There is nothing more challenging and outright awesome than walking into dimly lit bars and venues than trying to capture key moments and the band’s personalities as they perform their tunes on stage.  As a freelance photographer who shoots many different genres of photography, this is basically walking into an ultimate training ground to learn how to tackle light in any situation.  Point blank – shooting bands trains my eye and technique in any photo shoot I do; whether it is a wedding, family party or corporate event with dark lighting, fast moving targets such as sports, children running in parks, etc, or even if I am shooting portraits, headshots, etc. with studio lights.

Every so often, I will get a venue such as the Gramercy Theatre or the Bowery Ballroom where the lighting systems are much much better.  Pair that with a band who has their own feel brought into the presentation and it provides unique experiences to capture some wonderful and meaningful shots.  I feel I accomplished just that when Star Killer, a local NYC band with a great following, took the stage at the Bowery Ballroom in June this year.  Using extremely bright whites and amazing laser effects with blues, my challenge was actually adjusting the camera to handle the lighting instead of usually preparing to get shots where there wasn’t enough.

Take a look at 2 images that resulted from this performance.  I took advantage of the band stepping into the light to capture a blend that produced emotional imagery.

I just entered these images in PDN’s Ultimate Music Moment Contest.  Please help me become the People’s Champ by clicking on each image and submitting your vote!  Also send me a note and let me know what you think of these shots!

Here are the direct links as well:

Entry #1  – http://www.ultimatemusicmoment.com/bin/Rate?image_id=2002702306

Entry # 2 – http://www.ultimatemusicmoment.com/bin/Rate?image_id=2002702305

This month, Corcoran asked me to provide 6 black and white NYC framed and matted scenes, as well as one of my signature “Through The Windshield” series raindrop photos.  One staged room view is included below.  Click on the image below to see the listing and how my images complemented their look.

Enjoy and let me know what you think!  If you are looking for some new imagery and art to clothe your walls, check out some of my selections onhttp://danmarinophotography.com. You can purchase prints and some products directly from the website or you can contact me to discuss a custom project.

I also took a sabbatical about showing my landscape art in galleries.  That is also a thing of the past – POOF!

So without further adieu, you are all invited to the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) for this weekend’s gallery opening titled, “Tales of Breukelen”!  I am showing for the first time in a year and yes I had to be very obvious in selecting Brooklyn Bridge shots for this show.

Come check them out!  There are many festivities planed for the Saturday, September 17 opening – food, wine, live music, pizzazz!  I will not be in attendance until Sunday, September 18 around 2PM.  Let me know if you can make it; especially when I plan to be at the gallery!

Here is more info – click on the image to go to BWAC’s website:

BWAC - Tales of Breukelen Fall 2011

I have some more exciting client news that goes hand in hand with the recent fashion week in NYC.  Not only that, this client also ties to the recent release of the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Tori Praver Swimwear is the new client I am talking about.  Who is Tori Praver?  If you answered along the lines of super model, sports illustrated swimsuit model, Guess?, Billabong, fashion designer,….,  then my response would be YES, YES, YES, YES, YES and much much more.  Tori has made a name for herself over her career and her intelligence and beauty speak for themselves.

Tori Praver Spring/Summer 2011 Look Book Page Example - Still Life photo by Daniel Marino | Tori Praver Photo by Daniel Fuller

After landing this opportunity and doing my research, I quickly gained great respect and admiration for Tori even before our 1st business meeting.  As an entrepreneur and business owner myself, there are a million moving pieces that have to be managed in harmony to achieve success.  There are also “forever” opportunities that present themselves when your well oiled machine is firing on all cylinders because, you the owner, have the vision plus the brains to act appropriately.

Tori’s beauty got her found.  Her confidence, attitude and intelligence made her a known celebrity.  Her passion, devotion and recognition of what made Tori – Tori brought her to the realization that her success would lead to greater successes in building her own swimsuit line.

Still Life photo shot on mannequin with chroma blue background for easier post production - this was was the image looked like prior to insertion into the look book page above.

ABOUT THE SHOOT
Fashion designers are tasked each season with releasing their new products to the world.  Retail stores and showrooms need a way to view the new product lines and understand available sizes, colors, styles, wholesale pricing, etc.  One major vehicle to do this for a designer is what is called a “Look Book”; a catalog if you would of still life and modeled product photography.

I was hired for two unique tasks.  The first was to photograph approximately 15 swimsuits on mannequins to display their form in the Look Book.  The second was the actual creation of the Spring/Summer 2011 Look Book.  This required a mannequin, a chroma blue background, studio product lighting  and the use of post production tools (yes Photoshop) to create a “floating” product (aka – removal of the background and mannequin).

Adobe In Design would be used to create the Look Book; making a complete marketing tool and main line of product communication to prospective buyers.  All in all, I served the roles of Photographer, Editor, Project Manager, and self proclaimed “Do-It-Aller”.  I cannot take full credit – many thanks to John Gentile, my long term business partner / freelancer extraordinaire for his art direction and lead Look Book designer.

This was a fun,  interesting project; and one which I took great pleasure in as the value that the end result would provide to Tori Praver Swimwear was a very rewarding experience.

ABOUT THE CLIENT
Tori Praver grew up on the sands of Maui, Hawaii, surfing and swimming in the sun of the tropical island paradise. Her childhood experience led to a life-long love of the beach lifestyle and provided the best background to launch her own swimwear line. Today, a successful swimwear model and designer, she knows just what women want to feel confident and comfortable. She channeled her expertise into an alluring line of separates, one-kinis and cover-ups that will have women strutting down the boardwalk or launching into the waves.

Tori Praver Spring/Summer 2011 Look Book Page Example - Still Life photo by Daniel Marino | Tori Praver Photo by Daniel Fuller

As a model, Praver’s big break came when she was asked to follow in the footsteps of such iconic superstars as Claudia Schiffer and Eva Hertzigova as the face of Guess? She has worked with some of the industry’s most renowned photographers including, Bruce Weber, Patrick Demarchelier, and, Gilles Bensimon. Tori has been featured on the covers and inside pages of top magazines such as, Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, and Glamour among others. She has also appeared three times in the coveted swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated.

Tori’s sophisticated taste and eye for detail has been influenced by the designers with whom she has worked and the many places she has traveled. “I have been blessed to experience so many gorgeous places and have been exposed to so many amazing cultures, I can’t help but be inspired when I travel.” Yet Praver maintains her own simple yet successful philosophy that fuels her eponymous swimwear line, “I decided to create designs that are more democratic in a way – I love when mother and daughter both wear my product. I will appeal to both young girls and more mature women.”

To learn more about Tori Praver Swimwear, visit http://toripraverswimwear.com

Still Life Photography by Daniel Marino, http://danmarinophoto.com

Tori Praver Photography by Daniel Fuller, http://danielfullerphotography.com/

Look Book Creation & Post Production by John Gentile, john@wishboneinc.com

Look Book Cover - Tori Praver Photo by Daniel Fuller

The Soho House NYC

ABOUT THE SHOOT
Well I can’t say all that much as I was sworn to extreme confidential secrecy (no really!). Lets start with goals:

1) Capture the mood of the room – a pinkfest allowing for an eclectic and fun experience while viewing shoes that were 6″ tall, contained spikes, studs, bling, etc, and were well…eclectic and fun!
2) Capture the oooing and aaaing crowd – mainly made up of fashion buyers and fanbase.
3) Capture the shoes and bags in interesting and creative ways.
4) Capture Ruthie…. oh wait – that goal will come later! Shhh…

Ruthie Davis Press Event - February 4, 2011 at The Soho House - White Room NYC

ABOUT THE CLIENT
RUTHIE DAVIS® is a collection of ultra-modern footwear that has garnered worldwide recognition. The brand holds technical innovation, architectural precision, and a sleek aesthetic sensibility at the fore. In terms of design, Ruthie’s primary interest is in structure, with great emphasis placed on the materials and form of the heels and lines of the upper. The resulting styles are somehow both sporty and modern while remaining elegant and sexy. Ruthie has described her shoes as “…go-go-dancer-meets-Bond-Girl”.

RUTHIE DAVIS® also supports an elite celebrity fan base, which includes such megastars as Beyoncé, Lady GaGa, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Maria Bello, Christina Ricci and Penelope Cruz as well as Hollywood glam girls like Hilary Duff, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian, Leighton Meister, Whitney Port and Lauren Conrad.

Ruthie Davis Press Event - February 4, 2011 at The Soho House - White Room NYC

Shoe Detail

Displays with Pink Detail and "Tron" Tape

Baggage!

Hello everyone,

View from the Red Hook Brooklyn Piers on Van Brunt Street. To purchase this image or find similar photos like this, click on it to go to my archive gallery.

Happy New Year!

  Yes I have been slacking with my blog stories but only because I have been unbelievably busy which is a very good thing.  One of my resolutions is to bring back news and interesting updates so watch out!

There will probably be one last redesign to my website and blog design and strategy to make things much easier for my clients and fans.  Another resolution, sit back and put together a well thought out site.

In the interim, you may have read this story when I discuss my company Brooklyn Studio Tours in October.  Or perhaps you just read in the NY Daily News by chance!  In any case, I wanted to start off the New Year with one of the big stories from last year – a story that I continue to use as motivation for my personal and company goals.  2011 will be an amazing and progressive year!

Back in October 2010, the NY Daily News contacted me with the intention of publishing a story about Brooklyn Studio Tours and the budding arts scene in Red Hook Brooklyn.  They did Google searches and immediately contacted me for an interview about the art studio tour (or artwalk) and my thoughts on Red Hook.  I also recommended a few more artists that could add interest and relevance. 

So here is the blast from the recent past – click this link to read the NY Daily News story from back in October.  Leave me a comment or send me an email to let me know what you think.  And also mark the 3rd or 4th weekend of May in your calendar – we will soon be publishing the dates for our large May artwalk.

Have a great year everyone and stay tuned – there are a lot of great things in progress to update you on!

- Dan

PS – Are you looking to do some photography in 2011?  I am booking new clients now – call or email to discus your ideas and timing.  Anyone booking prior to February 28 (for any booked date in 2011) will receive 15% off the shoot fee (not to be combined with any other offer).

LINK TO NY DAILY NEWS STORY – ARTOBERFEST OCTOBER 2010 – CLICK HERE

TopStar is an online gallery aimed at exposing artists and photographers. We offering numerous ways to do this through our markting and social media outlets. Artists can sell their works, art prints, revolutionary products such as images infused directly on metal, actual licensing to use an image of their works, etc. While we exist primarily online, we love the "Pop-Up" strategy. We will appear in NYC locations such as Bryant Park, Madison Square Park, down in Red Hook, Brooklyn, etc. In 2011, we will be expanding into additional cities. Stay tuned...

 Announcing our annual holiday shoppe at Bryant Park!  When planning out your gifts for the holidays, one affordable hot spot with great selections is Bryant Park smack dab in the middle of NYC on 42nd Street & 6th Avenue!

Even better, you and your family can make a whole day out of the adventure!  Bryant Park has already opened their seasonal ice skating ring called The Pond.  It is very interesting to watch people on the ice outside in 65 degree weather!

Other amenities include Celsius; a temporary restaurant and lounge overlooking the ice skating rink, Le Carousel and close by activities such as Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building etc.

During the week, take your lunch break by strolling through to check out all of the vendors and food stands.  And don’t forget to come visit us at TopStar – Store #F06 right at  the 42nd St and 6th Ave entrance (actually we are directly across from The Grace Building).

TopStar is showcasing numerous artists andphotographers; each with something unique to offer.  I created this company a few years back andhave found this shop to be a wonderful marketing strategy, as well as a tremendous exposure opportunity for the artists that sign up.

Before you come visit (ask me specifically when I will be there so we can catch up), be sure to check out our website, http://topstargallery.com to see all of the artists who have joined the family.  Showcasing in our store for the 2010 season are as follows:

• 360 Citi
  360 Degree Photography views of major cities and popular destinations
• Tom Hagen
  Oil Paintings & Drawings that you have to see up close
• Daniel Marino
  Yours truly! – Unique photography perspectives and architectural details on NYC and other locations
• Bill Storoniak
  Amazing, colorful and bright photography paired with mixed media handmade frames
• Kevin York
  Photojournalistic and emotional photography that is pristine
• Terry Urban
  Acryllic and Oil on Canvas – her Koi will make you looking for new little friends
• Gail Gitcho
  Amazing travel photography and scenic landscapes from all over the country
• Rek Santiago
  Famous Graffitti and Abstract – come see Rek’s model trains tagged up – must haves and truly special – from the subway to the gallery!
• Bernette Rudolph
  Bernette has brought true treasures to the store.  Her abstract art prints have an 80′s flair that is back in style and wonderful.  Every apartment or home should have one of these pieces in a very noticeable location!

 

I hope to see you all there.  If I am not in store, when you come by please email or call me and let me know what how you liked the experience we created for you.  We cannot take credit for this but the jewelry, chocolate truffle and candy apple vendors we neighbor with will excitingly enhance you experience!

MY “WONDER WHEEL & CONEY ISLAND” PHOTOGRAPHY ON METAL PIECES ARE NOW ON DISPLAY AT BWAC UNTIL OCTOBER 31 – WEEKENDS ONLY

I HAVE PRICED THEM VERY AFFORDABLE THIS GO AROUND SO THAT THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!  LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING AND I WILL TRY TO BE THERE IN PERSON AS WELL!  MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE SHOW ARE BELOW:

On September 25th, the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition opened its 19th century iron gates to LINEAGE, its 2010 Fall Group Art Show. 300 artists are exhibiting 1200 works in all media, including those of Featured Artist, Anujan Ezhikode. 

LINEAGE is a narrative show. Says Paula Jeanine Bennett, who, along with Anna Hagen and Zane Treimanis, is one on the show’s co-chairs, “It is an opportunity for artists to explore the source and metamorphosis of their creative journey and/or discipline; to honor their personal artistic inheritance and its change and its continuity.” Most artists have a written narrative as well as their art work as part of their presentation. Click here to learn more about the show, or take a look at the Lineage performance calendar.

As some of you know, on 9-11 I was in the basement when the 1st plane hit, got pushed outside in front of the Millenium Hotel and Century 21, and watched the 2nd plane go into the building.

Today, 9 years later, I am thankful for life, enjoy as much time as possible with my 2 1/2 year old daughter, and make it a priority to chase my passions.  This is a rebirth for many of us near and far, who worked in the towers, had loved ones who didn’t make it out, and those who connect with what transpired and what has become.

Remembering Giovanna Gambale this morning, a wonderful woman who never made it out but is still very much alive today.

I have attached my story again this year.  This ended up published and was something I felt privileged to share with anyone who needed it.

- Dan

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Outside Directly Across The Street

Well it was very sad, tragic, and mysterious, but I was directly across the street standing in front of the Millennium Hotel; something I am still trying to get over and it is going to take a while.

I was running late this day because I had to drop off my car for service in midtown Manhattan. My normal route to work from Brooklyn involves taking the X28 express bus to the World Trade Center (in front of Century 21). I then walk across the street. go into the 4WTC, and proceed down to the mall area. I make my way to Cornucopia (usually around 8:45 AM) to grab a protein shake, and I then walk into the lobby of 2WTC to go back outside, walk across the street, and up the escalator inside the West Side Highway overpass bridge, taking me into the lobby of 1 World Financial Center.

On this day, I was taking the E train into the 5WTC. We arrived at approximately 8:45AM. I was trying to get inside the Trade Center mall area to grab breakfast and get to work, but we were being told we could not enter, and were immediately pushed as a group up the Church Street and Rector Street stairwell exit (someone people mentioned that they heard someone say a man got shot). As I was halfway up the stairs, a police officer was screaming, “Excuse me, clear the way,” as he was escorting another officer who had a jacket covering his right shoulder (looked like he got shot). Getting closer to street level, I saw people pointing and looking up, screaming and crying. As I got all the way upstairs, I saw 1WTC on fire, with a huge hole on the right side of the building, and it was truly shocking. I didn’t know what to do, so I found a spot directly on the corner of the Millennium Hotel (approx 25 feet from the front of 4WTC, 5 WTC and the WTC atrium area), and all I could do was stare at the building.

Trying to listen to what had happened, I overhead someone say that a small jet hit the building. I could not comprehend this, nor would I believe it. After a few minutes, I witnessed people taking their lives from upper floors (75+) of 1 WTC. These people chose to leap out of windows and plummet to their death, rather than being trapped and burning to death and I can’t say that I blame them. I had to see at least 25-30 people jump. It seemed like this was going on for an hour in length; however, the reality was more like 5-10 minutes. It was a truly grueling and traumatizing experience for me and will take some time to get over. One lasting image in my mind was 4 people holding hands all the way down (From where I was, I never saw these people hit the ground – I thank god for that!)

A while later the 2nd plane hits the 2WTC, another awful experience. I don’t know if the other people around me saw this the way I did (and I am extremely curious to find out exactly how they saw everything and how they are dealing with it), but the 2nd plane was not seen until it hit the 2 WTC. Basically, there was so much black smoke, smog and fire filling the air, and there was so much noise and commotion, than this 2nd plane could not be seen and was barely heard. All I truly remember is taking focus off of 1 WTC to glance over at 2WTC. The plane just seemed to appear, just become visible a few inches away from the building. I watch it on TV and say to myself, this is not how it happened and it definitely did not look this way. The plane was tremendous! (767 I think), and I saw it from the bottom, tilting to the left. Again, it just appeared from the smoky air, and within a second, it hit the 2WTC and caused a ferocious explosion.

This impact sent everyone around me in frenzy. I did not move. I was too shocked and I do not know why, but I did not want to run away; I wanted to stay and watch it. That lasted for all of 5 seconds (which felt more like 5 minutes) because pieces of the building and debris started falling and I had to get out of the way, so I ran down the Millennium Hotel block (Jay street?). People were running so hard and so fast that they literally were running out of their shoes. I eventually ended up, thankfully and surprisingly unharmed, down near J&R Music World and Pace University.

This was only a few blocks, but I had to turn around and look at these buildings and experience the fear I had run away from. The site of these 2 buildings, landmarks, on fire and in shambles was really painful to see. I was terrified at this point. After about 15 minutes, I finally ran into someone I knew from my company and we spoke about what we had experienced. He left to go home, I stayed and watched. A few minutes later, I walked towards the courthouse and sat down in amazement in the park area. While I started talking to people, I heard, then turned around and saw the 2WTC falling and ran away again from

falling debris. Standing in front of the park, I was blocked from immediately being hit by traveling debris, but had I not run, it would only be a matter of time until it made its way in my direction. As I turned around, all I could see was the antenna of one of the trade centers, and finally, I looked away and walked for a while. I had seen enough.

I ended up in a bar on Broadway and Houston Street. I wanted to get as far away as possible, but I also wanted to get in front of a TV to see what the hell just took place. It was about 10:30AM at this point, because as I went into the bar and sat down, they were showing the 2WTC beginning to fall. I sat down, watched the TV, and drank about 8 shots of Southern Comfort with others people I met. Finally, I got my first cell phone connection dialed out to my mother to let her know I was safe.

While most people tried leaving the city ASAP, it didn’t mater to me. I ended up traveling to different bars and locations to stay updated, and remain drunk. It wasn’t until 8:00PM, that I finally needed to go home, back to Brooklyn. Thankfully, the F train was running again, so I went down into the W4th Street station, jumped on the train, and went home.

Throughout that day, and for the next few days, one thing was on my mind – Why? Was I supposed to be in this building at the time, and why was I supposed to witness this. There may very well be no answer to this. Thinking long hard about this, whether I was on time going to work taking my normal route, or whether I was late from dropping off my car, I still would not have been in the building where I would be harmed. Had I been on time, I would have been in the 2WTC lobby, just about to walk out and cross the street. I would have probably seen and/or heard the 1st plane hit and ran back down Liberty Street rather than running up the escalator into 1 World Financial Center. Had this happened, I believe I would have ended up in close to the same exact spot I was because I would have wanted to watch what was taking place.

So basically, the question is, why was I supposed to be 25 feet away from the buildings, watching this major catastrophe? If I was truly not supposed to be there on this day, then why wasn’t I left in midtown, so I could not witness this tragedy in a front row seat? Again, one will never know why they were where they were on this day. I can just be thankful that I was unharmed.

Dan Marino
Brooklyn, NY

On my way to CIBC World Markets, 1 World Financial Center

Additionally, they bring in young and budding talent to perform on stage and get the crowd going.  Other fun things include face painting (not just for your kiddies!), clowns, ballons, Elmo, Sponge Bob, (ahem) photography, and retro 80s t-shirts for sale. 

Click on the photo below to view the slideshow!

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July 25, 2010 – Little Club Heads 1 Year Anniversary Party
Photography by Daniel Marino, danmarinophoto.com

The Marino Photography Viewpoint (aka – About the Opportunity)
I was hired into this new relationship as the portrait station photographer.  It was quick to pickup that setting up a traditional portrait station with lights and backdrops was impossible due to a couple of hundred kids and adults swarming around, dancing, high fiving Elmo, etc.  The shoot quickly became a mission to make portraits out of whatever I was able to view as an opportune foreground and background.

You think weddings are tough!  Try this once .  As a result, my plan to primarily use my 24-70mm wide to standard portrait lens went out the door in most cases.  So did my 85MM 1.2 beauty of a lens.  Enter beautiful lens#2 – the 70-200mm beast!  What did this allow me to do?  Hide!  Sneak!  Crouch down low in unforseen corners by the bar, a small elevated stage, and some other spots you will see when you visit me and Elijah from Little Club Heads next month!

I basically allowed the kids to do their “spontaneous thing” which was to enjoy themselves and have fun!  Enjoy the photos and hope to see you at Little Club Heads for their next party.  If you have children and they (and you) like to dance and get out, come try this at least once, and look out for your picture on our website soon thereafter! 

More info about visiting Little Club Heads, including planning a bday party can be found here – http://www.littleclubheads.com

Until next time,

Dan
___
Marino Photography
Website:  danmarinophoto.com
Archive:  danmarinophotography.com
Phone:     (917) 207-2091

10% OFF YOUR NEXT PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICE
Book Marino Photography for your next family event, family portrait session or adult/child headshots!  We bring the studio to you in most cases and allow you to be comfortable in your own environment so we capture your quirkiness, spontaneity, and other personality traits – all the qualities that make you YOU and provide lasting memories for generations!  Mention that you saw this blog and get 10% off your next photo shoot.