap up on rugs and carpet...a small plastic rake, followed by a broom to pull the nap the same direction.  Retouching out carpet/ rug weirdness is really difficult.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 12, 2014, 09:23:36 pm
Perky! (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Groom-Industries-AB22-Perky-Groomer-Carpet-Rake/29199471)

(http://theeasylivingstore.com/catalog/images/perky.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on August 12, 2014, 09:31:52 pm
Perky! (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Groom-Industries-AB22-Perky-Groomer-Carpet-Rake/29199471)

(http://theeasylivingstore.com/catalog/images/perky.jpg)

Even better, thanks, I just ordered one!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on August 12, 2014, 10:19:44 pm
Just incredible! Really like the soft tones of the colors.

Leica S2
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/armani_sm.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on August 12, 2014, 10:37:19 pm
Perky! (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Groom-Industries-AB22-Perky-Groomer-Carpet-Rake/29199471)

(http://theeasylivingstore.com/catalog/images/perky.jpg)

20 years ago  I shot regularly for a major carpet manufacturer. They would send out techs to spiff up the carpets and they used something like this.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on August 13, 2014, 03:06:19 am
Nice image BC but maybe like most gym bunnies your model should remember 'don't forget leg day'  ::)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 13, 2014, 07:14:56 am
Nice image BC but maybe like most gym bunnies your model should remember 'don't forget leg day'  ::)

Your right and it sent me crazy.  We got this gig right after another one and this was the talent available.

The legs are an issue and I debate whether to show it at all, but I like the photograph.

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 13, 2014, 07:28:00 am
Perky! (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Groom-Industries-AB22-Perky-Groomer-Carpet-Rake/29199471)

(http://theeasylivingstore.com/catalog/images/perky.jpg)

Do they make a foldable version of this? 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 13, 2014, 08:44:35 am
Haven't seen one.  The handle unscrews and I sawed mine down a bit to fit in my tripod case.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on August 13, 2014, 11:08:16 am
Thanks for the advice!
 :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on August 13, 2014, 02:27:15 pm
In fairness to BC, not all gym bunnies have the same required look for each assignment or shoot :)

Mamiya 645AFDII and Tri-X 400 pushed 2 stops.

Nice image BC but maybe like most gym bunnies your model should remember 'don't forget leg day'  ::)


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on August 13, 2014, 02:51:57 pm
Do they make a foldable version of this?  

The one I ordered has a three piece handle that breaks down

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DEKSW44/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on August 14, 2014, 03:57:02 am
The one I ordered has a three piece handle that breaks down

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DEKSW44/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


 85 customer reviews? Thats funny. The United States really seem to be a "carped-country". Each time I'm over there, I'm impressed by finding carpets at places I wouldn't expect any. Even at the airports, you walk on carpets a lot. Must be a torture to keep those clean. ;-)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on August 23, 2014, 08:47:25 am
Perky! (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Groom-Industries-AB22-Perky-Groomer-Carpet-Rake/29199471)

(http://theeasylivingstore.com/catalog/images/perky.jpg)

Thanks for the tip on this one Chris, the Perky works great!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 23, 2014, 10:37:46 am
Nice!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on August 26, 2014, 10:19:25 am
couple of timepieces, one a cover shot (was featured inside but they liked it so much it went on the cover) and a test shot work in progress for me (hands need moving to correct position as it’s a non working test piece)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on August 26, 2014, 11:36:36 am
couple of timepieces, one a cover shot (was featured inside but they liked it so much i went on the cover) and a test shot work in progress for me (hands need moving to correct position as it’s a non working test piece)



Really nice work there. Well done!
Any chance of getting a breakdown of what was used to create it? or possibly a setup description?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on August 26, 2014, 12:10:00 pm
Really nice work there. Well done!
Any chance of getting a breakdown of what was used to create it? or possibly a setup description?

thanks.
a roll of trace, one small flash light and a piece of silver card.
i make it sound so easy ;D

i actually use elinchrom ranger quadras (the battery powered ones) as working that close mono heads are cumbersome and often don't output low enough power and you have to add N.D's
the tudor just had a couple of extra exposures for the bezel where it is angled towards the light and a bit of detail for the lower strap (could have lifted that area but it’s easy to just shoot another frame)
Jaeger has a separate face shot and a large reflector on the right hand side to cover the silver bezel all the way round and a separate highlight exposure for the 2 lugs nearest the camera.

both on canon 100mm IS macro/sony A7r should have done the jaeger on a 90ts-e but was too lazy to change lenses so ended up stacking in helicon focus. the files at 100% look fantastic.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on August 26, 2014, 12:51:21 pm
thanks.
a roll of trace, one small flash light and a piece of silver card.
i make it sound so easy ;D

i actually use elinchrom ranger quadras (the battery powered ones) as working that close mono heads are cumbersome and often don't output low enough power and you have to add N.D's
the tudor just had a couple of extra exposures for the bezel where it is angled towards the light and a bit of detail for the lower strap (could have lifted that area but it’s easy to just shoot another frame)
Jaeger has a separate face shot and a large reflector on the right hand side to cover the silver bezel all the way round and a separate highlight exposure for the 2 lugs nearest the camera.

both on canon 100mm IS macro/sony A7r should have done the jaeger on a 90ts-e but was too lazy to change lenses so ended up stacking in helicon focus. the files at 100% look fantastic.

I really would have said Medium format. Well done. The rendition of the fabric is great too.
If you dont mind me asking another question, what sort of timing does it take to produce one of the images? shoot time and retouch time. I know for myself it probably would have been per watch, around 2 hours (incl setup) to shoot and then really particular retouching around 3-4 hours. Is that about right? Maybe im slow ha ha. I know there is no exact mesurement as we all work differently. Im just curious. Thanks again for being so open to sharing.
D.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on August 26, 2014, 01:27:49 pm
we did 5 shots in a day with the Tudor, with a stylist sourcing all the props, so you have to factor in time for all the discussions about what works with what props, lighting doesn't take too long as i have had lots of practice and know what look I’m after, retouch time is around 1.5-4 hours a shot depending on complexity, how much stacking to do and how clean the watches are, sometimes they look clean to the naked eye but are filthy when you see them blown up.

the Jaeger shot took 15min to shoot as i was in in a rush to let the chaperone/security go at the end of the shoot and as a consequence nothing lined up through knocking the set and i ‘banged it out quickly’ lighting was already in place i just had to move it to back of the set.

i have before shot 16 watches on location (including stacking) in under 3 hours. physically sweating and not how i like to work, loads of retouch due to rushing and having to let little things go.

HTH


here is a 100% crop. this is unsharpened with just the ‘version 3.0 standard look’ applied in capture1

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on August 26, 2014, 03:16:04 pm
You have done a great job, well done and thanks so much for being kind enough to share your process. Im glad to hear about the timing on the shoot, i feel better about the timing on my shoots now :-)
I look forward to seeing more sometime.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 07, 2014, 08:34:12 pm
Mamiya ZD 150mm

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NU_OLM_C058_V1_web2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 07, 2014, 08:48:55 pm
Michael, Beautiful !
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 09, 2014, 11:28:58 pm
Thanks, Antonio:)

One more from the same session:

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NU_OLM_C035_V5_web1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on September 13, 2014, 09:29:08 am
more timepiece bling. A7r canon 90mm TS-e helicon focus stack.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 13, 2014, 10:05:45 am
I think is an opportune  moment to wright about Helicon Remote. I'm using it in my macro photography with jewelry and the result is astonishing. In combination with the best AF macro lens around which is the Nikon 105 G (works only with auto focus lenses) after setting first and last focus points, the software calculates the amount of shots and the distance between them in a second. Then you just have to finish it up in Helicon Focus.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on September 13, 2014, 10:45:35 am
i can’t do the auto bracketing of focus as it doesn't work on the sony and obviously not with the MF 90mm but the focus peaking helps with judging the amount of focus to move and i usually don’t have to redo a stack because i have missed anything. it is a great piece of software.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 13, 2014, 11:07:03 am
What camera+lens do you use in MF for small objects?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on September 13, 2014, 11:12:33 am
i meant manual focus ‘MF’. i use a Sony A7r/metabones adapter usually with a 90TS-e and 2.8 IS 100mm macro
i was going to buy an H4D-40 but i couldn’t really see any difference quality wise in other than cost, was not a fan of the HTS to get tilt and having to buy more lighting. i’ll add a cambo actus/lenses next

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on September 13, 2014, 11:31:20 am
more timepiece bling. A7r canon 90mm TS-e helicon focus stack.



That's really pretty!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 13, 2014, 04:26:29 pm
more timepiece bling. A7r canon 90mm TS-e helicon focus stack.



Great shot.  Is the light underneath the watch from a light or was it added in post?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on September 13, 2014, 04:44:11 pm
Background is rendered in post, far easier than rigging up glass/lighting
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 13, 2014, 06:59:29 pm
That's really pretty!
Let us know of your progress with this equipment. Very interesting!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 13, 2014, 07:56:21 pm
Background is rendered in post, far easier than rigging up glass/lighting

But it could be done, right?

With the right tools and light modifiers, it would not be that hard to add that light through the lens? 

Black plexi, with a light underneath, very possible? 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on September 14, 2014, 02:23:03 am
But it could be done, right?

With the right tools and light modifiers, it would not be that hard to add that light through the lens? 

Black plexi, with a light underneath, very possible? 

Yes all possible and pre digital it would have been rigged but frankly hours of work on set compared to 10 min sat in front of the computer plus the ability to change the area of light and the graduation of tones means a render is the obvious choice. Plus the light for the background is the never the right light for the subject so you end up comping it anyway.
Title: Lens choice.
Post by: Kaypee on September 15, 2014, 02:59:56 pm
The two images below are really good examples for a question I have been wondering for a while.

Could this angle be shot on a DSLR with a tilt shift or is it only achievable on medium format?  It seems that some interior shots cover a wide angle but still look quite close. Is this done by stitching panoramics or using a longer tilt shift like a 90mm and moving further away. It's a wide shot but doesn't have a distorted wide angle feel. I was wondering if there is a technique for tilting that allows this coverage?

Thanks KP.

Penthouse:


(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/WGPH01.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/ll/WGPH02.jpg)
Title: Re: Lens choice.
Post by: haefnerphoto on September 15, 2014, 04:41:44 pm
The two images below are really good examples for a question I have been wondering for a while.

Could this angle be shot on a DSLR with a tilt shift or is it only achievable on medium format?  It seems that some interior shots cover a wide angle but still look quite close. Is this done by stitching panoramics or using a longer tilt shift like a 90mm and moving further away. It's a wide shot but doesn't have a distorted wide angle feel. I was wondering if there is a technique for tilting that allows this coverage?

Thanks KP.


KP, There are no tricks involved in making images like your examples.  The distance of the camera to the subject is what creates perspective, stitching won't make a difference.  Backing the camera away from the subject and using a longer lens is the only way to lessen distortion.  In photoshop it is possible to reduce the appearance of distortion by enlarging the portion of the image that recedes from the camera and making the subject matter that's closest to the camera smaller.  I use Edit>Transform>Distort to accomplish this.  My preference would be to back off the camera if there's room to do so.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on September 15, 2014, 04:53:39 pm
Thanks Jim. Which lens would be in the region on a dsrl? 45mm?
Just had a quick look at your website. Fantastic work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on September 15, 2014, 09:08:44 pm
Thanks Jim. Which lens would be in the region on a dsrl? 45mm?
Just had a quick look at your website. Fantastic work.

That's a safe focal length.  Usually I'll shoot with a wider lens and if the distortion/perspective bothers me I'll crop in.  More often than not your camera position is against a wall so there's not much of a choice.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: chiek on September 16, 2014, 05:46:30 am
Infiniti QX60 Hybrid commercial shot.

(http://images.us.viewbook.com/96d5331f95f0daeab43e3666615bcfe1_large.jpg)

Nikkor MF25-50, 45mm set with 5mm up shift. F16, 1/2sec. ISO 800 (?)
my compact technical camera for a7R
Title: Re: Lens choice.
Post by: Scott Hargis on September 16, 2014, 01:11:11 pm
The two images below are really good examples for a question I have been wondering for a while.

Could this angle be shot on a DSLR with a tilt shift or is it only achievable on medium format?  It seems that some interior shots cover a wide angle but still look quite close. Is this done by stitching panoramics or using a longer tilt shift like a 90mm and moving further away. It's a wide shot but doesn't have a distorted wide angle feel. I was wondering if there is a technique for tilting that allows this coverage?

Thanks KP.


Totally do-able on DSLR -- as these probably were. Doesn't look like 45mm to me, much more likely to be somewhere between 24 - 35mm. Tilt is of extremely limited use in architectural work, but shift is integral. These images were shifted down considerably.
Like Jim said, as a rule of thumb you should back up and shoot the longest focal length you can get away with.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 16, 2014, 06:30:59 pm
Something a little different.  Shot this yesterday for the resort. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on September 16, 2014, 09:00:42 pm
Nikkor MF25-50, 45mm set with 5mm up shift. F16, 1/2sec. ISO 800 (?)
my compact technical camera for a7R

I always enjoy your uses of esoteric Nikon lenses!  I had not learned much about this lens (the 25-50/4 AIs) until I saw this.  Apparently, Bjorn really likes this lens as well.  This got me really interested in it.

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_zoom_01.html

"this long discontinued lens exemplifies the good qualities achievable by a zoom without colour aberrations. Images are sharp corner-to-corner and light fall-off is very low even wide open."..."There is a roundness and tactility to the image that makes the 25-50 downright enchanting. You might get slightly sharper images with other lenses, but hardly more pleasing to the photographic, inner eye. "
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Magee on September 18, 2014, 07:44:55 am
First post here. Some images I liked from a recent restaurant shoot for the designers.
First two, 5dmk2, 24mm TS-E mk2 (stitched the first).
Third image, 6d, Tamron 24-70mm SP.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on September 19, 2014, 06:00:46 am
nice.
on the money.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 19, 2014, 10:49:07 am
Had some problems with the weather on a recent golf course photography shoot.  Clouds finally broke right before sunset for this image.  Hope to go back for some more images soon.  

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Go Go on September 19, 2014, 11:09:14 am
Shot 2 days before the print deadline in 2 hours.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on September 19, 2014, 09:23:16 pm
Leica S2, Zeiss 55mm 3.5
(http://www.russellrutherfordfilms.com/final.jpg)

BC

Very well crafted light....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on September 19, 2014, 09:55:57 pm
Superb of course! Are you still shooting with the S2 or did you move to an S ? Thanks!

Leica S2, Zeiss 55mm 3.5
(http://www.russellrutherfordfilms.com/final.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on September 19, 2014, 09:59:10 pm
Outstanding!

Shot 2 days before the print deadline in 2 hours.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on September 19, 2014, 10:35:54 pm
Thanks Ian.

Shot it with an S2 though I guess I'll see how the cmos S works out, but might look at an S.

Thanks again.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 20, 2014, 03:03:38 pm
Laboratory Grown Canary Diamond.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/jewells/24886_Laser_A%20.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 20, 2014, 03:14:09 pm
1mm Pink Melees uncut diamonds.
21 shots with Helicon Remote + 105mm Nikon G Macro lens.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/jewells/930010025b.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on September 20, 2014, 08:33:24 pm
Amazing, Antonio! Especially the "canary."
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 20, 2014, 08:48:41 pm
Thak you Eric. Enjoy!
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on September 20, 2014, 09:20:00 pm
Thak you Eric. Enjoy!
ACH

That Nikon 105/2.8g Micro looks very nice indeed (and it's obviously in good hands).  Great bokeh on the canary diamond shot.  Is that with stacking as well, or without?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 20, 2014, 11:04:18 pm
Thanks Kaven. The canary was a single shot at F/19.

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 21, 2014, 08:21:55 am
Laboratory Grown Canary Diamond.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/jewells/24886_Laser_A%20.jpg)

ACH

Is it required that lab grown diamonds be labeled? 

I saw a few years ago DeBeers started labeling their diamonds as being natural, so one could tell the difference.  (This is, of course, a marketing scheme since there is no difference between natural and grown diamonds anymore then 3x the price.)  I would find it to kind of crappy on DeBeers part if they somehow got this passed as being required. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 21, 2014, 10:31:27 am
Hi Joe, as far as I know the naturals and lab grown has to be labeled with the CGI certification number and origin. This diamond has another inscription in the opposite side with the lab name which I cannot show.
There are many considerations for pricing a diamond. That is another story.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on September 21, 2014, 02:53:11 pm
There are many considerations for pricing a diamond. That is another story.

There are many considerations for pricing a diamond MFDB. That is another story.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 21, 2014, 05:35:11 pm
There are many considerations for pricing a diamond MFDB. That is another story.
Ridiculous
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on September 22, 2014, 02:05:34 am
Hello,

As its been awhile here a landscape I shot.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dragomir Spassov on September 23, 2014, 04:33:19 am
Not so recent but..
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on September 23, 2014, 09:46:49 pm
I am starting a new fine art series. Here's one from the set:

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3908/15150589039_940357a1f7_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on September 23, 2014, 10:17:44 pm
Very nice, synn!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on September 23, 2014, 10:36:57 pm
Thank you, Slobodan!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 23, 2014, 10:55:44 pm
yes, very pretty:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on September 23, 2014, 11:52:43 pm
I like!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 24, 2014, 10:52:51 am
Recently did some golf course photography.  Would love to hear any comments from the more experienced landscape photographers.  

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on September 24, 2014, 11:03:53 am
Joe I'm not as experienced as most on here but I think the top ones work well. The contrast in the shadow is off putting on the bottom one for me.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on September 24, 2014, 09:24:48 pm
From the standpoint of a landscape photographer, they are fine, Joe. You might want to open up lower parts a bit, however, as I suspect the client is more interested in the course than the sky (in contrast to landscape photographers).
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 24, 2014, 09:49:40 pm
The first thing I would suggest is that you go and look at a lot of really good golf course photography.  Google is a start but Stock houses would be even better... ala Getty.  Think about what golf courses are selling... they're selling relaxation, a release from the stress and pressures of work and even your family.  The green is a field of sun-bathed freedom, idyllic... romantic.

So... there are a couple things right off the bat.  Your images feel really heavily processed.  The blacks are crushed (as mentioned above) which makes the woods less inviting.  The view in the distance (actually the whole image) is really over-sharpened in all of them and the white balance is predominantly on the cool side.  I would go way warmer with these to convey that warmth that the golfer is going to feel while they're standing there in ugly pants with a Stella in one hand watching their ball sailing into the sunset as they inwardly admire their skills.  The sharpening takes us out of the dreamy beauty that the golf course is selling and reminds us of the hard-edged world where we can never relax, never let our guard down.

Also, in the first two, your foregrounds are not helping you.  In the first, the tall weeds in the foreground create a barrier to the green, you're not letting us in to where we want to go.  Same with the water in the second... it's so dark and foreboding... I don't want to be there.

I hope that helps and all of this is, of course, only my opinion

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on September 24, 2014, 11:23:18 pm
Recently did some golf course photography.  Would love to hear any comments from the more experienced landscape photographers.  



Hi, Joe. The shots look really good. I would ease up on the saturation a hair and also open up the shadows a bit more. If you can revisit the course I would suggest you take a 8 foot + ladder and take some shots from a higher vantage point to have some variety. Its easy to rig a tripod head to the last step. With care and an assistant one can get some really nice results with a ladder.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 25, 2014, 07:08:04 am
Thanks all.  

CB, I am having a problem with the blacks being processed correctly out of C1, so I kind of feel what you are saying.  Funny that is not water in the second one, it is a bulkhead in front of a road.  Also, I guess warmer tones would be better than cooler or even accurate color.  

Great suggestion on finding really good golf photography to look at.  I tried google before, but nothing but amateur stuff would come up.  

Also, I did not do any more sharpening that what I normally do; maybe what I normally do is too much for this, but I consider myself to be less into sharpening than other APs.  Could that be from the reduction?  Maybe Bicubic Smoother would be better for this type of photography?  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 25, 2014, 11:37:21 am
That's weird, Man.  I've been using C1 8 since the first beta version and my files (from the IQ260 & A7r) all come out with space at the left of the histogram.  I almost always have to crush the blacks to get Zero anywhere.  Sharpening... yeah maybe in the reductions.  I wouldn't mind seeing a raw of one of these.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 25, 2014, 11:42:49 am
HI all, recent jewelry image done with Helicon Remote on a Nikon + Nikon G 105mm macro. This was retouched by me. I'm not a professional retoucher so any comments would be welcome!

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/AQ197_A.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: georgem on September 25, 2014, 11:45:48 am
Hi Joe,

while I wouldn't call myself more experienced, here are a couple of ideas I would probably try:

- Use long lenses, so that you can include only the green field, distant view, and sky to simplify the frame and the message. The city skyline in the first image looks interesting, you could maybe invoke a feeling of 'golf after business'?

- Shoot during the day, in addition to dawn/dusk, for that warm, sunny day look.

- Avoid shadows and dark areas in the frame, they make the place look less inviting. I could see shadows being helpful to capture the undulations of the land, or maybe as tree silhouettes in the background, but otherwise I'd rather show bright green fields. In the fourth image for example, the area after the sandpit in the middle looks promising. Lots of green with sparse shadows.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on September 25, 2014, 07:06:07 pm
Aloha,
I always like to work on Kauai at least a
Little each year.
It's arguably the best Hawaiian island to shoot.
Although weather can be very unpredictable.
August and September is best.
From last week.
Good skies, good light- terrible water....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JohnBrew on September 25, 2014, 08:25:55 pm
I have to remind myself to look at these when the cold sets in. Even though I live at the beach, we've had a couple of really crappy winters lately.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on September 25, 2014, 08:47:19 pm
I have found that a bit of elevation is sometimes helpful with this type of project, perhaps a tall stepladder or genie boom if they will allow it to be driven on the course.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on September 26, 2014, 10:26:10 pm
Another from the Kauai 9/2014 shoot
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 27, 2014, 01:22:23 am
From today, well, really ... yesterday, but I just had to work on this before going to bed, so, to me, it was from today.  

Good Night!  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on September 27, 2014, 06:09:28 pm
HI all, recent jewelry image done with Helicon Remote on a Nikon + Nikon G 105mm macro. This was retouched by me. I'm not a professional retoucher so any comments would be welcome!

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/AQ197_A.jpg)

ACH

It's all good, lighting, view and retouching, nicely done!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on September 27, 2014, 06:17:14 pm
Joe, I've been shooting golf courses lately and find that the best light is soon after dawn and a couple hours before sunset.  Low, direct, cross or backlight make incredibly wonderful and dramatic images.  The suggestion of a higher viewpoint is good, even a lift if you want to really provide a unique vantage point.  Create a story with your composition, lead the viewer from the foreground to the background.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 27, 2014, 06:25:56 pm
Joe, I've been shooting golf courses lately and find that the best light is soon after dawn and a couple hours before sunset.  Low, direct, cross or backlight make incredibly wonderful and dramatic images.  The suggestion of a higher viewpoint is good, even a lift if you want to really provide a unique vantage point.  Create a story with your composition, lead the viewer from the foreground to the background.  Jim

Thanks Jim,

This is defiantly something I want to explore more of.  It is a nice break from architecture; very relaxing. 

Heading back out tomorrow morning. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 27, 2014, 11:12:00 pm
It's all good, lighting, view and retouching, nicely done!

Thank you Jim!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ynp on September 30, 2014, 03:41:53 pm
Leica S2
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/s2_bed_horz.jpg)

BC
What a wonderful image! Arresting.
I found myself looking into her eye for 5 min.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on September 30, 2014, 07:10:24 pm
So very outstanding! Speechless!

Leica S2
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/s2_bed_horz.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on October 01, 2014, 11:07:48 am
Joe, I've been shooting golf courses lately and find that the best light is soon after dawn and a couple hours before sunset.  Low, direct, cross or backlight make incredibly wonderful and dramatic images.  The suggestion of a higher viewpoint is good, even a lift if you want to really provide a unique vantage point.  Create a story with your composition, lead the viewer from the foreground to the background.  Jim

I've just returned from a golf and landscape trip to Scotland.  Here's a shot that combines both, it's the Trump Resort's 3rd hole from the 4th tee.  The course is as hard as it gets, it's much easier to photograph it!  Jim

Title: Re:
Post by: alatreille on October 01, 2014, 11:47:38 am
Makes me want to put my clubs on a plane...
Great shot Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 01, 2014, 01:53:40 pm
Thanks Ian and YNP.



BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 01, 2014, 02:15:14 pm
Leica S2
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/rock_3_4_rr_group.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on October 01, 2014, 05:49:46 pm
As my "personal work" is also a vital part of my income and name recognition stream.......

From my recent artist residency at the Petrified Forest National Park in AZ. 4x5 Ilford HP4+, 120 Nikkor SW, B&W Orange filter, souped in Pyrocat HD and drum scanned.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on October 01, 2014, 08:00:30 pm
Kirk, What a dramatic scene!  The tonality looks strange to me though, not quite sure what it is, might be a contrast issue.  Please show us more from the residency.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on October 01, 2014, 09:20:16 pm
Bc, I like the girl better! ::)
Outstanding work!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk Gittings on October 01, 2014, 09:28:18 pm
Kirk, What a dramatic scene!  The tonality looks strange to me though, not quite sure what it is, might be a contrast issue.  Please show us more from the residency.

Not quite a finished finished final file for printing yet. The dark greys are being dropped to pure black and some of the grey midtones are flat and lifeless to me as it shows on the web but having said that I like strange. This place is anything but normal (otherworldly more like it) especially when you render it in b&w. This and two other images are going in a museum show here next month-my 101st show.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 02, 2014, 04:33:19 pm
As my "personal work" is also a vital part of my income and name recognition stream.......

From my recent artist residency at the Petrified Forest National Park in AZ. 4x5 Ilford HP4+, 120 Nikkor SW, B&W Orange filter, souped in Pyrocat HD and drum scanned.
Nice!  

Makes me want to break out the 4x5 and do some work.  Never was an HP4 fan; too narrow with how I could shoot it.  Do they still make Tri-X?  

Did you print this as well, or is it a scan?  I use to love working with Bergger Warm tone paper; very nice tonalities and grain.  Works well with toners too. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on October 02, 2014, 09:50:03 pm
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2943/15233459789_f11e740f27_c.jpg)

Leaf Credo 40 and Mamiya 210mm f/4.

This old codger of a lens is quite temperamental when it comes to AF, but when it nails it, boy; it does it well.
Absolute steal for 200 odd bucks.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 04, 2014, 09:27:16 pm
very pretty shot Ashley.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on October 05, 2014, 05:43:50 pm
Very nice image.

But i think the correct word is Steak...

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: mitchino on October 06, 2014, 03:57:13 am
Lovely shot Ashley, but maybe it's just me and OCD ;D, but it really bugs me that the bottom edge of the roof canopy isn't perfectly horizontal, and the pillar isn't perfectly vertical!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on October 06, 2014, 05:10:12 am
And the horizon is bent :o
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 06, 2014, 07:21:27 am
Great image Ashley. 

In the women hired talent or someone that works for the hotel?  If the latter, did she just have the wedding dress or did you rent it? 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: PdF on October 06, 2014, 12:55:20 pm
Some African objects, pieces of valuable collections.

PdF
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: K.C. on October 06, 2014, 04:06:38 pm
All points taken and some adjustments have been made - so thank you all for that.

As everyone sees things differently and /or sees different things when they look at an image... which sometimes I don't even see, until it's pointed out.

Well in that case. It looks like she walked uphill to get to the railing with the distortion of the floor tiles.  ::)

Seriously, it's a very nice shot and the minor perspective details don't matter to the intended audience. You could spend all day correcting them and end up with a most unnatural looking shot. (ask me how I know.)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on October 06, 2014, 05:21:49 pm
Some African objects, pieces of valuable collections.

PdF

PDF. Very interesting work on African Objects. Lovely collection. Nice lighting.
would be nice to have some more details of your procedure. Thanks.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on October 07, 2014, 01:55:54 pm
Taken with a Hasselblad 503cw this week...
(http://www.ashleymorrison.com/2014-09/Hodson-180069.jpg)
.. on the balcony of Penthouse suite at the Hodson Bay Hotel near Athlone.

Awesome shot.

It has a LOT of heavy duty compositing work but looks good. I mean, as long as potential clients who decide to make this location the venue for their wedding do not expect to get images like this during their event, since it is an impossible image to get, it is "ethically" fine. The view is a product of your arrangement of elements, that true, are actually there, but not arranged in that way for real.

False advertising? Dunno, gray area there.

But besides that I like how you made the image.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: K.C. on October 07, 2014, 03:01:55 pm

Anyway... how do you know ??

Many, many years shooting that type of shot and then teaching architectural shooting for many more.


False advertising? Dunno, gray area there.

Well it is Ireland (or somewhere in the U.K.) Grey is what you get to work with all too often.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on October 07, 2014, 09:55:05 pm
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/15446743706_183b5dc26b_c.jpg)

Credo 40, Mamiya 35mm f/3.5.

This is another one of those "Bargain" lenses that really surprise me. It is eye bleedingly sharp in the center and a tad soft in the edges (Which C1P can fix in a second).  I love the output from it. Little to no sharpening is needed in post.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on October 07, 2014, 10:06:04 pm
Beautiful, synn! Love the blue tonality.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on October 07, 2014, 10:12:12 pm
... False advertising?...

Selling the dream + False advertising + Wedding = ?

Hmmm... the same combination must have ruined my marriage too ;D
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on October 07, 2014, 11:00:35 pm
Beautiful, synn! Love the blue tonality.

Thank you Slobodan. Tungsten White balance really livens up a grey morning. :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on October 08, 2014, 12:16:43 am
That's a nice one!

Best regards
Erik

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/15446743706_183b5dc26b_c.jpg)

Credo 40, Mamiya 35mm f/3.5.

This is another one of those "Bargain" lenses that really surprise me. It is eye bleedingly sharp in the center and a tad soft in the edges (Which C1P can fix in a second).  I love the output from it. Little to no sharpening is needed in post.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on October 08, 2014, 11:39:30 am
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/15446743706_183b5dc26b_c.jpg)

Credo 40, Mamiya 35mm f/3.5.

This is another one of those "Bargain" lenses that really surprise me. It is eye bleedingly sharp in the center and a tad soft in the edges (Which C1P can fix in a second).  I love the output from it. Little to no sharpening is needed in post.

"Soft in the edges". Are you speaking in terms of contrast or resolution? If the latter, how do you increase resolution with software?

Anyway, like the shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on October 08, 2014, 09:05:22 pm
@Erik: Thanks!

@David: I meant resolution. C1P has an "Edge sharpener" slider that adds sharpening to soft edges based on the lens profile. It's pretty convincing, unless you pixel peep all the way in.

Not sure how effective it will be on this lens on a full frame 645 sensor though.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: PdF on October 09, 2014, 03:06:40 am
PDF. Very interesting work on African Objects. Lovely collection. Nice lighting.
would be nice to have some more details of your procedure. Thanks.
ACH



Unfortunately, I can not answer right away: I'm in a big rush of work. As soon as possible , I'll post more images with technical data.

Nice day to everybody.

PdF
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on October 09, 2014, 03:55:08 am
Composite or not, it was a great image, Ashley.

We give too little credit to the average customer; they are smart enough to know that with advertising comes images sprinkled with magic pixie dust. Your customer is happy and that's all that matters :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on October 10, 2014, 07:24:06 pm
Hello,

Here's four images I shot for Nissan which where then used for a TVC

Check out the video below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY7-_5m-y2s

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on October 11, 2014, 10:54:47 pm
Hello,

Here's four images I shot for Nissan which where then used for a TVC

Check out the video below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY7-_5m-y2s

Cheers

Simon

That's tough work Simon. Great Results.
ACH
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on October 16, 2014, 07:07:17 am
Selling the dream + False advertising + Wedding = ?

Hmmm... the same combination must have ruined my marriage too ;D

Yeah, strange, that image made me thing straightaway about divorce - no joke.

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on October 16, 2014, 08:37:57 am
A couple of recent jobs, grinder for a cover of a coffee mag, and a BFI film festival sponsored by IWC shot (offset for copy)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Justinr on October 17, 2014, 08:04:37 am
Awesome shot.

It has a LOT of heavy duty compositing work but looks good. I mean, as long as potential clients who decide to make this location the venue for their wedding do not expect to get images like this during their event, since it is an impossible image to get, it is "ethically" fine. The view is a product of your arrangement of elements, that true, are actually there, but not arranged in that way for real.

False advertising? Dunno, gray area there.

But besides that I like how you made the image.



That's the problem, many will, and when they don't the wedding photographer is obviously at fault.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Justinr on October 17, 2014, 08:25:24 am
Many, many years shooting that type of shot and then teaching architectural shooting for many more.

Well it is Ireland (or somewhere in the U.K.) Grey is what you get to work with all too often.

Now don't be so hard on poor auld Ireland. We may not get spoiled rotten with sunshine but the trick is to have the sky work in your favour.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 17, 2014, 11:57:08 am
Shot this earlier this week for a resort client.  P45+ on the Arca RM3Di with a Roddie 55mm.  I am finding that the 55mm is a really nice angle of view for resort work. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on October 17, 2014, 05:59:07 pm
One to proof, then to print and mount and hang in the gallery.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on October 22, 2014, 11:52:16 pm
WOW That is gorgeous!

Curious, what was your lens here? Actually I just looked...."Zeiss Planar T* 2/80" and at f2.

Leica S2
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/S2_REFLECTION.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 23, 2014, 04:16:42 am
WOW That is gorgeous!

Curious, what was your lens here? Actually I just looked...."Zeiss Planar T* 2/80" and at f2.


Thanks Ian.

The Contax/Zeiss 80 and the 55 I use the most.  I think I can make the 80 f2 look like almost any lens, from long to short and it's just so tight.

It truly is a great piece of glass.

It's actually smoother on the Contax than the Leica, because the Contax has a smoother shutter and curtain, but the 80 seems to fit the format of the S2 better.

I shot this where I couldn't see it as the camera was angled up against a wall, so I blocked it, then focused, then moved it in position, somewhat guessed the angle and shot.  Only shot about 3 frames of this pose.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on October 23, 2014, 09:08:02 am
recent work for a long time client, fun space...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/140703_014.jpg)

cb
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on October 23, 2014, 09:19:54 am
recent work for a long time client, fun space...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/140703_014.jpg)

cb

Really like the space and shot. Very nice balance of elements.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 23, 2014, 10:06:37 am
recent work for a long time client, fun space...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/140703_014.jpg)

cb

Awesome!  Could you tell me what lens and camera you used?  My guess would be the 55mm.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on October 23, 2014, 10:21:09 am
Thanks,  actually I believe it was the 70.  I was able to back up quite a bit.  Rm3d / IQ 260.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 23, 2014, 10:32:44 am
This is from a recent project; the client really liked this image and will be using it in an ad.  

Shot with the old Roddie 90mm, which is incredibly sharp.  I can not image how Rodentsock actually improved this lens beyond what it already was.

 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on October 23, 2014, 11:12:13 am
Shot this earlier this week for a resort client.  P45+ on the Arca RM3Di with a Roddie 55mm.  I am finding that the 55mm is a really nice angle of view for resort work. 



Sorry to say Joe, this photo has no sparkle. The light is flat and the OOF foreground is a bit off-putting. But if the client is happy and pays, more power to you.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 23, 2014, 12:26:27 pm
Sorry to say Joe, this photo has no sparkle. The light is flat and the OOF foreground is a bit off-putting. But if the client is happy and pays, more power to you.

Thanks for the response Bob; that is what they wanted.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Mitchell Baum on October 23, 2014, 12:49:25 pm
Nice shots.
I'm really curious what grinder that is?

Best,

Mitchell
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on October 23, 2014, 12:50:43 pm
Chris,

Lovely shot.  The depth is wonderful, and my eye roams around from person to person eager to understand what they are doing.  Use of people perfectly balanced to complement the various areas of the design.

Could you tell us a little about any supplementary light you used on this?

Best.
Andrew

recent work for a long time client, fun space...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/140703_014.jpg)

cb
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on October 23, 2014, 01:38:36 pm
Nice shots.
I'm really curious what grinder that is?

Best,

Mitchell

It's an HG-one. Very much a coffee geek thing as the burrs are huge and it's the most expensive hand grinder you can buy, the idea being that the slower speed means no heat getting into the grinds, it's a lovely object and beautifully machined but I prefer the arm work to be done by an electric motor.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on October 23, 2014, 06:54:38 pm
Could you tell us a little about any supplementary light you used on this?

Andrew, I like to keep the images feeling really natural, so we being with a foundation of ambient light.  So there was the overall office lighting plus a lot of soft daylight coming in from the right.  A lot of that daylight was not to my liking, so I closed a number of the blinds.  I also twisted off a number of fixtures in the foreground to increase depth.  Then we bring in our strobes to pump up areas that are too dark.  One is through a small silk foreground right, that puts the soft hilight in the wood table and adds shape to the backs of the chairs.  There is a strobe hidden and bouncing in the little room foreground left to open that up.  There is an umbrella in each midground room (on the left) to move your eye back (these also throw light across the floor for interest).  We have a 12x silk in the far back left with a strobe to open that area, increase depth.  Then we add little dedolight 150s for accents like the orange curtain foreground left.

I also blend in darker exposures to subdue blown out light fixtures.

I think that's about it.

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on October 24, 2014, 12:50:00 am
Hi Chris,

Thanks for the detailed description..
I like your approach (feels similar to mine - though with far more experience and detail) that natural lighting (be it designed in or the sun) is a key feeling to aim for.
I remember some of your other posts where you talked lots about HMI's etc? Here, you are talking strobes. Is this a very job dependent decision/choice?

I think your action that does it for me in this photograph is:
Quote
I also twisted off a number of fixtures in the foreground to increase depth.
I see this now and it has wonderful effect with the 12x silk to the rear and interest on the floor....drawing my eye around the composition.
Did you shoot this on your RM and stitch?

Cheers

Andrew

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on October 24, 2014, 10:14:40 am
Over time we just found that we worked more efficiently with strobe.  Just being able to dial one down 3/10 of a stop is so much more accurate and fast than scrimming and HMI.  I still love Kinos but also find them rather cumbersome, like the HMI.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on October 27, 2014, 08:05:26 am


According to some people here, the Phamiya platform is so terrible, no known human being can make images with it.

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15020813223_cef4ce8698_b.jpg)

Works fine for me.

Credo 40, 645 DF+, 35 f/3.5
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on October 27, 2014, 11:48:09 am
Another superb one, Sandeep! It is a rare treat to see so much clarity and well-controlled highlights in a night shot, with so much pitch-black sky.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on October 27, 2014, 11:52:23 am
Another superb one, Sandeep! It is a rare treat to see so much clarity and well-controlled highlights in a night shot, with so much pitch-black sky.

Thanks, slobodan!  The exposure was an educated guesstimate and it worked out to be OK. I pulled the exposure and highlights down in C1P and increased the brightness to bring the midtones up. The "Product" tone curve that Leaf backs have ensure rich blacks. :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on October 28, 2014, 11:13:31 pm
Wonderful. Love this series and the soft colors.

Leica S2
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/s2_reflection2.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on October 31, 2014, 07:04:05 am
Thanks Chris.

Over time we just found that we worked more efficiently with strobe.  Just being able to dial one down 3/10 of a stop is so much more accurate and fast than scrimming and HMI.  I still love Kinos but also find them rather cumbersome, like the HMI.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on October 31, 2014, 07:05:14 am
What fun you have been having on this shoot....
WOW!

Leica S2
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/s2_reflection2.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on October 31, 2014, 11:43:08 pm
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15680000042_d2951d5ff4_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pTA6Jj)Shelter from the calm (https://flic.kr/p/pTA6Jj) by Sandeep Murali (https://www.flickr.com/people/36589851@N02/), on Flickr

Credo 40, 35 f/3.5, Big Stopper
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on November 01, 2014, 01:31:11 am
You are on a roll, Sandeep!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on November 01, 2014, 02:15:33 am
Thanks, Slobodan. Just going through a backlog of images I've been meaning to process for a bit. :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on November 01, 2014, 02:19:14 pm
Shelter from the calm by Sandeep Murali

Credo 40, 35 f/3.5, Big Stopper

Wonderful. Great toning.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: georgem on November 02, 2014, 01:13:36 pm
A new museum in Denmark.


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ndevlin on November 02, 2014, 05:35:51 pm

Nicely processed Sandeep - this is a really strong image.

- N.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on November 02, 2014, 07:53:10 pm
Thank you, Jeremy and Nick! :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on November 03, 2014, 02:34:14 am
A couple of recent jobs, grinder for a cover of a coffee mag, and a BFI film festival sponsored by IWC shot (offset for copy)


Both shots are great well done. That grinder looks like a real solid object? I feel sorry for the coffee beans, it looks like it could grind concrete to a powder.
Beautiful product shot.  :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on November 03, 2014, 02:45:07 am
HI all, recent jewelry image done with Helicon Remote on a Nikon + Nikon G 105mm macro. This was retouched by me. I'm not a professional retoucher so any comments would be welcome!

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/AQ197_A.jpg)

ACH

The Image looks great and serves its purpose a catalogue image. It shows all the details it needs to at the correct angle. The retouching is good too so, all an all round good shot. Well done.
Im interested to know how many images you took to stack it? And what is the result in dimensions, width and height?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on November 17, 2014, 12:33:39 pm
The Image looks great and serves its purpose a catalogue image. It shows all the details it needs to at the correct angle. The retouching is good too so, all an all round good shot. Well done.
Im interested to know how many images you took to stack it? And what is the result in dimensions, width and height?

Hello Dean, Sorry for the late answer. It was 14 shots with Helicon Remote. The dimension is the same as the original file, I just crop to the clients desire square. This images are Web only.
Hope this answer your question. Thanks for the comments!
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on November 17, 2014, 12:38:04 pm
New house in Fort Lauderdale FL. It was a beautiful day to work even though the bad weather predictions, the universe helps good photographers I believe so, jajaja

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC4486.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on November 17, 2014, 12:56:32 pm
These ones in the Pazzo Ristorante Miami. D800 + Carl Zeiss 35mm 2

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC4582.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC4534.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 18, 2014, 11:11:43 am
These ones in the Pazzo Ristorante Miami. D800 + Carl Zeiss 35mm 2

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC4582.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC4534.jpg)

ACH

Looks great.  Love how you got the colors to pop. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on November 18, 2014, 12:11:40 pm
Joe, thanks!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on November 18, 2014, 12:48:56 pm
new shot for one of my clients (a leggings company)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on November 18, 2014, 12:50:34 pm
and another....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: KAHA on November 19, 2014, 06:06:39 am
love the Erica M Legwear project, nice work Craig. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on November 19, 2014, 09:15:20 pm
I really like the work on your website as well!

Can I ask what you are shooting with? Just curious.

and another....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on November 20, 2014, 01:46:04 pm
I really like the work on your website as well!

Can I ask what you are shooting with? Just curious.


These specific shots are off of a Credo 40 on H4x with 35-90. My site is a mix of that set up and 5dMKII/MKIII. I had a some RZ/160NC stuff there until recently. Thanks!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on November 20, 2014, 03:35:55 pm
Another from Fort Lauderdale House.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC4496.jpg)

ach
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MrSmith on November 27, 2014, 05:49:13 am
a very sexy victoria arduino espresso machine cover shot, a lot of recent work is still under embargo so can’t show, have shot some nice stuff for WIRED mag which i can share in the new year.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 27, 2014, 08:49:50 am
Recent office interior.  Nice, simple space.  Sony A7r, Canon 17mm TS-E.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/140803_001.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on November 27, 2014, 06:32:54 pm
new shot for one of my clients (a leggings company)

Your leggings shot is on good footing.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on November 28, 2014, 01:03:50 am
Recent office interior.  Nice, simple space.  Sony A7r, Canon 17mm TS-E...

Chris, two questions, if you do not mind. First: WB seems targeted to produce very neutral, white interior light, almost to the point of being too cold, sterile. Which in turn results in the daylight, through the windows, turning blue. While the blue can be pleasing, I always thought that slightly warmer interior light is preferred by most people. Do clients (or this client) insist on cold and neutral?

Second question: any issues with shutter vibrations with A7r?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on November 28, 2014, 04:06:07 am
The Prussian House of Lords, since 2000 again the "Bundesrat" (Federal Council) of Germany in the center, in the face of a new big shopping mall in the front (Mall of Berlin).

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/mob_02.jpg)

Aptus II + Ts-e 24mm
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on November 28, 2014, 09:14:19 am
The Prussian House of Lords, since 2000 again the "Bundesrat" (Federal Council) of Germany in the center, in the face of a new big shopping mall in the front (Mall of Berlin).

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/mob_02.jpg)

Aptus II + Ts-e 24mm

Adrian, This shot had me looking at your site and all of it looks great!  I had a German intern for the last year who's now back in Berlin, his name is Auri and I recommend him highly.  I just sent him a link to your site.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 28, 2014, 09:54:21 am
Slobodan,  Yo do often see a skewing of the WB towards warm for many uses.  If I was shooting for a hotel brochure, for example, I would go with a much warmer look as it can be much more inviting.  For interior architects, so much of what they do is specifying the colors of the space.  If I arbitrarily shifted everything warmer, it wouldn't render their work accurately.  So, yes, my clients all expect the images to be neutral with accurate color.

I've read lots about problems with shutter bounce on the A7r.  This is typically not visible with wide lenses... however I've shot mine with a Leica-R 70-180 2.8 and could find no evidence of shutter bounce softness.  Maybe I got a good one?

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on November 28, 2014, 03:18:06 pm
Hi Slobodan and Chris,

I have looked at a lot of evidence of shutter related vibrations on the A7r on both Lloyd Chambers's site and in Jim Kasson's tests. The impression I have is that it is real, in the 1/8s - 1/250s shutter speed range, but it is not really obvious. It is more like it doesn't show benefits over the A7 which has 24MP. It is measurable but not very obvious.

I would be pretty sure we see new versions of the A7 series in the coming months, indeed, then next A7 version has been presented, with much better AF. According to Sony rumours, a new more professionally oriented, body is to be expected early 2015.

There are a couple of reasons I did not jump on the A7/A7r. I felt the A7 sensor was more up to date. At the time of introduction I also felt some doubt about the Sony lenses. I still do that.

On the other hand, I would expect that we all move to mirrorless in a few years. SLR technology was intended to provide WSIWYG view, and EVF solutions can do it better with simpler means.

Once Sony releases 50 MP (or so) sensors, with EFCS and on sensor phase detecting AF I will jump on the train.

Best regards
Erik



Slobodan,  Yo do often see a skewing of the WB towards warm for many uses.  If I was shooting for a hotel brochure, for example, I would go with a much warmer look as it can be much more inviting.  For interior architects, so much of what they do is specifying the colors of the space.  If I arbitrarily shifted everything warmer, it wouldn't render their work accurately.  So, yes, my clients all expect the images to be neutral with accurate color.

I've read lots about problems with shutter bounce on the A7r.  This is typically not visible with wide lenses... however I've shot mine with a Leica-R 70-180 2.8 and could find no evidence of shutter bounce softness.  Maybe I got a good one?

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on November 28, 2014, 06:25:17 pm
The Prussian House of Lords, since 2000 again the "Bundesrat" (Federal Council) of Germany in the center, in the face of a new big shopping mall in the front (Mall of Berlin).

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/mob_02.jpg)

Aptus II + Ts-e 24mm

Adrian, very interesting postprocessing. You get that ethereal look.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 18, 2014, 07:31:38 pm
I put up an image from this shoot a while ago, but just finally got around to putting together a blog post with the rest of them (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=2980).  Nice job and was published in Fast Company.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Follett_Cover.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: OwenR on December 24, 2014, 11:10:35 am
Hey Chris, lovely shot, fantastic tonality. Is the Sony now your typical choice for these corporate interior shoot these days, and do you feel that the difference between something like the Sony and MFDB has really narrowed that much in recent years that they are in the same ballpark in terms of bottomline quality?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on December 24, 2014, 12:47:13 pm
(http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000L1xg7AOdL9M/s/500/I0000L1xg7AOdL9M.jpg)

Dr. Robert Desimone for MIT Technology Review. H5X with Credo 40
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 25, 2014, 12:15:39 pm
Owen, For that shoot, I was still primarily on the IQ 260 but have used the Sony (on the view camera) exclusively for the last two interiors shoots.  I'm seriously considering selling the digi-back.  I can still use all my great German glass and the workflow conveniences (especially live view) outweigh the marginal quality difference for my commercial work.  
Title: Re:
Post by: alatreille on December 25, 2014, 02:57:01 pm
Hey Chris,
Interesting thoughts and I feel conversation to follow...
What is,the widest (tech) lens you've used with the A7r?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 25, 2014, 11:42:03 pm
The widest tech lens I use is the Schneider 35mm XL.  The Rodie 32 is also workable but nothing shorter than that.

So my current glass for the A7r are

Canon 17mm TS-E
Canon 24mm TS-E
Schneider 35mm f/5.6 Apo-Digitar XL
Schneider 43mm f/5.6 Apo Digitar XL
Rodenstock 55mm f/4.5 Apo-Sironar Digital
Rodenstock 70mm f/5.6 HR Digaron-W
Rodenstock 90mm f/5.6 HR Digaron-W
Schneider 110mm f/5.6 Super-Symmar XL
Rodenstock 135mm f/5.6 Apo-Sironar Digital
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on December 25, 2014, 11:49:21 pm
The widest tech lens I use is the Schneider 35mm XL.  The Rodie 32 is also workable but nothing shorter than that.

So my current glass for the A7r are

Canon 17mm TS-E
Canon 24mm TS-E
Schneider 35mm f/5.6 Apo-Digitar XL
Schneider 43mm f/5.6 Apo Digitar XL
Rodenstock 55mm f/4.5 Apo-Sironar Digital
Rodenstock 70mm f/5.6 HR Digaron-W
Rodenstock 90mm f/5.6 HR Digaron-W
Schneider 110mm f/5.6 Super-Symmar XL
Rodenstock 135mm f/5.6 Apo-Sironar Digital

Hey Chris, how does one mount and shutter-sync those technical camera lenses to your A7r?  Do you have an adapter that provides the full range of tilts and shifts (which I suppose would be the reason for using them)?

The 55mm Apo-Sironar, as an example, has a huge image circle...what would be the equivalent focal length on your camera?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DanielStone on December 26, 2014, 01:22:39 am
Hey Chris, how does one mount and shutter-sync those technical camera lenses to your A7r?  Do you have an adapter that provides the full range of tilts and shifts (which I suppose would be the reason for using them)?

The 55mm Apo-Sironar, as an example, has a huge image circle...what would be the equivalent focal length on your camera?

Luke,
The focal length doesn't change anything, but the size of the sensor/film area DOES. The "wider" that sensor/film area(for any particular FL), the "wider" a lens will seem. Take for example a Schneider 150XL, which was designed to cover 8x10 film. A 150mm lens is VERY wide on 8x10, similar to a ~21-24mm lens' FOV on a 35mm camera system. But that same 150mm lens, when used on a 4x5 camera, will have a relatively "normal" FL representation, similar FOV to a 45-50mm lens on a 35mm camera. So Chris's 35XL will show the exact same FOV as a 35mm lens designed for a 35mm system, like Nikon or Canon. But the image circle on that 35XL will be VASTLY larger than the 35mm systems lens, since it's designed to cover MFD sized sensors, not just 24x36mm chips.

In terms of triggering the camera, assuming that one is using the central leaf shutter on the lens(and not the focal plane shutter in the body by itself to determine exposure duration), you could simply do the following operation:
1. Focus, while the leaf shutter is open.
2. Close leaf shutter.
3. Set shutter to desired aperture, shutter speed, etc.
4. Trigger camera to start an exposure in "Bulb"(or a desired preset exposure length, say 2-3sec?).
5. While the body's shutter is 'open'(but not recording any light due to the lens' shutter not being open), trigger the shutter on the lens, to allow the actual exposure to commence.
6. Shutter on lens closes/closed, end exposure on body.

It's a little more work than simply "push the button", but as you can see, it can be worth the extra effort.

However, if you want to use the internal shutter on the body to determine the exposure length, simply leave the lens's shutter OPEN(but set at the desired aperture for exposure), and shoot away, using the focal plane shutter to control the exposure length.

Versatile, and you get the "best of both worlds", IMO. Hi-end glass(some might say the best available to non-military or "unlimited budget" clientele ;) ), two options for shutters, and the ability to perform movements/distortion control/manipulation with EVERY lens in ones kit. This is important for architectural photographers, or those who simply want utter control of framing, without introducing distortion/keystoning. Or simply for flat-plane(vs. spherical) multi-frame stitching.

-Dan
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dean Elliott on December 26, 2014, 05:53:14 am
Hey all, I should probably be posting an image here but I guess what I am asking is related, just navigates away from LL to my own site. (wouldn't want to bombard the forum with images  ;D ) I have updated my site recently with a few new images and a new format & I would love some constructive feedback. Please feel free to send me a personal message or email me instead of posting here.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the general usability of the site, blog and functionality of viewing the images. Secondly, any input on the images that I have chosen to represent my body of work would be nice. I have done my best to keep the style coherent and interesting. Whenever I look at other sites I am in the habit of picking out the images that I feel do not fit in or that bring the body of work down somewhat. If there are any images you feel do the same, please let fly, with reason of course. I would appreciate your feedback very much. Thanks so much in advance. D.

http://www.deanelliott.co.za/ (http://www.deanelliott.co.za/)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on December 26, 2014, 06:59:30 am
Luke, the focal length doesn't change anything, but the size of the sensor/film area DOES.

I was asking what the /effective/ focal length (or FOV if one prefers) of the lens would be on a 24x36 sensor.  I realize the focal length itself does not change, and realize the effects are due to the large image circle on a lens made for a medium-large format camera.

I was also asking what adapter, presumably allowing T/S, one would use with the A7r to mount this lens.  Is there something from Hartblei?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: OwenR on December 26, 2014, 07:50:57 am
Chris, I find this fascinating.

I shoot corporate and hotel interiors and have been using Canon up until now. With the distinct lack of progress on their part over the past few years (yawn!) I've been slowly considering moving to a MFDB. For you to say that for all practical purposes something as tiny and cheap as the A7r can hold it's own against a Phase back is fantastic.

How do you find it for tethered use on site, from what I've read C1/Capture Pilot doesn't have full control over it?
 
Also, which lenses around the 45-50mm range are a good pair with it?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Carsten W on December 26, 2014, 04:39:54 pm
I was asking what the /effective/ focal length (or FOV if one prefers) of the lens would be on a 24x36 sensor.  I realize the focal length itself does not change, and realize the effects are due to the large image circle on a lens made for a medium-large format camera.

So you are asking what the FF-equivalent is for a 55mm lens on an A7r? 55mm :/

Or do you mean with shifting/stitching?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 26, 2014, 09:41:42 pm
Owen,

C1 Pro had A7r file support shortly after the camera was introduced.  They added tethering with 8.0.  I just installed 8.1 which adds full camera control including live view to the laptop.  I like the Sk 43mm XL and the Rodie 55mm Apo-Sironar digital in that range.


CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: skimasks on December 26, 2014, 10:16:56 pm
Hey Chris,

Would love to see some examples of large/medium format glass image rendition/field of view on the A7r, if you ever got the chance. Always wondered how an A7r would react to the Schneider and Rodenstock lenses. :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 26, 2014, 10:44:41 pm
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=85455.msg732335#msg732335 (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=85455.msg732335#msg732335)

and just for fun...

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=84842.0 (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=84842.0)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on December 26, 2014, 11:01:02 pm
Owen,

C1 Pro had A7r file support shortly after the camera was introduced.  They added tethering with 8.0.  I just installed 8.1 which adds full camera control including live view to the laptop.  I like the Sk 43mm XL and the Rodie 55mm Apo-Sironar digital in that range.


CB

How about camera controls with Capture Pilot an and Ipad or Iphone?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: OwenR on December 27, 2014, 02:36:21 am
Thanks Chris. I remember seeing those threads a little while ago but had planned on waiting for Canon to do something (...anything!). Just popped out and got an A7r, although metabones adaptors are out of stock here in Thailand so will have to play with Sony's 35mm 2.8 until one arrives. Thanks for all the info, much appreciated.

Sorry for briefly turning this giant thread about art into another gadget discussion!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 27, 2014, 09:52:24 am
Drag, there doesn't seem to be Capture Pilot camera control yet.  Camera shows up in CP but adjustments and shutter are greyed out.  Strange they haven't implemented that yet.  Owen, I happen to have a new/unopened Metabones Canon adapter that's been sitting on the shelf since I got the camera.  I ordered two by mistake and never bothered returning it.  PM me if interested.

Image from last week's shoot to get things back on track...  A7r, Arca M2, Rodenstock 70mm

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/141202_GLP_ADM0806.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Godot is waiting on December 27, 2014, 04:33:02 pm
As a longtime and thankful reader of the medium format sub forum I thought to post one of my recent shots, which was one of my favorites this year.

It is part of a series for an agency image campaign. For the photoshoot we went up 11'614 feet on a small and very windy surface before sunrise to catch the sun crossing the edge of the alps. Which is one element of the whole series, beside the two people. Quite impressive, climbing up there in the helicopter, when it is dark, close to the steep mountains...

The other ones are the output of the second set-up, in which we told the second pilot to play around like James Bond…
 
I hope you enjoy. I did, even it was very cold and windy up there.

Regards

Godot
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on December 27, 2014, 05:08:01 pm
So you are asking what the FF-equivalent is for a 55mm lens on an A7r? 55mm :/

Or do you mean with shifting/stitching?

I mean this question taking the size of the image circle into account.  [I know that a 55mm is always a 55mm.]  A 100mm FX lens will yield a view equivalent to 150mm on a DX camera, with much of the image circle falling outside the sensor.  What is the equivalent of, for example, the Sironar 55 large format lens on a 24x36 sensor, given that most of its image circle falls outside the sensor?  More than that, I was trying to get a sense of Chris' overall setup with the A7r.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 27, 2014, 05:14:35 pm
Well here is the setup in a nutshell...

A7r body on an Arca-Swiss M2 with various German lenses on the front.  I've been procrastinating an in-depth review forever (with video) and plan to work on that over the holiday break...
As usual, I'm happy to answer any more specific questions.

(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10500366_10204650718242937_4088887446608299232_n.jpg?oh=de7544e0e7b8869e30f75e5e796dfc89&oe=54FC73E3)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on December 27, 2014, 05:42:06 pm
Lovely set up Chris.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on December 27, 2014, 05:43:57 pm
Lovely image here Chris,  tones/composition etc.

Approx a 4x5 ratio by the looks of it.  Cropped, or stitched?

A
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on December 27, 2014, 06:25:46 pm
Well here is the setup in a nutshell...

A7r body on an Arca-Swiss M2 with various German lenses on the front.  I've been procrastinating an in-depth review forever (with video) and plan to work on that over the holiday break...
As usual, I'm happy to answer any more specific questions.

Nice setup!  I'm curious what equivalent field-of-view you get out of those large-format lenses, in 35mm terms?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 27, 2014, 07:04:16 pm
Luke, field of view doesn't change at all.  My Schneider 35mm yields the same field of view as my Sony Zeiss 35mm... if I understand your question correctly.  So let's say I start super-wide... that'd be my Canon 17mm TS-e and then think I want to go a little longer, so I move to the Canon 24mm TS-e.  Then, finally, I realize I could still go a little tighter so I use the Schneider 35mm.  It's a totally even incremental jump even though the first two lenses were designed for 35mm and the third for medium format.

If you're talking about maximizing the larger image circles, that would involve shifting and stitching, and then yeah you could get a wider field of view with the Schneider 35mm than something like a Nikon 35mm PC which has much less shift available.

That answer your question?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: favalim on December 27, 2014, 07:09:40 pm
Some shots I did last months on my studio with Credo 60 (view camera  or Mamyia 645DF).
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on December 27, 2014, 08:49:18 pm
That answer your question?

Chris, I realized in the course of this exchange that I had simply overlooked a basic principle (as others were trying to point out to me).  Of course, it is obviously so -- an image circle being larger or smaller does not change the image, only how much is revealed.  And of course I've known this for years.  Thanks for setting me back on the rails.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on December 27, 2014, 09:19:37 pm
Some shots I did last months on my studio with Credo 60 (view camera  or Mamyia 645DF).


Very impressive sets and nicely handled lighting!  Great work I'd say!!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on December 28, 2014, 12:52:14 am
+1
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 28, 2014, 03:43:18 pm
I got bored and shot my toaster today. 

Not sure what to think of it?   ???

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on December 29, 2014, 05:04:48 pm
Well here is the setup in a nutshell...

A7r body on an Arca-Swiss M2 with various German lenses on the front.  I've been procrastinating an in-depth review forever (with video) and plan to work on that over the holiday break...
As usual, I'm happy to answer any more specific questions.

(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10500366_10204650718242937_4088887446608299232_n.jpg?oh=de7544e0e7b8869e30f75e5e796dfc89&oe=54FC73E3)

CB

Thanks Chris, great looking setup there. I have a suspicion some of the top quality 6x6 - 4x5 enlarging lenses might perform very well, really handy to have a shutter in the camera for such an application.

 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 01, 2015, 04:23:09 am
(http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000L1xg7AOdL9M/s/500/I0000L1xg7AOdL9M.jpg)

Dr. Robert Desimone for MIT Technology Review. H5X with Credo 40
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on January 01, 2015, 02:41:22 pm
That was a fun one...tried so hard to do it in camera, but ulitimately needed more than the 20 min we had with him and did it in post.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 07, 2015, 04:52:39 pm
Was in Cleveland recently and shot this pretty cool technology project. 

During the planning of the shoot, I did not think the image of the fanned travel offices was going to be that interesting.  I looked at it as more of a filler image; a image that needed to be captured in order to tell the entire story of the project.  Although now, I am really digging it, especially with the light streaming out of the offices. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on January 07, 2015, 05:36:21 pm
Was in Cleveland recently and shot this pretty cool technology project. 

During the planning of the shoot, I did not think the image of the fanned travel offices was going to be that interesting.  I looked at it as more of a filler image; a image that needed to be captured in order to tell the entire story of the project.  Although now, I am really digging it, especially with the light streaming out of the offices. 

Nice images Joe.

Just a question.  Have you ever considered doing 3x2 crops instead of 5x4?  I've found for a lot of images the the more narrow crop adds a more "panoramic" feeling.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 07, 2015, 07:05:46 pm
Thanks Craig.  

Lately I have been cropping down to what seems right.  I enjoy the 3x4 aspect ratio, which is the native ratio of my camera, especially for interior images.  But sometimes I crop thinner.  For these, I kind of like the crop.  

However, the two vertical images are crops from two horizontal images.  My client preferred horizontals, so oh well.  If I have shot them as verticals, they would have been thinner.  To show enough horizontally, I had to choose the 4x5 ratio; shooting them vertical would have allowed me to be to still show the horizontal width, but would have given me more ceiling, which I do not have in the images.  
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sam@ on January 08, 2015, 03:28:48 am
(http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000L1xg7AOdL9M/s/500/I0000L1xg7AOdL9M.jpg)

Dr. Robert Desimone for MIT Technology Review. H5X with Credo 40

Reminds me of an image I created 5 years ago when I used to do that sort of work..

Sam

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sam@ on January 08, 2015, 03:30:56 am
sorry - it doesn't qualify on "recent" or "MF" (1dsIII) not sure why I posted that in hindsight
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Alistair on January 16, 2015, 04:38:58 pm
new shot for one of my clients (a leggings company)

LOVE the Prickly Mntn set on your website! Mind sharing your lighting setup? Thanks!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on January 16, 2015, 11:30:04 pm
Hello,

I shot this for Honda.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on January 17, 2015, 09:24:06 am
Nice, Simon!  I can see why they hire you. 

Is this shot from a D800E?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 17, 2015, 11:58:13 am
Nice big project we did a few months back just posted to the blog...

http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=3023 (http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/?p=3023)

Sampling of our shots...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Whitney_001.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Whitney_008.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Whitney_007.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on January 17, 2015, 12:57:16 pm
Chris, how long did it take you to shoot the whole set of Kraft images you have posted in your blog?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on January 17, 2015, 01:47:05 pm
Hi Luke,

Yes I used a Nikon D800E. I have now moved to the Nikon D810.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on January 18, 2015, 02:20:32 am
Concept shot for Hyundai
D800e

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/16083444337_5df18910f4_c.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/27769790@N05/16083444337/)
HCD15_01 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/27769790@N05/16083444337/) by Morgan J Segal Photography (https://www.flickr.com/people/27769790@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on January 18, 2015, 02:01:06 pm
Morgan, Nice dramatic shot!  Can't beat the silver vehicles for lighting, so malleable.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on January 18, 2015, 02:18:51 pm
Hi Jim,

Totally agree with you when it comes to shooting silver cars. I keep telling my clients to supply the car in silver as the results are so much better and the retouchers can then change the car to any colour the client wants.

The attached Subaru car was actually silver.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on January 18, 2015, 03:12:51 pm
Hi Jim,

Totally agree with you when it comes to shooting silver car. I keep telling my clients to supply the car in silver as the results are so much better and the retouchers can then change the car to any colour the client wants.

The attached Subaru car was actually silver.

Cheers

Simon

Exactly Simon, I've had them go blue, red, etc, as you said, whatever color the client wants.  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 18, 2015, 06:32:45 pm
Antonio, we spent 4 days on that project.

Cheers,
CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 18, 2015, 09:44:54 pm
Here is one of the images from the very last session in the studio where I started doing studio photography, the used-to be livingroom.
D800e + Nikon 60mm G f/2.8

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NU_SAW_C061_web1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on January 20, 2015, 03:41:56 am
Morgan, Nice dramatic shot!  Can't beat the silver vehicles for lighting, so malleable.  Jim


Thanks! Silver is my favorite color  :P


Red can be fun too

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/16058664736_c9ab38b083_c.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/27769790@N05/16058664736/)
172_v5 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/27769790@N05/16058664736/) by Morgan J Segal Photography (https://www.flickr.com/people/27769790@N05/), on Flickr


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 20, 2015, 07:52:26 am
Morgan, these are nice images. I am curious, what lens was used in the last shot, I sense that 3D mystery look here.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on January 20, 2015, 03:44:01 pm
Thanks Michael! I used a Nikon 50 1.4 on a D800e for the shot. A lot of the look is in that I composited the lighting (on the studio shot too)

Love your shot above as well. Showed it to my pregnant wife, may have inspired her to pose for some nude shots  ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 20, 2015, 09:17:29 pm
:) Congratulations!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on January 21, 2015, 04:23:56 pm
The attached Subaru car was actually silver.

I love my WRX.  But this is the nicest-looking one I've seen from them so far, and a top-flight image.  These cars are tremendous fun to drive, have great collision safety, and run forever.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on January 21, 2015, 05:18:25 pm
Hi Keith,

Yes it is a awesome looking car and the interior is out of this world.

Here is what I call my base shot before I start to fine tune the car with diffrent lighting images.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on January 21, 2015, 05:32:37 pm
I hate it when you guys get such great results and are not using $50,000 of MFD camera equipment. Gives me nothing to blame and no excuses lol
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on January 21, 2015, 10:54:53 pm
Hi Keith,

Yes it is a awesome looking car and the interior is out of this world.

Here is what I call my base shot before I start to fine tune the car with diffrent lighting images.

(Did you mean me?)

I like your slate-colored version...I'd love to have one in that color.

PS - Did you really shoot that at 2am?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on January 21, 2015, 11:11:11 pm
Hello,

Looks like I didn’t set the correct time on the camera as is certainly wasn’t shot at 2am.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on January 29, 2015, 04:58:39 pm
Hello,

My latest creation.

Its a 1929 Bentley 4½ Litre Blower.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on January 29, 2015, 05:07:10 pm
Lovely atmosphere Simon.

I've driven in a number of the OZ 20's Bentleys - fantastic cars.  Love a crash gearbox.
Willing to bet my old man knows this car, he seems to know all the antipodean 1920's touring cars that are similiar to his.

(http://www.latreillearchitecture.com/img/Contact.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on January 29, 2015, 06:28:51 pm
Simon that is magnificent!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on January 29, 2015, 07:15:46 pm
A few mall shots for a property developer:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/16211062098_4aaf580aa4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qGvVYE)
Columbia Mall 4 (https://flic.kr/p/qGvVYE) by Slobodan Blagojevic (https://www.flickr.com/people/20843597@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8579/16212792737_364b5a57c7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qGENrg)
Peru Mall 4 (https://flic.kr/p/qGENrg) by Slobodan Blagojevic (https://www.flickr.com/people/20843597@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/16372716276_6c8feae114_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qWNs8E)
Peru Mall 2 (https://flic.kr/p/qWNs8E) by Slobodan Blagojevic (https://www.flickr.com/people/20843597@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/16396954431_80277803a2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qYWFhT)
Lakeview Mall 4 (https://flic.kr/p/qYWFhT) by Slobodan Blagojevic (https://www.flickr.com/people/20843597@N05/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on January 29, 2015, 07:20:02 pm
And some interior mall shots:

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8627/16397776152_89a5def7e9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qZ1Tyu)
Columbia Mall 2 (https://flic.kr/p/qZ1Tyu) by Slobodan Blagojevic (https://www.flickr.com/people/20843597@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/16212467759_c7d3e9652e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qGD8Qc)
Peru Mall 1 (https://flic.kr/p/qGD8Qc) by Slobodan Blagojevic (https://www.flickr.com/people/20843597@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8599/16211062608_896d222977_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qGvW8s)
Lakeview Mall 3 (https://flic.kr/p/qGvW8s) by Slobodan Blagojevic (https://www.flickr.com/people/20843597@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Aphoto on January 30, 2015, 08:49:45 am
Two more pictures of the same mall I already posted, shortly before Christmas:

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/mobb01.jpg)

(http://www.adrianschulz.de/forum/mobb02.jpg)

1.: AptusII + Ts-e 24mm
2.: 1Ds3 + Ts-E 17mm
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rsmphoto on January 30, 2015, 10:57:05 am
Morgan!! Hey man, your work just gets better and better.

I should be to Palo Alto for a day or so for a quick shoot in a couple of weeks. Near you? Send me an email.

Cheers,

Rick
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on February 02, 2015, 11:21:04 am
Morgan!! Hey man, your work just gets better and better.

I should be to Palo Alto for a day or so for a quick shoot in a couple of weeks. Near you? Send me an email.

Cheers,

Rick



Thanks Rick!
I will shoot you a note
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JohnBrew on February 02, 2015, 11:34:36 am
Simon, love the atmosphere of the Bentley shot. You've captured the period very nicely.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 03, 2015, 07:53:05 pm
Hello,

Thanks to everyone for the kind words about the Bentley shot.

Here are a couple of images from Monday's shoot.

Shot over a 1000 frames using one of my new Nikon D810 cameras and a Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 G lens.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on February 03, 2015, 07:58:27 pm
The photographs are quite spectacular! All the usual about photographer knowing what they are doing etc. But that Nikon seems pretty amazing.

Hello,

Thanks to everyone for the kind words about the Bentley shot.

Here are a couple of images from Monday's shoot.

Shot over a 1000 frames using one of my new Nikon D8100 cameras and a Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 G lens.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 03, 2015, 08:13:05 pm
Hi Ian,

I'm glad I sold my old Nikon D800 and D800E cameras. The improvements on the new Nikon D810 are well worth the up grade. When you take into account that I sold both the old Nikon’s for $2,600.00 NZ and bought the two new Nikon’s on EBay for $2,900.00NZ it was nothing to up grade.

I bet you couldn’t do that with MFDB.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on February 03, 2015, 08:22:44 pm
No question about cost and value! I am looking to try out the Sony A7r soon. When the 50 mpx versions come out, including the Canon, I will be front row center for moving up. For reasons of size and travel I am intrigued by the smaller physical size and weight of the Sony. And the completely silent electronic shutter on the A7s would make shooting on movie sets without a sound blimp really a vast improvement.

I am just now expecting that not one camera system will do everything I need for all of the different work I do professionally. Too much to hope for.

Hi Ian,

I glad I sold my old Nikon D800 and D800E cameras. The improvements on the new Nikon D810 are well worth the up grade. When you take into account that I sold both the old Nikon’s for $2,600.00 NZ and bought the two new Nikon’s on EBay for $2,900.00NZ it was nothing to up grade.

I bet you couldn’t do that with MFDB.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 03, 2015, 08:38:54 pm
Hi Ian,

Yes this new Canon is great news for the Canon people out there. The new shutter on the Nikon D810 is very quite compared to its predecessor.

I just hope when Nikon bring out a new camera to compete with the new 50MP Canon it comes with a global shutter. I would be as happy as a pig in shit if Nikon does that.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on February 05, 2015, 01:26:17 am
Hi Ian,

I'm glad I sold my old Nikon D800 and D800E cameras. The improvements on the new Nikon D810 are well worth the up grade. When you take into account that I sold both the old Nikon’s for $2,600.00 NZ and bought the two new Nikon’s on EBay for $2,900.00NZ it was nothing to up grade.

I bet you couldn’t do that with MFDB.

Cheers

Simon


Is the 810 that much better? was thinking of getting a 2nd 800e (used), after reading the reviews it didn't seem I needed to spend the extra grand for the 810  ???


.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 05, 2015, 02:12:57 am
Hello,

The new shutter is some much smoother and quieter than the old D800/E. The resolution is sharper, skin tones are nicer, the live video is better when tethered and it has a faster frame rate and buffer. The face detection AF is a vast improvement as well. All in all the new improvements for me was the way to go.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MJSPhoto on February 05, 2015, 02:54:25 am
Hmm, did find it on fleabay for almost $500 less, tempting.

Thanks
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 13, 2015, 03:29:34 pm
Really, who can take a bath without having a supply of wine and champagne at arms length?  

Btw, really liking the Profoto Narrow Beam Reflector; boomed it out a 3rd story window for these two.  

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on February 15, 2015, 08:19:49 pm
Joe, Nice work!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 15, 2015, 11:16:18 pm
Joe I like the second shot. Very well lit and balance.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 16, 2015, 09:20:01 am
Now that LL is back up and running, I can respond.   :D

Thanks for the compliments guys.  Funny, the second images was kind of an after thought.  Originally we were only going to shoot the first one and a detail of the vanity, which did not turn out that great.  Then the designer was like, can we get a shot from back here.  I said yes, everything is already in place.  I usually never wish for a wider lens than that one (SK 35mm), but for this one I kind of wish we could have shown more of the leg on the tub.  Oh well.  

Here's a little behind the scenes video I put together of the shoot, which I am trying to do more of when the shoot calls for it and will not be too busy.  https://vimeo.com/119607025
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 18, 2015, 08:09:52 pm
This is a Burger King project, to photograph the pilot store with new looks and packaging.
For this project I found helpful hints from a 2 of LULA mates that lead me on the lighting situation.
The client wanted and made strong emphasis on a very natural lighting and spontaneous look.
Thanks everyone!

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/BK/BK020515_01.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/BK/BK020515_03.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/BK/BK020515_09.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: HarperPhotos on February 18, 2015, 08:24:02 pm
Hi Antonio,

Lovely images as always.

As for the décor of the restaurant it is as inviting as a bus station or public toilet in my opinion.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 25, 2015, 12:34:43 pm
To keep feeding this forum, I'm posting a refresh shoot from the Rio Vista House, now totally furnished.

Had some hassles combing the carpets. Maybe you guys can shoot some ideas.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_26.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_04.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_07.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_17.jpg)

ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on February 25, 2015, 01:54:08 pm
Wonderful! When can I move in?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on February 25, 2015, 02:00:53 pm
Wonderful! When can I move in?

Nah... you'd have to comb those carpets all day long ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on February 25, 2015, 02:12:15 pm
To keep feeding this forum, I'm posting a refresh shoot from the Rio Vista House, now totally furnished.

Had some hassles combing the carpets. Maybe you guys can shoot some ideas.


ACH

Chris Barrett turned me on to this....best thing since sliced bread!

Perky!
http://www.amazon.com/Groom-Industries-Perky-Groomer-Carpet/dp/B009A35AQ2
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 25, 2015, 02:47:08 pm
Phil, so sorry the owners already moved in, plus Slobodan is right, lots of work in that house. I think the have a butler though..
Craig thanks for the link!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on February 25, 2015, 03:37:08 pm
Antonio, Nice job(s).  Thanks for the link to the carpet brush, I just ordered one.  We've used foam core and dragged it across the carpet as well, it works ok.  What camera did you end of going with on the BK shoot?  Jim
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 25, 2015, 05:56:40 pm
Antonio, Nice job(s).  Thanks for the link to the carpet brush, I just ordered one.  We've used foam core and dragged it across the carpet as well, it works ok.  What camera did you end of going with on the BK shoot?  Jim

Hi Jim, thank you for the comment. The link was provided by Chris and Craig share with us again.
It was the D800 I usually use, I love this camera and soon I'll get the D810. I'm also after a a Sony A7R to complete the set. I rented a bunch of Profoto lighting though, to be able to fill the whole space.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 02, 2015, 09:44:42 pm
Here's an image from a recent interesting hotel shoot.  They wanted bright and inviting lighting while still maintaining some of the edgy character of the hotel.  For this image, I was able to get on the fire escape (to the left) and place a magnum reflector shooting into the room.  I also used a 2x3 soft box with a gird and 4 (I think) tungsten fresnels for key lights.  

The room was about 8 x 10 feet, so it got pretty damn crowded.  
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 02, 2015, 11:09:10 pm
What's the name of the hotel? "Nightmare Courtyard"?  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on March 02, 2015, 11:52:33 pm
With the carpet brush I'll be fine! Just leave the key under the mat at the door :-)

That is my style of house. Well done!

JoeK, Those dark woods suck up a lot of light, yet surprised with that many heads all that dark wood still dominated.
Regardless, its totally not my style of room. I'm staying at the high upkeep house. ACH, are you making breakfast, or is it my turn?
That space and the light, just begs to be enjoyed early AM.(is that mainly natural light with fills, or did you drama the place?)
:-)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 03, 2015, 08:58:31 am
Hi Phil, I'm not a very good chef, for to be cooking in that house deserve a good chef, just imagine Sunday morning breakfast and your yacht waiting for you to ride.
Yeah the sun come from the right side of that living room. I filled with 5 flashes most of then through the glasses.
The very tinted glasses made me work a lot, they gave me Cyan colors all over. For thew ones I use inside I had to filter them to compensate. Still I did't have the appropriate gels to match the exact coloration so I end up doing Photoshop work.
This one I would have like to have the Yacht removed out of frame but the timing went wrong, they did not have captain for that day. I think that the architect never thought they would have it there the shooting day.
Oops there you go, things go wrong.
Any ways I don't look so bad..

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_03.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_24.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_22.jpg)

For this one I think I didn't perform my best. There were so many options, the yacht was park the opposite direction, I could have played more with lights...opinions please..

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_05.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on March 03, 2015, 11:32:10 am
OK, its breakfast on the yacht then!

I think they are nice. The one showing grass and front of house, maybe a touch lighter at the house entrance, and even out the sprinkler water with the rest of sidewalk.
The one with the yacht from kitchen, maybe lower the highlights at the window or bring up the kitchen/stove area(lower part of frame) a touch.

These are things I would do, and not something I see a problem. All nicely done. I know those windows/glass are a problem, I have them for my home, and they have a uv tint, so they will shift color.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on March 03, 2015, 04:18:44 pm
I'm no pro and couldn't begin to approach this level of work but may I comment on the front of house shot? (You did ask)
I agree the wet path area is distracting but I find my eye drawn across the shot by that path to the ?driveway gates not to the entrance of the house and that gate is not a great feature, and what's that dark triangle on the grass, bottom RHS?.
Best option was: flatten the fence  :D (looks like a electrified prison fence, YMMV)
Maybe a wide angle from the gates with them open, and not in shot, across the front? The shadows are really nice but agree to "lift" the entrance.

In the boat shot I find the glass refections from the boat, LHS wall,  too busy and distracting from the clean lines as well, and the ladder reflection on the tv while you're at it  ::)

Wish I was as good at shooting as being an armchair critic !!

Edit: Just noticed that dark grey wall that looks like it would not allow the shot from the gates!! Maybe a higher viewpoint from that spot as taken to lessen that fence impact?


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 03, 2015, 07:27:56 pm
Great. Definitely the sprinkle sidewalk has to be photoshop, same as the shine on the glass.
The fence shot actually has to be like that because is "the fence shot". It is for the record of the fence design, like it or not.
In the kitchen, I have to try what works better for the left side, always is good to have the foreground darker.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on March 03, 2015, 07:39:42 pm
Hi Antonio,

Nice package.

A thought for the front fence. 
A single point perspective lined up directly with the grey wall (I'm assuming it's rendered concrete or concrete block).  This would minimise it's impact on the composition.
Camera slightly higher than the shot you have made. 
I'm thinking a pano crop, like 2:1 with a dof that would place the house slightly out of focus.  A thin line of grass on the bottom of the frame.  You'd have a series of horizontal lines in the composition; grass, wet pavement, plants, fence.
The tree in the foreground cutting the fence would provide a feeling of depth, and if you had both gates open slightly (as you have done with the person gate) this would again help the depth.

I'm just trying to think of a way to really make the 'fence the subject.  What do you think.

The side lighting for this is nice.

That is a 'big blue door'!

AL
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 03, 2015, 07:55:50 pm
Yeah we made different shots.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_23.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC4496.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC4494.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/_DSC4174.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sam@ on March 03, 2015, 08:13:33 pm
Hi Antonio

Re The fence image - nice light!
These things are always subjective -
I might have created a one point perspective perhaps to avoid keystoning and allowed the rhs of the house to have some free space from the fence post also by just moving a bit left or closer. A revisit may not be possible.

With your existing image I would crop out foreground to a 2:1 horizontal (I hope you don't mind I indicated on your image my thoughts) and darken the edges a little especially foreground / possibly darken the driveway fence a little / photoshop the paving to match / remove the flare between the letterbox and the tree.
Loosing the foreground and making a little darker would draw the eye to the house fence more.

Sorry a little pressed for time at the moment, I had some comments on the others but thought I'd add my 2c on that image at least.

Thanks

Sam
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 03, 2015, 09:25:45 pm
Cool project we just shot in DC... all on the A7r on the view camera

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/150204_001.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/150204_004.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/150204_010.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/150204_024.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/150204_025.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on March 04, 2015, 02:44:07 am

The fence shot actually has to be like that because is "the fence shot". It is for the record of the fence design, like it or not.

 ;D Keep the fence then.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 04, 2015, 10:04:19 pm
New website is up.  Word to your mommy.

http://christopherbarrett.net/ (http://christopherbarrett.net/)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on March 04, 2015, 10:14:11 pm
New website is up.  Word to your mommy.

http://christopherbarrett.net/ (http://christopherbarrett.net/)

CB

Excellent site, Chris. It loads up quickly. The design is sleek. And of course, your work looks great.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 05, 2015, 10:29:58 am
New website is up.  Word to your mommy.

http://christopherbarrett.net/ (http://christopherbarrett.net/)

CB

Chris, beautiful site, congrats!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ctz on March 05, 2015, 12:44:37 pm
New website is up.  Word to your mommy.

http://christopherbarrett.net/ (http://christopherbarrett.net/)

CB

Chris, I deeply admire your work, which I follow for a lot of years and find it outstanding.
But if you ask about the site, I have some observations, if you don't mind:
For a 2015 site, the pictures are too small on an iMac (and I don't watch them on a retina display). Also on a phone or on an iPad I would prefer bigger size pictures.
A good example of a well designed site is this: http://julianabrams.co.uk Very good programming and very responsive, on whatever kind of device. Responsiveness, navigation and so on.
I'm not talking about Julian Abrams' work, which is also top class, but FWIW, I like your work even more.

Just my two cents.



Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 05, 2015, 01:05:24 pm
Cool project we just shot in DC... all on the A7r on the view camera

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/150204_001.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/150204_004.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/150204_010.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/150204_024.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/150204_025.jpg)

CB

Very nice. 

On the 3rd and 5th images, did you use a view camera lens or a 35mm lens?  I ask because the acutance looks off. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 05, 2015, 01:07:21 pm
Hi Phil, I'm not a very good chef, for to be cooking in that house deserve a good chef, just imagine Sunday morning breakfast and your yacht waiting for you to ride.
Yeah the sun come from the right side of that living room. I filled with 5 flashes most of then through the glasses.
The very tinted glasses made me work a lot, they gave me Cyan colors all over. For thew ones I use inside I had to filter them to compensate. Still I did't have the appropriate gels to match the exact coloration so I end up doing Photoshop work.
This one I would have like to have the Yacht removed out of frame but the timing went wrong, they did not have captain for that day. I think that the architect never thought they would have it there the shooting day.
Oops there you go, things go wrong.
Any ways I don't look so bad..

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_03.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_24.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_22.jpg)

For this one I think I didn't perform my best. There were so many options, the yacht was park the opposite direction, I could have played more with lights...opinions please..

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10120389/RioVista0215_05.jpg)


Very very cool house, love the images.  That door is amazing.  Makes me wish folks in the NE would allow their architects to be so daring with the design.  

And the boat looks great too.  At first, I did not even notice it; over exposing it slightly really keeps it from taking over the image.  


Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 05, 2015, 01:22:31 pm
What's the name of the hotel? "Nightmare Courtyard"?  ;)

 :D  Very close, "Night New York."

Here's a couple more.  They told me bright and inviting but to keep with the character of the design, so I keep on going back and forth on whether these are bright enough, or too bright, or are the blacks reading as blacks.  And I just tried printing one; getting the contrast right on paper is kind of interesting.  

Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on March 05, 2015, 01:47:10 pm
:D  Very close, "Night New York."

Here's a couple more.  They told me bright and inviting but to keep with the character of the design, so I keep on going back and forth on whether these are bright enough, or too bright, or are the blacks reading as blacks.  And I just tried printing one; getting the contrast right on paper is kind of interesting.  



I like what you did with these (and the previous ones you posted). The lighting is spot on and the compositions are really nice. The only thing I wish for is a bit more angle of coverage or wider angle lens. This is one instance where a 14mm (35mm equiv.) lens is a must and where the new Canon 11-24mm lens seems tempting. The room reminds me more of what one would find in a Yacht. Very challenging to photograph. The processing you did is also spot on. I am sure the client is happy. Good stuff.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 05, 2015, 01:50:49 pm
:D  Very close, "Night New York."

Here's a couple more.  They told me bright and inviting but to keep with the character of the design, so I keep on going back and forth on whether these are bright enough, or too bright, or are the blacks reading as blacks.  And I just tried printing one; getting the contrast right on paper is kind of interesting.  



My guessing , this was a real challenge. In the first post you made of this set a few days ago, I noticed a variation of lightness on the bed sheets, here they seem to be smooth out.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 05, 2015, 02:00:25 pm
Joe, they were both with view camera lenses.  Sharpness issues are likely from a 1-step downsize from 7800px to 1500px.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 05, 2015, 02:05:16 pm
Chris, I deeply admire your work, which I follow for a lot of years and find it outstanding.
But if you ask about the site, I have some observations, if you don't mind:
For a 2015 site, the pictures are too small on an iMac (and I don't watch them on a retina display). Also on a phone or on an iPad I would prefer bigger size pictures.
A good example of a well designed site is this: http://julianabrams.co.uk Very good programming and very responsive, on whatever kind of device. Responsiveness, navigation and so on.
I'm not talking about Julian Abrams' work, which is also top class, but FWIW, I like your work even more.

Just my two cents.


Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate the multi-device review!  I'm kind of curious, though, as the images nearly fill my screen on iDevices.  Comparison with Julian's attached.  (I agree, his work and site are excellent).  Weird thing is, on my MacBook Pro Retina, the portfolio images nearly fill my screen, but on my 30" monitor on the PC editing station they do feel small.  I'm looking into this, as impactful images was a big push with the redesign and the reasoning behind the fullscreen homepage.

Cheers,
CB


EDIT:  Simple fix, (I think) check your iMac again. 


(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/website_comparison.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 05, 2015, 02:07:10 pm
My guessing , this was a real challenge. In the first post you made of this set a few days ago, I noticed a variation of lightness on the bed sheets, here they seem to be smooth out.

I believe you are talking about the shadow of the window from a light I placed outside.  On location, I kind of liked it, however now that you phrase it like that, I may "smooth" that out a little too. 

Funny thing is, these guest rooms were the easy part; soon I will probably be going back to shoot the common areas, which are even more black.  The restaurant is totally black; like everything is the restaurant is black.  When I scouted it, I was snapping off scout shots with a 5DII set at ISO H2 wide open at a 30th, and the images where still almost completely black. 

They painted the entire outside of the building black as well and want a dusk shot of it.  We have not discussed this image since we started to price out the project, but at the time I could not get them to understand why I would need to get a permit and spend the time to light the building exterior. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 05, 2015, 02:11:23 pm
...
For a 2015 site, the pictures are too small on an iMac..

I am watching them on my 27" iMac and they are full-screen. Not sure what you mean then by "too small"?

EDIT: Ah, I see what you mean, once you click on the portfolio section. But still, I think the size very nicely balances with the overall design of the page and doesn't feel "small," let alone "too small."
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 05, 2015, 02:15:21 pm
I am watching them on my 27" iMac and they are full-screen. Not sure what you mean then by "too small"?

If you do not expand your browser to being the full size of your screen, then the images appear small due to the side bar taking up a predetermined width in the website design.  I assume this is what he meant. 

I prefer to only allow my browser to take up 2/3 of my screen so I can keep an eye on other programs I may have open already.  Working this way, the images do seem small. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Manoli on March 05, 2015, 02:21:52 pm
... Weird thing is, on my MacBook Pro Retina, the portfolio images nearly fill my screen, but on my 30" monitor on the PC editing station they do feel small.  I'm looking into this, as impactful images was a big push with the redesign and the reasoning behind the fullscreen homepage.

Just to butt in here ...

I'm looking at Chris' site on a 27" Cinema display ( not full screen) and no, I don't feel the images are too small. More a comfortable size and much prefer the click-to-enlarge behaviour.  Also the scrolling behaviour (text&images) flows really well, IMO. Reviewing the blog posts by flicking up and down pages with an trackpad combined with the RHS archive works exceptionally well. Julian's site is impressive but Chris' redesign , to me, seems a huge improvement.  Content rules but flow and aesthetics help ...

Great redesign , Chris, congrats !



Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 05, 2015, 02:22:11 pm
... Working this way, the images do seem small. 

Well, I'd use a different word to describe them, elegant (i.e., images + page design), but I see what you mean.

On the other hand, aren't we always concerned about work being stolen off the web? Bigger the size, the more attractive it gets?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ctz on March 05, 2015, 03:34:44 pm
Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate the multi-device review!  I'm kind of curious, though, as the images nearly fill my screen on iDevices.  Comparison with Julian's attached.  (I agree, his work and site are excellent).  Weird thing is, on my MacBook Pro Retina, the portfolio images nearly fill my screen, but on my 30" monitor on the PC editing station they do feel small.  I'm looking into this, as impactful images was a big push with the redesign and the reasoning behind the fullscreen homepage.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/forum_images/website_comparison.jpg)

The comparison stands still only for the first page on both sites. Then, once you enter the galleries, I guess the real estate is better used (if may I say so, especially to an architectural photographer :P) on Julian's site. Maybe you loose too much space with the navigation bar and logo, on the desktop version, mainly, but also on iPad. Also on ipad, the menu is hidden on the entry page. I still think the programming for responsiveness is not ideal.  Also check how the pictures are displayed on multiple devices and you'll notice what I mean. Once again, I'm a huge admirer of your work, that's the main reason why I bothered to write about the new site design in the first place.  You're also a great contributor on this forum, so we owe you some in return for your valuable posts and time taken with all your gear reviews. And somehow I feel that you very much care about the design, too, that's why I try to help with a friendly opinion and an extra pair of eyes.

Cheers,
ctz

PS. I've browsed the site once more. The intro page on desktop, with full screen previews looks GREAT!!!  Especially the video on the home/entry page is a KILLER!!! Why not keep this design for the whole site? :)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 05, 2015, 03:52:33 pm
Ahh... CTZ, so I guess you were initially talking more about my portfolio page with the small squares as links to the sections?  Yeah, I'm ok with those being small.  I totally welcome the critique and value your input.  The site is important to me.  Julian's is really great on mobile devices, where that was more of an afterthought for us.  Definitely something to think about...

Thanks,
CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ctz on March 05, 2015, 03:59:37 pm
And another one.
One this page http://christopherbarrett.net/portfolio_page/lake-shore/ you have two sets of arrows. I understand what they do, but still, from the user interface point of view, this might be confusing.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ctz on March 05, 2015, 04:02:48 pm
Ahh... CTZ, so I guess you were initially talking more about my portfolio page with the small squares as links to the sections?  Yeah, I'm ok with those being small.  I totally welcome the critique and value your input.  The site is important to me.  Julian's is really great on mobile devices, where that was more of an afterthought for us.  Definitely something to think about...

Thanks,
CB

:)
No, not at all, of course the thumbs or small squares are fine, for previews. I was talking about the galleries, first time. And the intro page is that who really looks great.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 05, 2015, 04:25:56 pm
Agreed, the homepage looks much better on the iPad.  I had considered making all the portfolio sections just like the homepage, but then it seemed important to differentiate them.  Hmm.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on March 05, 2015, 05:11:02 pm
And another one.
One this page http://christopherbarrett.net/portfolio_page/lake-shore/ you have two sets of arrows. I understand what they do, but still, from the user interface point of view, this might be confusing.

I don't want to gang up but the page referenced highlights an issue, for me, (I worked out the arrows BTW, but should I have to?) I have no idea how many images are in each "set" so until the "carousel" comes around and I recognise one as a repeat, and with the abstracts great as they are, that was not super easy  ;D
I don't like sites that get around this with thumbnails that scroll and don't have an answer, another armchair critic. Overall very professional and spot on using the MacBookPro (non Retina).
Nice to see some old favourites popping up as well!!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 06, 2015, 08:06:15 am
I just noticed the 35mm exclusion update to the forum.  Naturally, that was always implied merely by the title of the category.  Many of us would skirt the line, posting multiple formats because we valued the opinions of those who frequent this thread.  I respect the recent decision, think it makes sense and hopefully will see the end to all the pointless format bickering.  This happens to come at the same time as I am transitioning most of my work to the A7r, though, so I won't really be posting images here anymore.  I'll still check in and offer advice where I can.

Cheers,
CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ctz on March 06, 2015, 11:47:28 am
Medium format is just a state of mind, regardless of the camera you use. :P
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on March 06, 2015, 02:30:02 pm
Chris, I believe that "exclusion" has been around for years. Nothing new then.

We've lost too many talented contributors to this forum recently including the very sad news last week. Please keep the images coming regardless of format.

I'm going to miss Simon terribly.  I almost think that the D800/D810 contributors should still be allowed here out of commemorative respect. 

It's worth remembering too that some of the early MFDBs were 24x36, such as the Leaf Valeo 6.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on March 06, 2015, 03:31:54 pm
Hi,

I feel that LuLa has always been an open forum. I really hate those MFD, 4/3 or whatever threads. I cannot post this great image because it was taken on the wrong format, BS on my mind.

Chris, your postings have always been appreciated. Sharing experience is always great! You are making great images in a very commercial environment. Now, many of us live in a different world. Just as an example, insurances/travel may be a great problem for an amateur.

I hope that you carry on sharing your experience, whatever equipment you use. Because we can learn from that experience.

Best regards
Erik


I just noticed the 35mm exclusion update to the forum.  Naturally, that was always implied merely by the title of the category.  Many of us would skirt the line, posting multiple formats because we valued the opinions of those who frequent this thread.  I respect the recent decision, think it makes sense and hopefully will see the end to all the pointless format bickering.  This happens to come at the same time as I am transitioning most of my work to the A7r, though, so I won't really be posting images here anymore.  I'll still check in and offer advice where I can.

Cheers,
CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on March 06, 2015, 09:17:15 pm
Medium format is just a state of mind, regardless of the camera you use. :P
This is so good!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on March 07, 2015, 06:28:12 pm
I'm going to miss Simon terribly.  I almost think that the D800/D810 contributors should still be allowed here out of commemorative respect. 

It's worth remembering too that some of the early MFDBs were 24x36, such as the Leaf Valeo 6.

My first MFDB was a 36 X36 Imacon Ixpress 384c multi-shot back (16 MP 1, 4-shot, and 16-shot back) . My Oly EM-5 II produces better files. Go figure.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: egor on March 08, 2015, 11:20:01 am
My first MFDB was a 36 X36 Imacon Ixpress 384c multi-shot back (16 MP 1, 4-shot, and 16-shot back) . My Oly EM-5 II produces better files. Go figure.

Thats it! Thank you, Bob. I have been racking my brain trying to remember my 1st foray into MFD and that was it. I owned that exact same camera, the Imacon Ixpress 384c. I remember the 16-pop shots produced an "unbelievably huge massive" 16MP true-color image! I still have the imprint on my retina of 2000ws strobes going pop! pop! pop!......Thanks for the memory! :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickT on March 08, 2015, 03:03:43 pm
Actually in 16 shot mode the 384 produces 64MP files which are 384MB in 16 bit, hence the name of the unit.

And even my 6MP 3020 produced better files (in 4-shot) than my 5d2 did. Not so sure compared to the D810.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: gazwas on March 08, 2015, 03:25:18 pm
I would love to contribute to this section of the forum however I got out of MFD last year so never thought it appropriate to post any images here. To be honest I am cluless to the format etiquette in this forum as I see many Nikon and Sony photographers post images here inspite of the 35mm exclusion? IMO this is the most interesting topic in this forum of late and I feel it would have an even greater number of contributors if we all knew the rules?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on March 08, 2015, 03:33:17 pm
I just noticed the 35mm exclusion update to the forum.  Naturally, that was always implied merely by the title of the category.  Many of us would skirt the line, posting multiple formats because we valued the opinions of those who frequent this thread.  I respect the recent decision, think it makes sense and hopefully will see the end to all the pointless format bickering.  This happens to come at the same time as I am transitioning most of my work to the A7r, though, so I won't really be posting images here anymore.  I'll still check in and offer advice where I can.

Cheers,
CB

I think that the transition of a photographer such as Chris to a small-format back is really telling. In the days of film, there was a much clearer distinction between the different formats. With digital, especially recently, the distinction between medium and small format has become much less distinct for many applications, hence the frequent comparisons between the formats. Of course the Internet has given more people more forums to express their opinions as well.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 08, 2015, 03:46:33 pm
I would love to contribute to this section of the forum however I got out of MFD last year so never thought it appropriate to post any images here. To be honest I am cluless to the format etiquette in this forum as I see many Nikon and Sony photographers post images here inspite of the 35mm exclusion? IMO this is the most interesting topic in this forum of late and I feel it would have an even greater number of contributors if we all knew the rules?

We had a debate in this very thread about a year ago and most people didn't' seem to mind occasional inclusion of smaller formats, as long as they were done as a professional work, or at least by a known professional.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Martin Ranger on March 08, 2015, 05:48:22 pm
I think that the transition of a photographer such as Chris to a small-format back is really telling. In the days of film, there was a much clearer distinction between the different formats. With digital, especially recently, the distinction between medium and small format has become much less distinct for many applications, hence the frequent comparisons between the formats. Of course the Internet has given more people more forums to express their opinions as well.

The smaller the distinctions, the more fiercely people have to defend their equipment (on both sides of the format divide)  :)

Portra 400, CZJ 180mm, Pentacon Six.

(https://40.media.tumblr.com/b0556490f68fbfa3143af99fe893d402/tumblr_nkwxqmhohr1qlyunfo1_1280.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 12, 2015, 09:45:56 am
The large spaces are fun and glamorous and offer so many options with what you can do with composition, lighting, staging, and so on, but there is nothing quite like walking into a tiny room (in this case about 8x10 feet) and at the end of it being able to say, "nailed it!" 

Shot this yesterday. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on March 12, 2015, 09:53:41 am
The large spaces are fun and glamorous and offer so many options with what you can do with composition, lighting, staging, and so on, but there is nothing quite like walking into a tiny room (in this case about 8x10 feet) and at the end of it being able to say, "nailed it!" 

Shot this yesterday. 



Nice.

Looks like you are having fun creating your own "sunlight".  Small spaces are a challenge to be sure, but it's all I ever shoot.  I earned my wings shooting conversion van interiors decades ago, after that everything looked big.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 12, 2015, 09:33:15 pm
Nice.

Looks like you are having fun creating your own "sunlight".  Small spaces are a challenge to be sure, but it's all I ever shoot.  I earned my wings shooting conversion van interiors decades ago, after that everything looked big.

Thank you Craig. 

And you sure do shoot some small space.  I see some of your images and say, "no thank you."  Often I wonder, how did they shoot these things with 4x5s before having live view.  I am all about ground glass, but when backed into a corner?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on March 12, 2015, 10:27:14 pm
Thank you Craig. 

And you sure do shoot some small space.  I see some of your images and say, "no thank you."  Often I wonder, how did they shoot these things with 4x5s before having live view.  I am all about ground glass, but when backed into a corner?

It's a profitable little niche, pun intended.  It's all model year stuff, most of the images are useless after a year and then we shoot them all over again.  The market has changed, conversion vans are mostly gone, the boat industry took a huge hit in 08, but we are going gang busters in the rv business.

There are a lot of shots I get today that never happened with 4x5.  Today I often back the camera hard against a wall, in the good old days you had to leave room for your head ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on March 13, 2015, 03:42:33 am
in the good old days you had to leave room for your head ;)

I once saw a dentist's mirror used  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on March 13, 2015, 01:52:51 pm
We had semi live view....Polaroid type 55.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Garry Sarre on March 14, 2015, 02:56:56 am
Amazing interiors/exteriors on here. I used to do it all the time back in the film days. Lotsa F22 work onto film with the Blad or 5x4. But you guys are amazing. I'm strictly portraiture these days.

Here's a low res using the H5D, which surprisingly, has come into its own for me producing miniscule web files for corporate portraiture. Lovely natural colour that the dslrs can't get. Seems a waste of megs to start with a 270mb 16bit tif only to send of a 2 meg one.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 20, 2015, 05:43:14 pm
Here two more from that same interesting hotel, albeit at the other more toned-down location.  Once again, they wanted bright and open but still maintaining the style.  Since it was more toned down, we did more overall fill with little key lighting. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on March 20, 2015, 07:04:06 pm
Here two more from that same interesting hotel, albeit at the other more toned-down location.  Once again, they wanted bright and open but still maintaining the style.  Since it was more toned down, we did more overall fill with little key lighting. 


Do you ever use a polarizer to try and control reflections?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 20, 2015, 08:09:07 pm
Do you ever use a polarizer to try and control reflections?

I do, but I find without cross polarizing, it does nothing with glass.  Only reduces the glare by half.  

With wood though, I use polarizers all the time.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: phoTOMgraphy on March 23, 2015, 04:39:41 pm
New website is up.  Word to your mommy.

http://christopherbarrett.net/ (http://christopherbarrett.net/)

CB

hi chris,
it's always a pleasure to see your work! so please don't stop showing it here!

@the video with the woman crossing the room: may i ask if you could share the technique you used for this amazing effect?
did you use a camera dolly, or a steady cam or even a loooong slider - it almost drives me crazy to figure out how it could have been done ...  ;)

 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on March 23, 2015, 05:21:59 pm
This just out today, Credo40 on H5X

http://www.douglaslevy.com/image/I000002BfEinpW0I
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 24, 2015, 02:05:51 pm
Thanks Tom!  Here is a link to a compilation of the footage from that project: http://christopherbarrett.net/portfolio_page/horizontal-slider-test-motion-portfolio/#slider-pro-3/4 (http://christopherbarrett.net/portfolio_page/horizontal-slider-test-motion-portfolio/#slider-pro-3/4)

Actually... we rented 80 feet of dolly track and ran it the length of the house down that main corridor  :)

Cheers,
CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: phoTOMgraphy on March 24, 2015, 03:36:56 pm
Thanks Tom!  Here is a link to a compilation of the footage from that project: http://christopherbarrett.net/portfolio_page/horizontal-slider-test-motion-portfolio/#slider-pro-3/4 (http://christopherbarrett.net/portfolio_page/horizontal-slider-test-motion-portfolio/#slider-pro-3/4)

Actually... we rented 80 feet of dolly track and ran it the length of the house down that main corridor  :)

Cheers,
CB

thank you chris,
amazing clip and a very cool architectural concept too ;-)

cheers,
tom
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on March 25, 2015, 12:37:37 am
video still.

Edmund.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on March 25, 2015, 12:56:52 am
video still.

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 26, 2015, 09:49:37 am
Here's a few I shot for an Amish kitchen designer last month. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on March 26, 2015, 10:21:31 am
Here's a few I shot for an Amish kitchen designer last month. 

Stainless appliances are always so much fun.....
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 26, 2015, 11:01:52 am
Here's a few I shot for an Amish kitchen...

Amish kitchen with electric appliances!? What's the world coming to? ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 26, 2015, 12:55:57 pm
Stainless appliances are always so much fun.....

Not too bad, but you can kind of see my gridded soft box in the oven on the last one. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 26, 2015, 12:59:17 pm
Amish kitchen with electric appliances!? What's the world coming to? ;)

 ;D

Well, he was formally Amish, but all of his retail employees were Amish and he sources everything from the Amish.  So almost completely Amish.  I guess it is sort of complicated; there were a string of questions that came to mind, all of which I felt were not appropriate for a first time client.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Dragomir Spassov on March 27, 2015, 08:58:57 am
..from a social campaign.. about the refugees from Syria.
Contax 645 140/2.8 P65
Below I'm posting full res jpg.


http://bliss.bg/work/test/OON16622.jpg (http://bliss.bg/work/test/OON16622.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on March 28, 2015, 01:45:17 am
Wonderful portrait!

..from a social campaign.. about the refugees from Syria.
Contax 645 140/2.8 P65
Below I'm posting full res jpg.


http://bliss.bg/work/test/OON16622.jpg (http://bliss.bg/work/test/OON16622.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on March 28, 2015, 02:08:10 am
Music video still, ungraded. I am trying to get it right in camera now, as my knowledge of video grading is zero.

You can access 10s of ungraded 4K footage from the Panasonic GH4 from a link at the top of my GH4 resource page. (http://panasonicgh.blogspot.fr/p/blog-page.html) Warning: Huge file. You need to DOWNLOAD, not just play, or you'll get a low-rez version.

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on March 28, 2015, 02:11:10 am
..from a social campaign.. about the refugees from Syria.
Contax 645 140/2.8 P65
Below I'm posting full res jpg.


http://bliss.bg/work/test/OON16622.jpg (http://bliss.bg/work/test/OON16622.jpg)

Dragomir -

  Superb work!

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Gel on April 02, 2015, 03:35:07 pm
Headshots using the 645z + 150mm

Still blown away by the IQ

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 02, 2015, 07:48:51 pm
Headshots using the 645z + 150mm

Still blown away by the IQ



Nice, like the light on his face in the first one. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 02, 2015, 07:52:52 pm
Interesting cafe I shot today for the real estate owner (not the tenant).  Tried to go with a more looser feel with this one; fresh out of camera this one, however I will probably burn the window in more for the client. 

(This company is an architectural salvage company; their floor space, which we shot too, was awesome.  I think my girlfriend, who is a food photographer, could spend days in here looking for props and surfaces.) 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on April 12, 2015, 06:05:21 pm
Just posted new work on a new thread (so nobody gets their chonies in a bunch)...

Recent Format Agnostic Professional Works (http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=99472.0)

- CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on April 13, 2015, 04:22:33 pm
Recent shot for the Wall Street Journal's new ad campaign "Make Time" SAP CEO Bill McDermott
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LKaven on April 21, 2015, 01:44:17 am
Recent shot for the Wall Street Journal's new ad campaign "Make Time" SAP CEO Bill McDermott

Like your work a lot, Craig.  You connect nicely with your subjects.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on April 22, 2015, 08:39:10 am
Thanks Luke!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on April 25, 2015, 04:06:09 pm
New release for the gallery
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on April 28, 2015, 03:04:52 pm
Chris I know the bulk of your work is done by lighting but can I ask you what post work you would would typically do to a set like this? The whites look really clean and images look sharp without having an artificial rendered look.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on April 29, 2015, 07:06:26 pm
One of the first things I do in post (and I learned this from grading motion footage) is to neutralize the shadows and hilights.  If those are neutral you can totally push the midtones into any balance you want and it will still look decent.  To do this, I use a Levels adjustment layer, go into each channel and bring the sliders up to the edge of the histogram.  Usually this will look great.  Sometimes I need to push the midtones in a different direction for good color and I do that with a curve layer and again targeting a specific channel.  Sometimes I also need to lift the 3/4 tones a bit.

I've never really put much effort into my sharpening.  I let Capture 1 apply it's default sharpening and then I'm done.  I never sharpen any more than that.  I see a lot stuff that looks just crazy sharpened.  What's up with that?  If you focus your camera right and shoot at a proper aperture, your stuff should be sharp.

Hope that helps.  Let me know if there was something more specific you were looking for.

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on April 30, 2015, 01:21:03 am
Thanks Chris. I'm getting quite a lot of work recently and am aware that my post work is a bit inconsistent and really time consuming. This gives me a good starting point. At the moment I'm using ACR or Lightroom and prefering ACR as it handles small adjustments on correcting distortion a bit better. I'm usually just adding a small amount of clarity and sharpness and then cleaning the whites up with an selection layer.
I'm often shooting without lights in galleries and museums so fairly long exposures. Can I ask, are you bracketing and if so do you join with later masks or something automated?

Thanks a lot
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on May 10, 2015, 02:18:54 pm
Early morning shoot. 24mm tse.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: K.C. on May 11, 2015, 10:19:41 pm
Well there sister hotel wanted some of that too...
.. so more fun this week at 6am - to the amusement of their guests it seems - at the Galway Bay Hotel in Ireland.

Very nice shot. The sky is pretty understated, though probably accurate considering the time of day.

Is this a final or straight out of camera ?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 29, 2015, 07:44:52 am
The lobby fireplace at the Killarney Park Hotel...
(http://www.ampimage.com/hotels/Killarney-183326.jpg)
.. in the Irish county of Kerry.


That is really nice. 

You and CB have quite a few images shot considerably lower to the floor then what I would have done.  I think I need to start exploring this more. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 29, 2015, 03:30:38 pm
Love this last one Yelhsa, very inviting indeed. How many light did you get to use.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 30, 2015, 12:52:21 pm
Very interesting Yelhsa.

I see in the last set of images outside that you light up the hall where the tv is and at first you got a glare on the ceiling, next image you kill the glare without altering the lower effect, how did you manage that? As I know many interior photographers run into this problem.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on June 01, 2015, 01:33:02 am
or even making a fortune from being a photographer  :D
Jajaja
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on June 26, 2015, 08:09:35 pm
My work is mostly different from what most of you do. Have always been primarily advertising and editorial in bodybuilding and fitness. Although I do other work as well. From a shoot I did yesterday. Hasselblad H4D-40 iso800 80mm at 2.8. Ambient light only, overhead fluorescent and sunlight coming in from front window. Really happy with this Hasselblad.

There are some more on my Blog if you want to take a look. http://wp.me/pH8pO-yY

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on June 26, 2015, 08:45:19 pm
Hasselblad has a really pleasant color. I like how the Kodak sensor.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on June 26, 2015, 09:04:58 pm
Same here! Although I had not thought about it being a Kodak sensor. Having used pretty much all of the MFD's except the new Pentax, I really just kept coming back to the Hasselblad. And the more I use it the more I am really happy with it for a lot of reasons!

Hasselblad has a really pleasant color. I like how the Kodak sensor.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on June 26, 2015, 10:15:20 pm
I've rented the H4D-40 with the 28mm lens for interiors. The combination of camera, sensor and Phocus software are amazing.
The reds and oranges are sweet.
Petty there are not Till Shift solutions on the wider side.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: mitchino on June 27, 2015, 04:47:04 am
You can go a little wider with the horrendously expensive 24mm.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on June 27, 2015, 07:37:17 pm
Just went to your website... incredible work, WOW!

Hasselblad has a really pleasant color. I like how the Kodak sensor.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on June 27, 2015, 09:46:33 pm
Thank you Ian.
You do great work too!
I see you use Mamiya as well.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on June 28, 2015, 08:23:21 pm
Thank you Ian.
You do great work too!
I see you use Mamiya as well.

Thank You!

I have been shooting my Mamiya 645AFDII with film and various digital backs. I rurally have been greatly happy with my photos from it. I really do love the camera and I have a good selection of my favorite lenses for it. I even have six film backs. Everything is in pretty much great, if not pristine, condition. And I guess I have really good working products of each. But time to move on and I went with the Hasselblad. I know all the Mamiya gear will end up just collecting dust so I guess I will start selling it off.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Neil Williams on July 01, 2015, 04:00:12 pm
Pretty photo Antonio and I love the kitchen.

From Leica S2, broncolor 575 watt hmi, leica 120
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/leica_s2_2.jpg)

BC
I think it would be a stronger image if it was not in the middle..............maybe a square crop would look better
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Neil Williams on July 01, 2015, 05:51:53 pm
Some fantastic stuff here...............here's one of mine
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa414/ndwgolf1/1913509_10203798836445555_689087964207058923_o_zpsvuuvgxo6.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Neil Williams on July 01, 2015, 05:55:56 pm
One of the most photographed buildings in Singapore
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa414/ndwgolf1/Singapore_2012_0044-Edit_zps1680e861.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 17, 2015, 08:50:39 am
Just recently I had fun photographing this magical place. Incredible food and unmatched hospitality, Chinar restaurant on Staten Island.

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MEAS_2015-Chinar_018_withStage_S.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MEAS_2015-Chinar_021_S.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MEAS_2015-Chinar_027_036_S.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MEAS_2015-Chinar_037_042_V2_S.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on July 19, 2015, 03:26:45 pm
For a good number of years now I have been the photographer well known at "Muscle Beach". This past July 4th weekend was the first where I used my Hasselblad H4D-40 exclusively for both the photographs during the bodybuilding and fitness competitions as well as some photo shoots the day after. I must say I love this camera!

Also as an aside, the subject matter can be very fun especially if you look past the bodybuilder to his right and see the woman enjoying the view from her side of things. Also on my Blog at http://wp.me/pH8pO-As



Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on August 06, 2015, 05:13:29 pm
Totally Outstanding!

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/comp_1_el_m.jpg)

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/comp_2_el_m.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on August 06, 2015, 05:15:19 pm
BC - Wonderful...

Would love to read the story that will go along with these images.

Can you tell us where and when we might?

AL
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JV on August 07, 2015, 09:55:52 am
Wonderful playa shots!  Death Valley or nearby?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: D Fuller on August 07, 2015, 09:47:43 pm
Thanks,

I'll give an explain later when we have a break.

Here are two more from the series.

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/mars_900px.jpg)

BC

Very hot pics. Love 'em. And I'd love to hear what the brief was.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 26, 2015, 04:08:17 pm
From a recent shoot:
(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_OKY_A111_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on August 26, 2015, 05:17:42 pm
From a recent artist portrait assignment project
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 28, 2015, 09:47:49 am
It feels that I am going to take a plunge and diverge from the corporate IT world where I've spent last 18 years on a day job into photography.
So I've assembled a portfolio representing some of my studio work: http://michaelezra.com/MichaelEzra_SculpturalFineArtNudesCatalogue-EN-1sm.pdf
Just like before every studio session for the past 15 years I feel that I know and have done nothing yet... I want to do something new.. something magical... love it, live with it and enjoy. What I don't yet know is how to make it commercial and sustainable. Any advise would be appreciated not less than a job offer:)!


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 28, 2015, 10:33:00 am
Michael,

Good luck with the change of lifestyle; was a time when I could have given some good advice, but I'd now need the very same service myself!

Maybe the only two things still relevant that I can say are these:

a. stay with what gives you joy, otherwise, there's no point;

b. make sure you have enough capital behind you to stay afloat for at least a year with zilch coming in other than the bills.


Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 28, 2015, 01:38:59 pm
One thing I'll caution you on, Michael... is that making photographs for someone else's needs is an entirely different ballgame.  Right now you own every element of your image-making.  The photographs are entirely your own creation.  Things are so different on the commercial end.  Personally, I enjoy creative collaboration.  It's not for everyone, however and can lead to a lot of frustration for some.  I know you'll always have your personal work to take solace in, but realize that if you pursue commercial clients, that you are entering into a service industry.

Cheers and good luck!
CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on August 28, 2015, 02:10:09 pm
Michael

That is an amazing study of form. Wonderful pose, body and lighting.

I can only dream :)

Mike
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on August 28, 2015, 02:38:38 pm
It feels that I am going to take a plunge and diverge from the corporate IT world where I've spent last 18 years on a day job into photography.
So I've assembled a portfolio representing some of my studio work: http://michaelezra.com/MichaelEzra_SculpturalFineArtNudesCatalogue-EN-1sm.pdf
Just like before every studio session for the past 15 years I feel that I know and have done nothing yet... I want to do something new.. something magical... love it, live with it and enjoy. What I don't yet know is how to make it commercial and sustainable. Any advise would be appreciated not less than a job offer:)!

I love your work, Michael: your nudes have an immediately recognisable style and consistency of presentation yet are never dull. I can't presume to offer advice; but I made a dramatic change of career after a decade in a job (and five years' training beforehand) and haven't regretted it for a moment. I wish you the very best of luck.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 29, 2015, 11:18:10 am
Thanks everyone for your kind words and wishes:)

Chris, I appreciate this advice as it captures the key behavioural element. Service industry does require a particular mentality. But these days in the IT world everything is becoming service-oriented (pun intended) - even entire IT organizations are being offered as a service...

What I am also curious about is whether photography could land a six-figure income and what would it take to get there. Needless to say, it is much better to be a wealthy artist than a poor one:) Ashely's example is a great illustration of the pricing framework.

My starting conditions:
- As a first step, I've created a simple mobile-friendly website - http://timelessme.com. Its purpose is for work for commission, while http://michaelezra.com remains as my personal portfolio.
- I also have a dedicated studio space - 1200 sq ft with 9.5 ft ceilings in my basement, but it is in Staten Island 40 min from Manhattan
- Have equipment necessary - lighting / supports / backgrounds / cameras & lenses / 24" printer
- Would need to enrich shooting sets with props and may be costumes (that's why I love shooting nudes on seamless!!)
- I have experience in giving a master class on sculptural photography to a large audience (photoforum in Moscow 2009)
- Have lots of works that could be published in series of coffee table books
- I have previously sold prints of studio nudes from $100 to $1900 each via ebay or in person and also conducted commissioned studio sessions for $300-$1000

What I find most challenging is how to get the *sustainable* flow of paying customers & orders, as so far commercial realization of what I do was mostly incidental


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: K.C. on August 29, 2015, 10:50:56 pm
What I find most challenging is how to get the *sustainable* flow of paying customers & orders, as so far commercial realization of what I do was mostly incidental

Is there a sustainable profession anymore ?

I know a couple dozen grads of the best schools who once had studios, good portfolios and worked consistently. They've all left the profession because the AD's became the shooters and stopped calling. The folks I know that were the ADs then left the profession because nobody wanted to pay them. A lot of them went into commercial real estate and they're now looking for another line of work.

I know a handful of survivors here in Southern California and they're struggling to understand Instagram, Social Networking and how to have a discussion with 20 somethings for clients who want to know why you don't have any drone shots in your portfolio.

But maybe that's just L.A.

Cooter's working but he's the exception from what I can tell.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on August 30, 2015, 02:44:15 am
Just a thought, is it wise to mix nudity and family oriented shots with no NSFW warning on the timeless site? I am British so I don't understand the US attitudes to such matters but I'd expect you could potentially alienate some of your customer base that way. Just offer a link to fine art or something indicating there will be nudity.

Mike
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on August 30, 2015, 11:24:26 am
Just a thought, is it wise to mix nudity and family oriented shots with no NSFW warning on the timeless site?...

Indeed... Last time I was in Louvre, they had NSFW stickers plastered all over the Venus De Milo and other naked statues. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 30, 2015, 11:30:12 am
Ha!  Although Mike has a point, your comment was dead on, Slobodan.  I truly despise how prudish America is.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on August 30, 2015, 11:39:47 am
I thought we were talking business not Art Galleries. There's a local professional photographer who does family/weddings and also boudoir work and she makes darned sure the marketing of the two never meet :) To my naive surprise the boudoir work is a very strong income stream.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on August 30, 2015, 12:07:13 pm
Ha!  Although Mike has a point, your comment was dead on, Slobodan.  I truly despise how prudish America is.

I wouldn't call our work  IT dept. prudish but paranoid definitely. A sure way to get an otherwise useful site black listed, and that is UK.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 30, 2015, 09:03:47 pm
James,

Thank you for every word. Its the best wakeup call and I needed it!

This is how I started photography, I worked 60 hours almost every weekend, Friday night through Monday morning. Time in darkroom flew at different speed. I lived on bread, cranberry juice, feta cheese and oxygen from the ac in a window. This was the best time of my life, I was driven and obscessed and could not think of anything else but creating images. The only limitation was lack of understanding how; and the only solution was to just figure it out, relentlessly. This was the time when passion for creating did not let my mind be occupied  with paying carelful attention to obstacles and navigating around them, I could not even see any. I was sufficiently financed through the day job of IT architect and lived in ideallistic world of night time in the darkroom.

I always easily obsessed with the creative process, such as image making, but this time it is about creating a business. There is quite a difference in being a business man which implies, as you pointed out,  seeking out customers and making them successful, vs. idealistic exploration of creative freedom. I need to try to figure this out.

Thank you for pointing out the important stuff and for inspiration!

- michael
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on August 31, 2015, 12:53:52 am
...There is quite a difference in being a business man...

The beauty of being a professional photographer, a business man, is that you would be able to devote as much as 10% of your time to photography ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on August 31, 2015, 02:43:38 am
I think that BC's summary is very good and applies beyond photography. You care about what the client cares about, you try to lead him along the right paths that perhaps he hasn't seen - but that's what you did in IT anyway.

What no-one seems to have said explicitly is that you have to listen, listen to the client, then try and understand what he really means. But again you know this from your IT work. You listen and you make it obvious that you have listened and that you really, really want to understand.

The life of the self employed is precarious; be ready for months where you earn what you'd hope to earn in a week, or less. I'm not sure if you have ever been self employed but it can be hard, very hard especially if you have family and debts.

Mike

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on August 31, 2015, 04:11:42 am
Yep Ashley your images convinced me that I'd employ you :) They are very impressive and I imagine do their job well in recruiting clients.

Just out of interest what is the blue line I see towards the left edge of an image if I click on it rather than use the arrows to navigate?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on August 31, 2015, 04:59:30 am
Hah! Point well made.

No it's not a visited link (I think) as it's a single line running top to bottom about a quarter in from the left edge. It's there if I click and hold on the mouse so I can't screen grab to show you. This is in chrome in Windows. It hardly matters but it might bug you as you are clearly something of a perfectionist.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on August 31, 2015, 05:44:30 am
Chrome on Mac does it but clicking to the LHS of the line links to "tearsheets".
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on August 31, 2015, 05:47:50 am
Here too. Not the most intuitive action :)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on August 31, 2015, 10:03:22 am
... Keep in mind no successful image maker I know (unless they work in a catalog house) spends the majority of their time with a camera in their grasp...

Isn't that what I said?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 31, 2015, 11:23:46 am
Michael,

Well, there's clearly no single, guaranteed route to making a go of it, and if there were, everybody would be crowding everybody else off the pavements. Oh, they already do that without a route map!

It also depends on where you live, how old you are, and how much capital you have to play with before you are forced to think again. You may not have to think again, but unless you are twenty, you should factor that in.

I can't decide if you intend to stay with girls or be a general practitioner. In my personal experience in Scotland, I saw four very-long-established general commercial studios go tits up before I left in '81. I guess I lasted as long as I did because I was not general: I became a sort of local go-to guy in my genre; that was enough to keep the various kites flying. But even then, I had to slide across genres, from fashion to calendars, because of factors totally out of my control.

Cooter's right when he says to disregard the negative sayers; had I listened I'd now have been a mechanical engineer (retired) living in a small house in the Scottish sticks, because it would be cheaper. Instead of cool memories and wonderful (to me) experiences in many countries I'd have to live now with regret at lack of guts.

But, I think that you'd be missing a hell of a lot if you didn't get an assisting job first with somebody already high up the ladder. Probably hard to find, but worth every bit of the effort.

Business sense. I don't believe you can do much about that – like a good eye, I think it's an instinctive, genetic gift. I may or may not have had an eye, but I sure as hell pulled some dumb business decisions!

I also think you have to know early on if you want to grow and become a 'studio brand' with lots of other people on the payroll or not. I never did: I wanted to make a good life for myself and the family, doing what I still love today, and not to be an employer. Basically, I wasn't money-driven; I was photography-driven. It isn't as irrelevant a choice as some may imagine – it's a basic mindset and you have to know what you want and who/what you are, or the fights will always be with yourself.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Justinr on September 07, 2015, 06:15:32 pm
And I'd say: "Thanks, but not thanks" - as I'm more than happy to employ myself.
However, if you would like me to produce and then provide you with some images for you to use instead, then I'd be more than happy to talk - as that is normally all that anyone actually wants to pay me for ;)

As for you seeing a 'blue line' around the images - I assume you are viewing the site using Firefox, as opposed to Safari (or viewing it on an iPad or iPhone) - as the Links / Active Links / Visited Links should be grey - but for some reason Firefox shows it as blue.  

It was an absolute bane when I used to put websites together, every browser would display the sites differently, and they still do which is one reason why everything is 'white space' nowadays, to minimize such problems, and consequently the web is becoming a boring and predictable visual wasteland.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 07, 2015, 11:45:12 pm
James,

An immersive image:) After all, this is what this thread is about.

Thank you for the positive drive. That interview was interesting, I actually never knew his story.

You are right, I do need to concur my scariest opponent first - myself.

Rob,

The business sense likely is the primary challenge for me:) I realize that what I would actually enjoy doing entirely, is my artwork, transforming it into sculpture.
Although I know how to create nudes I am yet to figure out how make a living out of just that.
Given that we just recently bought a new house I must give this path a thoughtful assessment.

So, looking at a broader scope, I started giving this some structure, identifying the primary lines of business, then breaking that down by customer segment, then by products / services. Following recommendations in this thread, I will separate the family photos from the nudes that will be moved to a new site.

Art - michaelezra.com
   Collectors
      Open/limited editions of nudes and landscapes
      Portfolios with 5-10 prints
   Retail
      Books / kickstarter / publishers
      Merchandise with artwork images

Education - michaelezra.com
   Photographers
      Master classes and workshops
      Online tutorials

Personal services - TimelessMe.com
   Families
      Group and individual portraits of family members on location or studio
      Family heirlooms
      Events
      Wedding services
      Gift Certificates
   Kids
      Dance studios
      Taekwondo / sports clubs
      Kids with pets
      Kids at play
      Studio portraits
   Horses & pets
      Portraits with owners
      Just horses / pets
   Actors and wannabes
      Headshots
      Model portfolios

Personal services, nude - website3
   Sculptural nudes
   Sentimental nudes

Business services - website4
   Corporate
      Landscapes for interior decoration
      Headshots for professionals
      Interior photography
   Small businesses
      Landscapes for interior decoration
      Advertising-related services:
         Product photography
         Interior photography
   Yoga studios
      Studio or location sessions
      Selected nudes for decoration
   Artists
      Reproduction photography of paintings & sculptures
      PDF portfolios
   Stock photography
      Lifestyle
      Abstracts
      Nudes
      Nature
      Concepts
      Objects
   Brands
      Client's projects

Is this a kind of approach that makes business sense?
Where do the agencies fit in?
How does one approach big brands?


(http://www.timelessme.com/Projects/VIV-2015/VIV_A230_V1_web.jpg)(http://www.timelessme.com/Projects/VIV-2015/VIV_A230_V2a_web.jpg)
(http://www.timelessme.com/Projects/VIV-2015/VIV_A249_V1_web.jpg)(http://www.timelessme.com/Projects/VIV-2015/VIV_A249_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Justinr on September 08, 2015, 03:35:26 am
The beauty of being a professional photographer, a business man, is that you would be able to devote as much as 10% of your time to photography ;)

The trouble is trying to justify to customers why they should pay you for the remaining 90%!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 08, 2015, 02:35:57 pm
The trouble is trying to justify to customers why they should pay you for the remaining 90%!




The man has a very good point.

It could be developed, and printed out for when it is helpful to remind a client of the reality of the business model.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 08, 2015, 02:53:40 pm
Although it sounds like an extremely inefficient process, but I guess there is more to it. Seems that image maker / photographer in such case is wearing many hats.

In the modern IT world, if you have an idea, and can design a supporting system, and need to go live asap, one can utilize cloud platforms to scale globally in an agile fashion.
Is there an equivalent solution in photography business? How can one pilot him/her self into photo business overnight?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jduncan on September 10, 2015, 12:05:39 pm
From a recent shoot:
(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_OKY_A111_web.jpg)

Wonderful
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 11, 2015, 12:49:46 am
Thanks again for responding to my questions.

Here is the photo reportage just compiled into a slide show from photographs taken on 9/11 in New York:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOiQsznsYr8

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/NYC911_P.001.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on September 11, 2015, 09:50:37 am
Here are to recent shots I made while working as a Unit Stills Photographer on a feature film. Used the 5D3 and 70-200 f2.8L IS inside a blimp. 100% Natural light. I have done this type of work for years and love it. More and more it has become a much higher % of my work. Union rates are not bad.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 12, 2015, 04:12:00 pm
A shot from 2013, just retouched.

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/TM_NTR_20130515_165_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 12, 2015, 11:18:44 pm
A couple more from the same session:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/TM_NTR_20130515_151_web.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/TM_NTR_20130515_166_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 13, 2015, 10:40:53 am
black camera
(http://russellrutherford.com/white_dress_thompson.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/umbrella_thompson.jpg)

BC

BC, can you comment on the production set and lighting of these 2 wonderful images.
The photography world where I coexist is totally different, this is more cinematic in a way and feel curious about it. Thanks.
ACH
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Justinr on September 14, 2015, 01:50:16 pm
Just popped up a new gallery of the sort of stuff I do nowadays. A few are on MF, many have been published but overall they don't fit into any one category so I thought I'd put the link here anyway -

http://www.inkplusimages.com/modmach/index.html

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Justinr on September 14, 2015, 01:51:52 pm
A couple more from the same session:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/TM_NTR_20130515_151_web.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/TM_NTR_20130515_166_web.jpg)

She's a mighty attractive lass, more so than  the usual skinny model who may have classical beauty but not always an appeal.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ynp on September 14, 2015, 03:02:49 pm
On the same theme.

(http://russellrutherfordgroup.com/staten_island_ferry.jpg)

BC

Mr. B. Cooter.

Do you sell prints? I would like to buy some of your work. I have been admiring your work since The RG forum.
I don't know why, but almost all your images touch my soul.

Yevgeny

P.S. Sorry for off topic. Mods, please remove if I violated the rules.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 14, 2015, 03:14:15 pm
Here are to recent shots I made while working as a Unit Stills Photographer on a feature film. Used the 5D3 and 70-200 f2.8L IS inside a blimp. 100% Natural light. I have done this type of work for years and love it. More and more it has become a much higher % of my work. Union rates are not bad.

Amazing. Natural light beautiful.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 17, 2015, 03:05:50 pm
James, your images look like gems:)


As I am working on commercial portfolio, I've been playing with architecture images that I shot some time ago while walking around NY. Here is some of them and a couple of interior shots from local restaurant.

Critique is welcome:)!

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MichaelEzra_RealEstate_p1.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MichaelEzra_RealEstate_p2.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MichaelEzra_RealEstate_p3.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MichaelEzra_RealEstate_p4.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on September 17, 2015, 09:35:56 pm
Michael you are a very good photographer, you can do well in any environment that you choose. I like the restaurant shots, nice colors, light and treatment, though the last one is distorted.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on September 18, 2015, 11:58:14 am
Hi Michael,

Some nice work here.

Here's some brief/gut reactions/critique.

Page 1
Left to Right.
Image 3:  A classic building.  Would a little more of the buildings on the righthand side of the frame, help emphasis the corner?
I'm not sure if I like the car there or not?  It tells  us it's a road, but we know it's a road anyway...
Image 4:
Time of day and light is perfect for this perspective.
I would love this if the black bus wasn't there, as I feel it pulls me towards it...It's the blackest thing in the photograph.

Page 2
Image 2 and 3
Very nice tight compositions. 
Contemplate croping out the small amount of leading edge (orange) in image 3, to just have the roof. 
It sort of scoops you up and sends you towards the buildings then.  If we see the edge, I want to see what's underneath it, and I fall out of the composition.
Image 4
Wonderful light.  Tells me everything about the material quality of the a curving curtain wall system.

Page 3
I think there's a bit of barrel distortion or the beam is bent. It's the first thing that grabs my eye.

Keep it up!

Andrew
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on September 18, 2015, 03:36:13 pm
Two thoughts about architectural photography:

1) Architects are a picky bunch. They do not want to see buildings falling backwards or warped interiors (the ceiling & floor in the first restaurant photo are out of alignment);
2) The images look over-processed. Either the clarity is set too high or the HDR is too aggressive.

Maybe a good direction for you is to shoot architecture in black and white. That would certainly distinguish you from the rest of the pack.  I am being brutally honest. I greatly admire your nude studies; they are extraordinary.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ynp on September 18, 2015, 03:47:01 pm

That's very kind of you.

Honestly I've never really sold my work to individuals, except one image I allowed to be placed in a Paris Auction for charity that to my surprise sold for 5 figures.

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/paris_hallway_sm.jpg)

What I will do is if you will send an email to agent at russellrutherford dot com with some screen shots of the images you want if I have time I'll pull you some prints for no charge if it's just a few, but it could take me 6 months before we get a break.

Thanks,

BC

James,

Thank you. It is very generous of you.
I will contact you through the agent after I am back from my  vacation later next week.

Yevgeny 


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 18, 2015, 11:26:16 pm
Antonio, Andrew & Bob,
Thank you for your critique. It is very helpful to get your feedback and advise. E.g. I did not know that architects are that picky:)
I followed all your advise with some exceptions: I left the spherical projection of the restaurant but added another page with rectilinear projection and two lighting setups.
I must admit that sources for all these images except the restaurant were just casual snaps I took during lunch breaks. As a result I didn't take the extra time for filler shots to allow erasing the cars and people. I would simply need to re-shoot, now with the purpose.

Bob, I was also thinking about black and white:)

Honestly, I don't really know much about this line of business, aside from just seeing the final works in portfolios and magazines.
It would be helpful to understand if there is any interest/need in thematic color processing, extreme distortion/non rectilinear projections, extreme angles of buildings, besides just a pretty documentary representation?
If there a value in artistic depiction of architecture or are there some specific standards one must conform to?

Here is the result so far:

(http://www.michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p1a.jpg)


(http://www.michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p2a.jpg)


(http://www.michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p3a.jpg)


(http://www.michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p4a.jpg)


(http://www.michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p5.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on September 19, 2015, 01:15:27 am
Hi Michael,

The biggest thing to wrap your head around is that you are making images of someone elses creative work.
To do that successfully (in a commercial sense) you need to understand the subject, why it is the way it is and then bring your on skills and eye to strengthening that, without letting your vision overpower their work.

Architects are detail oriented people.  The fuss over details that the general populous will never notice.  However, if they didn't fuss over them, we'd probably notice, or a space wouldn't feel as welcoming or comfortable.

A book Chris B recently referenced - 'Shooting Space' provides a wide example of how broad the types of representation can be.
It's worth a look for this alone.  Some of the work is superb, some (IMO) not so...but hey, it's all subjective, like the subject matter.

AL



Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: IanB on September 19, 2015, 08:16:20 am
Two thoughts about architectural photography:

1) Architects are a picky bunch. They do not want to see buildings falling backwards or warped interiors (the ceiling & floor in the first restaurant photo are out of alignment);
2) The images look over-processed. Either the clarity is set too high or the HDR is too aggressive.

Maybe a good direction for you is to shoot architecture in black and white. That would certainly distinguish you from the rest of the pack.  I am being brutally honest. I greatly admire your nude studies; they are extraordinary.

Well, speaking as an architect...  ;D

Architects tend to feel about buildings the way photographers feel about photographs - we give a damn. However, that does not mean that everyone's taste is the same - we are, by definition, all different. The old adage about having three architects in a room and therefore at least four opinions is very true.

There is also a huge amount of cultural baggage - architectural photography which is liked in the USA is very often disliked in Europe. I can see why (I'm European) - some years ago I had the misfortune to brief an architectural photographer who felt he knew my building better than I did (he was commissioned by the client - not me). He turned up with a huge amount of lighting gear and lectured me about how useless the light in the building was - I had only spent three years of my life designing it that way. Ouch. And his lurid taste in colours made me feel quite bilious - not at all what one needs to convey the essence of subtle natural materials finished with great care. Fortunately the client put his photos in a drawer and used mine instead (and I'm certainly not a professional photographer) - the only place you can see his photos are on his own website - and hardly anyone recognises the building (phew!).

That's the danger of presenting other people's creative endeavours - you have to listen and understand to be welcome, and architecture is a much larger and culturally more complex field than photography. It also has 2,000+ years of theoretical background. However, many architects also love photography as a creative thing in its own right, and are more than happy to encourage photographers to use their buildings for that purpose. Just be clear about what you are trying to present - their building or your photographs. Know your audience and what you are trying to achieve - that's all.

There are lots of architectural photos in the "Recent format agnostic professional" thread in "Digital cameras & shooting techniques" which are worth looking at. However, the majority are simply too perfect as photographs for me - they leave me absolutely cold. But then I wouldn't work for some of the architects shown even if they paid me a fortune - life is just too short. I give a damn, you see...  :-\

Chris Valites' shot in reply 740 here is very much to current European taste - lovely. http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=56053.740
Keith Laban's shots of Morocco are gorgeous as well: reply 28: http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=101927.20 and here at the beginning: http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=101927.0. Interestingly, neither present themselves as specifically architectural photos, and are mercifully free from post-processing - worth thinking about, that.

I do like your shot of the Flatiron building, and the one of the Empire State (minus the van), but they are a bit over-worked. Don't be afraid of shadow where appropriate, and avoid over-sharpening, as it just looks unnatural.

HTH - and good luck. We are a picky bunch!!


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on September 19, 2015, 09:41:42 am
James, your images look like gems:)


As I am working on commercial portfolio, I've been playing with architecture images that I shot some time ago while walking around NY. Here is some of them and a couple of interior shots from local restaurant.

Critique is welcome:)!

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MichaelEzra_RealEstate_p1.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MichaelEzra_RealEstate_p2.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MichaelEzra_RealEstate_p3.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MichaelEzra_RealEstate_p4.jpg)

Really nice work. Shows good taste (subjective) plus technical proficiency. A must. Most times commercial success is much more dependent on networking plus quoting and negotiation skills and experience (and of course delivering a really nice service / experience which includes LISTENING and COMMUNICATING well with the Client!) rather than minute details on your portfolio as long as it shows what I mentioned. You portfolio should also show/express the work you want to do so edit out stuff that you do not want to do again even if it shows technical proficiency and good taste (I know, confusing) if you have enough of it in other works that show it.

You can't please everyone so be clear about your taste and vision of you work so when others see it they know kinda what to expect and who they are hiring.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 19, 2015, 01:59:38 pm
Andrew, Ian & Ken, thanks for the helpful points.

Ian, from the architect/customer position - how do you/they discover photographers for commercial projects?

Keith - I link images that are hosted on my website. Press 1-st icon in 2nd row in the toolbar when url is selected in the post editor. This pastes [ img ] [/ img ] tags (I added space characters surrounding 'img' so that tags can be drawn here).
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 19, 2015, 07:43:05 pm
A few more from today, BW.

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p6.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p7.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p8.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p9.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ken R on September 19, 2015, 10:44:36 pm
from the architect/customer position - how do you/they discover photographers for commercial projects?
 [ img ] [/ img ] tags (I added space characters surrounding 'img' so that tags can be drawn here).

Referrals. Also doing editorial work helps since you will get to know a lot of designers / architects plus your credit in a publication makes your name known.

I am an Architect (professional degree) as well and before dedicating 100% to photography I worked in an architecture firm.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Neil Williams on September 19, 2015, 11:49:21 pm
14 x 120mm Leica S pictures stitched in CS6 total size of the file 734MB


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Neil Williams on September 20, 2015, 12:31:07 am

A few more from today, BW.

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p6.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p7.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p8.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p9.jpg)
love the B&W conversion. Do you mind sharing what PP you used?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ddolde on September 20, 2015, 12:41:52 am
Michael, I love the black and whites. They make NY look appealing and I've never been or wanted to go there. I'm a desert rat hate the city. This is my territory. IQ180, 28mm

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: IanB on September 20, 2015, 08:29:46 am

Ian, from the architect/customer position - how do you/they discover photographers for commercial projects?


Hi Michael,

I like your monochrome work a lot, too - good stuff.

Word of mouth is definitely the prime way of finding an architectural photographer. It's been a good few years since I was involved in the commercial architecture scene in London (which I assume operates rather like New York), but even over quite a few years I can't really recall all that many successful collaborations with photographers - people were often picked simply on price. Unfortunately, architects fees are not really that high, so there was in many cases little room for manouvre. Clients can be a better bet if you want to earn a real living, but in the commercial field will be less culturally sensitive - and you will have to compete very hard.

The most satisfactory arrangements seem to come from young architects just starting out working with young photographers just starting out - they are usually the same generation and share similar ambitions, and their respective creativities can spark off each other, as well as forming a new "look". That kind of thing leads to a long-term relationship which can develop over decades to mutual benefit. To find such people, though, you need to go where no photographer has gone before - to the young architectural sub-culture, which will be more attached to schools of architecture than wider commerce. And they won't have much money to throw around! (This may help to explain why many successful architectural photographers are failed architects... My own experience is that it is easier for an architect to learn photography than a photographer to learn architecture.) By the time architectural firms are established and publicly visible they will have their own preferences worked out already, and probably their own established working relationships.

The other thing that comes to mind is an agency such as Arcaid - they are well established and very active, and provide a really useful means of contact for themed built environment images - both as stock and for the commissioning of assignments. Their website is well worth looking at: http://www.arcaidimages.com/home.php. However, rumour has it that few are chosen... Richard Bryant was the founder. They work internationally, but I have no idea whether they have significant competitors in the US; they may do. Some young architects, however, feel that they are too "establishment", although that may be over-critical (and a little pretentious?).
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 20, 2015, 11:19:54 pm
love the B&W conversion. Do you mind sharing what PP you used?
That is a stunning tower!
This should illustrate the high level workflow I used for single-image shots:

(http://www.michaelezra.com/portfolio/quickworkflow1.jpg)


Michael, I love the black and whites. They make NY look appealing and I've never been or wanted to go there. I'm a desert rat hate the city. This is my territory. IQ180, 28mm
Its ironic, once in a while I run away from the city into the desert:), although it is always nice to get back home!



@Ian, thanks for sharing this at length. This is a food for thought. I will try the agency.

One more from today:

(http://www.michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p10.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: inthesouthofireland on September 21, 2015, 08:46:30 am
Quote
The other thing that comes to mind is an agency such as Arcaid - they are well established and very active, and provide a really useful means of contact for themed built environment images - both as stock and for the commissioning of assignments. Their website is well worth looking at: http://www.arcaidimages.com/home.php. However, rumour has it that few are chosen...

A few years ago, it seemed that I was one of the chosen few  ::) when they sent me this email:

We at Ambience Images like your work and we'd love you to join us.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Simon


I asked for further information.
No reply from Ambience Images.
I emailed them again ten days later.
No reply whatsoever.

A very professional outfit!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on September 22, 2015, 06:35:30 am
Aloha,

its been a long time since i posted here!
I always scan the site, to keep up with what everyone one is doing.

I made a trip to France, I got to play around a bit with my newly converted IR Pentax 654D
and my new Z- the Z is absolutely an amazing camera! I bought the 25mm wide angle, in retrospect, I would most likely have been better off buying the wide angle zoom.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on September 22, 2015, 06:40:20 am
Aloha,

I always have problems posting here...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on September 22, 2015, 06:41:57 am
last one-
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 23, 2015, 05:02:39 pm
Paul, thank for suggestion!

Here are some images from yesterday walk in the city. It was a hazy day in New York.
I happened to walk into Taschen book store on 107 Greene Street where on display there are HUGE collectible photobooks, including an incredible one by Annie Leibovitz. I highly recommend visiting this location!

(http://www.michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p16.jpg)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p17.jpg)

(http://www.michaelezra.com/portfolio/MEAS_RealEstate_p18.jpg)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 27, 2015, 03:43:40 pm
Playing with portraits.. Mamiya ZD & 55mm AF.  How do you pick this stuff.. Color variations just never end!

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/KAB_A_451_Variations.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: gavincato on September 27, 2015, 06:41:34 pm
havent posted here in a whiole. here's a few wedding shots from 645z

(http://www.gavincato.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/16-845-page/IMGP6395-Edit.jpg)

(http://www.gavincato.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/12-845-page/IMGP6232(pp_w1896_h1422).jpg)

(http://www.gavincato.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20-845-page/IMGP7643.jpg)

(http://www.gavincato.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/25-845-page/IMGP7123-Edit(pp_w1896_h1118).jpg)

(http://www.gavincato.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/02-845-page/IMGP1666-Edit-Edit-2(pp_w1896_h1422).jpg)

(http://www.gavincato.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/25-845-page/IMGP6115(pp_w1896_h1422).jpg)

(http://www.gavincato.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/03-845-page/IMGP1479(pp_w1896_h1422).jpg)

(http://www.gavincato.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/03-845-page/IMGP0928.jpg)

(http://www.gavincato.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/28-845-page/Jess_James_Bendooley_Estate_Wedding_GavinCato147(pp_w1896_h1422).jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on October 26, 2015, 04:25:12 pm
Some recent images from one of my ad projects. Karlie Kloss for the Wall Street Journal
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jvpictures on October 26, 2015, 04:49:29 pm
This is a shot when having the first time a Hasselblad in my hands...after years of 35mm full frame cams. critics are very welcome
Juerg
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on October 27, 2015, 12:32:28 am
Love the photograph! I also shoot Hasselblad. One of the best decisions I ever made.

This is a shot when having the first time a Hasselblad in my hands...after years of 35mm full frame cams. critics are very welcome
Juerg
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on October 29, 2015, 03:46:33 pm
Start of a new fine art series.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5632/22591783441_b0f0b78a63_b.jpg)

Credo 40, Mamiya 50mm shift.
2 shot, 66MP stitch.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on October 29, 2015, 06:05:02 pm
Hi,

Really nice. But it may be that you are overcorrecting the keystone effect. I think best practice is to leave some keystone after correction, as human vision expects it.

Architecture sometimes takes this into account, AFAIK, so buildings sometimes are built look correctly in perspective and may have diverging lines.

Best regards
Erik

Start of a new fine art series.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5632/22591783441_b0f0b78a63_b.jpg)

Credo 40, Mamiya 50mm shift.
2 shot, 66MP stitch.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on October 29, 2015, 06:11:30 pm
Hi Erik, there is no correction involved here. The towers are naturally a bit skewed and the camera was tilted slightly down.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on October 29, 2015, 09:13:27 pm
Yeah, I felt that slight downward tilt.  It's so subtle that it feels like a mistake.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 30, 2015, 12:42:19 pm
Shot a little chocolate shop in Manhattan last week.  Here are a few images from the shoot.  I really would have liked to have people in all of the images, but that did not work out. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on October 30, 2015, 01:52:43 pm
Nicely done, Joe.  A couple things... No. 02 the diagonal shadows across the foreground chair and loveseat behind it bug me.  No. 03  ceiling shadows in the background and midground.  These look they're from your lights.  Clean that up, Man.  I always do an exposure with my strobes off to let me clean up ceiling spill and other sloppiness.

The exit signs kill me too.

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 30, 2015, 02:06:20 pm
Nicely done, Joe.  A couple things... No. 02 the diagonal shadows across the foreground chair and loveseat behind it bug me.  No. 03  ceiling shadows in the background and midground.  These look they're from your lights.  Clean that up, Man.  I always do an exposure with my strobes off to let me clean up ceiling spill and other sloppiness.

The exit signs kill me too.

CB

Thanks Chris.  The shadow does not bug me as much; maybe the one on the love seat needs to go.  The ceiling though could use some more work.  I will probably remove the exit signs too, its just some times, I get really damn tired of removing exit signs!   >:(
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on October 30, 2015, 10:41:49 pm
Hey Joe,

That sign looks like the kind you can remove with a couple of credit cards.  Have a close look next time, slide them up either side of the sign to release the catches.
Takes about 5 mins.

I thank my clients any time they spec these signs.

AL
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on October 31, 2015, 12:03:15 pm
Hi Erik, there is no correction involved here. The towers are naturally a bit skewed and the camera was tilted slightly down.

There are certainly styles of photography where it is appropriate to not line up the verticals in architecturally correct fashion, but I don't see the justification for not doing that here. Regardless of what is going on the towers, the homes clearly show the convergence from the downward tilt. I would suggest correcting for this.

Otherwise, I think it is a nice shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on November 01, 2015, 08:49:51 pm
Hi Christopher, excellent portrait. Have you considered using a canvas as background instead?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph B. on November 02, 2015, 03:22:46 am
Thank you, Michael!
Hmm a canvas? I don't really like the idea of having a 'premade' Texture that would be pretty similar for all photos.
Somehow I prefer the intimacy of a 'normal wall'.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on November 02, 2015, 07:56:17 am
Nice portrait!

Just put some distance between the subject and the wall. The DoF will take care of a lot of the "Cleaning up". :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph B. on November 02, 2015, 10:03:57 am
Thank you.
I know a clean background is sometimes better, however I do prefer to have a bit of..substance. Shadows, wall texture and so on - I think it all adds to the mood.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MarkoRepse on November 02, 2015, 03:17:54 pm
I know a clean background is sometimes better, however I do prefer to have a bit of..substance. Shadows, wall texture and so on - I think it all adds to the mood.

Yes! Please don't change anything, it is excellent as is.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ben730 on November 02, 2015, 05:03:09 pm
Yes! Please don't change anything, it is excellent as is.

+1
I like it! It's pure.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 03, 2015, 12:33:05 pm
random bits of work that I dig from the last few months... all shot with a crappy little camera.

(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/12194619_10206935736526966_310172392460605299_o.jpg)

(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/12182607_10206935736486965_763909120721976625_o.jpg)

(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/11058647_10206935736446964_1745375488161697657_o.jpg)

(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/12194688_10206935737046979_1142410688329612363_o.jpg)

(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/12186729_10206935737086980_7533289479571523883_o.jpg)  Heh... I dropped all the people into this shot later (stolen from other shots from my archive).

(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/12112404_10206935737406988_5124366741792035541_n.jpg?oh=b1a725a12504e54198257d2868a4aae2&oe=56C21C73)

(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11049646_10206935737446989_8019592847395758156_n.jpg?oh=a5fc131e9237dfa9665a1d78a6e991a2&oe=56C8F67E)

(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/12190113_10206935737887000_4187640890405714214_n.jpg?oh=7c6bcc088b3f0c9eff7bd1b647031e2e&oe=56B58F41)

(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/12194564_10206935738047004_2734612122184898221_o.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ben730 on November 03, 2015, 05:21:41 pm
Great compositions Chris.
Picture 2: What about turning (with Photoshop) the head of the walking man a bit to the ground? He looks so unrelaxed.
Picture 4 (with the Jacobsen 3300 Series): The light in the middle of the ceiling on the right side, I'm not sure if I like it. 
Is it a reflection of the monitor? But maybe it only doesn't look nice for me because of the JPEG graduations......

Regards,
Ben
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 03, 2015, 05:39:27 pm
Sharon, yeah I get that.  I actually outlined all of those graphics so I could really make them pop and she does detract from them.
Ben, that's my assistant walking through the shot and something always felt off about his pose.  As for the ceiling light, it comes from the monitor and I was certain we did an exposure with it turned off so that I could retouch that out... never found that file.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph B. on November 03, 2015, 06:03:12 pm
Thank you, Marko and Ben!

 :D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 03, 2015, 07:08:39 pm
Thank you, Marko and Ben!

 :D

I like them all but number one is the strongest IMO.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on November 04, 2015, 04:03:12 am
@Chris and david, I finally had some time to rework the image and you were right, correcting for the tilt makes it look much better now. Please see the revised version here:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-dom-in-luebeck-sandeep-murali.html?fb_ref=Default
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on November 04, 2015, 09:36:24 am
Synn, the towers still look disconcertingly diverging.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on November 04, 2015, 09:39:36 am
Synn, the towers still look disconcertingly diverging.

That is because they actually are.
These are centuries old churches and it is actually quite common to see them stand at a non vertical angle from the ground.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph B. on November 04, 2015, 12:51:40 pm
I like them all but number one is the strongest IMO.

Number one?  ???

Err uhm.. I guess you mean the other Chris ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sam@ on November 04, 2015, 04:10:09 pm
towers much improved Synn - although the final effect on a throw pillow / duvet cover / shower curtain may be hard to predict..

Sam
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ben730 on November 04, 2015, 07:46:38 pm
Synn,
for me it's perfect now!
I see, that these towers are not vertical on all sides, because all the houses in front are straight.
And now the picture is strong, the towers look powerful as they are......
 
I have often to fight this problem when I work for the cultural heritage preservation of Switzerland.
Old buildings are never rectangular and it's difficult to find the right balance between correction and reality.
On the pictures the deformations look always a lot worse than in reality.

Maybe, if these towers were more diverging in your memories....(I don't know how these towers look in reality)
you can crop them out and make (only) them more diverging while the houses in front stay straight.....

And, by the way: I love the laundry hanging at the riverside.... :)

Regards,
Ben


Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on November 04, 2015, 08:01:00 pm
... because all the houses in front are straight...

Sorry to be such a pest but they are not:
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 04, 2015, 09:29:47 pm
Number one?  ???

Err uhm.. I guess you mean the other Chris ;)

AH...yes ..:)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ben730 on November 04, 2015, 09:39:27 pm
Sorry to be such a pest but they are not:
O. K., but straight enough..... old buildings are never rectangular......
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on November 05, 2015, 04:43:13 am
Thanks, Ben and Sam!

O. K., but straight enough..... old buildings are never rectangular......

Exactly.
Anyone who has been in these old cities will realize that nothing is completely straight. Everything slants this way or the other.

Furthermore, this is a fine art project, not an architectural one where everything needs to be mathematically and clinically perfect. After adjusting the perspective following the initial suggestions, I am very happy with how it looks now.

p.s. Yes, the laundry amuses me! I thought of cloning them out but decided against it as I wanted to portray the city authentically.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 05, 2015, 08:04:14 am
Agreed.  The towers' slight angularity adds a disconcerting tension.  I think it works now.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on November 06, 2015, 03:48:42 am
Hey, BC: you don't need to do any more landscapes - you've already topped them all here with this one!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph B. on November 06, 2015, 05:21:15 am


(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/blackhawk2.jpg)

Amazing shot!!

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 09, 2015, 08:32:29 am
My fiancé got this for my birthday a few months back; tequila is my poison of choice and it was damn good! 

I kept telling her you should shoot it, it's such a cool bottle.  She never got around to it, so screw it, I decided to shoot it this weekend.   8)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 09, 2015, 09:44:22 am
My fiancé got this for my birthday a few months back; tequila is my poison of choice and it was damn good! 

I kept telling her you should shoot it, it's such a cool bottle.  She never got around to it, so screw, I decided to shoot it this weekend.   8)

One of your nicest to date Joe.  Are you using a reflector behind the bottle?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 09, 2015, 10:01:57 am
One of your nicest to date Joe.  Are you using a reflector behind the bottle?

Thanks Craig.  There is a reflector behind the bottle, and the rock glass.  5 lights all together, plus bounce cards, black flags, plenty of gold foil to bring out the label, and I went through two boxes of matches to get that smoke. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on November 09, 2015, 12:17:13 pm
I went through two boxes of matches to get that smoke. 

Totally worth it!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Joe Towner on November 09, 2015, 01:10:16 pm
My fiancé got this for my birthday a few months back; tequila is my poison of choice and it was damn good! 

I kept telling her you should shoot it, it's such a cool bottle.  She never got around to it, so screw it, I decided to shoot it this weekend.   8)

Nice shot, not my favorite tequila though.  I am guilty of having a tequila collection and zero recent photos (like within the last 4 years...).
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 09, 2015, 06:00:44 pm
Thanks Craig.  There is a reflector behind the bottle, and the rock glass.  5 lights all together, plus bounce cards, black flags, plenty of gold foil to bring out the label, and I went through two boxes of matches to get that smoke.

Did you cut and paste the label?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 09, 2015, 06:15:05 pm
Cooter, I love how you continue to not suck.

Joe, keep on keepin' on, Man.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: SecondFocus on November 09, 2015, 06:18:17 pm
Very fun wow! What was this for?

Black Camera
(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/blackawk1.jpg)

Black Camera
(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/blackhawk2.jpg)

Black Camera and the closest I'll ever get to a landscape photo
(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/blackhawk3.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 09, 2015, 08:00:08 pm
Cooter, I love how you continue to not suck.

Joe, keep on keepin' on, Man.

Thanks Chris! 

Craig, yes that shot is a composite, however the light was consistent in every image used.  The only way to get foil in a label to really pop is to reflect light onto it with another piece of foil, preferably the same color.  With the 1792 Bourbon, the bottle was pretty flat, so I was able to have gold foil just outside of the frame to light the whole front. 

The problem here was the bottle is perfectly round and my lens was at the same elevation as the label.  I was not able to reflect light onto the middle of the label without covering part of the sides.  (Actually that middle medallion was the biggest pain in the ass since the lens was almost directly in front of it.) 

So I had to settle with compositing in that label from several shots.  I also kept in mind when doing this that one would expect the center to be slightly less bright then the side, since that is were the light is coming from. 

Not to mention, there was no way I was going to get that smoke in one capture either; the smoke too is a composite of two shots, but almost all of it is from one.  About half way from the cork to the edge of frame, the smoke in the main capture just got messy.  I initially erased it out, but it just did not look right not having it continue to the edge.  So I added more to the top from a cleaner but much less awesome capture.  Actually, when that main smoke capture came onto the screen and I saw how it fell in front of the bottle and cork, I know that was the one.  It just took me about 25 more shots to get something that would composite well onto the top. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on November 09, 2015, 11:10:29 pm
Thank you.
I know a clean background is sometimes better, however I do prefer to have a bit of..substance. Shadows, wall texture and so on - I think it all adds to the mood.

In fact the suggested expression I make up for her face go well with the drippy wall. Its a nice portrait. I agree, more authentic and a slice of a moment.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on November 21, 2015, 01:41:47 am
BC - What's a BBC look like?

Lotsa feeling in those images.  I like - nice work.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 22, 2015, 08:47:50 am
Lovin this series BC, very nice work. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 22, 2015, 08:49:50 am
Here's something a little dark and moody, and something bright and jolly. 

Both shoot with the Rodie 90mm with just a tad bit of cropping. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ben730 on November 26, 2015, 09:10:23 pm
Hi
After commenting a lot of other works I have to post some of my recent
work.
Shot with my new 28 mm Super-Digitar, just re-aligned in Bad Kreuznach.
(I'm still waiting for the CF, it will make this lens a monster.......)
Wow, it's really sharp everywere, even with 15 mm shift....... :)
Regards,
Ben
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 30, 2015, 12:55:06 pm
Burrrrrrrr ... it's gettin cold outside.  Time for some heavy winter beers to warm us up! 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 01, 2015, 02:03:03 pm
(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/EKZ_E479_BW_web.jpg)
From recent portrait session
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 01, 2015, 03:20:18 pm
That's beautiful! How did you get the ice on the bottle? It looks absolutely natural and not artificial at all!


Thanks Christoph. 

Actually that is fake ice.  It is a rubber product that absorbs liquid and gets stick made specifically for photo and video sets.  I have no idea where to get it; it is my fiancé's and she bought it from some guy in NYC who manufactures it in his apartment.  (Not shady at all  :) )  Pretty much mixed water with some glycerin, to make it a little thicker, and painted it on with an artist brush.  Then sprayed the bottle with a mixture of half water and half glycerin. 

Now the "icebergs" in the background are real.  They are just dry ice, which I used so I would not get a puddle on set. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 01, 2015, 08:40:57 pm
Recent furniture shoot... fancy camera, fancy glass, little sensor.

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/12339269_1023647680991104_5685414693809217840_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/12309852_1023610610994811_1300423621428699053_o.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: James R Russell on December 02, 2015, 12:25:44 am
Nice commercial work chris.  It has that historic 60's 70's look even though the products don't do the photography justice.

(Not a complaint as I've shot about 100gigs I ain't showing, cause it's my best work, but my most limited subjects).

Now Chris, it's time to break something.

If you haven't studied Ried Miles then . . . do  (though knowing you . . . you probably have).

©Reid Miles
(http://retinart.net/wp-content/uploads/media/images/jazzy-blue-notes-reid-miles/miles_12.jpg)

You live in the world of Jazz

Study Reid, do a tribute, not a copy and rock it, or shall I say Jazz it.

I'm serious cause I dig your style man.   Just get some on camera artist that knows how to react, prop it, and blanket your talent over the top.



BTW:  To the owner's mods of this site.  I can't log in as bcooter as it just says, wrong info, so I'm going to drop this post in about 12 hours max.

If I've been locked out from posting, then let me know cause I have work to do and I'll never pay for the right to share.

If there is another reason I can't log in let me know straight up.


Thx.

BC



Recent furniture shoot... fancy camera, fancy glass, little sensor.

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/12339269_1023647680991104_5685414693809217840_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/12309852_1023610610994811_1300423621428699053_o.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jng on December 02, 2015, 01:09:06 am
James,

Don't go! Your images and perspectives are a huge asset to this forum.

It appears that the conversion of the main site has wreaked havoc on the forum side. I was also blocked from signing into the forum. If logging in with your email address doesn't work, here's a workaround suggested elsewhere that worked for me: go to an old post of yours, click on your old user name, and then log in from there.

John


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: James R Russell on December 02, 2015, 01:35:53 am
John,

I'm not looking for a reason to go or trying to be a problem.

It's just since the original plan was to put the site behind a paywall it's a natural response to think it's difficult to log in unless you pay.

BTW:  It isn't the money, it's just the principle.

Thx.

BC

James,

Don't go! Your images and perspectives are a huge asset to this forum.

It appears that the conversion of the main site has wreaked havoc on the forum side. I was also blocked from signing into the forum. If logging in with your email address doesn't work, here's a workaround suggested elsewhere that worked for me: go to an old post of yours, click on your old user name, and then log in from there.

John


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jng on December 02, 2015, 01:58:58 am
James,

Understood and I respect you for that. However I actually paid and also got locked out. As cynical as I usually am, in this instance I'm guessing (hoping) there's nothing nefarious going on...

John


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: James R Russell on December 02, 2015, 02:22:42 am
James,

Understood and I respect you for that. However I actually paid and also got locked out. As cynical as I usually am, in this instance I'm guessing (hoping) there's nothing nefarious going on...

John


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk


Have you noticed there is no link on the header of this forum to "the LL forums".

Nefarious, maybe not.  Planned . . .  I think that's obvious.

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 02, 2015, 09:26:27 am
Nice commercial work chris.  It has that historic 60's 70's look even though the products don't do the photography justice.

(Not a complaint as I've shot about 100gigs I ain't showing, cause it's my best work, but my most limited subjects).

Now Chris, it's time to break something.

You live in the world of Jazz

Study Reid, do a tribute, not a copy and rock it, or shall I say Jazz it.

I'm serious cause I dig your style man.   Just get some on camera artist that knows how to react, prop it, and blanket your talent over the top.

BC

Preach, brother!  So often I tell people that what I do is just graphic design with a camera.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on December 02, 2015, 10:30:11 am
Reid Miles

Oh yes! I've used his work as an inspiration the few times I've been commissioned a logo.

Like this one (abandoned because the association changed hands and got dissolved for political reasons). I know it's small, but it's so old that I'd have to dig around my DVD backups for a bigger image. Still you get the idea!

(http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab14/Andrea_Minganti/sdi_zpsqu1afkny.png)

(http://www.hardformat.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/freddie-hubbard.jpg)

I'm always looking out for interesting things to inspire me or some ways to pay tribute to stuff I love, often both outside the photographic world.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on December 02, 2015, 11:04:46 am
As ever appreciated BC
Where you point we will go:
http://www.hardformat.org/designers/reid-miles2/

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 02, 2015, 12:47:56 pm

BTW:  To the owner's mods of this site.  I can't log in as bcooter as it just says, wrong info, so I'm going to drop this post in about 12 hours max.

If I've been locked out from posting, then let me know cause I have work to do and I'll never pay for the right to share.

If there is another reason I can't log in let me know straight up.


Thx.

BC
Cooter, I hope you have sent a message, via the big, green "Help" button at the bottom right of every screen in the forum. It goes directly to the techies who are undoubtedly responsible for messing up the logins for some people but not others.
They have already fixed a number of glitches, and this should be high on their priority list.

In another thread I have offered to pay your $12 first year membership if they don't get you all squared away in a VERY few days.

-Eric M.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 02, 2015, 11:52:42 pm
Eric M,

That's kind of you and I've given this some thought.  Once this login thing get's straightened out I will pay the $12, even though I seldom go onto the main site.

I think since other forum members are paying, then it's only fair that I do the same, whether it's required or not.

I still have my concerns,

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/LL_header_12_2.jpg)

but let's see what shakes out.

Personally I vote for this header change.  (insert smiley face thing)

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/cooter_world_header.jpg)


Thanks

BC (JR)
Great idea! I'll even pay thirteen bucks for that header!   ;D

Eric M.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on December 03, 2015, 02:27:59 am
I'll offer 20$ for that header!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 03, 2015, 05:47:05 pm
little bit of a stair...

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfl1/t31.0-8/12339098_10207103537881895_4702286694734093878_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on December 04, 2015, 02:33:17 am
I like the stair with its colours and angles but it seems diminished by that bright area at the top. I like the vague reflection of the wood.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Bruno Gil on December 04, 2015, 06:08:14 am
Not so recent but here it goes

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/712/23217784570_58ff9b4a0c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BnFdsw) (https://flic.kr/p/BnFdsw)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 04, 2015, 11:03:20 am
Here is my attempt at the music flyer for a friend

(http://timelessme.com/Clients/EKZ/KATRIX-PELEKH_Flyer-2015-12-21_V7.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: D Fuller on December 04, 2015, 05:06:38 pm
Two of my favorites

Black Camera
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/web_2dual_horses.jpg)

Black Camera
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/web_2_atv.jpg)

BC

I can se why. Nice images, BC.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on December 05, 2015, 01:34:31 am
What is that "Black Camera" you often refer to, James?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 05, 2015, 04:11:24 am
What is that "Black Camera" you often refer to, James?

I think he's just described it (them), Slobodan...

Rob
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: D Fuller on December 05, 2015, 06:55:37 am

I don't know cause we put gaffer tape over logos.

Let me check . . . hold it, opening up a case . .  yep . . . it's black.



BC

LOL!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on December 05, 2015, 07:42:13 am
Next time use the pink camera, I've heard it's even better!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 05, 2015, 10:01:00 am
Most of my cameras are black, so I can't refer to them by color. It's just the little camera, the big camera, or the other camera.
I've sold the real big one and the monster one, since I'm too old to enjoy lugging them around.

The gaffer tape sounds like a good idea. A stripe across the lens might improve my picture taking.   ;)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 05, 2015, 11:46:13 am
Next time use the pink camera, I've heard it's even better!


That suggestion sounds suspiciously like the one about Norman Parkinson's lucky hats! His solution was sometimes to wear both, the newer one needing the training. No kidding.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: araucaria on December 05, 2015, 11:49:51 am
It's not a bad idea, it would avoid weird conversations with people that are like "huh, mamiya?, is that a chinese camera?" looking down on your camera while holding their mighty 5d mkiii with some 24-200 thing in front. Maybe a canon sticker on the pentax 67 and just say, yes its the new canon 1d mk67, please leave me alone. "can I see some picturesss"
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on December 05, 2015, 01:35:36 pm
Next time use the pink camera, I've heard it's even better!

Or red?

That was a genuine question I asked (about the black camera reference).

If I remember correctly, James was/is shooting with RED cameras, which have a distinct red button. Their latest model is named Raven (another reference to black). I do not know much about the motion camera world, but I do come across some of their ads when going through a photographic magazine. I noticed there Blackmagic cameras.

So pardon me for thinking that he was referring to either one by simply nicknaming it "black camera." Hence my question.

It was a genuine question, no hidden agenda behind it.

Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 05, 2015, 01:52:42 pm
Or red?

That was a genuine question I asked (about the black camera reference).

If I remember correctly, James was/is shooting with RED cameras, which have a distinct red button. Their latest model is named Raven (another reference to black). I do not know much about the motion camera world, but I do come across some of their ads when going through a photographic magazine. I noticed there Blackmagic cameras.

So pardon me for thinking that he was referring to either one by simply nicknaming it "black camera." Hence my question.

It was a genuine question, no hidden agenda behind it.
Aw, shucks!
I always find your posts much more interesting when you do have a hidden agenda!   ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on December 05, 2015, 03:46:54 pm
Nice!

Erik

Not so recent but here it goes

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/712/23217784570_58ff9b4a0c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BnFdsw)
 (https://flic.kr/p/BnFdsw)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 06, 2015, 06:01:34 am
Anyway, sometimes you use the camera you have to use, sometimes you use the camera you want to use.

Is it the right camera?  Who knows, but it was for me at the time.

I've always taped over camera logos, cause after the main creative brief you always see something through a window of a car or something reflective and nothing shows up like the name of a camera in reverse.

Even if you can retouch it out it looks like a mistake.

Then early on with digital,  clients would have their production manager on set and they asked way to many questions at exactly the wrong time.

So a little bit of black gaff meant less tech conversation.

I do like the thought of small, big and bigger. 

I also understand the thing about Parkinson's hats.  I've usually had two of every camera and I guess it's my broken brain, but one of my REDs I like better than the other, one of my Contax I like better, one of my Canons I like better.

So I'm not sure if what camera matters as long as the camera doesn't stop you.

IMO

BC

Indeed. Taped logos: in a sense, I do it because I dislike looking like a sandwich board man, especially the neckstrap part of the deal. Neither do I subscribe to being an unpaid, walking advertisement for anybody. Pay me propely, I'll wear the biggest log that fits!

For some time I've had this fascination with reflections of life in street windows; as you say, logos always show up, almost as badly as do photographers! I've sometimes been asked about the brand I've hidden, and just say "black', smile and move on. I wouldn't have denied the old 'blads their identity, but then neither would I have thought of taking them walkies down the street!

Nope, your brain's not broken (as if!) - you just tune into the vibe of something. I was exactly the same when I took an F and F2 along on work: they were always interchanged after each film just for mechanical safety insurance - never really needed it - but the F2 felt friendlier, maybe because the edges were less cruel to the hands on long holding, even though the original F was the answer to aspirational dreams at the time. With my two digi ones, the older D200 gets the work and the D700 usually rests the long rest at home. Considering the newer one is technically much better at high ISO, there's no logical explanation other than gut reaction, and that means a helluva lot to me and, I imagine, to most snappers. Just shows that tech-spec isn't always the deciding factor in mindsets preference. Naturally, using cameras for a living is another beast altogether.

What's probably as important is how easy a camera is to use, and for what. For outdoor fashion it was the Nikon, but on one shoot for the IWS I was on the 6x6 and the client told me that she much preferred it when I used the little camera, because I jumped around a lot more and looked more 'creative' and it felt a 'sexier' experience working like that. She was right, but not in the way she thought: on some shoots, you just knew that it wasn't going to be about great images, it was going to be about showing every stitch. Especially in the cases where the client picked a model herself, one you'd never met, and of whose ability you knew zilch. Best make the garments look good, even if a bit unadventurous. There was never time for both attacks, even then.

Quotidian experience, below. Not much call for hi-tech there - just Vaseline and cheap Cokin holder!

Rob C

(http://www.roma57.com/uploads/4/2/8/7/4287956/8573155_orig.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on December 06, 2015, 01:33:17 pm

- just Vaseline and cheap Cokin holder!

Rob C
(http://www.roma57.com/uploads/4/2/8/7/4287956/8573155_orig.jpg)

Vaseline, the poor man's Softar  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 07, 2015, 04:40:08 am
Hi Chris,

Not really; I had a Softar 2, I think it was, that worked okay on the 'blads but was a bit too much when used on the Nikons.

The advantage  of Vaseline in a Cokin frame is that you can both rotate the thing, and also apply the Vaseline as and where you see fit, unlike the Softar which is a universal effect on highlights.

The next best thing, on a cold day, is hot breath on the safety filter, but you have to be pretty damned quick to strike when the effect looks just so, otherwise you miss it.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on December 07, 2015, 06:03:03 am

The next best thing, on a cold day, is hot breath on the safety filter, but you have to be pretty damned quick to strike when the effect looks just so, otherwise you miss it.

Rob C

Rob,
I'll try that, perhaps need an assistant out of shot to do the repeat blowing !!
I know 'blad wedding photographers here used vaseline for a clear centre spot effect when that was all the rage, about the time babies began sitting in flowers as well. Happy days pre photoshop.
I should spend more time experimenting with the big filters, so much more versatile.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 07, 2015, 10:24:05 am
Rob,
I'll try that, perhaps need an assistant out of shot to do the repeat blowing !!
I know 'blad wedding photographers here used vaseline for a clear centre spot effect when that was all the rage, about the time babies began sitting in flowers as well. Happy days pre photoshop.
I should spend more time experimenting with the big filters, so much more versatile.


"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

That's about 75%!

The remaining 25% lives (today) mostly inside the magic box with the electric plugs, whereas before, it lived in a sea of solutions.

I'm beginning to feel, as my time wears on, that that remaining 25% is the crux of the whole matter, as long as the pic includes no people.

Rob C
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on December 07, 2015, 12:25:23 pm
Vaseline, shmaseline  :)  The best contraption i"ve seen is a single fishing line across the lens. Never tried it, though.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 07, 2015, 01:24:51 pm
Hi Rob,

a small piece of thin stocking in front of the lens. With a cigarette you can burn a hole in the stocking right where you need sharpness. Unfortunately I don't smoke. Consequently I need an assistant who does. Stockings come in different colors and thicknesses. So you can adjust for color and blur strength. Much cooler than using Photoshop. But I admit: they look better on girls legs, than in front of lenses,
http://www.agentprovocateur.com/gb_en/fully-fashioned-stockings-black

Best,
Johannes

1. "Consequently I need an assistant who does (smoke)."

Be careful what you wish for - she may burst into flames.

2. "Stockings come in different colors and thicknesses."

My memory isn't that bad, but thanks, anyway. :-) Think denier.

3. "they look better on girls legs, than in front of lenses,"

Give that man a medal! Couldn't agree more - and far more attractive than bare, or even those hideous tights that have come into the lexicon. There is pressing need for all of those little accessories that are invented to sweeten the Christmas pudding!

Rob C
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on December 07, 2015, 02:43:22 pm
Vaseline, shmaseline  :)  The best contraption i"ve seen is a single fishing line across the lens. Never tried it, though.

You can also take a clear filter and with a very sharp knife make a thin vertical cut to get those JJ Abrams flares going!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ynp on December 07, 2015, 03:38:57 pm
Absolutely beautiful!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on December 07, 2015, 04:09:56 pm
I think the worst thing about digital (and it's a long list) is digital is the age of sharpness and pixel examining, not this forum but everywhere.

Right after the attack in Paris I helped a photojournalist friend cover a rally in our city for the victims. I used my D200 as well, but at times it got really dark because street lights are barely designed to do their job let alone be good lights for pictures, and in some the poor old camera couldn't be up to par with the D700 or D7000 in shadow noise.

So I got some flack for it because the pictures weren't pixel perfect, and I just couldn't care. I was taking pictures in the cold, trying to move through the mob and the other photographers, sweating and carrying all my gear. The subjects weren't that great, plenty of local politicians that wanted to join in and get pics with a group of Muslim immigrants to show that they were totally not xenophobes (hint: they are). And to top this all off, my D7000 had major issues focusing under those stupid sodium lights that have never been replaced since before I was born or something like that, so I was pretty much forced to use the older camera with the better AF.

And yeah, I understand that the D200 loses a bit at ISO 1600, but frankly for pictures that have to be resized to 600x400 and uploaded to the web, it was plenty good. But no, they had to be pixel perfect like shooting in the studio. I couldn't even use a flash most of the time because I had to take shots of the people holding candles as well.

Were people this anal when the D1 was the state of the art?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 07, 2015, 04:53:04 pm
Lots of way to make a glow or flare.

Tiffen soft focus filter with a little added diffusion.

Black Camera
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/GLOW_IS2.jpg)

Black Camera
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/GLOW_IS.jpg)

The very best was David Hamilton.  Caught some issues due to the age of the girls he photographed, but is a beautiful artist.
https://pp.vk.me/c616323/v616323550/636a/hNv8Ji1MpYU.jpg

IMO

BC

I think the worst thing about digital (and it's a long list) is digital is the age of sharpness and pixel examining, not this forum but everywhere.


Here you go, breaking my heart again. Honeys!

David Hamilton was very popular in Europe, and also, I think, Japan. His first book (at least, the first I saw) was Dreams of Young Girls and gave me a life-long love of women in those fabulous straw hats...

Then, years later, I bought his book Twenty Five Years of an Artist and though the work was still good, the trouble was in the writing as well as about four shots he shouldn't have shot: in my interpretation, he pretty much confessed an unwarranted, as in unhealthy, liking for the underage, the Lolita complex writ large. For some reason - innocence? - I didn't really pick up on that before he wrote about his feelings and not simply of his photography - I just loved the style and the atmosphere. Without hunting out the book to check, I think he used a Minolta in some of the mirror pix - which makes me think of your reason for tape (in BLACK)... ;-)

Rob C

P.S.

Glad you are still posting, very glad.

Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 07, 2015, 05:00:08 pm
Right after the attack in Paris I helped a photojournalist friend cover a rally in our city for the victims. I used my D200 as well, but at times it got really dark because street lights are barely designed to do their job let alone be good lights for pictures, and in some the poor old camera couldn't be up to par with the D700 or D7000 in shadow noise.

So I got some flack for it because the pictures weren't pixel perfect, and I just couldn't care. I was taking pictures in the cold, trying to move through the mob and the other photographers, sweating and carrying all my gear. The subjects weren't that great, plenty of local politicians that wanted to join in and get pics with a group of Muslim immigrants to show that they were totally not xenophobes (hint: they are). And to top this all off, my D7000 had major issues focusing under those stupid sodium lights that have never been replaced since before I was born or something like that, so I was pretty much forced to use the older camera with the better AF.

And yeah, I understand that the D200 loses a bit at ISO 1600, but frankly for pictures that have to be resized to 600x400 and uploaded to the web, it was plenty good. But no, they had to be pixel perfect like shooting in the studio. I couldn't even use a flash most of the time because I had to take shots of the people holding candles as well.

Were people this anal when the D1 was the state of the art?


Don't know about other people, but as I've said before, the D200 gets more use from me than its sister, the D700. I've got the appropriate finder magnifying eyepiece for each of them, and wouldn't be without them now - fantastic help.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 07, 2015, 05:35:56 pm
This one was also my usual Kodachrome 64, and the nonsense about TMAR Productions is just a joke - nothing to do with either the shoot or any reality. F2 and 2.8/35mm Nikkor, I think.

Rob C
(http://www.roma57.com/uploads/4/2/8/7/4287956/3941641_orig.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 07, 2015, 07:13:31 pm
I love me some diffusion on digital... not for the architecture of course, but for our narrative films it gives the Red so much more of an organic, filmic esthetic.

This is with 1/4 Black ProMist over Cooke Mini S4s...

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/775612_590701920956263_1188268862_o.jpg)

I think this one really shows the effect of the BlkProMist

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/704774_588977907795331_1964240689_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 08, 2015, 01:08:55 pm
Chris, such a beautiful rendering on the last one!

No diffusion, but this is a portrait from recent session.

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/TM.RS_A_127_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 08, 2015, 01:49:14 pm
You still do beautiful work, Michael, even when your models wear clothes and don't levitate!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 08, 2015, 02:14:10 pm
Thank you Eric:) Here is one in a different setting. The plan here was to give a try to a new 7 foot parabolic umbrella... Fox Mulder did not flinch until the first gust of the wind. Following that I had to resort to  a 7" reflector on a StreakLight 360 Ws strobe, which worked pretty good with the sun.

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_TM.M1511_065_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph B. on December 08, 2015, 05:00:00 pm
-link removed-


Sometimes less is more...but sometimes more is more. Fun fact: I really love shooting in the bright midday-sun!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JohnBrew on December 08, 2015, 05:16:36 pm
Christoph, excellent.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph B. on December 08, 2015, 05:49:08 pm
Christoph, excellent.


Thank you!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: graeme on December 08, 2015, 09:20:30 pm
Christoph, excellent.

Chris, that first shot looks like a man in a dress? I hope so, otherwise it must be the lighting which makes it appear that way.

Is that a problem?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JohnBrew on December 09, 2015, 03:33:55 pm
No problem, just an observation. Since you brought it up I've removed it.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 09, 2015, 05:12:45 pm
Here we go again.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 09, 2015, 06:24:33 pm
Here we go again.

Rob C
And I was about to remark that Michael Ezra's latest looks like a woman in a dress, but I guess I shouldn't.   ???
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on December 09, 2015, 07:30:53 pm
And I was about to remark that Michael Ezra's latest looks like a woman in a dress, but I guess I shouldn't.   ???

These days, hard to tell without the dress off...and even then ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 09, 2015, 10:59:18 pm
Its a girl!

I hope this should help resolving any doubts:)
(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NU_SAW_C096_web.jpg)
Although here it was a boy:)!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 10, 2015, 12:23:11 am
I'm convinced.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 10, 2015, 03:43:52 am
Two Thai girls asked me if I'd like to go bed with them; they said it would
be just like winning Lotto! I agreed, and they were right. We all stripped off,
and to my horror, we had six matching balls!
............................................................


Better than that fabled whiff of morning napalm! I'm trying to be PC. Inclusive, you understand.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 14, 2015, 10:42:40 am
Shot these yesterday with a camera, 

P.S. and the only time it is acceptable to drink beer through a straw!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 14, 2015, 06:13:56 pm
I love the "stout" set.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 14, 2015, 09:58:25 pm
I love the "stout" set.

Thanks.  The funny thing is the stout foaming over was totally accidental.  We used Guiness extra stout for that shot, which use 100% CO2 (not the typical 60/40 NO2/CO2 mix that you get with normal Guiness).  It was much more carbonated then we thought, so when we stirred the beer the head formed really fast.  We know almost right away that the head would foam over, so my stylist quickly moved out of the way beforehand and I was able to capture it. 

The other lucky thing was that, aside from a single white card, my entire set was surrounded by black cards.  My stylist although was wearing a light grey shirt and she just so happened to be standing on the side the head foamed over, helping to give the foam a little bounce. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on December 15, 2015, 12:09:36 am
.....The other lucky thing was that, aside from a single white card, my entire set was surrounded by black cards.  My stylist although was wearing a light grey shirt and she just so happened to be standing on the side the head foamed over, helping to give the foam a little bounce.

I bet it would bounce without the grey shirt.

Enjoying these last few pages of work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: GrahamBy on December 15, 2015, 08:10:28 am
I was a fan of Michael Ezra's work when I was a Photo.net user in an earlier century... glad to find him again :-)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on December 15, 2015, 02:38:24 pm
+1

Erik

I was a fan of Michael Ezra's work when I was a Photo.net user in an earlier century... glad to find him again :-)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 17, 2015, 09:32:20 am
:)

Here is one from Sentimental Nudes series

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/SAW_B112_V3_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on December 17, 2015, 10:36:21 am
I find it hard to work out why your nudes are so much better than the other fine art nudes I see but they most certainly are. At first sight I prefer B&W but this is none too shabby :)

I in part suspect you are a master of lighting.

Mike
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 17, 2015, 11:56:48 am
Thank you, Mike:)

Here is one more from the series:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/BLE_A_108_web_800px.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on December 17, 2015, 12:28:15 pm
And you make money doing this as well as I recall. I find them to be stunning shots but I'm surprised there is a market for them although they are so 'serious' I guess they transcend the nudity which is what fine art is about in part.

I am in awe.

Mike
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 17, 2015, 01:37:00 pm
About the photos, I think what makes the image is the (authenticity of) intent, it ultimately drives all aspects that result in a final work.

I am yet to make any serious money with photography, but am working on it, so we'll see. I was thinking about publishing Sentimental Nudes in a coffee table book, and also Levitation and Reflection series, in separate books. I wonder if anyone here might have a recommendation on producing finely printed books.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 18, 2015, 04:32:49 pm
Just finished this one:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/VIV_A271_V2_web.jpg)

Mountains from the Rocky Mountains National park, the rest is NY:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on December 19, 2015, 09:35:38 am
Hi,

I like it, this image is an interesting one! On the other hand, it may be over the edge.

Best regards
Erik


Just finished this one:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/VIV_A271_V2_web.jpg)

Mountains from the Rocky Mountains National park, the rest is NY:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 21, 2015, 05:03:22 pm
Thanks, Erik:) I am still in search of my own "edge" in this field:)
Here is another one I just finished from a photograph captured back in 2009.

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/OLM_0079_V4_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on December 24, 2015, 03:56:54 am
Hi,

Great images! I am sort of used to see architecture stuff coming from you, so it is a bit of surprise but a nice one!

Merry Christmas!
Erik

I love me some diffusion on digital... not for the architecture of course, but for our narrative films it gives the Red so much more of an organic, filmic esthetic.

This is with 1/4 Black ProMist over Cooke Mini S4s...

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/775612_590701920956263_1188268862_o.jpg)

I think this one really shows the effect of the BlkProMist

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/704774_588977907795331_1964240689_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 28, 2015, 09:50:02 am
One from a maternity session, Mamiya ZD camera + 80mm AF

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/GLB_A107_V1_web.jpg)
This is what makes us human... I am forever enchanted with this state, the mystery of it and its innate beauty. It is remarkable how a young woman gets transformed into a mother, day after day, awakening a gentle, giving and a selfless being within her.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on December 28, 2015, 10:15:07 am
This thread is the gift that keeps on giving.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 28, 2015, 02:19:05 pm
This thread is the gift that keeps on giving.
Well said.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 30, 2015, 11:14:22 am
Such a nice Christmas present I had to photograph it! 

(In case anyone is wondering, altogether I used five strobes, one 4'x4' diffusion, three bounce cards, three black cards, and four or five mirrors/foil ... and, of course, I did use a camera!  :o ) 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 30, 2015, 11:57:29 am
Such a nice Christmas present I had to photograph it! 

(In case anyone is wondering, altogether I used five strobes, one 4'x4' diffusion, three bounce cards, three black cards, and four or five mirrors/foil ... and, of course, I did use a camera!  :o )
All I would have needed is the bottle and the glass.    ;)

...plus you and your equipment for the photo.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 30, 2015, 03:05:59 pm
Joe, nice setup:)

Here is one of the older images as I am playing with various textures (Mamiya ZD + 80mm)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/LZA_356_V1_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 30, 2015, 03:35:04 pm
Thanks Michael.  It is my favorite Bourbon, and a nice bottle too. 

Interesting texture.  Have you thought about having it applied to just the background, and making it more intense? 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 30, 2015, 03:49:06 pm
Hi Joe, this was a first attempt to get the feel of it. Normally I avoid texturing the main subject to this extent. You are right, adding more depth to background would give a nicer isolation as well.

Ironically, I so much enjoy finding the balance at which point degradation of image technical quality is sufficient to amplify the viewer's emotional response, yet is still faithful to our pixel peeping:) Here is a slightly warmer rendering, more reminiscent to the yellowing of the older paintings. I imagine, it was not painter's agenda at that time to deviate much the white balance to the warmer tones:)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/LZA_356_V2_web.jpg)

and this one is per your suggestion:)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/LZA_356_V3_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on December 30, 2015, 05:42:31 pm
Such a nice Christmas present I had to photograph it! 

(In case anyone is wondering, altogether I used five strobes, one 4'x4' diffusion, three bounce cards, three black cards, and four or five mirrors/foil ... and, of course, I did use a camera!  :o )

It was such a a welcome and nice gift I had to photograph it...such a great blue!

I used no strobes, no fill cards and no diffusion and of course I used an iPhone!

BTW, Nice Photo Joe :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 03, 2016, 11:27:21 am
Time for a Black & Tan! 

Would love to know if you think I should use this image with or without the brand? 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: D Fuller on January 04, 2016, 12:26:22 am

Would love to know if you think I should use this image with or without the brand?

All rights issues aside ( I have no idea how they'd play here), it's better with the brand. Guiness IS stout, so not using the mark seems silly.

To findly quote the Guiness marketing folks, "Guiness is good for you."
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on January 04, 2016, 09:20:23 am
I also like it with branding, but I feel like it is too close to the edge of the picture.

And now I want a nice, cold beer.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 04, 2016, 12:26:20 pm

And now I want a nice, cold beer.

 ;D

That's exactly what it is suppose to make you want!

BTW, just put the branded image on my website. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on January 04, 2016, 12:56:55 pm
;D

That's exactly what it is suppose to make you want!

BTW, just put the branded image on my website.
Did you guys ever see the run of 30 second Guinness commercials titled brilliant? [URL][https://m.youtube.com/results?q=guinness%20brilliant&sm=12][URL]

Sent from my LG-H812 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on January 05, 2016, 02:41:41 am
The idea of drinking Guinness straight from the bottle sounds awful even if it is bottled. In ye Goode Olde Days when I was young bottled Guinness was sold 'live' with a ring of yeast in the bottom of the bottle so pouring it clear was quite tricky. It all added to the mystique :)

I was so up myself I would try and buy bottled Guinness from Dublin and felt that the draft version was a bit common :) That said I drank plenty of it. The cruel test of any new bar tender was to order 50-50 draft Guinness and cider. If they could serve that with a reasonable head they were doing well.

Mike
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on January 05, 2016, 03:45:56 am
The cruel test of any new bar tender was to order 50-50 draft Guinness and cider. If they could serve that with a reasonable head they were doing well.

Were they allowed to grimace at the waste of Guinness?

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on January 05, 2016, 03:49:59 am
Possibly:) They certainly showed great determination. It was a good sport when young.

Sadly it seems I have become alcohol intolerant and so on a recent visit to Dublin I couldn't see if my youthful memories of Guinness were true. It looked good though.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 09, 2016, 04:30:15 pm
Portrait from a recent session

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/TM.RS_A_148_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 11, 2016, 02:50:31 pm
One more

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/TM_DKZ_201207_167-R5_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 11, 2016, 03:39:40 pm
Lovely light in both of these portraits, Michael. Kind of Rembrandt-like, especially the first.
In the second, I love the parental hand reaching out to catch the kid if he starts falling off the chair (or jumps).

Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 11, 2016, 04:41:22 pm
Thanks, Eric:) And this photo explains why there were 2 chairs on the second photo:))

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/TM_DKZ_201207_190-R5_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 11, 2016, 05:35:37 pm
That's nice, too.

The two chairs suggests you were hoping to get a good one of both kids in the same shot, which would require much more than photographic skills, I suspect.

Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 11, 2016, 06:24:49 pm
Exactly! "hoping":))))
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 12, 2016, 10:28:44 pm
Before and After:)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/OLM_C062__MASTER_V7_web.jpg)


(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/OLM_D62_V3_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on January 13, 2016, 12:09:02 am
Michael, "After" is an amazing picture. To me, it's the strongest of the recent set. It's interesting looking at your color portraits. I think you are onto something...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 13, 2016, 10:07:03 am
Michael, "After" is an amazing picture. To me, it's the strongest of the recent set. It's interesting looking at your color portraits. I think you are onto something...
Absolutely.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 13, 2016, 12:19:12 pm
Eric & Bob - thank you:) I am searching, we'll see. I got stuck in grayscale with a sterile background for 15 years and now craving texture and color:)

Here is one more from the same shoot:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/OLM_D48-49_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 13, 2016, 12:51:43 pm
Something dark, something bright! 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 13, 2016, 01:00:18 pm
Joe, when are you getting motion triggers for your strobes?  I can totally see you doing bottles dropping into pools of water.  I always wanted to explore that bit of geekery!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on January 13, 2016, 01:21:29 pm
Damnit Joe! Now I need an Irish coffee! :P
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 13, 2016, 01:32:51 pm
Joe is totally inspiring.  I keep buying really nice bottles of Scotch.  The problem is... I keep emptying them.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on January 13, 2016, 03:23:47 pm
Something dark, something bright!

You are having some fun Joe!   I like both, the dark just not as much.  Keep them coming!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 13, 2016, 03:40:15 pm
Hi Ezra,

Lots of nice images, personally I like the kid on the chairs and this one more than the others. I guess I feel more comfortable with colours, but that is a very personal thing.

I have always like your images and also your approach to photography.

Thanks for sharing!

Best regards
Erik

Eric & Bob - thank you:) I am searching, we'll see. I got stuck in grayscale with a sterile background for 15 years and now craving texture and color:)

Here is one more from the same shoot:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/OLM_D48-49_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 13, 2016, 08:11:15 pm
Thanks CB, Craig and Razrblck. 

To be honest, I was not quite sure what to think about the Irish Coffee image. 

And Chris, laser triggers for my strobes would be pretty damn cool!  8) 

There is a photographer on the West Coast, Bill Cahill (you should check out his work!), who Felicia and I met in NYC about a year ago that told us about those.  Would love some. 

The only problem is that Profoto Acutes, and their monolights, do not produce a flash fast enough to freeze motion.  Even with my Black & Tan pour shot and the image with the stout's head flowing over the side, which did not have a strong effect of gravity, there is motion blur. 

To really freeze time, especially with a wine bottle that has been in free fall for a few feet, I would need the Pro-series lights (Pro-8).  Way out of my budget right now and too damn heavy for my paying work.  Not to mention they suck a lot of power out of the wall and I doubt my place could handle the load. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 13, 2016, 08:18:53 pm
Joe, do you know the lower power trick?  Flash duration is markedly shorter at lower outputs.  Dial down the strobe and crank up the ISO!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 13, 2016, 09:04:45 pm
Joe, do you know the lower power trick?  Flash duration is markedly shorter at lower outputs.  Dial down the strobe and crank up the ISO!

I know that trick, but it only works so well.  I did that with the Black and Tan shot, but still got movement in the stream. 

Now I liked the effect, especially the tiny light streaks from the carbonation being lit up.  I do plan on experimenting with something moving a lot faster, but not so sure about how it will work. 

Honestly, if I could have, in the black and tan pour, I would had used Pro-8s for all of the lights but the one backlighting the stream.  That way, I could have frozen the bubbles on the glass to be tact sharp but kept motion in the stream. 

I would love to experiment with motion, mixing different flash systems with different flash durations together. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on January 14, 2016, 12:39:39 am
Eric & Bob - thank you:) I am searching, we'll see. I got stuck in grayscale with a sterile background for 15 years and now craving texture and color:)

Here is one more from the same shoot:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/OLM_D48-49_V2_web.jpg)

Keep it up. Change is good. It's cool to see how you see color.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 14, 2016, 11:16:48 am
Here is a bit more of color!:)
Just going through the archives and editing... this is fun!

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/OLM_0003_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 14, 2016, 01:51:13 pm
Hi,

Personally, I like "credible colour".

I generally like your images. You are a great artist…

Now, some images work for me, while some do less. Anyway, your images are always interesting but also representing a certain amount of challenge.

Keep up that good work! And a lot of thanks for sharing!

Best regards
Erik


Here is a bit more of color!:)
Just going through the archives and editing... this is fun!

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/OLM_0003_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 20, 2016, 09:13:56 am
Okay, so all of the techies are going crazy over the "CCD vs. CMOS" discussion, bringing out all of the bells and whistles and graphs and pier reviewed research articles, o y vey. 

And plus, this discussion was getting a little to far down the page.  Let's bring it back to where we should be, the actual image!

Here are two I shot this week. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 20, 2016, 10:10:51 am
Hooray for "the actual image!"

Yours are very sensual, Joe.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 20, 2016, 04:34:29 pm
Joe, this is my favorite thread for this very reason! +1. Nice shots:)

Erik, here is on "credible colour";)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/TM.RS_A_118.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 21, 2016, 07:16:25 am
Thank you Mike and Eric.  Never thought about them being sensual, but I guess the beer shot is very sensual. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on January 21, 2016, 01:32:47 pm
Hey Joe, how do you keep the glass that clean? Lots of hand washing?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 21, 2016, 02:15:09 pm
Hey Joe, how do you keep the glass that clean? Lots of hand washing?

Yes, lots of hand washing! 

First, I set up the shot, get the lighting (and staging) right, make sure the focus and DOF are there, then mark where the glass is. 

I then clean the surface and polish the glass.  I use these thicker blue paper towels that are designed more for use in car and mechanic shops (usually you can find them in the paint section of a hardware store) first, and then a lint free cloth towel next.  Also, there is this stuff called "The Best Glass Cleaner In The World" that is designed for use on offset press plates; I use that for the glass cleaning fluid.

(You could probably also use lens cleaning fluid too.) 

Occasionally, and especially if I am doing a bottle shot, I also break out a razor and Pro-Strength Goof Off for removing the (back) label and glue, if it is paper.  If it is a painted label, then things get serious!  Sulfuric acid painted on with a ferruleless brush, a razor and patience does the trick then.   

All the while I am wearing white lint free gloves that are clean and free of grease. 

Of course, some dust will fall onto the glass and set within the minute or so it takes to get the shot, but Photoshop works for that. 

Lot of work for these kind of shots, and I am just amazed at the amount of dust in the air, it's crazy!  For my interior work, most of my time in post is spent cleaning up color.  For my still life work, color is so easy, but I could spend an hour cleaning up dust, especially if it is a dark image. 

I think though it should start to pay off soon.  I was making cold calls today, got a hold of an art buyer, and he loved that pour shot.  He told me they just started working with a new beer client, and they would probably drool over the idea of their logo on this image. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 21, 2016, 02:44:22 pm
Another cool thing about doing all of these table top shots, it's making me loving the fact I bought an Arca Swiss.  The rotoslide adapters provided with each R lens work as really great focusing extenders.  I can focus my 90mm to about 10 inches from the lens. 

Hell, if I took my Rodie 55mm off its ring and put that on my 90 too, I could probably get as close as 7, maybe 6 inches from subject. 

My fiancee is jealous.  8)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on January 21, 2016, 02:53:38 pm
There is just so much dust everywhere. Actually I'm amazed even more at cameras because so many times I feel like the surface is spotless but then in the photo it shows all the tiny particles I can't even see with naked eyes.

Great news about your work, Joe. Hope it starts paying for itself soon!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 21, 2016, 04:12:29 pm
Editing out dust on pure white or pure black surfaces, like plexi, is very easy.  Also, on pure white, when the image starts to get really out of focus, the dust kind of disappears into the bokeh. 

Wood grain, which is inconsistent and unique, is what is the most difficult and takes the longest. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on January 21, 2016, 04:34:38 pm
Wood grain, which is inconsistent and unique, is what is the most difficult and takes the longest. 

Yeah, I can feel your pain in this. I have quite a few dark wood surfaces.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 23, 2016, 02:52:58 pm
On this first day of snow in New York I'd like to share this landscape from trip to Colorado in 2006. I always felt there is something masculine in this view. In this sense it is quite complementary to the "feminine" landscape from the Great Sand Dunes national park which I don't think I shared yet.

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/CO_2006_D7_0408-0413_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on January 24, 2016, 03:48:55 am
I always felt there is something masculine in this view. In this sense it is quite complementary to the "feminine" landscape from the Great Sand Dunes national park which I don't think I shared yet.

I never thought about landscapes that way, it's an interesting point of view.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 25, 2016, 08:52:50 am
Here is the female counterpart:)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/CO_2006_D4_0216.0223_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 25, 2016, 03:08:09 pm
Here's an image I shot for my book to be used as a spread.  I shot it as one image, although I guess I could have shot the bottle and glass separately and then layered them together, but ...

One thing I was not expecting were the out-of-focus sparkles on the martini glass.  I hit the glass with a high powered snooted strobe, and there must have been imperfections in the glass that caught the light differently. 

I think it adds a nice touch. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 25, 2016, 04:18:37 pm
In preparation for ArtExpo... new Levitation

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/JDY_B153-B160_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: D Fuller on January 26, 2016, 09:06:45 pm
In preparation for ArtExpo... new Levitation


Wow. Well done.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 26, 2016, 11:47:20 pm
Wow. Well done.
+1.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 27, 2016, 05:14:15 pm
David & Eric, thank you:)

Here is one of my favorite landscapes from Bear Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park.

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/CO_2006_D8_530-552_V2_BW_web1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 27, 2016, 11:06:23 pm
David & Eric, thank you:)

Here is one of my favorite landscapes from Bear Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park.

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/CO_2006_D8_530-552_V2_BW_web1.jpg)

Wow, that's nice!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 01, 2016, 11:05:08 am
Had a brighter weekend then usual! 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bpepz on February 01, 2016, 04:55:15 pm
Had a brighter weekend then usual!

what lens did you use for these?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 01, 2016, 05:26:27 pm
what lens did you use for these?

I used the Rodenstock 90mm HR-W (one generation prior to the current version, HR-SW) on an Arca RM3Di.  No, to almost, no cropping in all of them.  Also, since I am looking down, I have the back shifted up 20mm, to partially correct the perspective, and the lens tilted back 5 degrees to get the glass/bottle completely in focus. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on February 01, 2016, 10:08:57 pm
Here is the female counterpart:)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/CO_2006_D4_0216.0223_web.jpg)

Wow!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on February 01, 2016, 10:11:22 pm
David & Eric, thank you:)

Here is one of my favorite landscapes from Bear Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park.

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/CO_2006_D8_530-552_V2_BW_web1.jpg)

Your photos are amazing.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on February 02, 2016, 10:03:25 am
Holy cow, Michael Ezra... Just... wow. Simply stunning work in this thread.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: KevinA on February 02, 2016, 11:48:59 am
Helicopter Canon 1d X 35mmL f1.4
London under an inversion layer
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: KevinA on February 02, 2016, 11:53:30 am
Arsenal Emirates Football Stadium and adjoining apartments.
Canon 1D X 35mmL f1.4
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on February 03, 2016, 11:10:34 am
This is a portfolio shot to show a potential client. Mamiya 645AFD, Leaf Aptus 22, 80mm f2.8.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1446/24701371251_81d43beaf2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/DCLZ6e)The Pen is Mightier 2 (https://flic.kr/p/DCLZ6e) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on February 05, 2016, 02:57:32 pm
Nice!

Erik

This is a portfolio shot to show a potential client. Mamiya 645AFD, Leaf Aptus 22, 80mm f2.8.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1446/24701371251_81d43beaf2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/DCLZ6e)The Pen is Mightier 2 (https://flic.kr/p/DCLZ6e) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 09, 2016, 11:01:46 am
Sometimes you got to turn up the heat! 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 10, 2016, 12:04:42 am
Joe, the heat is on:)
I am curious, is this a real flame or rendered? Looks real.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on February 10, 2016, 05:17:24 am
Arsenal Emirates Football Stadium and adjoining apartments.
Canon 1D X 35mmL f1.4

Nice. Drone or helicopter?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 10, 2016, 06:34:09 am
Joe, the heat is on:)
I am curious, is this a real flame or rendered? Looks real.

C'mon, this ain't AAA baseball, this is the major leagues.  Of course it's real.   ;)

Actually been waiting for a nice relatively warm day with no wind to shoot this for a while.  This past Sunday was perfect. 

BTW, aside from needing to be outside and shooting after it got dark, the fire was real easy; it's just rubber cement spread on a 2x3 wall stud and lit up.  The planning, pre-production, setup and lighting took the better part of the day though. 

Blog post coming later today discussing the concept and production. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Brent Daniels on February 10, 2016, 09:40:34 am
I know that trick, but it only works so well.  I did that with the Black and Tan shot, but still got movement in the stream. 

Now I liked the effect, especially the tiny light streaks from the carbonation being lit up.  I do plan on experimenting with something moving a lot faster, but not so sure about how it will work. 

Honestly, if I could have, in the black and tan pour, I would had used Pro-8s for all of the lights but the one backlighting the stream.  That way, I could have frozen the bubbles on the glass to be tact sharp but kept motion in the stream. 

I would love to experiment with motion, mixing different flash systems with different flash durations together.

Joe to really get close to stopping that type of motion the Profotos will not generally get you there. Almost all the high speed commercial stuff is done with Bron Scoros. Even then to get the speed up you are very down on the power and the main light of choice is two large Scoros packs into a bi-tube head. Should not blow your house power as you will be very low on the power. Even then you will be depth of field challenged.

Some people prefer not to use triggers. I prefer having some sort of control, or maybe my hand eye co-ordination is just not as sharp so I use one. There are a few lower cost versions out now compared to the tried and true Kapture Group kit. Run properly with the right kit you can shoot high speed stop motion with the set lights on instead of pitch dark, which is so nice.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 10, 2016, 11:44:23 am
As promised, "Bring On The Heat!" (http://www.josephmkitchen.com/blog/makers-mark-46-photography)

Thanks Brent for the tips. 

I kind of thought a twin head for the main key light would be required.  I also was looking at the Kapture Group laser triggers, and they look pretty nice.  (Well, they sound like they work pretty nice, the cosmetic design though ...)

BronColors huh?  I am kind of a Profoto guy though. 

I just checked out the specs on both systems.  It seems the Profoto's are twice as fast at full power, but the BronColor's are (or may be) 40% faster at low power.  (I can't figure out what they mean by "1/10,000s|1/14,000s" at low power.  I assume there is some variance at that speed; the Profoto's just say 1/10,000s at low.) 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on February 10, 2016, 12:03:39 pm
To date Joe, "Bring on the Heat" is your best tabletop photo. Nice separation between subject and OOF background, great color, nice lighting. Most of all, the set is simple--no extraneous props.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on February 10, 2016, 12:58:01 pm
Which kind of acid did you use for the back label? By the way, spectacular work as always!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 10, 2016, 01:09:00 pm
Which kind of acid did you use for the back label? By the way, spectacular work as always!

Thanks! 

Nothing too bad.  I used CLR, which is a fairly strong, but safer, acidic cleaning solution you can find at most hardware stores.  The label literally wiped right off.  I had to be careful not to get it on the front or wax though. 

That was about the 4th thing I tried.  If that did not work, I would have broke out the sulfuric acid I have left over from my darkroom printing days, but that is something I like to avoid using. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Brent Daniels on February 10, 2016, 04:17:13 pm
As promised, "Bring On The Heat!" (http://www.josephmkitchen.com/blog/makers-mark-46-photography)

Thanks Brent for the tips. 

I kind of thought a twin head for the main key light would be required.  I also was looking at the Kapture Group laser triggers, and they look pretty nice.  (Well, they sound like they work pretty nice, the cosmetic design though ...)

BronColors huh?  I am kind of a Profoto guy though. 

I just checked out the specs on both systems.  It seems the Profoto's are twice as fast at full power, but the BronColor's are (or may be) 40% faster at low power.  (I can't figure out what they mean by "1/10,000s|1/14,000s" at low power.  I assume there is some variance at that speed; the Profoto's just say 1/10,000s at low.)

Joe:

If using flash I use and own Profoto for everything, but high speed. Then I use Bron.  Surprisingly for a special high speed pack the Scoros is slow as %^&%$# at full power. At full power Scoros 3200J duration is like 1/400th vs Pro8 2400ws at 1/1600th.   

Not all flash specs are created the same. Profoto specs are based on t0.5. Bron now shows both t0.1 and t0.5. The double set of duration numbers shows the difference between the t0.5 and t0.1. Bron shows both specs because others like Profoto use t0.5 to look fast. But there is a big real world difference. 

Bron is also the only one you can actually button control the duration. It self adjusts the power output to get the duration set. At 1/ 10 000th you are at about 100 was I think. So a lot of times one is trying to get the slowest duration that works for the shot with as much power as possible.

I have the Kapture Group sound & laser kit. Old design from 20 yrs ago, but it works. The Pocket Wizard pre-trip shutter cable that I also use are $100.00 jokes. I keep 3 on hand all the time.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 10, 2016, 06:27:43 pm
Joe:

If using flash I use and own Profoto for everything, but high speed. Then I use Bron.  Surprisingly for a special high speed pack the Scoros is slow as %^&%$# at full power. At full power Scoros 3200J duration is like 1/400th vs Pro8 2400ws at 1/1600th.   

Not all flash specs are created the same. Profoto specs are based on t0.5. Bron now shows both t0.1 and t0.5. The double set of duration numbers shows the difference between the t0.5 and t0.1. Bron shows both specs because others like Profoto use t0.5 to look fast. But there is a big real world difference. 

Bron is also the only one you can actually button control the duration. It self adjusts the power output to get the duration set. At 1/ 10 000th you are at about 100 was I think. So a lot of times one is trying to get the slowest duration that works for the shot with as much power as possible.

I have the Kapture Group sound & laser kit. Old design from 20 yrs ago, but it works. The Pocket Wizard pre-trip shutter cable that I also use are $100.00 jokes. I keep 3 on hand all the time.

Good information.  I was not aware of the spec listings.  Also, being able to dial in the duration is a pretty nice feature. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 10, 2016, 06:56:09 pm
To date Joe, "Bring on the Heat" is your best tabletop photo. Nice separation between subject and OOF background, great color, nice lighting. Most of all, the set is simple--no extraneous props.

Thanks Bob. 

It's funny, in the digital realm I rarely see my images printed large like I did with film.  I recently, like Monday, printed a new 11x14 still life portfolio and used a portrait style binder. 

I did not realize how far removed I am from seeing images big until I printed this one as a full spread.  On screen, it's very nice, printed at 14x22 though, it dominates! 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on February 11, 2016, 05:50:30 pm
what lens did you use for these?

Joe, like the 2nd and 4th. Your getting a lot better at this.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on February 14, 2016, 04:39:38 pm
Okay, professional, in that I shot the delectable ex-Mrs Rick Wakeman, Nina Carter (on Ektachrome 64 with my 500 CM and 150mm Sonnar), for a calendar. After that, and in its current incarnation, pro is stretching it a bit...

But hey, a man's gotta live, and you're a forgiving lot! I hope.

(http://www.roma57.com/uploads/4/2/8/7/4287956/6411084_orig.jpg)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 14, 2016, 08:27:22 pm
You'll always be a pro to me, Rob.

Unless, of course, you find a way to unlearn all that you learned when you were still earning money from photography.

-Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on February 15, 2016, 09:15:26 am
You'll always be a pro to me, Rob.

Unless, of course, you find a way to unlearn all that you learned when you were still earning money from photography.

-Eric


Touching, Eric, but do you know a way to knock sense into Amazon?

I've been hanging on waiting for a package for ages, and the tracking system tells me it's been delivered! But that ain't so!

Rob

P.S.

Complaint cancelled: Amazon notification was, in fact, correct! The problem lay in the local post office, along with my transceivers.

Amazon, I love you again!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on February 18, 2016, 01:05:07 am
A new release from my 2012 trip to Patagonia
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: leeonmaui on February 21, 2016, 04:40:00 am
Aloha,
other than a pretty tough blown out white light, I'm pretty happy with this.
New York in Amber, new release!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ben730 on February 21, 2016, 04:07:58 pm
A new release from my 2012 trip to Patagonia

Beautiful!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 26, 2016, 02:30:12 pm
One damn cool chandelier! 

Just replaced it with the final edited image. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 26, 2016, 04:24:22 pm
One damn cool chandelier!
Totally!!!

Did you have to move much furniture to get that shot?   ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 26, 2016, 07:18:25 pm
Totally!!!

Did you have to move much furniture to get that shot?   ;)

No, this is in a apartment building lobby; this ceiling is about 20 feet high. 

The project is actually a 30+ story renovation, and we plan on spending 4.5 days photographing it total.  Yesterday and today where days 1 and 2, photographing what is now complete.  The lobby has nothing in it, so I decided to shoot this now since the built in desk would probably make it more difficult, once installed.

The project, when complete should be pretty awesome.  These past two days where just common areas on the 4th floor and model apartments.  The roof deck and one of the penthouses should be pretty amazing.  Still a couple of mouths out though. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on February 26, 2016, 11:19:30 pm
So great when you get a project you can really sink your teeth into isn't it.
Looking forward to seeing the resulting works Joe!

The project is actually a 30+ story renovation, and we plan on spending 4.5 days photographing it total.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 29, 2016, 03:21:12 pm
So great when you get a project you can really sink your teeth into isn't it.
Looking forward to seeing the resulting works Joe!

Yes, it is.  Does not happen as much as I would like, well not yet in my younger career. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: KevinA on February 29, 2016, 05:26:50 pm
Nice. Drone or helicopter?
Helicopter. A drone would be illegal, I can't think of a signal job I've done in London that a drone would of been legal to use.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 07, 2016, 11:36:27 pm
Getty Museum, it was great to visit it.
(http://Photovertex.com/clients/_demos/web_posts/DSC00409_web1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 08, 2016, 08:01:26 am
Michael, that is very nice. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 08, 2016, 08:10:14 am
Something to start your day, and something to end it.   8)

This was my first attempt at splashes and pours; retouching is intense! 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 08, 2016, 08:42:11 am
Nice, Joe... what strobe did you finally land on?  Feels like you could have used a bit shorter flash duration.  I really dig the mood in the second one, but it kind of bugs me that the straw is soft.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 08, 2016, 11:22:32 am
Nice, Joe... what strobe did you finally land on?  Feels like you could have used a bit shorter flash duration.  I really dig the mood in the second one, but it kind of bugs me that the straw is soft.

Damn it, Chris, now the straw bothers me.   8)

But anyway, yes the flash duration is an issue.  These were both shot with the Profoto Acute 1200s using Felicia's IQ 260 at ISO 100, f/8.  I think the main light was set to A+B, both channels at 1/4 power and the dial turned down 1/2 a stop.  I also shot these at 1/500s, which clipped part of the flash (since pocket wizards have a slight delay), and produced this odd center brightness from the leaf shutter blades closing, but an LCC fixed that.  So, this is pretty much as fast of a flash I can get out of the acutes. 

I do plan on renting the Pro 8s and a twin head for a weekend to do more serious stuff.  (Sorry Brent, I know the Scoros are ideal, but the cost of rent all the light modifiers too is just too much for a personal project.) 

For the Root Beer Float, DoF is an issue with a shot this close.  I did not want the straw to be a strong aspect of the image and it's better to have the carbonation in focus, plus it is a stainless steel straw and probably would have made some kind of weird reflection. 

By the way, the float was made with Not Your Father's Root Bear, and makes one damn good float!  You need to have a strong stomach though, that stuff is sweet and syrupy and I could only get halfway before giving up.   
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 08, 2016, 02:19:06 pm
Joe & Keith, thank you!

Here are a few more from that trip.

(http://Photovertex.com/clients/_demos/web_posts/DSC00598_599-web.jpg)


(http://Photovertex.com/clients/_demos/web_posts/DSC00612_web.jpg)


(http://Photovertex.com/clients/_demos/web_posts/DSC00615_617_V2.jpg)


(http://Photovertex.com/clients/_demos/web_posts/DSC00643_V3_BW_web)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: favalim on March 09, 2016, 02:38:31 am
Michael, what kind of lenses do you use in the "shifted" shots :)
Thanks

Joe & Keith, thank you!

Here are a few more from that trip.



(http://Photovertex.com/clients/_demos/web_posts/DSC00612_web.jpg)



Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 09, 2016, 09:03:56 am
Michael, what kind of lenses do you use in the "shifted" shots :)
Thanks


Hi Marco, this was done with Sigma E 19mm F2.8 and a lightweight Sony Nex-5R. I have a tilt Nikon to Sony-E adapter, but without the shift function... Normally I use stitching with multiple exposures on D800E with Nikon 28-70F2.8 or Nikon 60mm G, or Sigma 60 mm DN on Sony a6000, but this is a single frame image.

Your question made me take another look at the distortion correction. I felt something is slightly off, but was sure correction was applied:) Turns out the distortion slider in ACR/LCP was at left 0 as I was toggling it on and off.
This one is with both perspective & distortion correction:)

(http://photovertex.com/clients/_demos/web_posts/DSC00612_V4_web.jpg)

I am curious whether using a shift would render geometry of the horizontal lines on the columns differently. Their curvature is increasing towards the top of the frame in this image.
Comments & critique as always welcome:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: orc73 on March 12, 2016, 03:12:02 pm


more of the shoot here:
http://www.valentino-photography.com/portrait/
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: orc73 on March 12, 2016, 03:15:46 pm
Nice work Joe, did you do that alone or with some assistants :)


Something to start your day, and something to end it.   8)

This was my first attempt at splashes and pours; retouching is intense!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 12, 2016, 07:07:04 pm
Nice work Joe, did you do that alone or with some assistants :)

Thanks. 

Actually these were personal projects, so I did them myself.  My fiancee, who is a commercial photographer too, helped me with the pours, but pretty much everything else was me. 

If this was a paid gig, I would certainly have an assistant, prop stylist and drink stylist.  I also would definitely hire out the retouching (and work that into the budget) for any kind of splash work. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 16, 2016, 05:28:20 pm
In preparation for the ArtExpo...  For the first time in 16 years I see my work in the size that it was intended!!!
A special thank you to Alex Kreymerman at Graphix Integrated for letting me use his shop to print this!

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Joe Towner on March 16, 2016, 10:57:09 pm
In preparation for the ArtExpo...  For the first time in 16 years I see my work in the size that it was intended!!!
A special thank you to Alex Kreymerman at Graphix Integrated for letting me use his shop to print this!

Good luck at ArtExpo - the work should carry itself well.  I ordered up some wide Roland paper today to give a run with the Roland eco-sol printer a friend has, can't wait to see what it's able to produce on legit paper.  The images below are the source and print out at 52" tall on vinyl with a laminate over it.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 17, 2016, 04:52:01 pm
Thaks, Joe:) By the way, if anyone would like to attend, let me know I have passes I can give out.

Large prints look more and more appetizing:) I've never heard of printing on vinyl, is this for the exterior display?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Joe Towner on March 17, 2016, 11:56:31 pm
I've never heard of printing on vinyl, is this for the exterior display?
Vinyl is what's used for window signage - they churn out a lot.  It's pretty slick, and would work for a backlight setup.  If I were DT/CI doing an 'exposure to medium format' event, I'd have a serious large format printer onsite.  Give folks a 1' wide strip of 54"/64" paper with their image on it, just to give it a scale, would really have them considering what's possible.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 18, 2016, 05:46:24 am
Michael, i could write a book on where your trying to go, but this isn't it.

Your way too hooked up in what you like, without a clue of what serious people pay for.

IMO

BC


Almost the story of my own life, too. Fortunately, I managed to mix it just enough to pay the bills, too. What worries me is living too long, longer than the bank allows since it stopped paying interest. Well interest to me, that is, not a multi-million-pound bonus to each of those who lost me my interest in the first place. However, they have certainly gained my interest in them!

But good luck to Michael, anyway.

Rob C

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 18, 2016, 09:04:58 am
I'm personally way too hooked up in what Michael likes, too, but I don't have the moolah to be a "serious person."   :(
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 18, 2016, 10:41:49 am
I'm personally way too hooked up in what Michael likes, too, but I don't have the moolah to be a "serious person."   :(


Then take a leaf from my book: learn to be serious about the moolah even if, as per my example, about it's lack!

Seious hijacking going on here - better quit whilst the quitting's good!

;-)

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 19, 2016, 06:59:38 am
James, your killing me, so please save me:) tell me more!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on March 19, 2016, 06:58:38 pm
In this business the ground is moving all the time and perception is reality, regardless of the reality.

You can show 45 architectural photographs and two nudes and I promise you'll be labeled as a someone who shoots nudes.

You can show 100 color images, but 10 beautiful black and white portraits and your the black and white guy.

I'm not being negative because a few rare clients will get the fact that your versatile, but most will label you, usually where you don't want to be.

Now the strange thing is an AD can work on a beer campaign, coming from a soap campaign, working on a jeans campaign and nobody blinks.

Anyway my point is find your market, even if it's more than one genre and make sure the market is viable.  You may need to build separate micro sites not to confuse your market, or just bomb them with a huge body of work, it really depends on the client.

There are no hard and fast rules, but most of the time you will not shoot what you love, you'll shoot what the client needs, though you better love it or it will show.   I know, confusing.

Rob C is an exception.   When fashion wasn't working he shot semi nude calendars and did them very well but he defined a market found a client(s).  If you look at his work he really was shooting the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition before there was a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.

He had success and it wasn't luck, it was work,  but he had a market.

Define your market and always have a compelling story of why you should be chosen.

I could write a book on this, but it's not a good idea in an open public forum, though I wish you the best because your heart is in it.

IMO

BC

But to keep the thread about photos, here's three recent

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/flying_strap.jpg)

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/nogales_RR_searching.jpg)

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/horse_patrol_beach.jpg)

Staying with photos: Nice work, particularly the top one. Can Inask where you would start with post for that stlye. It's not something I do but would be interested to hear how the effect is created.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kaypee on March 19, 2016, 07:45:45 pm
Thanks. Interesting insight. I was wondering if you were using high pass filter as they do look different but have a similar look. Nice and contrasty but keeping the details too.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on March 19, 2016, 08:48:53 pm
This thread is a goldmine.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 19, 2016, 09:07:20 pm
This thread is a goldmine.
Yes, it is!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 20, 2016, 06:40:53 am
In this business the ground is moving all the time and perception is reality, regardless of the reality.

You can show 45 architectural photographs and two nudes and I promise you'll be labeled as a someone who shoots nudes.

You can show 100 color images, but 10 beautiful black and white portraits and your the black and white guy.

I'm not being negative because a few rare clients will get the fact that your versatile, but most will label you, usually where you don't want to be.

Now the strange thing is an AD can work on a beer campaign, coming from a soap campaign, working on a jeans campaign and nobody blinks.

Anyway my point is find your market, even if it's more than one genre and make sure the market is viable.  You may need to build separate micro sites not to confuse your market, or just bomb them with a huge body of work, it really depends on the client.

There are no hard and fast rules, but most of the time you will not shoot what you love, you'll shoot what the client needs, though you better love it or it will show.   I know, confusing.

Rob C is an exception.   When fashion wasn't working he shot semi nude calendars and did them very well but he defined a market found a client(s).  If you look at his work he really was shooting the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition before there was a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.

He had success and it wasn't luck, it was work,  but he had a market.

Define your market and always have a compelling story of why you should be chosen.

I could write a book on this, but it's not a good idea in an open public forum, though I wish you the best because your heart is in it.

IMO

BC



Markets: and that's where the difficulty always comes from in this business, and you had better always remember that that's what it finally is: business. If you can't get paid for what you do, you'll end up standing in line for relief.

As BC says, I started in fashion and did it for many years, from Scotland, and for much of that time I was a fairly lone fighter, the competition far more interested in shooting whisky bottles and beer cans, if only because that work was more plentiful, made money and fashion didn't turn many west-of-Scotlanders on. For me it was an interest, born of the 50s and made real for me as a gift of the 60s when the northern public consciousness opened up to what was happening down in London, and some local businesses began to thirst for some of the commercial action. And that's where I came in because I was already very interested in that kind of photograph - and girls. The biggest single break (fashion) for me came from a man flown in from Harrods to troubleshoot another of the House of Fraser department stores. I was introduced to him and took along my portfolio, to which he responded by telling me it was just as good as the stuff he'd been used to buying in London. A series of half-page newspaper ads for him followed and was sustained over time, and those, in turn, opened the doors to manufacturers and regular trips abroad doing collections for them, and also my first calendars, conceived as by-products from the same assignments. This Scottish-based activity opened the doors to the International Wool Secretariat (IWS) which, in turn, led to Vogue, more international travel and so on.

And then, almost just as suddenly, everthing changed again and fashion work became as rare as hens' teeth, and I had to find something else I could do with whatever abilities I had developed; it wasn't photographer competiton ended fashion for me, it was the economy, and the surrendering of local clothing manufacture to the Far East, Israel or anywhere else than Scotland - read Britain. Which is where the calendars really came in to save my neck. Until they, too, became victims, this time of PC and even more turbulent financial times, with calendars the most easy things for a big company to do without. I still had stock, but then came digital and the rest, to almost every photographer making something out of stock at that period, is history that would have been far better not written.

The moral really, is that the goalposts are being moved all the time, and things that once gave one the sense of career hardly exist anymore, and that motion certainly does appear to be the final frontier, as it were, and is something that will probably always survive if only because it will have entertainment support systems for seeing it, and people will always crave visual escape from their reality well after print has vanished into Noah's new ark.

More than ever I think you have to find what you are good at, concentrate on it for all you are worth, but retain the ablity to move sideways just enough to guarantee the best chance of continuing to do something.

On the self-promotion aspect: I would use a website strictly as a portfolio for your work desires/achievements, absolutely not as I do, which is little more than a mix of past professional life and present entertainment, as well as a record (for myself) of what I'm doing these days, all in one convenient box that saves me having to hunt around in a variety of HDs. (Also, I live in the hope that it may prove to be more long-term secure than I expect my own digital security to be.) I don't think mixing so-called personal work with paid work in one site is a good idea: it can confuse would-be clients into thinking you don't share their interests closely enough.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 21, 2016, 05:57:28 am
"Ok Rob C, show your most beautiful color image shot on kodachrome . . . make them dream."

Holy shit, Cooter, that's a tall order - on both counts!

Seriously, I can't actually do that for many reasons, the main one being I love all my children equally - the only differences being in the memories they bring of when they were being born.

What I can do is post this one, which is Kodachrome 64 Pro, shot on either Nikon F or F2 via a 3.5/135 Nikkor I had at the time. It was done in the gardens of the Montfleury Hotel in Cannes, and ended up (in colour) as the cover shot of the calendar we were producing for Tennent's Lager (hence the T logo). It was one in the series: Mallorca; Florida; Rhodes; France; Sardinia and finally a world tour shoot for their centenary edition. (The 'blad look of the format comes from a period when some of us in LuLa were playing at Hasselfakes...)

I remember the moment well, because my wife and Denise Perry, the model, had been discussing the perfect breasts of the Middle Eastern clientele posing competitively by the pool; the two were convinced that all of them on parade shared the same plastics maestro (not my wife and not the model who were the real deal: I can vouch for the one and definitely think similarly of the other).  It also makes me wonder whether the plastic ladies would have been separated from their heads if enjoying the sunshine in a similar fashion back home...

It's those sorts of memories that make the life that brought them feel so good to have experienced. I say nothing about the feeling when you realise it's all over. I shall wink bravely and think of making more OOF street pictures instead. ;-)

(http://www.roma57.com/uploads/4/2/8/7/4287956/1873016_orig.jpg)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jager on March 21, 2016, 07:03:42 am
Lovely, lovely images, Rob.  I wish you had a book I could buy.

You too, James.  The wisdom you so frequently share here, were it distilled into a volume one could hold in one's hands, would be worth vastly more than latest do-everything-magic-camera that, alas, gets most the attention around here.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 21, 2016, 11:10:29 am
Lovely, lovely images, Rob.  I wish you had a book I could buy.

You too, Russell.  The wisdom you so frequently share here, were it distilled into a volume one could hold in one's hands, would be worth vastly more than latest do-everything-magic-camera that, alas, gets most the attention around here.


Man, I wish I had a book I could offer!

Somehow, I can't see Messrs Steidl or Taschen sharing my illusions. Perhaps if you can drum up another twenty thousand like-minded souls to petition (with deposits!) I'm sure either might listen.

Thanks for a very pleasant journey through your website; I like your touch with people and street very much. I find it a genre that makes me nervous to try: I've once or twice shot the passing moment, but find the uncertainty of subject response a bit too heavy to take too often. Truth to tell, the few times I've done it were because I didn't have time to defeat myself by thinking. In an ideal world, where folks looked on the positive side, saw it as a compliment, it would be fun (for me) but sad to say, even the very attractive local kids are out of bounds - not that I've ever tried shooting any - but because of the horrible connotations that child photography now carries on its shoulders. Looking back over historical UK images, so many of them feature slum kids playing in the street with hoops etc. and the sense of joy is palpable, despite or even because of the visible deprivation - the same with material from early NY photography and much Parisian work of the period too. There's something in the faces of children not aware of cameras that's so truthful, and gets to the heart of humanity.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 22, 2016, 12:35:13 am
James & Rob, thank you. I am pursuing various commercial directions in photography, with a hope that this would be a resilient approach as they all focus on different markets. As James mentioned, I did create microsites that reflect that and they will be further adjusted, purified and improved with every experience I get.

The first one is michaelezra.com, which is the longest existing and is focused on sculptural fine art work and landscapes for collectors, art buyers and those who would like to decorate their place with nudes or landscapes. This is where my participation in ArtExpo comes in this year.

The second in chronological order is timelessme.com focused on painterly photographic portraits for mostly personal clients, families and select corporate.

The third is photovertex.com which covers a variety of business-2-business photography services, covering architecture, interior and (coming up) product photography, virtual  tours, executive headshots with market in variety of small to large/corporate businesses, residential and commercial real estate.

All of these are directions I love in photography, although I do love street photography as well, I don't expect this to get commercial. Photographically, all of the above for me is about making a compelling authentic image, regardless of subject matter. I don't care if its a nude in the architecture shot, I could make that work, as it really is all the same thing... But it is not the same thing to other people, and, James, you point out one of the key problems I always lack in resolving, managing perception of other people:) So.., I have three business cards and I try to restrain myself from mentioning all these directions when talking to most prospective clients as some do get confused that I could shoot a virtual tour of their business interior, get headshots of the management team, then shoot timeless portraits of their families and also help them with a business website:)

All of that aside, I can provide a premium quality service, but the primary challenge I face currently is to find out whom to approach and how to gain their business.

I don't yet know what I got myself info, but I am trying to make this work. Words of advise are always greatly appreciated:)

To be faithful to the thread, here is to spring. Panoramic stitching with 2 Mamiya ZD frames:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/JDY_C219.218_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 23, 2016, 11:33:21 pm
It was a nice weather today and allowed cutting the aluminum panel outside. What a healthy workout!
This print is finally mounted, 6 feet long. The mounting process is interesting. First, a larger piece is cut out from the 4'x8' archival aluminum composite panel. The edges are sanded to avoid damage to the silicone cylinders in the cold mounting press. Then panel is cleaned and washed to remove all aluminum dust. After the protective film is peeled off, the archival double-sided adhesive film gets applied to the painted aluminum surface in the first run through the press. In the second run print with the oversize border gets mounted on top. Only then it is ready for trimming all of the extra stuff around the print, on all 4 sides. When composite aluminum panel is cut with a blade the edge raises a bit. Instead of sanding it off I simply pushed it back in by rolling a smooth metal surface of the cutter handle over the silicone release paper placed over the edge. This gives the edge a clean look. Tomorrow another adventure, cutting the oversize mat for this by hand. There is a computerized mat cutter in the shop, but they all seem to be limited to 60" mat length. And then the second print!
Shot with Samsung Note 5:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on March 24, 2016, 10:57:51 pm
Impressive, Michael!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 27, 2016, 10:48:59 pm
Here is bit more detail on how the prints get mounted. I am so lucky that this shop has everything I needed. But most importantly, it has Alex Kreymerman - if you need help with framing or printing, look no further. You get the freedom of doing what you need and help where you need it.

The mat cutting in a large size turned out to be surprisingly simple. This ruler is indispensable, besides protection for hands, it is gentle to the surface, residing on a couple of silicone or some kind of non-slipping rubber cylinders that extend through its entire length. Still, for cutting out the final mounted print from the oversize panel I thought its safer to use silicone release paper from the mounting adhesive film.

Now both are mounted and ready for framing.. as soon as I stop sneezing (what a timing) will sign them and move to this step:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 27, 2016, 10:49:37 pm
this one didn't fit above.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kumar on March 28, 2016, 08:37:34 am

I didn't have time to defeat myself by thinking.

Rob C

That sentence is worthy of much thought!

Kumar
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 28, 2016, 12:16:56 pm
Rob, please make that book:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 29, 2016, 10:11:04 am
Rob, please make that book:)


I can't afford it. And if I could, then I wouldn't need it!

Catch 22 redux.

Rob
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on March 29, 2016, 10:14:25 am
That sentence is worthy of much thought!

Kumar


So's this 'life of':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfrgtbFTpoU#t=282.4050624

Love the guy - always did.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Piet Gispen on March 29, 2016, 11:54:06 am
Bichrome portrait (http://www.pietgispen.com/wpimages/8f0a5b491e0e.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 29, 2016, 12:37:55 pm
PIet, great work!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Piet Gispen on March 30, 2016, 01:15:55 pm
Thank you Michael
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Patricia Sheley on March 30, 2016, 02:27:28 pm
 pietgispen.com  / Re: Bichrome Portrait
 
 


J.A.D. Ingres silverpoint.   Very nice!



Re: Recent Professional Works 2

« Reply #2123 on: March 29, 2016, 11:54:06 AM

Bichrome portrait

Piet Gispen
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on April 06, 2016, 01:37:17 pm
I don't know why, but I've always wanted to do a series of flora still lifes.  So, I figured it was time I got it out of my system.  Picked up a few things yesterday and cranked these out this morning.  All shot with an unknown antique brass barrel lens.  Lit with a kino overhead and sometimes backlighting with my new dedo led.

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/t31.0-8/12909652_10208085984722452_3083716502959963095_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xla1/t31.0-8/12971021_10208085745876481_9193937461788461731_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/12977163_10208085104580449_2170925521584686917_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xal1/t31.0-8/12901536_10208085549751578_8322473320985058428_o.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 12, 2016, 03:47:30 pm
Very nice effect, Chris:)

On my end, these smaller prints are finally all done and ready for the ArtExpo!
Suspiciously, I lately find myself using the phone camera more frequently than any other with a larger sensor:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 12, 2016, 04:02:13 pm
I don't know why, but I've always wanted to do a series of flora still lifes.  So, I figured it was time I got it out of my system.  Picked up a few things yesterday and cranked these out this morning.  All shot with an unknown antique brass barrel lens.  Lit with a kino overhead and sometimes backlighting with my new dedo led.

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/t31.0-8/12909652_10208085984722452_3083716502959963095_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xla1/t31.0-8/12971021_10208085745876481_9193937461788461731_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/12977163_10208085104580449_2170925521584686917_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xal1/t31.0-8/12901536_10208085549751578_8322473320985058428_o.jpg)

CB

The halo I see around the flowers, is that from the lens or your processing?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on April 12, 2016, 04:10:26 pm
Joe,

I used to use a Zeiss Softar on my Sonnar 150mm for doing that to backlit girls.

(http://www.roma57.com/uploads/4/2/8/7/4287956/7573578_orig.jpg)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on April 13, 2016, 02:39:23 pm
The halo I see around the flowers, is that from the lens or your processing?

Joe, these were shot with an ancient brass barrel lens of unknown make.  In the end, I preferred a sharper look and went with my Canon 70-200...

(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12973153_10208088479864829_6587450217746638551_o.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on April 13, 2016, 07:06:55 pm
accidents can make penicillin :)
my vote goes to the first batch.

Edmund

Joe, these were shot with an ancient brass barrel lens of unknown make.  In the end, I preferred a sharper look and went with my Canon 70-200...

(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12973153_10208088479864829_6587450217746638551_o.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 13, 2016, 08:14:36 pm
Joe, these were shot with an ancient brass barrel lens of unknown make.  In the end, I preferred a sharper look and went with my Canon 70-200...

(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12973153_10208088479864829_6587450217746638551_o.jpg)

CB

I would love to see these as silver gelatin prints.  The tones look very nice. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on April 14, 2016, 03:06:24 am
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1543/26393912576_8fcede205e_b.jpg)

Finally got around to posting this online. There's a few more from this batch, but this is the one the clients wanted printed.
Made the print on Kodak Metallic. Absolutely stunning.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 14, 2016, 10:09:11 pm
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1543/26393912576_8fcede205e_b.jpg)

Finally got around to posting this online. There's a few more from this batch, but this is the one the clients wanted printed.
Made the print on Kodak Metallic. Absolutely stunning.

Very nice Synn. 

I remember you saying that you are not 100% professional.  Do you intend to be there soon? 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on April 15, 2016, 02:52:58 am
Thank you, Joe!

At the moment, I love my day job too much to consider it, lol. Perhaps in a few years time...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 23, 2016, 12:43:18 pm
Shot these with my completely out dated and 100% obsolete P45+ that does not provide nearly enough DR and high ISO capabilities.  Thank God my clients don't know that!   ;)

More to come later on; I'll be editing these all weekend.  Now, though, off to the pool for 100 laps or so.   8)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Christoph B. on April 23, 2016, 01:42:38 pm
@JoeKitchen;

Very interesting, are these the final intended crops?
I'm just wondering whether you wanted to crop the sofa in the first shot the way you did or if you were forced to by circumstances :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on April 23, 2016, 01:48:23 pm
Hi,

Just to say, I got the impression that Synn is a professional, just in a different profession. And yes that photograph is very good, and very professional.

Best regards
Erik


Very nice Synn. 

I remember you saying that you are not 100% professional.  Do you intend to be there soon?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 23, 2016, 02:39:34 pm
@JoeKitchen;

Very interesting, are these the final intended crops?
I'm just wondering whether you wanted to crop the sofa in the first shot the way you did or if you were forced to by circumstances :)

These are the final crops.  Those normal shaped couches just at the bottom were not part of the design nor were they selected by my client.  The school added them for the cafe just to the right and out of frame.  So, I choose to not really show them. 

More important however are the hanging lights, glass curtain and the rooms which face the atrium.  When I shot this, I did not have the camera in plane with the ceiling tiles since the 4th ring of the lights to the left (now cropped out) started to look pretty odd.  However, when I got back in studio, I wish I had corrected it, because it really bugged me.  So I corrected it in post, which forced me to crop the image to a 4x5 ratio. 

I may try and do it over and digitally recreate the ceiling so the 4th ring can stay in the picture. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on April 23, 2016, 05:44:36 pm
Joe

The explanation is appreciated.
To my eye you have corrected the verticals to 100%, C1 defaults to, is it 80%, as it appears more natural, it is said. Could you comment?
BTW looks great as it is I just wondered if you had gone to the default then decided to take it to 100%, if you did, it may be my eye, I'm a pain to myself on horizontals never mind verticals it's why I haven't bought a camera with movements I'd never take the shot.

BTW I agree with you, such a shame you didn't have an 810 to hand just making do instead  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on April 23, 2016, 07:10:59 pm
I would suspect that Joe didn't correct the verticals at all, just the "horizon."  Pro Arch shooters typically always level their cameras to produce vertical elements that are parallel to the edges of the composition.  While many other shooters may follow the 80% default on keystoning for a perceived natural look, that approach is pretty much unused by professional architectural shooters, especially for interiors.

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 23, 2016, 08:10:30 pm
CB is right, the verticals where corrected in camera with shift.  I also shoot all of my still life and beverage with my tech camera and use shift and tilt/swing is every single image there, even if it does not look like it. 

Now, I do usually fine tune the images using the tools in C1 just to make everything perfect, but I never use C1 to do any major fixes.  This is because C1 assumes the center of the image circle of the lens is the center of the image, as does Photoshop, so the corrections are applied equally the same depending on the distance from the center.  If the image had been shifted in camera though, this correction does not apply an accurate fix. 

In this image, you can imagine the lines at the top need to be skewed more then the lines at the bottom, due to shift.  So to accomplish this, I will create a file that is 36x48 inches (4 times the size of my P45+ files) and layer/position the image so the IC center is dead center the image file.  After this, I can use the PS tool to correct the perspective and get an accurate correction.

I would like to note that I very rarely ever do this and almost always correct everything in camera.  Here, I thought, the ceiling tiles would not be a big deal, but, in studio when I had more time to think, I felt I was wrong.  Also, this is the very last step.  If I need to layer something else in, I will do so with the uncorrected file and correct it again.  Since it is not a very precise method, it is impossible to correct an image to exactly match and line up. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alan_b on April 24, 2016, 12:21:57 am
Now, I do usually fine tune the images using the tools in C1 just to make everything perfect, but I never use C1 to do any major fixes.  This is because C1 assumes the center of the image circle of the lens is the center of the image, as does Photoshop, so the corrections are applied equally the same depending on the distance from the center.  If the image had been shifted in camera though, this correction does not apply an accurate fix.

Joe, check out the Lens tab => Lens Correction => Movement tab
You can specify XY lens shifts which moves the center for CA, distortion, sharpness falloff, and light falloff.  I gather it's an implementation of the Alpa lens correction plugin in C1.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on April 24, 2016, 06:25:03 am
Joe and CB
Many thanks for the insights, as you say the skill is using tilt and shift so the viewer doesn't "see" it. I'll pull my copy of Stroebel View Camera Technique off the shelf, again.
I didn't realise the extra size required to correct was so large although when I have tried simple keystone corrections myself the image area "loss" has always been a shock when I thought I had left enough to play with. I did once keystone correct back in the film days and ended up with so much baseboard tilt I ran into exposure problems across the image, steps would have been easier on the shoot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 24, 2016, 11:36:28 am
Joe, check out the Lens tab => Lens Correction => Movement tab
You can specify XY lens shifts which moves the center for CA, distortion, sharpness falloff, and light falloff.  I gather it's an implementation of the Alpa lens correction plugin in C1.

Hot Damn!  That is exactly what that does! 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on April 25, 2016, 03:11:46 am
Thank you, Erik.

...and Joe, very nice shots, I especially like the first one.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on April 25, 2016, 01:10:34 pm
Hi Joe,

Nice images!  Were they made with the SK35?

Cheers
A

Shot these with my completely out dated and 100% obsolete P45+ that does not provide nearly enough DR and high ISO capabilities.  Thank God my clients don't know that!   ;)

More to come later on; I'll be editing these all weekend.  Now, though, off to the pool for 100 laps or so.   8)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: imagetone on April 26, 2016, 03:59:32 am
I would suspect that Joe didn't correct the verticals at all, just the "horizon."  Pro Arch shooters typically always level their cameras to produce vertical elements that are parallel to the edges of the composition.  While many other shooters may follow the 80% default on keystoning for a perceived natural look, that approach is pretty much unused by professional architectural shooters, especially for interiors.

CB

The examples given by Phase One to illustrate the 80% reasoning are exterior shots of buildings from ground level. Commenting as someone who is not an architectural photographer or architect and who admires Joe's and Chris's work, I find that as a viewer and also on the small number of occasions I have shot buildings using shift, some exterior images of tall buildings from ground level with 100% correction can look unnatural to me, especially where a corner is dominant. With interiors I do always expect to see verticals completely parallel.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on April 26, 2016, 10:17:14 am
The examples given by Phase One to illustrate the 80% reasoning are exterior shots of buildings from ground level. Commenting as someone who is not an architectural photographer or architect and who admires Joe's and Chris's work, I find that as a viewer and also on the small number of occasions I have shot buildings using shift, some exterior images of tall buildings from ground level with 100% correction can look unnatural to me, especially where a corner is dominant. With interiors I do always expect to see verticals completely parallel.

If my foggy memory serves me correctly, a book published by Sinar during 4x5 and 8x10 days, recommended that building tops up to 20 degrees above the horizon should be fully corrected. Buildings taller than that may benefit from a small amount of under correction. I have found this to be true in practice, tall buildings shot from a close distance often look top heavy when fully corrected.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alan_b on April 26, 2016, 11:57:58 am
I think the 80/100% correction on tall buildings is a style/audience thing.  Correcting to 100% to me is a stylistic connection to traditional constructed perspective illustrations, where it's much easier to draw with parallel verticals. 

Stereotyping for a bit:
If your audience is older architects, they probably have a good amount of indoctrination under this legacy type of illustration (less so with kids these days).  Normal people usually think it looks off, whether they name it professional, formal, serious, strange or whatever.  Architects may feel under-corrected verticals look a little casual. 

So, use it as a tool to manipulate feelings from your particular audience.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 27, 2016, 11:40:15 am
Thanks guys, and they were all shot with the SK 35mm, another out dated piece of equipment that can't even carry the jock strap of our "modern" lenses.  Thankfully I keep on finding clients who don't care. 

Here are some more.  (Made a cameo in the first one.) 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 27, 2016, 11:49:50 am
Shot these recently too.  I prefer the first one.  The client really wanted a more overall shot as well though. 

The third is a image we captured of one of the theatres.  They could not project an image onto the screen when we where shooting, only this odd graphic that is used for focusing, so we dropped one in later on.  I know it does not look like the edges should be straight, but the lines on the graphic were perfectly straight, so it is how it is suppose to look. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on April 28, 2016, 01:01:30 pm
Joe, you did a nice job on the set with the slanted rings hanging from the ceiling. That place has so many angles, curves, etc. I think you did a great job making it all work in a natural way.

The classroom shot I like better zoomed in to lose most of the ceiling, but that's just me.

Really nice work on these..

Sharon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on May 01, 2016, 04:18:59 pm
A pre-wedding shoot I did. The wedding theme is "Blue".

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1618/26663498522_1d5c2eb940_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jager on May 01, 2016, 04:34:42 pm
Really nice, Synn...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on May 02, 2016, 03:00:45 am
Thank you, Jeff!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on May 02, 2016, 03:09:11 am
Gut gemacht!

Erik

A pre-wedding shoot I did. The wedding theme is "Blue".

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1618/26663498522_1d5c2eb940_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on May 02, 2016, 03:17:47 am
Danke sehr, Erik!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ACH DIGITAL on May 04, 2016, 08:07:58 pm
Lynn that photo has a very good feeling.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 12, 2016, 04:06:33 pm
From a recent portrait session

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_BTR_A09_V1_web1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on May 12, 2016, 04:16:02 pm
Michael - how complex was the lighting for this?

Mike
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 12, 2016, 04:23:10 pm
Michael - how complex was the lighting for this?

Mike

Just one beauty dish and a Styrofoam board as a reflector on the opposite side:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on May 12, 2016, 04:24:53 pm
Thank you. I know nothing about lighting portraits so it's helpful when someone like yourself explains.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 12, 2016, 04:41:33 pm
I don't think I know much either, I just light it so it looks the way I like it:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on May 12, 2016, 04:43:34 pm
I assume you are being modest as your levitating nudes seem very well lit to me. You get such beautiful even tones but still reveal every detail that's relevant.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 12, 2016, 04:52:50 pm
Here are a few more from the same session:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_BTR_A22-V4_web2.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_BTR_A34_V4_web2.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_BTR_A12_V2_web2.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_BTR_A30_V2_web2sm.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_BTR_A62_web2.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_BTR_A79_V1_web2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Joe Towner on May 13, 2016, 02:40:40 am
Good stuff Michael.  Did you get him talking and telling stories, as he looks like he's got a few to tell.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 13, 2016, 09:47:05 am
Thanks Joe. He is a lifetime journalist, you are right, no one else can have more stories:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Manoli on May 13, 2016, 10:43:38 am
Michael.

Very expressive portraits -kudos!
Is that 105mm /2.5 'the' original Nikkor portrait lens ?
I'm curious though as to the pp here -  exif is showing :
-
Kolor stitching | 4 pictures | Size: 8711 x 4746 | Lens: Standard | RMS: 2.56 | FOV: 92.24 x 49.76 ~ 1.05 | Projection: Panini | Color: LDR |
-

Really a 4-shot stitch ?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 13, 2016, 11:14:01 am
Hi Manoli, this must have been transfered to exif from the template created based on a stitched image (oops).. These images were shot single frame with Nikon D800e with Nikon 60mm G and  Sigma 105 mm lenses, Pentax 645z with Pentax 80-160mm and Mamiya ZD camera with Mamiya 150 mm
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on May 13, 2016, 12:52:15 pm
I hope (photographic) heavens will forgive me for dissenting.

Every single portrait contains a significant flaw. Either eyes are in the shade, pupils not visible, or only one eye having a catchlight (a second one would be easy to recreate in post). When you have both eyes and both catchlights, the grin is not flattering. The last one, with a lovely facial expression, is easy to salvage, by adding a catchlight and cropping out the out-of-focus hand. The first color shot has atrocious red skin blotches. I like the pose and composition in the first one, just needs some light reflecting back and illuminating eyes.

Hope this helps, as harsh as it sounds.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on May 13, 2016, 02:19:25 pm
Ah, the Mandatory Catchlight fetish!

Wasn't it Satchmo who once said, "If it ain't got two catchlights, you ain't never gonna sell it."   8)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on May 13, 2016, 03:24:20 pm
I hope (photographic) heavens will forgive me for dissenting.

Every single portrait contains a significant flaw. Either eyes are in the shade, pupils not visible, or only one eye having a catchlight (a second one would be easy to recreate in post). When you have both eyes and both catchlights, the grin is not flattering. The last one, with a lovely facial expression, is easy to salvage, by adding a catchlight and cropping out the out-of-focus hand. The first color shot has atrocious red skin blotches. I like the pose and composition in the first one, just needs some light reflecting back and illuminating eyes.

Hope this helps, as harsh as it sounds.

These images have been made into caricatures, by lighting and by processing - but we can assume the artist wanted them that way. If he did not, then that says something about his vision of his own finished work rather than his technique.

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 15, 2016, 02:23:59 pm
... I simply ignore the rules, I can't stand them:)

Some of my work is on exhibit in the Museum of Russian Art (80 Grand Street, Jersey City). Drop by if you are nearby!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on May 17, 2016, 05:18:08 am
Michael, as a HUGE fan of your nude series, I have to give a little bit of feedback and I hope you don't take it the wrong way.

I don't have any problems with most of the poses or the lighting on the most part, but the processing can definitely be improved upon. I feel that there is too much contrast pushing and clarity enhancement going on and the images could benefit from some dialing back. I always feel that for portraits, if you want a gritty look, do it with lights, not post.

Ina  couple of images, I think you're shooting with the camera higher than the subject. This makes him look less dominant, which I wouldn't do for a subject with so much character.

That last image with some dodging around the eyes is killer though!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: henrikfoto on May 17, 2016, 05:54:42 am
From a recent portrait session

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_BTR_A09_V1_web1.jpg)

This is one of the best portraits I have seen here! It has a very impressing feeling to it.


Henrik
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 17, 2016, 05:50:27 pm
Sandeep, thanks for the feedback. Edmund got it right:) However, I agree about the extra grittiness of processing and that can be dialed down.

You see, every portrait is a portrait of not the subject but the situation in which subject has been photographed. I finally got to photograph the male portrait and nothing could stop me from crunching these images after all those smooth nudes:))) I let that craving leak and be portrayed. Now that that is vented, it will be balanced. One image, just before the last one has that quality. In fact, the subject even looks like an entirely different person here, which is not attributed to processing, but the mood at the time of capture, further carried via processing. I haven't done any localized retouching in these images, just used the overall global editing.

This is a portrait of a journalist leading a TV show. The session was carried in a very dim (modeling) light, aside from the triggered strobes. It was my choice to remove him from the spotlight, disallow domination and show a glimpse of who he actually might be. The 3rd (from the bottom) portrait is done leveling camera with the person in order to convey the feeling of live conversation that actually took place.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on May 17, 2016, 09:51:04 pm
When QE2 steps down, Charles should be wrinkled enough so they call you to lense him :)

Edmund

Sandeep, thanks for the feedback. Edmund got it right:) However, I agree about the extra grittiness of processing and that can be dialed down.

You see, every portrait is a portrait of not the subject but the situation in which subject has been photographed. I finally got to photograph the male portrait and nothing could stop me from crunching these images after all those smooth nudes:))) I let that craving leak and be portrayed. Now that that is vented, it will be balanced. One image, just before the last one has that quality. In fact, the subject even looks like an entirely different person here, which is not attributed to processing, but the mood at the time of capture, further carried via processing. I haven't done any localized retouching in these images, just used the overall global editing.

This is a portrait of a journalist leading a TV show. The session was carried in a very dim (modeling) light, aside from the triggered strobes. It was my choice to remove him from the spotlight, disallow domination and show a glimpse of who he actually might be. The 3rd (from the bottom) portrait is done leveling camera with the person in order to convey the feeling of live conversation that actually took place.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on May 18, 2016, 03:04:56 am
Dear Sir,

Your comment is really appreciated!

Best regards
Erik
Good for you.

When everybody does the same...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on May 18, 2016, 03:09:29 am
Hey Michael,

I can definitely see how after so many smooth nudes, you'd want to push the grittiness to 11. :)

I appreciate the thought you have put into the shoot and the description you have given as a response to my post. Keep up the good work!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 18, 2016, 08:52:37 pm
This is a little bts video I shot for my friend Sarp as he was making art.  His first one man show opens this Friday at the Carl Hammer Gallery here in Chicago.  Come check it out if you're local or happen to be in Chitown.

https://goo.gl/xRn26d (https://goo.gl/xRn26d)

Uh, there are images of MF camera in the video.  Shot on Red and A7r2 (mostly the Sony).

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 27, 2016, 06:36:33 pm
Taking a moment between the formal shots to find little treasures... A7r2 handheld with the 28mm Summicrom-M at ISO 400.  Just having fun.

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13254780_10208471102550157_3026284584891989551_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 06, 2016, 12:54:14 pm
Bam! 

All shot on my RM3Di with an IQ260. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 06, 2016, 01:33:15 pm
Here's another.  Not sure which one I prefer though. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 06, 2016, 02:45:37 pm
Here's another.  Not sure which one I prefer though. 


Oh, I can help you with that: definitely Boy #2  :)

Boy #1 has an awkward, distracting highlight just under his right eye; his hand is covering the content of the glass (I assume the main subject of the shoot was the drink?); too much attention to his watch, shirt, and face; his posing is obvious. If the shoot was all about the boy, then maybe.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 06, 2016, 03:08:35 pm
Oh, I can help you with that: definitely Boy #2  :)

Boy #1 has an awkward, distracting highlight just under his right eye; his hand is covering the content of the glass (I assume the main subject of the shoot was the drink?); too much attention to his watch, shirt, and face; his posing is obvious. If the shoot was all about the boy, then maybe.

Good observation, I think you're right on this. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: James Clark on June 06, 2016, 08:00:20 pm
Nice shots, but I can't help thinking that it's "Suntory Time!"  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 06, 2016, 08:53:33 pm
Nice shots, but I can't help thinking that it's "Suntory Time!"  ;)

Thanks, although that is not what I was going for. 

I hoping for some more critiques.  I kind of think they're successful ... for the first time doing lifestyle.  Can't help but think I need to learn to work better with models. 

Had a long conversation with a lifestyle photographer today and he said they look good, but they look like they were shot by a still life shooter, not a lifestyle shooter.  They need to look like they were shot by a lifestyle shooter. 

If I was not so busy with paid work, I would be planning another.  End of July is usually slow though. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 06, 2016, 09:06:15 pm
I think  the first shot (bottle) works rather well. At first, I thought it must be an awful case of perspective distortion, but then I realized that is the native shape of the bottle. Perhaps a bit more space on the right of it? I assumed you illuminated it from behind and it looks great in that setting. A little less so in the Lifestyle shot, where the same luminescence looks a bit weird.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 06, 2016, 09:16:14 pm
I think  the first shot (bottle) works rather well. At first, I thought it must be an awful case of perspective distortion, but then I realized that is the native shape of the bottle. Perhaps a bit more space on the right of it? I assumed you illuminated it from behind and it looks great in that setting. A little less so in the Lifestyle shot, where the same luminescence looks a bit weird.

For the first, I used the Rodie 55mm (about a 38mm in a full frame 35mm), which was definitely not the lens I preferred.  I would have rather used my 90mm, but the layout of the bar dictated otherwise.  So, that is the shape of the bottle but it is exaggerated a bit from the lens. 

I am going tone down the brightness in the lifestyle shot; it does look weird, which is how the other photographer described it too.  I guess I needed it pointed out to me.  I will probably brighten her face too. 

Overall, the guy was great to work with, however the girl was not as strong of a model.  I have other takes of the second image and may look though them again to find a more natural pose from her. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: James Clark on June 06, 2016, 09:55:45 pm
Thanks, although that is not what I was going for. 

I hoping for some more critiques.  I kind of think they're successful ... for the first time doing lifestyle.  Can't help but think I need to learn to work better with models. 

Had a long conversation with a lifestyle photographer today and he said they look good, but they look like they were shot by a still life shooter, not a lifestyle shooter.  They need to look like they were shot by a lifestyle shooter. 

If I was not so busy with paid work, I would be planning another.  End of July is usually slow though.

Apologies (sincerely).  I wasn't poking fun at you or your work.  Just commenting that I was reminded of the scene of the movie just by virtue of the subject.   I don't have the background to comment on the quality of the work from a professional standpoint so I probably should have just kept quiet.  About all I could offer is that from looking at magazines from a consumer perspective, these shots look a bit sterile - they could use a little warmth and life, if that makes any sense?  I will say that I quite like the first one (the bottle shot) but with regard to the rest, I'm wondering if the tech setup was hampering you, as I would expect that lifestyle might be shot more spontaneously and "loose?"
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 06, 2016, 10:15:42 pm
Apologies (sincerely).  I wasn't poking fun at you or your work.  Just commenting that I was reminded of the scene of the movie just by virtue of the subject.   I don't have the background to comment on the quality of the work from a professional standpoint so I probably should have just kept quiet.  About all I could offer is that from looking at magazines from a consumer perspective, these shots look a bit sterile - they could use a little warmth and life, if that makes any sense?  I will say that I quite like the first one (the bottle shot) but with regard to the rest, I'm wondering if the tech setup was hampering you, as I would expect that lifestyle might be shot more spontaneously and "loose?"

Don't worry about it; I thought the comment was kind of funny.  I like that movie. 

Yes, the tech setup maybe hampered me, but I also feel the female model had a bit to do with it too.  However, my lacking in how to handle that should be the real reason, not necessarily the model; that is how an art director would look at it at least. 

I would like to pursue this with my tech setup, however I may venture onto shooting handheld at some point (lord have a mercy on me please  ;D). 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on June 06, 2016, 10:24:05 pm
Joe, I think the first one is exceptional but the rest just don't do it for me.  I believe your architectural history is holding you back.  The compositions feel diluted in an attempt to hold onto architectural elements that aren't really adding to the story and I think you could have gone softer with the focus to accentuate the mood.  I dig most of the lighting, tho.

I took one, cropped and faked some soft focus to illustrate my points.

IMHO,
CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on June 07, 2016, 03:22:20 am
Hey Joe,

Technically, the shots are perfect. BUt as the others said, the models look somewhat rigid and stoic. They should feel at ease and naturally fall into the composition than being posed for it.

One issue I can think of is that you're shooting with a technical camera, which means every shot has to be set up quite extensively and you cannot do more freeform shooting as with an SLR body. maybe next time, try it with an XF/ DF+ and do small bursts of 3-4 shots as you talk the models through how you want them to pose.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 07, 2016, 04:24:24 am
Hey Joe,

Technically, the shots are perfect. BUt as the others said, the models look somewhat rigid and stoic. They should feel at ease and naturally fall into the composition than being posed for it.

One issue I can think of is that you're shooting with a technical camera, which means every shot has to be set up quite extensively and you cannot do more freeform shooting as with an SLR body. maybe next time, try it with an XF/ DF+ and do small bursts of 3-4 shots as you talk the models through how you want them to pose.


Camera is very important. When I was still working I used either of two types: 500C/M or Nikon. The difference in mindset (mine) using those apparently similar cameras was very real. For a start, the 'blad was always tied to a tripod (the kiss of death for me) whereas the Nikon, even if it had to be on a tripod sometimes - such as with a 135mm lens or longer - was my choice of body: it was quick, gave a more uninterrupted flow of shots and got in the way a lot less than the bulkier body did.

Models respond very much to the photographer. If you find yourself having to stop, shift heavy equipment around, it kills off their enthusiasm too, an enthusiasm that you usually have to ignite in the first place: their take on photography is not the same as the photographer's.

It's funny, but some clients also react to cameras. I had one lady client for whom I did interesting high-profile work; she once said to me in the middle of a shoot: "Rob, I like it better when you use your small camera; you jump around a lot more and it looks much better!" What she was really thinking, I imagine, is that she meant that the work going down seemed more alive when I was off tripod, and the model responded better, making Mrs Client feel more confident that she was bringing home a better product. It's easy to forget that even clients have to answer to somebody else - more often than not.

I always end up coming back to this belief: you can overwork anything, and digital capture and processing has simply made it too easy for people to fall into that trap and produce immaculate sterility.

Models. I believe that it's different today, that even the very top of the photographic icing can no longer work exclusively with the models he/she wants to use. In my day, up until say the mid to late 80s, they and even I, could. Does it matter? Isn't one top chick as good as the next? Maybe, but she's not your top chick. Using somebody you know, from experience, will give you what makes you look good, is why famous guys down the ages have mostly been associated very strongly with pretty much just one girl. Yes, the bedroom may come into it, but that's secondary. Very secondary: the images are what count the most, and the unspoken understanding, the silent language between the two people is why it works. Technique gets you so far; soul and love take it to the next level. Somehow, if the chemistry works, even a less than spectacular girl can shine in your pictures.

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on June 07, 2016, 05:27:26 am
I agree 100% with Rob.

I remember a girl I used to work with back in Singapore. Quite average looking, but we worked really well together and the shots I got with her were almost always quite good.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 07, 2016, 07:18:53 am
All makes sense and thanks for the response.  At the end of the day, I kind of feel with the 2nd one I was paying too much attention to the architectural elements, albeit I would like to keep that part of the images I produce. 

CB, the lifestyle shooter I mention cropped that image in the same fashion.  The added softness really makes the crop work. 

P.S.

After a little more thought, I feel the boy alone works well and I will be editing it a little more. 

The problem with the shot with the two models is I tried to make the bottle a main part of the image too, instead of just focusing on the models.   In hindsight, I feel the main product shot works very well and I should have moved onto the lifestyle shoot with the mindset that "I already got the bottle, so lets get to something else." 

As someone else told me this morning, "you don't got to a bar for a bottle (and the interior), you go to a bar to fall in love."

I am going to rework that image and crop it to try and make it work with the other two.  After that, time to start planning the next one, which I plan on making a non-branded project and should damped my focus on the product so much. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 07, 2016, 08:57:22 am
Joe, good stuff, this must have been a fun shoot also:)

Here is something I just made recently: http://photovertex.com/clients/Realestate/Salmon/NYSI_142LNG.html
This is a virtual tour of a quite unusual house where still photography would just not help making sense on how it is all connected. Just making it was an interesting experience, but one can go nuts linking all the views as shown on the tour map below.
Unfortunately the front shot still image is rendered with lots of distortion... a single frame that had to be placed into the 360 view, so a distortion of the spherical projection had to be emulated, quite imperfectly. Much better, apparently, is to shoot a full 360 view and then crop.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 07, 2016, 12:17:41 pm
That's pretty cool Michael.  Is there a way to make the scrolling a little less fast?  I feel like I can too easily go into warp speed. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 07, 2016, 12:59:47 pm
... This is a virtual tour...

Dear Lord! I hate all that gimmickry (not directed at Michael)!  >:(
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 07, 2016, 01:06:49 pm
That's pretty cool Michael.  Is there a way to make the scrolling a little less fast?  I feel like I can too easily go into warp speed.

This might be related to the mouse setting. I've heard that complaint, though not sure this can be adjusted yet, will open a support ticket. On my end, using Firefox and Android browser scrolling is gentle and smooth.

Slobodan, virtual tours seem to be the best way to interactively show real estate with of a complex layout where looking at the still photos won't help to make sense of it:)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 07, 2016, 01:31:05 pm
... Slobodan, virtual tours seem to be the best way to interactively show real estate with of a complex layout where looking at the still photos won't help to make sense of it:)

I understand the intention, but you know what they say about the "road to hell being paved with good intentions." I also understand that the demand for such gimmickry is driven by (most) real estate agents, who seem to think that "more is more." I tend to subscribe to "a picture speaks a thousand words" school of thought, rather than using a thousand pictures to say one word. I believe that a real estate photograph should be very close to a home-magazine style, conveying the essence of a space in a few carefully executed images. A work of Ashley Morrison (https://www.flickr.com/photos/37637197@N08) comes to mind (used to post in forums here). Again, not a criticism of you, Michael, but more of the whole RE genre.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 07, 2016, 04:57:15 pm
I understand the intention, but you know what they say about the "road to hell being paved with good intentions." I also understand that the demand for such gimmickry is driven by (most) real estate agents, who seem to think that "more is more." I tend to subscribe to "a picture speaks a thousand words" school of thought, rather than using a thousand pictures to say one word. I believe that a real estate photograph should be very close to a home-magazine style, conveying the essence of a space in a few carefully executed images. A work of Ashley Morrison (https://www.flickr.com/photos/37637197@N08) comes to mind (used to post in forums here). Again, not a criticism of you, Michael, but more of the whole RE genre.

It's just a cynical way to make a buyer/seller think he's getting better 'value' for his buck. Exacly the same way that car makers fill their tins up with even more junk that nobody needs but everybody has to pay for even though they will never use most of it. And then they make them so pretty you end up driving semi-blind because you can no longer see either the nose or the tail. Wonderful; just what we all needed!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: James Clark on June 07, 2016, 07:05:23 pm
It's just a cynical way to make a buyer/seller think he's getting better 'value' for his buck. Exacly the same way that car makers fill their tins up with even more junk that nobody needs but everybody has to pay for even though they will never use most of it. And then they make them so pretty you end up driving semi-blind because you can no longer see either the nose or the tail. Wonderful; just what we all needed!

OK, but in a case like this the buyer IS getting more value for his buck, or at least more product.  Let's face it, the vast majority people who commission RE photographers hire very cheaply (as cheaply as possible), and, with the advances in equipment and the wide wide availability of folks that are willing to shoot local homes for pennies (and services that do the same for, literally, tens of dollars), anyone hoping to charge a fee that approaches any sort of worthwhile ROI has to offer bells and whistles to convince the purchaser that its a worthwhile expense.     To my mind, RE photography is an area that has been among the most heavily hit areas of declining perceived value of imagery.   

Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 08, 2016, 08:43:57 am
OK, but in a case like this the buyer IS getting more value for his buck, or at least more product.  Let's face it, the vast majority people who commission RE photographers hire very cheaply (as cheaply as possible), and, with the advances in equipment and the wide wide availability of folks that are willing to shoot local homes for pennies (and services that do the same for, literally, tens of dollars), anyone hoping to charge a fee that approaches any sort of worthwhile ROI has to offer bells and whistles to convince the purchaser that its a worthwhile expense.     To my mind, RE photography is an area that has been among the most heavily hit areas of declining perceived value of imagery.   

I agree with this whole heartily.  I pretty much ignore real estate as a potential avenue to make money.  With the exception of high end real estate in the city centers (where they will be using your images to sell several hundred units in a residential tower for instance), no agent will spend that money. 

Recently a client of mine was selling his house and referred me to his real estate agent to see if I could photograph it.  He said he realizes what I do and what she was looking for had a canyon of difference between them, so if I needed to say "no," that would be fine.  The realtor wanted to pay at most $75 for a couple dozen images; I of course said no. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 08, 2016, 01:53:23 pm
These days, with accelerated advancements in smartphone cameras real estate agents can just snap most photos themselves. When we bought our house, I wish the builder's agent bothered with at least that much. The way to survive this market seems to be only at the top of the game.

Here a small tour from a recent group exhibit at the Museum of Russian Art in Jersey City: http://photovertex.com/clients/Exhibits/MoRA/MoRA_201606-SpiritOfMay
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on June 08, 2016, 09:02:40 pm
I don't get the RE photo market.  I expect it would be more lucrative to focus on class photos / senior portraits.  Why would anyone want to deal with those slimeballs?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on June 09, 2016, 12:45:33 am
Hey Joe,

I agree with what a few of the others have hinted at: Use a camera that is an extension of you rather than the other way around. I recommend renting an Olympus OMD 1 and a few lenses. I think you'll find that using a small mirroless camera will loosen you up, see things differently, and ultimately help you become a better storyteller. Lifestyle photography is about showing/telling stories. ... Stay with it and eventually everything will line up.

When I ran my photo business, I had three areas of competency. That really helped keep the sales pipeline flowing. Now that I'm retired, I'm shooting "fine art" photos. I had no idea how much time, effort, and patience it was going to take (a few years of shooting three or four times a week) to get over the hump. ... And I also know that there are going to be a lot of roadblocks ahead. It never ends...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jng on June 09, 2016, 01:05:30 am
Holy cow, with this latest image you've *really* outdone yourself. Bravo!

John
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on June 09, 2016, 08:41:30 am
I understand the intention, but you know what they say about the "road to hell being paved with good intentions." I also understand that the demand for such gimmickry is driven by (most) real estate agents, who seem to think that "more is more." I tend to subscribe to "a picture speaks a thousand words" school of thought, rather than using a thousand pictures to say one word. I believe that a real estate photograph should be very close to a home-magazine style, conveying the essence of a space in a few carefully executed images. A work of Ashley Morrison (https://www.flickr.com/photos/37637197@N08) comes to mind (used to post in forums here). Again, not a criticism of you, Michael, but more of the whole RE genre.

While not RE, I've shot and sold thousands of 360 visual tours to the rv guys.  They loved them because most produce many different floor plans for each model line and shooting quality images is just cost prohibitive, so shooting a pano of each of 50 or 60 trailers at a show was a way to give the potential customer a way to see the different floor plans, while not cutting into the high quality brochure quality images we produced for brochures and advertising. 

Sadly, the rv guys are selling everything they can build these days and some are not seeing the value of good photography currently.  An alarming trend is for the "marketing" guy with a camera to shoot snapshots at these shows and they just call it a day photo wise.  There are still a few good clients left, thankfully. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on June 10, 2016, 02:30:45 pm
I don't get the RE photo market...Why would anyone want to deal with those slimeballs?

I don't think it is fair to characterize an entire profession that way. There are "slimeballs" in any profession.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 12, 2016, 10:12:01 am
Sometimes we are all fortunate in finding the right client:)

Back to pictures, here is one from a recent session

(http://www.michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/EKP_A246_V1BW_web1.JPG)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 13, 2016, 11:56:15 am
One more:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/EKP_A215_V2_web1.JPG)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 13, 2016, 02:23:34 pm
I like the black/white one a lot. I think you are using more contrasty lighting than was your thing...

Possibly an age conflict (mine), but I find b/white suits these types of shots far better. Gravitas, which colour finds hard to reach. For some reason, it (colour) states commerce, whereas b/w not, but that's just impression: reality could be the opposite.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 13, 2016, 02:41:18 pm
This bw image is one of my absolute favorites...
I am going to exhibit nudes at Art Hamptons in the end of June and I was thinking, may be take a couple of prints from this series as an experiment. The 1st one is definitely bw, the 2nd.. it looks great in bw, but which version would one purchase to hang at home?

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/EKP_A215_V2-C-BW_web1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 13, 2016, 02:44:26 pm
One more:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MAF_A198_web1.JPG)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on June 13, 2016, 06:22:01 pm
Shot from recent look book job
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 14, 2016, 04:33:07 am
Shot from recent look book job


Love your Guitarman series! It looks as if it really got to you.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Shanghai_Phil on June 15, 2016, 01:12:34 am
Hi everyone, I'm completely new to the forum here. So I figured I would jump in by showing some of my work, I think it is probably the best way to allow you guys to know me a little better. :)

I'm a Canadian photographer, now based in Shanghai (China) and do mostly commercial and advertising photography. (lifestyle and still-life).

I had no watches in my portfolio, so these three shots are a recent test to get a bit of creative juices flowing.

****EDIT:  feel free to criticize and share your thoughts please! :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on June 16, 2016, 07:12:22 pm
Hi everyone, I'm completely new to the forum here. So I figured I would jump in by showing some of my work, I think it is probably the best way to allow you guys to know me a little better. :)

I'm a Canadian photographer, now based in Shanghai (China) and do mostly commercial and advertising photography. (lifestyle and still-life).

I had no watches in my portfolio, so these three shots are a recent test to get a bit of creative juices flowing.

****EDIT:  feel free to criticize and share your thoughts please! :)

Beautiful. How were these lit? Very beautiful work.

Sharon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Shanghai_Phil on June 17, 2016, 12:08:19 am
Thanks for the compliment!

I'm attaching a behind the scenes photo here. You can see a bit of the set-up we had, this is for the Bell Ross. Each shot though is a combo of 5 different exposures - or more. I used an array of diffuser panels, reflector boards (foamcore) and flags.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 29, 2016, 10:36:17 am
A short retrospective

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_Composition_Journey.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Shanghai_Phil on June 29, 2016, 11:28:14 pm
Beautiful collection Michael!

A short retrospective

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_Composition_Journey.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on June 30, 2016, 09:10:51 am
A few details from a house we shot in Florida last month.

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13528633_1151603871528817_4008235797563734486_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13576681_1151603874862150_6409574290119818110_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13559194_1151603868195484_6380364666814308581_o.jpg)

Goddamn sand flies, Man.  I hate those things.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 30, 2016, 04:58:48 pm
Beautiful collection Michael!
Thank you Phil:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 03, 2016, 11:33:27 pm
Although the majority of the time not advisable, in some cases leaving the back label on can add an extra layer to the image. 

Bottoms up.   :D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Sean H on July 04, 2016, 11:15:35 pm
Chris: Gorgeous colours -- cyan/greens and reflections in the small windows in the first Florida house photo and of course the larger reflection of the whole room adds to the visual experience. The shots of the stairs made the wood seem particularly rich (in a good way). I liked the picture of the lights suspended from the ceiling; that looked like a gallery-quality shot.

A few details from a house we shot in Florida last month.

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13528633_1151603871528817_4008235797563734486_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13576681_1151603874862150_6409574290119818110_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13559194_1151603868195484_6380364666814308581_o.jpg)

Goddamn sand flies, Man.  I hate those things.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on July 08, 2016, 01:09:14 am
So nice to come back after all this time to find the top "usual suspects" and some new posting exquisite work! I have to admit, I just jumped to this page. I think I have missed maybe 30 pages?  But its nice to be back and see these.

I'm surprised Shanghai_Phil, that you use a DSLR for such work. And 5 exposures for DOF and such is pretty darn minimal as well!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Shanghai_Phil on July 08, 2016, 10:37:47 pm
Hi Phil!

First, nice to meet you!

We were doing this for portfolio, not for a client... so that leaves us a bit more flexible in using exactly what we want to get the shot.

We actually only used a DSLR on the Bell Ross as I wanted rapid fire action, it's still mounted on a technical camera system, just acting as the back is all. Basically, with the paint leaking all over the watch I didn't know how much time I had to wait until I got the perfect shot, and there was no re-dos on that... we only had one chance. So a DSLR in this specific situation makes perfect sense, even though we own two medium format backs.

The 5 exposures were not for depth of field, I'm not sure I said I was doing exposure stacking... but at any rate, it was strictly for lighting purposes. Except for the Bell Ross, where it's actually three different paint shots, the lighting on the watch was almost a one-shot-deal.

So nice to come back after all this time to find the top "usual suspects" and some new posting exquisite work! I have to admit, I just jumped to this page. I think I have missed maybe 30 pages?  But its nice to be back and see these.

I'm surprised Shanghai_Phil, that you use a DSLR for such work. And 5 exposures for DOF and such is pretty darn minimal as well!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 09, 2016, 10:07:29 am
Some Wallets. 

Shot these in studio about two weeks ago.  The client wanted geometric shapes and backgrounds with softer lighting, but I was able to persuade them to make the images a little more contrasty then catalog work.  Very different then anything I have done so far; pays to hire a good stylist for shoots like this!

Would love to know which group shot you guys think works better. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 09, 2016, 10:07:52 am
And another. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on July 09, 2016, 10:59:24 am
I like group 2a a lot, but the wallets look a bit on the dark side. Maybe pushing exposure a bit would make them cleared!

The card wallets one is a very close second.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on July 09, 2016, 11:26:57 am
They would all work nicely in the "abstracts" thread,  ;)
but my vote is also for 2a.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 10, 2016, 07:32:10 am
Thanks Guys, I thought the second worked the best too, and the card wallets is my favorite.  The others are nice, but I think that one came out the best. 

The wallets are a little dark for my liking.  I did add a layer in C1 for each wallet and pushed them about a 1/4 to a 1/3 brighter then the surface, and also increased the clarity to bring out the texture.  The client really did not like either effect and we went back to keeping everything how it was when shot. 

For these (my own usage), I did add an high pass filter to simulate the clarity effect.  I may brighten the wallets before posting them as well. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Sean H on July 10, 2016, 08:44:43 am
They all look good and artistic. In some cases, such as the last one, one could not be sure that they are wallets without explanatory text. However, the advantage of 2a is that they expose in a couple of cases, the inside of the wallets and how they are organized. This may help with people who are interested in finding out more about the product. Excellent photos/art, by the way.

Thanks Guys, I thought the second worked the best too, and the card wallets is my favorite.  The others are nice, but I think that one came out the best. 

The wallets are a little dark for my liking.  I did add a layer in C1 for each wallet and pushed them about a 1/4 to a 1/3 brighter then the surface, and also increased the clarity to bring out the texture.  The client really did not like either effect and we went back to keeping everything how it was when shot. 

For these (my own usage), I did add an high pass filter to simulate the clarity effect.  I may brighten the wallets before posting them as well.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on July 10, 2016, 01:20:15 pm
Jerry, I'm going to get pretty critical because you've got a really solid composition on this, which makes me wish you'd carried that level of technique through the whole process. Instead, I feel that you've handled the shot somewhat sloppily.

I've benefitted so much from the 20 years I spent at Hedrich Blessing and because of their nearly century old legacy, I feel the need to maintain really high standards in Architectural Photography.  I sincerely hope that you and any other's reading this will benefit from my critiques.

I'll start with lighting.  It appears from the shadow on the ground that you shot this in the early afternoon.  That would make this side of the house an East face, correct?  Here, you've lost a wonderful opportunity to shoot the house at sunrise with golden sun lighting up the eastern facade.  Instead, you've shot it with a rather arbitrary concern for lighting and used HDR to compensate.  This leaves the geometry of the architecture feeling quite flat and the file over processed.

As for the processing, I'm not even going to get into HDR, but rather just the retouching... it's pretty obvious that you've painted the grass green.  You can almost get away with this, but you've painted that color not just into the mulch in the lower left, but also onto the building face.  This feels like hurried retouching that doesn't show a lot of respect for the architecture.

I apologize if this all comes off as a little harsh, but you're shooting with, what, over $50k in camera gear and the building doesn't even have any sun on it!  You could have achieved far superior results with a Fuji XT1 at dawn. 

I hope this can provide some positive direction as you move forward and I wish you luck in D.C.!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on July 10, 2016, 02:08:23 pm
They all look good and artistic. In some cases, such as the last one, one could not be sure that they are wallets without explanatory text. However, the advantage of 2a is that they expose in a couple of cases, the inside of the wallets and how they are organized. This may help with people who are interested in finding out more about the product. Excellent photos/art, by the way.

I agree with the above. I think it is easier to see that they are wallets in 2a, and it tells more about their function and shows the different sides. In the others, I think the wallets tend to look like just another element in the designs.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on July 10, 2016, 04:12:13 pm
More lifestyle from SM campaign.

(http://russellrutherford.com/russellrutherford_social_media_prepping_fb.jpg)

BC


Beautiful. In every way.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JaapD on July 11, 2016, 04:32:50 am
A Great image indeed. Is the left girl wearing her bra backwards? It would be interesting to see her front side. Just kidding of course!

 ... and back to work again...

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ynp on July 11, 2016, 09:10:25 am
More lifestyle from SM campaign.

(http://russellrutherford.com/russellrutherford_social_media_prepping_fb.jpg)

BC
Very beautiful!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on July 11, 2016, 09:32:52 am
More lifestyle from SM campaign.

The palette, contrast and tonality... feels like it was shot on Neg.  Beautiful.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on July 11, 2016, 11:51:55 am
More lifestyle from SM campaign.
BC

Lovely BC.  Colour is so important!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on July 11, 2016, 12:35:39 pm
More lifestyle from SM campaign.
BC

love love love...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on July 11, 2016, 05:42:02 pm
Out-take from last shoot. Great diverse talent group the client put together.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on July 13, 2016, 02:13:50 am
Wow! You really tempt me to bug you for an invite on set! Watching you guys work would be awesome. :D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on July 13, 2016, 11:05:51 am
Some of our handiwork from South Korea is finally seeing the light of day.  We had 6 days to play in this space and I kept two crews running continuously.  So much fun!

Big thanks to Chiek for coming out to help and bringing along his 11-24  ;)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-0/p600x600/13691158_1159714970717707_4163279334614686944_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on July 13, 2016, 04:01:02 pm
Some of our handiwork from South Korea is finally seeing the light of day.  We had 6 days to play in this space and I kept two crews running continuously.  So much fun!

Big thanks to Chiek for coming out to help and bringing along his 11-24  ;)

 

Wow! What a great shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on July 13, 2016, 07:00:29 pm
More lifestyle from SM campaign.

(http://russellrutherford.com/russellrutherford_social_media_prepping_fb.jpg)

BC

J, the pic and the color control is wonderful; to me the talent comes across as an alien from some frozen planet, way colder than Venus ...

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on July 13, 2016, 07:31:20 pm
It is always a pleasure for the suggestions your offer Edmund. I'll try to remember to send you our casting sheets before production for opinions.

I see you loaded your acid pen again or is it just filled with wine?

IMO

BC

J,

 Reactions depend on the viewer.
 My question -if such- was whether you intended and cast a somewhat "mechanical doll "impression to go with the Blue/Cyan, or whether this is my sadly unaided hallucination?
 I'm not exactly a schooled art critic, nor  emotionally subtle, so feel free to educate me on the intended atmosphere of this image. Blue/Cyan has been seen as cool/sf-ish since BladeRunner.
 If one is willing to say that photography is an art, then one may ask whether such or such an emotion was intended to be evoked by the artist ...

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on July 13, 2016, 07:57:59 pm
Cold perhaps... but what I read is vulnerability.  The subtle resignation in her posture, her lips inhaling in question, her eyes guarded, uncertain.  I think it's a dead on portrait of how women in today's society have to be constantly on their guard against predatory eyes.  If we find that today's women are cold and aloof, I'm afraid that men are entirely to blame.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on July 13, 2016, 10:16:55 pm
Cold perhaps... but what I read is vulnerability.  The subtle resignation in her posture, her lips inhaling in question, her eyes guarded, uncertain.  I think it's a dead on portrait of how women in today's society have to be constantly on their guard against predatory eyes.  If we find that today's women are cold and aloof, I'm afraid that men are entirely to blame.

Chris,

 Thanks for sharing your opinion.

 BTW, that interior space image you posted is spectacular. A very nice image. In my opinion.

Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on July 14, 2016, 04:16:34 am
I think it's a dead on portrait of how women in today's society have to be constantly on their guard against predatory eyes.

Eyes which are particularly "predatory" when the women are posing to be photographed in their underwear, presumably. Anyway, "colder than Venus" provides a fair bit of leeway.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on July 14, 2016, 08:06:45 am
I will greatly miss your posts, they helped me a lot actually. At least I can still follow your work on Facebook.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: vjbelle on July 14, 2016, 08:16:33 am

Keith thank you I respect you but I'm outta here.   I would love the ariticle i wrote on the Leica removed and all posts.

As long as the E ronalds dominate I have zero interest in being involved. I know and work with brave people, some in the shadows and he's neither.  He's just a typist with a bottle of cheap wine.

IMO

Gone

I've posted this in another thread but want to also add it here...... you will be really missed.

Victor
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on July 14, 2016, 11:23:44 am
James, don't fucking go.

There's neither need to respond to, nor even to read what specific posters write. You have a button  - I think - to take care of that, and problem solved.

I've done what you contemplate three times (over a year hasn't been an unusual 'divorce'), but the only person losing out is oneself. Sometimes, others also miss one's presence and communication continues elsewhere, but it doesn't feel quite the same because you can miss the value of conflicting points of view that are not always couched in offensive manner.

My own solution has been not to click 'ignore' but simply really to ignore and not read posts from people I consider to be stupid or just argumentative. If you don't respond they run out of air and realise what dicks they are fighting a shadow that refuses to see them.

So I ask you, old photographer to young photographer, please reconsider and don't diminish LuLa by leaving. Anyone can see just how valuable an input you can and do make. Let's not blow all of that and make the rest of us the poorer for it.

Please?

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on July 14, 2016, 01:20:17 pm
James, don't fucking go.

There's neither need to respond to, nor even to read what specific posters write. You have a button  - I think - to take care of that, and problem solved.

I've done what you contemplate three times (over a year hasn't been an unusual 'divorce'), but the only person losing out is oneself. Sometimes, others also miss one's presence and communication continues elswhere, but it doesn't feel quite the same because you can miss the value of conflicting points of view that are not always couched in offensive manner.

My own solution has been not to click 'ignore' but simply really to ignore and not read posts from people I consider to be stupid or just argumentative. If you don't respond they run out of air and realise what dicks they are fighting a shadow that refuses to see them.

So I ask you, old photographer to young photographer, please reconsider and don't diminish LuLa by leaving. Anyone can see just how valuable an input you can and do make. Let's not blow all of that and make the rest of us the poorer for it.

Please?

Rob C
+1000!
I'm an old photographer too, but not a pro. But I have learned so much and been inspired by your posts. I will miss you very much if you leave.

Eric M.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on July 14, 2016, 03:39:29 pm
This is a ridiculous criticism and one directed at this young woman, just so you could poke at James. Way to go. By the way, you are wrong....

How could he be wrong? He is expressing his personal impression. To you she isn't (cold)... to him, she is. These are opinions, not facts, so who is to say which one is right or wrong?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: vjbelle on July 14, 2016, 04:10:25 pm
How could he be wrong? He is expressing his personal impression. To you she isn't (cold)... to him, she is. These are opinions, not facts, so who is to say which one is right or wrong?

Stir the pot..... stir the pot.

Victor
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on July 14, 2016, 04:26:04 pm


But the best suggestion is one I will take to myself.  Don't open the door by being involved here.

IMO

BC

yes...great idea.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on July 14, 2016, 04:35:34 pm
J,

 The criticism is in your head. I think she looks like a UFO *in this image*, you don't or you do, where is an impression a criticism?  Chris said something else I would never have thought about, it got me thinking for at least an hour.

 You wanna go ahead and act offended, go ahead, but no apology will be offered for an offense that was not intended, although I am sorry you saw an offense. As for my own work, I never said it was  any good- people paid for the prints they liked, they refused to buy prints they didn't like, and that was just how it was. Gallerists told me my work was average for the level I was operating at, perfectly saleable but not extraordinary.

Edmund



Maybe, I wasn't thinking that deep.

Edmund,

Like all things you talk but don't have the talent, ability or work ethic to produce, so in my world your an interesting annoyance.  Not because your judge my photographs, you don't pay you don't hire, you do not produce.

You let others do the hard work and you judge like your above it and sadly you so far below it's sad from such a small man with a negative mind.  Keep on talking but don't think anyone with a decent soul is listening.

The thing is you find importance in people noticing you, but do not realize your like a emoge sad or smiley face that no one takes seriously.

Maybe the issue is posted a red white and blue prop, not blue white and red.  You should find a cable show to make money and be negative. 

Until your gone, I'm gone.

Not an opinion, just fact.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on July 14, 2016, 04:48:23 pm
Sharon,

 James posted a really nice picture, with one model whom *I* feel to be ... posed in a way that is alien or robotic. In this image.
 This is *my* feeling. I don't know whether other people feel the same way. And it is not about this young woman, it is about *this* picture of this young woman.
 As for your finding this image is perfect for sales, well that seems to indicate that J has nailed it, and made a very beautiful image that is also commercially useful.
 What we haven't yet heard is J telling us "the brief to the model was to try and look XXX", and I would really like to know what XXX was.

Edmund

This is a ridiculous criticism and one directed at this young woman, just so you could poke at James. Way to go. By the way, you are wrong...she doesn't come across as frozen at all. Maybe you are projecting your own feelings into this photo.

I think this photo is exceptionally beautiful and the color choice, to me, is perfect. If it is to sell lingerie, it worked. As a woman, I would want to look like that (no chance but we all can dream).

Site owners, this is your party. You can invite and uninvite who you choose. If you choose trolls, then eventually, that's all you'll have here. I think most of us are fed up with trolls. They ruin everything add nothing except to themselves ( they always think they are so clever...and will get very self-righteous when challenged - they are always "misunderstood")

Yes, I'm pissed and fed up.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickT on July 14, 2016, 05:05:03 pm

 You wanna go ahead and act offended, go ahead, but no apology will be offered for an offense that was not intended,

Edmund could you just stop? You and Theo are doing really good job of ruining this board. Theo at least owns some medium format gear so he is qualified to comment but he can't help himself from being just plain rude, he's been slightly better after his enforced absence but I'm sure that will change. As for you I think you owned a P45 at some point, can you stick to posting on matters that you are experienced in, instead of inserting yourself into every single thread?

Please?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Manoli on July 14, 2016, 07:03:06 pm
... at least owns some medium format gear so he is qualified to comment

Qualified ?
Since when does simply 'owning' anything , qualify you for anything other than a maker's guarantee ?

... but he can't help himself from being just plain rude ...

Which is not something you could ever accuse Edmund of. Always courteous and gracious even under extreme provocation. As in this case.

Look, I like them both. Dallas was a tragedy and you can tell from Cooter's posts how heavily it weighed on him. Emotions run high, sensitivities are raised - understandably so. But personal attacks, of which this isn't the first, would have best been avoided , particularly when they're unfounded. Let's not be partisan and hope that in the not too distant future, it's sorted out, in private, between the two of them without the whole forum taking to the mattresses in another round of simulated gang warfare.

5 officers died in Dallas, news breaking that there are over 60 dead in Nice. Let's be grateful for what we have and spare a thought and prayer for those less fortunate.

 

Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on July 14, 2016, 07:07:18 pm
^ +1

There you go, Manoli, something you and I finally agree on  :)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on July 14, 2016, 07:52:27 pm
+1.

Unfortunately such current events are now something we are all qualified to comment on. My *feeling* here is complete helplessness at being conscripted (as a potential civilian target) in a war that probably cannot be "won", while drones are being dispatched in my name to places I could not even find on a map. Many years ago, I came to Paris to study mathematics, and some friends invited me for a walk near Etoile. On Avenue de la Grande Armée as we were looking at a shop window the whole place blew up. People around us -further away from the store than we- had their faces covered in blood from the flying glass; somehow we were untouched. The police appeared, we ran, as the only thing young people feared more than a terrorist in those days was a cop. The alibi for *this* ever-so-pleasant event was the I think Basques protesting against Franco by blowing up the Air Iberia showroom office in Paris. I had just been in Paris for a few days, but I had been taught that everybody gets conscripted, at the very least as a target, and I am very aware of how that feels. I have also developed an allergy to firecrackers.

Edmund

Qualified ?
Since when does simply 'owning' anything , qualify you for anything other than a maker's guarantee ?

Which is not something you could ever accuse Edmund of. Always courteous and gracious even under extreme provocation. As in this case.

Look, I like them both. Dallas was a tragedy and you can tell from Cooter's posts how heavily it weighed on him. Emotions run high, sensitivities are raised - understandably so. But personal attacks, of which this isn't the first, would have best been avoided , particularly when they're unfounded. Let's not be partisan and hope that in the not too distant future, it's sorted out, in private, between the two of them without the whole forum taking to the mattresses in another round of simulated gang warfare.

5 officers died in Dallas, news breaking that there are over 60 dead in Nice. Let's be grateful for what we have and spare a thought and prayer for those less fortunate.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 14, 2016, 08:15:19 pm
James, please don't go.  The forum has lost so many great photographers over the years. 

Remember, life always makes environments, no matter how desolate, more livable, and you're life.   

Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on July 14, 2016, 09:04:25 pm

On this I agree.   With that thought I think this subject should be put down, there are much more important things in life than little photographs.  If I hurt anyone's feelings I will offer an apology.

J.

Same here.

Handshake, J, and I will be more careful in the future.

This whole blowup is dumb - I admire your work.


Edmund
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on July 15, 2016, 11:06:11 am
Thank you both.
I for one, and I suspect I am not alone, derive much from both of you from your postings here.

Although not in the immediate area I was in Manchester in 1996 when the IRA detonated a 1,500 kg truck bomb on Corporation Street the biggest bomb detonated in Great Britain since World War II, by some miracle no one died that day. Those memories do not fade, there are indeed greater things than medium format in this world.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on July 15, 2016, 12:01:38 pm
Let's get back to looking at photographs shall we.

We've been having terribly unpredictable weather here the last month, so I made the most of a couple of hours of clear(ish) yesterday morning.

(and james, if you're still there...think like Arnie)


(http://www.andrewlatreille.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/LAP0200_PWMarineGateway_1066-2000px.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on July 16, 2016, 01:21:08 am
Edmund could you just stop? You and Theo are doing really good job of ruining this board. Theo at least owns some medium format gear so he is qualified to comment but he can't help himself from being just plain rude, he's been slightly better after his enforced absence but I'm sure that will change. As for you I think you owned a P45 at some point, can you stick to posting on matters that you are experienced in, instead of inserting yourself into every single thread?

Please?

+1

Also lol@ "Mr. No portfolio" Manoli coming out of the woodworks to the aid of trolls whenever one of them is in hot water.

This forum is more predictable than an episode of Three's Company.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on July 16, 2016, 03:36:56 am
Hi,

Regarding the last part, there is always a bit of Photoshop involved. You can check Jesse Rosten video, Fotoshop by Adobé here: https://vimeo.com/34813864

Personally, I would agree in part with what Edmund says on colour, but I don't need to post. I guess that BC knows what he is doing and I like great many of his images. Trends come and pass and photographers need to adapt.

Personally, I am a non professional landscape photographer, so I don't post on these threads.

I am almost always impressed by the images here.

Best regards
Erik




I think this photo is exceptionally beautiful and the color choice, to me, is perfect. If it is to sell lingerie, it worked. As a woman, I would want to look like that (no chance but we all can dream).


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: synn on July 20, 2016, 03:44:54 am
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/28320255382_11ca48b6a6_c.jpg)

Another one from the pre-wedding shoot I did a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on July 22, 2016, 11:44:33 am
Well, Cooter indeed seems to have gone; what a bloody waste of a great contributor.

Rob C
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Manoli on July 22, 2016, 01:01:24 pm
Well, Cooter indeed seems to have gone; what a bloody waste of a great contributor.

Don't be so pessimistic, Rob.
Even the best have taken a break from time to time, haven't they ?

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on July 22, 2016, 01:14:05 pm
Well, Cooter indeed seems to have gone; what a bloody waste of a great contributor.

He's still registered, Rob. He's just not been around for a few days. You came back!

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on July 22, 2016, 04:36:51 pm
Cooter return? Somehow, I don't think so, but fervently hope I'm wrong again on this one. Of course, he could always just write, but the photographs were a delight in themselves, and I will miss them on LuLa, but his website is always there, so not everything is lost.

You have to look at it from the perspective of a top pro: comments on a worldwide forum that cast doubts on your work can do no good, and are possibly quite dangerous too, if they fall into certain hands. For us retired guys and probably for most amateurs, it simply has no impact beyond ruffled feathers, which can smooth down in time.

In the instances my own 'departures' I felt them coming over periods of time; there was nothing written about my images that pissed me off (I simply think folks who don't like 'em just don't get 'em, which covers all my bases), it was just the sense that I was often communicating with a bunch of pretty dumb minds, and that there wasn't much point in my doing so.

With time, I realised that by leaving I was also distancing from my life people with whom communication is a pleasure, so back I came until the next time. Yes, one did communicate off-line, but there is also benefit and pleasure in a more public form of communication and interaction.

But having said that, it's from the point of view of someone with nothing to lose. I'd have hated to feel my clients might pick up on some spiteful shit written without much thought... Retirement brings some benefit, if not many!

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ray Cox on July 22, 2016, 08:25:54 pm
Cooter return? Somehow, I don't think so, but fervently hope I'm wrong again on this one. Of course, he could always just write, but the photographs were a delight in themselves, and I will miss them on LuLa, but his website is always there, so not everything is lost.

You have to look at it from the perspective of a top pro: comments on a worldwide forum that cast doubts on your work can do no good, and are possibly quite dangerous too, if they fall into certain hands. For us retired guys and probably for most amateurs, it simply has no impact beyond ruffled feathers, which can smooth down in time.

In the instances my own 'departures' I felt them coming over periods of time; there was nothing written about my images that pissed me off (I simply think folks who don't like 'em just don't get 'em, which covers all my bases), it was just the sense that I was often communicating with a bunch of pretty dumb minds, and that there wasn't much point in my doing so.





With time, I realised that by leaving I was also distancing from my life people with whom communication is a pleasure, so back I came until the next time. Yes, one did communicate off-line, but there is also benefit and pleasure in a more public form of communication and interaction.

But having said that, it's from the point of view of someone with nothing to lose. I'd have hated to feel my clients might pick up on some spiteful shit written without much thought... Retirement brings some benefit, if not many!

Rob

Well said Rob. Look forward to your insights. Keep up the good work.
Ray
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on July 23, 2016, 01:37:11 am
I will greatly miss his insight, but at the very least I can still follow the work on his social media accounts.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on July 23, 2016, 04:31:25 pm
I will greatly miss his insight, but at the very least I can still follow the work on his social media accounts.

Yes, and don't forget that he was also very helpful and generous to people on the film/video forums here, not just the stills sections.

Rob
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on July 23, 2016, 04:32:43 pm
He had quite a few things to say about lighting as well!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on July 23, 2016, 05:11:21 pm
He had quite a few things to say about lighting as well!

He certainly did, and many of them I'd never even heard of, not existing prior to the mid-80's!

;-)

Rob
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: eronald on July 23, 2016, 08:02:48 pm
He certainly did, and many of them I'd never even heard of, not existing prior to the mid-80's!

;-)

Rob

I think J is a very knowledgable and helpful guy, and an extremely good photographer, deserving of at least respect, and even admiration. However he is certainly no stranger to controversy as the big reason we are posting here is that the RG forum blew up so  many years ago :)

On doing a search for a word I prefer not to post -for fear this place will suffer- I found an old LL post with all the usual suspects - weren't we all more mellow and fun-loving then, and not a complaint about off-topic?

http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=77899.40

Oh for the innocence of that bygone midsummer day :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 30, 2016, 12:55:53 pm
A little bungalow kitchen from down the shore.   8)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 31, 2016, 01:18:08 pm
A house a little bit more towards my style in Brooklyn, NY. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 31, 2016, 01:18:34 pm
And you can't skip the deck! 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 05, 2016, 11:54:11 am
Tea anyone?:) D800e/Nikon G 60mm

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PhotoVertex.Portfolio.Food_.20160803_237-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 09, 2016, 01:10:23 pm
Spent four and a half days over 6 months working on this project.  Here are some of my favorites. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 09, 2016, 01:11:03 pm
And some more. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on August 10, 2016, 11:35:46 pm
Tea anyone?:) D800e/Nikon G 60mm

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PhotoVertex.Portfolio.Food_.20160803_237-1.jpg)

Exquisite.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 11, 2016, 09:01:34 pm
Very nice BC.  I really like the first.  Something about his expressions draws me in, very intriguing.  Not quite sure what he is looking at. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on August 12, 2016, 02:38:58 am
The couple in the truck engages me most. It's odd as the truck seems (and I'm not saying it is) to be at a slight angle. The driver is oddly very close to the wheel, I suspect it's posing to get the starburst which is great. But I can live with that artificiality as it just adds some tension to what could be a mundane scene. Nice shot which makes me look closer.

Mike
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on August 12, 2016, 03:38:20 am
The couple in the truck engages me most. It's odd as the truck seems (and I'm not saying it is) to be at a slight angle. The driver is oddly very close to the wheel, I suspect it's posing to get the starburst which is great. But I can live with that artificiality as it just adds some tension to what could be a mundane scene. Nice shot which makes me look closer.

Really? To me, they look like curiously-positioned plastic mannequins.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Brent Daniels on August 13, 2016, 11:16:17 pm
Critique from respected and qualified individuals is great.
However unqualified stupid comments are not.
For whatever reason kikashi can just not help showing off his in bred horse's ass stupid opinion.
So Cooter I complement you on your restraint and a very nice visual Texas back slap.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on August 14, 2016, 02:24:00 am
Jeez, another forum I feel unable to post in as I don't know what the qualification has to be and I'm damned certain no-one respects me.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: graeme on August 14, 2016, 03:58:46 am
Jeez, another forum I feel unable to post in as I don't know what the qualification has to be and I'm damned certain no-one respects me.

Yes. We are not worthy.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LDJ on August 14, 2016, 05:06:28 am
I don’t post often (though visit a lot), however feel the need to express my increasing frustration with the rudeness and lack of respect that is becoming more and more common in the posts on this forum.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everyone should feel able to comment and post in whichever thread they wish. However, this should not justify users being disrespectful of, and antagonistic towards, others. Jeremy may not have liked the shot of the couple in the car but, rather than being simply rude, he could have either said nothing or said something more along the lines of “Thanks to BC for posting the shots. I must admit that my preference is for a more realistic look, as shown in some of James’ other work…” I feel a good test of respectfulness is to think to oneself before posting, ‘would I comment using exactly these words if face to face?’

I’m sure that BC is perfectly happy for others to express their opinions of his work, but not when done in such a rude manner. James is brave enough (and generous enough) to post some of his professional work here for others to see; I am not. I really feel that users should be very aware of the fact that, when professional photographers post images of their work here, it can be damaging for them to receive rude and un-constructive critiques. I would like to thank James for his contributions over the years, which I have greatly appreciated and hope that the time never comes when he has finally had enough of the rudeness often displayed and feels unable to share further.

When I first came across this forum in around 2007, I thought it was fantastic: engaging discussions, fantastic images, friendliness and respectfulness. Over recent years I feel that it has been spoiled by a few users who post the same comments time and time again and demonstrate, in my opinion, an ever increasing lack of respect towards others. It is a shame and I hope it does not continue in this manner.

Liam
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on August 14, 2016, 06:29:44 am
It's one thing to express opinions on the photos, but when the comments get rude and involve the people in the pictures (be it models or not), then there's a clear lack of respect for other human beings. One may comment on the pose, the makeup, the clothes and the environment, but the way people look like is something no one can change (even with a lot of money and plastic surgery) and if you don't like it just move along.

I don't see James commenting on our faces all the time, so I don't see why we should degrade the people he works with.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 14, 2016, 09:26:51 am
All that!

And also I think something else that many non-pros do not take into account when looking the work posted here by professionals is that a good deal of art direction was discussed before the shoot.  The outcome of the images greatly depends upon what the client wants and, more importantly, needs to help them with their campaign. 

Regardless if the photographer does not likes everything about the final look, it is still up to him to deliver what the client needs.  This is called being professional. 

Regardless if the style of any professionally produced image does not quite line up to what you think should have been done, remember that may have been a requirement of the art direction.  It could very well be that any professional that may have worked on that campaign may have needed to reproduce the same look.   
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 14, 2016, 09:31:38 am
BTW, if you have not checked out the link BC posted, I highly recommend you do.  A brunch of really great work to look at. 

Very nice campaign James! 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on August 14, 2016, 05:12:51 pm
BTW, if you have not checked out the link BC posted, I highly recommend you do.  A brunch of really great work to look at. 

Very nice campaign James!

Yes indeed.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on August 14, 2016, 05:14:15 pm
More recent work for great clients. A warm and inviting motorhome interior. First class all the way. As a photographer the high gloss finish on the woodwork created a very interesting challange.  3/4's of a million bucks on wheels.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on August 15, 2016, 01:40:57 pm
Hi,

I think BC has talked a lot about that assignment, nice that he can share some images! A job well done!

Best regards
Erik

BTW, if you have not checked out the link BC posted, I highly recommend you do.  A brunch of really great work to look at. 

Very nice campaign James!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bpepz on August 16, 2016, 12:28:35 am
Really loving the p65+ on my H4X. At first I had a hard time with it, but now I love it.

(http://CF221961.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on August 16, 2016, 11:42:11 am
Critique from respected and qualified individuals is great.
However unqualified stupid comments are not.
For whatever reason kikashi can just not help showing off his in bred horse's ass stupid opinion.

Personal abuse demeans the abuser, not the abused. Playground-level abuse, even more so. Whoever you might be.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on August 16, 2016, 11:45:08 am
Jeremy may not have liked the shot of the couple in the car but, rather than being simply rude, he could have either said nothing or said something more along the lines of “Thanks to BC for posting the shots. I must admit that my preference is for a more realistic look, as shown in some of James’ other work…” I feel a good test of respectfulness is to think to oneself before posting, ‘would I comment using exactly these words if face to face?’

Criticism pithily expressed is preferable, in my view, to pussy-footing around. And the answer to your question is "yes".

I’m sure that BC is perfectly happy for others to express their opinions of his work, but not when done in such a rude manner.

I can see nothing to support such an assumption.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on August 16, 2016, 12:23:08 pm
Personally I find it easier to be harsh face to face as the recipient can see my good intentions and argue the case back and forth (and perhaps kick me in the nuts) while on-line good intentions can be harder to see perhaps.

Mike
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LDJ on August 16, 2016, 07:53:56 pm
Spot on Keith. I would suggest that professionals sharing their work on this thread are certainly not asking for critiques: the very fact that they have chosen to share a particular image indicates that they are happy with the shot; further to this, unless users have seen the client’s brief or received comments from any art director involved, then there is no way that they can offer an appropriate critique, which is the point Joe was making. My view regarding commenting on images shared in this thread is that, if you don’t have anything positive to add, don’t comment at all.

Given the above, if, for whatever reason, someone did wish to criticise work shared on this thread, I would certainly not recommend pithiness over considerateness.

If I showed some of my professional work to someone who I did not know well face-to-face and they offered pithily expressed/harsh criticism when I had not requested a critique, then I can assure you that the interaction would not last very long…

Anyway, I’ve said my piece and look forward to seeing some more excellent work in this thread.

Liam
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on August 17, 2016, 06:37:54 am
Do folk post images to this thread for critique?

No: adulation, it seems.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on August 17, 2016, 06:42:34 am
Regardless if the photographer does not likes everything about the final look, it is still up to him to deliver what the client needs.  This is called being professional. 

Regardless if the style of any professionally produced image does not quite line up to what you think should have been done, remember that may have been a requirement of the art direction.  It could very well be that any professional that may have worked on that campaign may have needed to reproduce the same look.

That's obviously right; and my comment was directed purely at the image, not at any of the personnel involved. I am fully aware that as a middle-aged man, I'm a long way away from the target audience of photographs such as that one, which couldn't possibly be used to advertise anything in which I'd be interested.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 17, 2016, 02:33:54 pm
I just launched my new and shiny website!:)

http://michaelezra.com

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/NU_5219.4.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on August 17, 2016, 02:53:08 pm
Congratulations on the "new and shiny."
Beautiful, elegant, truly classy work as always.

-Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 17, 2016, 04:56:14 pm
Eric, thank you very much for your kind words!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 19, 2016, 06:52:48 am
8x10 printed on G stock.  I bought cases of it and keep it in a storage facility with low temp and low humidity, that is dark.

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/8_by_10_portrait.jpg)

Anyway, used a deardorff with an old Nikkor lens.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 19, 2016, 08:34:53 am
Look at you... with the big wooden camera.  Heh.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Brent Daniels on August 19, 2016, 08:38:46 am
bcooter do you mind me asking what G stock is?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 19, 2016, 03:18:41 pm
bcooter do you mind me asking what G stock is?

It was a Kodak paper stock I fell in love with for portraits.  It has a beautiful texture and if you developed it with care and lot of rinse it was beautiful.

Kodak killed it off before digital took hold so I searched and found a 3 or 4 cases, maybe more.  I have a friend that is an analog freak, one of these guys whose loft looks like the mad scientist with humdifiers, or dehumidifiers everywhere, backup power and  filters, etc. etc. and he keeps it for me.  One box (not case) got kind of screwy where some of the edges are damaged but the rest is intact and I don't do much with it but keep a lot of film and paper. 

It's hard to throw away paper or film, even if I don't use it.

I have a ton of super 16mm fuji motion picture stock which is not made anymore as kodak owns the mp world, but super 16 fuji looks better than 35mm kodak (imo), it's just hard to load as it's physically thicker than kodak film.

Yea CB, me and my wooden camera.  I love the deardorff, the bellows will stretch across the room and it weighs nothing.  Downside is only the front has rise and fall, so perspective change you have to adapt to, which I'm use to so it's no problem.   

Love it, though not for commerce even in the film days.    Using 8x10 for people became a hard sell, due to film costs.  I'd have the assistants load about 100 holders, and you'd load them and client's would just go crazy about the costs, so we moved to 4x5, then . . .well we all know that everything is smaller where 645 is considered large format.

I laugh when people who look at my 1dxI(s) and the new II and say what a big camera. 

No 8x10 was big, but nothing was more fun that shooting people 8x10.  It's interesting that our starting assistants are carrying around film rangefinders to get the film experience, but wouldn't know a view camera if it landed on them.    They don't know what they're missing.

This was one of the last gigs for commerce shot 8x10 and all the movement was in camera, not post production. The only post production in photoshop was coloration as we did this in a monotone look and also colour.    Even Nikon picked it up for their own promo use and paid serious money (back in the days camera companies paid serious money for use).

(http://russellrutherford.com/flag_shirt_web.jpg)

BC

PS  CB is doing some seriously beautiful large format images and they are well worth looking at.   Like everything CB doesn't mess around jumping from the low board.  He goes to the top and dives in.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Brent Daniels on August 20, 2016, 10:09:58 am
bcooter

I know what you mean. I used to shoot 80% 8x10 and I loved it. Looking at the bright upside down image on the ground glass was quite amazing. (everything I did was lit in a blacked studio) All that beauty went away over the cost controls.

I really do not shoot people but one time long ago I got to shoot a beer campaign that had talent & beer. Sets built to look like an age old cottage. Lit in the studio for a soft summer forest light. A great talent who could actually hold the bottle in place over & over so none of the through the bottle reflectors could be seen or sweat was messed up. Beer with 100% real sweat, no chemical additives. 8x10 film under exposed a bit and pushed 2 1/2 stops for the look, not for lack of light.

The greatest CD to work with ever and a client brand manager who came to the studio, looked at a polaroid and said "love it. We don't need to see the full bottle label. Everyone will recognized it" then they left and never came back for the next 4 days of shooting 5 ad images. Dropped the film off a week after the shoot and the client personally called to say he loved it all.

This is one of ad images. Straight scan from 8x10 absolutely retouching or grading at all. Used for vertical billboards and bus stop posters. Only copy was "Molson Ex" in a bottom corner.

Basically a back in the day dream job.


 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 20, 2016, 02:13:04 pm
Wonderful Image, really nice.  You can rarely reproduce this look in digital, regardless of format.  Wish we could, but . . . then again I wish we had a day a shot not 39 set ups a day.

Good job Brent.

BC

BTW: Great set direction and what I love about this it is obviously for commerce, but has a feel of reality.  I never would have guessed studio.  Good job 

bcooter

I know what you mean. I used to shoot 80% 8x10 and I loved it. Looking at the bright upside down image on the ground glass was quite amazing. (everything I did was lit in a blacked studio) All that beauty went away over the cost controls.

I really do not shoot people but one time long ago I got to shoot a beer campaign that had talent & beer. Sets built to look like an age old cottage. Lit in the studio for a soft summer forest light. A great talent who could actually hold the bottle in place over & over so none of the through the bottle reflectors could be seen or sweat was messed up. Beer with 100% real sweat, no chemical additives. 8x10 film under exposed a bit and pushed 2 1/2 stops for the look, not for lack of light.

The greatest CD to work with ever and a client brand manager who came to the studio, looked at a polaroid and said "love it. We don't need to see the full bottle label. Everyone will recognized it" then they left and never came back for the next 4 days of shooting 5 ad images. Dropped the film off a week after the shoot and the client personally called to say he loved it all.

This is one of ad images. Straight scan from 8x10 absolutely retouching or grading at all. Used for vertical billboards and bus stop posters. Only copy was "Molson Ex" in a bottom corner.

Basically a back in the day dream job.


 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Brent Daniels on August 20, 2016, 06:23:14 pm
Thanks bcooter. Very rare to get  a project like this. A trusting client and cost consultants not yet being created was the key.

Yeah the days of 1 shot a day, or 1 pre light day and 1 shoot day for one still life ad image ........

The light was a special built 12' x 12' soft box with 8 Profoto 4800 heads/packs and then 2 12'x12' silks a foot apart 3' in front of the box. Long recharge but when shooting 8x10 one does not have to worry about frame rate & flash recycling time.

With one shot we had the talent napping in the changing room for 6 hrs on the clock as we fussed the light from behind a bottle to get it where we had it before the client said "What if we move this" follow by "I like it better the way it was" . No one questioned the addition talent bill at all. Try getting away with that now days. But hey now instead of an 8x10 polaroid I would have had a digital capture of the pre moved the bottle stage and been laughing to post.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 20, 2016, 06:44:24 pm
But hey now instead of an 8x10 polaroid I would have had a digital capture of the pre moved the bottle stage and been laughing to post.

Yea maybe, but after many 18 hour days in post production, this is pretty much how I feel about computers.

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/postproduction_sm.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Brent Daniels on August 21, 2016, 01:24:25 am
I feel your pain Bcooter.  Now days 1 day of shooting the "raw material" for 1 still life shot equals 3 days in post. The processing and post for your 39 set-ups in a day is truly scary.

It has only been a year since my full 2 yr break from doing absolutely any post work ended. Surprisingly I was happy to get back to it. Maybe because it was not by choice. But that is already starting wearing off.

Some how we have all transformed into computer pixel heads. Exchanging darkroom chemical dermatitis for computer reading glasses.


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 21, 2016, 04:03:02 am
It isn't the job we signed up for and that's not generational talk, that's just the truth.   We are fireman, run to the fire put it out, not clean up the mess.

4 days of shooting now with motion equal two weeks sometimes ten.

Back to outsourcing to the brave new world'

BC

I feel your pain Bcooter.  Now days 1 day of shooting the "raw material" for 1 still life shot equals 3 days in post. The processing and post for your 39 set-ups in a day is truly scary.
 :-\
It has only been a year since my full 2 yr break from doing absolutely any post work ended. Surprisingly I was happy to get back to it. Maybe because it was not by choice. But that is already starting wearing off.

Some how we have all transformed into computer pixel heads. Exchanging darkroom chemical dermatitis for computer reading glasses.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Brent Daniels on August 21, 2016, 08:48:24 am
Here is one of my favourite images from my new personal series that I was working on while on a longer term visit to Brooklyn, NY. I have 5 more items collected and ready to shoot to make it a series of 10 images. Sadly I most likely will not be able to finish the series.

Wish I could have shot it on 8x10 but the multishot Hasselblad digital on an Arca Swiss M-Line is pretty good too. Actually very little post on these images as I left all the dirt, grit, and character imposed by the gutters of Brooklyn.

The rest of the images in this unfinished series can be seen here. 
http://www.brentdaniels.com/Personal-Projects/Brooklyn-Gutter-Trash/1


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 21, 2016, 03:35:45 pm
Here is one of my favourite images from my new personal series that I was working on while on a longer term visit to Brooklyn, NY. I have 5 more items collected and ready to shoot to make it a series of 10 images. Sadly I most likely will not be able to finish the series.

Wish I could have shot it on 8x10 but the multishot Hasselblad digital on an Arca Swiss M-Line is pretty good too. Actually very little post on these images as I left all the dirt, grit, and character imposed by the gutters of Brooklyn.

The rest of the images in this unfinished series can be seen here. 
http://www.brentdaniels.com/Personal-Projects/Brooklyn-Gutter-Trash/1

I've seen this series earlier and I love it.  Thanks

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Brent Daniels on August 21, 2016, 07:29:32 pm
Thanks bcooter. Your comment had me thinking that early onset senility was kicking in again. I posted this as I am just very disappointed that I most likely will not be able to finish the series. I have some more really great stuff I had collected ready to shoot sitting in Brooklyn. Too bad I cannot get to it. So I figured why not show it here.

BD
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 22, 2016, 12:04:12 am
Calla.  Shot on Fp4+ 4x5.  Platinum / Palladium print via inkjet neg.

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14125508_10209188483244226_2806431529282052291_o.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 22, 2016, 08:23:24 am
Very nice Chris, looks to be more platinum then palladium. 

How did the inkjet neg work?  I always thought that inks where not as opaque as silver gelatin and would not exposure as well.  The print looks grainy, did you need to add a lot of reacting agent to increase the contrast due to the inkjet neg? 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 22, 2016, 10:02:20 am
Joe, I recall it as a somewhat grainy medium, still I wouldn't mind these being smoother.  Inkjet on Pictorico worked great.  The inks were piezography and laid down densities exceeding 3.0.  No contrast agent is added as we do all that with a custom curve.  Once you have a system linearized, all of your negs can print at the same exposure time, which is a beautiful thing for ganging up exposures.  We developed in Ammonium Citrate which is less toxic and cools down the Palladium.  It was actually 10 drops to 3 of Platinum.

I'm currently designing a darkroom buildout for my basement and shopping UV exposure units. I'm really enjoying this stage of things!

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 22, 2016, 10:09:13 am
Once you have a system linearized, all of your negs can print at the same exposure time, which is a beautiful thing for ganging up exposures. 

CB

That is awesome! 

What kind of printer are you using and did you need to buy special inks? 

Also, what paper?  I always liked Stonehenge; I found it to react very nicely. 

It's been years since I did any alternative printing and would love to get back into it.  I bought a book on doing Chrysotypes (gold printing) some years ago, but just did not have the facilities to develop negatives.  Maybe if inkjet works well, I could convert digital captures to negs. 

Not seeing the etch marking for the film type is kind of weird though. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 22, 2016, 12:15:37 pm
Chris, this is wonderful!

Years ago I bought a film recorder with a high density CRT screen, 8000 lines as I recall, but was not satisfied with the film negative resolution.
Resolution of prints from the negative out of film recorder was vastly inferior to prints from the original negative. Tonality, however, was pretty good, although it was 8-bit.

I expect that inkjet contact negs would give excellent resolution in printing, but I am curious, did Pictorico film produce any newton rings in contact with the paper?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 22, 2016, 12:42:16 pm
No newton at all.  I think you only get that when both media are more glossy.  Also, the 'emulsion' side of Pictorico feels quite matte, so I suppose that helps.  I don't think I'd try to enlarge these, but contact prints seem fine.  I'm curious how they'd print to silver paper.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 22, 2016, 02:09:42 pm
Further Manin' Up, ok Coots?

Cool house in Florida

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/160503_018.jpg)


and a vignette.  The background was feeling a little flat so I put my MultiSpot through the window.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/160503_011.jpg)

-CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 22, 2016, 03:28:31 pm
Further Manin' Up, ok Coots?

-CB

Thanks CB, that's steppn' up.

In the spirit of the Olympics.

Asafa Powell gold medal winner of the  men's 4x100 in Rio.

We shot and produced this in Kingston's National Stadium.

I like Asafa but you quickly realize that being one of the fastest 4 men in the world in Jamaica is like being one of the Beatles at the peak of their career, or in other words the Rock Stars of Jamaica.

Rock stars aren't that wild about early morning calls,

We were suppose to have him for most of the day, but by 10 am no Asaffa.   Our producer Ann Rutherford knew his address so we "visited" him had a "discussion" of how hard work is good for everyone" and to keep it positive lets say "directed" him to the stadium.

(For all concerned I've left out the more "fun" details) but we got it done, actually a lot more than these images so all is good.  Asafa is beautiful, huge, could play linebacker in the NFL he's so large, but man when he wants to he can fly.

Since we shot about 10 sessions in less than a few hours, we worked so fast that in one image the gaffers and grip were down the field in the shot, so we retouched them out.   One image we shot so fast we didn't have time to hang stands so the assistants are holding the lights in the shot, then we shot background plates to mask them out.   

Not the best way to work, but given the load, the fact we had to shoot video interviews, you do what you gotta do.

Anyway . . .

(http://russellrutherford.com/asafa1.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/asafa2.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/asafa3.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/asafa4.jpg)

BC


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on August 22, 2016, 06:25:13 pm
BC - This set of images really resonates with me.  Love it and the background stories on how to move quickly enough on set with one of the fastest men in the world.
The use of the lines of the track and the stand...brilliant.

Here's a project we completed in April this year, that's just started to hit the editorials.

We had two days in this office fitout (over 11 floors) designed for one of the largest Telcos in Canada - Telus.
Our client wanted to showcase their work, the art they had helped curate and describe the numerous ways in which the office environment has been laid out to allow for the flexible workforce that Telus has (ie, lots of hotdesking and mobile staff)

The hero locations were the Sky boxes, which were two cantilevered boxes within another box that is cantilevered over the street - they provided 4 meeting rooms, one within each and one on top of each.

It was a hectic couple of days running between floors with some key moments when the light was just beautifully soft just prior to becoming amazingly harsh as it beat in the glass of the boxes.
On the second day we had two assistants and from memory a selection of background talent working as staff - they told me it was much more comfortable than being on a movie set...

Lots of fun, lots of running, but not as fast as Asafa.

(http://www.andrewlatreille.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/LAP0190_0035-LAP.jpg)

(http://www.andrewlatreille.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/LAP0190_0670-LAP.jpg)

(http://www.andrewlatreille.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/LAP0190_0612-LAP.jpg)

(http://www.andrewlatreille.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/LAP0190_1123-LAP.jpg)

(http://www.andrewlatreille.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/LAP0190_0343-LAP.jpg)

(http://www.andrewlatreille.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/LAP0190_0097-LAP.jpg)

(http://www.andrewlatreille.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/201608_Canadian-Architect-Cover_Press.jpg)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 22, 2016, 07:35:32 pm
That is awesome! 

What kind of printer are you using and did you need to buy special inks? 

Also, what paper?  I always liked Stonehenge; I found it to react very nicely. 

It's been years since I did any alternative printing and would love to get back into it.  I bought a book on doing Chrysotypes (gold printing) some years ago, but just did not have the facilities to develop negatives.  Maybe if inkjet works well, I could convert digital captures to negs. 

Not seeing the etch marking for the film type is kind of weird though.

Joe, the best way to do this is with Piezography inks, 7 shades of grey.  You print with QuadTone Rip which is only on the Epsons.  We used a 9880.  I'll prolly pick up a 7880 for this.  We tested on Arches Platine and the new Hahnemuhle Platinum paper, like the German sheets a little better and went with that.  This older gentleman was making his negs from iPhone shots and the prints were fracking gorgeous.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 22, 2016, 08:28:12 pm
CB, sounds like you are having fun with it. 

When I use to live in the Hudson Valley, the International Center for Photography in Woodstock use to have a photo solon every 3rd Thursday, and I am pretty sure they still do.  There was a photographer who was very active named Craig Barber.  He converted a suit case into a pinhole camera, shot with 16x20 sheet film and made huge palladium/platinum prints. 

If you ever get to check out his work, it is very nice. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 22, 2016, 11:04:42 pm
CB,

Most folks in these parts talk pixels, most clients talk costs but you back it up with imagery.  Being this good as fast as your doing it isn't hard, it is impossible and you go past the impossible.

Like they said in Tarantino's Inglorious Bastards". 

Big fan of your work and I pride myself for spotting talent.

Your Pro.


BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on August 23, 2016, 01:02:47 am
Hi Chris,

Thanks for sharing image and knowledge!

Best regards
Erik


Calla.  Shot on Fp4+ 4x5.  Platinum / Palladium print via inkjet neg.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 23, 2016, 01:32:39 pm
Street Music

Welcome to San Francisco
(http://russellrutherford.com/welcome_to_sf_sm_web.jpg)

Welcome to LA
(http://russellrutherford.com/welcome_to_LA_2_web.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on August 23, 2016, 03:09:48 pm
Chris, Andrew - beautiful interior shots. Thanks for posting!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 23, 2016, 06:42:39 pm
This is my favorite thread:) Great images!

Here is a recent one, from new series En Pointe

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/EKP_A342.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on August 23, 2016, 09:44:31 pm
CB,

Most folks in these parts talk pixels, most clients talk costs but you back it up with imagery.  Being this good as fast as your doing it isn't hard, it is impossible and you go past the impossible.

Like they said in Tarantino's Inglorious Bastards". 

Big fan of your work and I pride myself for spotting talent.

Your Pro.


BC

Thanks for that, James, your'e very kind.  Thanks to everyone else for the kudos too!  I'm just a big kid trying to keep having fun.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jng on August 23, 2016, 11:04:34 pm
James, Chris, Joe, Andrew, Brent, Michael (and apologies if I've missed anyone):

Your images are inspiring. Thank you for (re)elevating the level of discourse on this forum. Your recent postings demonstrate that a picture is sometimes worth far more than a thousand words and remind me of why I joined Lula in the first place.

John
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on August 27, 2016, 05:23:36 pm
It was a Kodak paper stock I fell in love with for portraits.  It has a beautiful texture and if you developed it with care and lot of rinse it was beautiful.

Kodak killed it off before digital took hold so I searched and found a 3 or 4 cases, maybe more.  I have a friend that is an analog freak, one of these guys whose loft looks like the mad scientist with humdifiers, or dehumidifiers everywhere, backup power and  filters, etc. etc. and he keeps it for me.  One box (not case) got kind of screwy where some of the edges are damaged but the rest is intact and I don't do much with it but keep a lot of film and paper. 

It's hard to throw away paper or film, even if I don't use it.

I have a ton of super 16mm fuji motion picture stock which is not made anymore as kodak owns the mp world, but super 16 fuji looks better than 35mm kodak (imo), it's just hard to load as it's physically thicker than kodak film.

Yea CB, me and my wooden camera.  I love the deardorff, the bellows will stretch across the room and it weighs nothing.  Downside is only the front has rise and fall, so perspective change you have to adapt to, which I'm use to so it's no problem.   

Love it, though not for commerce even in the film days.    Using 8x10 for people became a hard sell, due to film costs.  I'd have the assistants load about 100 holders, and you'd load them and client's would just go crazy about the costs, so we moved to 4x5, then . . .well we all know that everything is smaller where 645 is considered large format.

I laugh when people who look at my 1dxI(s) and the new II and say what a big camera. 

No 8x10 was big, but nothing was more fun that shooting people 8x10.  It's interesting that our starting assistants are carrying around film rangefinders to get the film experience, but wouldn't know a view camera if it landed on them.    They don't know what they're missing.

This was one of the last gigs for commerce shot 8x10 and all the movement was in camera, not post production. The only post production in photoshop was coloration as we did this in a monotone look and also colour.    Even Nikon picked it up for their own promo use and paid serious money (back in the days camera companies paid serious money for use).

(http://russellrutherford.com/flag_shirt_web.jpg)

BC

PS  CB is doing some seriously beautiful large format images and they are well worth looking at.   Like everything CB doesn't mess around jumping from the low board.  He goes to the top and dives in.


Hey, BC!

Been working my ass off varnishing never-ending wooden shutters that seem to eclose my life, so no posts or anything much else of late, but I couldn't pass up commenting on this shot: beautiful photography that really shows where your heart is.

So yeah, there was a magic in the old ways and it works even better married to the new...

Great stuff!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on August 27, 2016, 07:28:20 pm
That's kind of you Rob.  Thanks

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on September 07, 2016, 03:17:06 pm
Not something I do often or try and get, but I really like this one.

I am interested to find out what you like about this picture. Please realize I am not trying to be provocative. I just don't "get" what you are seeing.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 07, 2016, 09:22:08 pm
I am interested to find out what you like about this picture. Please realize I am not trying to be provocative. I just don't "get" what you are seeing.

I don't know, bad judgment? 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on September 07, 2016, 10:01:34 pm
I don't know, bad judgment?

Hey Joe,

Don't go that far.  Post what you want, or take it down.  (I think you took it down cause it's commercial work).

My Best To You. 

BC

In good spirit I'll post a commercial image.  Tear it up fellas.
(http://russellrutherford.com/sm_yellow_russell_rutherford.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on September 08, 2016, 02:30:47 am
May I ask whose decision it was to have the shadow fall on the backdrop? I'm just curious how it works in this situation. My guess is the art director suggests a style and you implement. If it's inappropriate to elaborate then no problem.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on September 08, 2016, 03:51:26 am
May I ask whose decision it was to have the shadow fall .......


Mine.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on September 08, 2016, 03:53:26 am
Thank you
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on September 08, 2016, 05:17:12 am
Thank you

My pleasure.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 08, 2016, 01:00:10 pm
Hey Joe,

Don't go that far.  Post what you want, or take it down.  (I think you took it down cause it's commercial work).

My Best To You. 

BC


It was commercial work.  It did the job for the client, who was trying to show they know how to weld White Rock panels.  I thought the placement of everything worked and the lighting was nice.  Not something I would use in portfolio though, but something I thought came out decent. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Junk_Bond on September 08, 2016, 03:38:30 pm
BC, awesome image and thank you for sharing.

Joe, I liked the image and thought it was a nice departure from the work you typically post. I'd like to create similar images for my portfolio that I think would work well for brochure type imagery (tool companies). Thanks for sharing, I really enjoy your posts and appreciate the fact you and others take the time to even share your images.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: sc_john on September 08, 2016, 08:42:45 pm
May I ask whose decision it was to have the shadow fall on the backdrop? I'm just curious how it works in this situation. My guess is the art director suggests a style and you implement. If it's inappropriate to elaborate then no problem.

I would think it would look rather 2-dimensional without the shadow fall. But, YMMV. I LIKE IT! Thanks BC!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jvpictures on September 10, 2016, 04:34:25 am
from a recent product shoot, content not so sexy though....
Hasselblad H5D-50c with 120mm Macro, focus stacked out of 10 images, free masked and shadowed.

Funny was, that the CEO of the company asked the marketing manager whether she could make the image herself with her iPhone.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Weldon Brewster on September 10, 2016, 04:34:37 pm
Lots of work with pretty girls (which I love.)   Mine are a little rough.  This is from working with the demolition crew taking down the 6th St Bridge here in LA.  I don't really photograph people but I trying to grow and learn as a photographer.  We setup a mini "studio" in the bottom of the LA River to photograph the guys.

(https://dkzqmqjr9uy7w.cloudfront.net/b03dfa60-d386-11e2-8f1b-e3cc9cc0674f/assets/367847b9-6082-4c4c-982b-163bc80c92d1.jpg)

(https://dkzqmqjr9uy7w.cloudfront.net/b03dfa60-d386-11e2-8f1b-e3cc9cc0674f/assets/db2bc044-17a7-420d-93dd-0fe2c073dca4.jpg)

(https://dkzqmqjr9uy7w.cloudfront.net/b03dfa60-d386-11e2-8f1b-e3cc9cc0674f/assets/6a1dbe92-5b95-4c5f-8074-feefd764c5dc.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on September 10, 2016, 11:01:56 pm
Lots of work with pretty girls (which I love.)   Mine are a little rough.  This is from working with the demolition crew taking down the 6th St Bridge here in LA.  I don't really photograph people but I trying to grow and learn as a photographer.  We setup a mini "studio" in the bottom of the LA River to photograph the guys.

(https://dkzqmqjr9uy7w.cloudfront.net/b03dfa60-d386-11e2-8f1b-e3cc9cc0674f/assets/367847b9-6082-4c4c-982b-163bc80c92d1.jpg)

(https://dkzqmqjr9uy7w.cloudfront.net/b03dfa60-d386-11e2-8f1b-e3cc9cc0674f/assets/6a1dbe92-5b95-4c5f-8074-feefd764c5dc.jpg)

I like these two a lot. Very well executed!  I like looking at pretty girls too, however there are zillions of "pretty girl" pictures. I appreciate what you've captured here a lot more. I think the demo scene and the portrait tell a story--as a set and as separate images. Excellent!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DiamondsDr on September 10, 2016, 11:51:46 pm
Hi all, here something from my line of work..
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DiamondsDr on September 10, 2016, 11:57:46 pm
Hi James, love the image, what was the main source of light in this shot?
Hey Joe,

Don't go that far.  Post what you want, or take it down.  (I think you took it down cause it's commercial work).

My Best To You. 

BC

In good spirit I'll post a commercial image.  Tear it up fellas.
(http://russellrutherford.com/sm_yellow_russell_rutherford.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Weldon Brewster on September 11, 2016, 04:00:39 pm
Thanks Bob, it's been a fun project to work on.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 13, 2016, 12:33:56 pm
James, nice and clean image and color pallet! Interesting that the shadow behind her shows from both left and right sides.

Here is one from a recent session
(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/EKP_A063_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on September 14, 2016, 07:17:37 am
Hi James, love the image, what was the main source of light in this shot?

I love Arri Tungsten fresnels.  Their probably the best bang for the buck you can find and digital is quite forgiving with tungsten (depending on camera).

They kind of mess up the blue channel so it seems to give a fraction more grit and to me a film like look.

The shot in yellow has a shadow to give it some depth and as long as the shadow is defined it doesn’t detract, just adds to the image.

It was shot with the spot set on wide and using the doors, just slightly move them in to only cover the subject and background.

The one thing about lighting a subject and working a hard shadow is as the subject moves or changes position, you really need to follow them with the light.

Just 4 inches of movement of the light can make it or break it and I’ve never believed that when your shooting a living subject to plant them in one spot and not let them move.

It depends on your style of work, but I’ve always found that when talent is planted the spontaniety gets lost. 

We mounted a 650 watt Arri  on a C-stand arm somewhat loose and as I shot I direct the assistant to move the light, in this instance is was almost on top of the lens.

It make’s the talent’s blue eyes just pop and has a nice slight fall off on the body and face. 

I’ve used Arri kits forever and have three ranging from 650 to I think 175 watts. 

This was shot with three Fresnels, running a fog machine.   

The plan on the fog machine was to add some extra look to the background, but the cool thing about filling a room full of mist is it softens the light just a touch and gives it a more even spread.

(http://russellrutherford.com/lingeroo2.jpg)

I’ve also used Profoto hard boxes, both of their Fresnel flash heads and they work well, but since we shoot motion on most everything now, I use flash less and less and more continuous lighting.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 14, 2016, 10:18:54 am
Some details. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 14, 2016, 08:41:46 pm
Nicely handled, Joe.  1 and 4 are cropped a little tight for my taste.  I'de let that building breathe a bit more.

Cooter, rock that orange and teal, Man!  Really beautiful play on the negative space... like sexy Taoism.

IMHO
CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DiamondsDr on September 15, 2016, 12:00:41 am
Hi James, thank you for elaborate answer, i also have pf cine kit(with set of lenses) which i really like.. this one have look like it was shot at northern sunset at least in my eyes...
I love Arri Tungsten fresnels.  Their probably the best bang for the buck you can find and digital is quite forgiving with tungsten (depending on camera).

They kind of mess up the blue channel so it seems to give a fraction more grit and to me a film like look.

The shot in yellow has a shadow to give it some depth and as long as the shadow is defined it doesn’t detract, just adds to the image.

It was shot with the spot set on wide and using the doors, just slightly move them in to only cover the subject and background.

The one thing about lighting a subject and working a hard shadow is as the subject moves or changes position, you really need to follow them with the light.

Just 4 inches of movement of the light can make it or break it and I’ve never believed that when your shooting a living subject to plant them in one spot and not let them move.

It depends on your style of work, but I’ve always found that when talent is planted the spontaniety gets lost. 

We mounted a 650 watt Arri  on a C-stand arm somewhat loose and as I shot I direct the assistant to move the light, in this instance is was almost on top of the lens.

It make’s the talent’s blue eyes just pop and has a nice slight fall off on the body and face. 

I’ve used Arri kits forever and have three ranging from 650 to I think 175 watts. 

This was shot with three Fresnels, running a fog machine.   

The plan on the fog machine was to add some extra look to the background, but the cool thing about filling a room full of mist is it softens the light just a touch and gives it a more even spread.

(http://russellrutherford.com/lingeroo2.jpg)

I’ve also used Profoto hard boxes, both of their Fresnel flash heads and they work well, but since we shoot motion on most everything now, I use flash less and less and more continuous lighting.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on September 15, 2016, 10:41:25 am
Nicely handled, Joe.  1 and 4 are cropped a little tight for my taste.  I'de let that building breathe a bit more.

Cooter, rock that orange and teal, Man!  Really beautiful play on the negative space... like sexy Taoism.

IMHO
CB

Nice work joe.

Chris, like you I love open space in an image and as we shoot more and more motion, I've become accustom to horizontal, broad as possible.

Thanks

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 16, 2016, 02:36:27 pm
Fresh one from yesterday, using my new 10x17ft hand painted canvas backdrop. It was laying in a roll for over 15 years and now is finally painted and sees the light:)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/NKP_B155_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 17, 2016, 05:31:14 pm
Thanks CB and BC. 

I was trying to be a little more detailed oriented and work with tighter lenses with those. 

Here are some more. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 17, 2016, 05:32:04 pm
And one of the front that I had a retoucher remove a bunch of electrical wires out of. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: danlandoni on September 18, 2016, 12:19:48 pm
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8061/29708006855_f57a9922bd_b.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8240/29708007625_34b0ea7d65_b.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8102/29626945621_8d475295d0_b.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8531/29626943551_b70ef1398b_b.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8225/29708006585_90ab6544f4_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 20, 2016, 03:18:52 pm
A moment of discovery that door of the lantern can be opened!:)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20160918_DKZ_117_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on September 20, 2016, 03:44:53 pm
Love that expression, Michael.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 21, 2016, 08:14:48 am
Love that expression, Michael.

Thank you Eirc:) I love working with kids, they are so genuine when you get them to open up.

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/TM_DK_2008-06-08_082_V2_web.jpg)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20160918_DKZ_135_V4_web.jpg)

A very recent one with a beautiful mom of 3

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20160918_DKZ_278_V1a_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 21, 2016, 07:04:55 pm
A quick shot I did this morning before realizing that the rest of the day would be for not due to a full overcast.  Today was forecast as being bright and sunny; the weather even messed up the current conditions saying it was bright and sunny as I stood under a sky full of clouds.   

#frustratedarchshooter
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 21, 2016, 07:33:26 pm
Something recent for a new client.  There were probably a dozen images that went into making this shot, not to mention quite a bit of lighting and furniture moving (furniture moving tends to be the biggest part of my actual job).  All that just to make it look effortless, Like we just showed up and snapped it.

-CB

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14409611_1217334054955798_7664207934848145707_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on September 22, 2016, 02:11:42 am
Chris - when you create a stitched shot like this do you  just have the camera on a tripod and swing it from side to side and up and down or do you have a rail or something to slide it across? I hope that  made sense!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 22, 2016, 05:42:04 am
Sorry for the confusion... It's not stitched.  The variants were bracketed exposures to maintain hilights and then multiple exposures with black clothes blocking reflections from the glass and then one where we needed to place a light into the shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on September 22, 2016, 06:03:02 am
Thank you. That makes perfect sense and is a lovely job!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ccroft on September 22, 2016, 10:30:16 pm
That's beautiful Chris. I've admired your work for several years. Your experience with chairs (Knoll?) is serving you well. Each one on it's own looks like a product shot.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 28, 2016, 10:59:13 am
(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/TM.RS_A_144_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 30, 2016, 08:45:41 am
(http://www.roma57.com/uploads/4/2/8/7/4287956/4250693_orig.jpg)

Not so recent professional work!

Auchendrain, Scotland. Barbour Calendar for 1975 shot 16th August '74 with available light (this image), Nikon F and 4/200 on HP3 or HP4. Model, Susan Shaw.

Eat your collective hearts out, Messrs Lindbergh and Feurer: you weren't doing anything new back then. Hey, still love you both!

Yes, even in those days one could sometimes shoot a seven-pager in a day... better over a fortnight, though.

Negative lost along with so much else... this is off the last-remaining original printer's proof sheet encapsulated in plastic; never thought of the problems that would cause trying to copy years later on; which is why the oblique angle and the copyboard incorporated. Oh well. Still lives on in memory.

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: KevinA on September 30, 2016, 10:09:38 am
If you live in the UK, the Kray twins will be well known to you. This was where Reggie ended up, Blunderstone Prison cell 116. No attempt on my part to make this "art" just record.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 30, 2016, 10:51:41 am
Rob, so refreshing to see your stuff from the 70-s:)

Just made this one. What a character this little girl is:)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20160918_DKZ_327_V4_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 30, 2016, 11:49:06 am
If you live in the UK, the Kray twins will be well known to you. This was where Reggie ended up, Blunderstone Prison cell 116. No attempt on my part to make this "art" just record.


Lived there (Scotland, not official prison), on and of, until '81 so yeah, the names are familar. Not as familiar as they are to Bailey, who "couldn't refuse" shooting one of the brother's wedding, the second of only two Bailey ever did - or so I'm led to believe, which I do. Funny thing: when I first hung out the shingle I did anything that came along, weddings too. One day, standing on a rainy Glaswegian church staircase, awaiting the arrival of the poor girl about to trade her freedom, I had this vision of Bailey driving past slowly, smiling up at me up on those forsaken steps from his Rolls, and vanishing as he'd come.

I swore it would be the last wedding I ever shot, and it was. I decided to bet the ranch on my only passion at the time - fashion - and that's what I did. Fortunately, turned out I was able to keep the ranch. Such is the effect of the passing Damascene Moment; far more decisive for me than any of HC-B's.

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 30, 2016, 11:56:21 am
Rob, so refreshing to see your stuff from the 70-s:)

Just made this one. What a character this little girl is:)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20160918_DKZ_327_V4_web.jpg)

Thanks Michael, just goes to show there's not really much new, just the way the same old same old is glossed up or down. In the end, given the same model and her attendants, pretty much everybody beyond a given level of competence can do the same thing.

That shot of yours reminded me of an LP cover, but I can't for the life of me remember which. I hate it when that happens, which it does with increasing regularity!

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 30, 2016, 12:13:45 pm
In the end, given the same model and her attendants, pretty much everybody beyond a given level of competence can do the same thing.

That probably goes for all art forms and anything we, humans, do. We've been taught to learn to repeat and then happen to try it as something new, as its never really is the same thing. Most times its not even worth repeating, but once in a while magic happens and it is new.

Ever thought of recreating this now with the same model and attendants?;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 30, 2016, 12:53:43 pm
That probably goes for all art forms and anything we, humans, do. We've been taught to learn to repeat and then happen to try it as something new, as its never really is the same thing. Most times its not even worth repeating, but once in a while magic happens and it is new.

Ever thought of recreating this now with the same model and attendants?;)


God, she's probably either dead or a grandmother! There were no 'attendants' in our shoot: just the two of us, the location, the car to get there, and one monobloc for the interiors with a shoulder-flash Metz for any fake backlighting! With Nikon synch. I couldn't even use the flash outdoors. I think it maxed out at a 1/60th sec. and using HP3/4 because of its grain didn't help that speed problem a whole heap!

But it was enjoyable and paid the bills!

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 30, 2016, 01:05:53 pm
God, she's probably either dead or a grandmother!

That would really open a new dimension, though:) I try to re-shoot with my models when they are about to become moms and later on also; hopefully one day as (levitating) grandmas!:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 02, 2016, 09:41:58 pm
I don't typically photograph my subjects backlit, primarily because I suffered from that horrible disease people acquire once they start shooting digital.  You know, every possible detail must be captured with absolutely no clipping on either end, even if it means taking away all contrast, or you pathetically failed at producing the image. 

Of course, it has been a decent time since I cured myself of that, but just never got around to exploring this type of lighting.  I would like to do more of this exploration now. 

Shot this project at sunrise last week with my P45+, single capture.  Initially I framed it with the sun behind the tree, but about 60 seconds later, the sun moved into the image.  I'm glad I waited for it; it adds much to the image. 

(Of course another reason I never did this was because processing an image like this before C1 v8 was just not possible; it's amazing how much better Raw processing has become.  And yes, I could have did a layer burn and preserved all detail without any noise when viewing at 200%, but that would have killed it.) 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DiamondsDr on October 03, 2016, 12:17:42 am
...here some from recent
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on October 03, 2016, 06:45:12 am
I don't typically photograph my subjects backlit, primarily because I suffered from that horrible disease people acquire once they start shooting digital.  You know, every possible detail must be captured with absolutely no clipping on either end, even if it means taking away all contrast, or you pathetically failed at producing the image. 

Of course, it has been a decent time since I cured myself of that, but just never got around to exploring this type of lighting.  I would like to do more of this exploration now. 

Shot this project at sunrise last week with my P45+, single capture.  Initially I framed it with the sun behind the tree, but about 60 seconds later, the sun moved into the image.  I'm glad I waited for it; it adds much to the image. 

(Of course another reason I never did this was because processing an image like this before C1 v8 was just not possible; it's amazing how much better Raw processing has become.  And yes, I could have did a layer burn and preserved all detail without any noise when viewing at 200%, but that would have killed it.)


Always liked backlighting, especially if you can find a model with floaty long hair!

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: GrahamBy on October 03, 2016, 06:54:14 am

Auchendrain, Scotland. Barbour Calendar for 1975

I had a Barbour waxed cotton motorcycle jacket bought a few years after that. It lasted for many years, until one day a sleave tore off as I was taking it off its hanger. Probably as well I never crashed in it...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 03, 2016, 07:56:50 am
Hi Joe, when looking on the thumbnail, this image seemed quite ordinary at first, but opening it and seeing it in detail revealed the effect of the sun star. It really does add to the image, nice depth in lighting.

I noticed a wire hanging through a large portion of the frame. How much freedom is there in this field in taking the wires out?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 03, 2016, 08:51:07 am
Hi Joe, when looking on the thumbnail, this image seemed quite ordinary at first, but opening it and seeing it in detail revealed the effect of the sun star. It really does add to the image, nice depth in lighting.

I noticed a wire hanging through a large portion of the frame. How much freedom is there in this field in taking the wires out?

That project was at a country club and that wire is holding up a black net blocking the trail from any golf balls flying out of the 18th hole.  In this web sized version, it is hard to tell it is there.  Actually, there appears to be parts of the roof lit up by the sun on the left, which is impossible, however it is actually the net catching the light. 

In the full res version, you can zoom in and see the net clearly, so removing the wire will probably not look right. 

I do admit though, in the smaller version, it is annoying. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 03, 2016, 10:11:42 am
My kind of vacation house! 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 03, 2016, 10:12:56 am
And, of course, you can't forget the pool.  (Yet another backlit shot, however this was more due to circumstance and position then artistic desire.) 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 05, 2016, 05:42:46 pm
Joe, how do you find these places:)!

Here is image just a few hours old

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/MichaelEzra_LMK_A199_V2а_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 05, 2016, 08:31:06 pm
Joe, how do you find these places:)!


Ha!  I wish I could afford to buy these places!

That house was very nice, and, defiantly, my kind of place.  Simple and relaxing, yet sophisticated.  If only the nearest neighbor was at least a 100 yards away in all directions, it would have been prefect. 

Honestly, I shot four projects for that client this year, all being at that same level.  Actually the one prior was at least a $2.5M renovation (note "renovation," not new construction) row house.  Another was a shore house built right at the ocean on the beach; too many beach goers for me though.  I don't want to look outside my kitchen window and see the wrong person way to comfortable in their skin wearing something way to revealing, if you understand what I mean. 

This shore house will make it into my printed book; the others will be used for extras on any RFQs that fit the style.

Like I said, my kind of vacation house. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 16, 2016, 12:21:29 am
Strawberry milk anyone?

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 16, 2016, 10:05:37 am
And some chocolate milk. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on October 16, 2016, 12:22:36 pm
Slurp!

I love them both, Joe.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 16, 2016, 04:41:59 pm
Slurp!

I love them both, Joe.

Thanks Eric! 

Since it is getting later in the day, how about some beers!   ;D

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on October 16, 2016, 07:49:30 pm
That's four different beers, with split personalities.  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 17, 2016, 12:00:33 am
And whatever the hell this would be?   :-\
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on October 17, 2016, 01:07:58 am
And whatever the hell this would be?   :-\

Nice lighting. Is this a composite photo?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 17, 2016, 08:44:41 am
Nice lighting. Is this a composite photo?

Yes, it's a composite of about 8 captures. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 20, 2016, 01:16:24 pm
Bacardi's new satellite office in NYC.  Can you believe only 4 people work here!

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 20, 2016, 01:17:33 pm
And, well, because one terrace is just not enough! 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alan_b on October 20, 2016, 01:33:05 pm
Bacardi's new satellite office in NYC.  Can you believe only 4 people work here!

Nice work Joe
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 20, 2016, 10:52:03 pm
Unimpossible. New sculptural series of works with athletes without limits.

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BER_A091_V1A.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on October 21, 2016, 12:39:03 am
And, well, because one terrace is just not enough!

Joe, I love this series. Wonderful!!

Sharon
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on October 21, 2016, 01:01:49 am
Nice, but I feel sorry for the artist…

Best regards
Erik

Unimpossible. New sculptural series of works with athletes without limits.

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BER_A091_V1A.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 22, 2016, 07:47:42 pm
So my client really did not like the dusk shot I did of this building last time.  They felt it was not dramatic enough, both in composition and lighting, and pushed me to go back.  (I will admit that, even though the forecast did not say so, it did start raining the first time around and I needed to go in before it got dark enough to bring out the lighting inside and before the street lights went on.) 

I am glad I went back; I feel this image is much better. 

I also shot this with my other half's IQ260 to get a little more width from my SK 35mm.  I must say, at about 12 seconds, the noise from heat starts to really show.  I am surprised how much better the P45+ files are. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 26, 2016, 11:15:32 am
Recent work for a client. I am new to this but loving it:)
Any suggestions are welcome!:)

(http://photovertex.com/temp/posts/NJGR-108LL_083-HDR_V4-web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on October 27, 2016, 06:01:40 pm
Recent work for a client. I am new to this but loving it:)
Any suggestions are welcome!:)

(http://photovertex.com/temp/posts/NJGR-108LL_083-HDR_V4-web.jpg)

I wonder - you have such a beautiful style with your nudes, but you go off in completely different directions with all you other work. Do you ever consider bringing that style to your other work?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 27, 2016, 06:23:43 pm
I wonder - you have such a beautiful style with your nudes, but you go off in completely different directions with all you other work. Do you ever consider bringing that style to your other work?

Hi Sharon, it is all the same me doing the work... I always liked doing many things at the same time, reading 5 books at the same time, etc.. I committed to photography this year and am simply exploring and learning directions where I can contribute productively. Nudes are ... cold, independent, withdrawn, a bit abstract, and I remove from them all noise to leave just the essence of the remaining sculpture. I enjoy the exploration of human soul and beauty while working on portraits. Architecture for me is just the world I always lived in, always admired it, so picturing it as beautiful as I can feels natural. Recently I started a couple of new series - Musical athletes - sculptural works with dancers and Unimpossilble- sculptural works with athletes without limits. In essence, sculptural aspect of nudes is being transferred there, but I feel comfortable using color in these series and this feels good (after 16 years or bw:) well, not counting landscapes)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on October 27, 2016, 07:27:01 pm
I would love to do more black and white architecture. I so admire Julius Shulman's work. I think your nude work is very beautiful with your use of light to create these wonderfully smooth textures. I was curious if you ever applied that to architecture. Good luck with all your ventures. You are certainly talented.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 28, 2016, 10:26:01 am
Thank you Sharon:)

Here is one BW of the Verrazano–Narrows bridge:)

(http://photovertex.com/temp/posts/MEZ_7687_V1.jpg)

And a few views of New York City

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MEAS_Architecture_p7.jpg)

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MEAS_Architecture_p17.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on October 29, 2016, 10:48:36 am
Lovely image!

Best Regards
Erik

Thank you Sharon:)

Here is one BW of the Verrazano–Narrows bridge:)

(http://photovertex.com/temp/posts/MEZ_7687_V1.jpg)


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on November 01, 2016, 02:40:51 pm
Since I haven't changed or updated our website in 5 years, we've spent late nights a what little off time we have redoing our site and it's been a 6 months part time project.  Kind of like having homework your whole life.

It's not quite finished, (is it ever?), but only needs 4 more gallaries and a dozen or so videos and then the info pages.

Anyway, I thought I'd show it.

http://www.russellrutherfordphoto.com/

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/website_opening_900px.jpg)

This site is through one of the canned sites though lately have been working with a great web design group in London to produce microsites..  They're off the scale good, so . . . they sre now hard at work designing a site that is bespoke with better functionality.  I'll still finish this one, but then we start again.

You know anyone that goes through this process would probably rather have root canal surgery than do a site, but hey, it's one of those things we all gotta do.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: haefnerphoto on November 04, 2016, 07:08:18 pm
Since I haven't changed or updated our website in 5 years, we've spent late nights a what little off time we have redoing our site and it's been a 6 months part time project.  Kind of like having homework your whole life.

It's not quite finished, (is it ever?), but only needs 4 more gallaries and a dozen or so videos and then the info pages.

Anyway, I thought I'd show it.

http://www.russellrutherfordphoto.com/

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/website_opening_900px.jpg)

James, To me it looks like there's a screen texture over every image.  I assume it's intentional, how come?  Jim

This site is through one of the canned sites though lately have been working with a great web design group in London to produce microsites..  They're off the scale good, so . . . they sre now hard at work designing a site that is bespoke with better functionality.  I'll still finish this one, but then we start again.

You know anyone that goes through this process would probably rather have root canal surgery than do a site, but hey, it's one of those things we all gotta do.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on November 05, 2016, 11:23:46 pm
James, very dynamic site. I can appreciate the effort involved!!! as just recently created three of them.

In celebration of my new large-sensor-645z, some color from today:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NYSI_ClayPondPark-20161105_18-web.jpg)



Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on November 06, 2016, 01:58:16 am
Hi Michael,

A wonderful image, well processed.

BTW, are you still using RawTherapee?

Best regards
Erik


James, very dynamic site. I can appreciate the effort involved!!! as just recently created three of them.

In celebration of my new large-sensor-645z, some color from today:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NYSI_ClayPondPark-20161105_18-web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 06, 2016, 07:59:54 am
James, very dynamic site. I can appreciate the effort involved!!! as just recently created three of them.

In celebration of my new large-sensor-645z, some color from today:

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/NYSI_ClayPondPark-20161105_18-web.jpg)

Is that in Staten Island?  I never really explored that borough. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on November 06, 2016, 09:14:43 am
Yes it is just a few minutes from me here. Staten Island bears a not frequently used name Borough of the Parks, although they are not as neat as the Central Park:) There is however a great number of them here.

I am using Ratherapee when color purity is required and on select images. I also find Camera Raw with GPU acceleration very useful with perspective corrections and excellent tonemapping, I use it when larger volume of images is involved.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Joe Towner on November 11, 2016, 02:24:25 pm
For Veterans & Armistice Day, from the 9/11/16 Seattle Seahawks v Miami Dolphins game.
Shot with the H6D-100c & 28mm HCD, ISO200 f8 1/400th hand held

http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/193264

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 14, 2016, 12:01:05 am
I shot this for a local art gallery. Sunrise over Lake Michigan. Hasselblad H3D-39.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5703/22793821088_14181c0367_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/AJdhTj)Sunrise (https://flic.kr/p/AJdhTj) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 15, 2016, 12:01:53 am
I shot a ton for her portfolio. Filled up two cards lol. It was a bit of a shootout with a few other photographers there, but I can claim responsibility for a few shots at least, including this one.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5649/30905572971_8053f3a95a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/P6297p)Brianna (https://flic.kr/p/P6297p) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 15, 2016, 06:56:41 am
Here's a few more:

(https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5596/30692297850_341a0fabfc_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NLb3R9)Brianna (https://flic.kr/p/NLb3R9) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr

(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5335/30692302270_5bc38e7f33_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NLb5am)Brianna (https://flic.kr/p/NLb5am) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5326/30905929861_ba5e13d303_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/P63YcF)Emmy (https://flic.kr/p/P63YcF) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 16, 2016, 12:54:20 am
Found another that I really liked.

(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5737/22839064558_5a44f06c13_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ANdbc9)Emmi (https://flic.kr/p/ANdbc9) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr

Also reworked this one.

(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5446/22838333268_59c00c452b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/AN9qNG)Brianna (https://flic.kr/p/AN9qNG) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 16, 2016, 10:10:55 am
Fresh work for a favorite client....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 16, 2016, 07:46:43 pm
Shooting this week for a building ownership group.  They wanted a few views from the 39th floor.

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/15016188_10210020313599465_2417447123252568863_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 16, 2016, 08:04:55 pm
Nice Chris, as usual.   All that is missing is that huge full moon!😀
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on November 16, 2016, 08:22:36 pm
Man,

I was just on the 39th floor yesterday and it didn't look nearly that good...greycouver at it's best.
Lovely Chris

And ditto Craig.  That looks really comfortable!

A
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 16, 2016, 08:24:21 pm
actually, I shot that too the other night...

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/15039443_10210027980431131_4671062504537330077_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 16, 2016, 09:05:45 pm
actually, I shot that too the other night...

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/15039443_10210027980431131_4671062504537330077_o.jpg)

 ;D.

  I'm trying to visualize where you shot this ..that looking north?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 16, 2016, 09:12:26 pm
350 North State (the Mies bldg, formerly IBM) looking North, correct
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on November 17, 2016, 10:37:50 am
Nah..not a full moon. Godzilla advancing on the city.

Beautiful shot, btw.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on November 18, 2016, 01:12:13 pm
350 North State (the Mies bldg, formerly IBM) looking North, correct

Nice work Chris . . . as always

A few recent

(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/v6_final_final_motorcycle_800.jpg)

(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/blackhawk_sunset1_air_800.jpg)

(http://www.russellrutherfordgroup.com/bh_landing_800.jpg)

Bottom two no postwork except from lightroom.

BC

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on November 18, 2016, 02:38:59 pm
Man, what a humongous drone!   ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 19, 2016, 02:15:34 pm
For my art gallery collection on glassware, first in the fire series:

(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5452/31080018316_bb16b1b9c1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PmrdCL)Fire and Martini (https://flic.kr/p/PmrdCL) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on November 19, 2016, 07:30:48 pm
(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/15168901_1272802319408971_3816676882020400622_o.jpg)

I love seeing our work in client's social media.  This project is a hospital we've been photographing in San Diego for Cannon Design.  I think the inside may even be cooler than the outside.

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14711406_1239661139389756_1964348444117299518_o.jpg)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14753379_1239661189389751_4203917515153111363_o.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 20, 2016, 07:41:09 am
Shot under a bridge for an art gallery.

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5525/31120120845_72889be08d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PpYKHF)Under the bridge (https://flic.kr/p/PpYKHF) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: camgarner on November 20, 2016, 10:28:01 am
Chris - love your photos of the new hospital.  I had a tour Friday and it is an amazing place.  Look forward to seeing future images.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on November 20, 2016, 04:33:01 pm
Chris - I saw that exterior the other day...Instagram needs a 'double like' function.

Delicious.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 20, 2016, 07:16:48 pm
Part two in the flaming series:

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5507/30776275360_538c87e7b8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NTAsrf)Flaming beer (https://flic.kr/p/NTAsrf) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on November 21, 2016, 02:51:50 am
Chris beautiful use of the building great shots.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 21, 2016, 06:41:50 pm
Here's the next in the series: red wine.

(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5797/31021869222_7cbf5a8583_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PgibWb)Flaming Red Wine (https://flic.kr/p/PgibWb) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr

Here's a raw, unedited image (well, it's a JPG, but unedited otherwise) to show you what I have to initially work with.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5567/31051114611_731f1b1ef1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PiT5z2)Flaming Red raw (https://flic.kr/p/PiT5z2) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 21, 2016, 08:17:07 pm
CB, as always, amazing stuff. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on November 21, 2016, 08:30:36 pm
Michael, I like the image under the overpasses.  At first glance, I thought the light between the highways were fluorescents until I looked closer. 

On the product shots, the concept is there, but your execution needs to be better.  Some tips: Dust sucks on table tops.  (1) I always get my lighting down first and then dust and clean everything before the final capture.  (2) If you are shooting with a black background, you should be using a 4 1/2 foot black sweep, at least, and have it far enough back so it is almost not fulling the frame.  If you have the room, use a 9 foot sweep.  This will allow as little light hitting the background as possible, rendering it completely black in camera.  Also, the black plexi is reflecting the background, so if the background is completely black the plexi will be too.  (3) The exception to this will be the horizon line, but if the plexi is big enough, the horizon will disappear from being out of focus.  (Same is true with on white images.)  (4) Flag your lights to keep even less light hitting the background.  (5) Surround your set with black cards, which will kill any reflections.  (6) If you are thinking about really getting into this, buy a 4 or 5 foot wide roll of full diffusion gel and shoot your soft boxes through the gel.  This way you avoid the harsh reflections of the soft box edges and you can control how soft or hard the edge reflections will be.  The further the softball is from the diffusion, the softer the edge will be on the product. 

All of my on black images are very close to how I want them to be through camera.  Adjustments to tonalities, clarity and color are made, I may clip the bottom of the histogram to value 4 or 5, and compositing is certainly part of it, especially for splashes.  However, the lighting out of camera is almost identical to how it looks in the final shot. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 23, 2016, 07:06:55 am
UGH I didn't notice the dust. Joe: Thanks for the tips. I don't even have room for a 4.5 foot sweep, unfortunately. Here's an image of my setup, so you can get an idea of what I'm dealing with:

(https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5690/31153848095_4fa6f1889b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PsXBDZ)2016-11-21_05-41-27 (https://flic.kr/p/PsXBDZ) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr

It sorta works for what I need it to, but yeah. The execution is DEFINITELY lacking in camera.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 23, 2016, 07:11:23 am
Though, Joe, I must have done something right with the flaming martini glass, because both Riedel (the glass company) and Hasselblad liked it on Instagram. Which shocked me, because these images aren't perfect like you mentioned.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 23, 2016, 04:31:42 pm
Shot this for a friend who does a LOT of marketing for me, so I suppose I'll call it professional.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5835/30376374584_7b25791696_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NhfRSh)Jay&#x27;s Porsche (https://flic.kr/p/NhfRSh) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on November 23, 2016, 08:58:39 pm
Here's another of the same car.

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5734/31197500925_da2b510387_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PwPm7Z)Jay&#x27;s Porsche (https://flic.kr/p/PwPm7Z) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on November 24, 2016, 11:50:41 am
(http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000qySZ8EPCFJU/s/500/I0000qySZ8EPCFJU.jpg)
Wood's Cider Mill, VT
H5X and Credo 40
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on November 24, 2016, 10:02:10 pm
(http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000qySZ8EPCFJU/s/500/I0000qySZ8EPCFJU.jpg)
Wood's Cider Mill, VT
H5X and Credo 40

Very nice.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on November 25, 2016, 02:18:06 pm
Nice portrait Doug, beautiful coloration.

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on November 25, 2016, 04:47:25 pm
Thanks guys - that was a fun one. You can see more on my instagram (blog post coming soon) - https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/levycraftsmen/
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Transposure on November 30, 2016, 01:15:17 am
I have never participated in this thread before, but I guess now is as good as ever!  LOL

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Transposure on November 30, 2016, 01:18:41 am
Here's another....

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on November 30, 2016, 02:29:07 am
Ken, welcome to the thread, congratulations with the cover:)

I had to dig out some old street photos for TV interview with Russia-K. These are some of my favorites from 2000, shot with Nikon F5

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MichaelEzra_LEGS_000001_web2.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MichaelEzra_NYC-StreetPhoto_scan_002.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MichaelEzra_NYC-StreetPhoto_scan_005.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MichaelEzra_NYC-StreetPhoto_scan_031.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MichaelEzra_NYC-StreetPhoto_scan_034.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MichaelEzra_NYC-StreetPhoto_scan_036.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MichaelEzra_NYC-StreetPhoto_scan_040.jpg)


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on November 30, 2016, 03:32:10 am
I had to dig out some old street photos for TV interview with Russia-K. These are some of my favorites from 2000, shot with Nikon F5

I love the second one, Michael.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on November 30, 2016, 04:20:23 am
Here's another....

Health 'n' Safety should crucify the company!

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on November 30, 2016, 04:24:51 am
I love the second one, Michael.

Jeremy

And for me, the second-last one of the chick in the Union Jack top. her mate on the right helps make it with the animation.

However, the printing tones in all the shots seem strangely and uniformly flat to me, as in "wrong grade of paper".

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on December 05, 2016, 06:22:33 am
This is for a younger client.

(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5444/31309168276_81566fed92_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PGFEW9)Jay&#x27;s Porsche (https://flic.kr/p/PGFEW9) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on December 09, 2016, 10:31:21 am
I've been away for quite some time, but I still come here to check all the amazing work you guys keep posting in this thread.

Today I'm looking for some inspiration. Sunday early morning I will go for an early walk in Rome before the chaos of Christmas. I have a few rolls of FP4 and Portra 160 I want to go through on my Bronica ETRS. :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 09, 2016, 10:54:54 am
From a recent client session. 645z, I love it!

Rob, contrast of these might suit your taste better;)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/MEAS5430_web.jpg)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/MEAS5427_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 09, 2016, 08:42:31 pm
just hanging out on set...

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15392951_10210245408666701_6687927459918693180_o.jpg?oh=e040ca7468b5eb5e5daa0d27e54b80ed&oe=58F7CC28)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on December 10, 2016, 04:39:56 am
(http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000qySZ8EPCFJU/s/500/I0000qySZ8EPCFJU.jpg)
Wood's Cider Mill, VT
H5X and Credo 40

The series is interesting, but this is a stand out, August Sander would approve.
http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/sander-pastrycook-al00033
It would be interesting to process as a B/W, although the subtle colour is beautiful (please allow me to mention the red spot bottom RHS which should perhaps go ?) I think an outstanding monochrome is lurking in there with that shiny metal.


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 10, 2016, 04:59:26 am
Michael,

Yes, I do preferer the tones in this set of the kid in the chair, but there's another problem that isn't of your making:

“Photographers are becoming a button….It’s disastrous,” he said. “Digital for me stays exactly like film was before. The quality of the image is different, but this you can go anywhere you want with Photoshop. We do Photoshop only to make pictures not look like digital because it’s cold and awful and technical. But the biggest change is that you’re not intimate anymore with the model. That’s what is going to destroy photography and that’s what’s going to destroy photographers because they’re not going to want to be photographers anymore in 10 years, I’m sure. It has become a democratic process and that’s going nowhere, everybody talks into the picture, that’s awful. That’s the most embarrassing thing.”

From Peter Lindbergh's website.

..........................................

The remark he makes about the look of digital is noticeable everywhere today. I see it in everything that I shoot since digital, and thank goodness it no longer matters to anyone other than myself. Whether it's my personal film history makes me see photography this way or not is open to debate, but I think no les valid for that. I find that I seem to be taking all my images "backwards" by adding noise and even cutting as far back with sharpening as I can, using just enough to compensate for what I presume is the effect of the mechanical filtering crap in front of the sensor.

I wish I had words to explain it even to myself; I find that there's a sense of warped reality comes through in contemporary photography, a kind of feeling that people are all using 8" x 10" cameras even when they are obviously not, and using those large film cameras on some subjects would have been all wrong, and not just because of tech difficulties, but because of the look they would have given subjects that came to life because of being shot on 135 format cameras. Imagine Robert Frank's America trip on 8" x10" and the problem leaps into focus: it's spiritual. Without the look the small format gave, there would only be still life.

I kinda wish I hadn't remarked on the previous set of pictures because it starts to feel to me like a personal witch hunt, which it is not. You've shown some great stuff, so it's truly not about you or ability.

Rob C


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on December 10, 2016, 12:02:00 pm

I kinda wish I hadn't remarked on the previous set of pictures because it starts to feel to me like a personal witch hunt, which it is not. You've shown some great stuff, so it's truly not about you or ability.

Rob C

Indeed I agree, after I pressed send on my remark about the red dot I regretted it, but chose to leave it in the hope it was received as meant, a tiny point that just caught my eye and the photographer may have missed but may also have decided to leave.
I was shown a wedding book/album at work from one of our young members of staffs wedding. I said it was wonderful, I really meant the wedding and not the work in which nearly every frame could have been improved by some minor adjustments in post, or cropping and straightening.  In short it was far from what I would expect from a paid professional but there was no way I would ever say so we see so much great work here we think it is the norm.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on December 10, 2016, 07:04:59 pm


he said. “Digital for me stays exactly like film was before. The quality of the image is different, but......

From Peter Lindbergh's website.

..........................................
Rob C


I think it depends on what era of digital and film you're talking about and the client's you're shooting for.

Today I agree somewhat with Mr. Lindberg, especially in large production because you have too many people standing around the monitor when tethering and some comments can break the continuity you're building with the talent.

But early on in digital I had a different opinion.  The Canon 1ds to me was a revelation as it shot to a film quality image, needed lighting and didn't tether that well, so you could shoot to a card, then while you continued to work, the AD/clients/Managers could review a large part of the session.

I honestly found that way of working more like film because you had to craft the shot, not relying on "we'll fix it in post".  Actually I became more intimate with the image on the 1ds more than film because I knew the processing lab (us) I knew where I wanted to take the look (us) and I knew it was there, in focus and covered.

I believe our work improved because we could get the basic idea in the can, show it, get it approved and have time to experiment and shoot different options.   With film, you had to somewhat overshoot, because nobody really knew if it was there until they saw it a day later from the lab.

Also at that time even good labs were all over the place in keeping their lines straight as they weren't running the volume of film they did in the past, especially transparency film. 

Today, we work at a furious pace.  We try to shoot like film, but if it's faster to take a wrinkle out in post, or a smudge on a wall, than do it on set, we shoot and do it later.   

Now with high iso cameras, I agree they look less like film, maybe because we do less with lighting, more later and to me many of them are way too smooth, even with raw they start way too un film like, so they take some effort to get the precooked colour and smoothness out of them.

With the 1ds, to produce web galleries, for a 3 day shoot we could make decent web galleries in 5 or 6 hours.  Now for everyday shooting it's at least a day or two to make galleries, because we post process to a level that in the moving film industry would call 1 light dailies.

Actually with the 1ds we shot to make the jpegs look as good as possible so out of camera, we just used them.  Later on when we moved to medium format you had to produce jpegs and the post work was heavier. 

These two images were with the 1ds.    The top image is obviously lit, but the post work is at a minimum.   There is some skin clean up, some coloration changes,  but it was shot like we shot film.  If it didn't look right on the electronic polaroid,(back of the camera) we made it look right before we started the session.

The second image (also with the 1ds) was at Lake Como Italy and it was in available darkness around 400 to 600  iso.   We used fill cards to balance it, but it was the end of the day and medium (today) iso was fine. Since it was at the end of the day/early evening we hadn't planned it but the location matched the wardrobe, it was too cool not to try.

(http://russellrutherford.com/1ds2_lingeroo.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/1ds_lake_como.jpg)

Today we also shoot a much higher volume, regardless of the creative brief, genre, or style.

Maybe that's why I like the Leica S2.    It requires light, or a tripod, or more than just pushing the button.  If it has grain, it has grain, life goes on.  Also the tethering isn't instant, if you overshoot the buffer a little the images come in slower which is fine because it lets a client see a session rather than every frame ths millisecond after you shoot it, which lowers the image by committee (hopefully).

Though this last shot didn't have 20 clients and shot with my leica S2, I probably didn't shoot more than 20 frames on this session, maybe less.  If it was full blown commerce, it would have been a lot more frames and a lot more discussion.

(http://russellrutherford.com/1s2_rock.jpg)

But things have changed.   A friend of mine worked for Guy Bourdin in his later years and hand Guy rolls of uncut film.   Guy would start with a roll and if he liked the 10th frame, he would just mark it and not look at the rest of the session, because he didn't overthink what he was after and if he like it  . . . he liked it.

I doubt you could do that today.

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on December 12, 2016, 06:53:45 am
It's more of a proof of concept than it is professional per se, but it's learning to do something for professional use.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/25/31438570112_3b2e4531c2_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PU7TAh)Focus Stacking (https://flic.kr/p/PU7TAh) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr

Also, while this isn't SHOT with a medium format camera, I'd still like to wish you all a merry Christmas or winter solstice or whatever. Hasselblad makes it MF related, I hope.

(https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/332/30747437234_81a762fa96_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NR3DSb)Give the gift of Hasselblad (https://flic.kr/p/NR3DSb) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 12, 2016, 09:59:53 am
"But things have changed.   A friend of mine worked for Guy Bourdin in his later years and hand Guy rolls of uncut film.   Guy would start with a roll and if he liked the 10th frame, he would just mark it and not look at the rest of the session, because he didn't overthink what he was after and if he like it  . . . he liked it.

I doubt you could do that today.

IMO

BC"

............................

Hi BC,

Looking at your fashion pictures there is no doubt that a very distinct sense of your personal style always comes through!

The girl in the second shot, with the red gloves, I think I have seen her in your work before; she always makes me wonder if she is Linda Evangelista, or just that somebody in makeup has done a damned good job drawing in the mouth!

I know he's not exactly your very favourite cup of tea, but I watched a Bailey video the other day, and he touched on that very thing about editing your own work, and how much you offer the client. In brief, he said that in the early years he would offer contact sheets, then as most editors couldn't really read them, he made selected blow-ups and gave them those. He said that eventually he realised that it was nuts to think that an editor knew more about what you wanted to do than you did, so he stopped giving selections, but gave only the shots he wanted to have them use. This was in relationship with Vogue magazine. But then, he has had a long and strange relationship with the magazines: he remarked to the effect that the staff were all his mates, but the management was difficult... If legend - and his own reports - are to be believed, he turned Vogue offers down right at the start of his rise because he didn't like the contract. That took balls, or very smart East-London street sense! Most folks I know would have been eating out of their hands. Maybe the difference registered then, and does so today, reaffirming the point about doing stuff for peanuts just to gain entry to a client: you can never get over being thought of as a monkey.

He has also said that he refuses to do some 'star' shots because he just won't tolerate having PR, managers, agents, the entire industry messing up his life and wanting to keep copyright themselves. He says it's just too much bother.

Some world he inhabits!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on December 12, 2016, 11:26:28 am


I know he's not exactly your very favourite cup of tea, but I watched a Bailey video the other day,

Some world he inhabits!

Rob C

Rob this goes back to the comments on the button pushers, who in the great British public, I'm sorry this is UK centric, could name any photographer these days?
Patrick Lichfield, Beaton in the day maybe but Bailey!! Who else was parodied on TV ads, and being Bailey appeared in them, can't see that happening again!!

"Bailey's East End" for me shows what a great eye he has regardless of "fashion" and "portrait" - the payer gigs.
Does he shoot digital? Well a London dealer sold a Leica Monochrome recently with provenance of his sole ownership, it was pretty well used.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 12, 2016, 02:39:06 pm
Rob this goes back to the comments on the button pushers, who in the great British public, I'm sorry this is UK centric, could name any photographer these days?
Patrick Lichfield, Beaton in the day maybe but Bailey!! Who else was parodied on TV ads, and being Bailey appeared in them, can't see that happening again!!

"Bailey's East End" for me shows what a great eye he has regardless of "fashion" and "portrait" - the payer gigs.
Does he shoot digital? Well a London dealer sold a Leica Monochrome recently with provenance of his sole ownership, it was pretty well used.

Chris,

You are probably right about the current lack of public awareness of great photograhers in the UK. I rather think that the only reason any became commonly known was due to the fashion scene in London, and music; the snappers were on the coat-tails. Page 3 made Beverley Goodway a household name too, in some circles. Lichfield had Unipart calendars to popularise him. Photography, the medium, was never of general public interest beyond the camera club people. In the 50s, when I was still in school and hoping to become a fashion photographer, nobody I knew personally had the slightest idea how one became a photographer. Even with all the reading I had done, I was as much in the dark as the rest of them. My eventual entrance was made when I was able to transfer from my engineering apprenticeship into the company's photo-unit. Sure, that was industrial, but it was a start: I was in and getting a regular wage packet - of peanuts, it must be admitted. ;-)

The first link below is the one where I think Bailey talks about the Vogue situation (I say think, because there are so many of them in my mind they merge too well!). He also mentions digital as being a tool, nothing more and nothing less; the next one is a collection of some nice work of his, and the last one is of John Swannell, his one-time assistant who travelled the world with him in his heyday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucd8WD3FM0U#t=5.5660634

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCh2S0Hf_WE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EBi_M8mSa0

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Transposure on December 12, 2016, 05:07:44 pm
Rob,
As I am very interested in the historical fashion photography topic, I wanted to add this video pertaining to Bailey.  He "consults" on a friend's remake of one of his iconic images.  I found it interesting.  If you haven't seen it, I hope you do too..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuoTMHBnrxw

The interesting thing I find, however, is when he compares the 1960's shot next to his remake at the end, I find the remake lacking.  The original had a certain je ne sais quoi.  From the arch of the model's back, to the whimsical, mischievousness of her expression to the more comfortable and "at ease" pose.  Bailey's original stands head and shoulders above the remake.  If I were to take on a challenge like that, I would put my own spin on it and probably would have short lit it right off the bat.  But, hey, that's just me...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on December 12, 2016, 07:28:21 pm
Once I redo it with the hands in the right spots, this is portfolio stuff. I just need a less scratched up watch to try it with.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/634/30797784793_45e1c5cc13_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NVuGrx)Focus stacking (https://flic.kr/p/NVuGrx) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: donbga on December 12, 2016, 07:46:23 pm
Once I redo it with the hands in the right spots, this is portfolio stuff. I just need a less scratched up watch to try it with.


Perhaps some post work could polish away the scratches.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on December 12, 2016, 09:02:34 pm
I looked at all the scratches and decided to try it with a different watch.

(https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/600/30768670284_a9cf2feeaa_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NSVtHf)Focus stacking (https://flic.kr/p/NSVtHf) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr

I need a BETTER watch that isn't Star Wars themed and isn't scratched to hell, because I really don't feel like spending hours in post.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on December 13, 2016, 02:43:48 am

The first link below is the one where I think Bailey talks about the Vogue situation (I say think, because there are so many of them in my mind they merge too well!). He also mentions digital as being a tool, nothing more and nothing less; the next one is a collection of some nice work of his, and the last one is of John Swannell, his one-time assistant who travelled the world with him in his heyday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucd8WD3FM0U#t=5.5660634

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCh2S0Hf_WE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EBi_M8mSa0

Rob

Many thanks, saves me trawling and will be good to view over the festive season. With Bailey you need to weed out the ones where he rants, one is enough, and where he obviously holds the interviewer in contempt or was just having a bad day. There is one where Helvin talks and really shows his camera/photography obsession with a rather bitter edge, no doubt softened by her bank balance as a result.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on December 13, 2016, 10:00:20 am
Not sure if fun or portfolio yet.

(https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/683/31621276895_6b4ebbc82d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QbgiXe)Focus stacking (https://flic.kr/p/QbgiXe) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr

Might work on it some more.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 13, 2016, 10:57:23 am
Rob,
As I am very interested in the historical fashion photography topic, I wanted to add this video pertaining to Bailey.  He "consults" on a friend's remake of one of his iconic images.  I found it interesting.  If you haven't seen it, I hope you do too..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuoTMHBnrxw

The interesting thing I find, however, is when he compares the 1960's shot next to his remake at the end, I find the remake lacking.  The original had a certain je ne sais quoi.  From the arch of the model's back, to the whimsical, mischievousness of her expression to the more comfortable and "at ease" pose.  Bailey's original stands head and shoulders above the remake.  If I were to take on a challenge like that, I would put my own spin on it and probably would have short lit it right off the bat.  But, hey, that's just me...


Thanks for the link - I had seen part of it before, but not the whole thing. It was a daft thing to do, anyway, but both guys are only doing it for publicity. I think they shot a book together on nothing but close-ups of pudenda. What can one say? Okay, I wouldn't buy it.

As you are interested in the subject, here are some names you may or may not know that are worth doing a Google to check out. But, as with much Internet stuff, there are often pics credited to the wrong photographers in most of those group photo-listings that come up if you just type in the name followed by the word images...

From memory, these were the people ruling the British fashion photography scene during the 60s/70s - I link them because the two decades are really rather indistinct in my head, other than the sixties were about beauty and the seventies were not quite so much about beauty but more about cult, and different being more important than great.

Some of the foremost Brits were John French, David Bailey, Terence Donovan, Brian Duffy, Clive Arrowsmith, Albert Watson, Harri Peccinotti and also Norman Parkinson and Cecil Beaton who had already been doing it during the war.

Alongside them in UK magazines such as Vogue, Nova, Queen, but not British photographers, were: Frank Horvat, Sarah Moon, Hans Feurer, Jeanloup Sieff, Christa Peters, Guy Bourdin, Ronald Traeger, Just Jaeckin, Richard Avedon, John Rawlings, Ronald Traeger, Barry Lategan, Arnaud de Rosnay, Helmut Newton, Peter Lindberg, William Klein, Saul Leiter, Clifford Coffin, Alex Chatelain, Elizabeth Novick, Henry Clarke, Bruce Weber, Oliviero Toscani, Bill King, Franco Rubartelli, Rico Puhlmann, Deborah Turbeville, Sante D'Orazio and on and on. I grow dizzy trying to remember this stuff!

The main thing to know, if history matters, is this: there wasn't really any fashion photography revolution in the 60s due to the London guys; similar stuff was already being done across borders by people many years before them. The London thing about fashion and the Swinging Sixties was simply what brought it, the fashion business, to popular attention: it didn't invent it nor its representation.

You should look at Lillian Bassman, Martin Munkacsi, Regina Relang, Karen Radkai, Louis Faurer and many others in the States to understand that a helluva lot came over from America and it, in turn, from European Jewish émigré roots, well before the 60s.

There are so many others whose pics I sort of remember a bit, but their names have gone. There's one American fashion photographer who did lots in UK Vogue, who also did great stuff with ballet and discovered (I think!) and championed Christie Turlington. How hellish it is growing old and forgetting names... but to be honest, I always did! ;-) Got him! Arthur Elgort.

There's also an entire stable devoted to the various versions of Elle, including the great Gilles Bensimon. Guys such as Victor Skrebneski in Chicago, US Cosmopolitan's long-serving cover shooter who wore a peaked, military-looking sort of 'gay' cap... Francesco Scavullo!

Yeah, some great photographers took part in that business.

Rob


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: minicoop1985 on December 13, 2016, 07:50:46 pm
Photographing stuff for sale.

(https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/697/31593481596_948eb3804b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q8NRnW)Focus stacked (https://flic.kr/p/Q8NRnW) by Michael Long (https://www.flickr.com/photos/101669194@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 14, 2016, 10:09:33 am
A new addition to series "Musical Athletes". 645z

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAP_A011_V3.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on December 14, 2016, 10:33:21 am
So much to explore. The feet alone with their lovely texture and tones and angles. The muscles in the calves. There's a whole composition just in there :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 18, 2016, 12:59:59 pm
Thank you Mike,

Here is one more from the same session:

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAP_A158.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on December 18, 2016, 01:58:31 pm
Phew. Who comes up with the poses, you?, the model? or both? It's stunning.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 18, 2016, 02:02:33 pm
Thanks, I come up with the poses, and it is collaboration - each session becomes fine-tuned to abilities and limitations of each model.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 18, 2016, 08:06:34 pm
Thanks, I come up with the poses, and it is collaboration - each session becomes fine-tuned to abilities and limitations of each model.
Your models seem to have no reasnoable limitations at all!
Great work, as always, Michael.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on December 19, 2016, 02:37:32 am
Thanks, I come up with the poses, and it is collaboration - each session becomes fine-tuned to abilities and limitations of each model.

I'm not meaning to pry but I'd have thought a pose like that would be beyond most models - or do I do an injustice to the young ladies concerned? Then again I suppose if they dance as well maybe they can feel physically comfortable posing like this. You do have a good eye for the pose and the ladies have great physical prowess in delivering. I remain in awe. I would love to try something similar but I lack your lighting skills, your post processing skills and to be blunt the money to pay the model :) I also doubt that I could form the right rapport with the model which must be a key part of the success.

Mike
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 20, 2016, 11:39:09 pm
One more from the same session. As one can image pose attained here is entirely relying on model's talent and skill.

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAP_A208_V3C.jpg)

The last aspect you mention really is the key for success of the session; imagination and improvisation, on the other hand, is the same for the work itself.

A couple of portraits just before one of those jumps.

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAP_A224.jpg)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAP_A071_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on December 21, 2016, 02:29:48 am
Thank you Michael, I find it fascinating to see how a fine art portraitist approaches his work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 21, 2016, 08:47:57 am
A shot from the Serenity Room inside UC Jacob's Medical Center from our shoot a few months ago.  Love how the benches grow out of the floor.  The whole building is so "shwoopy"!

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15676055_1312522965436906_6730556365420735556_o.jpg?oh=d5b76c5bf93863dd60b3ee2df750a8b7&oe=58F80590)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on December 21, 2016, 01:16:57 pm
A shot from the Serenity Room inside UC Jacob's Medical Center from our shoot a few months ago.  Love how the benches grow out of the floor.  The whole building is so "shwoopy"!

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15676055_1312522965436906_6730556365420735556_o.jpg?oh=d5b76c5bf93863dd60b3ee2df750a8b7&oe=58F80590)

Excellent composition. I also like the color contrast between the warmish interior and the slightly cool exterior daylight.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on December 21, 2016, 02:03:16 pm
Chris, you shoot some great looking spaces.  Nice work as always.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Transposure on December 21, 2016, 09:06:19 pm
A shot from the Serenity Room inside UC Jacob's Medical Center from our shoot a few months ago.  Love how the benches grow out of the floor.  The whole building is so "shwoopy"!

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15676055_1312522965436906_6730556365420735556_o.jpg?oh=d5b76c5bf93863dd60b3ee2df750a8b7&oe=58F80590)

Chris,
Can you share your camera setup please?  Also, any lighting other than ambient?
Thanks!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickT on December 21, 2016, 10:37:00 pm
A shot from the Serenity Room inside UC Jacob's Medical Center from our shoot a few months ago. 

Very pretty! Nicely done sir.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BernardLanguillier on December 22, 2016, 04:44:40 am
(http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000qySZ8EPCFJU/s/500/I0000qySZ8EPCFJU.jpg)
Wood's Cider Mill, VT
H5X and Credo 40

Hi Doug,

Love this! May I ask what lens you shot this with?

Thanks.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 22, 2016, 10:24:47 am
A shot from the Serenity Room inside UC Jacob's Medical Center from our shoot a few months ago.  Love how the benches grow out of the floor.  The whole building is so "shwoopy"!

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15676055_1312522965436906_6730556365420735556_o.jpg?oh=d5b76c5bf93863dd60b3ee2df750a8b7&oe=58F80590)

Very nice!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 23, 2016, 10:57:43 am
These two photographs, a portrait of a teenage girl and a glorious form of a musical athlete in free flight, which both are of the same person, captured just a few minutes apart, finally allow me to reflect on a theme that has been brewing in my mind for many years. It is about Becoming - becoming someone and something new with every moment, every step, every effort, becoming a new version of self.

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAP_A224.208.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on December 23, 2016, 11:24:17 am
These two photographs, a portrait of a teenage girl and a glorious form of a musical athlete in free flight, which both are of the same person, captured just a few minutes apart, finally allow me to reflect on a theme that has been brewing in my mind for many years. It is about Becoming - becoming someone and something new with every moment, every step, every effort, becoming a new version of self.

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAP_A224.208.jpg)

The first one of the set is sublime. Would you consider cropping out the floor?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 23, 2016, 11:45:54 am
The first one of the set is sublime. Would you consider cropping out the floor?

Thanks. Not entirely sure, but clearly a possibility:) Distance to the floor gives additional context, especially next to the image on the right.

Here is the color version, different feel of course:
(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAP_A208_V3B.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on December 23, 2016, 03:45:02 pm
One thing I do enjoy about these photographs is that you can explore details within them. The way you bring out the muscles in tone values which is why B&W is so effective (IMO of course). You could crop just just the one leg in the left hand B&W shot and still have an interesting image. The hand and the foot are a delight as well. I can see these as massive prints and just gaze at them.

I can't recall how large is the format here? I assume not 5x4, some digital camera?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 23, 2016, 03:58:52 pm
This is shot with Pentax 645z (51MP) with very fast flash duration, so there is no motion blur. Prints can be made in any size really:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on December 23, 2016, 05:15:27 pm
I'm a little surprised. I used to shoot Pentax and was very interested when the 645 was released but I was never sure you could tell that a shot was taken on that or just a plain old K7 when viewing on the web. I guess all those pixels help with the tonality but I suspect it's more to do with your skill in lighting and post processing.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 23, 2016, 05:21:17 pm
It is really a sum of all parts. MF gives a different feel and crispness. Indeed surprisingly it is apparent even in downsized web images.
Post processing alters ~100% of the image anyway. ...Tools, I just love MF:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on December 24, 2016, 02:38:41 am
Although I said I was never sure if you could see a difference at web sizes I did actually think you could if the PP was suitable. At the time I might just have been able to justify (to myself at least) the purchase of a 645Z but not any more as my income is way lower and it's heavy gear. I think there were a load of film 645 lenses available although how well they work for digital I don't know.

Keep them coming :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 24, 2016, 07:54:25 am
645z and film lenses work well, just need to select the better lenses and use them at their best. I am happy with 35A, 75FA, 45-85FA, 80-160FA, 120A. I started another thread  under MF forum, whether is a good time to buy 645z, take a look http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=114269.0
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on December 24, 2016, 07:57:01 am
Michael, I've thought before that I'd love to see your work on large format.  Your tonalities in an 8x10 contact print would be stunning.

IMHO
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 24, 2016, 02:10:55 pm
Hi Chris, I agree with you:) Thank you! In fact, I was planing to switch to large format, although 4x5 since I have a 4x5 enlarger, but then digital came along and it never happened. May be one day!:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: chapel on December 24, 2016, 02:29:43 pm
Hi Michael,
The picture of the flying girl is great. Can you share your lighting setup? I just got a 645Z and am inspired by your work. I'm in no means a pro but good lighting is good lighting.
Thank you
Greg
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 26, 2016, 04:47:10 am
Hi Michael,
The picture of the flying girl is great. Can you share your lighting setup? I just got a 645Z and am inspired by your work. I'm in no means a pro but good lighting is good lighting.
Thank you
Greg

Clearly, my name's not Michael, but I can say this: having somebody give you a written set of directions is dumb. You have one route to lighting that works: try it out for yourself, and thus learn. If you don't have enough lights or a studio, then it's academic anyway. You have to learn to read a photograph, though true, with digital, that becomes ever more unreliable a method because the fibs get bigger, just like Pinocchio's poor old nose. Or some models' tits.

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: chapel on December 26, 2016, 11:04:59 am
Thanks Rob for the helpful insite on the lighting setup. To me a forum is a useful place to share experiences and info. I was wondering more about if a HSS system was used like the Pirolites, since the 645Z has a sync speed of 1/125 and the young lady seems pretty sharp for 1/125, than written instructions on how to use the lights.
Greg
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 26, 2016, 11:19:48 am
:)

I am with Rob on the lighting setup in general, as I think it is of better value to experiment and find one's own. I never document and take notes of my lighting, may be I should:)?

I don't use HSS with 645z in the studio. I used my portable Flashpoint 360 lights at 1/64th power (thus very short flash duration, as I recall, near 1/10000) with highly reflective modifiers. Bumping ISO to 800 on 645z was sufficient.

I used HSS with D800e previously. The issue is that recycling time becomes too long and I hate wasting power, even though there s plenty in those batteries:) With the settings mentioned above I could shoot multiple frames per second, but I also found that to be a waste. Shooting just a single frame during the jump seems to work exactly right. With multiple frames one does not know what is being captured.. might as well use 8K video.. With a single capture per jump one needs to get a good feel of rhythm with the model and master around the shutter lag. That's pretty much it.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on December 26, 2016, 11:30:24 am
Are your results consistent using low power flash and high speed shutter?

I have seen that same flash model sold here (as a Godox). Was a bit skeptical at first, but I guess even a crappy tool in the right hands can create something spectacular! :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: chapel on December 26, 2016, 11:35:30 am
Thanks Michael. I've had the Z for about two weeks so I'm definitely going to try out different things as I go along.
Greg
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 26, 2016, 11:37:08 am
Are your results consistent using low power flash and high speed shutter?

I have seen that same flash model sold here (as a Godox). Was a bit skeptical at first, but I guess even a crappy tool in the right hands can create something spectacular! :)

In this setup the shutter speed stays at max sync speed, so a pitiful 1/125 for 645z. Overall it seemed consistent enough.. if there was any variation, I honestly didn't pay much attention as its trivial to adjust in post. One just has to religiously take care to not burn the highlights with 645z - there is no headroom.

These flashes are fine.. they give light and quite a lot of it;) The only issue I noticed - there is a Y power cable which allows to shorten the recycle time, it has a current leak - with this cable connected and everything powered down the battery pack is discharging. Otherwise, these batteries just don't end.

I found very helpful reviews of this and other Flashpoint/Godox lights on this blog by Mark Kitaoka: http://www.markkitaoka.com/blog
XPLOR600 looks quite interesting & easier to connect with modifiers.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 26, 2016, 11:38:21 am
Thanks Michael. I've had the Z for about two weeks so I'm definitely going to try out different things as I go along.
Greg

Have fun:)!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 26, 2016, 12:48:59 pm
Happy morning everyone:)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/LMK_A189_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on December 27, 2016, 03:08:59 am
In this setup the shutter speed stays at max sync speed, so a pitiful 1/125 for 645z. Overall it seemed consistent enough.. if there was any variation, I honestly didn't pay much attention as its trivial to adjust in post. One just has to religiously take care to not burn the highlights with 645z - there is no headroom.

These flashes are fine.. they give light and quite a lot of it;) The only issue I noticed - there is a Y power cable which allows to shorten the recycle time, it has a current leak - with this cable connected and everything powered down the battery pack is discharging. Otherwise, these batteries just don't end.

I found very helpful reviews of this and other Flashpoint/Godox lights on this blog by Mark Kitaoka: http://www.markkitaoka.com/blog
XPLOR600 looks quite interesting & easier to connect with modifiers.

Thank you! I thought you used a higher shutter speed, it looks very sharp for 1/125!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jvpictures on December 27, 2016, 05:20:44 am
Thank you! I thought you used a higher shutter speed, it looks very sharp for 1/125!

In a studio environment with virtually no available light the shutter speed of the camera is not so important. The flash speed determines mostly the motion freezing. Much different story for the same shoot in available light (outdoor, on-location).
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on December 27, 2016, 09:03:39 am
In a studio environment with virtually no available light the shutter speed of the camera is not so important. The flash speed determines mostly the motion freezing. Much different story for the same shoot in available light (outdoor, on-location).


Ah yes, you are right! Didn't even think about it even though I used this trick a few times. :)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 28, 2016, 04:13:13 am
In a studio environment with virtually no available light the shutter speed of the camera is not so important. The flash speed determines mostly the motion freezing. Much different story for the same shoot in available light (outdoor, on-location).


Absolutely. In my own studios I seldom had the Rollei or the 'blad set to anything other than a 1/125th because it wasn't needed, and keeping it relatively slow, even though one could in theory set the shutter to synch. up to a 1/500th of a sec, it seemed sensible to cut the risk of any internal error taking place in the machine. If anything, my problem was having enough available modelling light by which to focus. Those lenses were never faster than f2.8 and often only made f4. A solution was to have the model hold her hand flat aganst her middle, so that any ring she wore would give a highlight on which one could set the focus. After that, so long as she held her mark, you were home - for full-lengths, of course. In those happy years, junk jewellery was big, in both senses! Helped no end. Portraits always gave you the catchlight on the eyes

Rob
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on December 28, 2016, 12:28:13 pm
Hi,

As long as surround light is low, shutter speed doesn't matter.

There are some reasons that 99% of worlds best images are probably made with focal plane shutters:

Yes, I would suggest that there are situations where short sync times are essential too keep down surround light, but they may rather be exceptions than rules.

It may also be that great photographers can work around limitations of their equipment.

Not saying that leaf shutters are not great. Just saying that an awful lot of great images come from focal plane shutters. Leaf shutters have benefits for sure, just may be that focal plane shutters also have benefits.Those benefits may outweigh the disadvantages for 95% of the users?


Best regards
Erik

Thank you! I thought you used a higher shutter speed, it looks very sharp for 1/125!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jvpictures on December 28, 2016, 02:19:15 pm
Hi,

As long as surround light is low, shutter speed doesn't matter.

There are some reasons that 99% of worlds best images are probably made with focal plane shutters:
  • Could be that 99% of the cameras used to capture world's best images have FPS
  • Could be that 99% of the worlds best photographers know to make best use of their systems
  • Could be that 99% of the worlds best images are made in available light or in studio

Yes, I would suggest that there are situations where short sync times are essential too keep down surround light, but they may rather be exceptions than rules.

It may also be that great photographers can work around limitations of their equipment.

Not saying that leaf shutters are not great. Just saying that an awful lot of great images come from focal plane shutters. Leaf shutters have benefits for sure, just may be that focal plane shutters also have benefits.Those benefits may outweigh the disadvantages for 95% of the users?


Best regards
Erik

I disagree. IMO a portrait in available light with a natural background and the model is lit by a fill flash is more pleasing and more interesting than a studio scene with a white or grey boring background. When shooting without a leaf shutter in full sunlight environment you either shoot with a small aperture (e.g. f/16, but this does not give a pleasing bokeh) or using a strong ND filter (with the disadvantage of focusing and possible color shifts) or using some kind of tricks like FPS...High Speed Sync (with all kind of disadvantages of light output power loss and/or differing color balance). With leaf shutters as I do with my H6D-100c I can sync a mobile power pack up to 1/2000 sec in full sun light at f/2.2.  The freedom of not having to worry of the limitation X-sync of focal plane shutters (1/160 sec ... 1/250 sec) is a luxury as soon one shoots a system with a comfortable leaf shutter as with Phase One or Hasselblad.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on December 28, 2016, 03:11:07 pm
How complicated today's folks like to make their lives!

I almost never used flash outdoors; if I had to supplement anything, a reflector might be used. A good idea is far better than a contrived technique which, IMO, is often used just so that the picture can look artificial/difficult! and thus, by some peverted logic, make the photographer look clever, when all he's done is run a circle when he could have aped Shorty, and just cut across.

With technique as with composition: you can't beat simplicity.

Rob C
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on December 28, 2016, 09:51:48 pm
Hi,

Not saying that leaf shutters are not useful, but consider this:

Total sales of interchangable lens cameras is around 10 000 000 a year while MFD market is believed to be around 10000 a year.

So MFD sales are about 1 promille of ILC sales.

Life cycle of MFD-s is probably longer than for ILC, but I guess that that is highly probable that not more than 1% of the photographers use MFD and not all of those MFDs are leaf shutter cameras.

Therefore I guess that 99% of the photographers do without leaf shutters. I don't say LS are not good or that they are not needed. But, I guess that we would have more LS systems around if there was a large market for them.

Obviously, photographers using outdoor flash benefit from LS, but I would suggest they are minority, ignored by Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and Fuji.

The starting point of this discussion was really a very nice stop motion image shot with a Pentax 645Z at 1/125s.
(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAP_A224.208.jpg)

Best regards
Erik


I disagree. IMO a portrait in available light with a natural background and the model is lit by a fill flash is more pleasing and more interesting than a studio scene with a white or grey boring background. When shooting without a leaf shutter in full sunlight environment you either shoot with a small aperture (e.g. f/16, but this does not give a pleasing bokeh) or using a strong ND filter (with the disadvantage of focusing and possible color shifts) or using some kind of tricks like FPS...High Speed Sync (with all kind of disadvantages of light output power loss and/or differing color balance). With leaf shutters as I do with my H6D-100c I can sync a mobile power pack up to 1/2000 sec in full sun light at f/2.2.  The freedom of not having to worry of the limitation X-sync of focal plane shutters (1/160 sec ... 1/250 sec) is a luxury as soon one shoots a system with a comfortable leaf shutter as with Phase One or Hasselblad.

Quote
Hi,

As long as surround light is low, shutter speed doesn't matter.

There are some reasons that 99% of worlds best images are probably made with focal plane shutters:
Could be that 99% of the cameras used to capture world's best images have FPS
Could be that 99% of the worlds best photographers know to make best use of their systems
Could be that 99% of the worlds best images are made in available light or in studio

Yes, I would suggest that there are situations where short sync times are essential too keep down surround light, but they may rather be exceptions than rules.

It may also be that great photographers can work around limitations of their equipment.

Not saying that leaf shutters are not great. Just saying that an awful lot of great images come from focal plane shutters. Leaf shutters have benefits for sure, just may be that focal plane shutters also have benefits.Those benefits may outweigh the disadvantages for 95% of the users?


Best regards
Erik
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickT on December 28, 2016, 10:40:09 pm
Hi,

Not saying that leaf shutters are not useful, but consider this:

Total sales of interchangable lens cameras is around 10 000 000 a year while MFD market is believed to be around 10000 a year.


Given that we are discussing professionals I think that ratio is probably a bit different.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: jvpictures on December 29, 2016, 06:53:58 am
back to the starting point, this image was shot in a studio, although with available light and fill flash from front right (a large Profoto SB; maybe 50%:50%). Shot with H5D-50c f/5 and 1/800 sec, which is the upper limit for that LS 150mm lens. Still not tack sharp due to fast motion of the subject. The newer H6 do up to 1/2000 sec which probably would have done better to this scene.
(http://jvpictures.com/share/image.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 29, 2016, 12:24:37 pm
One more Unimpossible, 645z:

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A167_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 29, 2016, 12:54:27 pm
One more Unimpossible, 645z:

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A167_V2.jpg)
It must have gone something like this:

You talked the models into this pose, then asked them to hold it while you went to get your camera and tripod and a fresh cup of coffee . . .


Your work is constantly amazing and inspiring, Michael!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 29, 2016, 12:58:10 pm
Thanks Eric:) The amazing thing is, they still could have held this and even more challenging poses:)
More to come!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on December 30, 2016, 02:59:51 am
Stunning, but I keep being drawn to the detail of their legs, the tones and the muscle tone. My word these women must be fit and strong.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on December 30, 2016, 05:48:57 am
Hi,

Proffesional sport photographers? I don't think so...

If you narrowing down a category far enough you can get very different percentages.

Best regards
Erik

Given that we are discussing professionals I think that ratio is probably a bit different.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 30, 2016, 07:21:17 am
I've been very fortunate this year, these "models" are world-class contortionists who are performing for Cirque Du Soleil. Just having them in my studio contorting right in front of my eyes was an unforgettable experience. I am happy as a child:)

I bought 645z in preparation for this session and now have to sift through 64GB of raw files:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 30, 2016, 10:34:28 am
I've been very fortunate this year, these "models" are world-class controtionists who are performing for Cirque Du Soleil. Just having them in my studio controting right in front of my eyes was an unforgettable experience. I am happy as a child:)

I bought 645z in preparation for this session and now have to sift through 64GB of raw files:)
I'll be happy to take any of your rejects off your hands, at no charge.   ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 02, 2017, 09:45:48 am
Happy New Year, everyone!
Let 2017 spring off the hard work of 2016:)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A312_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on January 02, 2017, 11:16:12 am
I keep on saying it. So much detail to admire.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DiamondsDr on January 04, 2017, 10:00:05 pm
(https://cdn.fstoppers.com/styles/full/s3/photos/42002/11/02/4c9696f1ab75a657073c988a41473905.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DiamondsDr on January 04, 2017, 10:05:48 pm
(https://media.fstoppers.com/s3/files/styles/full/s3/photos/42002/01/04/d55d0057a1224c0655b808870d23df76.jpg?itok=GEm9ekQv)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: kitaoka on January 05, 2017, 02:16:28 pm
Hello and Michael, thanks for referring to my experience with the Flashpoint/Godox line of strobes. Also your work is well done. I wanted to let other members here know that when I am in studio then shutter speed has little to do with stopping action. I use my 645Z almost exclusively in studio for action or non action. For me medium format is a delicious look. Prior to using Godox/Flashpoint 600s I was using Einsteins exclusively. Paul's engineering for t:1 performance was great and presented a fantastic value. I've used Profoto, Elinchrom and Priolites as well. To my knowledge Priolite is the only brand offering HSS or more accurately Hypersync for Pentax. I was not happy with the Priolite Hotsync 1000 because of the banding in Hypersync mode.

So I tried the Godox AD600 line and was happy using them with my Pentax in studio and outdoors with my Canon gear. Any time ambient light is a factor the choices left are using a leaf shutter or HSS to freeze action. For dance we all try to capture the talent at the apex of their movement. As such they are often 'frozen' in time and that is when we attempt to take the shot. Outdoors I usually shoot at 1/2000th to freeze action using HSS. I have found the Flashpoint/Godox 600 line excellent. And their addition of higher power heads is a real plus. I currently own five of the Flashpoint 600 lights, five remote H600 heads and one 1200 head. I find their value exceptional.

I prefer to photograph dancers outside of the studio or stage. I find their movement in nature to be beautiful. Also when I shot two pro tango dancers in water I had to adjust my timing. You see when they reach their apex, where we normally try to catch them the water trail is gone! So I had to adjust my timing to snap just before their apex. Those shots were done in studio with Einsteins, as the Godox line was not yet released.

I also often use gobos with my strobes. In the desert shot using a gobo window really sucks the power out of a light. So having the option of converting two AD600s to one 1200ws light is a fantastic option. To date I know of no other manufacturer who offers this much flexibility. I heard a rumor that Godox is working on a trigger for Pentax. I will be one happy shooter when that happens! HSS on my MF rig will be a godsend! Again, everyone must pick the gear that works best for their client base. I have found what works well for me and my clients.

My site's recent dance imagery. (http://www.markkitaoka.com/conceptual/)

In this setup the shutter speed stays at max sync speed, so a pitiful 1/125 for 645z. Overall it seemed consistent enough.. if there was any variation, I honestly didn't pay much attention as its trivial to adjust in post. One just has to religiously take care to not burn the highlights with 645z - there is no headroom.

These flashes are fine.. they give light and quite a lot of it;) The only issue I noticed - there is a Y power cable which allows to shorten the recycle time, it has a current leak - with this cable connected and everything powered down the battery pack is discharging. Otherwise, these batteries just don't end.

I found very helpful reviews of this and other Flashpoint/Godox lights on this blog by Mark Kitaoka: http://www.markkitaoka.com/blog
XPLOR600 looks quite interesting & easier to connect with modifiers.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 05, 2017, 04:40:50 pm
Hello Mark, it is great to see you here! I enjoyed reading your blog:)

I am preparing for the group exhibit at Museum of Russian Art (http://moramuseum.org, Jersey City, NJ) on January 14th, in celebration of the Russian "Old New Year".
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: kitaoka on January 05, 2017, 04:52:17 pm
Thanks, I won't be here much as my high season kicks into gear this month. Take care.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 06, 2017, 09:59:26 am
Another Unimpossible

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A068_V3.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 09, 2017, 08:24:41 pm
This house we shot in Florida recently got some nice coverage in Florida Design Magazine  ;)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15895631_1334058023283400_8385341137966796912_o.jpg?oh=330d2a334b76eab3b8e29b67a6d21cdf&oe=58DB77A3)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 09, 2017, 10:54:49 pm
Congratulations!

Erik
Hello Mark, it is great to see you here! I enjoyed reading your blog:)

I am preparing for the group exhibit at Museum of Russian Art (http://moramuseum.org, Jersey City, NJ) on January 14th, in celebration of the Russian "Old New Year".
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 09, 2017, 11:19:28 pm
Congratulations!

Erik

Thanks Erik! I'll be showing 6 nudes in a company of painters and other photographers.
I know that a few boxes of Champagne were already brought in and no party goes there without some Russian delicatessen. Admission is free, just a couple flights of stairs:)

Another Unimpossible:)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A447_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 10, 2017, 12:21:30 am
Thanks Erik! I'll be showing 6 nudes in a company of painters and other photographers.
I know that a few boxes of Champagne were already brought in and no party goes there without some Russian delicatessen. Admission is free, just a couple flights of stairs:)

Another Unimpossible:)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A447_V2.jpg)
I wish I could get to see the show.
Be careful of that Russian Champagne. It's probably that clear liquid commonly known here as Vodka.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 10, 2017, 07:19:49 am
This house we shot in Florida recently got some nice coverage in Florida Design Magazine  ;)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15895631_1334058023283400_8385341137966796912_o.jpg?oh=330d2a334b76eab3b8e29b67a6d21cdf&oe=58DB77A3)

CB, great shot and I love how you left the outside blue.  However, I got to ask, how do you handle clients that would criticize that? 

If I handed an image like that to a client, the first thing would be, "why is the outside blue?  Can you fix it?"

It drives me nuts since in these shots it such a nice contrast. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Bo_Dez on January 10, 2017, 07:28:16 am
Happy New Year, everyone!
Let 2017 spring off the hard work of 2016:)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A312_V2.jpg)

Beautiful images Michael, you are right, what a great experience.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 10, 2017, 09:42:34 am

If I handed an image like that to a client, the first thing would be, "why is the outside blue?  Can you fix it?"


Joe, I think you may have asked me this before.  We must have very different clients.  I've never had anyone find this look objectionable.  Exterior dusk views have looked like this since the beginning of color architectural photography, so it's really more the norm.  Digital imagining has brought benefits and deficits to commercial photography.  I think we are losing some of the magic with every generation that hasn't experienced film photography.

On that note, my Arca Swiss 8x10 arrives today!  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on January 10, 2017, 04:51:17 pm
This house we shot in Florida recently got some nice coverage in Florida Design Magazine  ;)

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15895631_1334058023283400_8385341137966796912_o.jpg?oh=330d2a334b76eab3b8e29b67a6d21cdf&oe=58DB77A3)

The interior lighting is perfect. I love this.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on January 10, 2017, 09:40:37 pm

On that note, my Arca Swiss 8x10 arrives today!  ;)

Jealous....What lenses are you using on it Chris?  I thought you'd moved on all your Arca mount glass...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 11, 2017, 08:00:51 am
I still have a number of LF pieces including some I added when I bought the 4x10 a couple years ago...

SK SS XL 110
SK SS XL 150
Fuji 180
Rodie Apo-Sironar W 210
SK G-Claron 305
Fuji 420 (THANKS JIM!!!)
Nikkor 450

I kinda want the Cooke Triple Convertible but I don't think I have enough bellows for the long end.  Hmm.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Pablovi on January 12, 2017, 10:19:19 pm
Hello and Michael, thanks for referring to my experience with the Flashpoint/Godox line of strobes. Also your work is well done. I wanted to let other members here know that when I am in studio then shutter speed has little to do with stopping action. I use my 645Z almost exclusively in studio for action or non action. For me medium format is a delicious look. Prior to using Godox/Flashpoint 600s I was using Einsteins exclusively. Paul's engineering for t:1 performance was great and presented a fantastic value. I've used Profoto, Elinchrom and Priolites as well. To my knowledge Priolite is the only brand offering HSS or more accurately Hypersync for Pentax. I was not happy with the Priolite Hotsync 1000 because of the banding in Hypersync mode.

So I tried the Godox AD600 line and was happy using them with my Pentax in studio and outdoors with my Canon gear. Any time ambient light is a factor the choices left are using a leaf shutter or HSS to freeze action. For dance we all try to capture the talent at the apex of their movement. As such they are often 'frozen' in time and that is when we attempt to take the shot. Outdoors I usually shoot at 1/2000th to freeze action using HSS. I have found the Flashpoint/Godox 600 line excellent. And their addition of higher power heads is a real plus. I currently own five of the Flashpoint 600 lights, five remote H600 heads and one 1200 head. I find their value exceptional.

I prefer to photograph dancers outside of the studio or stage. I find their movement in nature to be beautiful. Also when I shot two pro tango dancers in water I had to adjust my timing. You see when they reach their apex, where we normally try to catch them the water trail is gone! So I had to adjust my timing to snap just before their apex. Those shots were done in studio with Einsteins, as the Godox line was not yet released.

I also often use gobos with my strobes. In the desert shot using a gobo window really sucks the power out of a light. So having the option of converting two AD600s to one 1200ws light is a fantastic option. To date I know of no other manufacturer who offers this much flexibility. I heard a rumor that Godox is working on a trigger for Pentax. I will be one happy shooter when that happens! HSS on my MF rig will be a godsend! Again, everyone must pick the gear that works best for their client base. I have found what works well for me and my clients.

My site's recent dance imagery. (http://www.markkitaoka.com/conceptual/)

You can use highsync speed with the Pentax 645Z and D and the Godox AD360ii and AD600, using A Cactus V6ii trigger. Up to the cameras maximum shutter speed, I've used it with the 645D.

http://www.cactus-image.com
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 16, 2017, 12:12:01 pm
A quick video from the exhibit at the Museum of Russian Art, on display until Jan 28th.

https://youtu.be/9_OMNgi4ukc
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on January 16, 2017, 12:13:41 pm
(http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000xtK9.PsV5K0/s/500/I0000xtK9.PsV5K0.jpg)

Playing with my new Credo 60 on H5X, 80mm
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: kitaoka on January 17, 2017, 08:31:21 pm
You can use highsync speed with the Pentax 645Z and D and the Godox AD360ii and AD600, using A Cactus V6ii trigger. Up to the cameras maximum shutter speed, I've used it with the 645D.

http://www.cactus-image.com

Thank you. Can this be used with strobes made by Godox?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 21, 2017, 12:11:58 pm
Another Unimpossible!

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A416_V2C.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on January 21, 2017, 12:37:34 pm
My grandson has a game called faily brakes where the guy flies out of the car and lands like that. :-) I didn't know it was actually possible!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 22, 2017, 09:49:23 pm
:)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A393_V1.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Pablovi on January 23, 2017, 08:18:15 pm
Thank you. Can this be used with strobes made by Godox?

Yes, with some. Take a look at the webpage and the forum over there.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on January 24, 2017, 10:52:09 am
Mesmerizing work Michael. I noticed your last two photos are slightly colder compared to your previous works.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Hartmonstr2 on January 27, 2017, 11:35:20 am
Hello, I'm new to this forum but have been a professional photographer since 1974 (and interestingly, met and became friends with Kevin Raber at a seminar back in 1983).

My primary business is portraiture but have recently become enamored with the art of light painting. Of course it's been around since the film days, but the process has definitely seen its possibilities improve with digital imaging.

These are a few recent images, done with an assortment of continuous LED lights using a Hasselblad and five lenses. Most are composed from between 50 and 120 separate exposures, and blended together in Photoshop.

The really fun part about light painting is that it it reminiscent of shooting with film—you don't really know what you have until long after the set is struck. The magic happens in post, but it's still all about getting it right in the capture.

John Hartman

johnhartmanlightpainting.com
johnhartmanlightpainting.com/workshop
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Hartmonstr2 on January 27, 2017, 11:43:57 am
Here are a few more light paintings.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on January 27, 2017, 12:30:28 pm
Here are a few more light paintings.

Those are very nice images.  Takes me way back to using a Hosemaster.....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on January 27, 2017, 02:34:24 pm
(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16402559_1352448791444323_1542143156443712131_o.jpg?oh=6602af5a4118a35fa64a4a56714cf4ea&oe=5908615F)

from a recent project in Indy.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 27, 2017, 03:19:52 pm
(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16402559_1352448791444323_1542143156443712131_o.jpg?oh=6602af5a4118a35fa64a4a56714cf4ea&oe=5908615F)

from a recent project in Indy.

Very nice CB. 

At first, I read India and thought, "damn, I need to get some international work too."   ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on January 27, 2017, 05:57:20 pm
Nice image CB.  Your sig style clean and perfect.

Hartmonster, nice light painting.  Haven't seen that in a while.

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/mex_mountain_field_web.jpg)

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/2_remy_web.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 30, 2017, 03:35:11 pm
I love coming here, seeing fresh work!

Here is a new addition to Unimpossible.

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A831_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 30, 2017, 05:45:37 pm
Mesmerizing work Michael. I noticed your last two photos are slightly colder compared to your previous works.

Thanks Andrea. I chose to vary coloring within series, although most images have somewhat uniform type of coloring. Here is another cold one.

I am so happy I got 645z!

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A815_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 30, 2017, 06:59:50 pm
I love coming here seeing Michael Ezra's fresh work!

Gorgeous as always.

-Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on January 31, 2017, 02:20:19 am
Totally +1
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 31, 2017, 02:24:48 pm
Eric, Mike thank you:)

One more Unimpossible

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A638_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on February 01, 2017, 02:30:44 am
Wow!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 01, 2017, 09:13:25 am
Wow!
+1.
The most impossible Unimpossible yet.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 01, 2017, 12:54:02 pm
:) Here is a couple of NYC's "unimpossible":) From a walk in a city sometime last year, shot for portfolio use. C&C welcome

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/MEZ_4534.jpg)

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/MEZ_4519.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on February 01, 2017, 02:18:39 pm
Holy crap! What lens did you use? Fisheye corrected for distortion?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 01, 2017, 02:59:19 pm
Holy crap! What lens did you use? Fisheye corrected for distortion?

Exactly, although it could also be done with stitching (with much neck pain).
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on February 02, 2017, 03:59:14 am
:) Here is a couple of NYC's "unimpossible":) From a walk in a city sometime last year, shot for portfolio use. C&C welcome

Weird. Disconcerting. Fascinating.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Joe Towner on February 03, 2017, 03:31:46 pm
Always great to see your work BC.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: UlfKrentz on February 03, 2017, 04:05:35 pm
Contax, P+back.

BC

don´t know why, but (especially the middle) reflection of the chair´s legs draw too much attention for my taste. Other than that what a strange look :-) Cheers!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ben730 on February 03, 2017, 06:19:01 pm
D810, Sigma 50 ART.
Regards,
Ben
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on February 03, 2017, 09:08:19 pm
Here's what's bothersome about the chair legs.  You have a reflection from one of them and then shadows from them too.  It feels weird when we see chair legs reflecting AND throwing shadows.  Our brains don't expect it.  As someone who has made hundreds of photos of chairs, I've dealt with this a lot.  Every time an AD wants to shoot on a reflective floor, I know I'm going to have to be full on surgical about my chair shadows.

-CB the furniture shooter

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/FurnitureBook_077-Edit.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 05, 2017, 05:40:37 pm
Sometimes, I just which I had more time.   :-\

Been three weeks since I got back from Havana and I am finally, but slowly, editing the images.  This one has been a crowd pleaser so far. 

The linens drying for La Guarida, a well known Cuban restaurant that is certainly worth a visit if you ever go. 

More to come later this week. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on February 08, 2017, 11:29:03 pm
(http://russellrutherford.com/lax.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NickT on February 09, 2017, 03:41:05 pm



-CB the furniture shooter

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/FurnitureBook_077-Edit.jpg)

Lovely image Chris.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 10, 2017, 12:48:22 am
Some Havana architecture. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 10, 2017, 12:50:17 am
Some Havana scenes. 

Plenty more on my website if anyone is interested.  (And in case anyone really needs to know, all shot with the IQ260 on either an Arca RM3Di or XF.) 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on February 10, 2017, 02:05:35 am
Is there something you can't make beautiful and interesting, Joe? ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Pablovi on February 10, 2017, 12:08:43 pm
Some Havana scenes. 

Plenty more on my website if anyone is interested.  (And in case anyone really needs to know, all shot with the IQ260 on either an Arca RM3Di or XF.)

I have one of that street! It Villegas street which is my last name. But it was taken with a Fuji X100 didn't have a digital MF back then, and didn't take my film cameras.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5653/21638202159_8dd92bc013_k_d.jpg)

Other photos from that trip(vacation) to Cuba in 2015.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32577294@N06/albums/72157656925267774/with/21638202159/
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 10, 2017, 12:10:40 pm
Is there something you can't make beautiful and interesting, Joe? ;D

Thanks!  Havana makes it a little easy though. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 10, 2017, 12:12:05 pm
I have one of that street! It Villegas street which is my last name. But it was taken with a Fuji X100 didn't have a digital MF back then, and didn't take my film cameras.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5653/21638202159_8dd92bc013_k_d.jpg)

Other photos from that trip(vacation) to Cuba in 2015.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32577294@N06/albums/72157656925267774/with/21638202159/

Lucky, you got inside the Capitol!  I wish I could have. 

It's currently under construction and there is a 8 foot tall fence around almost all of it.  The angle above was the only angle you could get the whole building without seeing the fence. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Pablovi on February 10, 2017, 12:17:26 pm
Lucky, you got inside the Capitol!  I wish I could have. 

It's currently under construction and there is a 8 foot tall fence around almost all of it.  The angle above was the only angle you could get the whole building without seeing the fence.

That's not the Capitol, it's the Revolution museum. It was on construction as well. I have gone into the Capitol before, I lived in Cuba in 2005, actually went to school there, took my cinematography specialization course there, after the degree here in México.

Beautiful work on those architecture pictures! I hope you had a wonderful time there, I love Cuba, and feel it my own.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on February 10, 2017, 06:52:29 pm
off to Morocco tomorrow for a little fun.  I managed to narrow my camera selection down to just these three... Phew!

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16603126_10210857823256683_9016648181792024494_n.jpg?oh=ec039e6f3178c2761e00f7c6653a9a33&oe=5905559F)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 10, 2017, 08:48:57 pm
off to Morocco tomorrow for a little fun.  I managed to narrow my camera selection down to just these three... Phew!

(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16603126_10210857823256683_9016648181792024494_n.jpg?oh=ec039e6f3178c2761e00f7c6653a9a33&oe=5905559F)
That looks like only a half-day's worth of film. How long will you be having fun?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 13, 2017, 12:48:29 pm
From a recent session with balerina
(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/DSA_A387_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on February 13, 2017, 05:06:38 pm
I think I am allowed to nit pick :) the white toe nail and the highlights on the ear (I think) are very mildly distracting but what a fabulous pose and composition. The angles in the arm and leg, the crease on the flesh of the shoulder blade, the confidence to have so much dead space.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: dchew on February 13, 2017, 05:46:16 pm
I think I'm allowed not to nitpick: That's gorgeous Michael.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 13, 2017, 07:54:05 pm
I think I'm allowed not to nitpick: That's gorgeous Michael.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
+1.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: cgarnerhome on February 13, 2017, 08:04:44 pm
Beautiful work Michael.  This image really reminds me of Ruth Bernhard's work.  A compliment of the highest order!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 13, 2017, 11:15:21 pm
Thank you all for the kind words:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on February 14, 2017, 02:25:14 am
I think I'm allowed not to nitpick: That's gorgeous Michael.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 15, 2017, 10:08:48 am
I am thinking to print a book / start a series of books on sculptural nudes. What is the absolute best method of warmtone BW book printing these days?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: dchew on February 15, 2017, 09:16:07 pm
Michael,
Have you ever reached out to Brooks Jensen? He would certainly know the answer, and your images could easily be the subject of one of his feature books.

Dave


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 19, 2017, 10:59:25 pm
Some Tequila. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on February 20, 2017, 10:30:44 am
Makes me want to buy some!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Magee on February 20, 2017, 11:45:20 am
I am thinking to print a book / start a series of books on sculptural nudes. What is the absolute best method of warmtone BW book printing these days?

Steidl use duo and/or tritone for some books, depends on the content. Always looks gorgeous.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on February 21, 2017, 03:48:56 am
Got inspired to work on my portfolio. Used rear projection.

(http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab14/Andrea_Minganti/_AM10390_zpsda0uabur.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 21, 2017, 08:44:18 am
Got inspired to work on my portfolio. Used rear projection.

(http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab14/Andrea_Minganti/_AM10390_zpsda0uabur.jpg)

I need to get one of those.  Actually Dedo makes an adapter for 35mm slides for their lens thingie that goes in front of the light.  I think it will work well with strobes if I ever get around to building an adapter for it. 

Very nice, but very subtly lighting.  The scene is very contrasty though; have you considered using harsher back lighting to make it blend more into the location? 

I am doing a similar shot of Havana Club 3 Year today with the image below as a background.  Breaking out a fresnel and making a cookie to give the surface some direct light and shadow.  Also, printed the (full vertical) image thin paper to be put over a soft box and behind the bottle, so the reflection of the building comes through in it. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on February 21, 2017, 09:22:40 am
Thanks for the tips!

I used a pair of Ianiro, softboxes and a 40" screen behind to get this effect. As long as the screen is matte and you make sure to not hit it with any light, you are golden.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on February 22, 2017, 11:51:02 am
Plain old light painting. This is good exercise.

(http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab14/Andrea_Minganti/_AM10414_zpsdhoto8hm.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 22, 2017, 10:18:50 pm
And some rum. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Brent Daniels on February 23, 2017, 11:59:34 am
Actually Dedo makes an adapter for 35mm slides for their lens thingie that goes in front of the light.  I think it will work well with strobes if I ever get around to building an adapter for it. 

Joe. Profoto used to make a projection spotlight unit that had a projection lens on it and had a stage where masking tools and a slide holder piece would go. Similar to the Dedo in effect but much larger. It was probably 8" sq and 24" long. Great for detail lighting or projection of images via flash.

Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 23, 2017, 12:57:39 pm

Joe. Profoto used to make a projection spotlight unit that had a projection lens on it and had a stage where masking tools and a slide holder piece would go. Similar to the Dedo in effect but much larger. It was probably 8" sq and 24" long. Great for detail lighting or projection of images via flash.

Thanks Brent.  However, I am aware of that unit and have used it on shoots.  Actually I used it for the wallet images on my site. 

I find it to be very limited though compared to the Dedo-Light projection adapter. 

For $400 the DL version is better made, a little thicker allowing more light to pass through, has interchangeable lenses (including a zoom lens), the gobo holder and clamp are more robust, you can buy a 18 blade iris for it, there's an adapter for filters (great for cross polarization), and I have figured out a way to mount fiber optic cables to it (with removing the front lens). 

For $1100 the Profoto version has a fixed stationary lens with no filter threads, no great iris is available, and the gobo holder is kind of flimsy.  Not to mention the Bowens version is exactly the same (minus the mount) for half the price, so it is drastically over priced. 

I just need to have a custom holder made for it that will mount to a Profoto head.  Too busy to find the time though, which is a good problem I guess. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on February 23, 2017, 01:07:05 pm
If you were closer, Joe, I would gladly 3D print you an adapter. Unfortunately with the steep prices for international shipping you are better off finding a local 3D printing service.

With a 3D model at hand you could even get it done in titanium! ;D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: svenS on February 25, 2017, 06:11:36 am
Is that an even reduced Universalis and a Rodenstock 45 mm without a shutter for use with the A7R2?
Do you also use it without a tripod?
Looks like a great view camera for a small bag.
Do you correct the color cast?

off to Morocco tomorrow for a little fun.  I managed to narrow my camera selection down to just these three... Phew!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on March 03, 2017, 06:32:55 am
New work, shot for a client selling his Lear 60.   I do love the challanges of confined space work.  5Ds, Canon 11-24.


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: kers on March 03, 2017, 08:32:00 am
Just made a serie for Sonic Acts festival 2017...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 03, 2017, 08:43:23 am
Craig, those look great.  Impressive what you can do in a tiny space!  There's only a couple things I might have done differently... I often like to add a little vignetting to increase depth and I think that may help these shots.  Also, I wonder if you increase the hilight brightness in the clouds if that will make the view a little more believable?

#nitpicking

-CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 03, 2017, 08:58:16 am
Really lovely project we recently shot in D.C.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/161202_002.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/161202_006.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/161202_008.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/161202_016.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 03, 2017, 05:15:35 pm
(https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16603126_10210857823256683_9016648181792024494_n.jpg?oh=ec039e6f3178c2761e00f7c6653a9a33&oe=5905559F)

Sven, this is an older little view camera from the '90s.  Arca Swiss 6x9 F-Line.  It shoots to a roll film back.  I'm using a 6x9 back with it.  On the front I've got a Rodie digital 45mm.  Since I have such a short lens, I built it on a really short rail for compactness.  This is actually a little heavier and larger than the Universalis.  An awesome little view camera for roll film.  I was actually thinking of converting my Universalis to this sort of rig since I'm using the Mf2 exclusively these days for the Sony.

-CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: graeme on March 04, 2017, 08:20:58 am
Just made a serie for Sonic Acts festival 2017...

That first shot is terrific.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: kers on March 04, 2017, 12:30:48 pm
That first shot is terrific.

thank you...!
I like the diversity of photography and to be involved as a photographer with art and science...
i work fast/slow good light/bad light  etc.. try to look for all photographic possibilities...
Here some more from the same festival...
I like to make photographs of the audience
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on March 04, 2017, 01:40:42 pm
Very cool!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on March 06, 2017, 09:08:33 am
Craig, those look great.  Impressive what you can do in a tiny space!  There's only a couple things I might have done differently... I often like to add a little vignetting to increase depth and I think that may help these shots.  Also, I wonder if you increase the hilight brightness in the clouds if that will make the view a little more believable?

#nitpicking

-CB

Thanks for the comments Chris. I agree on the vignetting.  In fact it is a standard part of my workflow for interiors.  I have an action that creates a duplicate layer, reduces brightness by 25 and increases contrast by 5.  I then erase selected areas or just the center of the image to the desired amount and then I fade the opacity to taste, say 25 to 35%. On this image I went really light on the opacity, maybe 7-8 percent. 

I think you are right about the sky.  I had a couple of different skies and I ended up wiht this one for the color.  It might be just a tad dark.  Thanks agin,
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on March 06, 2017, 09:11:14 am
Really lovely project we recently shot in D.C.


CB


You do get some nice projects!  All the images are stunning but by far my favorite is the patio image with the monument in the background.  Really nice job of lighting the people.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 06, 2017, 01:55:06 pm
A couple more products I brought back from Cuba and fooled around with in studio over the weekend. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 09, 2017, 08:55:52 pm
Playing with the 810 in studio.  Portrait of my friend Kirsten on Fuji Acros with a Nikkor 450mm at f/11.  Souped in Xtol a few hours ago...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Kirsten_8x10_01.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 12, 2017, 04:51:09 pm
My local market had some amazing looking figs last week and I just could not help myself.  Plus I like bourbon and cream soda! 

Fig & Bourbon Fizz. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on March 14, 2017, 01:47:09 am
contax and p21+

(http://russellrutherford.com/santa_monica_pier_1000_p21_contax.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Pablovi on March 16, 2017, 03:05:37 pm
My local market had some amazing looking figs last week and I just could not help myself.  Plus I like bourbon and cream soda! 

Fig & Bourbon Fizz.

Nice work! What you use as a backlight? To recreate sunlight?
A bare flashbulb? A Fresnel?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Patricia Sheley on March 16, 2017, 04:16:02 pm
~a flick of fleur de sel on the face of that fig and the board and I'm your gal!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 16, 2017, 09:01:46 pm
flowers in the studio on the new 810.  Fuji Acros / Nikkor 450mm @ f/22  This is the first time I've shot Acros.  I dig it.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/daffy.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on March 17, 2017, 02:45:37 am
Love it, Acros is one of my favorites!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 17, 2017, 07:58:41 am
Nice work! What you use as a backlight? To recreate sunlight?
A bare flashbulb? A Fresnel?

Thanks, glad you like it. 

Actually I wish I had a fresnel strobe.  In the future (not this year) I may have Bacht in Germany make me a dedicated 2400 w/s fresnel; the light is just so nice from those.  It would be awesome if they could make me one with an adapter so I could use it on Proforo and Broncolor packs, although I don't think this is possible. 

Anyway, you really need two lights to do direct sunlight right.  One is some sort of hard light, in this case the Profoto Narrow Beam, to create the harshness.  (Now the Narrow Beam has not so good shadow quality, so it was gelled with 1/8 diffusion to clean it up a bit along with Lee Wheat to add some color.) 

Now when we are outside, not only does the harshness of the sun come down, but the sunlight is reflecting off of the sky as well, giving a bit of softness too.  So I usually place a soft box near, but above, the hard light to simulate this. 

Here the hard light is left behind set and the soft box is directly behind the set. 

There is also a small soft box on the left going through a large diffusion panel and a very very very light ceiling bounce (that I usually gel with a 2 ND to make it even dimmer) for overall fill. 

Spending all of next week doing splash work; should be fun.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Pablovi on March 17, 2017, 11:04:12 am
Thanks, glad you like it. 

Actually I wish I had a fresnel strobe.  In the future (not this year) I may have Bacht in Germany make me a dedicated 2400 w/s fresnel; the light is just so nice from those.  It would be awesome if they could make me one with an adapter so I could use it on Proforo and Broncolor packs, although I doing this is possible. 

Anyway, you really need two lights to do direct sunlight right.  One is some sort of hard light, in this case the Profoto Narrow Beam, to create the harshness.  (Now the Narrow Beam has not so good shadow quality, so it was gelled with 1/8 diffusion to clean it up a bit along with Lee Wheat to add some color.) 

Now when we are outside, not only does the harshness of the sun come down, but the sunlight is reflecting off of the sky as well, giving a bit of softness too.  So I usually place a soft box near, but above, the hard light to simulate this. 

Here the hard light is left behind set and the soft box is directly behind the set. 

There is also a small soft box on the left going through a large diffusion panel and a very very very light ceiling bounce (that I usually gel with a 2 ND to make it even dimmer) for overall fill. 

Spending all of next week doing splash work; should be fun.

Thanks!

Yeah, a Fresnel is great for recreating direct sunlight, and the light is beautiful on almost everything. I'm a cinematographer so I use them all the time. But don't have them on strobes, and it's been hard for me to recreate direct sunlight on studio with strobes, that's why I ask. And for stills I prefer to use strobes rather than continuos lighting.

I'll have a look at the Narrow beam, I don't have Profoto, I use Bowens and Visatec for studio monolights, and Godox AD360II and AD600 for location.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 17, 2017, 06:47:33 pm
flowers in the studio on the new 810.  Fuji Acros / Nikkor 450mm @ f/22  This is the first time I've shot Acros.  I dig it.

Yep, Acros is wonderful. I used Acros 100 for most of my 6x7 negs, the rest was Delta 100. Last year I printed this one 60" wide, it looked incredible.

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/NU_000079.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 17, 2017, 07:49:10 pm
Thanks!

Yeah, a Fresnel is great for recreating direct sunlight, and the light is beautiful on almost everything. I'm a cinematographer so I use them all the time. But don't have them on strobes, and it's been hard for me to recreate direct sunlight on studio with strobes, that's why I ask. And for stills I prefer to use strobes rather than continuos lighting.

I'll have a look at the Narrow beam, I don't have Profoto, I use Bowens and Visatec for studio monolights, and Godox AD360II and AD600 for location.

I think all manufactures have some type of super hard reflector, which is was the Narrow Beam is. 

The problem though is you are dealing with a ring of light and no lens, so the shadow quality is not going to be great. 

With the dedicated fresnel heads, they fold the flash tube around itself to produce more of a point source, and the giant lens really help to make the shadows ohh so nice. 

The only downside is they cost like $10K. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on March 18, 2017, 03:06:02 am
With the help of some handy friends (or DIY) you could rig something up. I bet there are a few companies making quality fresnel lenses in the US, the most complex part would be a focusing system for the lens itself.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: dougster_ling on March 19, 2017, 12:33:20 am
Shot last year in Sonoma.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 19, 2017, 10:44:31 am
Shot last year in Sonoma.

Hi, Doug!  :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 26, 2017, 03:35:39 pm
Did a whole bunch of splash and movement work last week with the Bron Scoros.  Really liked these two make up shots and worked on them first. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 27, 2017, 03:54:27 pm
Make it rain!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 27, 2017, 06:00:02 pm
more flowers in the studio.  Not even close to MF.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/WaterLily_CU.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: 8x10nut on March 27, 2017, 08:15:46 pm
You got some beautiful 8x10's there. What developer do you use ?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on March 27, 2017, 09:28:40 pm
I've been souping everything in XTol.  1:1 in a Jobo.  I've been pretty happy with that.

-CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: UlfKrentz on March 28, 2017, 01:16:19 pm
more flowers in the studio.  Not even close to MF.


Yes, that´s the DOF we´re sadly missing today. It totally has its own feel.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 28, 2017, 01:57:02 pm
Made one hell of mess with this one.  Milk is surprisingly more sticky then you would think. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on March 28, 2017, 09:20:06 pm
That one is very nice...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on April 02, 2017, 07:49:41 pm
(http://russellrutherford.com/street_car_dallas.jpg)

Street Car

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on April 03, 2017, 11:18:23 am
Made one hell of mess with this one.  Milk is surprisingly more sticky then you would think.

Doc Edgerton pioneered messing around with strobes and milk. Milk lacks the viscosity for this picture.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on April 04, 2017, 01:38:18 am
Milk can do many things, like this model shot from Simona Smrckova (https://www.facebook.com/193391417367686/photos/a.193432640696897.45030.193391417367686/1092895794083906/?type=1&theater)!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on April 04, 2017, 10:05:30 am
Milk can do many things, like this model shot from Simona Smrckova (https://www.facebook.com/193391417367686/photos/a.193432640696897.45030.193391417367686/1092895794083906/?type=1&theater)!

A person bathing in milk is not the same as dropping a bottle of dove into a pan of milk.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on April 04, 2017, 10:11:36 am
You can drop a person in milk! :D
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 11, 2017, 10:10:35 am
Well the good news is, I found out it's the tonic I really hate in a G&T, absolutely dreadful stuff.  The bad news, the gin ain't much better. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on April 11, 2017, 10:53:58 am
My wife likes gin.  I... just... can't.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 11, 2017, 03:30:57 pm
My wife likes gin.  I... just... can't.

A Gin & Tonic, sounds like such a refined drink, a drink everyone should enjoy.  Whenever I end up in a posh networking event I think maybe, maybe my taste buds have evolved to where I will like one. 

I promptly find out I'm wrong. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on April 11, 2017, 04:36:07 pm
It's possible you're drinking the wrong gin and not all tonics are equal. When I still drank alcohol G&T was the weapon of choice. Tanqueray (spelling?) was lovely but Gordons was good and of course it has to be strong.

The terrible stuff we got in Ghana in teh 70's was pretty raw - I visited the factory once and saw the drums of alcohol they used. I didn't see the drums of flavouring :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 11, 2017, 05:51:16 pm
It's possible you're drinking the wrong gin and not all tonics are equal. When I still drank alcohol G&T was the weapon of choice. Tanqueray (spelling?) was lovely but Gordons was good and of course it has to be strong.

The terrible stuff we got in Ghana in teh 70's was pretty raw - I visited the factory once and saw the drums of alcohol they used. I didn't see the drums of flavouring :)

I tried quite a few gins, and now a few different tonics.  Nothing yet I can stomach, although there is a bottle of Tanqueray Rangpur on my desk.  Maybe after I photograph it I'll find out I like it. 

To each their own.  I can drink Tequila like water (not sure if that is a good thing), but I know quite a few who hate the stuff. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ben730 on April 11, 2017, 06:40:26 pm
contax and p21+

(http://russellrutherford.com/santa_monica_pier_1000_p21_contax.jpg)

BC

James,
you really have created your own style and I like it.  All your pictures I have seen on LuLa made me pause some seconds and think about the person(s) in the picture. Are they relaxed or are they apathetic? They are mysterious.
When I look at your photos I'm in the thick of it and simultaneously far away.
They make me insecure and demand my attention. Great work!
Thanks,
Ben


 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on April 12, 2017, 02:41:56 am
To each their own.  I can drink Tequila like water (not sure if that is a good thing), but I know quite a few who hate the stuff.

Raises hand :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on April 12, 2017, 07:12:54 pm
Interestingly there seems to be a real 'small batch gin distillery' movement at the moment.

Makes my wife and I happy.  One way to deal with the 5-7pm noise...


Raises hand :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on April 13, 2017, 02:35:19 am
I tried some of these expensive boutique gins in the UK albeit some years ago and in my view most were change for the sake of change rather than an improvement but each to his and her own.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on April 13, 2017, 07:32:54 am
Is this a professional photographers thread, or professional alchoholics thread? ;)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: dchew on April 13, 2017, 08:42:45 am
Is this a professional photographers thread, or professional alchoholics thread? ;)

Yes.

Dave
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on April 13, 2017, 09:18:34 am
Retired amateur in my case :)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: graeme on April 13, 2017, 11:57:57 am
Is this a professional photographers thread, or professional alchoholics thread? ;)

Well I know which description I match best.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on April 13, 2017, 12:01:18 pm
Interestingly the ones we're trying in BC are only $2-3 more a bottle.  Some really lovely...others not so.

I tried some of these expensive boutique gins in the UK albeit some years ago and in my view most were change for the sake of change rather than an improvement but each to his and her own.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on April 14, 2017, 10:07:50 am
I always learn something new in this thread, besides enjoying the awesome photos!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BrunoGil on April 14, 2017, 12:36:09 pm
Last campaign, 3 more to come

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2811/33876771262_e60d668b5b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/TBziR9) (https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2916/33648853490_56f0f88df0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/TBziR9)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on April 17, 2017, 05:15:57 am
Black camera

(http://russellrutherfordgroup.com/mex_900.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Livsey on April 17, 2017, 06:16:29 am
Black camera
BC

Quite

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 18, 2017, 02:58:15 pm
Getting ready for the ArtExpo New York!
Anya shot a quick short while I was going through the small prints: https://youtu.be/fXH0nC3ARXE

If you'd like a pass to the show let me know.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on April 18, 2017, 03:17:11 pm
Beautiful prints!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 19, 2017, 10:40:02 am
Thanks Andrea:) This year I came up with new framing options without a mat for the larger prints. They are mounted on the brushed surface of the aluminum composite panels with metal showing around the print. This creates an immersive effect as print is shown entirely with the borders; brushed metal absorbs the ambience of the room and the shadowbox encasement gives it a cool modern look.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 25, 2017, 09:12:46 am
A quick video from ArtExpo. "Ballerina Dream".

https://www.facebook.com/michael.ezra.art.studio/videos/10155332964056522
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: DanielStone on April 25, 2017, 11:22:16 am
Last campaign, 3 more to come

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2811/33876771262_e60d668b5b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/TBziR9)

Grandma and Grandpa must be giants, they're so tall ;)!

 (https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2916/33648853490_56f0f88df0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/TBziR9)

Where did momma's legs go :)?

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 25, 2017, 09:59:53 pm
More work with milk. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on April 26, 2017, 09:48:55 am
That looks great! If you don't mind me asking, where did you do the framing? That's been my dilemma when doing larger prints as I usually do my framing and mat cutting myself, but I don't do it enough to invest in a larger press. I used to always use Seal dry mount and good cotton rag board to frame things but for bigger prints I've sort of been at a loss as to how best to do them.



A quick video from ArtExpo. "Ballerina Dream".

https://www.facebook.com/michael.ezra.art.studio/videos/10155332964056522
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 27, 2017, 07:48:40 am
I frame everything in my studio and this time I purchased 51" press to mount on aluminum. Its always fun when toys are delivered on a truck:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 27, 2017, 07:50:14 am
a couple more.

The press is quite easy to use, I suppose in part due to a very thick release paper on the adhesive, which makes it all easier to handle.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on April 27, 2017, 08:16:22 pm
So awesome, Michael.  I've been geeking out lately, myself.  All the darkroom gear is assembled and awaiting the move to the new space.  Then yesterday, ProGear, my local heroes delivered my Foba stand.  OMG... this thing is like heaven.  I'll post some pics tomorrow...

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 04, 2017, 09:37:33 pm
I've been sequestered in my sanctuary for days on end pretending that the commercial work doesn't exist, focusing my attention on the minute minutiae of things botanical...

 (http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/IMG_3689.jpg)

Arca Swiss F Metric 8x10 / Schneider 305mm G-Claron / Fuji Acros / PyrocatMC and a pile of strobe... the overhead softbox was driven by a Profoto D4 4800 at full power.  Boom!

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Orchid.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 04, 2017, 10:17:34 pm
I've been sequestered in my sanctuary for days on end pretending that the commercial work doesn't exist, focusing my attention on the minute minutiae of things botanical...

 (http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/IMG_3689.jpg)

Arca Swiss F Metric 8x10 / Schneider 305mm G-Claron / Fuji Acros / PyrocatMC and a pile of strobe... the overhead softbox was driven by a Profoto D4 4800 at full power.  Boom!

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Orchid.jpg)
It really is amazing the (lack of) DoF and blur of the larger format, and how smooth the image goes from in focus to out, and something that I never really thought about until working in digital so long. 

Nice work CB. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 06, 2017, 10:50:46 am
Chris, so poetic! Such a paradox that such delicacy requires such a heavy artillery:)

My latest project - shoot on the edge of Staten Island 5.8M property. The weather was on our side

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/NYSI_55SGRD-01_29P_V4HD.jpg)

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on May 08, 2017, 10:53:59 am
Recent portrait I shot of Allen Iverson for Bleacher Report new ad campaign
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: shaun on May 09, 2017, 08:53:17 am
Michael

Lovely work and great presentation. Any longevity issues mounting to aluminium?

Shaun
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 09, 2017, 09:47:05 am
Shaun, since the mounting film I use is archival and also serves as a barrier, aluminum is naturally inert metal and the board is manufactured to retain its flat shape I don't expect any issues with longevity.
Larger size work requires a flat substrate and since I am hesitant to do facemount, mounting on flat aluminum composite board seems ideal.


Michael

Lovely work and great presentation. Any longevity issues mounting to aluminium?

Shaun
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on May 09, 2017, 11:30:45 am
Hi Michael,
What film are you using that is archival? I'm not familiar with pressure mounting. I've done Seal MT5 and Colormount (both using a heat press) for mounting but from what I can tell from your studio photos you are using some sort of pressure/cold mount technique.

Thanks!

-Craig
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 09, 2017, 11:33:01 am
Hi Craig, I am using Coda cold-mount double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive film. According to them the Getty museum evaluated this product in accelerated testing and selected it for its archival properties.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: OwenR on May 11, 2017, 06:40:57 am
Chris, really love these. For me, 2 & 4 have technically perfect compositions (if that were actually possible) and lighting. Love that you leave some warmth in your whites.

Really lovely project we recently shot in D.C.

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/161202_002.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/161202_006.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/161202_008.jpg)

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/161202_016.jpg)

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on May 12, 2017, 10:20:13 pm
Thanks, Owen.  Yeah, close... but commercial work always seems to have me running around making little compromises.  The minor imperfections will haunt me to my grave.

As catharsis, a simple poppy in the studio.  I dig this one because it feels like fabric floating in water...

(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Peony_Acros_Pyro.jpg)
Fuji Acros 8x10 souped in Pyro
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on May 13, 2017, 01:23:41 am
The bloom is lovely, but the stem detracts. The black background is awfully stark. I think a subtle bit of light, just enough to separate the flower (or a part of the flower)  from the background would be desirable.

If you are interested in minimalist backgrounds, white generally works better with white flowers. I know that that sounds dogmatic. At one time, I sold a fair amount of fine art botanical images. The ones that drew people in had some interplay of light and shadow between foreground and background.

Your technique, as usual, is impeccable. You really captured the poppy, and working with flowers is difficult. Poppies are particularly delicate.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 18, 2017, 04:49:09 pm
My recent product photography for ... myself:))

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on May 18, 2017, 06:11:10 pm
Very classy, even though not as many curves as in most of your photos.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 19, 2017, 01:33:28 pm
Thank you Eric! The curves are all inside;)

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/NU_5219.4.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on June 02, 2017, 02:56:34 am
(http://russellrutherford.com/final_flat_basketball_900.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/final_final1_tennis_900.jpg)


BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on June 02, 2017, 07:58:27 pm
(http://russellrutherford.com/final_flat_basketball_900.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/final_final1_tennis_900.jpg)


BC

Fantastic!!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on June 03, 2017, 02:31:08 am
I can only agree that these seem amazing images and I assume are part of some promotional work.

If BC was very generous he'd outline how he created the images which must have taken a long time to shoot and then process.

Mike
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on June 07, 2017, 12:27:28 am
I can only agree that these seem amazing images and I assume are part of some promotional work.

If BC was very generous he'd outline how he created the images which must have taken a long time to shoot and then process.

Mike

long story, 6 of 10 will explain later

(http://russellrutherford.com/soccer_web_800.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/bike_800.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NancyP on June 07, 2017, 10:05:17 am
Basketball man works very well as a straight portrait. Tennis man is a cool action shot with interesting lighting. First rate.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on June 07, 2017, 10:27:42 am
Hi,

James images of athletes were always the images I adored most of his work.

Best regards
Erik
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 07, 2017, 10:59:45 am
James, love it:)


(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAF_A224.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on June 08, 2017, 08:20:46 am
1 simple, lovely tulip
(http://christopherbarrett.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/15_Tulip-02.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 09, 2017, 08:21:27 am
(http://russellrutherford.com/final_flat_basketball_900.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/final_final1_tennis_900.jpg)


BC

Really like these. 
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: razrblck on June 11, 2017, 06:30:52 am
Last week two of my closest friends got married, they asked me to take photos on film in black and white.

(http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab14/Andrea_Minganti/_AM10526_zpsgrfliory.jpg)

I went with my Bronica ETRS, 50/2.8, 75/2.8 and 150/3.5, two backs (one with light leaks which I thought I fixed) and shot five rolls, two on FP4 and three on HP5@1600. I only managed to develop the FP4 as I still had some Ilfosol 3 laying around.

There was another photographer shooting digital and one guy handling video, both really great and funny people, so I tried to give them enough space. My friends wanted me to enjoy the day as well, so I covered the event in a more documentary style showing the behind the scenes and people's emotions rather than go for posed shots.

I never shot a wedding before, this was a really nice experience but it's not something I'd do for a living.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 11, 2017, 03:35:59 pm
Unimpossible

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/DSA_A208_V4.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BernardLanguillier on June 11, 2017, 07:01:54 pm
(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAF_A224.jpg)

Nice, I love the symbolism of her hair not being symmetric.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 16, 2017, 04:03:53 pm
Here is one more from the same session. I love working with this canvas - changing white balance and coloring I can easily extract different texture patterns, giving each shot a unique look.

(http://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAF_A259.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: donbga on June 16, 2017, 06:44:23 pm
Thank you Eric! The curves are all inside;)



I really like your grey tone scale.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 21, 2017, 11:31:47 am
For a client who really likes squares. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 21, 2017, 12:22:09 pm
A little different take on photographing architecture. 

Back in December I was hired by the Port Authority of NY & NJ to document the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport.  I am to be there ever 4 to 6 weeks for a full day until the project is complete, in about 6 years.  I have been shooting nearly everything handheld with the XF body and a 260 back, a very different way of working then what I am use to.  I do bring my tech camera and tripod too, and an assistant, in case I want to really geek out on a shot but 90% of the images so far have been on the XF. 

Also, I've had to take a couple of different safety classes, get an OSHA 10 certificate, and I need to wear steel-tip boots, long pants, safety glasses and a hard hat.  Thankfully non-labourers do not need to ware safety gloves. 

Also, and unfortunately, I can not get as close to the action as I would like sometimes, due to safety regulations, but the whole experience has been pretty awesome (other then wearing jeans outside in 90+ degree humid weather).   

After 6 months, here are some of my favs. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 21, 2017, 12:23:10 pm
Some more. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on June 21, 2017, 12:23:56 pm
And from our last visit. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 28, 2017, 12:40:29 pm
Had some fun with this project.  Although I always 2nd guess myself whenever I shoot something this dark. 

Would love to hear some thoughts on the brightness of each. 

I have others not of the the theatre too, but I'm getting hitched tomorrow.  So, time is pressed right now. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Wolfman on July 28, 2017, 01:38:39 pm
I think you captured the true feeling of the environment. I would open up the shadows of the 3rd & 4th images ever so slightly.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 28, 2017, 03:06:21 pm
I think you captured the true feeling of the environment. I would open up the shadows of the 3rd & 4th images ever so slightly.

Thanks, maybe that would be a good idea. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on July 29, 2017, 03:16:42 am
HI Joe,

Tricky locations to work with when the light is like this.  Nicely done.

I downloaded the third as I wanted to have a play...I went with a curves adjustment as I think just moving the shadows would have added to an unrealistic feeling.  I'd move you to look at it this way as well.  I like it both when I moved the curve up, and down...different feelings.

A
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 10, 2017, 11:02:12 am
A recent levitating nude. 645z
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 17, 2017, 02:39:15 pm
Here is something more fun: "The moment of selfie in Venice's summer storm".
This is my most favorite photograph from the recent trip to Italy!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 29, 2017, 04:47:00 pm
I will be showing sculptural nudes in K&P gallery in Chelsea 26th & 10th Av, opening & cocktail reception on Thursday, Sept 7, 6-9PM.
https://michaelezra.com/exhibit-at-kp-gallery-september-7-13-2017
Stop by!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on August 29, 2017, 04:50:45 pm
I only wish I could - I hope it's a great success for you!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 30, 2017, 01:09:04 pm
I only wish I could - I hope it's a great success for you!
Thank you Mike:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 03, 2017, 09:34:58 pm
Since sentimental tones of fall are already here, here is one from Sentimental Nudes series
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: beano_z on September 15, 2017, 10:53:24 am
Alright, so I read somewhere that if one gets paid for the images it counts as professional work, so I guess I can post these shots here, even if just for bragging rights  ;D

While some of you have such cool projects, I'm basically stuck shooting architecture at the moment, nothing creative or glamorous here.  But I guess it does pay off to be critical of your own images and seek continuous feedback on your work as an amateur since I now basically replaced PRADA's previously signed photographer...

These were shot just as I moved from my tech cam setup to the XF with SK 35/3.5 LS lens, since I don't need movements when not shooting facades and the XF has a bunch of nice features, like the bubble level, seismo-shutter release, bracketing, etc., this setup did make my life easier and the work much faster.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 22, 2017, 11:20:27 pm
Some rum I had this week. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 11, 2017, 10:03:07 pm
A sort-of recent sculptural nude. Enjoying 645z:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on October 12, 2017, 02:37:55 am
Wonderful shot - and I can see at least two strong images within that one.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Kern on October 12, 2017, 09:02:49 pm
A sort-of recent sculptural nude.

Exceptional image!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on October 12, 2017, 11:40:00 pm
Exceptional image!
+1.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on October 18, 2017, 06:48:50 pm
3 spreads from a recent 50 page e-book, print book promo.

(http://russellrutherford.com/1920_inspiration_fb_w.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/1920_everyone_has_a_story_fb_w.jpg)

(http://russellrutherford.com/1920_saving_lives_fb_w.jpg)

IMO

BC

P.S.  Man it's hard to do 50 pages.  Thank goodness I'm not a novelist.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on October 18, 2017, 07:14:58 pm
Thanks for sharing! Some nice pictures.

Nice to see you again.

Best regards
Erik
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on October 19, 2017, 12:34:33 am
Thanks for sharing! Some nice pictures.

Nice to see you again.

Best regards
Erik
Me too. I have always loved seeing your work.

Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on October 22, 2017, 11:45:27 am
Ditto!

Rob C
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 22, 2017, 05:07:58 pm
Thanks for sharing BC! 

So what are you getting your book ready for?  Attending NYC Fotoworks this week? 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 23, 2017, 06:32:56 am
A couple portfolio shots I did this weekend.  One is a focus stack with the XF and the other shot with my tech camera. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 23, 2017, 08:25:47 am
James, Joe, great to see your work!:)

Recent portfolio shot

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/EKZ_E090_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on October 23, 2017, 08:36:09 am
Hey Joe,

There's a really subtle reflection in the watch crystal that diminishes the contrast of the internal mechanics.  I did a quick mask of the face and deepened the shadows which makes everything pop a bit more.  Have a look see...

my 2 cents

CB
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on October 23, 2017, 02:26:00 pm
Hey Joe,

There's a really subtle reflection in the watch crystal that diminishes the contrast of the internal mechanics.  I did a quick mask of the face and deepened the shadows which makes everything pop a bit more.  Have a look see...

my 2 cents

CB

CB, you have no idea how long I spent getting that reflection to look exactly like that.   8)

Actually, I think bringing the blacks down a bit does help.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on October 23, 2017, 03:41:28 pm
It is very smooth and subtle, but that almost makes it seem unintentional and therefore possibly a mistake.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on November 14, 2017, 09:04:33 am
A quick video of one of my booths at ArtExpo 2017: https://youtu.be/62e9ixRGlGQ
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on November 23, 2017, 02:22:42 pm
Happy Day everyone!:)

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A776_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 14, 2017, 08:51:00 am
How fortunate is it to see this painting. While it was on display at Chistie's I could photograph it only handheld but was able to compose this image using a stack of multiple captures to improve image quality. I took a liberty to adjust the color balance to white as opposed to orange lighting that is depicted on all reproductions circulating around the net. The color of the lapis lazuli is hardly the same in the web-prepared image (sRGB color space) and but is significantly closer in the ProPhoto color space.

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SalvatorMundi_V1_web_sRGB.jpg)

ProPhoto image attached
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 26, 2017, 11:36:47 pm
645z + magic talent
(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A462_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: pearlstreet on December 27, 2017, 04:56:30 pm
This one is pretty disturbing, Michael. Is that the response you were looking for? Most of your work is like beautiful sculptures of the female form.

Not a critique, just a response.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 27, 2017, 07:24:25 pm
What I wonder is how she can look so serene and relaxed in such a difficult pose.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 29, 2017, 08:48:45 am
The disturbing element I feel is subjective. What Eric mentions is closer to my intent in this image.
The maintained centeredness in such (almost) impossible circumstances serves me as inspiration, remaining graceful regardless of the curveballs life throws.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 17, 2018, 01:51:03 pm
I took a fair amount of inspiration from Studio Harcourt in Paris, mixed with a bit from CB (I hope you don't mind Chris), and, maybe on a subconscious level, Georgia O'Keeffe too with a new personal project, "Botanicals." 

I was going to wait until I had a few more before sharing these, but, with it being the winter, I am not sure if that will happen soon.  I will probably wait until I get more though before sending them out to the Ad firms. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 17, 2018, 01:51:27 pm
Two more. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 17, 2018, 02:19:34 pm
All very beautiful and elegant.
Thanks for sharing these, Joe.

Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on January 17, 2018, 08:19:33 pm
Thanks Eric. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 29, 2018, 10:29:39 am
A few from recent interior design shoots.

How do you fight the mixed lighting?

Haven't tried Oloneo, but doing HDR for each lightsource would multiply number of HDR brackets... My last project required processing of 33 GB of overall image data, while delivering only 11 final images.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 02, 2018, 09:31:00 am
Yesterday I visited Yossi Milo gallery in Chelsea/NYC. There is a phenomenal exhibit of Markus Brunetti, FACADES – Grand Tour. Exquisite prints up to 80"x59", *highly* recommend to see it!
http://www.yossimilo.com/exhibitions/2018_02-markus_brunetti
http://www.yossimilo.com/artists/markus_brunetti/?show_install=install&install=0&img_num=2
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 05, 2018, 10:38:23 am
I will have an opening tomorrow at the group exhibit at Tenri Gallery, Japanese cultural institute in Chelsea, NY.
Stop by to say hi:)

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MORA_Tenry-201802-v7-Mailing.jpg)

A short video promo of Reflections series:
 https://youtu.be/uMRGpvJAaCw
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kevin Gallagher on February 05, 2018, 12:22:27 pm
 Joe, that watch is outstanding!! I just came across this thread guys so I need to go back and check out the other great shots that are sure to be in there!!


 Kevin in CT
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kevin Gallagher on February 05, 2018, 12:36:46 pm
Personal message to all the Big Pros:

Since this thread (version 1) first started, this is one that I have always thoroughly enjoyed. Being an amateur myself, I never wanted to put in my two cents when the Pros were discussing things.

But I've decided it's time to give a big Thank You to Simon, Bcooter, Kirk, Chris Barrett, Mr. Smith, and many others who have not only showed amazing stuff over and over again, but have been willing to share so much information about what they do and how they do it.

Perhaps best of all is the fact that while working for clients, you all seem to really enjoy what you are doing and continuously demonstrate imagination, creativity, and all that good stuff.

So again: Thank you all!

Eric M.


Hear Hear!!

Kevin in CT
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 05, 2018, 01:15:59 pm

Hear Hear!!

Kevin in CT

Almost five years later, and I'll say the same thing again.
Thank you to all you pros willing to show the rest of us what is possible!

Eric M.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 05, 2018, 05:28:55 pm
A few from recent interior design shoots.

How do you fight the mixed lighting?

Haven't tried Oloneo, but doing HDR for each lightsource would multiply number of HDR brackets... My last project required processing of 33 GB of overall image data, while delivering only 11 final images.

Nice compositions Michael, the lighting though is a little flat.  You should consider adding some cross light using soft boxes (with cloth grids, perhaps) to add some light and shadow.

Insofar as dealing with mixed lighting, lots of layers in C1.  I typically pick a color balance that works in the center of the images, which usually has windows in it and is closer to daylight.  I then add 4 gradients around the edges of the image, color correcting them to the interior cast.  Then with the advanced color tool, I will create masks based on selections to fine tune the color even more. 

For my interior shots, I could have up to 10 layers in C1 just for color correction, especially in kitchens, which usually have 4 different light sources (besides my own). 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 05, 2018, 05:29:15 pm
Joe, that watch is outstanding!! I just came across this thread guys so I need to go back and check out the other great shots that are sure to be in there!!


 Kevin in CT

Thanks Kevin. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 05, 2018, 08:22:30 pm
Joe, great to hear from you!:)

All these images were made using only the available light and the exiting light sources in the interior - I did not add any lighting during capture in these sessions. Naturally, lifting up the shadows in HDR would flatten the look, and that is what is happening, although I aimed to minimize that effect while trying maintain natural rendering.

I also fix the mixed lighting in post with multi-layers, and was curious if anyone had an insight whether Oloneo is worth the effort in comparison. Supposedly one can adjust the white balance of every light source but that is at the expense of significantly more input images.

Here is a few more. The vanity shot required me to get inside that bathtub along with a tripod, never had to do that for studio nudes:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 07, 2018, 09:48:44 am
Joe, great to hear from you!:)

All these images were made using only the available light and the exiting light sources in the interior - I did not add any lighting during capture in these sessions. Naturally, lifting up the shadows in HDR would flatten the look, and that is what is happening, although I aimed to minimize that effect while trying maintain natural rendering.

I also fix the mixed lighting in post with multi-layers, and was curious if anyone had an insight whether Oloneo is worth the effort in comparison. Supposedly one can adjust the white balance of every light source but that is at the expense of significantly more input images.

Here is a few more. The vanity shot required me to get inside that bathtub along with a tripod, never had to do that for studio nudes:)

The problem with relying on already existing light when shooting interiors is that, usually, the light is very flat.  Remember, interiors are designed to be practical and comfortable, not to photograph well.  Comfortable light is even soft light, and, practically speaking, it is most easiest to have the light sources in the ceiling. 

This, though, creates a dead lighting situation that has little contrast.  Any light and shadow that is created are vertical; our eye responds better to horizontal light and shadow. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on February 08, 2018, 12:33:37 pm
The problem with relying on already existing light when shooting interiors is that, usually, the light is very flat.  Remember, interiors are designed to be practical and comfortable, not to photograph well.

There are some very prominent architectural photographers who use no supplementary lighting with excellent results. However, they will wait for the time of day when the ambient lighting is optimum and may spend considerable time controlling and shaping the ambient lighting. Also, they may often spend hours doing post processing for each image (or pay someone else to do that for them).
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on February 08, 2018, 12:42:39 pm
HDR architectural photography is generally frown upon by the old pros, and Joe explained why well. Working with natural light then involves a lot of screening (e.g., a diffuser outside a window) or shading the sunlight, in addition to waiting for the right time of the day.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on February 08, 2018, 12:56:51 pm

"I also fix the mixed lighting in post with multi-layers, and was curious if anyone had an insight whether Oloneo is worth the effort in comparison. Supposedly one can adjust the white balance of every light source but that is at the expense of significantly more input images."


I don't see the point of this. Using a good RAW processor and Photoshop should give you all the control you need. You can adjust white balance of the component exposures in the RAW processor and refine further if needed in PS. I use HDR occasionally for architectural/interior photography, but only as one of several techniques for dealing with very high-contrast scenes, not for color-balance challenges.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 08, 2018, 01:16:15 pm
I am simply not satisfied with the noise level of D800e sensor, as I like a cleaner image. I am using HDR to expand the dynamic range of the capture, improve resolution and color rendition in extreme shadows and highlights and to reduce noise in shadows, so the resulting image is perfectly *clean*, without any noise reduction smudging. I also wouldn't like to use HDR to create haloed and over-processed images:)
 
Generally, I do see that the localized color corrections (in the raw processor or Photoshop) work to compensate for the inconsistencies of the interior lighting or that with the ambient light temperature and this does feel as a good-enough method, but I was contemplating on a "perfect" method to be able to really control the white balance of any light source, in isolation. Oloneo PhotoEngine claims to give this capability, though I am afraid at significantly greater effort during capture - the scene would need to be captured for each light source and that is multiplied by the HDR brackets. I suppose it is practical if anyone pays for this effort:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on February 08, 2018, 01:41:42 pm
I am simply not satisfied with the noise level of D800e sensor, as I like a cleaner image. I am using HDR to expand the dynamic range of the capture, improve resolution and color rendition in extreme shadows and highlights and to reduce noise in shadows, so the resulting image is perfectly *clean*, without any noise reduction smudging. I also wouldn't like to use HDR to create haloed and over-processed images:)
 
Generally, I do see that the localized color corrections (in the raw processor or Photoshop) work to compensate for the inconsistencies of the interior lighting or that with the ambient light temperature and this does feel as a good-enough method, but I was contemplating on a "perfect" method to be able to really control the white balance of any light source, in isolation. Oloneo PhotoEngine claims to give this capability, though I am afraid at significantly greater effort during capture - the scene would need to be captured for each light source and that is multiplied by the HDR brackets. I suppose it is practical if anyone pays for this effort:)

While HDR can have its uses, it is not a panacea. It is simply one tool among several, and its usefulness is pretty limited in my experience, if you want really high-quality results. My sense is that, most of the time, most architectural/interiors photographers deal with extreme contrast situations by controlling the existing lighting, blending different exposures together in Photoshop, using supplementary lighting, or some combination of these.

By the way, when I do use HDR, I prefer to do that with Lightroom, which I find gives a result very free from artifacts and funky looks, as long as I don't try to push the tonal compression too far.

Most novice interior photographers do not appreciate the technical challenges involved and typically seem to assume that HDR is the all-purpose solution. It is not, at least if you are serious about consistently high-quality results.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 08, 2018, 06:03:18 pm
You are right, HRD is heavily misused, but the way I look at it - it is just placing a better camera in your hands, simply widening its dynamic range, many times.
For HDR image tonemapping is certainly not a Swiss army knife and exposure blending can produce a more refined rendering with smaller artifacts.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on February 08, 2018, 07:11:55 pm
You are right, HRD is heavily misused, but the way I look at it - it is just placing a better camera in your hands, simply widening its dynamic range, many times.
For HDR image tonemapping is certainly not a Swiss army knife and exposure blending can produce a more refined rendering with smaller artifacts.

There is some confusion about the definition of HDR. Most photographers use the term to encompass all processes that automatically combine multiple exposures, which is the way I use it here. The strict definition of HDR is a 32-bit- moving-point process and does not include tonemapping which is a separate process that can be applied to any image, though major tone mapping is integral to turning the base HDR output into a useable image. Really, any process by which you move tones around is tonemapping, be that with a digital tone curve layer or the Zone System.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 08, 2018, 07:29:40 pm
There are some very prominent architectural photographers who use no supplementary lighting with excellent results. However, they will wait for the time of day when the ambient lighting is optimum and may spend considerable time controlling and shaping the ambient lighting. Also, they may often spend hours doing post processing for each image (or pay someone else to do that for them).

Sure, but what if it is cloudy? 

Of course sunlight comes through the windows and can increase the contrast, but that does not always happen.  More often then not, the weather just does not cooperate, or the windows face north.  Instead of direct sunlight, you get indirect, which is just as flat and shadowless as ambient interior light.  Or, lets not forget, that direct sunlight is usually so strong it drowns out all the nuance of the interior ambient light, which produces almost just as flat an image as without it. 

So should someone hope to be lucky and relish when he/she is, but accept that more often then not he/she won't be?  That does not sound very proactive to me, nor something to build a reputation on. 

I look at so many interior images nowadays, that rely solely on ambient light, and they are simply flat and dead.  Yes, they are exposed well with nothing over or under, but that does not make a great image.  Light and shadow and contrast does, and if your light is flat there ain't nothing you can do to fix it. 

Although it may be part of the style of some photographers, I admittedly disagree and oppose telling those whom are just starting out to rely on it and use it as a substitution for lighting. 

Really, it is beyond my comprehension.  No serious (table top) still life photographer would ever agree that one could survive on ambient light alone.  However, many (large scale) still life photographers, aka interior photographers, somehow think you can get away with only using ambient light. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 08, 2018, 08:58:24 pm
Its so ironic, when I started working on nudes, about 20 years ago, I immediately turned to studio lighting. Every photographer proudly declaring using natural light sounded strange to me, as if anyone has to eat it and not get poisoned with toxins. Having a full control over the light, predictably and repeatedly mattered to me most and I relayed the improvisation and adaptation efforts which natural light would have required to working with the model and inventing poses.

Now, getting my feet wet with the interior work, I am a bit with the mixed feelings. I can see exactly how and where I could enhance the appearance with additional lighting, but I sense a possibility of a conflict with the interior that has been designed. I beleive that lighting inherently is a part of the interior design and redesigning it may not be a function of the photographer. It is likely not as black and white as I put it, but this is on my mind, frankly.. I understand that photographing someone else's work ultimately requires respect to their intent. I am looking to find that fine balance where all this falls in place, so the lighting enhancements would be fitting naturally.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on February 08, 2018, 10:09:33 pm
Sure, but what if it is cloudy? 

Of course sunlight comes through the windows and can increase the contrast, but that does not always happen.  More often then not, the weather just does not cooperate, or the windows face north.  Instead of direct sunlight, you get indirect, which is just as flat and shadowless as ambient interior light.  Or, lets not forget, that direct sunlight is usually so strong it drowns out all the nuance of the interior ambient light, which produces almost just as flat an image as without it. 

So should someone hope to be lucky and relish when he/she is, but accept that more often then not he/she won't be?  That does not sound very proactive to me, nor something to build a reputation on. 

I look at so many interior images nowadays, that rely solely on ambient light, and they are simply flat and dead.  Yes, they are exposed well with nothing over or under, but that does not make a great image.  Light and shadow and contrast does, and if your light is flat there ain't nothing you can do to fix it. 

Although it may be part of the style of some photographers, I admittedly disagree and oppose telling those whom are just starting out to rely on it and use it as a substitution for lighting. 

Really, it is beyond my comprehension.  No serious (table top) still life photographer would ever agree that one could survive on ambient light alone.  However, many (large scale) still life photographers, aka interior photographers, somehow think you can get away with only using ambient light.

Do you see any flat, boring light here? http://scottfrances.com/
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on February 08, 2018, 10:14:36 pm
Now, getting my feet wet with the interior work, I am a bit with the mixed feelings. I can see exactly how and where I could enhance the appearance with additional lighting, but I sense a possibility of a conflict with the interior that has been designed. I beleive that lighting inherently is a part of the interior design and redesigning it may not be a function of the photographer. It is likely not as black and white as I put it, but this is on my mind, frankly.. I understand that photographing someone else's work ultimately requires respect to their intent. I am looking to find that fine balance where all this falls in place, so the lighting enhancements would be fitting naturally.

Depends upon what you are shooting. If it is an interior where they have had to make compromises on the lighting design or the design of the structure in a way that affects the ambient light adversely, then it might be perfectly fine to compensate for that in some way, with the client's permission. Also, supplementary lighting can sometimes help to overcome some technical limitations of the photographic process. I am not necessarily advocating not using supplementary lighting for interiors. I use it often, to varying degrees. I am just pointing out that some have been very successful without it.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on February 09, 2018, 02:14:26 am

Fallen Angel
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/fallen_angel_900.jpg)

BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: bcooter on February 09, 2018, 05:50:26 am
Heroes are made
(http://www.russellrutherford.com/heros_are_made.jpg)


BC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 09, 2018, 09:02:13 am
I love these, bcooter. Your images always have real impact!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on February 09, 2018, 04:25:46 pm
Sure, but what if it is cloudy? 

Of course sunlight comes through the windows and can increase the contrast, but that does not always happen.  More often then not, the weather just does not cooperate, or the windows face north.  Instead of direct sunlight, you get indirect, which is just as flat and shadowless as ambient interior light.  Or, lets not forget, that direct sunlight is usually so strong it drowns out all the nuance of the interior ambient light, which produces almost just as flat an image as without it. 

So should someone hope to be lucky and relish when he/she is, but accept that more often then not he/she won't be?  That does not sound very proactive to me, nor something to build a reputation on. 

I look at so many interior images nowadays, that rely solely on ambient light, and they are simply flat and dead.  Yes, they are exposed well with nothing over or under, but that does not make a great image.  Light and shadow and contrast does, and if your light is flat there ain't nothing you can do to fix it. 

Although it may be part of the style of some photographers, I admittedly disagree and oppose telling those whom are just starting out to rely on it and use it as a substitution for lighting. 

Really, it is beyond my comprehension.  No serious (table top) still life photographer would ever agree that one could survive on ambient light alone.  However, many (large scale) still life photographers, aka interior photographers, somehow think you can get away with only using ambient light.

Hi Joe,

I don't totally agree with you on this. 
We make decisions on whether to use additional lighting or not quite often dependant on the space and or the client.
When I work in Australia (where I'm originally from) I find myself using much less lighting as the Architecture has been designed around 'controlling' natural light, heat gain etc etc. (as opposed to BC, where it's about controlling rain...)
The natural light in Australia, most definitely doesn't make for a flat image. 
I'd imagine if I was working in California, it would be much the same.

I also find that the lighting kits come out less often with an Architect and more often when I'm working with an interior design firm.
I think it's partly due to the subject matter - are we interested in the atmosphere or experience of the space (as it's been designed) or are we interested in the stuff within it.

I think we should all be capable of working with and without - after all, we're representing someone elses work in our imagery.
Just my two bob. 

Andrew

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 10, 2018, 10:10:41 am
James, love the lighting on Fallen Angel:)

Studio portrait for a client on 645z

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/MEAS5430_web.jpg)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/TimelessMe2016-AM-5427_V5_web2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BobDavid on February 11, 2018, 06:30:13 pm
645z + magic talent
(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A462_V2.jpg)

Strong image--lovely light
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 11, 2018, 10:27:09 pm
Thank you, Bob :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 05, 2018, 04:11:22 pm
Hi Joe,

I don't totally agree with you on this. 
We make decisions on whether to use additional lighting or not quite often dependant on the space and or the client.
When I work in Australia (where I'm originally from) I find myself using much less lighting as the Architecture has been designed around 'controlling' natural light, heat gain etc etc. (as opposed to BC, where it's about controlling rain...)
The natural light in Australia, most definitely doesn't make for a flat image. 
I'd imagine if I was working in California, it would be much the same.

I also find that the lighting kits come out less often with an Architect and more often when I'm working with an interior design firm.
I think it's partly due to the subject matter - are we interested in the atmosphere or experience of the space (as it's been designed) or are we interested in the stuff within it.

I think we should all be capable of working with and without - after all, we're representing someone elses work in our imagery.
Just my two bob. 

Andrew

My issue with using sunlight is the weather is unpredictable.  You can't trust that it is going to be sunny.  Second, sunlight is almost always significantly brighter then the room lights, which it drowns out the interior ambient light and any nuances that are developed from that.  So the image becomes a battle between your lighting or post work and the sunlight, and can look edited really easily. 

Insofar as capturing the space as it is designed, I think we are giving architects too much credit from the lighting stand point.  Although some spaces are designed with a good deal of thought put into the lighting, most I believe are designed just good enough to work.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 05, 2018, 04:12:24 pm
Some images I captured over the weekend just for fun. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 06, 2018, 10:01:24 am
Another goofy one. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 06, 2018, 10:14:50 am
Joe, love the bottle image!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 06, 2018, 10:39:07 am
Joe, love the bottle image!

Thanks Michael.  That perfume bottle was quite the exercise in reflections.  And thankfully it is not branded, making it a better for my marketing. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 06, 2018, 11:35:31 am
ALIEN. Digging through archives, and finishing old captures... sometime back in 2010.
Or, may be I should call it "AI - emergence of the feedback loop" :)

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/VNX_A206_V4.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 06, 2018, 02:06:19 pm
Here is one more with time dilation:)
Mamiya ZD + alien

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/VNX_A104_web-animation.gif)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 06, 2018, 11:55:27 pm
The birth of AI. I've been sitting on these images for 8 years and finally got to work on them.

Nurture your humanity. The musicality of these hands sings to the human potential of the AI, the upcoming evolution in the human existence. We make it unavoidable, it is in human nature to supersede oneself.

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/VNX_A356_web1-animation.gif)

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/VNX_A223_V1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: calindustries on March 07, 2018, 07:11:30 am
Here is one more with time dilation:)
Mamiya ZD + alien

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/VNX_A104_web-animation.gif)
This is really fun! Nice


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 07, 2018, 11:02:37 am
Very cool stuff Michael! 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 07, 2018, 02:02:50 pm
Joe, Craig - thank you:) I am having fun!

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/VNX_A163_V1_web-animation.gif)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 07, 2018, 02:12:51 pm
Very cool stuff Michael!
+1.
Superb!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: farbschlurf on March 07, 2018, 02:59:41 pm
Very cool stuff Michael!
Agree, I can imagine the work that is in it. How is this presented to an audience, though? Just wondering.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 08, 2018, 12:02:03 pm
One more:)

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/VNX_A096_V1_web_animation.gif)

In terms of presentation, I am thinking large size prints and accompanying video
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on March 08, 2018, 12:19:09 pm
One more:)

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/VNX_A096_V1_web_animation.gif)

In terms of presentation, I am thinking large size prints and accompanying video
This serie is worth pushing it Michael! I find to be a much more interesting artistic approach to develop
And truly could be of interest for top art galleries.
I say it very seriously.
You've got something big.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 08, 2018, 06:08:17 pm
This serie is worth pushing it Michael! I find to be a much more interesting artistic approach to develop
And truly could be of interest for top art galleries.
I say it very seriously.
You've got something big.

Thank you Fred!:) I am curious what do you feel is most compelling here - concept, animated presentation or stills?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on March 08, 2018, 08:20:41 pm
Thank you Fred!:) I am curious what do you feel is most compelling here - concept, animated presentation or stills?

Michael,

Out of all your work I've seen, I personally find these the most engaging.

The lighting is ethereal and works with the body compositions in a way that is really dynamic.

Then you animate them...and it becomes something else.

At a gallery level you could have both sitting side by side.

Push this!

Andrew
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on March 09, 2018, 05:55:29 am
Michael,

Out of all your work I've seen, I personally find these the most engaging.

At a gallery level you could have both sitting side by side.

Push this!

Andrew
Absolutly agree with Andrew.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on March 09, 2018, 06:18:08 am
Thank you Fred!:) I am curious what do you feel is most compelling here - concept, animated presentation or stills?
Still for sure in big prints, and definatly dev the animation or video-art. It
Will open new paradigm and opportunities.
This work is aimed at very competent art galleries.it's that good that I'm sure
One of the tops will hire you soon or later.
As the clientelle becomes international and connaisseurs/collectionists,
The key point is to dev also the concept and establish a solid artistical proposal.
There must be one guideline, one foundation.
It's not any longuer "I've setted the light like this because it looks good" but
What are you saying. In other words, nothing is free for the sake of aesthetics.

And one important point: delete all those samples from herre until the work is done
And on its way to exhibition. I'm not paranoid. You got something unique,
And discretion is the key. Delete delete delete.
You could create a private website to show to 3 or 4 expert friends the work in progress.
But don't exhibit that until it's been completed.

Best luck and delete!
Did I say delete? ;D

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on March 09, 2018, 06:33:55 am
PS Michael: if you animation/video art, I don't think Resolve is the best
Way. Photoshop/after effects will do that.
Resolve is designed for colour cine and as its learning curve is serious,
It might result unproductive for this kinds of works.
IMO, this belongs more to Blackmagic Fusion than Blackmagic Resolve.
After Effects is the equivalent of Fusion and Fusion the equivalent of Nuke.
Those are compositing softwares.
But Photoshop is maybe the only software you'd ever need, depending on the complexity
At this point it's difficult to know but Resolve is not the tool.

In those softwares, there is a very competent one equivalent to what Raw Therapy is, called Natron. Open Source.
The industry standart is Nuke. Fusion is top too and low priced by Blackmagic.
All require a serious learning curve, but so does Resolve.
Then there are.high-end suites like Mistika but they will be out of range both technically and cost so
Don't look in those lands.

Do some researches on Photoshop capabilities for motion, and After Effects, Nuke, Fusion, Natron.
There are many tutos for rookies, specialy Adobe.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 09, 2018, 08:34:01 am
Andrew, Fred - thank you:)

So be it! I temporarily removed the content until the project completion & launch. There is more fun stuff coming!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 09, 2018, 04:15:33 pm
A few more product shots I did for fun. 

As much flack as everyone was giving P1 in another thread, I can attest that the focus stacking capability of the XF is superb.  Not only are the captures automatic, but the camera automatically picks the correct amount of captures needed based on aperture and focal range.  The pen image used focus stacking with the 120 Macro. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: farbschlurf on March 10, 2018, 02:22:40 am
So be it! I temporarily removed the content until the project completion & launch. There is more fun stuff coming!
I'm glad I was just in time to have a glimpse at those, agree they're something "big". Good decision to remove them here. See: I came back to have a look after some days - so obviously your pictures stick in my head - not happening a lot of times ...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: mitchino on March 10, 2018, 02:57:41 am
Love the golden feel of those shots Joe. Ho did you light them?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 10, 2018, 12:01:08 pm
Love the golden feel of those shots Joe. Ho did you light them?

Thanks. 

I assume you are asking about the watch shots.  The main key light for both was a girdded Profoto Narrow Beam with a Lee Wheat gel (which is a nice warming gel that is not too strong) plus an 1/8 diffusion.  There is also a strip box being used in each with a 1/2 CTO for a tad bit of rim lighting.  In front of the lens, there is a diffusion panel with a hole cut in it, for the lens to see through, and a plane reflector hitting the panel for overall fill.  The packet watch shot has an additional background light with a 3/4 CTO and 10 degree grid.

There are also a bunch of white & black card, full diffusion gels standing up, and a couple of gold reflectors pushing light back onto the set. 

The pen shot was lit with two strip lights in the back and a 1.3x2 foot soft box through a diffusion panel in the front.  No gels, but I did enhance the gold in the pen in post.  Plenty of black cards were used in that shot too. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: mitchino on March 11, 2018, 05:30:05 am
Thanks! Would be good to see a BTS of the set for some of these.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 04, 2018, 11:45:46 pm
Working through the archives. This is one is from a session back in 2006, just processed.

(http://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/RSM_124_V1_HD.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 06, 2018, 12:09:10 am
Tomorrow I will have an opening at the Museum of Russian Art in Jersey City. Stop by!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPxyhGyjYCU

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: fredjeang2 on May 06, 2018, 07:04:33 am
Tomorrow I will have an opening at the Museum of Russian Art in Jersey City. Stop by!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPxyhGyjYCU
Great!! Good vernissage Michael.

Best luck.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on May 15, 2018, 04:19:53 pm
Thank you Fred
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 11, 2018, 05:24:12 pm
A horizontal nude
(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/CYS0127_V1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 02, 2018, 03:24:02 pm
I'll be showing nudes and landscapes at the Bridgehamptons Museum / Hamptons Market Art+Design July 5-8.
If you would like a complementary VIP ticket, let me know;)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on July 02, 2018, 03:31:07 pm
...If you would like a complementary VIP ticket, let me know;)

What does the VIP mean in this case: rubbing shoulders with the models at the opening cocktail party? ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 02, 2018, 03:32:58 pm
Yep, shoulders only. But no, models will be on the walls only, but I am sure there is cocktail:)

From the venue - "The Complimentary VIP Pass provides entry for you and a guest beginning with the VIP Preview on Thursday evening, July 5, and includes admission to the fair all weekend long. "
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 03, 2018, 11:38:05 am
Skies in Italy

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/ITL.2017_1026_1027_V3A.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 13, 2018, 05:06:15 pm
Working through the old captures, here is one more

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/EKP_A094_V4.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on July 13, 2018, 06:18:40 pm
(https://ssl.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000Hymc1Ijsv_s/s/500/I0000Hymc1Ijsv_s.jpg)

Favorite from a recent dining project with Boston University. H5X and Credo 60. More here: https://www.douglaslevy.com/index/C0000yJaBBOxN_TA/G0000UI.I.02r8Mg/I00004rJbcxFFlf4 Full gallery is a mix of D5/D850/Credo60
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on July 14, 2018, 03:35:00 am
Skies in Italy

Superb, Michael.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 18, 2018, 02:49:00 pm
Thanks, Jeremy:) all thanks to nature though!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 20, 2018, 01:42:54 pm
I've been working on series of black and white architecture photos, here is a few.

(https://michaelezra.com/Projects/Posts/MichaelEzra_ArchComp_S1_P2.jpg)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on July 20, 2018, 01:58:45 pm
Well done, Michael.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 20, 2018, 01:59:37 pm
Those are nice Michael.  Do they allow you to use a tripod in there? 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 20, 2018, 02:15:02 pm
Thank you guys.

Joe, I haven't tried bringing it there:)

I am curious if such photos require a property release for sale of prints, publication, etc.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 20, 2018, 03:02:42 pm
Thank you guys.

Joe, I haven't tried bringing it there:)

I am curious if such photos require a property release for sale of prints, publication, etc.

Really you don't need a property release ever to use an image of a building.  Only people have a right to privacy/publicity and buildings can not be copyrighted, or trademarked, such that it prevents the images from being used.  (Architectural drawings can be copyrighted, but physical buildings can not.)

Now anyone can sure anyone for anything, and having a property release certainly puts people (gallerists, editors, advertisers) at ease.  However, no court has ever upheld a suit against a photographer over usage of a building image in the USA.  Of course defending yourself will cost money.

I would say any newsworthy publication or fine art usage would be fine and should not give you cause to worry.  Advertising usage, I would be a little more careful about. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 20, 2018, 03:10:25 pm
Great info, thanks, Joe!

Its a pickle though with advertising as one has to advertise the image in order to sell the print. I need to look into this.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 19, 2018, 06:54:46 pm
Having fun with my son, his lovely girlfriend and 645z:)

(http://photovertex.com/temp/posts/DKCC_201808_042_V2-web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: cgarnerhome on August 19, 2018, 10:33:10 pm
Love it!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 20, 2018, 11:03:32 pm
Thanks:) this of course is more suitable for another thread on "having fun", professionally.

Let's see more pro work, guys!

Here is a "Girl with no earring"

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/EKP_A112_V1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Don Libby on August 21, 2018, 12:00:00 pm
I've been playing in the water for a couple weeks now.  All shot with a Fujifilm GFX50s, GF120 with and without the 45mm extension tube.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on August 27, 2018, 06:14:19 am
Really you don't need a property release ever to use an image of a building.  Only people have a right to privacy/publicity and buildings can not be copyrighted, or trademarked, such that it prevents the images from being used.  (Architectural drawings can be copyrighted, but physical buildings can not.)

Now anyone can sure anyone for anything, and having a property release certainly puts people (gallerists, editors, advertisers) at ease.  However, no court has ever upheld a suit against a photographer over usage of a building image in the USA.  Of course defending yourself will cost money.

I would say any newsworthy publication or fine art usage would be fine and should not give you cause to worry.  Advertising usage, I would be a little more careful about.

I believe that is that is the case in the US. However, it is not so in some other countries. I seem to recall that Italy and France, for example, are more restrictive about this that you actually need government permission to use photos of some buildings. Perhaps someone from Europe can clarify.

Also, while there appears to be no specific law in the US requiring a property release, there is also the matter of copyright. In a very limited number of cases, you would need the permission of the architect (or whoever holds the copyright if the architect does not). However, this only applies to buildings built after 12/1/90 that cannot be viewed from a public space.

There might also be an issue with a few buildings that are trademarks, such as the Transamerica pyramid, though I think that only applies when the building is clearly the subject of the photo.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 28, 2018, 11:09:14 am
I believe that is that is the case in the US. However, it is not so in some other countries. I seem to recall that Italy and France, for example, are more restrictive about this that you actually need government permission to use photos of some buildings. Perhaps someone from Europe can clarify.

Also, while there appears to be no specific law in the US requiring a property release, there is also the matter of copyright. In a very limited number of cases, you would need the permission of the architect (or whoever holds the copyright if the architect does not). However, this only applies to buildings built after 12/1/90 that cannot be viewed from a public space.

There might also be an issue with a few buildings that are trademarks, such as the Transamerica pyramid, though I think that only applies when the building is clearly the subject of the photo.

Yes, I think Europe is different, but from what I have read, because more items can be copyrighted.  For instance, structures can not be copyrighted in France (I believe) but lighting designs can.  This means that a picture of the Eiffel Tower during the day is no big deal; at night though, you could run into problems. 

Insofar as copyrighting buildings (or lighting designs) in the USA, I am nearly certain this is not allowed regardless if you can see it or not from a public space.  By US copyright law, you can not copyright anything that is utilitarian in nature.  A building is a utility, therefore it can not be copyrighted.  Nether can fonts; I know because I designed a font and I was denied copyright of it.  Same thing with any type of clothing; the Mardi Gras Indians have tried to copyright their costumes over the years and have always been denied. 

Now building plans, they can be copyrighted and, since no building can be built without plans on record (by law), you can't rebuild a building without violating the copyright of the original architect's plans. 

Insofar as trademarking a building, I believe this was settled with the Rock & Roll Hall of Frame case years back, at least in the USA. 

PS. I found this on an intellectual property attorney's website relating to utilitarian objects. "The United States Copyright Office has generally refused to register claims to copyright costume design on the ground that costumes are useful articles that ordinarily contain no artistic authorship separable from their overall utilitarian shape. However, where a costume design contains a separable pictorial or sculptural authorship, copyright protection is available. The “separable authorship” means that the portion of the costume claimed to be protectable must be physically separable (the work can be physically removed from the costume), or conceptually separable (the work is independently recognizable and capable of existence apart from the overall utilitarian shape of the useful article)."
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on August 28, 2018, 01:07:56 pm
Really you don't need a property release ever to use an image of a building...

It seems more complicated than that, when it comes to commercial use:

https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/property-release.html
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 28, 2018, 01:36:17 pm
It seems more complicated than that, when it comes to commercial use:

https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/property-release.html

I think the issue here is to help prevent someone from trying to sue you, which can cost money to defend regardless if you loose or win. 

Anyone can bring suit onto anyone for pretty much anything, which will cost money to defend.  Of course many cases will get thrown out of court (for various reasons), which will more then likely happen if the person suing has already signed a property release.  Thus the cost to defend will be very low and in the best interest of any photographer or stock agency.  I am not denying this; also I dont just allow my work for generic usage without getting permission beforehand due to this. 

However, if there is no property release and it makes it to court, more then likely the photographer will win.  There has never been an award issued in the USA for a right of privacy/publicity suit for any other item than a person.  No property, including pets, cars, houses, buildings, etc, has a right to privacy or publicity, so far as I know and I have read up on this. 

This is not to say you won't have to spend a large sum defending yourself, such as the Left Shark artist against Katy Perry (different kind of suit, copyright violation, but similar is respect to being frivolous and overzealous).  If you get into this situation, whether or not you want to spend the effect protecting yourself would be up to debate as well.  More then likely, in most cases, the photographer would just throw his hands up and walk away. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 29, 2018, 02:26:47 pm
"From the beginning"

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/EKP_A133_V1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 30, 2018, 10:46:05 am
(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/MAP_A339_V1A_BW.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on August 30, 2018, 11:06:08 am
These are amazing as usual, Michael.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 30, 2018, 05:49:47 pm
Thank you, Eric!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 11, 2018, 07:31:37 am
New York 9/11

The account of loss and strength filling the air of New York at that time.

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/NYC911_P.007.jpg)

https://michaelezra.com/portfolios/new-york-911
https://youtu.be/kOiQsznsYr8
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on September 11, 2018, 07:46:51 pm
Thank you for sharing that, Michael.
It is deeply moving and profound, an excellent response to the events of that horrible day.

-Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 11, 2018, 08:20:09 pm
Sometimes you get hired to shoot an amazing office interior, or a custom house, or an incredible new college building, and other times ...

You're hired to shoot a pretty cool parking garage that got you to DC for three days to rock out Georgetown on your birthday. 



Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ErikKaffehr on September 12, 2018, 04:51:13 am
Hi Michael,

Thanks for sharing and reminding.

Best regards
Erik


New York 9/11

The account of loss and strength filling the air of New York at that time.

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/NYC911_P.007.jpg)

https://michaelezra.com/portfolios/new-york-911
https://youtu.be/kOiQsznsYr8
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Piet Gispen on September 18, 2018, 10:22:21 am
Using the Fuji GFX50s and the Fujinon 120 mm at F/18 and light painting technique, as part of a series of Still Lives

Kind regards,

Piet Gispen
http://www.oietgispen.com
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 20, 2018, 08:24:24 pm
Had to buy some new bike shoes recently and decided to shoot a few product shots of them.  I may shoot a couple more this weekend before wearing them. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 20, 2018, 11:25:30 pm
Thats funny, I just bought a new bike:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Chris Barrett on September 21, 2018, 08:27:22 pm
Hmm... I got a sexy new pair of Giro SPD's that are still in the box, hmm...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 24, 2018, 07:31:04 am
Hmm... I got a sexy new pair of Giro SPD's that are still in the box, hmm...

Go for it!  It's not just the fashion shooters that can bring sexy back on this forum. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on September 24, 2018, 07:50:50 am
Go for it!  It's not just the fashion shooters that can bring sexy back on this forum.


Absolutely! Foot and shoe fetichism has been around forever; let's all enjoy your jollies!

:-)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 24, 2018, 04:16:22 pm

Absolutely! Foot and shoe fetichism has been around forever; let's all enjoy your jollies!

:-)

 ;D 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 01, 2018, 01:06:34 pm
645z in my studio. My first MF camera RZ Pro II is still quite useful:)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/TM_AAG_194-3X_V3_web.jpg)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/TM_AAG_123_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NancyP on October 03, 2018, 06:45:52 pm
I remember the Formal Portrait of my brother and myself, ages 11 and 16. An exercise in looking as unlike oneself as possible. We were not Forma Children.  :)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 03, 2018, 10:49:07 pm
I remember the Formal Portrait of my brother and myself, ages 11 and 16. An exercise in looking as unlike oneself as possible. We were not Forma Children.  :)

That's why once in a while we get this:

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20160918_DKZ_135_V4_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: cgarnerhome on October 03, 2018, 10:50:53 pm
Great portrait! 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 06, 2018, 02:10:22 pm
On display in Highline Loft Gallery, 508 W 26 Street, NYC
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 17, 2018, 09:29:14 am
(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/BG1_20181016_139-web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ShawnBK on October 17, 2018, 10:00:24 am
As always great work. It is your fault that made me switch from Leica back to Med. Format.... but now I have to perform ...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 17, 2018, 10:46:31 am
As always great work. It is your fault that made me switch from Leica back to Med. Format.... but now I have to perform ...

Thanks! I do hope that my fault pays off:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on October 18, 2018, 12:20:45 pm
(https://ssl.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000jpmW5KVYz6M/s/500/I0000jpmW5KVYz6M.jpg)

H5x and Credo 60. 80mm 2 7' umbrellas with diffusion
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 18, 2018, 04:49:39 pm
Nice one, Doug!

One more.

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Photovertex_BG1_20181016_053_V2-web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 24, 2018, 02:53:47 pm
From the same session. D800e + Tamron 70-200 G2; nice lens, but waiting for the arrival of Pentax 645 FA 150mm 2.8 today!

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Photovertex_BG1_20181016_166_V5-web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: cgarnerhome on October 24, 2018, 09:33:13 pm
As usual, nicely done!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ShawnBK on October 30, 2018, 09:23:59 am
Michael, Love, love the one of Johny's Auto Body guy. Great selection of colour tint. Anything special done?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on October 30, 2018, 09:48:52 am
Cam, Shawn - thank you.

I photographed this using AD600 and AD360 lights with 42" and 28" reflectors and a large scrim for the fill. The raw processing in ACR, then retouching in PS and color toning using one of the teal-orange LUTs.
The owner of Johny's Auto Body, Tim, is a subject like no other. I shot two frames with him, this was the second one. That nailed it and we stopped:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ShawnBK on November 09, 2018, 04:06:24 pm
Thank you Michael for the info.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: faberryman on November 09, 2018, 04:09:49 pm
Maybe it's my screen, but the color looks unnatural in both.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on November 15, 2018, 05:01:18 pm
A friend of mine owns a moving business. He's got a big truck gliding on water

(https://michaelsmovingusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Photovertex-MMS-20181114_12_V3A_web1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Bruno Gil on November 24, 2018, 07:19:55 pm
Back to School for STAPLES

IQ260 + SK 80mm and tons of Profoto Flahs Lights

(https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/2800/340ac269259579.5b7ae77811709.jpg)

(https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/2800/40e4f469259579.5b7ae7780ead0.jpg)

(https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/2800/6e090069259579.5b7ae7780f38c.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 04, 2018, 06:31:34 pm
A head shot from today

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Photovertex_BG1_201812_01_V4A_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 18, 2018, 05:50:20 pm
Since the topic of this thread is not limited to photo, here is a recent video I shot in 4K on Nikon Z7 with 24-70 S lens:

https://vimeo.com/photovertex/dgtlnjplfd1 (https://vimeo.com/photovertex/dgtlnjplfd1)

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DGTL_NJ_Plainfield2018-intro-sm.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: NancyP on December 21, 2018, 11:22:52 am
I really like the truck shot, Michael.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on December 31, 2018, 04:52:12 am
Thank you, Nancy!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: dchew on January 02, 2019, 09:26:07 pm
211 leather samples x 3 deliverables each. All I could think of was Joe Kitchen's Arnold Newman quote:

"Photography is one percent inspiration and 99 percent moving furniture cleaning and blowing dust off."

Well, that and patent leather is a royal pain to photograph...

Dave

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Cafe_CAFECY-9806_1052.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Cafe_CAFECY-9865_1078.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Patent_99-2_0899.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Perlato_12-12_0481.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Savannah_SAV-9830_0552.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Veneto_2-56_0614.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Vernazza_59-48_0782.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 03, 2019, 12:24:25 am
Beautiful work, Dave.
Your dusting work really paid off. They all look so sensual.

Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Gerd_Peters on January 03, 2019, 01:56:02 am
That's perfect. I feel like I can feel the material - and that's the way it should be.

Greeting Gerd
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: 32BT on January 03, 2019, 04:54:55 am
Excellent, top quality work! Both texture and 3d appearance come out wonderfully. If someone needed to select material from image samples, this is exactly what they need.

Well, except that third (black?) sample. That one looks like a great abstract. :-/
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: dchew on January 03, 2019, 05:23:23 am
Well, except that third (black?) sample. That one looks like a great abstract. :-/

Yeah, that’s the patent leather sample. I only have a 6” square. I can’t seem to hold it into a fold that comes across well. Makes some cool images, but none yet that are relevant for the purpose.

I used Fiilex video lights for this, the tiny little 180’s. Love those things.

Dave
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ShawnBK on January 11, 2019, 01:01:06 pm
X1D w/45mm
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on January 13, 2019, 08:13:52 pm
From a recent photoshoot for a Miami florist:

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 14, 2019, 12:21:29 am
Good work. I hope they paid well.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on January 14, 2019, 03:03:50 am
They really are very good.

Can I ask a question about handling the circular bases. You have the edge of each just touch the frame, do you find this to be the most satisfactory way to handle this situation (I guess you must otherwise you wouldn't have done it).  I am torn by always showing the full circle and allowing the frame to cut the circle. I doubt that it would occur to me to have the edge touch the frame.

Mike
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on January 14, 2019, 09:41:41 am
Mike, there was another, smaller circular base under, enabling the upper to rotate. The client didn’t want that visible and I agreed. The lower base was made of glass, thus allowing the light behind it to shine through really bright, just under the darker upper tray. Having the brightest part of the image at the very bottom, when the attention should be on the flowers above, wouldn’t be the brightest idea, pardon the pun. I was initially concerned it would make the overall composition a bit cramped, but I think it worked rather well in the end.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: drmike on January 14, 2019, 10:29:39 am
I can see what you mean about the glass underneath, rather a neat idea actually and it did work well. Lighting must have been challenging. I may as well ask - did you use a polarising filter?
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on January 14, 2019, 10:56:22 am
... did you use a polarising filter?

I thought about it, but after a few test shots (without it) I realized it is not really needed. Probably something to do with the curved glass surfaces.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 23, 2019, 02:40:35 pm
(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/gallery/architecture-comps-set1/MichaelEzra_ArchComp_S1_P35.jpg)

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/gallery/architecture-comps-set1/MichaelEzra_ArchComp_S1_P31.jpg)

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/gallery/architecture-comps-set1/MichaelEzra_ArchComp_S1_P44.jpg)

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/gallery/architecture-comps-set1/MichaelEzra_ArchComp_S1_P45.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: armand on January 23, 2019, 04:32:15 pm
Nice! Where is the first set taken?

The rest were vaguely familiar, a quick look to some shots I took in NY made it clear why  ;)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 23, 2019, 04:34:25 pm
All made in NYC:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: tcphoto1 on January 25, 2019, 11:06:29 am
I've been working on a personal project lately.

(https://i.imgur.com/cCoCqAu.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Joe Towner on February 03, 2019, 10:27:37 pm
Seattle is about to demolish the waterfront freeway, whole bunch of activities this weekend as they are about to open the new tunnel.  The viaduct is already partly demolished on the south end, they'll be taking down the rest by June 1st.

Shots from the bike ride this morning.  IQ3/100Tri XF w/ 80mm.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Joe Towner on February 03, 2019, 10:28:47 pm
Seattle from the Viaduct IQ3 100 Tri

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: David Eichler on February 04, 2019, 09:02:48 pm
Seattle is about to demolish the waterfront freeway....

Long overdue. Although the Loma Prieta earthquake was a disaster for the Bay Area, there was a benefit: the elimination of the Embarcadero Freeway.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on February 05, 2019, 09:27:17 am
(https://ssl.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000cOnnWK4UKWY/s/500/I0000cOnnWK4UKWY.jpg)

Crocs CEO Andrew Rees, one of my first client shoots with my new IQ3100, H5X, 50-110
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 09, 2019, 11:29:13 am
Portfolio shoot; D800e (Z7 had a hard time focusing in the dim studio)

(http://photovertex.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Photovertex-MMMO_318_V1web1.jpg)



Retouch:

(https://mir-cdn.behance.net/v1/rendition/project_modules/max_1200/f541ea76082399.5c5f2c8aa0031.gif)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 18, 2019, 10:53:17 pm
Tuscany 2017; it was a great first trip to Italy, with endless roads winding around the beautiful hills and villages.

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/ITL.2017_2606_V2P_web.jpg)

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/ITL_2017_2826-2828_V2P.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: imagetone on March 07, 2019, 02:08:58 pm
Tuscany 2017; it was a great first trip to Italy, with endless roads winding around the beautiful hills and villages.

Nice, I like the second, it looks natural and not too "chocolate boxy".
Tony
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: elnino on March 09, 2019, 12:47:08 pm
Portfolio shoot; D800e (Z7 had a hard time focusing in the dim studio)

Very interesting. Thank you for the detailed GIF.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: D Fuller on March 09, 2019, 06:21:57 pm
Portfolio shoot; D800e (Z7 had a hard time focusing in the dim studio)


I suspect you know this, but if you don’t.... turning D8 “Apply settings to live view” helps focusing tremendously when using strobes.

Very interesting retouch gif!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 10, 2019, 09:56:03 pm
I suspect you know this, but if you don’t.... turning D8 “Apply settings to live view” helps focusing tremendously when using strobes.

Very interesting retouch gif!

Thanks, I have it at OFF, but there was an issue with Tamron 70-200 G2, although as I was trying to make it all work, can't recall what it was then:) Will give it a try!:)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 10, 2019, 10:03:22 pm
Here is a couple more from that evening; D800e 6 frames.

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/ITL_2017_2839-2845_V2P.jpg)

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/ITL_2017_2833-2838_V1P.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: LesPalenik on March 11, 2019, 01:19:18 am
I like the first one with the houses in the valley and on the hill. I can only imagine the details in the full resolution.
 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 15, 2019, 01:18:15 pm
211 leather samples x 3 deliverables each. All I could think of was Joe Kitchen's Arnold Newman quote:

"Photography is one percent inspiration and 99 percent moving furniture cleaning and blowing dust off."

Well, that and patent leather is a royal pain to photograph...

Dave

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Cafe_CAFECY-9806_1052.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Cafe_CAFECY-9865_1078.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Patent_99-2_0899.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Perlato_12-12_0481.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Savannah_SAV-9830_0552.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Veneto_2-56_0614.jpg)

(http://www.davechewphotography.com//temp_images/2018/CLI_Vernazza_59-48_0782.jpg)

LOL, dust on still life is a [female dog]! 

Just saw the 211 samples; damn that would have driven me crazy. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 15, 2019, 01:24:20 pm
Shot this for Illy Coffee back in November.  Was a pretty fun shoot, and with all the coffee on set, I never wanted to drink paint so much in my life. 

My favorite is the first one. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 15, 2019, 03:43:55 pm
The first is definitely my favorite, too. A great shot!
Thanks for sharing these.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on March 25, 2019, 09:23:40 am
Two more prints found a new home in a collection! Both of these photographs were captured back in 2003 for the sculptural nudes series Intertwined. Photographed on 6x7 black and white film, then recently scanned, edited and archivally printed and matted, finally ready for viewing. I love these two side by side complementing each other in both the composition and the tonal scale.

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 01, 2019, 05:20:01 pm
Shot this project about a year ago.  It was for a law firm selling their Tudor mansion in Philadelphia that they were using as an office and had outgrown.  Their thought was to have some architectural details captured that they would then print and frame to hang in their new office. 

They gave me no real direction other then I should capture vignettes in black and white.  They also paid me for the photography the morning of (required in my contract since I knew with projects like this it could take a while for them to make a selection), so it was not on my plate to try and get taken care of right away.  I did follow up a couple times last summer, but they have not made up their minds yet.  Just reached out today and they decided to move in another direction. 

It would have been nice to see them printed at 30x40 inches, but oh well.  I do plan on using a few for myself though. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 01, 2019, 05:21:23 pm
Here are two more. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on April 01, 2019, 09:21:42 pm
(https://ssl.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000IFg4fzDK0Cw/s/500/I0000IFg4fzDK0Cw.jpg)

New work for Forbes Russia, shot on the H5X with IQ3100, cover here - https://www.douglaslevy.com/index/G0000Hpybbz7Pe5Q/I0000FDhrrJt8CYY
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: imagetone on April 04, 2019, 06:04:48 pm
Here are two more.

Very nice, I can see why you would like to see them printed and hung. I'd print one for myself. Any scope to sell prints to the new owners?

Tony
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 19, 2019, 03:42:49 pm
Something to re-shoot in 20 years

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20160918_DKZ_202_V3-web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on April 19, 2019, 05:37:52 pm
Absolutely!
I hope they can be as cheerful in 20 years.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Ghaag on April 22, 2019, 10:48:20 am
Here are two more.

Very nice Joe, particularly like #11 and #18.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rogerxnz on April 24, 2019, 02:21:13 pm
But, who owns the copyright?

In many legal systems, copyright belongs to the party who commissioned the work (the law firm) unless the photographer negotiated differently.
Roger

Very nice, I can see why you would like to see them printed and hung. I'd print one for myself. Any scope to sell prints to the new owners?

Tony
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 25, 2019, 10:51:32 am
But, who owns the copyright?

In many legal systems, copyright belongs to the party who commissioned the work (the law firm) unless the photographer negotiated differently.
Roger

I own the copyright to all of my work; it is always listed in my contracts.  I do, and have, refused to work with companies that request(ed) otherwise.  Additionally, they still have not paid me in full and no rights are granted unto the client until full payment is received (another clause in my contract).  Now the remainder they owe really is for the printing and framing, so it is not something I am pursuing, but still part of the overall total. 

In the USA, copyright automatically belongs to the creator of that intellectual property, unless a contract states otherwise or if it was "work for hire." 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 25, 2019, 10:56:35 am
Anyway, off the legal talk, thanks Tony, Roger and Ghaag. 

I have not thought about approaching the new owners, although I think they may be one of the sons, and current partners, of the firm.  Not sure if he plans on keeping the property or will sell it for profit.  It is in a very expensive part of Philly. 

On top of that, I don't have the sale of prints incorporated into my business, so I would not know the ins and outs of making it work.  I am far too busy with my commercial work to really devote effort to it as well. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 26, 2019, 07:43:31 am
I am far too busy with my commercial work to really devote effort to it as well.
Joe, what can be better:) Congrats!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 26, 2019, 07:46:41 am
9 subjects, 9 ethnic origins.
James, gorgeous picture!:) The tone of her skin, smoothness, lighting, lens rendering and her connection.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 27, 2019, 03:28:10 pm
My beautiful niece, D800e, Tamron 70-200 G2

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/LABR_B032_V1_web.jpg)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/LABR_B169_V1_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on April 29, 2019, 09:28:11 pm
And a couple with her from 19 years ago, the days of film:

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Marina_Lena_1.8_8x10-web.jpg)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Marina_Lena_1.31_8x10-web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on June 07, 2019, 08:44:16 am
I will be showing a few small prints at the exhibition opening today in Jersey City 6-8 PM.
389 Washington Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

https://michaelezra.com/contemporary-art-exhibition-2019-06-07
Stop by!


(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A026-A029_V2.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JKNIGHT on June 12, 2019, 06:29:13 am
Why are bcooter's images blocked? All I see is a blank rectangle with a "?" inside.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 12, 2019, 07:37:17 am
And a couple with her from 19 years ago, the days of film:

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Marina_Lena_1.8_8x10-web.jpg)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Marina_Lena_1.31_8x10-web.jpg)


Beautiful she is; even more so would she appear were you using film in the later, colour ones.

IMO
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 12, 2019, 08:04:34 pm
Why are bcooter's images blocked? All I see is a blank rectangle with a "?" inside.
They show just fine to me. Problem with your browser?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 13, 2019, 06:36:56 am
Why are bcooter's images blocked? All I see is a blank rectangle with a "?" inside.

It's okay in mine, too.

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JKNIGHT on June 14, 2019, 04:43:45 am
I have tried Safari, Google and Firefox  (all latest versions)-  still no images for bcooter.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 14, 2019, 10:12:19 am
I have tried Safari, Google and Firefox  (all latest versions)-  still no images for bcooter.

If my memory is correct, he deleted a lot (all?) of his images when the main site became subscription based.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on June 15, 2019, 11:07:32 am
His last post in this thread shows the pic: portait, Faces of London.

No hassle at all.

Rob
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JKNIGHT on June 16, 2019, 10:23:45 pm
Thanks for clarifying the situation with bcooter.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: UlfKrentz on June 28, 2019, 05:17:08 pm
Long time since I last contributed here... Some still frames from Red Helium motion clips. I really enjoy the variety to sometimes work with continous lights and a motion camera. Some more over here: https://salve-magazine.de/eyecatcher/

(https://salve-magazine.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Eyecatcher_06.jpg)(https://salve-magazine.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Eyecatcher_05.jpg)(https://salve-magazine.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Eyecatcher_03.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: D Fuller on June 30, 2019, 10:07:47 pm
Long time since I last contributed here... Some still frames from Red Helium motion clips. I really enjoy the variety to sometimes work with continous lights and a motion camera. Some more over here: https://salve-magazine.de/eyecatcher/


Ulf , these are brilliant. Not just the photography, but the styling as well. So good to see here!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: D Fuller on June 30, 2019, 10:14:02 pm
No that's not true.  Long before the subscription based site, something happened to my postings.  Chris said it was from their end, It could have been me hitting the wrong button.

But for reference I've only personally take down 2 to 5 images and only because some people not nice was wrote hateful things about the subjects I photographed in reply.  So I removed those as the subjects didn't deserve this and at worst it could hurt their family, friends and income.

Going from the start, with Michael I never would or did delete anything.  He got it and took care of it.

I really liked Michael, miss him though we had our moments we would speak directly and it always worked it out to the positive.

Going forward I wish the best for Josh.

I do view the discussion forum from time to time, but became tired of dr, camera/sensor centric babble.   I just didn't have the will or time to become involved. 

In fact there are about 7 prolific posters that I never have to read because I am positive what they are going to say.  One will post about their camera is the best, the next will hope that a high end camera maker goes bust.  Why would anybody waste their time on that?  Especially I know a few that have never used what they think is great or bad.

For my studios we are still working, producing large projects, though once the politics on this forum started, I could see a turn.  The moderators did their best to hold it down, but there was no stopping it.

Personally we are consumed and continue to place our business ahead of other issues.  I recently lost both parents that took time to manage, more than I ever thought would happen and had to hire a groups of professionals to handle it as we put our work first, even though our hearts were aching.

I loved this forum, found it to be a few minutes to get my head out of my work, but as stated have found less joy in it, not because of Josh, but the postings.

I respect the people that post, even if I do not agree, but would love to see more art and less talk about sensors, pixels, brands, or whatever doesn't really interest me.

I love the imagery Ulf just posted and the expert advice he gives on lighting and equipment.  Years ago there were 30 serious professionals, asking questions, answering questions and I would have thought producing such incredible stills from a movie camera people  would line up writing way to go, great imagery, how did you do this with a RED camera, but when I looked it was silent.
 
I appreciate the people like Ulf, and the few others that share with imagery they've produced.

I used to try to always show an image that made a point, but it becomes more difficult.

My last little rant here is give Josh a break.   He lost his Dad, I know the feeling, many do and it's horrible. But he is trying his best to bring art into science.   He''s not doing what his predecessor did and line himself up with every camera maker.  He trying to make it unique and finding his way.

I don't know Josh, never had communication with him, but I have a pretty good idea what he's up against, so rather than diss each other, talk politics, scream brand worship, how about following his lead and make this a better place.

In fact with permission I'd be glad to pay to post.   Josh can set the price.

IMO

BC

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/blonde_on_set_black_jeans.jpg)

Good to see you, Cooter. I’m sorry about your parents. I know that loss too well, and how difficult it is to concentrate on the work when going through that.

All the best,

D
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: BernardLanguillier on July 01, 2019, 12:53:22 am
I recently lost both parents that took time to manage, more than I ever thought would happen and had to hire a groups of professionals to handle it as we put our work first, even though our hearts were aching.

Hi Cooter,

Really sorry to hear about your loss. I can imagine how tough it must be to go through that while being held to a busy professional agenda.

Beautiful image btw.

Best regards,
Bernard
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Wolfman on July 01, 2019, 01:10:30 am
No that's not true.  Long before the subscription based site, something happened to my postings.  Chris said it was from their end, It could have been me hitting the wrong button.

But for reference I've only personally take down 2 to 5 images and only because some people not nice was wrote hateful things about the subjects I photographed in reply.  So I removed those as the subjects didn't deserve this and at worst it could hurt their family, friends and income.

Going from the start, with Michael I never would or did delete anything.  He got it and took care of it.

I really liked Michael, miss him though we had our moments we would speak directly and it always worked it out to the positive.

Going forward I wish the best for Josh.

I do view the discussion forum from time to time, but became tired of dr, camera/sensor centric babble.   I just didn't have the will or time to become involved. 

In fact there are about 7 prolific posters that I never have to read because I am positive what they are going to say.  One will post about their camera is the best, the next will hope that a high end camera maker goes bust.  Why would anybody waste their time on that?  Especially I know a few that have never used what they think is great or bad.

For my studios we are still working, producing large projects, though once the politics on this forum started, I could see a turn.  The moderators did their best to hold it down, but there was no stopping it.

Personally we are consumed and continue to place our business ahead of other issues.  I recently lost both parents that took time to manage, more than I ever thought would happen and had to hire a groups of professionals to handle it as we put our work first, even though our hearts were aching.

I loved this forum, found it to be a few minutes to get my head out of my work, but as stated have found less joy in it, not because of Josh, but the postings.

I respect the people that post, even if I do not agree, but would love to see more art and less talk about sensors, pixels, brands, or whatever doesn't really interest me.

I love the imagery Ulf just posted and the expert advice he gives on lighting and equipment.  Years ago there were 30 serious professionals, asking questions, answering questions and I would have thought producing such incredible stills from a movie camera people  would line up writing way to go, great imagery, how did you do this with a RED camera, but when I looked it was silent.
 
I appreciate the people like Ulf, and the few others that share with imagery they've produced.

I used to try to always show an image that made a point, but it becomes more difficult.

My last little rant here is give Josh a break.   He lost his Dad, I know the feeling, many do and it's horrible. But he is trying his best to bring art into science.   He''s not doing what his predecessor did and line himself up with every camera maker.  He trying to make it unique and finding his way.

I don't know Josh, never had communication with him, but I have a pretty good idea what he's up against, so rather than diss each other, talk politics, scream brand worship, how about following his lead and make this a better place.

In fact with permission I'd be glad to pay to post.   Josh can set the price.

IMO

BC

(http://www.russellrutherford.com/blonde_on_set_black_jeans.jpg)

Thank you for posting B. Cooter. I have always enjoyed your postings and images. Thanks for posting some good common sense in this post. You are your correct in your description of this forum. I don't know you but wish you well concerning your loss.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on July 01, 2019, 03:12:32 am
For my studios we are still working, producing large projects, though once the politics on this forum started, I could see a turn.  The moderators did their best to hold it down, but there was no stopping it.

That isn't accurate. When political discussion got out of hand, I banned it and it stopped. I have recently rescinded that ban and, I am interested to note, while the topic has been resurrected in several threads, and while generally (as with all political discussions) the heat/light ratio is regrettable, I have not (yet) been forced to suspend anyone's ability to post.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: 32BT on July 01, 2019, 04:42:31 am
That isn't accurate. When political discussion got out of hand, I banned it and it stopped. I have recently rescinded that ban and, I am interested to note, while the topic has been resurrected in several threads, and while generally (as with all political discussions) the heat/light ratio is regrettable, I have not (yet) been forced to suspend anyone's ability to post.

Jeremy

It's not about the out-of-hand and banning, it's about the animosity that permeates to the rest of the forum and remains over time. In addition, as interesting as it may be for some, it starts to become a bit skewed if the few political threads in the coffee corner draw more attention, reaction, and uninformed opinion, than any of the gear or art threads ever did.

That said, I don't personally have a problem with the politics, but I do notice a significant decrease in visual contributions and an inability of this forum to welcome and retain potential contributors. No, I don't have a solution, but the fierceness in politics doesn't seem to help the accommodating nature required to welcome new visitors.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: UlfKrentz on July 01, 2019, 05:13:40 am
BC, sorry for your loss. I feel your pain, unfortunately I had to go through the same situation last year. All the best!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 01, 2019, 07:41:33 am
BC, sincere condolences, sorry for your loss.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: KLaban on July 02, 2019, 12:31:02 pm
...For my studios we are still working, producing large projects, though once the politics on this forum started, I could see a turn.  The moderators did their best to hold it down, but there was no stopping it...

My bold, and apologies for the big snip.

I wish I could separate a photographer's work and experience from their political and social scribblings, but unfortunately I can't. I'm saddened by the shift of emphasis here from work to words, words that have little if anything to do with image making. I admit that this could indeed be my problem rather than that of those who see this place as a suitable platform for their own brand of political commentary and belief.

BC, so sorry to hear of your parent's passing: difficult times.   
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 19, 2019, 08:32:08 am
Shot on 645z, recent edit with painterly/cinematic look

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/EPA_B_224_V4_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on July 22, 2019, 06:56:39 am
The disconnect between the political threads and the others seems, to me, to be pretty absolute.

I don't pick up on any cross-vibes that indicate a carried-over animosity at all.

The problem seems to me - if indeed there is one - that some people who are not interested in political chat, or are afraid if it, want to close it down for the others, too. What happened to self-determination and ignoring what you don't find interesting?

I see a lack of pro posters; there isn't any doubt about that at all. They were what drew me to looking at pics here more than anything else: I became - and remain - quite a fan of BC's work, not only because of his style with model shooting and his very deep experience, but because of his free 'n' easy way of expressing his mind. He sounds like somebody I would really like to know, and yeah, he gets what much of the reason for doing pro work is. Not all pros do; and no, it isn't only the money, surprisingly enough.

There is another aspect to the images shortage, too, in that it appears to me that only a very little group of people here is able to understand some genres of work - I'd put Oscar, Ivo into such a group of people producing something that's different to the usual. A past-poster living in France, Graham Byrnes, also contributed quite a lot of interesting people photography. Our artist buddy Peter never fails to come up with his gems, and Russ has an amazing back catalogue of so many things. Shamus Flynn used to be someone who almost never put a photographic foot wrong. Not many of those people about. Eric has a beautiful book.

That said, most of the rest of us just come up with more of the same of what we've been doing since the ark was launched, or worse, become mired in techniques the way folks used to be with Cokin filters. In other words, we get predictable and not interesting. Apart from that, it takes a lot of effort to keep producing images, and perhaps it doesn't always seem to be worth the effort. Many peope who lived for photography discovered it simply wasn't enough to sustain them.

To return to the politics: not all those who scribble there post pics very frequently. Ever thought of that or wondered why not?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: KLaban on July 22, 2019, 07:57:24 am
There are contributors on LuLa who I used to respect but sadly that respect is long gone. I simply can't separate the person and their political beliefs from the photographer. I admit that this could be my problem but that's how it is.

I realise I've put myself on the line by expressing my thoughts but I've never been one to mince my words. I also realise by expressing these thoughts I may well loose the respect of others here: I'll live with it.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on July 22, 2019, 08:22:32 am
There are contributors on LuLa who I used to respect but sadly that respect is long gone. I simply can't separate the person and their political beliefs from the photographer. I admit that this could be my problem but that's how it is. I realise I've put myself on the line by expressing my thoughts but I've never been one to mince my words.

I'll live with it.


That's fair enough.

Fortunately, I don't share that view; if I did, I would instantly lose people like HC-B, Ronis, Doisneau, not to mention pretty much all of the people who became Magnum. Their political ideals are almost diametrically opposed to mine. Frank, Leiter, Faurer, Hass - I don't think there was an non-socialist thinker amongst them. For me, as I don't have to marry them, it matters not. What they have supersedes all that in my relationship with their art.

:-)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: KLaban on July 22, 2019, 08:43:52 am

That's fair enough.

Fortunately, I don't share that view; if I did, I would instantly lose people like HC-B, Ronis, Doisneau, not to mention pretty much all of the people who became Magnum. Their political ideals are almost diametrically opposed to mine. Frank, Leiter, Faurer, Hass - I don't think there was an non-socialist thinker amongst them. For me, as I don't have to marry them, it matters not. What they have supersedes all that in my relationship with their art.

:-)

Rob, the difference is you are not sharing a photography forum social media blog with them: thankfully they all had better things to do.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: KLaban on July 22, 2019, 09:24:41 am

That's fair enough.

Fortunately, I don't share that view; if I did, I would instantly lose people like HC-B, Ronis, Doisneau, not to mention pretty much all of the people who became Magnum. Their political ideals are almost diametrically opposed to mine. Frank, Leiter, Faurer, Hass - I don't think there was an non-socialist thinker amongst them. For me, as I don't have to marry them, it matters not. What they have supersedes all that in my relationship with their art.

:-)

As an aside, their work was a product of their socialist leanings. Funny that.

;-)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 22, 2019, 10:56:49 am
My 2c on the keyword "socialism":

Being a 100% not political and not following/reading any political discussions on lula, all I can say as a former immigrant from the former Soviet Union, living there until the age of 21 - socialism is a pipe dream that will inevitably lead to ruin due to rotten characteristics present in human nature. My grandfather who was idealistically pursuing communism all his life, after coming to the US with his family in 1996, said that it was actually here. America, the way he witnessed it, was far closer to communism than the Soviet Union ever was.

Pictures speak 1000s words, so let's see some!
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on July 22, 2019, 11:11:25 am
Shot on 645z, recent edit with painterly/cinematic look..

Quite a haunting look.
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on July 22, 2019, 11:53:56 am
Quite a haunting look.

If not quite blue enough. Oops! Wrong slot.

:-)
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on July 22, 2019, 11:55:16 am
If not quite blue enough.

:-)

Hahah, ironically, it was shot on a blue-colored canvas backdrop:)

(http://timelessme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/EPA_B_224_V2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on July 22, 2019, 02:58:29 pm
My 2c on the keyword "socialism":

Being a 100% not political and not following/reading any political discussions on lula, all I can say as a former immigrant from the former Soviet Union, living there until the age of 21 - socialism is a pipe dream that will inevitably lead to ruin due to rotten characteristics present in human nature. My grandfather who was idealistically pursuing communism all his life, after coming to the US with his family in 1996, said that it was actually here. America, the way he witnessed it, was far closer to communism than the Soviet Union ever was.

Pictures speak 1000s words, so let's see some!

Yes; I enjoy your work, Michael. Keep that kind of comment to the Coffee Corner, please.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Rob C on July 22, 2019, 03:34:24 pm
Yes; I enjoy your work, Michael. Keep that kind of comment to the Coffee Corner, please.

Jeremy


Jeremy,

I realise that it's oh so easy to get caught up the moment when in a non-CCorner groove amd remark on things political; I'm probably as guilty as anyone else on that score, but you're quite right: best not to mix the two. I shall try to remember that too.

Rob

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 31, 2019, 11:27:09 am
Here are some images that I really liked from a recent shoot.  By the looks of the first three images, you may think this project is rather secluded but is actually in a well populated shore point.  The high dunes and the fact it is the closest house to the beach really allowed for a remote feel in some of the images. 

For the first shot, we tried one without the car but I felt the image lost something.  Perhaps it was too much empty road or a lesser humane feeling.  The car just feels so natural and adds a connection to civilization. 

In other news, I was just able to pick up an used SK 28mm XL Super Digitar.  I am waiting patiently for a new back plate to arrive today so test it out. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on July 31, 2019, 05:52:16 pm
Here are some images that I really liked from a recent shoot.  By the looks of the first three images, you may think this project is rather secluded but is actually in a well populated shore point.  The high dunes and the fact it is the closest house to the beach really allowed for a remote feel in some of the images. 

For the first shot, we tried one without the car but I felt the image lost something.  Perhaps it was too much empty road or a lesser humane feeling.  The car just feels so natural and adds a connection to civilization. 

In other news, I was just able to pick up an used SK 28mm XL Super Digitar.  I am waiting patiently for a new back plate to arrive today so test it out.

Nice images as usual Joe.   How many times did you move the cane back chair in the foreground of the family room image?😎
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on July 31, 2019, 06:29:47 pm
Nice images as usual Joe.   How many times did you move the cane back chair in the foreground of the family room image?😎

Oh that's good Craig!

Nice work Joe!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on July 31, 2019, 07:40:35 pm
Beautiful work, as always.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 31, 2019, 07:56:51 pm
Thanks Guys.  Yes, the chair took a good amount of finagling to get right. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk_C on July 31, 2019, 09:00:41 pm
Thanks Guys.  Yes, the chair took a good amount of finagling to get right.

You don't think it's distracting being so prominent in the foreground ?

Maybe it's just Craig's bringing it up, power of suggestion and all that.

Very nice work on all the images.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 31, 2019, 09:17:07 pm
You don't think it's distracting being so prominent in the foreground ?

Maybe it's just Craig's bringing it up, power of suggestion and all that.

Very nice work on all the images.

Maybe.  I went back and forth in whether or not to keep it.  We decided on keeping it, but I still dont know if that was the right choice. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on July 31, 2019, 10:55:41 pm
Thanks Guys.  Yes, the chair took a good amount of finagling to get right.

Been there, done that...more times than I want to admit.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: alatreille on August 01, 2019, 12:31:25 am
Maybe.  I went back and forth in whether or not to keep it.  We decided on keeping it, but I still dont know if that was the right choice.

I think it was the right decision Joe...those who've done it know the heart ache it can cause.

If you'd removed it the table would also have had to go, leaving a big empty corner.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on August 01, 2019, 09:04:51 am
Where oh where do I put the chair....
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 01, 2019, 09:42:59 am
I dont know if I could work in such tight spaces 24/7.  Nice work Craig.

Here are a few more from a golf resort we shot last month.  The large dining room took a lot of planning and convincing to let me shoot it at sunrise, and also thinking about how to deal with that overbearing chandelier. 
 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Harold Clark on August 01, 2019, 11:05:05 am
Here are some images that I really liked from a recent shoot.  By the looks of the first three images, you may think this project is rather secluded but is actually in a well populated shore point.  The high dunes and the fact it is the closest house to the beach really allowed for a remote feel in some of the images. 

For the first shot, we tried one without the car but I felt the image lost something.  Perhaps it was too much empty road or a lesser humane feeling.  The car just feels so natural and adds a connection to civilization. 

In other news, I was just able to pick up an used SK 28mm XL Super Digitar.  I am waiting patiently for a new back plate to arrive today so test it out.

Very nice work Joe, I especially like the way you have managed to isolate the building so it doesn't look like it is sitting in a subdivision.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 01, 2019, 11:32:23 am
Been there, done that...more times than I want to admit.

Positioning that ceiling fan was another pain in the ...
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on August 01, 2019, 12:07:21 pm
Positioning that ceiling fan was another pain in the ...

I don’t see ceiling fans that much anymore but they used to be everywhere in RV’s in the past.  Sometimes I would let them spin and use a longer exposure and record them spinning for a different look.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Kirk_C on August 02, 2019, 11:18:06 pm
Where oh where do I put the chair....

That's such a clean image. I'm assuming you light one side from the other and then comp images, working from one end to the other as well. Window plates look like you went to the perfect setting and shot separately.

Impressive !
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on August 03, 2019, 09:04:59 am
That's such a clean image. I'm assuming you light one side from the other and then comp images, working from one end to the other as well. Window plates look like you went to the perfect setting and shot separately.

Impressive !

Thank you.  Yes, its parts and pieces all mashed up together :). Back in the day when we were shooting these things in our studio on film it was all day hiding small spotlights everywhere and a whole day to shoot a single interior.  Now the business model has changed and we shoot in the factory and generally only have a single day to cover the whole coach.  Shooting strobe has a bit less control than the old tungsten lights but its generally faster and the color is much cleaner...not to mention I can do the entire setups with just 2-20 amp outlets instead of 10. 

This is an old example of hot light studio, in a single exposure.  An all day affair.  I don't remember but I'm guessing 10-12 lights including 2-2k mole fresnels as main window lights.  It must have been 110 degrees inside the unit!

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on August 21, 2019, 08:16:03 pm
(https://ssl.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000lbdPFYw6EcU/s/500/I0000lbdPFYw6EcU.jpg)
Keds President, shot for Footwear News
H5X, 50-110 Zoom, IQ3100
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 28, 2019, 07:07:10 pm
Recently bought an used SK 28mm XL and have been kicking the tires around town with it.  Loving the lens!  Here are two images I shot this week with it. 

On the plus side, I find that the lens is not as unusable with the older backs as was portrayed.  I shoot with an IQ260 and find I can get 12mm & 8mm of shift in horizontal and vertical orientation without effects to color.  I can go as high as 15mm and 12mm with a little extra work in post to bring back the loss to the blue channel.  These are hard cut offs though; after this, the blue channel is destroyed.  Focus starts to fall off here as well, but you could take it to the periphery depending on the composition and final usages (of course, due to lens cast only with the new back or a P45+ and prior). 

First image has 15mm of shift and second has about 12mm. 

You definitely need the CF on this lens.  Light fall off is about 4.5 stops. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 11, 2019, 07:48:04 am
This was shot back in 2001, 9/11 - 9/14
In memory of my good friend Alexander Lygin, forever missed and remembered.
https://youtu.be/kOiQsznsYr8
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on November 07, 2019, 09:50:18 am
I will be showing abstract architectural images at the International Art Festival; Opening is tonight 6-9 PM, 23 Warren Street, New York, NY One Art Space Gallery
This is a group show of 42 American & international artists (I am also one of the organizers). I will be at the gallery all days of the exhibition. Stop by!


Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ShawnBK on November 08, 2019, 09:49:06 am
I will be showing abstract architectural images at the International Art Festival; Opening is tonight 6-9 PM, 23 Warren Street, New York, NY One Art Space Gallery
This is a group show of 42 American & international artists (I am also one of the organizers). I will be at the gallery all days of the exhibition. Stop by!



Congratulations. Wish I could attend but being where I m has its some drawbacks. Would love to see your selections, will you be posting it somewhere on the web?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on November 08, 2019, 10:49:45 am
Hi Shawn, thank you. I posted a few samples from the the Eikos series on my website: https://michaelezra.com/portfolios/eikos
Title: Re: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on November 08, 2019, 12:27:15 pm
A couple of headshots I did for a photographer friend:
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: ShawnBK on November 11, 2019, 02:28:05 pm
Hi Shawn, thank you. I posted a few samples from the the Eikos series on my website: https://michaelezra.com/portfolios/eikos
Thank you Michael. Also love your triptychs, Sculptural,... looking forward to your posts as always.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 03, 2019, 11:20:45 am
I shot this project the first week of October, and actually had to rush to get it scheduled since the mall was decorating for Christmas the following week.  (Unbelievable how holiday decorations keep on going up earlier and earlier, and are now displayed before Halloween even.) 

It was kind of fun.  We used just ambient light and made sure to pick a sunny day.  The first two were shot with the SK 35mm and the last with the SK 28mm.  All captured with an IQ260. 

Funny story about the last one, there was a couch in the foreground that we moved but had a person sleeping on it.  This guy was literally fully asleep in the mall, and in a deep sleep since we could not wake him up, no matter what we did.  Just before we were going to move the couch with him on it, a random lady appeared out of nowhere telling everyone she saw, "that you look very handsome."  This apparently was the magic words; the guy woke up and said thank you. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on December 03, 2019, 11:46:40 am
Excellent work as always, Joe.
Thanks for again showing us amateurs what is possible if you know what you are doing.

And that story is hilarious!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 03, 2019, 01:23:49 pm
Thanks Eric. 

Here is another I shot with the SK 28mm, the new John James Audubon Museum, plus a detail shot with the SK 35mm.  I totally lucked out with the lighting here.  The dusk shot is about a minute and 15 second exposure and all of the lights were perfectly set so nothing was over exposed, just by chance.  I don't think I could have preset the lights any better. 

Another fun project and cool project, albeit I had to deal with a lot of bird watcher amateur photographers. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: rread on December 05, 2019, 12:46:15 pm
That's great work, Joe. And I love the flower still lifes on your website.

I'm sure you've mentioned it already, but I'm new here and missed it: which tech camera are you using with your IQ back?
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on December 06, 2019, 09:29:34 am
That's great work, Joe. And I love the flower still lifes on your website.

I'm sure you've mentioned it already, but I'm new here and missed it: which tech camera are you using with your IQ back?

Thanks Read.  I use an Arca Swiss RM3Di. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Craig Lamson on December 24, 2019, 09:39:40 am
As the year draws to a close I took a long look back on the projects we shot this year. I prepared this composite of select 2019 images for a Linkedin post and I thought I would share it here.  We had a great time and worked for a select group of superb clients.  I could not have asked for a better year. 

Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 26, 2020, 09:06:34 am
Unimpossible. 645z

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BER_A229_V3A_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on January 31, 2020, 09:18:59 am
One more Unimpossible from the session of 2016

(https://michaelezra.com/wp-content/uploads/BZAT_A173_V4_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 31, 2020, 12:44:23 pm
Thanks for showing more of your Unimpossibles. They are stunning.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: MichaelEzra on February 01, 2020, 12:27:58 pm
Thank you Eric. This was a moment when my dream came true. I was trying to photograph this since 2000 and only in 2016 was I able to find the model capable!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 27, 2020, 01:51:48 pm
A recent landscape. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on April 27, 2020, 05:49:23 pm
A recent landscape.
Really nice!
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 27, 2020, 09:46:42 pm
Really nice!

Thanks Eric
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 30, 2020, 09:44:46 am
Breakfast in the studio! 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 04, 2020, 03:10:22 pm
Vanilla
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 06, 2020, 10:37:12 am
Final image from above!

The Brown Sugar Vanilla Bean with Bourbon Caramel Swirl went really well with the Guinness by the way! 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on May 07, 2020, 11:03:03 am
Texture
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on August 13, 2020, 06:12:48 pm
Shot the newest terminal to open at  LGA two months the week before it opened.  I probably could have shot it after it was open and still have the same empty look. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on August 14, 2020, 11:40:49 am
Very nice, Joe.
I'll bet it looks very much the same now.

The last one has a particular charm.
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on September 01, 2020, 10:42:52 am
Very nice, Joe.
I'll bet it looks very much the same now.

The last one has a particular charm.

Thanks Eric. 
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: douglevy on September 03, 2020, 05:36:31 pm
Ken Burns, for The Producer's Guild of America,

(https://ssl.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000EanZLl12c3g/s/500/I0000EanZLl12c3g.jpg)
H5X with IQ3100
Title: Re: Recent Professional Works 2
Post by: JoeKitchen on February 03, 2023, 05:42:13 pm
As some of you know, I recently started a new business with a partner (a large format printer) producing cinema backdrops and translights.  Check out www.precisionbackdrops.com (http://www.precisionbackdrops.com) for more info. 

Translights are prints that if front lit shows the day version and if backlit shows the night version.  They are widely used in film and TV narratives, and often printed quite large; 20x60 feet is an average size. 

Here is a recent stock image I produced in Miami.  Almost finished, but good enough to show at this point.