I photographed these filters some time ago for Parker Hannifin. I thought they might be more interesting on a different backdrop. I chose a gritty textured background to contrast with the smooth highly finished surface of the filters. This type of photograph serves an entirely different purpose than the original on a white background. I think it has more visual impact, and might be more suited for an ad or a tab page in a catalog. As always, I’m interested in your comments.
Studio Photography
Industrial Tools
I’ve always loved photographing shiny things - doesn't really matter what it is. Reflective things like a car, jewelry, or in this case, an industrial tool, all fascinate me. Controlling reflections to reveal the shape as well as to make a compelling photograph, is my kind of challenge. Spiralock makes this tap for cutting threads that lock a bolt in place without a lock-washer. I just like the way it looks. As always, I’m interested in your thoughts.
Safety Photography
There are plenty of dangerous places to work around Detroit. But working in a hazardous environment should not be hazardous to your health. Providing that protection is my client's job. My job is to make their product interesting to look at. I did the studio photography and Dave did the location photography for the project. We are always interested in your thoughts and comments.
Industrial Product Photography
Industrial products often have a story to tell, like how or why they enhance production, or the utility of a specific product. It’s my job to tell that story visually. How do all those parts fit together to make a connector? As always I am interested in your thoughts.
Macro Photography
I had a couple of down days so I thought I’d shoot something for me. It’s a series of close-up photos of fruit and vegetables. Can you guess what fruit or vegetable this is? If it weren't a fruit or vegetable what might it be? The rest of the series is on my personal blog. 
Please let me know what you think.
Industrial Parts Photography
I enjoy the opportunity to work with good designers and art directors. Their collaboration invariable produces better photographs, brochures, catalogs, ads and websites. I had the good fortune to work with Designers & Partners on this project. This photo was assembled in Photoshop from individual shots of all of the parts our client makes for a 9 speed transmission. Shooting shiny parts is almost always fun. As always, I am interested in your thoughts and comments.
Man Cannot Live by Bread Alone
With Zingerman’s bread, I might give it a try. Fortunately, I can get it at a nearby market. The bread itself is beautiful, and the fig jam adds a warm glow. Food photography is fun and challenging. As always, I am interested in your thoughts.
Cutaway Product Photography
When telling a story, sometimes you need to see below the surface. It’s sometimes done with a saw, if it is going to be displayed there is little choice. A display company would be able to find someone with all the necessary skills, but it would be expensive. If it is just for photography, then it can often be considerably more affordable. This image is part of a brochure for a backup emergency lighting system. On the outside it appears to be an attractive red box. The story is inside. Shooting multiple images and assembling them in PhotoShop is how it was done. Let me know what you think.
Jewelry Photography
I don’t wear any jewelry myself, except for my wedding ring, but I do appreciate the beauty of it. A good friend of mine is a jeweler, and I love photographing his work. I’m always amazed that he can start with a lump of metal, a hammer, torch, files, and some other tools and the result is a piece of art. It’s challenging shooting jewelry, with all the shiny surfaces and stones, but I enjoy shooting highly reflective objects. It helps if they are pretty, but shiny industrial parts are fun too. Richard’s hands are a little worse for wear. He uses his thumbnail to check the sharpness of files, and polishing compound gets into all the nooks and crannies on his fingers. It’s a perfect contrast to the brilliant perfection of his jewelry. As always, I am interested in hearing your comments.
Automotive Wheel Photography
One of the really great things about living in the Detroit area, is the automotive industry. It’s not just the car companies, but all of their suppliers and the aftermarket companies too. Customizing our cars for style, speed or utility is an American tradition. I can remember looking through JC Whitney catalogs before I could drive. Wheels, tires, bed liners, roof racks, sun roofs, towing packages, the list goes on and on.
An entrepreneur has a passion for racing wheels, and I get to help promote them. These are racing wheels, not ordinary cast aluminum, but three individual pieces bolted together. Photographing shiny products is always fun and challenging. As always, let me know what you think.
Automotive Photography
Automotive Photography in the studio is a blast. We completed a project for Goodyear recently that went quite well. Part of the project was photography for their library. This F150 is a big vehicle, but it easily fit in our 4000 square foot. studio. We used the teamwork/tag team approach on this project too. It’s all about delivering the best image possible with the least friction. After we completed the main shot for each car, I did the additional shots. I am always interested in your thoughts.
The Oakwood Group - Speaker Grill
Commercial Photography
One of the really great things about being a commercial photographer is the glimpse we get into processes or industries that normally go unnoticed. We did a shoot for a company that makes, among other things, speaker grills for cars. As we shot, our client explained why his product is superior to his competitors’. This is not only interesting, but helps us highlight or emphasize the important features or manufacturing processes.
I suppose you could call this industrial photography. It is for business to business communication. It is as likely to be used in a powerpoint presentation as in a trade show, trade ad, brochure or web site. The key point is that our images help clients communicate their story more effectively and help enhance their overall image.
Product Photography in a Car
My assignment was photographing coffee cups, and what more natural place than a cup holder! I have shot cup holders for other clients, so it was not much of a stretch. Of course we shot them in table top situations too, but I feel at home when I'm shooting in a car. As always, I'm interested in your thoughts.
Mixed Drinks Photography
I’m not much of a drinker - couple of beers or glasses of wine and I’m done. But I did have a smashing great time shooting some vodka drinks. Designers & Partners’ Jim Tocco art directed and did much of the styling. We did 13 shots so it was a busy and productive day.
Product Photography
I completed a shoot for Letica not long ago. They make, among other things, plastic and paper cups, and plastic food containers. I shot the product in action. The photos were used for trade show banners – 84 inches high! Pour shots are challenging. It is necessary to do a fair number of pours to get exactly what you need. This shoot combined product and food as a prop. Ordinarily when I shoot food I like to work with a food stylist, but since the food in these shots was only a prop to help show off the containers, it was not essential to work with a stylist.
Model-7500
Anything with Wheels!
Dave and I recently finished a shoot for Raymond. The project included shooting in the studio (Tom) and on location in a warehouse (Dave). The project included video as well, so we had to coordinate closely with the video crew to make everything work smoothly. We had two excellent models from Productions Plus. Thanks to terrific clients, organized pre-production and teamwork, the shoot came off smoothly!