Art of Image

New Blog

2010-05-27T16:36:00.004-04:00

Well it's not that new but I'm just now getting around to letting those that visit this blog that all the new stuff is over here. Come on over!

http://quantzphoto.com/blog/

New Website LIVE!!!

2010-01-27T18:07:00.004-05:00

Now you can enjoy fullscreen images about five times the size of my previous website. Fluid flash to get you where you want to go and a brand new blog. Thanks to Michael at Organic Grid for working tirelessly over the past few weeks to make this site a reality. Please know we're still hanging wallpaper, moving in furniture, and squashing a few bugs but enjoying that 'New Website' smell all the while.

Drop by and let me know what you think:

www.quantzphoto.com

New Website Coming Soon!

2010-01-24T13:02:00.000-05:00

Time Magazine Cover Shot with Red One Camera

2010-01-06T16:06:00.001-05:00

The confetti flies and babies scream as TIME becomes the first major newsmagazine to publish a cover shot captured with the RED One camera.

Model on the Moon

2009-12-29T10:22:00.009-05:00

Here is a composited image from a recent editorial spread. The backdrop was constructed with the help of a lunar diorama photographed at a museum. I was able to shoot from several angles to help with the building of the rest of the moon's surface. The rest was extended by painting and cloning certain areas. The model was photographed in studio and positioned(see below) to fit in the meteorite(I was lucky the museum had one that actually formed a type of chair!). Final adjustments were color correcting, highlighting light and shadow, and adding the little details like NASA camera registration marks, etc.

You can see a few of the images below that were used to create the final image.

Just Back from Photoshop World - Las Vegas

2009-10-05T13:52:00.002-04:00

Great opportunity for some unique photos and a good chance to pick up some nuggets of knowledge. Although there are plenty of distractions in Las Vegas outside of the conference!

All pics(here) taken with an iPhone.

Layer Animation

2009-08-31T18:03:00.001-04:00

Newberry Football Behind the Scenes

2009-08-19T11:49:00.005-04:00

I only had a short window of time from set-up to shooting to breakdown so I apologize for the quality of the only image of the lighting set-up. Brief rundown:

Six lights, 5' octobox camera left, beauty dish camera right, strip boxes on both sides slightly behind player, 2 bare 600w strobes at 45 degree angles behind player. All gear Profoto except for white lightning 800w and beauty dish. All triggered with PW's. Photographed on a black background and backdrops created in PS CS4.

Stir Magazine Fashion Shoot - Behind the Scenes

2009-08-11T16:11:00.002-04:00

Fashion Spread Coming

2009-07-24T13:50:00.003-04:00

Here's a early preview of two of six backdrops I've assembled for an upcoming fashion shoot. These are obviously subject to change after photographing the models in studio. I do hope to have some behind the scenes images and possibly video for the studio and on location sessions. If all goes well final images should be completed in about three weeks.

Hubcaps

2009-07-14T15:55:00.001-04:00

Taken with an iPhone 3GS that I'm hoping does a much better job than
the first generation did as far as resolution is concerned. It is nice
to have selective focus and some cool apps to play around with on the
fly.

Fuji Ad Retouch

2009-07-05T18:13:00.002-04:00

Photo Magic

2009-06-25T15:42:00.005-04:00

I just completed a composited image for a magician. Below are some of the raw images used to create the image. Obviously the location was captured and the model photographed separately. I used three images to create the flowing effect for the cape. The hat was CG and the cards were photographed at MANY different angles.

Search APA Email

2009-06-08T14:37:00.003-04:00

I'm honored great to be included on an email representing so many creative photographers. To see the full email click HERE.

RJ Rocker Beer Ad

2009-04-25T14:20:00.004-04:00

Ad minus copy but I thought I would show the starting point and final bottle image. I was going for the coldest beer imaginable! It is a little removed from my normal compositing work but it was a blast figuring how to make it work.

All the effects were created in PS CS4.

(Update)

My Latest Purchase

2009-03-17T16:10:00.005-04:00

I just placed my order on Amazon for Joe McNally's latest book focusing on small flashes. I'll admit I'm a little out of touch with the techniques as I'm more apt to haul a generator and sets of Profotos heads on location. For me I feel this book will give me a great opportunity to gain more knowledge using the small Nikon flashes and the CLS system. Luckily, in this case, I do use Nikon equipment.

Who knows, it may just save my ass one day if I have some equipment failure. In addition, I always enjoy studying lighting techniques used by a master in the business....and Joe is an entertaining writer as well.

The Getaway Before and After

2009-02-03T10:22:00.004-05:00

Maybe I should have said "After and then Before.". The lighting for this image consisted of five lights. I placed two strip lights in a horizontal position at the front on either side of the hood. Their placement had to be adjusted due to the shadow cast from the rearview mirror. From the back of the car was a beauty dish used to illuminate her face. Above immediate camera right I used a ringflash for fill. The final light was used to brighten the backdrop and it fired from a turtle stand on the other side of the vehicle.

Elephants On the Loose

2009-02-03T10:18:00.004-05:00

New billboard campaign for Midas has started appearing. I never realized how hard it is to get a clear shot of a billboard...

Annie Leibovitz on YouTube

2009-01-19T10:31:00.002-05:00

So after reading today's post on Strobist linking to another Annie video I found myself not only watching that particular video but many more in the "related videos" section. I linked to the one above which shows three different setups for Marie Antoinette. It is really an incredible thing to have such access to these shoots via YouTube.

Of course trying to catch the lighting setups is fun but I really enjoy listening to her interact with the talent on set as well as her crew. Just like anyone else she has things go wrong with equipment, feels the pinch of time losing sunlight, and struggles with wardrobe. Her insights while conducting the image capture as well as afterwards is really educational to watch.

Even more telling is how she is perceived by the editor of Vogue, Anna Wintour. "Budget is not something that enters into her consciousness but it is worth it because at the end of the day she gives you an image that nobody else can because she just cares so much....she cares.....she cares."

Wonderful Machine Blog

2008-11-21T11:04:00.004-05:00

Thanks to everyone at Wonderful Machine for saying nice things about me on their blog. With the talent on their roster I'm really honored to gain a little mention. If you have a few minutes to kill click over and check out some of the fantastic work being created by many of the listed photographers.

Wonderful Machine

Visit to the Southwest

2008-11-17T17:31:00.004-05:00

I spent five days last week covering 2200 miles over four states(Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah) gathering imagery. It was quite a blitz to cover that much territory(I was only pulled once!) but a worthwhile journey to replenish some of my image libraries. It was really therapeutic to get out and actually spend so much time with my cameras. The image above is one from Canyonlands National Park and I hope to add more here in the near future.

New York City Skyline at Sunset

2008-10-30T18:15:00.006-04:00

Three images combined from the top of Rockefeller Center. If I remember correctly the exposures were around two seconds so the mini-joby tripod and self timer came in handy. I'm also making use of the new vibrance control in PS CS4.

AfterCapture Profile and Interview

2008-10-20T17:37:00.005-04:00

Look for me in this month's AfterCapture magazine. I'll admit I was quite flattered to be chosen for a profile/interview by this magazine. I stumbled across it at last year's PhotoPlus Expo and have been a happy subscriber ever since. It is one of those magazines I always try and find time to read.

You can see it on the web here.

Air Shows

2008-10-17T10:36:00.006-04:00

Leopard

2008-10-08T13:28:00.005-04:00

Raw:

Where have I been...?

2008-09-25T14:29:00.003-04:00

This was posted on Monday(and I missed the build up as well) at Vincent Laforet's blog. The short film was all captured with the new Canon 5d MKII prototype. Check it out and be prepared to be amazed.

Fall Promos

2008-09-16T12:12:00.003-04:00

Just a quick picture of today's stack as they make their way into the mail. I'm hoping they all find good homes and not the trash can!

Storck Bicycle Image

2008-09-03T10:15:00.004-04:00

"Is it a Crime to Destroy Your Competition?"

Who knew bicycles could cost as much as $20,000? Not me, but I will say after having this bike in the studio, it is one sick ride. This guy is so crazy light your grandmother could carry it with one hand.

Above is the first of three ads for Storck to be completed and should be in the upcoming issue of Bicycling Magazine. The urban backdrop was photographed from several different locations and the bike was captured in studio. Although it appears different, no other bikes were harmed during the making of this image.

The Changing World of Photography - Nikon D90

2008-08-27T11:33:00.005-04:00

Wow, how cool is this? Now a camera that can record HD video! Although I use Nikon equipment I strongly believe it is not the camera that makes the photographer but Nikon seems to be on quite a roll lately. I primarily use D300s since I'm normally on location and the performance to size factor is hard to beat with that camera. It's been less than a year with the D300 technology but I will soon be moving to the D700 which offers a full frame sensor and camera very close to the size of the D300. This new addition, the D90, is suddenly very tempting to have in the bag as well if just to capture cool video during a shoot.

Check out Chase Jarvis and his team work it through the motions in yet another too cool video.

Seven Steps for Developing Originality

2008-08-22T13:44:00.001-04:00

Great post over at PSDtuts.com. If you aren't familiar with the site I highly recommend it.

Article LINK

Professional Business Practices 7th Edition

2008-08-20T16:16:00.003-04:00

It's out:

Link

Stranded(cont.)

2008-08-18T12:54:00.006-04:00

Two more companion images in the series. Once again, you can see below the raw scouting image used for the right side composite. Oh, and a note on the posted scouting images - they are totally unprocessed raw files downsized and converted to JPEGS for this blog. Therefore, the quality you see on here is degraded a good bit. They are captured with a keen emphasis on exposure and composition in relation to a pre-conceived idea. Those are the building blocks and if the quality is not there from the start it is hard to do anything worthwhile with them in the future.

(Actually now that I've looked back at the posted images below the one on the right is taken from a slightly different angle and it not posted below - but hopefully you get the idea!)

Stranded

2008-08-15T16:53:00.005-04:00

You can see the background below from my post on capturing images while scouting locations.

Two Great Blog Posts

2008-08-07T10:38:00.002-04:00

I've just come across these in the past two days and thought I would share them. Both of these blogs are must reads for photographers so bookmark them if you already haven't.

Chase's video breaking down a commercial photoshoot:

Chase Jarvis Blog

Joe's incredible story behind a photograph:

Joe McNally Blog

Client Retouch - Annual Report Cover

2008-08-06T10:00:00.006-04:00

To interpret the scribble; perspective corrected, remove cars, stop sign, street sign, hand rail, and large street post with lights. Street and foreground darkened while maintaining color on the building.

Just a note on the perspective adjustment: I was lucky to have photographed several angles of the building so that I was able to combine two images to give me the added space on the sides to use the perspective adjustment in the free transform tool.

The Next Step

2008-08-05T15:21:00.003-04:00

Raw Scouting Images

2008-08-04T16:39:00.004-04:00

When I find a interesting location I like I do my best to cover it from all angles since I don't exactly know how I may use it in the future. One thing I do know is that it is always best to get it "right" in camera. These are just 5 of 70 images I captured in this location.

Tip: Flying? Don't forget your camera!

2008-07-24T11:57:00.004-04:00

Secondly, try and reserve the window seat. Where else can you get your own cloud backgrounds at 30,000 feet?

DVD Tutorial in Production

2008-07-16T10:28:00.005-04:00

I just wanted to let everyone know I am working on a tutorial that will be based on my photographic and photoshop techniques.

Aspects that will be covered include:

My workflow in the field when capturing images

Selections(How do you wrangle wild animals from their backgrounds?)

Layer styles

Lighting and luminosity masking(Bringing depth and drama to your images!)

Color balance

Layer masking

Perspective(making sure elements in a composite look correct!)

Techniques used to finalize the illusion after all the elements are in place.

There will be several additions to this list added during the process of putting everything together. If you have any suggestions or specifics you would like included please feel free to leave them in the comments or send me an email.

Oh, and thanks Dave (Cross) for including me in your post on Scott Kelby's website!

PC Photo July/August

2008-07-08T11:28:00.002-04:00

Hot Pursuit

2008-07-06T17:48:00.003-04:00

1993-2008

2008-07-03T10:10:00.006-04:00

Rest in peace my companion and best friend...

Wonderful Machine

2008-06-29T18:11:00.007-04:00

Hire Me

www.wonderfulmachine.com

Before the Action

2008-06-26T12:19:00.006-04:00

To spice things up just add a crazy re-enactor, a few helicopters, buildings, and a police car.

Eagle

2008-06-19T12:30:00.003-04:00

Mid-Day Sun = Best Time for Infrared

2008-05-29T10:02:00.004-04:00

If you want to keep creating imagery during the mid-day hours when the sun is not in an optimal position for good dimension and color, infrared is the way to go. This image was taken around noon and the view was actually very hazy. Infrared just gives you another creative option for such situations. Now with the ability to convert digital cameras, this technique is amazingly easy when compared to using infrared film. Before, you had to be really careful not to fog IR film which meant using changing bags, film canisters, and storing in a refrigerator. Not to mention now being able to skip the entire darkroom process!

Equipment Used: Infrared converted Nikon D70s, 18-70mm lens, and a polarizing filter.

Camera conversion was completed by Life Pixel.

If you have any further questions or comments just leave them in the comments section and I will do my best to address them here(or there).

Amazing Stories Behind Amazing Photographs

2008-05-20T14:52:00.001-04:00

Fantastic site here.

It's Alive!

2008-05-19T14:07:00.000-04:00

New url: www.quantzphoto.com

NAPP Email Ads

2008-05-13T10:33:00.004-04:00

I'm posting these for those that stay on top of their memberships since they won't ever see them:

Location, Location, Location...

2008-05-07T11:17:00.003-04:00

Behind Enemy Lines

2008-04-28T15:42:00.003-04:00

Swedish Interview

2008-04-21T13:06:00.003-04:00

Unfortunately, not with the bikini team but a young wiz-kid, Erik Bernskiold.

Link

¡Hola Mexico!

2008-04-11T15:48:00.003-04:00

Since being alerted of my imagery being posted on many international blogs as of late, my new hobby is tracking traffic to my website to see where people are coming from. One of the more recent hits lead me back to this well constructed blog in Mexico run by Ben Olivares.

Link

Anyone Speak Russian?

2008-03-28T10:53:00.006-04:00

A routine check of my website traffic turned up a lengthy list of European visitors(see below) so I knew something was up. It appears someone has posted a set of my images on a Russian photo website. It does credit me with the work and appears to have a system for visitors to rate what they see. On second thought, seeing how I appear to only be receiving 2 out of 5 stars, maybe I'll skip the translation.

Charlotte Skyline

2008-03-25T18:31:00.005-04:00

Just back from an annual report job at Carolinas Medical Center and since I can't seem to get away from hospitals these days, I thought I would share an image looking out from the roof.

The Great Screensaver Hunt

2008-03-19T09:20:00.002-04:00

Anyone remember the "flying toasters"?

Speechless

2008-03-07T14:21:00.004-05:00

It's been quite a week of acknowledgement for me and being mentioned in Scott Kelby's blog has to be the biggest surprise.

See it here: Link

Web Resources and DVD Tutorials

2008-03-05T21:47:00.003-05:00

There are some great resources to be found online for help with Photoshop. Here are a few place I participate or "lurk" in:

NAPP website & forums
www.retouchpro.com
www.dpreview.com - retouching forum
www.psdtuts.com
www.kelbytraining.com

By request, and in no particular order, here are some of the DVD's I have accumulated along the way:

Advanced Masking Techniques - K Eismann
Working with Adjustment Layers - K. Eismann
Welcome to OZ Lessons Four, Five, & Seven - V. Versace
Artistic Expression - Trimoon
Photoshop Top Secret Series

And Google is a great resource to search for certain effects you are wanting to accomplish.

Composite Animation

2008-03-05T14:45:00.002-05:00

Extreme Rhino Makeover: Paint with Light

2008-02-27T09:33:00.004-05:00

Vanishing Habitat - Backdrop

2008-02-26T10:55:00.005-05:00

"Aerial Photography"

2008-02-20T11:35:00.004-05:00

Research, Research, Research...

2008-02-19T18:49:00.003-05:00

Since I've been receiving emails about some of the techniques I use in my imagery I thought I would share some of the book titles I currently use as a reference when it comes to working in Photoshop.

Books (In no particular order):

Photoshop CS2-3 book for Digital Photographers - Scott Kelby

Down & Dirty Tricks Series(all the way back to 6) - Scott Kelby

Photoshop Masking & Compositing - K. Eismann

How to Cheat in PS - Steve Caplin

Photoshop Most Wanted - Ward & Smith

Advance Photoshop CS3 Trickery & FX - Burns

Adobe PS Master Class - Caponigro

Digital Wizardry - Allen

Photoshop LAB Color - Dan Margulis

In a future post, I'll add DVDs and Websites but feel free to add your suggestions as well.

"Hellcat!" Some Parts, Pieces, and a Bit of History

2008-02-07T16:22:00.000-05:00

Since I've been receiving some questions on the pieces of this image I thought I would share a few and add a little commentary as well.

The idea was to put together a WWII era composite that would tend to be on the dramatic side. If you've ever watched the brave pilots bringing in their wounded aircraft you have seen the depiction I was after here. Those were obviously some tense moments for everyone involved and they usually didn't take place during a battle as I have re-created here. Of course the LSO didn't stand right out on the landing area but for effect that is right where I placed him. To maintain some authenticity I did my share of watching old films and I included a few screen captures I used for reference.

Deck of the USS Yorktown(Yes, it was reversed for the image - the #10 was a bit tricky):

Hellcat Model(I was actually able to spin the prop and photograph it's rotation without enhancing it in Photoshop):

Dog Tags & Signal Paddles(Made from shop rags and soft copper tubing which was spray-painted metallic gray):

Historical Reference Images:

LSO(Landing Signal Operator)

Anti-Aircraft Fire:

Plane on Fire

Laptop Generation

2008-01-30T17:52:00.001-05:00

I thought I would share some humor I came across in today's paper. Having had a gallery show recently I can fully relate. Some people had a hard time accepting the fact that some of my pieces were not retouched at all....moreover even captured with film!

The Making of a Composite:

2008-01-22T15:13:00.001-05:00

For those that are interested I thought I would show the parts to one of my composited images - a little peak behind the curtain I guess you could say. First and foremost it is important to start off with a plan or structure of the final image. This can be in your head or methodically drawn out prior to beginning the process. I can't draw so my head is my only option for better or worse. While composing, it is a matter of paying attention to lighting, size ratio of objects, and overall composition. I tend to start big and crop in.

Background:

Sky:

Mailboxes: If you notice, these were flipped to match the lighting of the background. I also had to "open" one of the boxes.

Letters & Paper:

Baboons(Cast):

Big Time

2007-11-07T17:21:00.000-05:00

You know you've hit the big time when you first make an attempt at a blog and secondly, this is what you're looking at on the way to your last photo job. I guess this is a good time(considering its my first posting) to let everyone know I am operating out of SC. To my state's credit this van, with dinner strapped to the spare tire, was headed to NC!