A Day in the Life of Hawaii (1982)

The cover of the 224 page coffee table book. Cover photo by Dan Dry, assigned my me.

A project I worked on early in my career. Thanks to Rick Smolan for inviting me and helping to jumpstart my wonderful career. So many lessons learned from both Rick and David Elliott Cohen. Made great friends and three months living in Hawai’i and exploring Maui, Moloka’i and Oahu. Now you know why my love affair with Hawai’i

From Rick Smolan:
Forty years ago a strange thing happened on the world's news fronts. In London, Paris, New York, Tokyo, El Salvador, and Beirut, in the Amazon jungle, and on the Afghanistan border, fifty of the world's foremost Photojournalists, the world-weary khaki clad lensmen asnd lenswomen of the press, packed their cameras and canvas shoulder bags and boarded planes to the middle of the Pacific ocean to take on one of the most unusual and challenging assignments of the careers: to capture the entire state of Hawaii on film in the course of a single 24 hour period.
Photojournalist, Rick Smolan, editor, David Cohen, designer Leslie Smolan and project director Jennifer Erwitt gave the photographers unusual instruction: Don’t try to make the definitive statement about Hawaii. Don’t concentrate on the rich, the famous or the powerful. Avoid clichés. instead do the hardest thing of all: make extraordinary pictures of ordinary events.
The award winning one hour PBS TV special (below), directed by Sandy Smolan, captures how the A DAY IN THE LIFE OF HAWAII Team pulled off a project that publishing 35 publishers had turned down, insisting it would never work. Click on the link below to go on assignment with members of the most illustrious photography team ever assembled. 
• Go dancing in Waikiki with top German cameraman Gerd Ludwig. 
• Join a Hulu school in progress on the island of Molokai with US newspaper photographer of the year Dan Dry, 
• Climb 14,000 feet to the summit of Mauna Kea with Time Photographer Shelly Katz, 
• Come face-to-face with the Murray eel 60 feet below the surface of the Pacific with National Geographic David Doubilet, 
• Visit the Hawaiian Cowboys of the 224,000 acre Parker Ranch with Pulitzer Prize winner Eddie Adams, 
• Ride a perfect 10 foot wave on the Bonzai pipeline with Surfing Magazine's Aaron Chang. 
The several hundred color and black-and-white pictures in A DAY IN THE LIFE OF HAWAII were chosen from almost 60,000 shot during a single day. None is 24 hours older or younger than any other and no picture was shot for any purpose other than to document the harmonies and paradoxes of life in Hawaii as it was lived on this one day. 
But even 60,000 images, barely hint of the infinite moments that passed through the beaches and hills in homes and hearts of Hawaii on that day. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF HAWAII belongs to them -- to each smile, each silence, each crashing wave, saved only in memory.
#photography #photoshoot #photojournalism

Meet Fran, Best Buddies Ambassador & TV Spokesperson

 

Fran Sheinberg, Best Buddies Global Ambassador

The accolades and the opportunities are piling up for Fran Sheinberg. At the Best Buddies Leadership Conference in July, she was honored as the Best Buddies Jobs Employee of the Year. Her work at the Promise Child Development Center in Texas was cited for her commitment, passion and work ethic that has made an indelible impression with her community.

On stage receiving her award with AWE Wrestler Paul Wight, and Best Buddies Founder Anthony k. Shriver

Fran is on the autism spectrum. She stated, when she was young, doctors and teachers told her parents, she was "different, slow and delayed." With little outside encouragement, Fran was determined to prove everyone wrong. Although, she had difficulty communicating with people, Fran found an outlet. She started to write and perform raps. With this new ability to express herself, she found a way to share her feelings and put a smile on people's faces. Her stage name is Flava Fran.

Performing one of her Raps on stage at the Indiana University Auditorium.

This October Jersey Mike's Sub Franchise System has joined Best Buddies to allow customer's to "round-up" their check to donate to Best Buddies. The Jersey Mike's TV commercial features Fran! Click on the link:  Fran's Jersey Mike's Commercial

Fran with Joey Shriver and Anthony Shriver

As a photographer, I get to meet the most incredible and inspiring people. Nearly 30 years of documenting the activities and mission of one of the most magnificent organizations that makes a different in helping people achieve their full potential. Best Buddies please help them by volunteering and donating. www.BestBuddies.org

Copyright 2023 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved. No publishing or usage granted without permission.

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Rated #1  DC Event Photographer by Peerspace

Tips for Updating Your LinkedIn Profile Photo

Portrait Session

You have heard it many times, your personal photo is a vital asset to your LinkedIn profile. Your photo is the impression you want people to have of you.  We live in a visual society, so quality images are vital. Your portrait should exude confidence, approachability, and friendliness.

 A 'good' photographer knows how to get that feeling out of you. Yet it is a two-way street, your photo session is a collaboration between you and the photographer. You need to feel relaxed during your session. Know your best side, how your smile looks, and your best pose. Let the photographer help you capture your authentic self.  

Finding that photographer is important.  Just like choosing any professional, get personal referrals, view their portfolio, and talk to them.  Do you like what you see in their work?  When talking to them, do you get the confidence they will do a good job for you?  What are their rates and your rights to the photos?  Is it a good deal for you?

The next question is how often should you update your LinkedIn photo and other social media portraits?  There are no set guidelines but a list of considerations you can follow when to decide to change your profile image: 

-A change in your life:

Job promotion, job hunting, career change, newly married, birth of a baby

-A change in your appearance:

Hair style, facial hair, new glasses, change in body (you been working out), weight loss or gain, or any cosmetic improvements.  

-Does your profile image still represent you?  Or you think it just needs to be changed.  

You want a high-quality image that is technically correct; In focus, good exposure, well composed, that shows your best side.  This photo might just be your only chance to make a good first impression. This is true for LinkedIn and your dating sites.   

A nice way to start the new year, post a new photo.  Or at the start of each season, show a new look each spring, summer, fall and winter.  You don’t want to be too obsessive, do what works for you.   

What about your business profile images, and your LinkedIn banner photo?

·      Do you have new services or products to highlight?

·      Celebration of events, business events, or holidays?

·      Feature your company’s mission.

·      Promotion of a charity or cause your business supports.

·      Show you or your staff in action.

The reason to add these photos is to show that a real human is behind your business.  You are personal, caring, and trustworthy; A wonderful characteristic to attract and keep clients/customers.  Additionally, these photos show that your business is improving, and growing, giving your customers the confidence in you.

Quality & interesting photos engages your audience.  The key for your photos, be appropriate to your intended market, be significant and pertinent.  

Copyright 2023 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved. No publishing or usage granted without permission.

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Rated #1  DC Event Photographer by Peerspace

 

Photographing Diplomats: The Potomac Exchange

 

Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India

The Potomac Exchange is a 50-year-old Washington, DC membership-based organization that brings business leaders and foreign ambassadors together. Its mission is to create a dialog of understanding, initiate business relationships, and network for an “off-the-record” luncheon.  As the official photographer for The Potomac Exchange, my goal is to document interesting moments.

Christina Markus Lassen is the Ambassador of Denmark luncheon at the Top of the Hay, Hay-Adams Hotel, Washington, DC

While photographing these luncheons, usually in a wonderful room with limited space, it is vital to understand several key elements: Be respectful of the decorum. It is a luncheon meeting, walk cautiously, give the servers the room they need to maneuver. Find angles that emphasize the speakers, avoiding distractions. Lighting is always an issue, bright sunlight coming through the window, or not enough light because the room is dimly lit, knowing how to make proper camera adjustments and doing good postproduction is required to give the client exceptional pictures. Have a smile on your face. Lastly, one of the first lessons learned from the great New York Times Photographer George Tames, as a DC photographer, what is heard in the room, stays in the room. Confidentiality is sacred.  

Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdés of Chile. Ambassador Yerzhan Ashikbayev of Kazakhstan, Ambassador Francisco Duarte Lopes of Portugal

Being a photographer is privilege. As a photographer, one is a witness to many interesting and significant events, and you get to share what you photograph with many people. The most important skill a photographer can bring to their clients is the expertise of making images that the story. 

Copyright 2023 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved. No publishing or usage granted without permission.

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Rated #1  DC Event Photographer by Peerspace

Photographing Real Champions

Joshua Felder, Madison Tevlin, and James Day Keith.

Bloomington, IN, July 22--This summer at the Best Buddies Leadership Conference was an opportunity to meet and photograph three of the stars from the hit movie, Champions.  Joshua Felder, Madison Tevlin, and James Day Keith.  They were part of the basketball team who played for their coach, played by Woody Harrelson.  This feel-good movie was an instant hit.  All the members of the basketball team had an IDD.  That didn’t stop them from acting, hitting their lines, and showing their talents on the basketball court. 

At the Best Buddies Leadership Conference, James Day Keith, Madison Tevlin and Joshua Felder, with Best Buddies Founder Anthony Shriver on the Assembly Hall Court, Home of the Indiana Hoosiers, Indiana University.

The fun part was working with Josh, Madison, and Jimmy at the conference.  Each worked so well together and provided great laughs during all our photo sessions.   Josh is a natural at everything he does and accomplishes.  Madison has an infectious personality, always upbeat.  Jimmy is an incredible athlete, with a quick wit who always kept me on my toes.   I only see great things in all of their futures. 

Joshua Felder, Madison Tevlin, and James Day Keith are Global Ambassadors for Best Buddies.

Only if I could be as brilliant as my new friends.

Copyright 2023 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved. No publishing or usage granted without permission.

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Rated #1  DC Event Photographer by Peerspace

Practicing Photo Techniques: Exploring the Other Washington with a Camera

 

Bubbles on the Washington Coast, Seaside Beach, WA, enhanced with Lightroom. 

All Photos (c)Laurence L. Levin

Washington State July 2023—Exploring the other Washington, experimenting with photography, and traveling with friends who know what to do in the great Northwest.  Traveling provides new opportunities to witness, to document, to experience new things, and experiment and learn the features on a new camera.

Seattle Space Needle and the Sonic Bloom Sculptures. The five steel, glass, and solar powered sculptures are located in Seattle's Pacific Science Center.

On this trip used the new Nikon Z8.  Many great features, and buttons to learn to use.  The basic tenants of photography remain the same, knowing composition, how to use the metering system for right exposure, and when to snap the shutter to capture moments.  The camera technologies allow one to concentrate on these basics.  The updated version of Lightroom provides artificial intelligence to enhance specific areas of the photo. 

Downtown Seattle from the Bainbridge Ferry. Waited for the boat to dock. Enhanced with Lightroom.

So, if all this technology allows anyone to take photos, why would you hire a photographer to cover your event?  When you engage an experienced professional, you get:

·      Someone who has the high-end equipment that can get the job correctly done.

·      Ability to cover a wide range of situations that gives you a choice of images.

·      Consistently produce storytelling images of moments that matter throughout your event.

·      Know how to work with people, treat everyone like a VIP, and be a good representative of you and your organization.

·      Editing, adjusting, and enhancing your images properly. 

·      Maintain a high level of quality and professionalism under pressure.

Find a photographer who enjoys what they do and would be a good member of your team!

Composition matters. The new Rainier Square office and apartment building. A recent Opal Award winner because of its innovative construction technique. Speedcore is a construction method that cuts construction time in half, saving millions of $$$.

Photographing people is a collaborative process. For the subject, knowing how to pose is just as important as the photographer's ability to compose for the moment. My longtime friend Nancy at the beach.

It's always about the moment. Capture those precious times. Friends Nancy, Mark and Bart.

Copyright 2023 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved. No publishing or usage granted without permission.

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Rated #1  DC Event Photographer by Peerspace