Peter Kuhn, PhD of The Scripp Reseach Institute with a model of the SARS virus. ©Martin Trailer

The goal of this “Authentic Portrait” is to portray a research scientist researching the SARS virus, with something tangible.  Building a model representative of a polymorphic virus that causes the severe acute respiratpory syndrome (SARS), the virus was a challenge since the virus is much to small to actually see without an electron microscope.

A few years back when the SARS was spreading though southern China and urban areas of Hong Kong and Toronto infecting over 8,000 people, this research group was formed shortly there after to understand this new virus which had never infected humans before.

Peter leads a multi-disiplined, multi-city group of researchers.

Endeavor Vol 8, No 2

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.  Starting out in the newspaper business, covering general news, events, sports of all types, often on tight deadlines and honed the skill set of pushing to end up with the nearly intangible authentic final image.  Over the years as a photographer, working in advertising, corporate, multimedia and editorial fields, 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 added 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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This Authentic Portrait is a group of programmers that for the first time ever, were able to track and see live on the internet a computer virus spread across the world.  Until then, no one had been able to track a computer worm/virus over the internet, only within a local area network (LAN). (see below)

The guys are academics that had not been in the limelight before, so it was important to make them comfortable with the all the notoriety. When shooting people that are not seeking or comfortable with the limelight, it is important to ease that discomfort.  The response to the comfort you provide will result in a much more relaxed, authentic photograph.

I met up with them at UCSD in their offices after looking around the campus prior to our scheduled time, and found a few locations that might work on campus, but three people with some relevant setting or background of value to the image, was not jumping out.  Never giving up, we proceeded to do what we could constantly searching for some relevant visual. Nearing the end of our time together on campus, I asked if they were game to come to the studio later to do a shot in studio that would in my mind be much better. They were agreeable and we decide to meet a couple hours later at the studio.  This gave me sometime to get some props and set-up the idea I had imagined.

The globe was the prop I had in mind and once we were in the studio working out the lighting and grouping, I began to think about how these guys were really detectives in their own realm.  The sunglasses were quickly sourced and they were game, they were enthusiastic with the idea.

By then we had done several variations and once the glasses, globe and lighting all came together, the shot came alive.

The guys were totally into the worldwide detective idea, relaxed and authentic.

This is a animation of how the Code Red virus spread worldwide. Click Here.

Comments welcome.

Martin
MartinTrailer.com

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I wrote this for the Advertising Photographers of America, APA newsletter, insideAPA.  Check out some of the other stories there too.  insideShoot

Read here.  Escaped!

Martin

MartinTrailer.com

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