My First Bike: The Lucy Hobbs Project Motorcycle

I'm embarrassed to say that it's been a little over a year since my last post. I guess a mix of busy, lack of content and (of course) laziness have all been factors. But with a new year comes a fresh start! I spent tonight designing a new look for my blog and working on some ideas for future content.

For my first post of 2014, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about my favorite project of 2013.

The Lucy Hobbs Project (a Benco-created network for women in dentistry) worked with Paul Jr. Design to create a bike that they could raffle off to benefit the Smiles for Success Foundation. I had the unique pleasure to meet Paul Jr. and visit his workshop. Even though I'm not a bike guy, the place was pretty incredible and Paul Jr. couldn't have been more welcoming. 

The final product was delivered to our CenterPoint HQ and eventually to our studio. I never shot a motorcycle before, let alone a 10' chopper, so I was both excited and nervous. It wasn't the lighting that I was concerned about, but a fun thing called specular density or specular reflection. Basically, the light and image captured off of a reflective surface. Whatever light I was pushing at this bike was going to make or break the shot. It was so damn shiny!

After some research, I found that the best way to throw light onto a bike, car...etc. seemed to be with a large, flat rectangle box(es). This would give a smooth line of light back to the camera. I went online to find a soft box that we could purchase that would work for this, but ended up with some gaff tape, cardboard and about $13 worth of tin foil instead. Why buy when you can make?

HUGE thanks to my then co-worker Craig on this. Couldn't have done it without him. Man knows how to work cardboard.

Craig working at the first base. Something around 4'x2'. 

Benco Dental Company Photo Day

Admittedly, this wasn't a very recent project. This was shot some time mid-summer, but I just ran across it today at work and wanted to share.

Sally Cohen, wife of the chairman of Benco, decided she wanted to capture a photo of every associate that worked at the CenterPoint headquarters in a giant group shot. You'd think that even with a headcount of 400ish people, it still wouldn't be too tough to organize a 30 minute set up and shoot. However, more than half of the associates work in a call center, which can't be shut down during the day or have a majority of the people off the phones at once.

So, my concept went from one shot of a huge group to multiple group shots and the magic of Photoshop. The only room in the entire building to shoot was a section of the warehouse. It took around 8 hours to tape off the entire floor.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a full taped shot. This is after we tried (and failed) to pull all the tape off.

Photo Shoot: U Penn Dental School - Keep a Breast

Since Hurricane Sandy slammed the east coast, a lot of the projects I had were rightfully postponed. One being a shoot at the University of Pennsylvania Dental School for Benco's fuchsia gloves and masks supporting the Keep A Breast foundation.

This morning I quickly got to work to grab the Canon 7D and 580 flash (forgot them last night) and hit the road for Philly. Thankfully, the appointment was at 11am, so no need to get up ultra early.

The ride was quick and easy. Of course, since GPS' worry more about quickest route rather than taking you through the WORST possible neighborhoods, I relied on my old route through town to get me there. In my limited experience of the area, Girard Ave. is only for people who want to go to the zoo or get car jacked. 

Eventually, I arrived to the school. The best part was, this was right down the road to my good friend Matt's old apartment! I spent a good month and change on his floor, so I knew this area pretty well.

Photo Shoot: Larry's Collection - Amalgamator

For the Winter edition of the Incisal Edge, the ONLY magazine dental professionals should read, EVER, I had the "opportunity" to shoot the lastest photo for Larry's Collection. Now, I know I'm not from New York, but I think it turned out pretty good.

This article is based on the dental equipment that Larry Cohen (Chairman of Benco Dental) has collected over the years. I can honestly say, a lot of the old equipment is actually pretty cool and quite terrifying. Some of the pieces in his collection are the reason people are scared shitless of the dentist. Thankfully, the Amalgamator wasn't that scary. Hopefully, I'll shoot one of the 1930's drill pieces sometime soon. Yikes.

Anyhow, Here's the product.

Sonic Healthier

Last weekend my good friend Jason's brother, Matt, approached us with a concept for a project. He's currently at Temple studying advertising and needed a mock commercial for his campaign class. The objective: create a "classic" two goofy guys commercial at the Sonic drive-in.

The script (written by Matt) was fun and quick, which worked out well since we basically gave ourselves a two hour window to get this shot, cut and posted. We managed to cruise though the shooting (Canon 7D, 24fps, 1080p,
Tamron 17-55mm f/2.8 lens). Thankfully, the 17mm was just enough to get us both in frame during the wide shot.

Here was the final edit. Enjoy!

Aleah and Anthony

I can't say I've had much experience with kid photos, but this had to be one of my favorite shoots to date. Aleah and Anthony (accompanied by their mother and my good friend Amy) were a blast. We started around 9am at Frances Slocum State Park in Dallas, PA. The leaves and weather were perfect.

However, Aleah was not feeling it. Anthony, on the other hand, was a ham! He was ready for the morning.

I shot with my Canon 7D and the 24-105 L lens with a 580 EXII flash. Don't get me wrong, I brought an entire portable studio with me, but the energy in these two kids didn't leave time for any changes!

Anthony made a few hilarious kid jokes which got his sister out of her shell.