Dauntless Dive Bomber
The SBD Dauntless is a World War II Naval dive bomber that is best known for sinking the Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. This very rare and still flying Dauntless not only saw service during the war but also appeared in the movies “Midway” and “War And Remembrance”. Flying out of the Palm Springs Air Museum from the “Planes Of Fame” Air Museum in Chino California.
It Has Already Started…
I started thinking about my photo shoot plans for next year. That may include many of you. So if you have been thinking about shooting with me or planning your magazine editorials or advertising campaigns, let’s chat. Yes I will be doing my work in bodybuilding and fitness, but let’s make it really standout! I am also doing work in lifestyle including fashion, edgy and conceptual. As I often say, I reserve the right to photograph anything I find fun and interesting. But seriously, whatever your concept, let’s talk! We can make it worthwhile and fun! Send me a note to SecondFocus@mac.com.
Here is a look behind the scenes on my photo shoot in the desert and wind farms with Sergi Constance. Sergi has become enormously successful as a model and our photographs made their way to magazines and more around the world.
Santa… She Says She Can Explain…
I really would like to be the Santa hearing all about this story from Maria Bertrand! Ho Ho Ho!
Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle. Photography by Me!
The Intense Environment Of Salton Sea
The environment of Salton Sea can be very intense. Harsh Sunlight, desolate spaces, an eeriness to the Sea itself. In places a post apocalyptic look that would be movie perfect. But I find it uniquely compelling and beautiful. A favorite location for my photo shoots. Model Bailey Daniels.
Love This Film Look!
I just love this old film look of this Drambuie commercial. Looks like this are why I keep gravitating back to shooting film in my photo shoots.
Hellcat!
A United States Navy Hellcat. A carrier based plane that destroyed more enemy aircraft during WWII than any other Allied Naval Aircraft. Flying out of the Palm Springs Air Museum.
On His Way!
A huge congratulations to my good friend Xavisus Gayden. He has been invited to compete in at the very prestigious Arnold Sports Festival for 2015 in Columbus Ohio. The opportunity to show off that finely honed physique on that stage is truly special in the world of bodybuilding and fitness.
From his first magazine appearance, when I featured Xavisus in Iron Man Magazine as the BodySpace Physique of the Month for Bodybuilding.com, and along the way, he has been an exemplary individual and a credit to his continuing service as a United State Marine. Outstanding!
Another Holiday Season Photo
Another of my Holiday Season photographs. See the festive red candles on the counter. Oh, you missed those. Look again. From our photo shoot with one of the most beautiful women I have ever photographed, Ashley Owens Gulina. Makeup and Hair Styling by the wonderful Natalie Lyle. Thank You!
Me In The Hollywood Reporter!
I must say that it is very fun to see my photographs in places like the Hollywood Reporter despite the fact that I have been published many thousands of times over.
Go see the movie this weekend just so you can see my photographs in the end credits as well as my name! OK you will also see great names such as Gena Rowlands, Cheyenne Jackson, Rita Moreno, Julian Sands, Jacki Weaver, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Anthony Zerbe. And the work of legendary cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond. Yes all that and it is great fun. Check the schedule on the website at http://sixdancelessonsmovie.com. Thanks!
Clouds And Palm Trees and Polaroid
A painterly view of Clouds framing Palm Trees after a rain in Palm Springs. Photographed in a Polaroid SX-70 camera with instant film by the Impossible Project.
It’s So Big!
I want a smaller one! Actually I want two. Shooting still photographs on movies and productions often requires complete silence. Even that little sound from the camera shutter is too much. The solution is that the camera has to go in what is called a “blimp” which completely deadens all sounds. Except the sounds of my aches and pains of carrying it around and a second camera all day. This is my friend Masha, who was at the studio in Budapest during the shooting of the movie “Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks”, giving it a try. She does make it look better than it does on me anyway.
“Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks” was released last Friday and is now being held over in theaters in Southern California. Go see it, just for me, so you can see my photographs in the end credits and my name LOL! The Encino Town Center, The Sundance Sunset in West Hollywood, Laemmle’s Passadena, Laemmle’s Westpark in Irvine. Thanks!!
Who Is Getting Ready?
Who is going to be getting ready to be in front of my cameras starting in January? Jake Sawyer is one for sure!
Motion Picture Premiere And After Party
Great excitement on Wednesday night for the premiere of the motion picture “Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks”. The follow up, in newspapers around the country, included my photographs. Kind of an extra reward for the seven weeks I worked shooting the photographs during production in Budapest. That and famed Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond giving me the compliment “You can work on my sets any time, you stayed out of the way”. He also said that he was happy because he stayed out of the way too. That is actually pretty funny.
But then, after the Premiere, was the After Party at the Warwick Nightclub in Hollywood. The surroundings dominated by posters from movies starring Gena Rowlands who, as the star of our movie, was also in attendance. The place filled up, standing room only, including many of the people I spent all that time with in Budapest. Very fun. The Warwick itself, very cool place that I can only describe as dark and sexy. You have to know it is my kind of place with two huge photographs of gorgeous naked women on the walls including the star of now, Emily Ratajkowski.
It was an entire evening of dark and sexy which includes the hotel where we stayed, The Redbury in Hollywood. It seemed like eternal sultry night in the place with it’s dark colors and subtle illuminations. Very exceptional and unique design.
Now go see the movie when it comes out just shortly around the country. Starring Gena Rowlands, Cheyenne Jackson, Rita Moreno, Julian Sands, Jacki Weaver, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Anthony Zerbe and some amazing music. It is great fun!
Get Your Dents Worked Out…
Stopping by for some auto repair? Maybe things running rough? Looks like he is not too busy but maybe not impressed with the idea of getting under the hood of your car. Knows his way around the garage. I’m thinking he does mostly bodywork. Ask him about getting your dents worked out. A much better idea! Jake Sawyer from our photo shoot.
Riding The Rails…
She walked out of the desert from that freight train. Was she riding the rails, maybe from somewhere colder? She did see me, she was looking around. The camera didn’t seem to bother her but the hot Sun was too much for leather and denim. She got more comfortable and I think she was looking for her next direction. Maybe she is coming your way. Amy Sedlatschek riding the rails. She can do that, after all she is the Mom to six and a grandma. She has earned whatever she wants to do.
He Shook The Moment!
The sound of Jon hitting that heavy bag reverberated throughout the gym. The slam like an earthquake shook the moment and made everything else stop. Even the bag wanted it to stop. Jonathan Rude working it out in front of my camera.
Pearl Harbor
The Aichi D3A Dive Bomber, nicknamed “Val”, was the aircraft carrier borne airplane that flew in almost all actions, including Pearl Harbor to the end of World War II. It was responsible for sinking more Allied warships than any other aircraft. This replica flying out of the Palm Springs Air Museum was flown in both the movies “Tora! Tora! Tora!” and “Pearl Harbor”.
Cool Car And A Photo Shoot…
A very classic Ford on the streets of Palm Springs last weekend. I happened to see it and had to pull over and shoot a photo. Interesting that I saw a photo shoot going on just off the road down in a field among some scrub and bushes. I suspect this was their car. It looked like a photographer, an assistant holding a reflector and a model. The model did have her clothes on. I didn’t see the photographer but if this is your car or you know the photographer, just say Hi! I just want to say Cool Car! Thanks!
Across The Windows…
If you saw her across the alley from your window in her window? But did she see you?
Melyssa across the windows in our photo shoot.
He Did Good…
Not often, but it can get cold and gloomy out here in the desert. What would you be thinking about if you were alone out there. Of course if you were Sergi Constance with my camera pointed at you, you would be thinking about squeezing your abs. He did good!
She Was There
I know she was there, I saw her and she saw me. It was very desolate but I am thinking she can take care of things. I came back later after dark, but she was gone. My imagination perhaps?
Randalene Sergent from our photo shoot.
Much Attention
One of my photographs of Doug Brignole has been getting much attention today on Facebook. However of all my photographs I have shot of Doug, this one is always one of my favorites. Muscle Beach/Venice is world famous and tourists come from all over to check it out and maybe take some photos of some muscle guys and gorgeous women. Well I was having Doug do some posing in the workout “Pit” when this woman jumped in for her chance to get one of those sought after tourist photos for herself. She made it perfect for me. I could not have paid someone to do any better! Those things do happen at Muscle Beach!
I Am Mom Approved!
An email I received from Maria Yvonne Bertrand… “Ian L. Sitren, look at what is framed and hung in the hallway at my mums house. A really awesome photographer took the picture.”
I am Mom Approved! Too Fun! After all that Maria Bertrand has done her Mom picked my photo! How cool is that.
And what has Maria done… been a model for Guess, Versace, Gianfranco Ferre, Le Vie en Rose, Dynamite, La Perla, Armani, Coke, Le Grenier and walked runway for wedding dresses, lingerie, jeans, high fashion, gowns and much more. She has done tons of catalogs, sports catalogs, and hair shows.
She has worked in Milan, Paris, London, Athens, Montreal, Toronto, Capetownand many places in between. Her magazine appearances and covers include Vogue, W, Chatelaine, Elle, Sante, Living Fit, Femme D’aujour’hui and more around the world.
How about commercials… Audi, Miller, Bud Light, Baskin Robbins, Molson Dry, Coppertone, Pela Windows, Comcast, Oceans, Michelob Ultra, Club Med.
Not done yet, Maria has been in eleven movies with the biggest stars you know and some cult favorites. Ands then numerous television shows.
So I am really good with her Mom liking my photograph of Maria enough to have it framed and hanging at home. Makes me smile!
You can click on this photo to see the actual photograph itself on my website.
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