Death of the DSLR. Is the future RED?
Today RED Digital Cinema Cameras issued a press release about their much talked about and hyped up Scarlet camera system. Looks like they’re giving the DSLR market a whirl as well. Aside from taking HD video, The scarlet’s “brain” unit as they are called, also takes quality stills. The “brain” of the unit is essentially an interchangeable sensor module, you can literally switch out between a feeble 4.9 megapixel to hefty 65 megapixel, even switch to a 261 megapixel panoramic back. Sounds sweet and dandy but, In my research it seems like people are on one side of the line or the other. On one hand you have the people who would give their first born just to get on the 1-2 year waiting list to throw down loads of cash-ola for this “revolutionary” product, on the other side you see people who are a bit more cautious to accept this DSLR “killer” as it has been called. Personally, I am not buying into this so soon.
Generally with all new product releases you have a very detailed tech spec sheet such as, ISO speeds, shutter speeds, flash sync, frames per second, you know, useful information. Not the case with the RED cameras, yes they do have some specs, but just enough to get your mouth watering, and if you have the budget why not, right?? But for those of us generally interested in this piece of equipment that threatens to render DSLR’s obsolete in one fail swoop, we’d like to see more information. Not raving applause from starry eyed gear fiends with cash to blow. I talked to a couple videographers about the red camera to get their perspective, They did generally agree that these are good quality video cameras, but from whats been said, that it beats 35mm film cameras and high end Sony cameras hands down with minimal evidence to back it up is a bit curious. A few movie clips here and test reels there was not enough to convince these seasoned videographers to make the switch.
As a photographer this makes me all too suspicious that people would put such blind faith in this case to a new DSLR that has yet to see the light of day. Yes, it is a cool feature to switch out sensors, you can even use Canon, Nikon, and RED lenses on the same body and bells and whistles to add out the wahzoo. Lots of flash and pizzaz around this one, but no meat on the bone, so to speak. Basically if this thing is going to put millions of neurotic control freak photographers out of biz we better have a good reason to run for the hills, instead of telling us the boogey man is real, does that make sense? Either way it will be interesting to see how RED cameras pan out in the long run. Hmm maybe it should come with these free pair of shades, I’d be sold!( Jim Jannard is both the CEO of Oakley sunglasses and RED Cinema. )
Nemo Featured in this month issues of PDN and Print!
Make sure to pick up this month Issue of both Print and PDN. Nemo and two of our employees are featured in Print Magazine for their regional design 08 issue, congrats Garth Weber and Justin Dickau! PDN Magazine did a write up on Nemodesign and Studio Nemo for their current issue. They chatted up Trevor Graves , Chris Hotz and Heather Hanrahan to get the scoop on the global design cult that is Nemo, be sure to pick them up if you see them on the rack! Click ahead to view pages from the mags!
Snowboard video premieres @ StudioNemo Nov 15th
Come check out the new shred Releases this Friday @ StudioNemo! Make sure to RSVP to:
Austinw@nemodesign.com
First Thursday at AI of Portland
The Art Institute of Portland put on a great show for their in house gallery this month, curated by Nemo’s own Todd Templeman. On display was the the art of painter and tattoo artist Jacob Redmond, graphic / collage artist Nubby Twiglet, funiture artist Dave Seoane, painter and exhibitionist Dustin Flath a.k.a. “Nudist” and photographer Carlin Sundell. Make sure to stop in if you find yourself in the NW neighborhood of Portland to take a look. Click ahead to view more. (more…)
Heather Hanrahan - Interview in Photo District News
I am so stoked Heather has a write up on line with Photo District News. Its so cool to be included in a prestigious publication like PDN!
In our November Client Meeting we profiled Nemo Design, a Portland, Oregon-based agency that specializes in youth culture and action sports, and counts Nike and Hewlett Packard among it’s clients. Here we speak with Heather Hanrahan, the woman behind StudioNemo, the full-service studio and production company that generates images for Nemo Design and other agencies, about the atmosphere in the studio, what it takes to shoot athletes, and how she finds and hires new photographers.
PDN: Tell me about your background.
Heather Hanrahan: I went to work in the action sports industry in marketing, and I worked for a company called Bonfire Snowboards. I used to produce all of their photo shoots and we did all of their catalogs in-house, so I did all the photography for them, and I would do all the art buying for all the action photographs taken of our riders by freelancers. Then I went back to school to the University of British Columbia, and I got a masters in womens’ studies in the visual arts area—it’s sort of a masters in visual narratives.
Then I came back to Oregon and I worked in film and photography freelance for a while, producing and styling and coordinating, and then I ended up at Nemo through someone who had my position before, she hired me as her replacement.
PDN: Do you have an official job title?
HH: Well, I wear many hats. I think that my official title is photography project manager, but I am the producer and art buyer and studio manager… curator, lunch getter.
PDN: Do you notice any trends in the types of photography your clients are after, or is there a certain visual style that StudioNemo is known for delivering?
HH: There’s not an exact style. I think that we have a lot of variety and it depends on the photographer that we hire. I think that one of the trends that’s going around in youth culture and action sports is using more of a documentary style of photography, capturing athletes in their own environments. We do a lot of athlete shoots here and it’s trying to capture what they do best, either around town [Portland] or in this studio. And the great thing about StudioNemo is the actual environment that the studio is in. We have kids that come in and skateboard up and down the hallways and BMX, it’s really encouraged here and it’s a very fun environment.
PDN: After you and your client have agreed on a photographer, how much input does the photographer have creatively?
HH: I think the photographer actually has quite a bit of input. The art directors that I’ve always worked with are big on collaborating with the photographer to come up with better solutions to get the grander scheme of the idea. I think we give our photogphers a lot of creative here. There’s a lot of trust put in them, and the art directors don’t micro-manage, they step off when need be. I think it brings a lot to the photography if the photographer is invested in what he’s doing and is not just a hired gun.
PDN: When you are thinking of hiring a photographer, how do you evaluate whether they are someone who will be able to contribute creatively rather than just execute?
HH: There’s something on [the Web site of] MS Logan, they have this “Two Minutes With” feature, and I really like that. I think that is the best thing I’ve seen from any artist representative, is showing their photographer and their personality. When I pick a photographer it’s partly for the photography, but it’s partly for how they can interact with the client and how they interact with athletes. A lot of the time we shoot athletes here rather than just models, and it’s being able to take those kids that are used to mountain biking all the time, and if you have a studio shoot, being able to draw personality out of them and make it so they’re not bored. I think that’s really important, I look for that. I look for personality a lot.
PDN: How do you prefer hearing from photographers?
HH: I like promo cards. I’m not really interested in getting a “Hi my name is” e-mail, but if they wow me with something interesting that catches my eye, a little package or whatever. There’s a photographer that I became friends with because he stopped into Nemo to show his book, and then he started sending me little video clips of his shoots. He does these funny personal shoots, like he went to India and traveled 2000 km in a little electric car and took photographs, and so he would make these little videos and e-mail them to me and I thought they were just hilarious. He definitely got my interest and I always think of him when a job comes up that’s right for him.
PDN: Beyond looking at what comes to you, what do you do to seek out new photographers to work with?
HH: I’m constantly searching blogs, I love the I Heart Photo blog, and I do use Le Book, and I’m always looking at the New York Times Magazine, they use some amazing photographers. I’m looking at all sorts of different magazines and different media. I have certain reps whose esthetic I’m drawn to and I look at their stuff.
PDN: How many new photographers would you say that you use per year?
HH: I probably bring in about five new photographers.
PDN: What are your biggest needs in terms of style and specialty?
HH: We need everything. I definitely think that Nemo, not only their design but also on the photography side, caters to a younger generation, a generation that’s interested in sports and in music culture, and interested in not only entertainment, but also the environment and politics. That’s what’s great about being in Portland, Oregon, is that we’re so much more than just youth culture, we’re definitely invested in a different type of lifestyle.
PDN: Can you think of a photographer that you recently started working with and what stood out to you about them?
HH: I really enjoy working with Josh Letchworth. He has this almost Buddhist quality to him, because he’s just so calm and happy at all times. He’s just one of those people that’s great to be around, and like I said about shooters, their personality really is everything, and he brings that to the table.
PDN: So it’s a given that the work needs to be excellent, but beyond that personality is what sets people apart for you?
HH: One of my favorite photographers is Cass Bird, and I feel like her photography is so great because her personality is so great. I think they go hand-in-hand, I don’t think they’re separate. I think that if you’re a curmudgeon it’s going to show in your work.
PDN: How much of your work comes from Nemo Design versus outside agencies?
HH: We’re always trying to get work from other agencies, but most of my work right now comes from Nemo Design. If it’s not exactly through Nemo Design it’s through our mutual clients.
PDN: What are the biggest challenges for you and the studio on any given day?
HH: What to have for lunch. That’s always a big one. I guess my biggest challenge as a studio within an agency is getting other agencies to feel comfortable coming in. It really shouldn’t be an issue. They’re bringing their work in on other turf and there’s definitely some trepidation, and I think it’s unwarranted. Nemo Design is a great company and their not interested in taking other people’s work away from them, and I think that Nemo Productions is open to so much more than just what Nemo Design does.
Heather Hanrahan
StudioNemo
1875 SE Belmont Street
Portland, OR 97124
www.studionemo.com
Revarie from Vincent Laforet
Revarie is a short film by NYC photographer Vincent Laforet. What makes this film Unique is that it was filmed entirely with Canon’s new EOS 5D Mark II. Which up until recently had just been a DSLR. Now they have added the capabilities of 1080p HD video to its feature list. I think we’ll be seeing more of this crossover of mediums. Which is pretty exciting to think of what is next to come. Who knows any of us photographers could be a closet videographer and we just don’t know it yet! Check out the video on Vincent’s site here.
Warren Miller’s “Children of Winter”
I haven’t seen this yet but looks pretty sweet. I was fortunate enough to shoot with these guys for a week at Mt. Bachlor last season. Give it a lil look see!
www.kevinzacher.com
Photographer and StudioNemo’s good friend Kevin Zacher has a treat for us all, in the form of his new website. Check it out, make sure you got a good hour of nothing to do because its all too easy to get sucked into his site checking out all the amazing eye candy. Have fun! www.kevinzacher.com
New Sony BRAVIA comercial… where have I seen this before??
Back around 05/06 I stumbled across an amazing Sony commercial for their EU brand BRAVIA, It was titled simply “Balls” directed by Nicolai Fuglsig. (we’ll get back to him in a second.) It has to be the most stunning commercial I’ve seen to date for a mainstream brand. (its better viewed in High Def, not youtube quality.) The best part, no computers were used to add CG balls at anytime! What you see actually took place on the streets of S.F. Bravia commercials have always been massive productions, exponentially pleasing the eyes of their European consumer with each ad while never losing site thus keeping it creative and unique along the way. See more here.
Fast forward to 2008. Sony has extended their colorful BRAVIA branches to the Asia Pacific market. Seems fair enough they hire a production Co. from the region expect to sell to. Enter Bates 141, out of Singapore. This being their inaugural commercial for BRAVIA, a lot is riding on a project like this. One would think, all stops must be pulled, bars must be raised and need to squeeze all creative juices out to make a banger of an ad, right? Wrong.
Take a look at their ad HERE. Hmm, slow motion shots coupled with pretty, soft vocals and acoustic strings. Strange how that seems all too familiar. Just coincidence right, yeah… Until I started doing a little digging and found this little number. (click here) Strange, another ad with a domino theme, just another coincidence…sure. But I found it odd that the director of both the BRAVIA “Balls” and Guinness’s “Tipping Point” happen to be Nicolai Fuglsig! Wow, I find it hard to believe Bates 141 did not do it’s research, this is just damn embarrassing. Oh, I love how the Bates slogan happens to be: “Change Happens, When You Look At Things Differently.” Really Bates? Come on.
OH, P.S.! Half the domino shots were CG… Booooooo!
That’s It, That’s All
I got in to work today not in the best mood, possibly from the spontaneous rainstorm I peddled through on the way in. But that’s just Portland, right? Boo hoo. All that changed when I saw Itunes was selling That’s It That’s All, the new snowboard video from Travis Rice and Curt Morgan, without batting an eye I bought it. I ended up watching it almost twice through before I forced myself to shut it off. I am at work, and should be working. I can only tell my boss I’m “researching” the video so many times before the jig is up.
This video sets the bar I had no clue existed for snowboard flicks. I got a sneak peek of some stills late last season from Tim Zimmerman who was photographing all the action along the way, those alone were making me drool to see this film. The film itself is a work of art, using the same camera rigs as the Discovery Channel’s Planet Earth documentaries they captured some of the greatest shots Ive seen in a long time or ever! The selection of riders is without compare and the tricks are amazing, who knew double corks could be done in so effortlessly? I think this video came at a great time in snowboarding, with Mack Dawg out of the game, someone needed to set up to be the “it” production company for snowboarding. T.rice and Curt took that step… in to a helicopter, blasting Maiden, and looking for the next pow line to film. Can’t wait to see what you guys come out with next!
Go check out “Wild Beauty” at the Portland Art Museum
Boring poster I know, but if your in the PDX area you should go check out “Wild Beauty” at the Portland Art Museum. Its put together by the Northwest Photography Archive. It’s a collection of photos from various photographers such as Carleton Watkins, Lily White and Sarah Ladd. Its a look in to Oregon’s past and growth during the post industrial revolution era, pristine scenery captured on film at a time when people were just beginning to harness the Columbia for economic growth through trade/fishing, power etc… A definite must see.
Let Them Eat Crack! Banksy round 2
My friend Mikey H. in NYC just Ichatted me saying he just saw the Banksy show mentioned below (Which he said was rad.). He asked me if I have seen photos for the giant rat pieces Banksy did in Soho, they’re all legal too since they are commissioned pieces. Simply put, amazing stuff. Click on for more!
Photo cred: Mikey’s friends Iphone! (more…)
FAT FLAKE PHOTO CONTEST!
Call For Entries
Fat Flake Photo Contest
Categories: Ski and Snowboard
Prizes: $1000 for the best photo in each category.
Deadline for Entry: November 1, 2008
Rules: All entries must have been photographed in Utah during the 2007/2008 season. Images will not be returned. In consideration for participating in the contest, participants agree that Ski Utah, or it’s designate, may publish images without remuneration to the participant in the Fat Flake Photo Contest, in displays associated with the Fat Flake Festival, and on our websites.
Submissions: All photos must be submitted in digital format to fatflakephotos@gmail.com in either RAW format or a minimum 300 ppi and 8×10” .jpg or .tif format. Maximum 2 entries per category.
Sexist or just plain Sexy?
Big buzz of this photo making its rounds on the internet. People are up in arms, blah blah, saying this photo is sexist. I think of it as more distraction from actual issues that the “McPalin” team are not exactly facing head on. But really folks, who cares about politics when you have Miss Alaska ’84’s “gams” to look at? AUUUUUGGGAAAAA!
p.s. 5 bucks says the kid in the photo is more worried about the inflation in his pants than the market.
StudioNemo visits the Innovative+Functional Furniture Show 2008 at PSU
Inovative+Functional Furniture Show 2008 from alex mertz on Vimeo.
A few of us here at StudioNemo took a trip this evening to PSU campus in Portland,OR to check out the Innovative+Functional Funiture Show 2008. Our good friend Dave Seoane was on hand exhibiting his work (killer table Dave.) among 40 other artists. AND HE WON 1ST PLACE!!! There were some very beautiful pieces, some odd, some just weird, but held their own, in their funky little ways. Be sure to check out the show all month long at the Shattuck Bldg. (3rd floor) on the PSU campus. Thanks to all the artists involved! Great work!
While you were sleeping by Plain T
Things got sweet last night at Nemo Design when Glass Candy made a special appearance on stage in Studio Nemo. Ida No and Johnny Jewel rocked a crowd of nearly 300 sweaty Portlanders till late in the night, and stayed after to dance. Here are a few pics of what went down, the rest of the party shots are soon to come, so stay tuned!
StudioNemo on YoBeat.com!!!
YoBeat recently took a keen eye to StudioNemo, and put up the video from our last art show on their site. We love YoBeat and so should you. They are full of content making fun of a world that takes it’s self too seriously at times, I’m talking of the “action sports” world. Some of you know what I mean. Anyways, Holler at YoBeat!
Now that’s growth
One of our many radical clients, Skull Candy received a well earned write up in this months Inc. magazine! They are number 31 of the 500 fastest growing private companies this year! Skull Candy’s bread and butter is audio head phones, but their market definitely focuses on the action sports world, and they sponsor a number of pro riders. Participating in our clients success weather large or small is always what we are after. Congrats Skull Candy!
The Preservation of Fleeting moments by Adrienne DeBoer @ StudioNemo
Adrienne DeBoer Photo Show at StudioNemo from alex mertz on Vimeo.
On 9/5 StudioNemo was proud to present Adreinne DeBoers “The Preservation of Fleeting Moments”. Adrienne explains that she is compelled to create a memory that will be transformed into the tangible before it is too late. Were excited to have her work on our walls, come in to check it out this month.
Vice Photo Annual Review
So, I’ve been stewing over this Vice photo annual for a week or so. Not quite sure what to write. I was slightly disappointed to see the number of hyper-masculine images that graced the pages. I felt like there were an overwhelming number of McGinley nude hipster (no offense to McGinley’s beautiful work), meets American Apparel girls, meets the NRA. One exception that I really appreciated was the Mary Ellen Mark interview. Her work has always intrigued me. Her photo essays are poignant and full of emotion. Vice focused on Streetwise, her photos of homeless kids in Seattle, but I’m partial to her images from Ward 81. We are famous in Oregon for Ken Kesey’s book ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST and it’s portrayal of the Oregon State Asylum. In 1975, Mark was assigned by a magazine to do a story on the making of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, shot on location at the Oregon State Hospital, a mental institution. While there, she met, briefly, the women of Ward 81. She later made them the subjects of her 1979 book Ward 81, where she lived and documented female patients. The work is disturbing, moving and haunting.
CLAREMONT. A Film by: Ari Marcopoulos
Adam Kimmel presents: Claremont HD from adam kimmel on Vimeo.
A Film by: Ari Marcopoulos
Director of Photography: Colin Blackshear
Producer: Neville Wakefield
What is Ari Marcopoulos the author of Transitions and Exits up to today? Ari is a documentary photographer and filmmaker whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Interview, Paper, Blind Spot, and most major snowboarding magazines such as Transworld Snowboarding and Snowboarder.
Hangin with Ari on a Burton shoot in Tinge, France he was abel to smooth talk his way onto the shoot without having any snow skills at all. He showed up with rear entry ski boots and the wackiest steeze for gear. There he is all skinny chilling with the Johan Olsson and the Gucci, smoking them out and getting everyone to embrace his presence. It’s with this family sense of security is when Ari works his magic as a documentarian.
This quote from beastiemania.com outlines his genius.
“The Beastie Boys photos is like a six year period, but I didn’t constantly shoot. The hardest part was when you do a subject like the Beasties, they’re such a popular band that the subject is bigger than you, and it’s almost like you’re riding the wave of them. That was the first thing I considered, then I was like ‘Fuck it, I’m just going to do it.’ and the band was really into it. A lot of these pictures were not taken for assignment or anything. I was just hangin” out with them and going to the studio.” - Ari Marcopoulos
So what do three guys dress in 80’s prom suits have to do with Ari? Colin Blackshear, Patrick Rizzo, Noah Sakamoto, race down Claremont canyon passing a video camera back and forth at break neck speed on skateboards. Ari of course is right there to embrace their brilliance and package it up. This film was produced for Adam Kimmel clothing.
APERTURE - National Photography Workshop
The is nothing more practical for learning than to be surrounded by mentors and get your feet wet. Scott Bourne is leading the charge. Check his G9 videos on his site.
The Aperture Nature Photography Workshops at Olympic, Tetons, Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks will take four groups of professional and amateur photographers to America’s most scenic destinations to make spectacular images while learning how to get the most out of Apple professional photo editing application, Aperture.
Beginning in September 24-27, 2008, a group of four professional photographers will be joined by four amateur photographers at Grand Tetons National Park for unparalleled photo opportunities, followed by first-hand instruction in Apple Aperture by a team of Apple-certified Aperture trainers.
Prizes: Prizes will be awarded to each winning photographer. The prize package is subject to change at the full discretion of the Aperture Nature Photography Workshops.
As of August 1, 2008 the prize package includes but is not limited to:
1 USB Drobo - approximate value $500
1 Lensbaby - approximate value $350
1 Premium subscription to lynda.com value $375
1 set of all current Peachpit Press Photo-related books - approximate value $500
1 ThinkTank 360 Photo Bag - approximate value $350
1 Apple Aperture 2.1 - approximate value $200
1 Lifetime Pro Membership to Photrade - approximate value $500
HOW: Each participant may submit one photograph in total. All images must be digitally uploaded.
WHEN: Submissions open August 15 at Noon, PST and close September 5, 2008 at 5:00 PM, PST.
Questions can be address here:
aperturenatureworkshops@gmail.com
Dave Seoane sizes things up. by Plain T
Photo_Mertz
Dave Seoane, steward and fabrication genius of Nemo Design took it upon himself to create an apple box for one of our favorite photographers, Carlin Sundell. Dave saw opportunity for improvement when he spotted our 6′ 7″ Carlin, sitting awkwardly on a standard size apple box while shooting. So, he created an amazingly beautiful and much more functional box for Carlin. Using Plyboo he designed a sturdy, large, and wild looking apple box for Studio Nemo. Thank you Dave!
Powder & Rails on VBS.TV
Powder & Rails is a new video series on VBS.TV. It covers snowboarding’s early days, day-glo and all! With interviews from Pat Bridges of Snowboarder Magazine, Kevin English of HCSC, Nemo’s own Trevor Graves and many more legends in the game! They give the low down on those days of tindy’s, grassers, eggplants and stiffy mute’s! TUNE IN!