Look Organics

It's not easy to achieve a clean and simple product shot. Products are designed to feel good in the hand and look amazing to the eye, but when it comes to capturing them at their best, all have their challenges. This product was a challenge where a black glass bottle is like a mirror. It's hard to tell from the edited image, but almost everything, including myself, was reflected in the bottle. One way to solve this problem is to light it from behind. I wanted to show off the silhouette of the bottle. Using two strip banks on the left and right and a small white foam core upfront, I finally figured out how to light the product. Seems like a simple light set up, but it looks a little bit of trial and error to get there. This set up would eliminate most of the reflections. I went ahead and shot 8 photos that will be merged to create a sharp photo of the bottle. 

Now the fun stuff. There was no magic here, just a bit of precious toilet paper rolled up tightly in the mouth of the bottle to hold the dropper in place. Friction can sometimes is a good thing.

Lastly, for a quick creative, I poured a bit of water on top of the bottle. A little bit became too much but it was worth the mess. The water adds some texture that hopefully adds interest. 

Piret - Executive PORTRAITS

Portrait, to me, are incredibly important. They stand as a bookmark in time either illustrating an achievement or notable event. When it comes to executive portraits, it’s more of a note of seniority. Preparing before a shoot and asking all the right questions really comes into play here. One question that really helps me understand a client need is where will the photo be used. I was informed that it would be used for a website initially but probed a bit. I would find out that most of the executives do a bit of speaking. With the right answers, I know we will not only deliverer tight headshots, but half poses as well. I’ve worked with designers before, and they all appreciate a bit of negative space.

Photographing people is what makes up most of my work. Getting to know someone with very little lead time is a skill. Not one that I’ve perfected but I do try to improve from one client to the next. One of the most important goals when doing a session is to get my client comfortable. I can’t really give tips here, but I’ll I can offer up is to be genuine. Be yourself and have a game plan. It’s completely possible to drive a conversation while directing your client to get the most natural expression and visually pleasing pose.

Portrait work has been a part of your work since the beginning. Your client will not always open up to you from the beginning. You will have to do some work here as well, unless they are either a dancer or done theatre. Believe me, I’ve lucked out where some clients have taken charge of the shoots before.

Nicholo Plaza

A hobby is an activity that keeps the creativity flowing within us. @nicholoplaza designs and creates functional leather goods. Outside of a full-time job, he finds the time to refine his craft. The need to improve on existing designs and the option of multiple materials make this more than a passion.

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These videos are personal projects that help me build my skills in all areas such as sound design, interviews, new camera techniques, and lighting. Throwing yourself into the deep end can help to force you to learn and adapt. There are great tips from friends who currently work in an industry that has helped tremendously. I have never been afraid to ask, because not asking sets you back. Just a couple of sentences from a seasoned professional can set you up for success.

On this shoot, I experimented with different lighting set up than usual. On Nicholo, there is a gridded strip bank that keeps most of the light on him. On the top shelf, I managed to put a hair light to help separate him from the background. I Introduced a haze machine to help hide a bit of the background. Haze helps set a mood as well. I would recommend a hazer to anyone out there. A little bit goes a long way.

As always, from every shoot, there are things I would have done differently but on to the next project..

Antonio Pendone - Mixed Media Artist

Antonio has been a long time friend ever since we worked together at Bold Magazine. We collaborated on multiple articles for years. I learned of his artwork at this time and photographed his work in the past. Since taking up videography, I asked if I could make a small piece about his passion for art. Antonio is a mixed media artist with a wide variety of expressive work. I only had a chance to capture some of these mediums but regardless, it was amazing to see.

This video would be the first time I use Nikon’s new ProRes RAW feature. I rushed into Nikon so I can have the camera upgraded before the shoot. They would get it done in a couple of hours but send me home with someone else’s camera. I know this could happen to anyone but, it's just my luck that I would have to go back to across the city to exchange the camera. It was worth the effort because along with the increased file sizes, the amount of information you get from this new file format is unbelievable.

The interview portion was a tough scene where there is a bright window behind Antonio. I was able to bring it back a bit so it wasn't completely white. I was also able to save Antonio from being a silhouette with lighting. When working with a typical video file it is very limiting. Typically, you are forced to make your compromises in camera. I still strive to get my exposure correct in the camera. Even with a histogram/waveform and multiple monitors, you can still fail to nail that exposure. Having the ability to make extreme adjustments in post-production is a welcomed upgrade. We have this flexibility in a photo with RAW files, but now with video, we can capture more and faster. Mind you, we do pay for it with data storage where this project was about 400gb.

Squelch

Colors. This was the basis of this shoot. I started with setting up the multiple colored backdrops and moved onto gelling the constant lights. Working with a googled color wheel, I switched out gel colors until it seemed pleasing to the eye. Sometimes it a trial and error process before you land on the right combination. A big help is the use of constant lights. You might need to shoot at a higher ISO, but seeing that you get versus waiting to shoot a photo with flash helps. 

Greentank

I was going to rave about Nikon’s new lenses but the lenses don’t even matter if you can’t find good light. I’ll walk you through the process of the first shot. I knew the lens I wanted to use, the 85mm Nikkor 1.8 S. This is dubbed a portrait lens for the amount of magnification it produces. 85mm+ is always great for portraits cause of the compression, it brings backgrounds closer than they seem and helps produce a photo with minimal distortion.

I saw the trees were a wonderful color but the leaves make it busy. I can reduce the tress to just their color and a softer pattern by shooting f/2. Next I consider the position of the sun. I know shooting with the sun directly hitting the models face would produce harsh shadows. Not what I wanted. Typical rule is to put the sun behind the model and expose for the shadows. I know I would be losing detail in the highlights but that’s fine, you can’t really have your cake and eat it when I comes to finding an exposure w/o flash. Lastly, to hide the busyness of chairs and garbage cans, I shot from a lower angle. There’s a bit of posing in there too but this is what runs through my head when presented with a scene. Don’t be afraid to try shooting in the sun either, you never know, it might be the style you we’re looking for.  

Out of all the locations from this two day shoot, the Financial District of Toronto offered the most interesting light. If you head out there on a day with no clouds, the sun does some magic—it could be black magic, I don’t know—but the reflecting sunlight creates some beautiful lighting effects and colours depending on what it’s bouncing off of. The Financial District is one of my top #streetphotography spots for this very reason—that is of course until security asks you to leave.

Pro Tip: go there without a flash and a small mirrorless camera and they won’t care. 

Artist Profile: George Bucur

George Bucur is a friend and an inspiration. His work is always evolving. The progression of his work is deeply rooted in the passion for automobiles. 

This is the first of an artist profile series I will be undertaking in the coming months. Throughout the years of being a photographer, I have worked and met many creatives. We all have our own story to tell and reason for pursuing our craft. 

This would be one of the first times I shoot using ProRes RAW on the Nikon Z6. It’s a given the file sizes will be huge for all that data to be retained but the flexibility might be worth it. I was able to retrieve and use shots that were completely gone due to my errors while shooting. This was a run and gun shoot which was completely handheld. This flexibility in editing was something I am only used to in photography.

All data amounted to ~350GB. When shooting N-LOG, it would have been ~130GB. It will be hard, but I will have to delete the clips following editing. ProRes RAW is simply fantastic and working with the files in Final Cut Pro 10 was fantastic. The color wheels actually do something now!

OSC: How it's Made

I always wanted to film a how it’s made video, and a couple weeks ago, i got my chance. I would be shooting manufacturing process of Outdoor Survival Canada’s down jackets. Working closely with Tammy Yiu, I would be be shooting the most interesting parts of how their products come together. Luckily, the factory was well lit, but some shots do have some supplemented lighting to add a bit of drama. All in all, this was a wonderful project and i hope it sheds some light on the jackets we depend on to stay warm during these winter months.

BATL with Day Job

Working along side Abacus & Day Job, we created some real magic for BATL. This was a shoot that took a lot of planning to make it possible. Most of the lighting you see in the upcoming post was a team effort with a mix of constant light and flash. This shoot was split video and photo, I’ll be including some behind the scene shots. To produce something special, it always takes a team. This shoot was no exception. 

Have you ever fake celebrated at one point? We do it all the time in our line of work. The countless time I’ve had to ask people I don’t know to cheer is probably ridiculous but it’s part of the job. Making this shot work took some beautiful set styling done by Abacus along with food prep. That food is for display only. Once we were done with it, it was all covered in beer so yeah, display only. 

The BATL project will stand as one go the largest production shoots I’ve done in recent years. Working alongside the wonderful people from Abacus Agency and Day Job was an absolute pleasure. Usually, when video and photo are combined, time management is meticulous. You have two teams competing or time on a scene. It’s not impossible, but the basic respect for each team to create has to be there. The management on this shoot was wonderful, and if all other shoots could go this smooth, I would be a very happy creator. Special shout out to Day Job & Abacus and others to making this shoot one to remember. 

partial.gallery

This project stands as one of my first video projects ever with dialog this year. I worked closely with Tammy Yiu of Partial for both the planning and editing phase. Working on the project brought to light all the areas I need to work on, starting with the interview process, audio, and not mixing picture profiles when it comes to using two cameras. These are just a few issues I’ve learned over the year after jumping into cinematography. I can also go into detail about the things I’ve learned in Final Cut but now I’m being told that I should use Premier since it’s the industry standard. I always knew you can never know everything, but you try. Perpetual learning is always been a core value for me. Learning new things through trial and error and/or research is the only way to keep up or stay ahead. This was only a stepping stone as I learn more and look at shooting better projects in the future.

Behind the Scenes: Garry Tran

Running alongside Garry Tran, I did my best to keep up to cover his photoshoot. This is a little video covering the shoot from location to location at the best time of the day. During the shoot, we had overcast, rain, and a beautiful sunset to finish off. These changes in lighting conditions made for an interesting shoot both in photo and video.

I chose to do this one using Nikon LOG so I had to run an Atomos Ninja V. I went from the Ronin-S to a SmallRig for handheld shots while having the monitor mounted can be a real challenge. Weight isn’t fun, especially on the Ronin-S but shooting LOG is worth all the effort because it helps retain detail. I always slack a little bit when it comes to blogging but this video was shot in the summer. running around with a loaded Ronin-S gets you sweaty quick. I don’t know about you guys, but when it comes to trying to think of the next creative angle or shot on the go, it just adds to my sweat production. Overall, I had a wonderful time shooting this shoot from behind a camera, but recording motion.

You can check out Garry’s Instagram here: garry.zip

My First 85mm. Nikon nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S

Back on par with gear talk. Once you get a couple of photographers and videographers together, it an endless conversation about what we own, what we used to own and what we would like to one day own. This year, for me I managed to rebuild my kit to go fully mirrorless. I took a chance on the new Nikon Z6 at the end of last year and soon after, I dropped the Nikon D4 for another Z6. I know the cameras don’t look like much when you compare them to their parents, but it’s better in every way. Along with smaller more flexible cameras came the new series of lenses that deliver on their promises to be Better and sharper then their f-mount ancestors.

The new Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S has been a masterpiece on the couple of jobs I’ve worked with it. The weight, the sharpness and bokeh has been outstanding. The 5-axis stabilization makes for smooth experience when compared to DSLRs. One of the best features of shooting mirrorless, apart from the size is seeing is believing. By that, when you look at your monitor and set your exposure, what you see is what you get. Nailing your exposure right out of camera is a huge time saver.

Because what you see is what you get, I have begun using more content light over slash in darker situations. Flash still has its roll in my work, especially in studio. In studio, it can be a bit of a challenge seeing when you have the aperture stopped down, but there’s a setting in camera to help with those situations. The image above is shot with a Aputure 300D MKii with a small octabank on it camera left. The best thing about constant light is seeing exactly what the photo will look like between shots. I find that you can also balance your lighting with ambient light to either build interest or highlight your subject.

I don’t usually bad mouth my Fujifilm GFX50S because its a great camera that produces amazing photos but, that continuous focus option should just not exist. The most simple tracking focus tasks end up failing and you are left with 1 GB of out of focus shots. The Nikon Z6 has this down pat, like all my past DSLRs. Being able to track, even at long focal lens is a godsend. The new S lenses from Nikon are quick to focus an for video purposes, super quiet. Nikon did a great job with the new 85mm f/1.8 S and I can’t wait for the what’s coming next year.

Sparkle BTS of the BTS (Day Job)

Working with a wonderful crew from Abacus & Day Job, we created some art for Sparkle.

Check the BTS.

The Outside Studio

I take the studio outside all the time, but I have yet to take a backdrop outside. Taking a huge piece of paper outside comes with its challenges. there is the basic issue, like rain, but the silent killer is wind. Luckily, this was a nice calm, warm day and the paper, for the most part, stayed still. The sun was high at the time of the shoot so most go it was blocked with a large umbrella from Profoto. I rarely shoot without flash and this was not one of those cases. I added a Profoto B1 with a beauty dish camera left. Flash always adds some kind of direction to your work. That gradient of light helps the subject pop out from the background.

If you would like to get a visual of what the set up looks like, just scroll down. When it comes to working with color backdrops or any backdrop indoors, you would need to light the backdrop to get an even look. Since we were workout outdoors where the light is uniform, a simple exposure for the model and backdrop kept everything in check. I can promise you that there was no backdrop manipulation and most of these photos are close to what they look like straight out of camera. It was a please not having to set up 4 or more light and achieve something that looks complicated and clean.

OK, I may have lied when it comes to not manipulating the backdrop. But I promise you all I did was mess around with H/S/L and change the colors around to compliment the model's outfit. The photo below was an attempt to bring a little more mood to the shoot. By changing my expose to minimize the ambient light and turning the power upon the flash, I was able to create more shadows and direction. I also placed the key light almost behind the model and have the light skip off her face partially. Shadows also yield more interest. So they say.

So, if the wind is low or nonexistent, its completely worth it to venture outside and bring the backdrop with you. This was the first and not the last time.

In the real world, none of these photos are possible on my own. The styling for these product shots was done by @mrigini for @meripetiofficial. I am a big believer that people should play to their strengths. It’s most apparent on set where I am already dealing with composition, lighting and all the technical mumbo jumbo but at the same time having to do styling. I can do it, but a professional will get it done in less time and produce an even better outcome. It always takes a team to get the best possible outcome.

For the gear guys:

Camera: Fujifilm GFX50S

Lens: FujiFilm GF 110mm f/2

Lighting: Profoto B1, Profoto Large Deep Umbrella

Kickin it Out School

A beautifully restored car is few and far between. I was asked to capture this Porsche 911T in all it’s glory. The color is beautiful and the restoration immaculate. Working with this automobile was an absolute pleasure.

This would also be the first time I’ve lit a car at all for video. On the left side, I placed a Apurture 300D II with my massive 69” octa bank from Elinchome on it. Beautiful soft light I’ve used in the past for people now for video. I manage to not get the softbox in any shot, but I can’t say the same for myself. It’s just too shiny.

Summer Street Shooting for Umoro

After all these years, street shoots are still alive and well. When you need to switch it up and need a real challenge, the streets will always provide you with ample stress. When summer hit’s here in Toronto, I do my best to take advantage of the good weather. The summers aren’t too long and the weather is perfect to explore all the nooks of the city. It was Canada Day, so the city is mostly dead. This would be the best time to explore the University of Toronto without getting in trouble. I am old now and I don’t think I can pass as a student anymore.

Street shooting is all about wondering and letting locations and scenes open themselves up to you. On the drive in, an alleyway caught my eye. After shooting near where we parked, we ventured into that alleyway. There we found many textures and interesting light to work with. Slow shutter work is always risky, but not every image needs to be sharp. This particular jacket has a unique tear away zipper. I was trying to convey the action of opening the jacket.

When it comes to street shooting, I pack very little. The only item really is the camera. I don't bring lights or reflectors. I intend to move quickly and get as much variation. I also know we aren’t always welcome everywhere we choose to shoot so the smaller the footprint, the most likely no one will bother you. Instead of lugging a flash (although I would love to) I hunt for good or interesting light. I am no longer afraid of hard light when I find it, with the Fujifilm GFX50S, there is forgiveness in the highs and lows.

Speaking of light, the best time to shoot would be the evening or early morning. Everything from the colors to the long shadows from the low angle of the sun really changes how everything looks. At this time, I’m usually in a rush to get as much as I can be fore the sun dips or gets too high. Speaking of street photography, I have to plan a solo shoot and really try some new techniques before the summer is over.

Model: Mark Gallardo

Shot for: UMORO

Samantha Tan - BMW M2

Jumping into the deep side here. Automotive cinematography is in a while other class when it comes to the actual shooting. This video is a combination of handheld, stabilizer and hanging out a car window. We wanted to tell a story with this piece. Samantha Tan is a racer driver and we wanted to show that she isn’t the average enthusiast. We wanted to make this a longer video but with limitations of time, we did our best. The most challenging aspect of this shoot would be shooting while hanging out of another sports car. It feels like you are activating all your muscles to stay steady. The Nikon Z6 did its best to stay focused and track the car. Overall, many lessons were learned while shooting this. One of them would be getting a minivan as a chase car.

Myodetox Performance Centre - Promo Video

Myodetox Performance Centre (MPC) is the home of a handful of trainers who hold a set of unique group workout classes. All workouts are never the same. Along with a great crew, the members here always give their all. In this montage, I do my best to capture what these people make look easy.

Karasu 2019 Look Book

With the new mirrorless cameras from Nikon, the possibility to jump into video is even greater. Nikon has been my choice from day one, solely because my dad had some old primes laying around and I could use them to start creating. The Nikon Z6 has proven to be a tiny, lightweight beast when it comes to providing beautiful images and video. Everything is perfect, from the weight to ergonomics. As I get older, smaller, lighter cameras are a welcome change. I have since traded in my old battle axes for the new mirrorless format.

On this shoot, we were able to make use of Nikon’s new LOG format N-LOG. The most surprising detail was the dynamic range. In the photography world, RAW files make the world of a difference when it comes to retaining detail in post production. It does spoil you when entering the video world. When looking at the footage, it’s amazing to see detail in the window, I was expecting them to be blown out.

I have strayed from the technical side and moved to the creative side. The technical aspect is good to know, but the creativity when it comes to shooting plays a bigger roll. When shooting video, all the small details count where photoshopping isn’t an option. Moving to video definitely opens your eyes to the fine details because no one what’s to do a pick up shoot.

Client: Karasu Clothing Company

Summer Skates

We were commissioned to produce photos for an upcoming ad for Summer Skates. Reflecting the comfort of the brand and the most popular custom slides, we utilized the models to show a mood of relaxation. We worked to light and pose scenes to maximize interest in the couple hours we had.