August 12, 2013 – ©2013 Martin Trailer

Catching up with my postings at the Daily Photo Game.  Have a look to see the whole collection at http://DailyPhotoGame.com

I was thinking as my turn approached  I would shake it up a little.  I was thinking of doing “opposites” and I did make some images that included orange, bird food and dry feeling subjects.

They were good, but one in particular would have made some people uneasy, so I was still thinking of new images.

I play racquetball nearly everyday, today is no exception.  Upon leaving, it occurred to me, “my” blues were the game ball and my blue car.  The racquet and tape guard just give it a little texture.

There is one other blue not shown, and that would be the black and blue bruise when that little blue ball contacts you at speed. None today!

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July 23, 2013 – ©2013 Martin Trailer

This is my contribution for the Daily Photo Game, July 23, 2013.

Based on the previous image, I see;
- Orb
- Orange Orb
- Earth, tiny
- Satillites
- Universe
- Stars
- Sky

Check!

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Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs is founding chairman and CEO Emeritus for Qualcomm Incorporated.

Creating a comfortable, safe space when shooting a CEO can be a challenge especially when in their space and/or when there is a gallery of employees watching.  It is not any different if you were the subject out in the public square. The secret to get them comfortable and authentic is to get them to focus on something other than “they are on camera”.  Here is a well liked CEO, Dr. Irwin Jacobs co-founder of Qualcomm using and focused on the new, at the time, “Q phone” and myself.

After several other spec’ed shots by the public relations people, I explained to him my idea and he was intrigued. I described to him I would be shooting a very slow shutter, so the people would be a blur and he would be sharp in focus and would be independently lit. He would have to stand very still and comfortably. I suggested a stance with one bent knee (subjects can pass out with locked knees) and looking up two floors above in the HQ lobby, disregarding all the people around.  This was the last shot of the day and based on the number of times it has been published, the most successful.  Takes time to get the subject to relax, get comfortable and reveal their personality, authenticity.

When the you need to photograph a business executive, getting some background about the person can help immeasurably making the photograph exceptional.

Comfortable, assured and authentic.

Comments welcome.

Martin Trailer, is a commercial/advertising photographer based in Southern California, working for clients worldwide.  A working photographer for over 30 years, Martin has regularly provided thoughtfully produced photographs adding value for clients worldwide.  Starting out in the newspaper business, covering general news, events, sports, professional and college often on tight deadlines honing the skill of finding “the” authentic shot.  Over the years as a commercial/self-employed photographer, projects include advertising, collateral, corporate annual reports, multimedia and editorial types of media and consisting of autos, food, tabletop, fashion, architecture and destinations, all culminating on a focus of people and the authenticity of the person(s). Personal projects include most anything vintage themed and especially vintage trailers and there owners.  Authenticity creates value for the client, person, product or service.  All images are registered with the US Copyright office.  See more of Martin’s work at http://MartinTrailer.com

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Red Baron, the man with the most "helmet tickets" in the country with his new bike, wearing pink SDPD and yellow CHP no helmet tickets. ©Martin Trailer

This authentic portrait is of “The Red Baron”.  I was to make a portrait of a “biker” and private investigator working for a national law firm that defended motorcyclists who refuse to wear a helmet, for Blvd Magazine as a feature story.  Red has the record for the most “no helmet” tickets in the country and rode a custom Harley Davidson chopper, with his red hair in the wind.  Unfortunately, it had been recently stolen and replaced with a new stock bike.  The only customization was the skull face on the headlight, so far.

Prep included creating a suit of tickets he collected, pink on the top issued by San Diego Police Department and the yellow on the bottom issued by the California Highway Patrol.

When preparing for any portrait, the interview of the subject or review of the story line is important, so all the elements come together and to insure their “buy-in” to the visual solution.  This will begin the process of creating a safe space for them which is one of the keys to getting an authentic portrait.

Your pre-visualization needs to happen well in advance of the shoot time, not when your subject is there in front of the camera. Shoot time is when the photographer makes them comfortable to insure an authentic look and feel.

Authentic, cool and confident.

Comments welcome.

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Linda Stirling, SVP RBC Wealth Management

This authentic portrait of Linda Stirling was featured in a group of financial advisors recognized for service to the community.  Linda was hosting a grief support group for mothers who are dealing with the death of a child.

Working around her scheduled meeting of mothers, a tight deadline and exploring a few shot variations, the last one with the group waiting for her was the best.

She is in her element allowing others in and at ease.  Authentic.

To read the article, Click here.

Comments welcome.

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Jay Ahrend, photographer and all around good guy. © Martin Trailer

This is the first of a series of blog posts about portraits depicting interesting people, be it faces, their work or general character of the individual.  Portraits can be shot informally on the fly or full blown productions outside or in a studio and everything in between.

Portraits are made from both a point of view and with a point of view.  If the client is the subject, then the client will likely want the best of their assets highlighted.  The case of a business portrait, the client being a business entity, would want the subject looking good, but also reflecting the professionalism and brand of the business.  Editorial portraits will illustrate the subject, but also tie photograph to the story.  Unconnected generic editorial portraits typically look out of place and have the potential of undermining the credibility of the story and publication.

Jay Ahrend with his favorite hat. © Martin Trailer

Anyone can photograph a person, but the style, essence, comfort and situation of the person illustrated in the final photograph takes time, time to develop a safe space for the subject being photographed. Without the safe space, it is unlikely they will allow their emotion or personality to come through so the viewer feels connected to the person. When photographing people, creating a safe space for the subject being photographed is a learned skill.  It is not something that is learned quickly, but developed over time and practiced countless times.  It is one of the skills that separates both photographs and photographers from good enough, to illustrative and knowing what needs to happen to consistently make a photograph that connects to the viewer.

As with any endeavor, knowledge, practice and perseverance will prevail.  With enough practice and focusing on the ends, as with any pursuit, you too can get the connectable images. For those familiar with the theory of “10,000 hours” understand it takes time to develop any skill set.

Getting to the connected look and feel is my style of work where part of the personality comes through and convinces the viewer of the sincerity of the person portrayed.  The complexity of each of us, serious, sad, mad, happy, on and on in the final photograph is what clients expect.

Stay tuned.

Comments welcome.

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I have attended others vintage trailer shows, including early Saturday mornings (before the public is invited), never having a problem, but many folks were just rolling out of their trailers and not ready for the general public. (lot’s of funny retro pajamas)

Staying overnight during the event was very different.  First, you meet the others in a different context on Friday into the evening and night.  A big bonus was being there late at night.  Having never stayed that long, the place does not go down for the night early.  Everyone seemed to be moving about, socializing around the park, bonding, trailerite to trailerite.  With my buddy Eliot Crowley, an Airstream owner, we joined in with the Central Coast Airstream group for some socializing.   In good fun, I was labeled an “SOB” since I have a Shasta in the restoration process.  SOB standing for, “some other brand”.

Walking around at night without the crowds, camera and tripod was great fun. Along with a beautiful night, moderate temps we were surrounded by thunderstorms and open skies above.

Below are a few examples.

Airsteam, Buellton, CA ©2011 Martin Trailer

Vintage Airstream, Buellton, CA ©2011 Martin Trailer

Spartan Manor, Buellton, CA ©2011 Martin Trailer

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This is in my series of visuals illustrating “You know you’re Trailer Trash when” jokes.

You know you’re Trailer Trash when,

you keep flea and tick soap in the shower.

Flea and tick soap in the shower, with accessories. ©2010 Martin Trailer

Creating bold images,

getting people to talk.

Call today to begin investing in visual conversations.
858-549-8881 or Email Martin

CHECK OUT THE PORTFOLIO HERE

Bold Branding takes thought provoking images that are born outside of the box.

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Illustrating “Trailer Trash” jokes is pretty unconventional branding for a visual communicator, photographer, based on conventional wisdom, but the images that come to mind relating to the jokes are memorable and very entertaining.  Thinking “outside of the box” is what creative people do to get people, products and services noticed.  How can I not take advantage of being blessed with a noun for a last name. (Here is another fun name, Hogshead)

This is the first of many visuals illustrating “Trailer” humor in the works.

Enjoy, comment, criticize, critic and share.

Thanks in advance.

Martin (Yep) Trailer

You know you’re Trailer Trash when;

When you get excited moving up to color in the outhouse.

New Color Catalog in the outhouse

Call today to begin investing in visual conversations.
858-549-8881 or Email Martin

CHECK OUT THE PORTFOLIO HERE

Bold Branding takes thought provoking images that are born outside of the box.

Branding

-per Merriam Webster

-per Wikopedia

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Now not being a gardener of significance, but having raised my share of vegetables and tomatoes every year and cared for basic shrubbery and lawns comparatively my find was definitely alien.

I decided to explore it with a camera and am sharing those discoveries along with a bit of prose.

First is a close-up of the covering;

Leathery base

This looks more like crumpled seamless background paper, but does have umber tones of earthy dirt, but not the really good black stuff.

Second shot is of the growth itself emanating from the leathery surface;

Alien growth

This is close-up, but still looks so odd, nothing like what I am familiar with.  Using your imagination, you can see little critters and faces hiding in and among the growth.  Like camilians with their ability to adapt to the surroundings via color and pattern changes.

Third shot is wide and much more revealing of the whole, but still very alien.

Moon or Mars scape.  Did it drop out of the sky when a meteor or comet flew by and not completely burn up while entering the atmosphere…….

Nope, it is just an old shriveling potato in the dirt, or is that potatoe…

Martin
MartinTrailer.com

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