No words can express my gratitude towards Michael Soo for letting me observe and help him set up, as he compose and shoot an image through his viewfinder.
Michael Soo is a rare breed and his work speaks for itself. http://www.soophotography.com/
Antonio Genovia
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Master's Viewfinder
The assignment was to shoot 30 NFL Cheerleaders in 10 days.
When we boarded United Airlines from San Jose, Ca. Bound to Tampa Bay, Florida, I was accompanied by the lead photographer Michael Soo (www.soophotography.com) and James Burkart (www.burkartvideo.com) the excitement was in the air, Michael Soo is an energetic leader and the charisma that I felt from James told me it is going to be a great trip. My gut feelings are usually correct.
Two days prior to the photoshoot, we were going around St. Petersberg tagging locations that fits each cheerleaders, as we drove around St. Petes. It was easy to get to know eachother, for eachone of us has fun stories and ideas that we each shared.
We stayed at Traderwinds Beach Resort for one day and then moved to Sergio & Gabriella hotel, closer the "One Buck Place"
Dubbed "One Buccaneer Palace", the Buccaneers’ gleaming new team headquarters is the largest facility in the NFL. Equipped with every modern tool to help produce a successful team on the field, the facility is also a major draw for potential free agents.
Opened: August, 2006
Footprint: 145,000 square-foot facility on 33 acres
Practice Fields: Three, full-length grass fields
Weight Room: 10,000 square feet, 70 types of workout machines
Locker Room: 7,000 square feet
Additional Features: Fully-equipped kitchen and dining room, theater-style auditorium, press conference studio, hydrotherapy room
Monday. May 10, 2009
As we walked into a press conference room, large enough to hold a party gathering, the make-up artist was already working on the cheerleaders, the room was alive, full of warm greetings and I felt that a job well done from the previous year, because of the respect that each of the cheerleaders gave Michael Soo. On the following day, James Burkart surprised the team with a video, as James silently captured behind the scene footage. Their eyes glowed with delight, as James worked his skillful videographic magic.
Helping the lead photographer raised some questions towards his lighting approach, but I am not the one to ask a lot of questions, I am more of an observer, one who makes mental notes. As the photoshoot was flowed, it dawn to me. Michael Soo is sculpturing beauty, no more and no less. His lighting setup is art in itself.
As a second, rookie photographer. I was not shooting on a star of fame, but thankful to have the opportunity to be working under a dignified photographer, who is willing to take me under his wings and allowed a chance of a lifetime.
When we boarded United Airlines from San Jose, Ca. Bound to Tampa Bay, Florida, I was accompanied by the lead photographer Michael Soo (www.soophotography.com) and James Burkart (www.burkartvideo.com) the excitement was in the air, Michael Soo is an energetic leader and the charisma that I felt from James told me it is going to be a great trip. My gut feelings are usually correct.
Two days prior to the photoshoot, we were going around St. Petersberg tagging locations that fits each cheerleaders, as we drove around St. Petes. It was easy to get to know eachother, for eachone of us has fun stories and ideas that we each shared.
We stayed at Traderwinds Beach Resort for one day and then moved to Sergio & Gabriella hotel, closer the "One Buck Place"
Dubbed "One Buccaneer Palace", the Buccaneers’ gleaming new team headquarters is the largest facility in the NFL. Equipped with every modern tool to help produce a successful team on the field, the facility is also a major draw for potential free agents.
Opened: August, 2006
Footprint: 145,000 square-foot facility on 33 acres
Practice Fields: Three, full-length grass fields
Weight Room: 10,000 square feet, 70 types of workout machines
Locker Room: 7,000 square feet
Additional Features: Fully-equipped kitchen and dining room, theater-style auditorium, press conference studio, hydrotherapy room
Monday. May 10, 2009
As we walked into a press conference room, large enough to hold a party gathering, the make-up artist was already working on the cheerleaders, the room was alive, full of warm greetings and I felt that a job well done from the previous year, because of the respect that each of the cheerleaders gave Michael Soo. On the following day, James Burkart surprised the team with a video, as James silently captured behind the scene footage. Their eyes glowed with delight, as James worked his skillful videographic magic.
Helping the lead photographer raised some questions towards his lighting approach, but I am not the one to ask a lot of questions, I am more of an observer, one who makes mental notes. As the photoshoot was flowed, it dawn to me. Michael Soo is sculpturing beauty, no more and no less. His lighting setup is art in itself.
As a second, rookie photographer. I was not shooting on a star of fame, but thankful to have the opportunity to be working under a dignified photographer, who is willing to take me under his wings and allowed a chance of a lifetime.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Blank space
model: natalia
location: ag studio. morgan hill, ca.
Blank space I call this image, because there are people out there willing to pay a lot of money to learn tricks about photography.
I did not take any classes. I have taught one and learned from the best in the Bay Area. I have been shooting for a little over a year. The one thing that is can pass on.... Be artistic, have a vision, do not follow, but create a look, create an image. CREATE A MAGICAL PHOTO.
Studio lighting, outdoor lighting follows a redundant rule. Studio creates advertising, artistic key lights, outdoors creates the same, but with great textures. All things must have a great composition.
What is the secret to lightings, strobes? Look at the moon as it circles the sun and how the shadows fall as it revolves around the sun, as the key light, from that simple example one can somewhat imagine of how lighting works. Sculpture and chisel the model according to how the light falls unto the model.
I don't treat a lot of black and white, after seeing my friend Julio and after seeing Melissa Rodwell's work, I was amazed Of how fashion photographers convert a photo in black and white. It is not just about converting a photo, fashion black and white has a tedious workflow.
Paul Ferradas in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWCEMyDZiDc
location: ag studio. morgan hill, ca.
Blank space I call this image, because there are people out there willing to pay a lot of money to learn tricks about photography.
I did not take any classes. I have taught one and learned from the best in the Bay Area. I have been shooting for a little over a year. The one thing that is can pass on.... Be artistic, have a vision, do not follow, but create a look, create an image. CREATE A MAGICAL PHOTO.
Studio lighting, outdoor lighting follows a redundant rule. Studio creates advertising, artistic key lights, outdoors creates the same, but with great textures. All things must have a great composition.
What is the secret to lightings, strobes? Look at the moon as it circles the sun and how the shadows fall as it revolves around the sun, as the key light, from that simple example one can somewhat imagine of how lighting works. Sculpture and chisel the model according to how the light falls unto the model.
I don't treat a lot of black and white, after seeing my friend Julio and after seeing Melissa Rodwell's work, I was amazed Of how fashion photographers convert a photo in black and white. It is not just about converting a photo, fashion black and white has a tedious workflow.
Paul Ferradas in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWCEMyDZiDc
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
In my zone
A sample of basic layering post process.
Things to watch out for is the skin tone, when combining montage of photographs on a human model, they tend to create a doutone of colors, effecting into multiple array of different colors. The blending modes are to be set to where it does not create a harsh burn on the subject.
One can create multiple pictures on top of the other, just as long, as one maintains the details and the colors of the main subject. There are a lot of tutorials and ways to learn how to do this technique, my style has been broken down to 2 stages to where I can efficiently render a photograph.
1) Plan, know what you want to do in advance.
2) Search for appropriate layers
3) Make a selection of the subject.
10) TREAT AT WELL ;-))
model: Christina
location: ag studio. morgan hill, ca
Things to watch out for is the skin tone, when combining montage of photographs on a human model, they tend to create a doutone of colors, effecting into multiple array of different colors. The blending modes are to be set to where it does not create a harsh burn on the subject.
One can create multiple pictures on top of the other, just as long, as one maintains the details and the colors of the main subject. There are a lot of tutorials and ways to learn how to do this technique, my style has been broken down to 2 stages to where I can efficiently render a photograph.
1) Plan, know what you want to do in advance.
2) Search for appropriate layers
3) Make a selection of the subject.
10) TREAT AT WELL ;-))
model: Christina
location: ag studio. morgan hill, ca
Monday, May 4, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Countdown
Counting down for the a grand photo shoot is stressful than I thought. Here, I am early in the morning cleaning my gears, taking a small vacuum cleaner and making sure that the gears are in spit, spanking look and shape.
The gears excludes the wire input and output, laptop (Sony Vaio), chargers, batters, including the most issential of cleaning items..etc..
As you can see, I also carry a point and shoot.. It comes in handy during tight situations :-))
Someone ask me if I am afraid traveling with all these gears, the answer is no. Though it is heavy. No, I am not afraid. They should be afraid of me.... ;-))
Friday, May 1, 2009
The countdown begins
The 2008/2008 NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers Calendar Photoshoot was headed by the master Himself. Mr. Michael Soo. Others call him "Soo Cool" During this photoshoot, he was assisted by none other than Paul Ferradas.
The two are the ultimate duo in the Bay Area with a drop down list of accounts, such as Chili's Restaurant Corp to name a few, major clothing company, and commercial to product photography. Wedding included.
For the 2010 NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers calendar photoshoot, Michael Soo picked me to go, with him this year. I am thrilled to be working, with the renounced Master of photography, learning and assisting the man they call "Soo Cool"
My mark is set and I am thankful to be picked to be the 2nd shooter for the grand 10 days project in Florida. I am not afraid, but excited. The series of testing that I have done prepared me to tackle this assignment more than ever.
To learn more of Michael Soo, and Paul Ferradas, more links can be found here:
Paul Ferradas in Model Mayhem
Michael Soo in Model Mayhem
The two are the ultimate duo in the Bay Area with a drop down list of accounts, such as Chili's Restaurant Corp to name a few, major clothing company, and commercial to product photography. Wedding included.
For the 2010 NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers calendar photoshoot, Michael Soo picked me to go, with him this year. I am thrilled to be working, with the renounced Master of photography, learning and assisting the man they call "Soo Cool"
My mark is set and I am thankful to be picked to be the 2nd shooter for the grand 10 days project in Florida. I am not afraid, but excited. The series of testing that I have done prepared me to tackle this assignment more than ever.
To learn more of Michael Soo, and Paul Ferradas, more links can be found here:
Paul Ferradas in Model Mayhem
Michael Soo in Model Mayhem
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