“The core skill of innovators is error recovery, not failure avoidance.”
The Dean of Pixar University, Randy Nelson, is giving a talk that you might want to check out. It's about 9 minutes long, which is 4 times longer than I can usually sit still with You Tube, But it's worth it.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Kelly Kline "Tap Out" Behind the Scenes Video!
Check out this sweet video from Kelly Kline and Profoto. Wow!
Monday, October 25, 2010
"Hello Machine," an L.A. Rock Band.
L.A. Rock band Hello Machine are super cool guys. Joey the guitar player is an old friend. In fact we used to play in a band together. That was a long time ago though...
Here is a photo of the band. We're the two guys on the end.
One of the comps - "Hello Machine"
This shoot was interesting because there was zero pre production. There were no concepts discussed, no ideas batted around, nothing. Joey called me and said they need some images and that one of the guys in the band has access to a cool house. Actually I think he said "edgy images" but that was it.
When we got to the house the first thing I did was a scouting pass. I found all the places I liked and threw out a few ideas. It's not like they really could have said no to whatever I suggested anyways. So I began to setup. In this case I set up the first three shots before beginning to shoot. I wanted to be able to roll the guys through a couple of setups without having to break to keep the momentum going.
The first setup had this cool chair with a skylight directly above. I just used a bounce to kick some light back up on his face. so his eyes were not so dark.
I don't remember the settings on this one something like f/2.8 - 1/60
The next setup had a matching couch. I wanted to step up the edgy a little so I gridded a beauty dish for a more contrasts look. The wall behind the couch was really reflective as well as the frame so it took a while to figure out the specular highlights.
I ended up cropping the final image a little. f/8 - 1/30 - ISO320
The third of the first three setups we didn't end up using because I didn't like how they turned out. I don't think I even presented them to the band.
The home owner had a really cool garage with a checkered floor so we set up in there next. For this Setup I used three lights, 1)My key was a beauty dish, 2)an umbrella as a fill and 3) a gridded light as a hair/rim light. I did a group shot here as well.
The Next Three at: f/10 - 1/200 - ISO200
The Next two shots we're really almost grab shots. We were breaking for lunch and on the way out I grabbed Indy and said sit here. There was a bench directly under this painting and a small window at the end of the hall (camera right.) This image took less than a minute. I ended up bringing the guys back after lunch but the sun had moved and it just didn't have the same feel. This is probably my favorite shot from the day.
f/4 - 1/60 - iso400
This was an actually grab shot. After lunch the boys were having a smoke. I just pointed the camera and click three shots. I removed a few blemishes and added the b/w color effect in photoshop.
f/2.8 - 1/160 - ISO400
At the beginning of the day I had looked at this vacant lot across the street from the house. It was a big dirt patch with with cliff overlooking the city below. I daisy chained five 50 foot extension cords together. The main Light was a 60'' Shoot Through Umbrella, With two Gridded RIM lights coming from each side behind the guys. My cords would barely reach because I used all of my extensions just getting power out to this field.
The city itself wasn't particularly interesting but I saw this vision in my head. The issue is that we never get clouds in L.A. and the sun was in the wrong place. I didn't realize I was going to composite them until I got back in the studio. I keep playing with the shutter speed to achieve a desirable result of the clouds in the background. .
Final Composite. Would anyone like to see a tutorial my post processing?
RAW File Out of Camera was f/9 - 1/40 - ISO100
Here is a photo of the band. We're the two guys on the end.
One of the comps - "Hello Machine"
This shoot was interesting because there was zero pre production. There were no concepts discussed, no ideas batted around, nothing. Joey called me and said they need some images and that one of the guys in the band has access to a cool house. Actually I think he said "edgy images" but that was it.
When we got to the house the first thing I did was a scouting pass. I found all the places I liked and threw out a few ideas. It's not like they really could have said no to whatever I suggested anyways. So I began to setup. In this case I set up the first three shots before beginning to shoot. I wanted to be able to roll the guys through a couple of setups without having to break to keep the momentum going.
The first setup had this cool chair with a skylight directly above. I just used a bounce to kick some light back up on his face. so his eyes were not so dark.
I don't remember the settings on this one something like f/2.8 - 1/60
The next setup had a matching couch. I wanted to step up the edgy a little so I gridded a beauty dish for a more contrasts look. The wall behind the couch was really reflective as well as the frame so it took a while to figure out the specular highlights.
I ended up cropping the final image a little. f/8 - 1/30 - ISO320
The third of the first three setups we didn't end up using because I didn't like how they turned out. I don't think I even presented them to the band.
The home owner had a really cool garage with a checkered floor so we set up in there next. For this Setup I used three lights, 1)My key was a beauty dish, 2)an umbrella as a fill and 3) a gridded light as a hair/rim light. I did a group shot here as well.
The Next Three at: f/10 - 1/200 - ISO200
The Next two shots we're really almost grab shots. We were breaking for lunch and on the way out I grabbed Indy and said sit here. There was a bench directly under this painting and a small window at the end of the hall (camera right.) This image took less than a minute. I ended up bringing the guys back after lunch but the sun had moved and it just didn't have the same feel. This is probably my favorite shot from the day.
f/4 - 1/60 - iso400
This was an actually grab shot. After lunch the boys were having a smoke. I just pointed the camera and click three shots. I removed a few blemishes and added the b/w color effect in photoshop.
f/2.8 - 1/160 - ISO400
At the beginning of the day I had looked at this vacant lot across the street from the house. It was a big dirt patch with with cliff overlooking the city below. I daisy chained five 50 foot extension cords together. The main Light was a 60'' Shoot Through Umbrella, With two Gridded RIM lights coming from each side behind the guys. My cords would barely reach because I used all of my extensions just getting power out to this field.
The city itself wasn't particularly interesting but I saw this vision in my head. The issue is that we never get clouds in L.A. and the sun was in the wrong place. I didn't realize I was going to composite them until I got back in the studio. I keep playing with the shutter speed to achieve a desirable result of the clouds in the background. .
Final Composite. Would anyone like to see a tutorial my post processing?
RAW File Out of Camera was f/9 - 1/40 - ISO100
Back From Costa Rica!
I am back from Costa Rica! 257 emails, 22 voice mails and a large stack of bills. When is the next flight back...
I'll share some pics and stories soon!
I'll share some pics and stories soon!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Credit Cards Now Accepted!
We are very happy to announce that we now accept all major credit cards!!! Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, we take em' all baby!
Credit Cards are good for more than just products. You can pay for your session fees and almost every item we have! Do you love the coffee table book of your newborns session so much that you want to send one to grandma and grandpa? Now, we can save you time and energy by taking care of last minute gifts with a quick and easy phone call.
"Almost every item," whats the catch? We are still asking that Wedding and Event retainers be made in cash or check.
http://www.lukepickerill.com
Credit Cards are good for more than just products. You can pay for your session fees and almost every item we have! Do you love the coffee table book of your newborns session so much that you want to send one to grandma and grandpa? Now, we can save you time and energy by taking care of last minute gifts with a quick and easy phone call.
"Almost every item," whats the catch? We are still asking that Wedding and Event retainers be made in cash or check.
http://www.lukepickerill.com
Monday, October 4, 2010
A Walk Around My Neighborhood
A while back we had some rain which is fairly unusual for Los Angeles. I found myself with nothing to do on a Saturday, which is a far more unusual occurrence. I grabbed a camera and went for a walk around my neighborhood.
I just realized that if you look at these images together my neighborhood looks really dangerous and scary. It's actually a nice neighborhood, there are Starbucks and Boutique stores within 500 feet from all of these spots. I must have gravitated to the dingy that day.
I just realized that if you look at these images together my neighborhood looks really dangerous and scary. It's actually a nice neighborhood, there are Starbucks and Boutique stores within 500 feet from all of these spots. I must have gravitated to the dingy that day.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Alexis & Steve Married! Brookside Golf Club in Pasadaena, CA.
Alexis and Steve's wedding was awesome and they were really fun to work with. Congratulations you two, I know you're going to be very happy together!
After the ceremony we headed out to this bridge on the golf course. 1/200-f/2.8-ISO800
I had my second shooter hiding behind them with a quantum set to 1/64th power. A little day for night post processing and I think it looks pretty good! 1/125-f/3.5-ISO800
1/250-f/3.2-ISO1250
1/320-f/2.2-ISO1250
This ring had been passed down from her grandmother to her mother and now to her... Pretty cool!
1/100-f/5.6-ISO1000
The knew it was going to be hot so all of the bridesmaids painted hand fans for all the guests.
1/200-f/2.5-ISO1000
Steve an his groomsmen all had souped up Subarus. A great shot by my second shooter Dana Barsuhn.
1/800-f/4.0-ISO100
It was really hot and the sun presented a huge challenge. It was so bright and harsh. I stayed close and relied on fill flash, big time!
1/160-f/3.2-ISO100
1/160-f/3.2-ISO100
1/200-f/3.2-ISO640
1/200-f/4-ISO1000 - Another Great Grab by Dana Barsuhn
1/320-f/2.8-ISO800
1/200-f/2.8-ISO800
1/125-f/2.8-ISO800
1/125-f/1.4-ISO1000
1/60-f/1.4-ISO2000
1/125-f/4-ISO1000 - Quantum Flash at 1/64th power
After the ceremony we headed out to this bridge on the golf course. 1/200-f/2.8-ISO800
I had my second shooter hiding behind them with a quantum set to 1/64th power. A little day for night post processing and I think it looks pretty good! 1/125-f/3.5-ISO800
1/250-f/3.2-ISO1250
1/320-f/2.2-ISO1250
This ring had been passed down from her grandmother to her mother and now to her... Pretty cool!
1/100-f/5.6-ISO1000
The knew it was going to be hot so all of the bridesmaids painted hand fans for all the guests.
1/200-f/2.5-ISO1000
Steve an his groomsmen all had souped up Subarus. A great shot by my second shooter Dana Barsuhn.
1/800-f/4.0-ISO100
It was really hot and the sun presented a huge challenge. It was so bright and harsh. I stayed close and relied on fill flash, big time!
1/160-f/3.2-ISO100
1/160-f/3.2-ISO100
1/200-f/3.2-ISO640
1/200-f/4-ISO1000 - Another Great Grab by Dana Barsuhn
1/320-f/2.8-ISO800
1/200-f/2.8-ISO800
1/125-f/2.8-ISO800
1/125-f/1.4-ISO1000
1/60-f/1.4-ISO2000
1/125-f/4-ISO1000 - Quantum Flash at 1/64th power
Monday, September 20, 2010
The MDA "Night of Spirits" at the Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA PT.2
I posted a couple weeks ago about the MDA Night of spirits event at the world famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA. I had no idea how cool this event was... In fact, had I know I would have personally called about thirty friends and demanded they buy a ticket. Here's what you got for $50.00
• Open Bar All Night.
• Food.
• Comedy Show with legit, big time comedians.
• Cool People, mingle with celebrities.
Are you kidding me, and it's a tax write off! Next year those of you who live here in L.A. are going to want to make it a point to get out to this event!
Some of the boys from dancing with the stars!
She's having fun.
The event was sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drinks among others.
Look at this girls face and tell me this event wasn't fun!
Stephen Rannazzisi from "The League" on FX. He did a stand up set that was hilarious!
The "Dirt Road Dinglaows" performed
I don't remember his name but he killed it!
So did she!
• Open Bar All Night.
• Food.
• Comedy Show with legit, big time comedians.
• Cool People, mingle with celebrities.
Are you kidding me, and it's a tax write off! Next year those of you who live here in L.A. are going to want to make it a point to get out to this event!
Some of the boys from dancing with the stars!
She's having fun.
The event was sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drinks among others.
Look at this girls face and tell me this event wasn't fun!
Stephen Rannazzisi from "The League" on FX. He did a stand up set that was hilarious!
The "Dirt Road Dinglaows" performed
I don't remember his name but he killed it!
So did she!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon 2010
Covering the 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon was a great experience. I got to meet a lot of cool people and help raise some money for a great cause. This year I was shooting unit stills and then getting a posed shot of each of the big sponsors with the on Camera Talent.
What is unit stills you ask? Unit Photographers shoot still images of movie and TV productions which the movies or shows use later for promotional purposes. They might use the big explosion moment or just a good close up of the talent holding a gun. Basically, Unit photographers try not to get in the way. They shoot during the takes, or just after the takes, depending on the scene. That gives the studios some great high resolution still images to then use for posters, billboards, etc...
The second part of my job was to grab a posed shot of each of the sponsors with the on camera talent. When a sponsor raises or gives a large sum of money they get to deliver the check on live on TV. As soon as that segment is finished rolling, we bring the sponsors back on set and take a quick image of them standing with the hosts.
It was a great experience and I am looking forward to next year!
Cameras are shuffling around, jibs are swinging overhead, you have really be aware of your surroundings. No tunnel vision allowed as a unit shooter!
Shotgun Tom Kelly and Tara introduce anther sponsor!
First Bank with a nice donation!
Ms. Seniors USA make a muscle for MDA!
The firemen not only "fill the boot," they and answer phones too!
That's me shooting the groups shots after each segment!
There I am again. Thanks to my wife for the shots of me!
What is unit stills you ask? Unit Photographers shoot still images of movie and TV productions which the movies or shows use later for promotional purposes. They might use the big explosion moment or just a good close up of the talent holding a gun. Basically, Unit photographers try not to get in the way. They shoot during the takes, or just after the takes, depending on the scene. That gives the studios some great high resolution still images to then use for posters, billboards, etc...
The second part of my job was to grab a posed shot of each of the sponsors with the on camera talent. When a sponsor raises or gives a large sum of money they get to deliver the check on live on TV. As soon as that segment is finished rolling, we bring the sponsors back on set and take a quick image of them standing with the hosts.
It was a great experience and I am looking forward to next year!
Cameras are shuffling around, jibs are swinging overhead, you have really be aware of your surroundings. No tunnel vision allowed as a unit shooter!
Shotgun Tom Kelly and Tara introduce anther sponsor!
First Bank with a nice donation!
Ms. Seniors USA make a muscle for MDA!
The firemen not only "fill the boot," they and answer phones too!
That's me shooting the groups shots after each segment!
There I am again. Thanks to my wife for the shots of me!
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