The best laid plans of mice and men...

Last week I received another brief from The Missile, regarding an editorial image for 'his' magazine.
Time was organised, as was subject, then finally location. So the night before the shoot I trundled off to the location - a flash hotel in the CBD. From recent experience, I decided to introduce myself to the corporate marketing people, who as it turned out, were very chilled about the use of their venue for a photo shoot. I received a tour of possible sites, exchanged business cards, and headed home with a couple of solid ideas in mind...
...To get in and check my messages to find out that the venue was in fact in correct, and that I was required to photograph the subject at another hotel, even deeper in the CBD. Ooooh-kay.
So then next morning, I show up at the location with armfuls of gear, to be told that 'Marketing' knew nothing about it and until we had the Official Management Approval, we were to cease and desist. Luckily enough the Platinum Member's Club Guest Personal Satisfaction Consultant Executive (ahem) didn't mind me conducting some lighting 'tests' in case we received management approval. The funny thing was (as you can see in the images) we didn't actually include any branding, logos or anything remotely identifiable (unless of course you're a handrail enthusiast) - I just wanted the view. And who owns the rights to that?
Needless to say - the subject, who stays at this particular venue on a regular basis and who holds and decidedly expensive membership to the aforementioned member's club was particularly put out - which made it even harder to cultivate and maintain a relaxed vibe for the photoshoot.
Still - even though we had the brakes thrown on by management, I still managed to salvage a few (OK, more than a few) suppliable images for consideration for publishing. Heh.

Singo Jr, Polkadots and other randomness

In one of those last minute rushes that the print media seem to gravitate towards, I was asked by a magazine editor I've recently been supplying images to to photograph a local businessman. Story aside, Singo Jr or Jack - choose your preferred monicker - is a character that comes from a famous and well off family, but has decided to make it on his own. And, to his credit, isn't doing too badly.
When I visit a subject, I try to grab a few options for the publishers. One or two 'safe' options, and, if I get a good vibe from the subject, I might try something a little different. So after a few different locations (one with the city scape in the background and another at his desk) I asked one of his office associates to become my VAPLS (Voice Activated Portable Light Stand). Holding the flash directly above him and just in front of him, I used the soft light at the edge to provide the main light, and bounced some fill from under his chin using a rather large silver reflector. There were quite a few 'serious' shots of straight to camera, but his constant and amusing interaction with the VAPLS provided a shot of his cheeky grin, and eyes looking away from the camera - a little bit more candid and less contrived. Because he was situated in front of a pillar, the two windows on either side provided the slightest of cold (blue) skim light, but by dialling back the shutter speed I was able to darken the background for some definition. A little bit of post, and voila, simple really. Anyway.
So - using some of the advertising industries easily recognised faces, I put together a quick DL sized PDF flier, and started emailing. Happily enough, I've received a reply from a PR company that requires some portrait photography done. I've submitted an estimate for consideration and am waiting for a reply. So fingers crossed.

When life goes downhill...

Celebrating anniversaries can be fun.
And it's those spontaneous events that really stand out.

We've been chatting with one of our neighbours over the past few weeks - he lives above us, works in health and does some stupidly mad hours - but as it turns out is also a firm believer in the 'Work hard, play hard' adage. He'll disappear into the darkness some nights with his BMX or street rig and shred up some concrete and drop offs. So it was a pleasure to be offered the use of one of his bikes for an afternoon of riding. OK - so I haven't ridden for over a year, and being in marginal control of a hardtail, with street slicks and no body armour, riding over very unfamiliar terrain did provide more than a few clenching moments. But Dr M and his friend James were great guides, and despite downplaying their own riding abilities, were hitting up some mint obstacles.

The terrain is nothing like I've ridden on before so I was glad that I'd packed the camera, flash and off-camera flash cord. So I set up, and caught some images of both the riders flowing over sections like The Temple Of Doom but unfortunately a new built lead-in jump to a berm failed to provide any spectacular images. Next time.

Samba Australia

A rather wet and dreary Sunday afternoon saw me head out to a local beach hotel, to help a budding photographer out with a favour he had been asked to do.
Eduardo, my friend, had been asked by a friend of his - Vinnie - to come along and take some photos of their band. Ed and Vinnie are Brazilian, and the band was a samba band, playing traditional samba music. I'll admit, if given the choice, I'll pass on the opportunity of listening to samba, but the chance to take some photos after a draining and tiring weekend was too appealling to pass up.




A few of the photos are attached - the rest are going to be given to the band for their website and promotion. And what a bunch of guys - it's always a pleasure to photograph musicians who aren't just talented, but also whose passion, enthusiasm and fun is present during their performance.
They're playing again over the next few weeks - might just have to take MSO out so she can check them out too. It'd be wrong to keep something like this to myself.

WOOT!

WOOT: (sl., exclamation); to show exuberance or excitement, normally following the reception of good news.

OK, I made that up, but after receiving an email this afternoon I've been woot-ing continuously. The organisers of the KXAG Photographic Competition that I entered recently sent me an email informing me that my image Essential Animal had won the Peoples Choice Prize for best Image of the Cross 2009.

Noice.

So I'm happy - made a few dollars, people like my images, and as soon as I can figure out how to turn off the italics and MSO gets home to help me celebrate, my day will be complete. Cheers to everyone that voted, and especially to Animal for giving up his time to sit for me.

They might be right. It might be about who you know...

So a few weeks ago, I was busy at my non-photographic job, when who walks in but an ex-workmate from Nu Zild. I worked with 'The Missile' indirectly for a few years - he worked upstairs in the editorial department as a reporter, and I was entrenched downstairs working in advertising. We briefly caught up last year at a social function where over a few beers we swapped details and had a few laughs etc etc etc.
Now he's a managing editor for an independent publishing house - he's definitely made some headway from the days of reporting on provincial rugby matches. To cut a long story short, he contacts me about a breaking story - a 'maverick' has left an advertising agency he helped establish a few years ago, and is joining ranks with another agency. Other media think there's something happening but the Missile and his reporters have the exclusive story pretty much nailed down - all that requires is images to support the story.
So - I supplied two main images. One was shot on the roof of a local apartment block, and it was here that I found out about the Canon flash inconsistency in remote firing/IR trigger failure in direct sunlight. The problem was remedied by going old school - simply linking the off-camera main/master to the camera with a sync cord, and fingers crossed that the slaved skim flash would fire (which it did!). Second location was downstairs to the basement garage for a more grittier, underground vibe.
Quite happy with both shots, but prefer the underground option - and funnily enough the 'roof' option was printed on the front of the magazine. Still - The Missile and I have booked in another shoot for another issue, and if all goes well, this could be the foot in the door I was looking for...

Competition Update

OK - well, didn't win any prizes at the exhibition opening the other night - but had a great time, met some great photographers, and had a wine.
While I've got my eye on a few other things, I'm stoked that MSO was there with me on the night for support and encouragement.