HELP - by Curtis Johnson

 In Curtis'  words:
"This was an extremely challenging shoot from the technical and logistical side.  HELP was just one of the various headlines for the campaign.  All in all we needed 19 different letters and symbols to accomplish this. I spent a few days creating our letter and cubicle configurations using schematics and sketches I made.

By using the individual cubes as the building blocks for the letters, I was able to simplify things down to four different cube configurations that were built to create all of the letters and symbols needed.  Letters like H, E and L were easy. Letters such as X and W were a different story.  

 I also had to come up with a budget friendly method for creating these words.

Logistically, we needed a studio space with a 35-40 foot ceiling to achieve a camera perspective that gave us a ‘parallax neutral’ image.  The art director, Steve Mitchell from Hunt Adkins, hoped that I would have to hang 40 feet in the air from a flimsy harness.  I opted for mounting the camera on the ceiling and operating it remotely!

By shooting various one and two-person cube configurations, I was able to capture enough variations of people and cubes to pull it off.  In the end, we shot 50 people with four different cube-desk configurations. We had to create enough variety in the talent so there would be no duplications. I shot the 50 chosen models then changed each of their wardrobe and hair styles 3-4 times.

 Retouching by Jellysquare brought the whole thing together.  I worked closely with them on each step so we could simplify the production and post work.  Each person at his or her cube and the individual sitting across from them is one shot with numerous layers to create the final image. 

 This was a very mathematical shoot.  Paying very close attention to detail.  The cubicle configurations had to be shot perfectly so they could be retouched into a legible word.
In the end it all worked because of the great efforts of the agency and entire crew.  Hats off to Sally Mars, my producer, for a another great production!!"

All able bodies were needed.  Curtis is in the image as well!  Above he is photographing himself.  Take a look, he is the man standing on the left side of the image.  Where's Curtis?...He is the image a few times.

Gatorade With Coco Ho and Ryan Lochte, Bonini style.

                Over the years Steve has shot a lot with Gatorade.

This shoot was fast and furious at a private gym in LA, 6pm to Midnight.

An evening of vein busting workout drills led by premier fitness trainer Jay Blahnik.  

Jay was in the face of our two athletes being a true drill sergeant.

He put each of them through a couple of hours of muscle burning routines.

Gatorade wanted the look of intensity, grit and sweat.

 

The tunes were cranked up.  Gatorade was chugged.

 First up was Kick ass surfer Coco Ho, the youngest female competitor to enter the world tour.

Next swimmer Ryan Lochte, a 6 time Olympic medalist.

 

In case you haven't heard of him much, just know, he has beaten Michael Phelps a few times.
Nuf said.

"It's always great to watch young athletes at the top of their game!" Steve Bonini

 

Last but not least, ALTER then took over working their magic, creating the muted background and making the athletes "pop".

The Client was, oh so happy!  Another great assignment.  Thanks Gatorade.

KIA Hybrid Shoot: Rick Chou

Here's what Rick Chou had to say about the shoot: 

“It is always challenging executing interior shots without having a car buck.  We moved around, again and again, trying different distance-to-car, height-to-car and lens perspective in order to find the desired look to match to the layouts.”

 "We were pushing the camera and lens perspective to get the right dynamic for the Hybrid badge shot.  We experimented with different format cameras and lens combination's to finally settle on the look." 

View more of Rick's work @ www.RickChou.com

The Attributes of Personal Work

I am constantly telling my Artists, "When you are not on an assignment, get out and shoot your personal visions."  It is through personal work that the Artist is truly able to express themselves.  Often times creating imagery they would not normally be assigned.  It is through personal work that the Artist can expand and experiment.  Steve Bonini is known for his "sports photography", but there he is at a fundraiser, seizes the moment and does award-winning Portrait work! 

"I was at a fund raising event and saw these big, bearded men dressed as nuns and wearing platform shoes...I told the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to pose as if it were a driver's license photo." -Steve Bonini

You can view the original series on Steve Bonini's website.   

First, he won the 2010 Rosey award for excellence in direct response advertising.

Then, Bart Cleveland, Creative Director and Copywriter, from McKee Wallwork Cleveland contacted Steve.  Together with Art Director Bruce Johno, they created Ad's for Village Frame Crafters using Steve Bonini's unusual portraits.

This once again shows what personal work can do to add to the Photographer's repertoire.
Personal work also opens up avenues the Photographer may never drive down via assignment work.  Giving Art Directors and Clients the chance to see personal visions they did not know the Photographer has.  And, doors fly open!

[click on an image to view it larger]

"Don't embarrass yourself with a cheap frame."

"Express yourself.  With a really, really nice frame."

"Surprise your mother.  Use a custom frame."

"With the right frame, it's not Uncle Bob.  It's art."

Personal work demonstrates the Artist's love for their media and their true desire to create.  When doing portfolio shows the people who hire are always drawn to the personal work.  It shows that the Artist can do a lot more than effectively re-create a comp.  It exhibits their passions and uniqueness.  Photographers, Art Buyers and Creatives I would love your thoughts and experiences.

 You can hear Steve talk about his vision in this short 2 minute video:

"I like to do slices of life that might not be part of the slice of life I live in." -Steve Bonini

Classy, Sassy Fish People by Curtis Johnson

Curtis Johnson brought these fish to life for Fuji Ya.  Aron Shand and Paul Swiatek from Kruskopf Coontz were the Creatives for the Ads and really reeled in fantastic concepts!

Here's what Paul Swiatek (Copy Writer) had to say about the shoot:

"Curtis is great.  He's so adept at picking up on the vision of the idea.  But the coolest thing is that he throws in ideas of his own, little 'maybe we should try this' kinds of things - and that's what makes your idea that much better."

"The Fuji Ya shoot was definitely an experience.  The fish were very demanding.  They freaked out when we didn't have the bottled salt water they wanted.  But Curtis took charge, calmed them down and talked them out of the trailer.  The shoot went great until lunch, when we served tuna fish sandwiches.  AWKWARD!"

Aron Shand  (Art Director) added:

"I really enjoy working with Curtis. He helps make our wildest dreams come true (everything from robots on trains to fish people on cell phones).  He's great at taking a highly conceptual idea, finding the elements to pull out, shoot, and piece it back together beautifully."

 The metamorphosis from human to fish:

 struttin' his stuff

 Ann  (AB) proving her "anything for the job" attitude.

 Rawr - where's my bottled salt water?!

Click any image to view it bigger or go to

www.CurtisJohnsonPhoto.com 

for more of Curtis Johnson's humorous and conceptual work.

Caterina Bernardi's Imagery is Graceful and Relevant.

Caterina Bernardi has a unique ability to capture the moment with mature adults.
Her images are vibrant and real.

Click any image to view it bigger, or go to www.CaterinaBernardi.com to view more of her photography.

A few shots of Caterina working her magic.

Rick Chou Shooting Moody Lifestyle

Not many know that previous to becoming the extraordinary Product and Auto Photographer he is today, Rick Chou shot fashion in Europe and people...back to his beginnings, sort of.   Milwaukee Tools came to us recently asking Rick to shoot "a different look" of construction workers on site using their tools.

Rick and his Digi-Tech

Milwaukee Tools secured a real construction site at UCLA where a building was being demolished to be replaced by dorms.  It was floors of dripping water, dark empty cavernous spaces with beams and exposed metal.  Milwaukee Tools got permission from UCLA to work with the construction company and destroy sections of the building. 

 The Crew

Before Rick and his entire crew were allowed to even step on site, they had to attend an intensive two hour safety training session.  Then, with the  Construction Supervisor close by at all times, for 3 days they maneuvered their way through the building, between floors, walkways and narrow shafts.   As Rick said, "It was like creeping through a dungeon."  It was loud, it was wet, it was dark, and extremely dangerous, but exciting. 

Rick and his crew pre-lit the scenarios.  With his crew acting as stand-ins, they emulated the construction workers jobs and movements.  Finally the real construction workers, who were "on the clock", came in for less then 10 minutes.  Rick made them feel comfortable and relaxed in front the camera, lights and crew.  Action!  The tools were fired up, noise bounced off the walls, floors vibrated, dust flew, as Rick shot fast and furiously to get the most out of his 10 minutes!

And, of course, a few of the final shots:

Click on any image to see it bigger, or view Rick's other work @ www.RickChou.com