Chris Crisman’s conceptual portrait was inspired by California’s landscape and the dramatic views of the west coast’s Pacific Ocean and mountains. Earlier this year when Chris traveled Route 1 he shot a handful of landscape images both for backgrounds and inspiration for his new personal portraits.
Photographed just north of San Luis Obispo was one of the first landscape images Chris made in California.
Months after shooting the original photo, Chris imagined a concept and a portrait that would pair with the natural beauty of the California coast perfectly. The field of wildflowers ultimately inspired Chris to continue the flowers from the background to the subject, pairing their model with the natural beauty of her flower crown and bouquet.
They couldn’t have asked for better support in making this photo. Wendy Oswald Kinney was the wardrobe and prop stylist and Tanja Hudson was the hair stylist. Cara Anderson photograhed the behind the scenes images.
To see more of Chris’ work go to his website and Altpick page.
By Jeff Newton
As a photographer, I must consider that unless the end buyer is confident that I can shoot the particular style their client is looking for, they may be reluctant to hire me. It took me a while to understand that, but it’s the truth. So after looking through my current body of work, I realized that I needed to add more images that showcase my studio lighting capabilities.
And here’s the craziest part of it all…we shot this at my studio. It’s not like I needed to go and rent a studio for the day. I have one, directly in the heart of Hollywood. But as a freelance photographer, you shoot where you’re commissioned. And more often than not, that’s on location or out of state. And as you can see from my current portfolio, I love walking into an unknown location where you need to search to find the right shot. But I also love the challenge of shooting in studio. Simply because you are forced to create the atmosphere and build light out of nothing in a white cove. You don’t have the sun there to act as your lighting tech, adding reflections and shadows all around your location.
Now comes the hard truth: A shoot on this scale is not going to be a cheap. I had to consider the cost associated with this type of production. I would need to hire models, a stylist, hair/make up and assistants. Oh, and I’ll need to feed everyone. Then I had to ask myself: Do I drop a couple thousand dollars into new gear….or new work? Seeing that I’ve already purchased new gear…it’s was now time to put my money in front of the camera.
I partnered up with Georgie Perrins, a fashion stylist that I recently met through a mutual friend. Thankfully, we were both needing more commercial studio work in our portfolios. She recommended Veronica Sinclair who we then brought on for hair and make up.
I reached out to some modeling agencies and gave them my budget per model, knowing that I was looking to book three total. We ended up casting the women from FORD LA and the male from LA Models. They were all true pros and rocked it in front of the camera.
Lastly, I have to give a shot out to my friend and fellow photographer, Juan Luis Garcia for coming in and rocking out some amazing behind the scenes footage. I wasn’t able to fit everything in the edit but I do feel that he captured all of the hard work that everyone put into this shoot.
No matter how digital my world has become I still rely on a yellow notepad for my daily “to do lists” and lighting notes.
New Self Commissioned WorkGear Used:
Camera: 2 – Canon 5D Mark III bodies
Lenses – 35mm – 50mm – 85mm primes
Capture: Lightroom 4
Lighting: Profoto
Diffusers: Elinchrom Octabank, Elinchrom Rotalux 39″, Profoto White Beauty Dish, 4×8 foam core
Cables: Tether Tools – the best tethering cables I’ve used.
To see more of Jeff Newton’s work go to his website and Altpick page.
Altpick members have been busy creating some fun images for the holiday. That fellow in his seasonal best. Merry cups of good cheer. Tripping the light fantastic.
These are a few of our favorite things.
Photograph by Dana Hursey
Illustration by Alice R.
Father and Son. 2012
Photographed by Jesse Rieser
Illustrated by Courtney Wirthit
Photographed by Bryan Cole
Photographed by Chris Clor
Illustrated by Beppe Giacobbe
Illustrated by Jacob Thomas
Animated by Richard Borge
Created by Citrus
Illustrated by Ken Orvidas
Photographed by Kristofer Dan-Bergman
Alternative Pick wishing everyone a joyous holiday and healthy and happy 2013!
“The idea was to take a classic, the moose mug scene from Christmas Vacation, and add my own twist to it. First, I got the black dickie and a sweater similar to what they used in the film, a V-neck thin off-white sweater. This allows the black dickie to show through the sweater, the ultimate in classless wardrobe. My twist was to add the cut out pine trees to the sweater. I loved the idea of adding something that looked like a bad Christmas sweater, yet didn’t go too far with it.
Next twist was to add Tyler, a friend of mine. Tyler is a pro drummer, and has a very creative and funny personality. He was perfect for the shot…and yes, that is his natural hair. It is simply awesome. The next “must have” element was the Moose Mug from the movie. Adding that and some egg nog made it complete.
I wanted Tyler to be surprised and look off camera for the shot. The natural response with his left hand and the sloppy egg nog on his upper lip help make the shot.”
— Bryan Cole
To see more of Bryan’s work go to his website and Altpick page.
Christmas Morning 2012
It’s that time of year again. Shorter days, holiday themed coffee cups, played out sweater parties, awesome awkward family moments, gnarly travel, and Christmas carols on repeat in nearly every place of commerce. Christmas is coming. And with Christmas, comes with Jesse Rieser’s latest installment of his series, Christmas In America: Happy Birthday, Jesus. The project in it’s entirety can be seen here. Enjoy!
To see more of Jesse Rieser’s photography go to his website and Altpick.com page.
The New York Times Sunday Book Review on the Bookshelf had some nice things to say about Selina Alko’s book, “Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama”:
DADDY CHRISTMAS AND HANUKKAH MAMA – Reviewed in The New York Times
Written and illustrated by Selina Alko.
32 pp. Alfred A. Knopf. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 4-8)
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Doesn’t this describe half of Brooklyn? Perhaps not strictly speaking; but the subject of interfaith families is a welcome one. No arguments over Israel or “the war on Christmas” here. In the narrator’s wholehearted and seamlessly interwoven celebration, Daddy Christmas gamely cooks latkes, and Hanukkah Mama is happy to hang stockings. Together they “carol to the neighbors about Maccabees and the manger.” Alko’s charming mixed media illustrations provide lots of bells and holly. Next up, Eastover.
Check out Selina’s book signings here and to see more of her work go to her website and her Altpick page. To purchase a copy of ‘Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama, click here.
Did you know Panera Bread builds each bakery cafe from the ground up, with architects and designers thinking through all aspects of the project, including which neighborhood it’s in? Realizing that, it makes sense that they wouldn’t choose off-the-shelf art for their carefully considered spaces.
And in the case of this custom mural for a building-side in a California location, SHA artist Curtis Parker cooked up a 40 x 12-foot painting that reflected the history of the city — local planners were emphatic that it couldn’t be about Panera itself — as well as evoking the feel that Panera was looking for.
Rough Sketches
VP / Design Creative at Panera Bread, Jay Jung, said “It turned out to be an amazing piece of art and full of incredible detail and activity” and we’d agree. Curtis did a fantastic job. Jay also mentioned enjoying the collaboration with Curtis, saying “it worked beautifully, just discussing the objectives of the project directly with the artist.” And as little bit of project trivia, Jay added, “If there just happens to be a small group of work men in an obscure corner of the mural enjoying a sandwich from Panera, I really can’t tell you how that got in there!”
Final Sketch By Artist
To see more of Curtis Parker’s work go here and his Altpick.com page.
A couple of weeks ago Starbucks opened up the first Tazo Tea store in Seattle, WA. Cade Martin photographed the campaign and of the 12 images that Cade shot these have been released so far.
