#foto care

[nbcnews]

Startling Underwater Photos Explore the Secret Life of Plankton

Ryo Minemizu's images capture in meticulous detail the startling beauty of the tiny living things that drift in our planet's oceans. See more here. 

[thephoblographer]

A Look "Across the Counter" with Camera Salesman Robert Kidd

A Look “Across the Counter” with Camera Salesman Robert Kidd

Just a little snapshot from the Leica M240 with a Leica 50mm f2.5.

When Robert “Bob” Kidd, salesman at Foto Care in New York City, approached us about his “Across the Counter” project, we just couldn’t let the opportunity pass to write about this. “Across the Counter” is a series of photographs of Bob standing behind his counter at Foto Care, as seen by his customers. As a salesman, Bob gives…

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[productionhub]

Adventure is out there! Just ask Ira Block, international photojournalist...

by: Robert Weber & Linda Drummond

Ira Block is an internationally renowned photojournalist, teacher and workshop leader who has produced over 30 stories for the National Geographic magazine and its affiliates, N.G. Traveler and Adventure. He began his career as a newspaper photographer, earning numerous press club awards. As an expert in lighting, Ira is sought after for assignments ranging from shooting ancient artifacts in Greece to photographing dinosaur fossils in the Gobi desert and documenting Moche mummies in Peru.  His momentous coffee table book, Saving America’s Treasures, was a collaborative effort among the Clinton White House, National Geographic Society, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Ira’s unique vision and outstanding lighting skills have made him the “go to photographer” for complex assignments.  His show, Faces of Hope, opens at Foto Care Rentals October 19th, from 6:30-8:30 pm.  Please RSVP to [email protected]. Q: Tell us about yourself and how you got into photography. A: I started taking photos when I was a high school student in Brooklyn. My father helped me build a darkroom in our basement and I loved developing film and making prints. At the University of Wisconsin I didn’t have my own darkroom so I joined the student newspaper. I covered a lot of UW’s sporting events and got to know the local newspaper photographers. They liked my work and when a position opened up for a part time photographer at the Wisconsin State Journal, I was offered the job.  I couldn’t believe my good fortune – I was finally going to get paid to take pictures! After working at the paper for a week I realized how little I really knew about photography and darkroom work. The next couple of years were like an apprenticeship for me. Q: What was the break-out job that helped launch your career? A: I covered the Democratic National Convention in Chicago for UPI in 1968 while I was still a student at Wisconsin and got some national recognition.  When I returned to New York I started freelancing and eventually hooked up with the National Geographic magazine. In 1978 I went to the North Pole by dog sled with a Japanese explorer. This was my first cover story for the magazine.  I was only 29 years old and became a regular contributor to the magazine. Q: What has been your favorite assignment(s) to date? A: It’s difficult to pick one assignment. Every time I head off somewhere it’s an adventure filled with possibilities. I did a story a number of years ago on the history of the condiment olive oil. I travelled to Northern California, Greece, Italy and Spain, met some really great people and had the opportunity to eat fantastic food.  So it ranks high on my list. Q:  Where do you draw your inspiration from? A: I draw inspiration from the people and places I photograph. Whether it’s an exotic culture, an uninhabited landscape, animals in the wild, a teeming city or ancient objects, photography has given me the incredible opportunity to roam through society as a respectful voyeur.  I am inspired each time I look through a viewfinder or at an LCD screen. Q:  What do you do to market you services? A: I’ve been published so often in the National Geographic that at this point in my career my stories are their own marketing tool. I do have a rep at the National Geographic assignment division who helps me obtain some of my commercial work. Also, over the years I’ve done a lot of corporate photography which has grown through word of mouth. Q:  Do you use Social Media as part of your marketing mix? If so, do you think it is effective? A: I do use social media as part of my marketing, though it’s a softer type of marketing. I maintain a facebook fan page, I tweet and write a blog. I believe social media is an effective, low cost way to keep one’s visibility very high. Q: How has your work changed in the last few years? A: I try to be less controlling and restrictive in my work. In the past I spent too much time compulsively trying to make things perfect. Now I try to be looser with my shooting style which works well in the current marketplace. Q: Where is your work heading next? Where do you see yourself in the future? A: I’m looking for projects that are less involved with the individual images and concentrate more on the entire body of work. I think this will fit in to the electronic use of photos very well. Q:  What equipment are you currently using to produce your work? A: I use a variety of equipment these days. I’ve been using Canon cameras for many years and have been very happy with the results. For a lot of my portrait work I use a Mamyia 645 with a digital back. The 16 bit color really is great for skin tones. For fun and looser photography I’ve been having a great time shooting with the Panasonic Lumix mirrorless four thirds system. Q:  What equipment would you most like to own but don’t yet have? A: Wow, there is so much I’d like to have to play around with but I am in business and have to stick with equipment that will have a return on my investment. Q:  Do you work with Video? Have you stepped into the Hybrid Video market at all? A: I’ve been doing some video work using the Canons and the Lumix cameras. I like shooting video but find that the post production is very time-consuming and very important. I’m still trying to find a balance between my capabilities and when I need an experienced editor. Q: When/ How did you first hear about Foto Care? A: I’ve been going to Fotocare so long that my wife thinks I should have my own bed and kitchen there. Q: What is it about Foto Care that brings your back? A: The staff and their knowledge of all things photographic. And sometimes there’s free food!