Photojournalism in the Digital Age at The Miami Herald

Three Miami Herald photojournalists speak at Art Serve. 

Tonight, Thursday, April 5th 7-10pm,

1350 E. Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304.

Free for members $20 for non-members. Membership is only $100 a year

Jeffrey Loria’s New Masterpiece: Marlins Park.

Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria at Marlins Park

Vision becomes artistic reality at Marlins Park.

Jeffrey Loria’s idea, which began on a napkin, is complete. What is left is for players and fans to make it their home. 

By ALDIAZ

aldiaz305@aol.com
Here is a behind the scenes look at the portrait session with Loria in the upper decks over left field. The new baseball stadium is built on the former site of the Orange Bowl. 

After much debate on where to set up, behind the pitchers mound or in the upper decks, the right choice was made.

Scouting with stand in Carolina Perrina de Diego Director, Business Communications

Photo assistant Zander Brant hauls in the gear.

The next day photographer Paul Morris joined me to shoot aerials of the new home of the Miami Marlins in the magic city at sunset.

Camera Copters, piloted by J.P. Robinson is my first choice for aerial photography. J.P. and owner Paul Barth have the reputation for always putting the camera in the right spot while floating in midair! Their helicopters have the ability to be flown with the doors off, and have restraint systems in place that allows the photographer to hang out the door, but feel totally secure. Well I’m not sure about that part but it does work. Unlike the past using the Black Rapid RS-7 Curve camera strap added that sense of security and reduced the risk of any accidents while flying over the stadium.

Photographers Paul Morris, left and Al Diaz at right.

The images appeared in The Miami Herald commemorative section titled Jeffrey Loria’s New Masterpiece: Marlins Park.

Photo by Al Diaz, page design by Robert Cohn

BY CLARK SPENCER
CSPENCER@MIAMIHERALD.COM

It began four years ago on a paper napkin.

That’s when Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria sat down with renowned ballpark architect Earl Santee to discuss his vision of how a Major League baseball venue in Miami should look.

Santee had worked on a number of the big-league ballparks designed and constructed over the past decade, including PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Minute Maid Park in Houston, and the new Yankee Stadium.

But Loria wanted something altogether different, a place that would help accentuate Miami’s landscape. Something contemporary. Something colorful. Something different.

And so, at their meeting in the lobby of the Claridge’s hotel in London, Loria grabbed a napkin, sketched out a rough rendering of the type of ballpark he had in mind, and handed it over to Santee.

“My words to him were, ‘I want you to take this and bring me back some real drawings,’ ” Loria recalled. “I did not want to see us build a building that was a concrete mass. It had to be something that would fit into Miami’s plan for beautiful buildings going forward and great contemporary architecture.”

Santee, in Loria’s estimation, hit a home run.

Read more here:

A Stretch and Tiny Bubbles at Sony Ericsson Open Tennis Finals

Novak Djokovic and Agnieszka Radwanska

It's often a stretch to capture unique images while struggling with fluctuating color temperature, finding a fresh angle and the onslaught of tennis photographers in the photo wells.

Here are a few of my images and a behind the scenes look at some of the many shooters including a few "Think Tankers" at this weekend's Sony Ericsson Open tennis finals. Tennis photographer Michael Baz says over 130 photgraphers were credentialed for the two week tournament.

Photographer Chaz Niell

Novak Djokovic defeats Juan Monaco 6-0, 7-6 during semi-finals at Sony Ericsson Open on Key Biscayne, Friday, March 30, 2012.

Lou Novick at center wearing the Think Tank Photo Modular Component System. 
At right is Associated Press staffer Wilfredo Lee.

Fellow "Think Tankers" Rhona Wise and Alberto Tamargo using Think Tank Photo Products.

AP's Lynne Sladky, Alan Diaz and Wilfredo Lee

Getty's Matthew Stockman and Al Bello using the Black Rapid DR-1 Double Strap

Reuter's Andrew Innerarity, Steve Mitchell and AP's J Pat Carter at left to right.

AP's J Pat Carter uses the Think Tank Photo Airport Security

Tiny bubbles greet Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska

Radwanska defeats Sharapova for Sony Ericsson Open Tennis Title

Tiny bubbles for Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska after defeating Russia's Maria Sharapova 7-5, 6-4 at Sony Ericsson Open on Key Biscayne on Saturday, March 31, 2012.

What Makes You Click? Q & A with Brad Tuckman of KSC Kreate

Brad Tuckman, President of KSC Kreate

By Al Diaz

aldiaz305@aol.com

Driving through Hollywood, Florida on a photo assignment for the Miami Herald I approached KSC Kreate. I thought I would be shooting a portrait of a couple who own a local catalog photo studio who just happened to win an award for a short film. I visualized they would be in a small nondescript building with an SUV parked outside.

Instead, I found a massive warehouse the size of Walmart, several semi-trucks docked at its large bay doors. I stepped out to confirm I was in the right place and entered the massive structure.

Looking to my left then to my right, stacked 20 feet high, 
floor to ceiling, was wall- to-wall merchandise. 
One of each household item you could possibly think of.

Not what I expected.

Venturing further I find a buzz of activity, photographers, stylists, prop masters, fashion models, office personnel and IT folks. Who says photography is in decline!

KSC Kreate is a full service digital commerce agency. Evolving from a digital photography studio, in less than a decade it has morphed into a full team of kreative professionals, account managers and technological wizkids. The company handles a wide array of visual content for the nation’s biggest companies and is even making full-length movies.

Q Brad what kick started your career?

I originally got started interning in Rochester during college as well as over the summers in NYC where I briefly managed one of the earliest digital studios… Grant Peterson was the photographer, a big time still life guy back then. Grant still shoots I believe. While in NYC I met someone from Power Images down in Florida where I later moved to work for right after college. Literally started 3 days after I graduated. So much for a cross country road trip. Right!?! The irony of all this is I can link so much of my success to that job in NYC. I met so many people who became friends and later became clients.

Q What took you to the next level?

My earliest large client was The Sports Authority. This gave me the ability to grow the company. I saw so many single photographers becoming obsolete by just doing what they always did… not just staying with the times is needed today but thinking beyond today and antiquating the needs for the future… I've navigated this well thus far but always wait for the other shoe to fall, which just makes me work harder.

Q Your warehouse is hugh! How many people work for you?

KSC has roughly 80 full-time plus freelancers making us roughly 100 people per day in our two buildings. We are also expanding into a 3rd location this spring and a possible fourth by end of 2012. We anticipate 100 full-time by years end with an additional 20-30 freelance.

Q You produce lots of imagery. How many photographers work full-time?

Our photographer count is 8-12 shooting daily. Of which 10 are staff. Kind of like a good hospital we have a great teaching environment. Senior Photographers working with juniors bringing them up quickly. Having the ability to shoot everyday give you fast paced experience. We do hire from the outside as well as I believe it's best to work from within while also finding the "special" ones on the outside which is not always having the best portfolio but the right attitude to work in our company. A portfolio can be deceiving at times. Being able to produce under pressure consistently takes time to learn and having the right attitude is everything.

Q What makes your business successful?

In all I gotta say we have a great place to work in. I've seen places similar to us fail before. Sometimes you can get too big and forget where you came from. That is why you will always hear me refer to the company as a family. Once we lose that we are done. A client needs to know they are all equally as important as the next. I strongly believe it's about the relationship. Like any good marriage great communication is required, an understanding of the others needs and the willingness to make it work during the best and worst of times.

Q Do you enjoy it?

I love what I do. You have to. This business is not a job but a lifestyle. I had an agent for years, traveled the world, shot for international companies but eventually realized I had a responsibility to my studio here in Florida and saw a brighter future focusing on what makes me and my business different.

Q Do you still shoot?

I still shoot 20-30 days a year for certain clients and special projects. It keeps me fresh and it's almost like a day off from the business side of things. I do enjoy working with my photographers, giving them input and pushing them to be as good as they can be. I'm proud to see the work that comes out of our studio and that alone is enough for me creative wise.

Q Are you a gear head?

Camera wise. Ways back I was also a dealer for Sinar Bron, Profoto, Mamiya, Leaf, all those companies. I was consulting for many clients who wanted in-house solutions so I figured I'd offer them the equipment as well. For me gear has always been gear. I get excited about something new but it soon becomes a tool to get the craft done. Selecting the right tool in the bag to me today digitally is like the old days whether I needed small, medium, or large format… Based on the job I used what gave me the most success. Today my style of shooting is very loose which is why I use Canon for my lifestyle work. My studio has over 20 Canon bodies and however many lenses. We do utilize Phase One backs when needed but for the majority of our work we find the Canon works best. I wish I could give every photographer one of each here but financially speaking I rather give each person here two complete sets… with the Phase Ones when needed. There's still nothing like a picture off one of those backs.

By Jenny Staletovich of The Miami Herald

‘FINDING JOY’ — THE MOVIE

Not satisfied with just producing for clients, Tuckman and his wife, Shona, who is the CEO of KSC Kreate, ventured into the movie business.

Shona Tuckman, who had been writing and producing commercials as well as writing screenplays (a short film won the Breakthrough Film Award at the New York Independent Film Festival), had an idea for a movie. She began writing it four years ago and, just after returning from China where they had adopted their daughter, started work. With a new baby, it took her six years to complete.

Starting in June, she and her team, including actors Liane Balaban, Barry Bostwick, Tyler Bunch, Josh Cooke, Kiki Harris, Arielle Hoffman and Lainie Kazan spent five weeks shooting in Broward. In addition to the KSC crew, 70 additional workers were brought in each day. Post-production started in July and is expected to run through February.

“Sometimes you just have to step up and make something yourself, but it has to be the right one,” Shona Tuckman said. “Now we’re talking about what’s next.”

They are trying to find foreign distribution for the movie (www.findingjoythemovie.com) and entering it in festivals. Brad Tuckman said they hope to produce a movie a year.

Read more about KSC Kreate by BY Jenny Staletovich of The Miami Herald.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/01/2567307/ksc-kreate-agency-serves-nations.html

Brad Tuckman with Shona Tuckman at KSC Kreate studios.

Test Drive Think Tank Photo Modular Rotation Systems Free

Test Drive one of Think Tank Photo’s new Modular Rotation Systems free for 28 days. If you like it, keep it and your credit card will be charged. If not, return it to Think Tank no charge. The Modular Rotation System is the choice of working professionals who shoot sports, weddings, nature or any situation where the need to stay mobile and rapid gear changes are essential.

The Modular Component Set™ V2.0 consists of two individual lens changer pouches, a flash pouch and an accessory pouch that lock to or slide around any Think Tank Photo belt. Since the pouches are modular, the carrying system can be reconfigured to match any assignment, under any condition.

The Modular Skin Set V2.0 consists of two individual lens changer pouches, a flash pouch and an accessory pouch that lock to or slide around a Think Tank Photo belt. Components are lightweight, compressible and easily collapsible. Perfect for traveling.The "Sound Silencer" feature adds stealth by eliminating hook-and-loop tearing noises.

This offer ends on March 31, 2012 or when100 of each modular set has been reserved for the Test Drive program.

* This offer is only available within the United States because of the shipping costs of delivering the product from and to the U.S.

You can order here: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/test-drive-program.aspx?code=AP-269 

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqADAXSta3M&feature=player_embedded#! and click on the video link. Jerry Dodrill describes the  new gear at a surfing photo shoot from earlier this year.