Takes Some Bawls To Do This...

In creating a new portfolio in our growing product photography segment, I collected two fascinating bottles, including a 12oz BAWLS Guarana bottle replete with divits that felt manly. I felt manly, for sure. Also threw in a Spanish wine bottle opener and a couple of flashlights for good measure. With a couple of speedlights placed around the set, I went to work painting the subject and the background with the flashlights. But then I explored with creating more of an earthy, volcanic theme as I pointed the flashlights back at the camera's shutter to create the streaks in the BAWLS shots. For the wine, I had my belly flat on the floor for an grasshopper's perspective of the bottle. That's why it looks so tall and commanding. But the quality of light from the handheld flashlights really drew my eye in--hope you agree.

Boulder Tree-Hugging, Bridal Edition

Saw someone do this in an ad some time back and wanted to try a double version of it with my engagement session clients this weekend. A little late for Valentine's Day, but handy to have, no less. True love? I think so.

See the session here.

Daddy, Daughter and a Taquito

You can't go wrong when you get daddy and his little girl and a grass wall behind them. And the taquito is always the perfect finishing touch!

See more here.

New Logo Coming Soon

I had a logo designed nearly 5 years ago and then ended up not using the result for various reasons. But I resurrected one of the final comps and then made some modifications and added an old film holder-style border to update the look. Here is the result--I have already run with it on marketing materials for my corporate portraits and it is getting some good feedback.

O-Light Arrives!

...The following takes place between 3pm and 4pm...

++Fedex guy rings doorbell at 3:01 MST
++Overexcited portrait photographer Marc Littmann leaps up from office to answer telling delivery guy ring, letting out yelp of joy.
++He tears apart glistening shipping box and attaches new Orbis flash to barrel of camera lens.
++Marc conscripts 3 year old daughter to model. Daughter agrees, insists Strawberry Shortcake comes along.
++Marc and daughter love the result--O-shaped ringlight brings cool, celebrity light and shadow effect into arsenal of photographic tools.
++3:30::Marc still drooling over lighting possibilities...go here for scenes from the first test shoot of the O-light.

Testimonial from a Corporate Portrait Client

Just got this back from Gretchen Anthony of Tilt Consulting--we shot her portrait a few weeks back down on Pearl Street. Using nothing but natural light and some wonderful, overlooked alley walls, we came up with some beautiful and pleasing results. Here is a link to the session images, and here are some kind words Gretchen shared with MLP:

"Working with Marc Littmann for my professional photos was a terrific experience. I’ve worked with other photographers in the past and while they all have their unique strengths, Marc’s creative approach to his work resulted in a diverse portfolio of great shots. Marc’s photos show that while I’m a professional, I’m not just another stuffed suit!"

--Gretchen Anthony, Tilt Consulting

Palestinian-Israeli Relations Builder

Just realized I never posted on an event I have covered twice now for Seeking Common Ground. Have worked with this non-profit group 2 summers running. Entitled Building Bridges For Peace, this group brings together Israeli, Palestinian and American teens for 10 days up in the Colorado mountains to find common ground in their lives. The goal is to help build understanding while overcoming tremendous cultural and religious differences. Often they show up with bitter prejudices and leave as the closest of friends. It's a cool thing.

Time Lapse in the Pines

Watch what happens to the late afternoon light in Flagstaff, AZ during this time lapse exposure. This was shot over approximately a 2-hour window. Shot with time lapse movie mode on a Nikon P5100 point and shoot. Flexi-tripod grip-mounted to car ski rack and images captured at 30-second intervals. Lots of fun!

Monument Valley Confidential

Images of John Wayne and a lone Navajo on a horse come to mind as we stood at John Ford's Point in Monument Valley last week. But Clark W. Griswald tumbling down the sand in 'Vacation' after launching the Family Truckster 50 yards through a road closed sign kept sneaking into my subconscious. I think it was right here that he and his son Rusty shared their first beer.

Aside from movie recollections, get yourself out to Monument Valley soon and see some breathtaking vistas. Take the 17 mile driving loop but be sure to get out of your car and off your 'foam rubber backsides', as Edward Abbey would say. Once away from your car you will start to hear true silence. Your ears will thank you.

Trust

Been thinking tonight about the stock market meltdown and where we are at economically as a nation. Got me thinking about where we place our trust. Money seems to be at the root of a lot of insecurity these days. Then I took this out of my wallet and had to laugh. Looks like God has a special bit of encouragement for us all, and it is sitting right in each of our billfolds!

Marc

Good Light Anytime

Despite 300+ days of sunshine a year here in lovely Colorado, we still get a bunch of gray days. No worries! Sometimes these make for much more flattering portraits than on a harsh sunny day. And with the benefit of portable small flashes, you can get away with much more than you'd think. I like the way the white color scheme of clothing in this family portrait below works with the white tones in the sky. Makes for a richer portrait, in my opinion.

Off Camera LIghting in Iwo Jima?

So there's not exactly a patriotic Stars and Stripes being hoisted here, nor an island in the Pacific won after an heroic battle. But we have to settle for what's at hand--a putting green and one of those flags from the hole. But in the spirit of WWII, my groomsmen obliged me by striking a familiar pose.

Lighting-wise, we had a dramatic sky threatening to explode rain and electricity upon us. So working fairly quickly, I had my assistant throw on a couple of SB800 strobes on a monopod and light these guys from my side, all while darkening up the sky to show some of the rough weather coming on strong. Result gives the guys much more depth and a dramatic, 3-D appearance.

See just what these guys and the gals were up to here.

Hiking Breckenridge's Golden Tunnel

If you are reading this today, as of 10/10/08, you are probably too late to catch the really stunning aspen displays in the high country. We witnessed peak color last week in Summit County and as far west as Redstone and McClure Pass. Truly the most amazing display of aspens I have seen in a long time, if not ever. So if you missed out, sit down, grab some popcorn and watch these photographs.

And if you are wondering where the Golden Tunnel is, you're just going to have to click the link to see what this aspen forest was all about, because I absolutely refuse to disclose the Golden Tunnel's secret location along Boreas Pass Road outside of Breck. Oops!

This is a good example of composing a photograph to take advantage of contrast differences. As I set this up last night, I chose to place Chris and Kristine in front of the shadow side of the barn, while they were still catching direct sunlight on themselves. Had I placed them to their left 5 more feet, they would have been much harder to see in front of the sunny side of the barn. While this tip might seem obvious as you look at the finished result above, keep in mind that the human eye sees a far greater range of detail than the camera does. So the shady side of the barn doesn't look nearly as black when you are standing there in the scene. But remembering how it will look to the camera is critical here. You can then place subject so they are bright and background is dark, for a pleasing contrast.

I then framed the composition to be a panoramic, asking my subjects to remain very still. Ideally a tripod would be wise in order to end up with best result. But in the spirit of breaking the rules (and not having my tripod with me) I was able to hand hold the camera and got a successful result.

We found a perfect local gem at the train museum east of town. Kristine was a brave soul, climbing up a steep ladder in high heels to reach the top of locomotive engine 296. And when it comes to sunglasses, bring 'em along! Some shots are great as they look into the sun right before it sets. In real life people would not take their glasses off in order to 'follow the rules' of portraiture. So I have them put their sunglasses back on for a more natural look and feel. Great way to avoid squinting eyes, too.

The Future of Corporate Headshots?

Just the other day at a photography marketing seminar I was told that corporate headshots are nothing more than a commodity, where the client will probably hire you based on the personal relationship you cultivate with them. That corporate headshots are cookie-cutter and boring. But at a different photography seminar this past weekend ("Small Strobes, Big Results", by Tejada Photography) in Denver, we delved deep into the realm of making dynamic imagery that defies safe and conservative 'rules' for corporate portraits. Everything was done with small strobes (Nikon SB 800s) and some fairly basic light modifiers, but with some clever setups. David Tejada is a great instructor with the heart of a teacher and a love of sharing what he has learned over the course of his 25 years in corporate photography.

Who says you have to do things the traditional way every time?