Most people don’t like to think about the things that surgeons do while they’re working. We’re happy enough to have their help when it’s needed. One of the things I love about commercial photography is that it give’s me a peek behind the curtain, into industries and professions that ordinarily are invisible. It’s necessary to learn at least a little about things you’re photographing to tell the story. I am interested in your thoughts and comments.
Happy New Year
As the current year ends and a new year begins it’s a good time for introspection. Personally, I have family, friends, and health to be thankful for. A wider global view reveals many people working hard to make a better world. This includes people designing medical devices that perform well and protect health care workers from dangerous toxins. I don’t imagine advertising photography is saving the world, but hopefully, it’s more pleasant to look at. Thanks to all of our clients and suppliers for a wonderful year. May 2015 be even better!
Health Care Photography
Medical Equipment is fascinating stuff. We don’t usually think about the tools used in operating rooms. Lots of thought goes into the production of the medical devices that help surgeons to do their jobs. Fortunately for me, these tools are visually compelling as well. Very much a collaborative process, it’s vital to have input from clients who understand how they are used and what’s important to feature. Designers / Art Directors are essential as well; they are able to envision all of the uses for my photographs. I am always interested in your thoughts and comments.
1966 Mustang
I recently met Barry at a parking lot where a lot of, well, car nuts (enthusiasts, whatever, this is Detroit!) hang out with their hot, customized, modified, cars. Barry’s 1966 Mustang has 500 plus horsepower under the hood, a strengthened frame so it doesn't twist, because that's a lot of power. It has a new hood scoop, tires, wheels, awesome! He brought it to the studio so I could photograph it for a day. This is the first of a few shots that I did. Afterword, I showed it to my friend Jim Tocco from Designers & Partners. He added some art direction and text. You can see the original here. As always, I’m interested in what Emmeline or anyone else thinks.
Industrial Table Top Photography
We have been forging metal for thousands of years. Modern industrial processes are used to forge a wide array of automotive parts. As it involves shiny metal, I enjoy photographing it. In this case, it’s a die and the finished forged part. I stood them up on a table top in my studio using blocks and shims. Afterwords, I put them on a brown background in Photoshop. I’m always interested in your thoughts and comments.
Medical Equipment Photography
This is a tourniquet used when doing surgery on hands, arms, legs and feet. We weren’t doing surgery in the studio; it’s not nearly clean enough. The red and blue together with the low-key feel help make this an interesting photograph. The doctor was my assistant. He’s very good, but I’d get nervous if he were working on me in a hospital. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.
Muscle Car Photography
I had the opportunity to photograph a 66 Mustang recently. I love red cars! You could tell that this is Barry’s (the owner's) baby. He called it a “driving car, not a show car”, and he drives it all over! It was a blast to photograph. This is the first of a few shots. Let me know what you think.
Gourds
It’s a classically autumn vegetable. Cultivated for centuries, they have been used for food, kitchen tools, toys, musical instruments and decoration. They have fascinating shapes and colors that make interesting subject matter for photography. I’m sticking with the simple approach again, a single light source and a white background. I feel that it allows the nature of the gourd to be revealed. As always, comments are welcome.
Industrial Still Life Photography
Modern industrial products often start as forged parts. Heated to red hot, then pressed into shape by huge machines, these automotive components are likely in the car you drive. This intermediate stage can be challenging to photograph. A little spray paint and a some additional retouching help make the surface more uniform. Dramatic lighting and an interesting background help further still. As always I’m interested in your thoughts.
Industrial on White
It works for vegetables, why not industrial parts? A simple graphic shape on a white background lets the object express itself. Lots of time spent prepping, photographing and retouching the part reveals the beauty inherent in the object that serves some other useful purpose. The beauty that surrounds us unnoticed is uncovered. I love the quote attributed to Albert Einstein:
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
Root Vegetables
Root Vegetables have that gnarled, misshapen, twisted look that I find intriguing. I added glamor to these beets with water, giving them a little shine. It contrasts with the messy root hair and debris on the stems. Photographically, a single light and a simple white background let the beets be the star.
Health Care Photography
I had the opportunity to work with an excellent art director on a project for a local medical equipment manufacturer. This is one of several photographs we made that day in my studio. Collaboration was theme of the day, as we worked together to making photographs that would enhance the design of the brochure. As always, please let me know what you think.
Collaboration
I enjoy working alone. When you finish, you have a sense of accomplishment; you know the photograph is yours. Fortunately, I also enjoy collaborating with clients. Working with a designer or art director to create images that work for the client, and solving the visual problems to communicate their story can be enjoyable and gratifying. Collaboration is at the core of commercial photography. It’s my job to make real the image that lives in my client’s head. This is one of several photos we captured for a medical technologies firm. Working with a wonderful art director and writer/account person, it was a terrific day.
Still Life Product Photography
There is product photography, and then there is product photography. What I mean is, you can photograph a product on white which will represent the product and the buyer can glean information from it to better understand what’s being purchased. There are lots of good reasons to do this, and it can be very attractive too. On the other hand, you can put the product in an environment so that it conveys an emotional message as well. A tubing cutter is perhaps not the product you would think of as an emotional buy, but, who doesn't like nice tools? The shiny black one sure does look better! As always, I’m interested in your thoughts.
More Vegetables on White
Wax beans provide an interesting subject. The simple curving shape, and nice yellow color make for a less dramatic image than the Garlic Scapes. Still, there is a quiet, subtle beauty to the yellow beans. The organic shapes and calming horizontal lines. Odd numbers seem to work better too. Please let me know what you think.
Small Product Photography
I took a CPR class a few years ago, the EMTs doing the class emphasized how important breathing is to being alive. So not breathing dust, pollen or particulate is likewise important too. These masks are the simplest form of defense. Of course making an interesting photo is my job, a background with some texture helps. As always, I'm interested in your thoughts.
Product Photography - Simple!
If things work like they should, most of us don’t install stoves or clothes dryers very often. If it’s a gas appliance, it’s going to involve connecting up the gas. My problem to solve is how to make a gas connector look interesting in a photograph. Graphic arrangement on an interesting background, camera angle, dramatic lighting all work together. Simple! Fortunately, on this project I had the good fortune to work with a terrific art director. As always, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.
Carrots right out of the Ground
I like reality, in advertising photography there is an ideal of perfection. I like perfection too, but sometimes, the gritty reality of things is far more interesting. Perfect, straight, and clean carrots might be preferred for some situations, but I like the dirty twisted ones. We got these from our CSA, and they tasted great once they were cleaned up. Please let me know what you think!
Industrial Space Helmet
No, not really, just industrial hazardous environment protection. Still, it’s kinda cool looking. I enjoy trying to make ordinary things interesting. Photographing pea pods or industrial products, it’s a blast. Please let me know what you think!
Plumbing Products Photography
Who could love stop valves? Well, I guess plumbers, or photographers. I do; because I love to photograph shiny things. A big part of shooting any product is getting it clean and prepped. It’s much easier and faster for stop valves than for tires, but it’s crucial for any product photography. Everyone is in a hurry these days, but sometimes it’s necessary to slow down and do it right. As always, I’m interested in your thoughts.