Blood Diamond...How to shoot a girl in a car.

The art-director called me at 9.15 on Friday night, the day after the deadline....."You know that story we talked about last week for the next issue", Yes, I replied...."Well we need you to shoot it tomorrow morning and its going to be the new cover story"......"I'll need you to have it to me in the afternoon"..."The writer has her contact info and is going to interview her after the shoot"...."Give him a call"

So a quick call to him revealed that she had been living in her car in L.A. and had given herself two more days at her acting dreams before she was going to quit. Fortunately she got a call to work with Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Honsou in Blood Diamond.

Her name is Benu Mabhena and thats not her car.

Another call...this time to the Cadillac wrecking yard...

"Hey can I shoot a girl in one of your cars tomorrow"

........"HUH".....

"I mean can I photograph an actress in one of your cars tomorrow"

"Is she hot"

"Yes"

"Then OK"

After that it was cake.....Throw up a white seamless behind the car.....shoot with the door open for that lovely subdued daylight look.....leave some space for the masthead and some text...barcode goes in the bottom left corner....

Jason Miller, Performing Arts Principal

Jason Miller is the Principal, for lack of a better word to describe his role, of a Performing Arts High School that I had the chance to shoot recently. I have had the chance to shoot Jason's wife Josie in the past, she is the director of their theatre company and Jason doubles as the Lighting Director.

I shot Jason with  a 430ex up high directly behind him. It was snooted with a home-made black straw grid. The grid really helped to keep the spread of the light narrow which creates that spotlight-theatrical feel when shooting directly into it.

The rest of the shot was taken care of with another 430ex this time in a large shoot thru umbrella.

The metering on this shot was a departure from my normal methods....I usually stick it all on manual....camera, flashes, everything....this time I gave Ettl a chance....mainly because I have been experimenting with the high speed sync capabilities of the 430ex's when slaved from the master 580ex.

Delta Academy Performing Arts High School Principal

MIME Theater, Oakland, Ca.

Apple Orchard burn, Brentwood, Ca