Category Archives: location shoot

career, friends, location, location shoot, photography, San Diego, Sports, work

I used to shoot Sports…..

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Portrait of Ken Caminiti. Concept was to show his toughness and grit.
Portrait of Ken Caminiti. Concept was to show his toughness and grit.

  I used to be a sports photographer.  Then reality set in….. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

  I grew up in a small Kansas farm town, Macksville, and I loved sports.  I don’t ever remember sports not being a part of my life.  My two oldest brothers excelled in whatever they did.  My next oldest brother Mark was a pretty good pitcher, my sister, Debbie, was just as talented as my older siblings and my youngest brother was probably the best of us all.  The only problem was he was ten years younger than me.  I only learned his exploits from Mark’s writings in the local newspaper.  But what about me?  I was short changed in the talent department.  As hard as I worked and studied sports, the reality was I didn’t “have” it.  But boy it sure took me a long time to accept it.

  I played on the high school team and then was the backup place kicker on the Mesa College football team.  Looking back I think it was only because Coach Smorin didn’t cut those that wanted to be there.  I wanted it bad.  So I stayed.  During the offseason I was in the first car accident of my life and as a result had to quit playing.  That was one of the best events that ever  happened.

  During the offseason I had gotten married and my sister-in-law, Carole had loaned me her 35mm Yashica to play with.  I was quickly hooked and soon photographing sports for the school paper at Mesa College which allow me to stay in touch with my team mates.  An obsession to learn followed and within four years I was working in the newspaper realm, covering news and the sports I loved.

  After eight years as a staff photographer at the San Diego Union Tribune I started my own business and became immersed in the sports photography profession.  I worked for the wire services, trading card companies, San Diego State University and then got my dream job.  Along with a former Sports Illustrated photographer we started an in-house full service photography department for the owner of the San Diego Padres.  It was a sports photographer’s ideal job.  We were on the inside documenting the team and the franchise, the players and the owners.  We were given access that few photographer ever are given.

  During the six year stint we lived a great life.  I photographed hundreds of games and saw a rare insight into what some people call the Greatest Game.  The Padres had a good team and even better marketing.  Their quest to expand their brand took us to Mexico several times, once to play the Mets, to Hawaii to play the St. Louis Cardinals and then the winning began.  We went to the playoff and then the World Series.  I saw Tony Gwynn at his prime, I saw him injured and I saw him retire.  On his final game he personally gave me an autographed bat which I have to this day.

  But times change.  Due to internal politics I was not renewed.  And to add insult to injury I was replaced by the mailroom clerk….  the timing was terrible.  They waited until ten days prior to spring training which precluded me from working with another company.

  Losing that contract was the best event that happened.  I’m now an architectural photographer.  I miss sports but I love my new challenge.  But that’s another story.  Check out my website, www.zwink.com 

About the photo:  This was a portrait of Ken Caminiti done for the Padres Magazine.  Camy was one of the most intense, dedicated hard working people I ever met.  He loved baseball.  Padre fans loved him.

ART, camera phone, career, Iphone 5, location, location shoot, music, photography, San Diego, Snapseed, Travel, work

On The Road…Again

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I’m no expert but it appears the economy is improving.  The first two months of 2014 were the busiest I’ve ever had.  I know it’s a small sample to base the year on but other photographers have told me they’re off to a good start also.  If photographers are working, businesses are marketing and looking to growth.  That’s what we do, we help our client market, sell and grow their business.

I spent a lot of the month on the road.  Several trips to Orange County surrounded a couple San Diego projects and then I went to the Bay Area for a couple shoots up there.  After a quick respite back home and starting a new local project, I went to Alaska for a quick shoot.  I know, why send a San Diego photographer there, it’s because my client trusts me to get what they need.  Maybe an idea for a future blog.

Well I need to wrap this up.  I have another couple projects in Orange County and LA this week.  I hope everyone else is busy.

About my image gallery:  All images shot with my iPhone while traveling.  Post was in Snapseed.

ART, career, family, Kansas, Lightroom 5, location shoot, photography, Travel

Been there, Done that?????

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_JDZ8515A

Have you?  Have you been to that place more that once where you start to shoot the same photos the same way?  STOP……. don’t go into autopilot.  You know what works, now look for something different.  Whether a different angle, different lens, different time of day or a new technique, explore it.  Dare to be different, that how you become better.  Don’t go home with the same or similar images.  STIMULATE YOUR VISION!!!

Techy stuff:  camera-Nikon D800 and Nikon D600.  Lenses Nikkor 14-24 and 70-200.  Processed in Adobe Lightroom 5.  Locaton, Macksville, Kansas, population aprox. 500.

More of my work:  http://zwink.com

career, location shoot, photography, San Diego, Sports

Old Memories

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Atlanta 98 celebration

San Diego Padres celebrating their 1998 NLCS title against the Atlanta Braves.

  1,564 people liked this photo on Facebook……..

  How many know who shot the photo…….

  Isn’t the creator of a photo sometimes as important to know as the image, especially if it has historical significance?

  Good photos are made, not just taken…..

  DON’T FORGET THE PHOTOGRAPHERS……..credit them please

  Photo by:  Joel Zwink/San Diego Padres circa 1998

family, location shoot, photography, Sports

Pajolie’s Opening Day

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Today was not only Pajolie’s Opening Day in her first season of T-Ball but the first opening day for our family.  Pajolie, aka Payton Jo, is my oldest granddaughter.  Although she has tried dance lessons this is her first softball experience.  In organized softball the first weekend of the season is accompanied by the league’s pomp and circumstance ceremony.  You can tell the newbies.  They are the small young girls that are wondering what this is all about, what they should do.  Next year they will be the veterans.

Payton’s sister and dad were there to experience it along with her.  Three year old Parker, had big eyes, it was hard on her as she has always been her sister’s companion, now on the sidelines, a spectator.  I could sense it, watching her stare at the scene and all the older multicolored uniformed girls.

Four o’clock, game time.  Actually more like 4:20, and the Blue Diamonds were ready to play.  In the crowd were her Mom, Dad, sister, Patti  and even Zoey (our Frenchie) there to see the action.  Along about the third inning her Uncle Joe and cousin Jameson came to participate.

A great day to start a career, a great day to enjoy the family.  Keep your head down when swinging Pajolie and run hard……. and enjoy every inning of the game.

The techy stuff:  Shot with the Nikon D600 and D800.  Images processed in Adobe Lightroom.

Team Sponsor:  Zwink Photography  www.zwink.com

career, family, location shoot

Whose Story is this?

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I don’t know what the attraction is but cemeteries draw me to them.  Is it curiosity, a little macabre or the photographer in me.  Believe me, I’m in no hurry and definitely not looking for a resting place.  That, will be someone else’s problem.  I won’t be around… lol.  Sometimes I’m alone, sometimes Patti my wife will go with me.  I’ve never asked her why, we just do.  Often we start out together exploring but often separate.  And then quietly call the other when there is a perceived story to share.  We don’t do this at home, only when we’re traveling.  Maybe it the anthropologist in us that looks for clues about the past and the culture we’re invading.  I could write more on my thoughts, but I’ll hold onto them.  Maybe for an addendum if there’s enough curiosity.

TECHY STUFF:  The above images were taken at a abandoned, unattended graveyard we came across at Port Allen near Glass Beach on Kaua’i.  What was interesting was all the writing on the markers and headstones in one area were all Japanese or Chinese, the middle part to young Hawaiian children that died within the first couple years and then the other side to a small section of Hawaiian families.  We don’t know their stories, but we sure speculated for a while.

My real work:  http://www.zwink.com

P.S.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL MY FRIENDS, READERS AND FELLOW BLOGGERS.

career, Lightroom 3, location shoot, photography, San Diego

Image taker or maker

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Which are you?  I am a Image Maker.  Even with my iPhone (yes I admit I have and use one) I think before I hit the shutter.  I think that is the difference.  Good Image Makers, aka photographers and videographers think and don’t just react to a scene, situation or event.  Another good qualifier is to look at a body of images and see if they make sense.  Yes, make sense, do they tell  the story or stimulate a response?  So…… even if you’re an amateur next time, look and compose before you take that picture.  Happy shooting…

Techy stuff:  All images shot at Sunset at Mission Beach, Ca. with a Nikon D3 and processed in LightRoom3.

career, Lightroom 4, location shoot, photography, Travel

Getaway

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We all need that special place.  Be it close by or halfway around the world we all need a place that has a hold on us.  The place that feels good, has the mojo to help recharge us, that make you feel safe, that you don’t forget and often return to.

Kauai, the northern most Hawaiian island, is our special place.  We’ve been coming here on and off for 24 years, since our honeymoon.  We have experienced the island go through many changes, a hurricane, an abundance of water, a drought, the effect of the economic collapse,  the death of a beloved local surfer and the resiliency to survive, never forget and move on.  We’ve also seen a kind, compassionate, caring culture  of the people that love their home.  The “aloha” factor.

This is our special place, it is a part of us.  No matter the situation we alway have a unique experience.  I try to share what we love about Kauai with our friends through my photography of our travels and adventures.  Every person has to find their own “special place” .  Kauai, just saying it warms my heart, it will always be our special place that keeps calling to come back.  What does it for you?

techy stuff:  all images shot with the new Nikon D600 and processed in Adobe Lightroom 4.  My website is www.zwink.com

career, Lightroom 4, location shoot, photography, San Diego, Sports

I used to shoot Sports

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I am an architectural photographer who also does corporate and commercial work.  I used to shoot sports but due to personal reasons have stayed away from the genre.  BUT……. the more things change…

My friend Stan Liu, an accomplished sports photog himself generously offer me a credential to go shoot the San Diego State v. UNLV football game.  What a great time.  The game was sloppy but being able to capture athletes in an intense competition was exhilarating and made me remember why I had chosen that lifestyle for so long.  If only I could have figured out how to make money doing it.  Thanks Stan.

Techy notes:  Shot with a Nikon D700 with a booster for the motor, Nikkor 400 f2.8 lens and images processed in Adobe Lightroom 4.

Websites: http://www.zwink.com and my archived sports and editorial site:  http://bigstudioz.com

career, Lightroom 3, location shoot, photography, San Diego

Learn to Communicate (Ask the right Questions)

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  (Above)  My client specifically  asked that I get images of the water feature between the two building.  Much to my chagrine there were white strips at the bottom the the pools.  If I was shooting this on an editorial job I would have to shoot it the way it was.  Being that this was for a commercial client I did a quick sample and emailed it to them.  They opted for the retouched version and the additional expense.  Communication with the client got them what they wanted and a more profitable day for me.

Fortunately most of my clients and I have some history.  Although most of my assignments come in by email we generally know what each other needs.  If you’re working with a new client, don’t assume.  You know the old saying.  Not only is it true but it can cause you more time on the project and even grief.  Ask what the final product is so you know how to shoot, are you going to have time to do it right, light it right or have to shoot ambient and minimize the impact on the tenant/subject?  In other words, get in, make great images and get out quick.  Here’s a short list to get you started.

  1. Make sure you have a contact # while on site.
  2. know in advance if this is the only day/time you can shoot if the weather is bad.
  3. Security.  Make sure they know you’re there.
  4. Shot list.  Make sure you know exactly what they need.  Anything else is cake, i.e. additional income.
  5. Be prepared.  Scout the location to know what you’re getting into.
  6. Deadline.  Know when the need it and get it to them early.
  7. Communicate.  To be successful you have to learn to talk their language.
  8. Make your own list.  But do it and constantly review it so you will do it right and enjoy the process.

More of my work:  www.zwink.com

Techy stuff:  Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop 6, Nikon D800