The Prowler Arrives!
How very fun is this! A United States Navy EA-6B Prowler arriving at the Palm Springs Air Museum for it’s official retirement. This plane, flown by it’s Navy crew, made it’s way across the country, from active duty in the Persian Gulf on the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, to NAS Whidbey Island in Washington to here in Palm Springs just this morning. I have some real cool video I shot as well. More later!
7 Weeks In Budapest For Six Dance Lessons
Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks – The Movie was 7 Weeks in Budapest, Hungary for me. The movie website features many of my photographs shot as the still photographer on the production. To be released in a few weeks the movie is based on the hit play which has been seen in 24 countries and 14 languages. Starring Gena Rowlands, Cheyenne Jackson and Rita Moreno. Check out the website and trailer and go see the movie, it is great fun! http://sixdancelessonsmovie.com
“Does This Plane Match My Outfit?”
Fashionably fit Sharon Lim deciding if the Boeing Navy Stearman matches her outfit or if she should keep shopping. Personally I think this is the one Sharon should take home with her. What do you think?
From our photo shoot at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle. Thanks!
How Lucky!
How can I possibly explain how lucky I have been to have some of the most astounding and beautiful women in front of my cameras. Victoria Kirsanovaout in hot Sun in the hills above Agua Dulce. Personal trainer, professional horse trainer and an amazingly creative individual with a fascinating life from around the world. From our photo shot with Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle. Thank You!
She Is Actually Real!
When Ashley Owens Gulina is in front of my cameras sometimes I just laugh because I can’t believe that someone so incredibly gorgeous actually exists in the real world. The Makeup and Hair Styling that makes it even better, by Natalie Lyle.
My Relationship With Keira Knightly
Well other than thinking that she is just gorgeous and I very much enjoy seeing her in movies and photographs, I do not have a relationship with Keira Knightly. Except for perhaps in agreement with some of her views about photography. She was recently photographed by famous fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier for Interview Magazine. And she also was the interviewer of Demarchelier for the feature. More below…
Keira Knightley by Patrick Demarchelier For Interview Magazine
In the interview Keira brings up a few points and asks questions of Demarchelier about shooting film versus shooting digital as she sees a difference in how photographers relate to the subject or model. Here are a few of those questions…
KNIGHTLEY: I’ve noticed that the people who started on film still have the ability to see the person in front of them. Whereas for a lot of photographers who have only ever worked in digital, the relationship between the photographer and the person who they’re taking a picture of sort of doesn’t exist anymore. They’re looking at a computer screen as opposed to the person.
DEMARCHELIER: Exactly. I love digital, but the only problem is less intimacy. People look at the screen right away. Before, nobody saw the picture before you saw the final picture. There was more privacy in a way.
KNIGHTLEY: Do you miss any of the physicality of it? I think I’m a horrific kind of romantic about film. There’s something about that single shot that was one moment in time, and something about the physical process of the light hitting the lens and the dark room. I find it difficult to see the romance in digital.
DEMARCHELIER: It can do that too, actually. I do a Polaroid before shooting. A Polaroid you do one picture, three pictures, it’s really a moment. Capturing that moment with those pictures is interesting.
I want to say that I really understand what Keira Knightly is saying. By example when I am shooting on location in bright sun and shooting digital, you can’t see the screen on the back of the camera anyway. So I do find myself shooting more like when I do shoot film. Less as an observer and more working directly with the model. There is more of a connection, kind of an eye to eye thing. I have caught myself lately making that digital mistake. I see other photographers, younger photographers who have not shot film. being totally detached like they are watching selfies on an Instagram feed. As a consequence their photos are truly uninspired.
So what have I done to stay connected? Simple things that make me slow down. You might see me shoot with the camera on a tripod. Let’s me pay more attention to the model and details. I do shoot way fewer photos than other photographers. I hear models tell me that they shot with some photographer and they shot thousands of photos in a photo shoot. That usually only means you have a whole bunch of mediocre photos to look through and the photographer is just being a button pusher and watching.
To paraphrase a story about the great photographer Helmut Newton; it is said that for the cover assignment for a very prominent fashion magazine he only shot three photographs as the selections. When confronted by the very famous editor that he only sent in three, Newton responded “Well you only need one”. That “one” was always a work of art and not just one of many photographs.
And from time to time you might see me shoot film. When you only have 12, 16 or 36 frames before you have to reload the camera that will slow you down. Especially when you consider that each roll of film will cost $35 – $50 each to be developed and scanned. Every now and then some of you may have even seen me bring out the Polaroid cameras. I intend to do that more as well. For many of you it will be a new experience. No screen to look at not he back of the camera. One model I worked with was very confused by it and she said “Is that like movies?”. Don’t worry I won’t make fun of you. It’s all fun!
Well I hope Keira Knightly sees this and stops by to do a shoot on film with me. Maybe she or Interview Magazine did call me about this feature and I was at the gym or something. I will just keep telling myself that. Thanks!
Why Photographs From Movies?
Last year I was in Budapest, Hungary shooting the still photography on a motion picture. I was surprised that so many people asked “Why do they need photographs from a movie?”. The photographs are used for everything from movies posters, advertising, promotions and more. By example, here is one of my photographs from that movie “Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks” in the Hollywood Reporter the other day. The movie will be released on December 12th nationwide. And below you can see the movie trailer. It is great fun! Thanks!
Totally My Hero!
Jennifer Henry is totally my hero! None so few have come up from so low in their life to overcome adversity. Now she stands gym built and healthy lifestyle strong to compete on the fitness and bodybuilding stages. Go check out her Facebook page and learn more about Jennifer. I promise you will be inspired and motivated! From our photo shoot.
She Lives A Life Of Fitness
She lives a life of fitness in so many ways. So Duyen Ariss in front of my camera after competing in the Las Vegas Classic just recently was the place to be! I have known her for some time now and she looks better than ever. Lifting iron and eating right does a body good and I must tell you that for Duyen, she looks 20 years younger than her actual age. She also has the biggest smile and a laugh that is there all the time. Ok I love her! But her husband Carlos Ariss knows it and he is a good guy too! Thanks!!
Kim Kardashian Gets To The Bottom Of Paper Magazine
There are so many things I find exciting and intriguing and fun about this new cover of Paper Magazine. For a start it is just a great photograph! Hair, makeup and wardrobe are superb! The design and execution of it by French photographer Jean-Paul Goude is perfect! I truly acknowledge Kim Kardashian herself for really going that extra edge, very artistically I might add, and for creating the perfect facial expression and looking absolutely beautiful. Then there is Paper Magazine itself which went way out on the edge as well to create a cover that is a work of art with a touch of the erotic, but so very playful! A non-stop round of applause here and a standing ovation!
I would also like to say that as I do, please go and subscribe to, or buy on the magazine stands, your favorite magazines. There is something about a printed copy of a magazine that greatly exceeds the experience of just looking at it online. And there are titles out there that are so very much more intriguing than your usual magazines. High end lifestyle magazines filled with the best photography, art, insightful stories of fiction, discourse on facets of life, and documentary. If you would like to know my favorites, send me a note. And with that said, here is a link to Paper Magazine. Take a look and maybe subscribe. And you can buy this issue that is the one to “BREAK THE INTERNET”.
The Muse In The Forest
A force or perhaps only a presence, personified as a beautiful woman only seen in the fantasy of the darkness of a forest. A mystery from which you cannot turn, for you can only wonder and stare and dream. Stacey Naito from our photo shoot. Makeup and Hair Styling by Blanche LeBeau.
Veterans Day In The Skies
The day started with a California Highway Patrol Cessna circling over the end of a pursuit. A stolen truck was driven onto a golf course and into a lake at the 9th hole. Driver and passenger were taken into custody. Way over par!
The Veterans Parade in Palm Springs starts out with planes from the Palm Springs Air Museum doing a flyover right over the parade route.
More For Veterans Day and Muscle Beach
We started Veterans Day with United States Marine Corp Veterans Stephanie Lugo and Travis Ely on the Muscle Beach/Venice Poster. And now on the Facebook banner for Muscle Beach. My photographs of course. Come be a part of Muscle Beach for 2015! This will also be a 7 ft high by 14 ft long banner displayed on the famous Venice Beach Boardwalk for the 2015 Competition Summer Shows. How cool is that!
Veterans Day and Muscle Beach
Not only am I very proud to have been the photographer of both of these photos but both Travis Ely and Stephanie Lugo are Veterans of the United States Marine Corps. Is that not perfect for Veteran’s Day today!
I am very happy to be a continuing supporter of Muscle Beach/Venice. Some years ago, I remember walking along that boardwalk at Venice Beach and seeing the huge guys working out in the “Pit” right there. Those were the guys of the Golden Age of Bodybuilding. How exciting to be living that history today! So come on out to Muscle Beach this coming Summer and you can be a part of it too!
Parade Unique
In the midst of a very fun parade with many of the usual such as marching bands and corporate sponsors, a few of the more special moments at the Palm Springs Pride Parade yesterday.
Special attention to the first photograph; Amanda Lepore has been photographed around the world by the some of the most of famous photographers. She has appeared in endless magazine features, art works and has indeed been on the walls of many art museums.
An Affaire Of Art
My date yesterday was a real doll and she was so amazed first seeing the Assemblage Art of my friend Lauretta Lowell. You can be too, when you go see her today as the featured artist at the Art Affaire in Rancho Mirage. Over 100 artists displaying their works in a beautiful outdoor setting with live music all day. Go on out there and check out Lauretta. It will all come in to focus so take a credit card with you. You might want to take some of the fun home! http://www.ranchomirageca.gov/art-affaire/
Let’s See More Like This
Store window displays can be fun. But why don’t we see more people dressed like this with such great hair too. Be adventuresome I say! Along El Paseo in Palm Desert.
Flight In Palm Springs
The skies alive with flight. The 18th Anniversary of the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Geometrically and Architecturally Perfect
Geometrically and architecturally perfect. Maria Bertrand perfectly fashioned as any surroundings anywhere. From our photo shoot.
“Featured Artist” Rancho Mirage Art Affaire
Recently I had the great experience of photographing Lauretta Lowell. Lauretta is an incredibly talented artist who will be the “Featured Artist” at the 14th annual Rancho Mirage Art Affaire this weekend. Her art is in mixed media assemblages but she is equally talented in painting and other art genres. But even more, she is an incredible personality who has overcome great tragedy. Read about Lauretta and also see more of the photographs in a feature for Palm Springs Life Magazine, Palm Springs California. Here is the link to that story.. http://tinyurl.com/m9hc5oy Thanks!
A big Thank You to Blanche LeBeau who did a wonderful job of Makeup and Hair Styling. And along with her assistant Emma Mesrobian did so much to help organize the scenes and wardrobe and made it all great fun. Thank You!
Standing Among The Skyscrapers
Standing 6ft-5 in those boots and with that body she has built, the only place for Natalie Lyle to stand is among the skyscrapers! From our photo shoot.
“Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks”
Still photography on a motion picture? Yes that is what I did in Budapest for seven weeks last year on the production of “Six Dance Lessons For Six Weeks”. Many of you may have seen this full page in your Sunday newspapers yesterday. The still photography is used for movie posters, advertising, public relations and so much more. Great Fun! So go see the movie when it is released in December! And no you won’t see me in it. It was my job to stay out of the way. Harder than you might think for sure!
The movie poster for “Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks”
Parade of Planes
Never fails, you are just driving down the street and some slow poke gets in front of you and holds everybody up. A Parade of Planes driving down the streets back to the airport from the Palm Springs Convention Center. Part of the Flying Aviation Expo that was here for the last three days with 10,000 people.
“Advanced Style”
Saw the documentary “Advanced Style” today. What a great and creative movie about life and getting a little older and having fun. Catch it in the theaters. You will be happy you did!
SecondFocus Blog 