Professional Photographer | Commercial • Corporate • Advertising • Catalog

Assignment: Shooting a new Restaurant in the Hours Before Opening

Rick Peterson — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 06:12:05 +0000

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Southern Arizona operates a Vegas scale casino and is continually upgrading the facility. They are an established client and when the newly constructed very chic Asian restaurant was nearing completion, I was called in to make a set of photographs for use in the marketing: architectural interiors, portraits of the owner, hostess, sushi chef, kitchen chef and bartender, together with some food photography. I estimated about two days with a timetable that had me begin hours after the furniture was placed and complete hours before the first dinner event.

The Challenge: Work amongst construction tradesmen, restaurant workers, cleaning service people and a constant stream of people while working against a deadline. The restaurant sits within a busy casino and has rooms and dining sections that became pockets of space that were difficult to light.

The Solution: I made a Shoot Itinerary that we worked hard to adhere to. With all of our lighting gear, computer cart, lamp and power cables stretched across the floors, we managed to be good humored and cooperative with the people that swarmed all around us. I had done a pre-production scout and selected angles, so I had a good idea of where we would need to set camera and lights. The lighting trick was to find the perfect balance of ambient light and strobe light. We completed the shoot on time and the casino had a library of photography material to kick off the advertising campaign for the new restaurant.

Assignment: Deep Within the Recesses of the Earth

Rick Peterson — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:34:02 +0000

When I got the call to make photographs inside a copper mine that had been abandoned for a decade, with no electricity or lights, it was at once exciting and scary. It was a new client who had come across my web site and selected me based on my corporate and industrial experience. The company who had just bought the old mine had new technology that could mine for copper more efficiently than ever before. Now they were having their engineers make plans to put it back into operation and they needed a prospectus, complete with compelling photographs to entice investors.

The Challenge: Making photographs deep within a pitch mining tunnel, showing veins of copper and engineers examining the rock. We had no photography list and so It was up to me to “make it up as I went” and make a creative set of photographs. Even the entrance to the mine was in a state of disrepair that needed creative angles to describe the size and depth.

The Solution: For days before the shoot I fretted over what lighting technique to use. I learned that the walls would be about 10 feet wide and the ceiling to the tunnel, also about 10 feet high. I considered a power generator, then discounted creating potentially dangerous fumes and setting up a vibration. I settled on some form of painting – with – light. I rehearsed around the house and studio after dark with all the lights turned off – painting with a powerful flashlight and also with bursts of a speedlight. When the day came that I entered the cave I had a plan. The light painting created beautiful depth and texture and dramatic appeal that the client loved. When copper prices soared the next month, my client told me they were “Riding the Tiger” and we’s be doing another project in 2011.

Assignment: Shooting with Heart: Harley Style

Rick Peterson — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:20:03 +0000

I’ve always enjoyed shooting with Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) because of the way people respond with open arms to helping “Jerry’s Kids” overcome the ravages of muscle weakening diseases. Harley Davidson has been a long time supporter of MDA , lending their name and time and money to the cause. During a recent photo shoot with MDA, we brought a Harley Sportster into the studio as a prop for promoting the sale of Harley merchandise to benefit MDA. A couple of adults modeled the jackets and t-shirts while some of the kids in the MDA program donned the children’s wear.

The Challenge: I understood that we would be making studio photos of a small group of people who had not met. It was important to create an atmosphere that put people at ease and allowed them to interact naturally so that we could make the best photos possible. We allowed plenty of startup time for the group to mingle with music, cookies & juice for the kid in all of us.

The Solution: By the time we started our session, the kids, their parents, adult models and my client were relaxed and ready to have some fun with this big Harley in the middle of the studio floor. The session with the adult riders progressed from a static standing pose to a dynamic riding position that we stripped into a background. The kids sessions couldn’t be more engaging. It was magical. Could those two boys be the next Blues Brothers?

Assignment: Architecturals on Mexican Time

Rick Peterson — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:48:39 +0000

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is a 16th century Spanish Colonial town on the World Heritage register – a place rich in culture and architectural gems, both traditional and contemporary. While in San Miguel recently, I was called upon to make interior and exterior architectural renderings at Jillita’s home, that were to be used in a publication.

The Challenge: The photo project came up in an impromptu way while I was traveling with my Canon EOS-1 Ds Mark III and no lighting equipment. My challenge was to produce high quality interior photographs of the home without the use of professional photographic lighting equipment.

The Solution: Utilizing HDR – High Dynamic Range Imaging, I set the camera to record a set of five bracketed exposures, over and under the average exposure, so that the group of images included a range of mid-tone, shadow detail and highlight detail. Because this range of light is much greater than a single exposure can record, Photoshop’s HDR function was used to merge the image files into one. A group of photographs were produced with a smooth range of detail that might otherwise only be achieved through lighting balance.

Assignment: On Top of the World

Rick Peterson — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 02:25:42 +0000

The WM Keck Observatory is respected by leading astronomers and scholars world wide. Situated on the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, the twin 10 meter telescopes gather data that is transmitted to the Remote Operations at Headquarters in Waimea. Scientists then interpret and distribute their newest findings about the workings and origins of the universe.

The Challenge: Make inspirational photographic images of the people and facilities at Keck that will motivate others to become involved within the community and inspire financial contributions.

The Solution: As a repeat client, I was familiar with Keck’s facility and many of the staff. I could already imagine how to utilize props, people and light to make fresh images. I worked at Headquarters and at the Observatory on the Summit with strobe lights and my Canon 1Ds Mark III wirelessly tethered to my PowerBook. I proceeded to build lighting patterns and place subjects to create imaginative, compelling images.

The Result: Fresh Annual Report images that have personality and graphic appeal, complimenting Keck’s slogan: Let the Universe Inspire You.

See Keck Observatory’s new COSMIC MATTERS Blog: http://keckobservatory.org/blog

Assignment: Creative-on-Creative

Rick Peterson — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:17:19 +0000

David Isaac is a classical music composer, an emerging talent – a visionary with an expansive imagination. He contacted me about making photographs for his promotional campaign which included his web site, album art and PR material. He had precise ideas for photo-illustrative images in advance of our meeting. During our consultation, we formulated a plan to execute these concepts.

The Challenge: Make environmental stylized portraits with a story-telling quality that conveyed the client’s concept.

The Solution: David and I plotted our sessions throughout a day’s time. We began in the photo studio and then progressed to my home interior, followed by selected downtown locations. Our goal was to achieve seven distinct images, so we paced ourselves, adhering to an itinerary and styling our sets.

The Result: Portraits of the composer that have both a classical and contemporary feel. We produced a variety of images with a lyrical quality that fulfilled the client’s intended usage. Our collaborative session established a sensitive visual branding for David Issac’s creative endeavors.

Stylizing the Location

Rick Peterson — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:28:56 +0000

Arizona Mail Order Company is a long standing client for whom I shoot women’s shoes and clothing accessories in the studio and on location. AMO is one of the largest mail order companies of its kind and competes on a national level in the sales on medium prices shoes. The art directors come to me for “location” photography to match looks of mountain trails, gardens, beaches, marinas and urban scenes, all of which get constructed just outside my studio in the Southwestern desert.

The Challenge: Create an environment that simulates an Eastern beachside, a resort poolside, a potting shed and a marina with props gathered from around the studio and various suppliers.

The Solution: I gathered my materials and then built medium size sets on the studio grounds where I could use sections of hardscaping and sand from the desert wash to simulate a beach. I crafted these sets as if doing a window dressing, placing the shoes according to the art director’s layout.

The Result: Images of shoes that matched the locations in a convincing way. The art and marketing directors were pleased but the real test is in the sales generated from the pages. Statistically every book we have produced together has shown an increased revenue for my client.

Portrait of the Artist

Rick Peterson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:02:37 +0000

Chris Deverill is a sculptor who is establishing himself in the West with extraordinary work. We had photographed some of his pieces several weeks ago. Chris contacted me about making a portrait for American Artist Magazine and for some of his upcoming shows.

The Challenge: Create an environment that felt like a workplace and gallery and that would convey Chris as a personable artist.

The Solution: I built a set in the corner of the studio using a window to give the feel of natural light. I placed his sculptures in the near, medium range and background for a sense of depth. I added lighting with an irregular pattern on the back wall.

The Result: A portrait of the artist that is engaging and will be published in magazines and press releases. The image will also be printed for gallery displays and literature.

Annual Report Challenges

Rick Peterson — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:00:11 +0000

I stood on a platform at the edge of the telescope after a two hour drive up the volcano. Breathing from an oxygen canister at a 13,600 foot elevation, I surveyed my first shot of the morning

The Challenge: Compose and light a cavernous area of hydraulic mirror controllers while showing engineers in a dynamic setting.

The Solution: Position myself, my camera and laptop on a portable hydraulic lift to achieve the composition. I placed lights and rehearsed the action of the engineers.

The Result: A spread in the Annual Report that delighted the CEO, inspired the investors and gave the marketing department confidence. The funding allowed the scientists to continue their research.

From the board room to the assembly line, on location or in my studio, I envision every possibility to create successful photographic solutions for my clients. Valued collaboration and communication with the client create results within realistic budgets. See the Corporate Photography Online Portfolio.

Shooting with Tom Bergeron

Rick Peterson — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:14:22 +0000

During a recent photo shoot with Tom Bergeron, host of Dancing With the Stars, Tom confided to me that he was not always so relaxed in front of a still camera. When broadcasting to millions of viewers across America, no problem. He told me that he started to practice in the mirror. I’ve done that, so I can relate. He rehearsed so he could understood how to generate a variety of facial expressions. We were shooting a public service announcement ad for Muscular Dystrophy Association. The photo session was dynamic. It was a delight working with a true professional like Tom.