Eleonor was actually one of the candles at Cecile’s debut. Eleonor’s debut was a week after in the same place, the Long Beach Westin. I really liked shooting there but I just wish I had more time. There were tons of places I wanted to take her and her family for photos but everybody was running a bit late so we didn’t really have time. I still came away with a lot of good shots though. Thanks again to Eleonor and family for letting me shoot their event. Here’s a few of my favorites.
With my automotive photography career on somewhat of a hiatus, I’ve started shooting a lot more events and portraiture. Which reminds me, I should update my portfolio section to reflect that. Cecile and her family was kind enough to let me photograph their event. I think it turned out pretty good. It was a lot like shooting a wedding but a lot more laid back. I had a great time. Happy birthday Cecile, hope you like the photos. Here’s a few of my favorites:
Orion Nicholas Bentley was born on February 11, 2009. He weighed in at 7 lbs and was 19.5 inches long. Luckily labor and delivery went relatively smoothly. I had front row seats to the show and it was definately a life changing experience. One thing I know for sure is my photographic experience is coming in handy. There definately won’t be any lack of childhood photos. Now if I only can figure out how to get some sleep.
Some friends of mine opened up a Japanese restaurant in Montery Park, CA called The Open Door. They’ve got really great food. I know from personal experience because one great perk from photographing food is that you’re sure to get fed. My friend Shari assisted me in the shoot. Kouji, the owner and head cook, made sure the food looked presentable. I think together we got great results. Just in case you’re hungry after looking at these pictures, you can check them out here:
122 S Atlantic Blvd.
Monterey Park, CA 91754
(626) 282-9829
I’ve been throwing around the idea of learning how to do video for sometime now. I’m always looking to add more to my skill-set. So when I heard that the new Canon 5d Mark II was able to shoot HD video as well as 21.1 megapixel photos, I knew I had to have it. Here’s a couple photo samples.
We all know it’s an awesome still camera so we can skip that and go straight to the video capabilities. One thing you should know is that Canon does not include any video editing software. Also, if you plan on editing HD video, you’ll need some fairly serious computer hardware. I ended up going with Adobe Premiere Elements 7 for editing software. It’s not bad but I’m not even close to using it’s full potential. I’m probably going to hit up my local library for some how-to books.
I’ve gotta tell you though, video is a whole other animal. I definitely have more respect for videographers. Along with creativity, you’ve got to have the patience of a shaolin monk, unless you’re using Batman’s computer or something. The clip I produced was only 34 seconds but it took me like 8 hours to cut. Granted I had no idea what I was doing but hopefully my editing time gets better. I plan to keep adding to the Mazdaspeed 3 video as I learn more. Keep a eye out for OB-VIDEO.COM, haha. If you want to watch the video in HD click the HD button.
I was pretty busy bouncing from press conference to press conference at the 2008 L.A. autoshow. I didn’t cover the Nissan press conference but having previously owned a 350Z I had to check out the newest incarnation of the Z car, the 2009 Nissan 370Z.
My first reaction was, “What did they do to the lights?”. It looked like the new Nissan Maxima headlights, which I wasn’t too fond of. But after closer inspection I started to get what the designers were going for. I love the new shape and roof line. It looks just like the old school Datsun 240Z, a car I would love to own if I had the chance to pick up a project car.
The Nissan 370Z gets a welcome boost in power from a 3.7L V6 engine. This new power plant puts down 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft. of torque. This is about 26 more hp than the previous model. Not bad, but I doubt previous owners will notice much of a difference on the butt dyno. I still think they should’ve come out with a tuner version of the vehicle that has a 4-banger turbo power plant. Take a look at the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe. They’ll be coming in both a V6 and an I4 turbo. Smart move if you ask me.
A lot of 350Z owners are enthusiasts. A lot of enthusiasts like tuning, modifying and upgrading. I’m not sure how this power plant will do, but the old 3.5L V6 didn’t respond too well to modifications. You had to drop some serious coin to put down more power. Granted, it was still fast and a very balanced vehicle. But not tapping into that huge aftermarket is a big mistake. Especially in our current economy. These days, not a lot of people can afford $30,000+ vehicles. So tuners and aftermarket enthusiasts are going to buy cheaper cars that they can upgrade to satisfy their need for speed.
If someone from Nissan happens to read this and a tuner version of the 370Z comes out. You’ll be getting a bill from me Nissan. I’ll also take a 370Z as payment if you would like me to continue my research.
I first spotted his car while roaming the halls of SEMA at 2am, gotta love that 24hr All Access Pass. I recognized the rims first and then the kit. But what threw me off was the new Tokico sponsored vinyl treatment his 350z was sporting. Wouldn’t do it to my daily driver but the vinyl was perfect for SEMA. Mel’s car looked right at home there. I snapped a couple shots and came back the next day to introduce myself to David from Tokico. Great guy, I hope to work with him in the future.
While walking the north hall of the SEMA show l stumbled upon my old friends from Motevo Mobile. It was cool seeing my photography on posters that Nikita was signing. Which reminds me, I still need to call Mike up for a signed poster. I took a few shots of the booth and my friends and continued on my power walking tour through SEMA.
Mike from Motevo Mobile asked me to shoot his car for a poster that Nikita will be signing and handing out at SEMA this year. Not having shot a car in a while, I was eager to get back into the saddle. Not to mention it’ll be cool seeing something I shot printed out poster size and passed out to the masses. Mike wanted to minimize the risk of damaging the car since SEMA is around the corner. We decided to shoot it at their warehouse. Definately not the best place to shoot a black car because it was a bit dim, but I made it work. The white walls did a great job of making sure you could still see detail in the black paint. Nikita did a great job modeling and was very easy to work with. All in all I was pretty happy with the results. Keep an eye out for a full shoot of Mike’s Lexus. Be sure to visit the Motevo booth at SEMA this year for a copy of the poster. Don’t forget to have Nikita sign it for you. Tell her I said, “I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts”, she’ll know what I mean.
I just wanted to explain the recent lack of updates to my site. Unfortunately my previous employer had to make cuts and I was laid off last month. It was a great gig and it was awesome while it lasted. I was basically paid to photograph and drive new cars for editorial content. I was sent to cover autoshows all over the country from Las Vegas to New York. I had the opportunity to drive cars I never would’ve had the chance to otherwise. Like I said, it was a great gig.
But this definitely isn’t my last entry. Wherever there is a tuner trying to take pictures of his car with a camera phone, I’ll be there. Wherever there is someone using a DSLR in automatic mode, I’ll be there. Wherever there is someone that will pay me, I’ll be there. Quick tangent, wasn’t “The Three Amigos” an awesome movie? Here’s my favorite quote:
Jefe: I have put many beautiful pinatas in the storeroom, each of them filled with little suprises. El Guapo: Many pinatas? Jefe: Oh yes, many! El Guapo: Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas? Jefe: A what? El Guapo: A *plethora*. Jefe: Oh yes, you have a plethora. El Guapo: Jefe, what is a plethora? Jefe: Why, El Guapo? El Guapo: Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has *no idea* what it means to have a plethora. Jefe: Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education. But could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?
O.k. back on topic. So yea, at the risk of sounding like a cartoon villain, this isn’t the last you’ll see of me, muhahahaha. And just in case someone out there reading this was also laid off recently, here’s a couple of pictures I took of my bulldogs that’ll make you feel better.
