Archive for the ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ Category
PhotoKamp 2013 Promo Trailer
Everyday, more and more up-and-coming photographers write me asking about PhotoKamp. So I figured, why not let past attendees tell you for themselves?
In this video, you’ll get a first-hand look at a PhotoKamp experience, seen from the eyes of our photographers. I am eternally grateful to these talented artists for sharing their experiences with others, and I am so proud of them for the innovative ways they’ve exploring their artistic visions, both at PhotoKamp and since graduation.
Our next PhotoKamp takes place in Germany on August 23-25. Early signup pricing is in effect until June 1. For more information, as well as a look back at past workshops, visit PhotoKamp.com!
CREDITS:
Edited by Daniel U. Magana
Videography by David Rivera and Jessica Whitehead for SlickforceStudio
Tip Tuesday: Don’t Risk It
Professionals understand that no art is worth risking the safety of their models and crew. This behind-the-scenes image captures the making of a seemingly dangerous shot. What you don’t see are the pre-planning, the permits, the insurance policies, and the strategically positioned lookouts (in both directions) “just in case.” Never attempt a shot like this without taking redundant safety precautions.
(Photo taken at UltimateGraveyard. For location rental information, visit UltimateGraveyard.com.)
VIDEO: The Making of SlickforceGirl: Arctic Spy Nazanin
Here’s a brand spanking new video taking you behind-the-scenes on the making of Arctic Spy Nazanin’s shoot. Model Nazanin Mandi slipped into the espionage-themed shoot with remarkable ease, making us all wonder if this whole modeling thing is just a cover.
This shoot day was a particularly large production, as we photographed several of the SlickforceGirls in one day. My thanks to the amazing team that helped us pull it off!
CREDITS:
Model: Nazanin Mandi
Photographed & Produced by Nick Saglimbeni
Hair by Al Ingram
Make-up by Therese Williams
Styling by Diana Chan
Vintage Faux Fur: stylist’s own.
WMB 3D’s Warehouse Wonderland Makes Sony World Photo 3D Finals!
This morning, we were notified that an image from our 3D fashion feature, Warehouse Wonderland, made the finals at the Sony World Photo Awards in the 3D Category. The piece, entitled “Breakthrough,” was featured in Issue 2 of WMB 3D: World’s Most Beautiful in 2012.
This is the second year we’ve been recognized by Sony and the WPO. In 2012, we won the Grand Prize in 3D for our fashion piece, Nuclear Summer, also shot for WMB 3D (See pics from last year’s award win here.) It is an honor to be in such esteemed company as our fellow nominees, and it is a personal thrill for me to see our wonderful art house get recognized for its landmark achievements in 3D photography.
I also must thank our team for helping me create this beautiful image. Fashion model Aryn Livingston graciously allowed me to dirty her up in the industrial warehouse. Genius stylist Monica Rose wowed us all again with her out-of-this-world wardrobe styling. Hair stylist Gio Campora and make-up artist Gaby Ramos Torellâthe same glam squad that brought you our globally-reknowned desert shoot with Bollywood superstar Mallika Sherawat, returned to lend their enormous talents and create their signature brand of magic. My thanks to WMB 3D Executive Publisher Howard Misle and the WMB staff, and to the entire Saglimbeni3DÂ technical team, including lead engineer German Pinchevsky, post-production supervisor Joyce Park, production coordinator Kevin Savarese, and art director Clint Davis.
Read more about our Sony WPO nomination on FStoppers.com, and watch the making of Warehouse Wonderland below!
WMB 3D: 02 Warehouse Wonderland High Fashion from Nick Saglimbeni on Vimeo.
Tip Tuesday: Shutter Down
Skies are much bluer when they are not overexposed. Close your shutter down as far as it will go (while still allowing strobe exposure), then increase your light power to a key level that keeps the subject and the environmental exposures balanced.
(Photo taken at PhotoKamp 3. For upcoming dates on PhotoKamp workshops, visit PhotoKamp.com)
Harbin, China and the City of Ice
The first time I saw pictures on the web of the Ice City in Harbin, I nearly lost my mind. I had never seen so many vivid colors contrasting against the night sky, and I couldn’t believe it was real.
I made my first trip in 2007, and I recently returned from my second visit to photograph the city, this time in 3D. Harbin is a mid-size city (relative to mega-populated Chinese cities, anyway) in northeastern China. Each year, they hold an Ice and Snow Festival which boasts lifesize castles, cathedrals, labyrinths of caves and tunnels, and even a few heated(!) restaurants where you can stop to eat. I was particularly fascinated by the “___ on a stick” cart, because, as I quickly discovered, there is no discernible taste difference between subzero meat on a stick and subzero fruit on a stick, or anything else subzero and on a stick for that matter.
Even if you’re not into frozen meat-sticks, traveling to Harbin still comes with it’s share of adventure. The temperatures hover around minus 25 degrees Centigrade, and each time I removed my gloves to attempt a Twitpic, I found my hands instantly numbed by the cold. Condensation also formed regularly on my camera lenses, making these long exposures even trickier than usual. Here a preview of my trip, though these images can only attempt to convey the sheer scale of the structures. Look for a few tiny people silhouettes in the shots. Enjoy!
PHOTOS:
1-7: Ice City!
8-9: Cold!!!
10: Dragon Fruit!
11: Starbucks lesser-known Chinese counterpart, USABucks.
12: Frozen meat on a stick!
SlickforceGirl Touches Down in Afghanistan
In early December, the SlickforceGirl team reached out to several battalions of deployed U.S. troops overseas to find out what items they needed in the field. Our team put together more than a dozen care packages and shipped them out just before Christmas. Over the last few weeks, we’ve begun to receive confirmations of package arrivals in various destinationsâmany of them delivered by helicopter to the most remote of locationsâincluding this photo from an undisclosed Air Force base in Afghanistan. It shows Airman Amico and two of his fellow airmen, cheered on by SlickforceGirl Erika.
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to the men and women who risk their lives everyday for others. Your bravery in the most dangerous situations continues to inspire us, and it is a sobering reminder of just how many freedoms we take for granted as civilians. Be safe, and we wish you a speedy journey home.
Tip Tuesday: Get Your Power Shot
Get to know your generator. There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of nowhere and realizing you don’t have ample power to get the shot. Most portable generators cannot run at full or unbalanced loads, so be sure to pad a little extra amperage into your calculations.
Stay tuned each Tuesday for more photography and lighting tips right here at NickSaglimbeni.com, and be sure to join me in Germany this August for PhotoKamp!
Zero-Gravity: Making Vanessa Fly for SlickforceGirl
Alright guys, this might be my favorite SlickforceGirl video yet. You’ve seen the beautiful Vanessa Veasley in harness training, and she’s walked you through her spaceship set. Now, go backstage with SlickforceGirl Stunt Coordinator Alex Wen as we put it all together and make Vanessa fly. So proud of Vanessa for being a consummate professional and a tough-as-nails trooper on this intense shootâI can’t even imagine how uncomfortable it is hanging from a string, but she makes it look easy.
This is probably the most fun I’ve ever had on set. My thanks to Alex Wen, the entire SlickforceStudio team, glam squad Gaby Ramos Torell, Al Ingram and Diana Chan, and everyone who made this shoot possible. Up, up and away!
The Making of the 2012 Kardashian/Jenner Christmas Card
Since 2010, I’ve been helping the Kardashian family create their brand of Christmas magic with their annual holiday card. In 2010 and 2011, the family opted for a more dramatic theme, and so I did my best to create that with the lighting, blocking and pose direction. This year, Kim wanted a much happier vibe, something with lots of energy. She also wanted everyone in white.
As any photographer or cinematographer knows, capturing perfect skin tones with white wardrobe usually comes down to a compromise between skin underexposure and protecting white highlights from clipping. However, after years of experimentation, I finally accepted that I just don’t like the way underexposed skin looks, even with exposure levels corrected in Lightroom. When shooting any of my clients, skin glow is almost always my top goal, above even wardrobe.
The three-day mega-shoot spanned the country, beginning in Miami in October and ending in LA just two weeks ago. For my team, that meant tracking detailed setup parameters to insure family members not photographed in Miami could be seamlessly added to the final image.
Most of you who follow my work know that I rarely talk about my lighting setups. This week, however, UK journalist Jon Severs persuaded me to discuss the lighting of the Christmas card, and I went into a surprising amount of detail, more than I ever have before. You can read the interview here.
I’ve attached my actual lighting diagram below, please take a moment to appreciate the fine chicken scrawl. And enjoy these wonderful behind-the-scenes images taken by photographers Joyce Park, Scot Fortino and Kate Garfield for SlickforceStudio.
My thanks to Kris, Kim and the entire Kardashian/Jenner family for allowing me to capture the card & help create such a festive moment in their lives!
CREDITS: Makeup by Mario Dedivanovic and Rob Scheppy. Hair by Clyde Haygood and Scott Cunha. Photographed at Temple House in Miami and at SlickforceStudio in Los Angeles.