Professional Bowling Really is Professional

Not everyone takes bowling seriously. Kind of like Curling in the upcoming Winter Olympics. Remember the movie Kingpin?  Anyone can go to the local lanes rent a pair two tone shoes and toss a ball at the pins. Might even get a strike once and a while. You are encouraged to drink beer, or maybe White Russians. “The Dude”

Pro Bowler Mike Fagan

Last Sunday the Pro Bowling Association held the Dick Weber Open at Fountain Bowl, in Fountain Valley, and as in the past they asked me to be their photographer for the event. Some of the best bowlers in the world came to compete. Mike Fagan picked up his first individual tour title and a check for  $25,000 beating Walter Ray Williams Jr. in the finals. Pete Weber, Bill O’Neill, and Ryan Shafer also competed.

It was very professional. ESPN was covering the action from with at least 5 cameras. I rented a 200 mm 1.8 lens that I would love to own but truly only need once every blue moon.  It made for some nice actions photos in a not all that bright bowling alley even with the TV lights. Oh, and the sound of a camera firing off during a bowlers backswing in a no-no. A young lady from a local newspaper did so and was admonished for it live on TV. Flash, forget about it.

Mike Fagan wins Dick Weber Open

I admit that photographing this sport is fun. There is not a football size stadium full of fans to negotiate. I did not have to walk 18 holes lugging 50 pounds of equipment. The chances of getting hit by a foul (bowling) ball were minimal. All the action is predictable and happens in a small designated area. For the most part I was sitting in a chair.

Most of all it is always a pleasure to be front row photographing athletes competing at the top of their game, no mater what the sport.

Going pro on the snow

Ok so this post is really not about photography, but life is more than work.

Andy Templeton with a Biskier

For the past several years I have been a volunteer at United States Adaptive Recreation Center (USARC) in Big Bear. I show people how to enjoy the sport of skiing using equipment available for those with physical disabilities.

Volunteering allows me to give back to the sport and gets me out of the city and up to the cleaner air of the San Bernardino Mountains where I have been skiing since high school. Now I am turning Pro. This year I am going through a series clinics and taking the exams – that should I pass – will qualify me to achieve the rank of Professional Ski Instructors of America, Level I Adaptive.

Why do this? It is not for the money. I will still be a volunteer at USARC. It is not for the chicks. I am ecstatically married to the most wonderful woman in the world. It is not for the glory. Level I Adaptive is kind of like being a private in the army. I get a nice little pin for my vest. Basically, I have been talking about it for years and have convinced my ski buddy Matt, who introduced me to the program, that he should do it also. Now there is no going back. I will post again in April if I pass the test. Until then look for me on the slopes. I will be the guy trying in vain to keep up with the paraplegic that is kicking my butt down every run.

Next week, who said Pro Bowling is not a sport.

Lighting, Learning from the Masters

Lighting does not just happen. It has to be wielded like a paintbrush onto the canvas that is a photograph.

Bambeck portrait by Rembrandt

Consider the paintings by the Dutch Master Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669). His portraits are today some of the most prized paintings ever produced. Studying his work you would have to argue that it was not the subjects that he painted, most often the common person of the time, but rather the technique that he used in portraying them.

I am far from suggesting that any photographer I know, including myself, should be compared to Rembrandt, but there are some similarities in approach.

Executive Portrait

One of the first things I was taught when learning the techniques of photography was “Rembrandt Lighting” or “Chiaroscuro” which is simply lighting a person so that there is a bit of shadow on one side of their face creating the effect of depth and softness. Look for it in when viewing well done portraits and fashion magazines.

With the ease of digital photography anyone can “take a picture” these days. It is the knowledge of the use of light that makes a photographer an artist.

Living dangerously in Irvine, California.

If you are not from around here you might not know Irvine has the reputation of being a very safe, well planned, kind of boring city in safe, boring Orange County. Families live here. Their children have blond hair. Their dogs are Golden Retrievers.  I was there last week and I was nervous.

Craig Montelih, FBI Informant

 I had an assignment to photograph a man Craig Monteilh. A man who claims to have been working undercover for the FBI, and he was talking about it.  Cue up “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” by The Hollies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP9-6fjSg88

 He preferred we meet in a park, not his house. He could not give up all his secrets. I wish I could tell you it was midnight and foggy but no it more like noon and very sunny. Birds were chirping. Squirrels were squirreling.

Craig Montheil, Undercover

 He was wearing a trench coat and dark glasses. I was wearing Dockers and maybe a shirt by Tommy Bahama. We met under a tree near a bridge. He kept look around like he was expecting someone else to show up invited or not.

 As you know I really enjoy photographing people and using light to make them stand out in the photos. I was thinking this might be fun after all.

 We started out photographing in a stand of trees. They were good but I knew I could do better. I suggested we try some shots in the shadow and light of a pedestrian tunnel not far off. As we walked there I asked if he had any reason to worry about going public with his clandestine past. He just smiled.

Craig Monteilh

I was right about the tunnel. I used an off camera strobe and made some fun images. As we parted I shook his hand and thanked him for his time. I wished him luck in the future and drove home thinking I might enjoy a martini that night. Shaken, not stirred.

Portraiture — Retouching Software

No Retouching

I admire a person who can drive a Ferrari without getting a glove box full of speeding tickets. I recently started using a new portrait retouching software program that is fast, sleek, and has the potential to easily get out of control. While I did not endanger anybody’s life or my driving privileges – I did get in a little over my head during my first few “test drives”. During my early usage I actually had a client look at their photo that I proudly produced and said, “Who the hell is that?” 

The problem is that while you have the power to change everything about a person’s appearance with today’s technology, knowing how far to go is the key to producing professional results.  Everybody’s face has some character. People recognize themselves because of these and expect to see themselves as themselves.

Too Much Retouching

In fairness to friends, family and clients the examples are my own mug using the application of retouch software. Like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, it takes some practice to get it just right.

• #1 is how the camera captures me.
• #2 is just way too much application.
• #3 is a nice balance. Some of the laugh lines were softened and the skin texture smoothed out.

 

Retouched Portrait -- Just Right

Cameras are sharper than ever showing every bit of detail. Knowing how to balance that with what we want to see and not going too far is the key to good portraiture.

The Future of Newspapers.

Every day there is something new. New technology can be a pain. My new cameras and computers are considered old school before I even get them out of their boxes. Then I have to figure out their latest twists. But when I do figure them out, I generally sit back and say “Oh yah that’s pretty cool.”

Today’s newspapers have also seen a lot of change in the last couple of years. They are learning to embrace new technologies and changing the way they meet our need for the news. How are the Lakers doing? Which presidential party will take us to ruin quicker? Or how many girlfriends a certain pro golfer has? 

Little Jimmy is not going to be riding his bike down the street much longer tossing newspapers into your flowerbed. It is all about the internet and having the news delivered on your home computer, laptop or Iphone. While this takes a little getting use to, looking closer will reveal some pretty nice surprises.

Dave Argent Decorates Houses with Holiday Lights

Although lately I have been doing more work in the corporate world, I still enjoy taking freelance assignments from The Orange County Register. They are doing a series on people who are dealing with being out of work or having to reinvent themselves due to the economics of the time. I’ve recently been assigned to a couple of these stories. The Register wires the subject for sound, interviews them, shoot video and still photos and marry it all together for a beautiful presentation that allows you to view the subject through the eyes of a professional and hear the subject’s story in their own words with their own voice. Check out the future of internet news and this interesting series of articles.

 Newspapers are not dead. They are just changing with the times. And, oh yah that’s pretty cool!  If you’re thinking of having Holiday Lights installed for you, check out OC Holiday Lighting, which is featured in the article.

Building A Digital Image Library

Times change. People change. Businesses change. Some thoughts on updating your image library to reflect those changes

Orange County, California manages over 40,000 acres of public parks ranging from beaches to wilderness to historical sites. Until recently the images they were using to represent these parks were 20 years old, outdated and badly exposed. Last year I was awarded the contract to create a new set of digital images for them that shows their parks usage, diversity and the updated facilities these sites offer.

Orange County Parks Photograph

The importance of visual imagery is unprecedented and continues to grow. Photography is everywhere. The first impression a person gets of you and your business is often from the pictures on your web site. Are they clear, up-to-date and technically excellent? Lighting style changes. Today they have more pop! Do your images represent you today?

Suggestions:

• Review current library. What photos do you like, what are obviously dated? Today’s digital images are easier to store, find, reference, retouch, and generally sharper.

• Consider updating your headshots on a regular basis. While it may be expected to use a 10-year old photo if you are posting it on a “lets get to know each other” web site, it is not appropriate to use such an old photo for business purposes. 

• Don’t mix old with new. If you have photos of the major players in your organization they should all have the same look.

Schedule a meeting with a photographer to discuss your current images and talk about today’s trends and your perceived needs. Your photographer will help you arrange a photo shoot so that it is efficient and makes the most of everyone’s time. I am always very happy to do this.

College Basketball – David 61, Goliath 62

 

Concordia vs. UCLA Basketball

You know the story, a mismatch between two warriors. Goliath is large and strong; David smaller and perceived as weaker. Would it be a story if David looses? Actually quite a good one.

 Concordia University is a relatively small, religion based school, with an enrollment of 2,400 in Irvine, California. Their Men’s Basketball team is ranked 8^th in the NAIA standings.  UCLA is, well, UCLA – NCAA Division 1 Basketball Champions. Think John Wooden.

 

One would think a basketball game between these two schools would be a mismatch. This is what I was thinking as I crawled my way up the 405 freeway to Westwood to photograph the exhibition game scheduled between the two schools. Coming home I felt very different.

Concordia Basketball

Even though UCLA gave a couple of their starters the night off to rest injuries, Concordia came to play.  The scoring was back and forth through much of the 1^st half. But with 2 minuets left in that half, Concordia took the lead and held on to it until with only 16 seconds left in the game UCLA hit a 3 pointer for the win.

 

The crowd of 6,346 mostly UCLA fans were at times silenced while the Concordia players could hardly contain themselves. In what was probably one of highest profile games of their college careers, David did not win but still gave Goliath a fight that both teams will long remember.

 

 

Corporate Head Shots – My Process

I come to you

I come to you and set-up a portable studio at your office/home.  This makes it very convenient for busy professionals who can walk down the hall instead of driving across town for their portrait.  I do not need a large location, most of the time a conference room works nicely.

 

Executive Headshot

 I bring a portable studio

I have a variety of portable studio backgrounds to choose from and I always bring studio lights. If someone claims they can produce quality portraits without lights, they are a “person with a camera”, not a professional.  I don’t need much space since my lighting equipment is powerful but compact. Your location, plus my years of experience combine to produce a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

 

It doesn’t take long

I know the importance of time for the busy executive. I arrive at your office 45 minutes before the photos are scheduled to be taken, set-up my equipment and do a few test shots. After that, most portrait sessions last about 15 minutes per person. Sometimes the lights need to be changed to accommodate each individual, glasses, height, hair, etc. Most people have a smile they have been using for the better part of their adult lives and are happy with it.  When professional hair and/or make-up are required, I have a couple of stylists that I work with that are available at an additional cost.

 

I provide a quick turn-around

I work with new high-resolution digital equipment. This allows the photographs to be downloaded into a laptop and viewed directly after they are created so a pose can be agreed upon before I leave. I then go to my office and work at my computer where I am able to do post production on the images using the latest available software to enhance and finish each image. Delivery time can be arranged to your needs. I would like to have a day or two but can burn a CD on-site after the shoot if you need the photo immediately.

 

What I charge

I charge $150 for the first individual; additional subjects (at the same location/session) are $75.  This includes everything outlined above including the delivery of images. A fee will be added as agreed upon if excess travel is involved.

 

These are just some of the basics as every person’s photo shoot is unique. I am very happy to be flexible in arranging yours. Please call me to discuss your needs and give me the chance to answer any further questions you might have.

 

Professional Photography – The Art of Photographing the Arts

Carl St. Clair Conducts The Pacific Symphony

Orange County, California had for many years the reputation of being the lesser sibling to our larger neighbor to the north named Los Angeles; especially when it came to the arts and culture. That changed in 1986 when the 3,000-seat Orange County Performing Arts Center opened on what was a lima bean field just months before. The 500 seat Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall designed and built for the Pacific Symphony is the latest addition to the center.

 Photographing concerts there is often a treat but comes with unique responsibilities. Patrons of the arts privileged to enjoy the work of world-renowned musicians don’t appreciate the sound of a camera in a concert hall designed to resonate the softer sounds of a Stradivarius violin.

A plastic box lined with foam called a “blimp” is used in such situations. About half the size of a shoebox, it encapsulates the camera helping to muffle the cameras sound. One drawback of the blimp is that it does restrict access to the camera controls and this can be a bit unnerving when you don’t want to miss the shot.  While the blimp does a good job of muffling sound, I have learned to wait and only photograph when the full orchestra is in performance or I will draw disapproving glairs from disturbed patrons.  It is also important to minimize movement as movement on my part is not part of the program and an unwelcome distraction for patrons.

 I often feel very lucky when asked to photograph exclusive events such as performances by the Pacific Symphony and am happy to work in a professional manner so that I will be asked back for future events.