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The Hollywood Foreign Press announced the nominees for the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards this morning, including Showtime's hit drama Homeland, filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Fayetteville, NC native Julianne Moore.
A monkey will use his time wisely to be creative.
©Kent Smith Photography
http://www.kentsmithphoto.com
“I am the Master of my fate. I am the master of my soul.” - Nelson Mandela
MIke Minter for a Visit Charlotte Advertising a few years ago. It shows the power of digital.
Powerful words are never overlooked. As an creator of images both still and moving, we must always be looking for heart felt words to inspire our work. I have decided to make some major changes in my fate over the years.
One that stands out in particular to me is my move from traditional film cameras to the new technology of digital. It’s hard to believe that it was so many years ago when I was shooting stuff for Topps Trading Cards. They decided to make a set of select cards that would be shot and produced in the same day. This probably doesn’t sound like anything new now, but at the time this was big news for the entire industry. There was actually a CNN crew there recording this attempt to do something that no one else had ever done. Much to my delight we accomplished it, mostly because we had some amazing people working on the project; all of whom believed it could be done. Everything took just three hours. The cards where shot and the images were brought in to the computer. They were then dropped into the layout and then they were off to the press to be printed with a lovely glossy coat. Three hours later the cards came rolling back to the site where each one of NFL draft picks sat down and signed their cards.
The reason why I tell this story is because I believe you must make your own fate. It was the fate of the client that believed enough in me and my team to take a risk and put all their cards on the table to make this happen. This all came to life because I decided a few years before to make the jump to the digital world. I invested in a digital camera that would allow me to the make the jump into this new wonderland. It was a decision I will always look back on because it was such a big one and it had such a huge impact on my career and where I am today. I often ask myself where would I be now if I hadn’t made the switch; the answer is more than likely out of business. To think, jumping off the cliff would lead me to find the gold at the bottom of the ocean. It was my fate.
So keeping up with the changes in technology are only a part of the many things that you must do to keep up with your fate. Next up, how do you look inside yourself?
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What’s an image worth? Why does an experienced photographer cost more than an inexperienced photographer? There are so many questions that art directors and buyers of photographer’s services must ask when acquiring a photographer. So how do you know the difference between one photographer or another?
Ferrari has always inspired speed, but sometimes it inspires love. ©Kent Smith Photography
The major difference between great photographers and good ones are the images. It has been said for years that a great image is worth a thousand words; it can tell a story before you even had time to read 10 words. So it makes complete sense, that a great photographer will make that happen with even more impact than an average one. Let’s face it, it has gotten easier to take images with the advances of still cameras in the digital world, but it still comes down to the basic knowledge of how to light an image for the still world. It also takes an eye for the unusual that will push other people’s eyes to the page or website.
If you look around you everyday, you will be inundated with images every place you go. You can’t go down the street without seeing an image on a billboard or a poster at your local Starbucks. These images are done for a reason. You have less than a second to take your eye off the road to look at a billboard on the side of the road. During that time, you will need to understand exactly what the advertising company wants you to know. This is called impact.
Great photographers (visionary people) have many years of experience on sets acquiring more skills than they guy that just picked up his camera. He/She will understand how to light an image that will stand out from the others. He/She will have many years of experience handling all the problems that can go with photography in case something does happen on set. These are the things that will make them stand out from the rest, in addition to making your company money in the long run.
Over the years, we have seen many different things happen on set. We have worked with many different art directors. We have created different successful campaigns for many different companies around the world. The one thing we always hear from our clients is: ”It’s nice to work with someone who knows how to work fast, but accomplish the perfect results.” The proof is on the Billboard. Look for it next time you are rolling down the road.
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From the article by Shane McGlaun:
“Polaroid has been in the photograph business for as long as I can remember. The first camera I can remember having around as a kid was one of the old instant cameras from Polaroid. The company has unveiled a new line of accessory lenses that will work for DSLRs, camcorders, and cameras. It’s not exactly clear from the details released so far what specific cameras these lenses will fit.
Polaroid has unveiled the Studio Series 58mm 2.2x Telephoto and 0.43x Wide Angle Lens Travel Kit that sells for $49.99. The lenses mount onto the existing lens on your camera and converts it over or more zoom. The Polaroid Studio Series 0.3x HD Ultra fisheye lens adapter is also offered in 37mm and 52/58mm versions. They will fit on any camcorder or DSLR lens and offers 180-degree field of view. The lens is priced at $269.99.
The most interesting of the lenses is the 900mm Mirror Lens for outdoor and sports shooting. It uses reflection optics and lenticualr light refraction such as a telescope uses. The lens is priced at $299.99. These lenses are very cheap and should be appealing to photographers wanting more lens options at a lower price than buying a new camera or DSLR lens.”
Photographers of weird and overlooked species are finally bringing some long overdue attention to their subjects. In a contest offered by the Guardian, patrons were asked to give names to these oft ignored bits of nature. Like this one:
Hotlips!
Named by 12-year-old Rachel Blackman, this vivid species gets renewed attention.
“They looked a bit like lips and I thought the name suited it really well because of the bright orange colour,” said Rachael. “It’s exciting to know it will always be called hotlips.”
There is always something to learn when you’re around kids who are charming and elated. It’s even more apparent when you are around 300 Special Olympics athletes. This was the case today at the Levine Jewish Community Center in Charlotte. The kids were taking part in the Special Olympics Athletes Retreat (SOAR).
These kids know how to make every basket the best thing that they have done in the last 10 years. Excitement was passed to and from one kid to another then back to the volunteers. When you looked into the kids eyes, all you could see in them was joy, pure and true. They were peaceful for at least one moment because they had time to celebrate with their heroes, Stephen Jackson and D.J. Augustin of the Charlotte Bobcats. These kids are so excited to meet each and every person, but these two are more special to them.
There is always one kid that standouts each year, and this year was no exception. He was happy to meet each and every person, but he really wanted to see Michael Jordan. He wanted to know everyone’s names. This might sound like nothing special, but this really stood out to me. It was how he approached each person with a caring heart and did something that most of us have trouble doing when talking to people; he looked deep into each persons eyes without blinking. So hopefully, we can all learn from these little lessons, to be more considerate with the person next to us in line.
Stephen Jackson of the Charlotte Bobcats plays One-on-One
It's not as easy as people think.
I ask you this question: What is the difference between a lawyer and a photographer? It takes both years of actually studying their craft before they can actually call themselves professional. Both are only as good as the last case or image that they make. They are both chosen by people who use them because of their rare talents to describe and argue a point. Okay, so some of you will say that it takes longer to become a lawyer than to become a photographer because of the many years of college. I would have to say that you are correct on that point, but I would have to point out that it takes just as long to develop a style and art form in the photography world.
When I started out, I remember hearing John Biever (one of the best follow focus photographers ever) say that it takes 1,000 rolls of film (36 frames to a roll) before you can really understand this craft. That might sound like nothing in this day of digital images, but in the days of chrome slides, this was no small feat unless you had deep pockets. The cost of one roll of quality slide film would cost between $14-25 to shoot with processing cost attached. So basically, it would take about 36,000 frames before you had actually developed your eye to capture the correct moments on that one piece of film. Now take in to account, that you would not just hold down the button and shoot five frames per second, instead you would look for the image and then think about the image before actually shooting the picture because each frame cost you money. So, you may ask yourself, what is the difference between the two?
Here is a great intro video that was done for the Charlotte Bobcats. It uses mostly still images and then some video is added to add effect. This was another great project that was created with the Charlotte Bobcats, Limerick studios, and Kent Smith Photography. The still images have motion added to them to create the effect of movement. Thanks to all who worked on this project. Now, we need the boys to win the Championship. Go Bobcats.
When the USA Swimming team approached me about shooting Cullen Jones I was very excited. I knew of his accomplishments as an Olympic Gold Medalist and World Record Holder and had also heard stories about how he helps kids learn to swim here in Charlotte and across the country. He was someone I was really looking forward to working with.
My expectations were just as I had thought, working with Cullen was a pure pleasure. I am sure Nike is very proud to have him on contract. He is a rare talent with an infectiously nice personality, often hard to find in a person once fame enters into the picture. I must also say he was a delight to see in the pool. He swims with such little effort, and the passion in his eyes is unmistakable. During the shoot he was so understanding and willing to do everything we asked of him, always with a huge smile on his face.The wonderful thing was we were never rushed to move too quickly, which is always a good thing when working with lights and a camera around water. We started out with shots around the pool, then we moved to the studio to create some very edgy images of him. Thanks Cullen and the USA Swim Team for a great day! I admire your talent and all you do for the kids around the world. You give the USA a great name!
To see more images: Kent Smith Photography
Cullen Jones takes time to cut up with Kent Smith
To see more images: Kent Smith Photography
