Tag Archives: Product and Still Life

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Badges of Distinction – Kevin Twomey shares his experience shooting something unusual.

We always like when our photographers shoot for editorial projects.  They often come away energized and excited about either what they shot or how they shot it.   On a recent shoot for Bicycling Magazine, Kevin Twomey was asked to photograph head badges.  He enjoyed the project so much he surprised us with this blog post.

“One of my recent assignments was with Bicycling Magazine, photographing head tube badges.  Before the project I had never taken much notice because most of todays badges are merely stick-on decals of the company’s logo, like the one on my Gunnar. The attention that was given to creating these badges was quite amazing, as seen in the opening spread of the story.

Most of the badges in the story came from collector Jim Langley, who is very passionate about anything to do with bicycles.  He has been collecting badges since the late 1970’s and now has approximately 600 of them dating from the 1880’s to current day.

After the shoot, I went online to do a little more head tube research and found some people filling the void by creating their own badges. One bicycle shop in Maryland, The Bicycle Escape, created badges out of bottle caps.  Another was a Star Wars Stormtrooper with what looked like a Hello Kitty bow.
So now when someone pulls up next to me on a bike, instead of checking out their components, I’ll be looking for a nice head badge.”

© Kevin Twomey - http://www.kevintwomey.com

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The Power of Public Works. Kevin Twomey participates in Art in Public Places.

In early 2009, there was a call for artists from Emeryville to submit work for a public arts project based on the theme of Flora & Fauna.  Artists, including Kevin Twomey, were awarded grants from the city to create imagery for Emeryville’s Art in Public Places.   The idea  of this project was to display imagery of the artist’s work in bus shelters, normally reserved for commercial advertisements, bringing the exhibition space to the public.  The exhibition started in October 2009 and runs through September 2012, giving each of the 9 artists four months to display  their work individually in the bus shelters around the city.  Kevin’s photographs are now exhibiting through January 2012. 

The following is a list of the additional artists involved in the project:  Nora Pauwels, Catherine Courtenaye, David D’Andrea, Robert Ortbal, Lenore McDonald, Dean Hunsaker, Laura Anderson, Exhibiting Feb-May 2012, Shawna Peterson, Exhibiting June-September 2012.

When I asked Kevin to share with us what inspired his submission, here is what he had to say.

“I had collected specimens for this project during my many weekend hikes in Marin, covering the beloved Dipsea trail, the trail from Muir Beach to the Marin Headlands and the trails from Muir Woods up to Mt Tamalpais.  My first attempt to bring a dandelion back to the studio was somewhat a naive and comical experience;  trying to protect the fragile flower in its post blossomed state from the wind while attempting to hike a couple of miles back to the car. I think I barely made it 100 yards before I lost the flower head.  The dandelion problem was easily resolved by modifying a small cardboard box that kept the dandelions standing straight up, safely during the hike.

Given the luxury of 6 months to create the images for this project, it allowed plenty of time for the flora to cycle through to the right stage for the photograph.  Such a contrast to the timelines we are given for commercial projects.  Thank you to the City of Emeryville for their great support of the art community.”

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Dandelions are not just for salads and wishes.

© Kevin Twomey – http://www.kevintwomey.com

In his own words, Kevin Twomey shares his obsession with all things dandelion.

“Last month while at a restaurant in Brooklyn, I saw that they were offering a Dandelion Salad as an appetizer.  After spending countless hours photographing them, I could not pass up the opportunity to experience the plant in another way beyond sight.

I wonder why we spend so much energy trying to eradicate them when right out on our lawns is a nutritious salad just waiting to be harvested? And what about the medicinal uses, not to mention the ever so important relationship it has with the bees?

For me, my obsession with the dandelion lies after the flower blooms and turns into that white fluffy ball, so fragile, just waiting for a subtle breeze to release the seed-bearing parachutes. ….and so many wishes.”

Kevin has a wide collection of ‘organic’ imagery that he showcases on his website.

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FoundFolios suggests that Ann Elliott Cutting’s work has become “Unhinged”

Juliette Lewis from FoundFolios recently reached out to Ann Elliott Cutting to ask her permissions to share two of her images in their newsletter.  The theme of the newsletter was “Unhinged; an exploration into what is real and not real.”  Click here for the complete posting on their site.

Juliette asked Ann to provide some background on each of the images.  Here is what she had to say about her Floating House image:

“This piece was created for an editorial assignment for Ladies Home Journal.  The story was about a clean home. Knowing that many concepts are repeated in editorial stories, I try to have fun with the assignments and give them a fresh twist. When I sketch the ideas, the most important thing is to stay at it after all the expected ideas have been fleshed out. Sketching a few more ideas usually is when the gems appear.    That is how this image came about.  (The house model was built by an Architect, and the composite was made by photographing the house on a matt of grass and adding in the sky and flowers.  The Art Director was Clare Lissaman.)

© Ann Elliott Cutting - http://www.cutting.com

Here is what she had to say about the image of  Man and Clouds:
“This image was created for a promo piece. It was a new take on having your head in the clouds.  I thought that taking it on location and having it be as if the guy is put a little off balance gave the concept a new twist.  The final image is a composite with the cloud. “
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Photographer Insider: 10 Things you didn’t know about Hunter Freeman

© Hunter Freeman - http://www.hunterfreeman.com

One day when I was at breakfast with Hunter Freeman we were sharing stories about ourselves that the other didn’t know.  We were enjoying the conversation so much that we thought it would make a fun blog post.  Here is what Hunter Freeman wanted to share:

•   I  was handcuffed and put in the back of a police car and taken a the police station.  To this day I swear it was because I had long hair.

• I  used be able to tell you all about Fourier Series, Boundary Value Problems, and Vector Analysis.

•  I photographed a Secretary of Defense in the White House one hot, summer day.

• I earned money doing calligraphy while I was an assistant.

• Along with four or five good friends, I was almost suspended from high school in my senior year because of an article we wrote for the school’s underground newspaper.

•  I was pulled aside by airport security for carrying a (real) Navy flight helmet.  (They let me on the flight, thankfully.)

•  I used to play A LOT of bridge in high school.  A LOT.  (Can you picture me in high school yet?)

•   I ground my own telescope mirror as a science project.  (Now can you picture me in high school?)

•  I look for joy in everyone I meet and everything I do.

•  I had my picture taken with a live, 8 foot alligator, and no, her jaws were not taped shut.

 

If you want to learn more about Hunter Freeman, be sure to check out his blog.

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Everyone loves a rubber duckie.

And, of course, the rubber duckie song. Thank you Kevin Twomey for the reminder.

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Evolving printed portfolios with our new glasses. Thank you David Martinez and Leigh Beisch for sharing your new designs

When Leigh Beisch and David Martinez first decided to redo their portfolios we had long conversations about how creatives that were interested in their work would be using those tools.  Times had changed and we wanted to make sure if they were investing all of that time and money into new tools that they were relevant.

We reminded them that the last time they had redone their portfolios the trend was to show a wide range of imagery that told the entire photographer’s story.  Even though websites were the go to place to see work, creatives were still calling in books.  The idea was that you had to make sure your book told as wide of a story as the website did just to make sure you were covered.

The result was big books (or multiple books) and lots of images.  It was not uncommon for some of the portfolios in our group to be 50 or so pages each.

Now, creatives rarely call in portfolios and rely solely on the web.  So, when a portfolio is actually requested, the photographer is of course seriously being considered.  That means the portfolio not only needs to be outstanding all on its own but it needs to outshine whoever else is on the table.

What we finally landed on for their portfolios were ones that could communicate to creatives that they understood how they reviewed photography for their clients.

• Instead of a large library of images, we showed a small, select group of relevant work.

•  Instead of a linear flow of imagery we divided the spreads into the same categories as the clients used to describe their own business.  For example, for Leigh Beisch we used categories such as breakfast food, coffee, wine, desserts, ice cream, etc.   For David Martinez, we modeled the categories after what people saw on his site; Wellness, Golden Years, Graceful, Wonder Years and Vision.  We recognized that if clients were calling in their portfolios, they already knew they were capable.  We did not need to prove that to them in the portfolio.  Instead we wanted their viewing experience to be relevant to their project and their client.

•  Instead of just including single images on each page, we utilized design elements and text as a way for Leigh and David to share their personalities.   Leigh’s work is soft and beautiful and so is her portfolio.  David’s work is full of movement and beauty.  His imagery is full of life and style and so is his portfolio.

•  So many of Leigh’s clients like to know what projects she has recently photographed.  The tear sheet section help illustrate that best.  As well, since the food industry is so loyal and word of mouth dependant, it is helpful to have a client testimonial section.

•  Since David Martinez has been shooting video for many of his clients now it was important to be able to show that off in the portfolio.  On the last page of his book we now have a video page where clients can watch the actual videos without having to go online.  It has been a huge hit.  If you want to see it for yourself, email us and we will send it right out to you.

As the other photographers in our group begin to change their portfolios, it has been fun to watch what new elements they incorporate.  Stay tuned soon for new portfolios from Andy Anderson and Ron Berg.

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More QR Code Fun

As I mentioned in a previous post, the photographers in our group have a new perspective on their businesses and are constantly looking for new opportunities to showcase their ever evolving creative talents.  Last week, I wrote about how many of them are enjoying playing with QR Codes to hopefully engage creatives on a different level.  Hunter Freeman was the first to send out his postcard with the QR Code as part of his photograph. He has been receiving a steady stream of print requests so it has been a fun way to get instant feedback.

Kevin Twomey and Richard Schultz both also embraced the idea and have direct mail cards arriving this week.  I encouraged them both to think of an idea that was relevant to their photography and the image they chose to promote.  Here is what they came up with:

Kevin Twomey

© Kevin Twomey-www.kevintwomey.com


As is the case with many photographers, Kevin is embracing video and learning how it is relevant to his still life clients.  He has been having fun learning the technology and is looking for new ways to share what he has learned.

When he recently stumbled across Mar Glusker, a man who collects calculating machines, he knew this was the perfect opportunity to shoot both film and video. He liked the idea of not just photographing the machines but concepting an idea with the machines and the owner that utilized photography, video and sound.   He knew that together, the film and video would make for the perfect mailer and QR code reward.  With the help of Sirius Sound he directed a video that has a bit of a “STOMP” feel to it.   He is hopeful that his video is a fun payoff for those who try the scanner.  To see the link, click here.

Richard Schultz

© Richard Schultz-www.rschultz.com


Richard Schultz’s images are about finding what is most unique in a situation and capturing a moment that feels true and authentic.  He uses what he finds to create a photograph that perfectly captures the emotion of the person in their environment.  He is the true definition of a “real people” photographer.

Therefore, it was not a surprise that his idea for the link from the code centered around the people he photographed for his mailer. On a recent shoot to a girls camp in New Hampshire he photographed the campers in their own setting.  He explains that “their gift to me was forgetting that I was there.  By giving me nothing, they gave me everything.”

Therefore, it is natural that Richard’s QR code links to a note from him about his experience and a more of the photographs that he took while he was there.  It is a special glimpse into a private world.  A perfect way to get us all thinking about summer.  Link here to see where the QR code takes you.  

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Looking for some eye candy today? Ann Elliott Cutting delivers in blue and red.

© Ann Elliott Cutting - http://www.cutting.com

Ann Elliott Cutting has a knack for everything conceptual so when I asked her to send me something  visual for the blog I wasn’t surprised when she sent me these images.  None of them were shot together nor were they for the same project.  This is just Ann pairing images that go well together.  That common thread that runs through all of her imagery sure does runs deep with her.

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In his own words, Kevin Twomey talks vacuums, helmets and star dust

©Kevin Twomey

Kevin Twomey was recently inspired by something we all have in our homes but probably don’t use as much as we should!   Here is what he had to say about it.

“Sometimes design does transcend actual function of a product.   Or at least enough for me rationalize to procrastinating!    Recently, in the design of my Dirt  Devil© vacuum I saw a face, a mask, and a helmet– which brought to mind the Naval Air Squadron in CA with the nickname “Dust Devils”.

And I thought, what better way to tie into both the pilot’s helmet and the vacuum than to create a background of dust?  So in a bit of counterintuitive inspiration that rendered my weekly cleaning chores ineffective, I dumped out everything that was inside the vacuum onto my table.

Looking at the dusty cloud drifting up from this pile, I remembered some trivia I’d read about the major component of house dust being our own dead skin cells…

I was thinking that Joni Mitchell’s line in her song, Woodstock, has some relevance here.

“We are stardust
We are golden
And we’ve got to get ourselves
Back to the garden”

What do you think?