City Year DC: Opening Ceremony

City Year 2013-2014 Corp 

September 12--Washington, DC--City Year DC opening ceremony is a celebration of the upcoming school year.  It introduces the corp members and their school affiliation to the community.  There is dancing, pledges, speeches and optimism for the new school year.  

Opening ceremony

Sam Pride 

Lailla Abdallah

Photo Notes: City Year opening ceremonies is one happening event.  There is a non stop energy in the room. It's like a sporting event, you know there is going to action to photograph, you just have to know where in the room to be and know how to adjust the camera controls to recognize the different lighting conditions.  There is stage light and the ambient light in the audience section.   Sometimes the light is good, sometimes a little strobe is needed too.  Like corp members, I have to be prepared.

Photography Copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin 

www.LLLevin.com

My LinkedIn 

Success from Home: Phil Gerdes

August 20--Annapolis, MD--Success from Home magazine assignment: to feature the successful lifestyle of Phil Gerdes and his family. Gerdes is a lifestyle coach and a top performer of a network marketing company.  Had to do several setups, change of clothes, change angles and perspectives.  These two situations are my favorite.

Photography Copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin 

www.LLLevin.com

My LinkedIn 

Riley Folds

August 18--Washington, DC--Author, Activist, Entrepreneur and friend Riley B. Folds asked me to make his portrait.  He was staying at the Mayflower Hotel.  So many eloquent rooms and places to photograph at this hotel  This was my favorite location, the balcony overlooking the main lobby.  Using one light off camera and balancing the exposure for the ambient light.

Riley's book Your Queer Career can be found on Amazon.

Photography Copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin 
www.LLLevin.com
My LinkedIn

Best Buddies Leadership Conference

Anthony Shriver with the international group

July 19-21--Bloomington IN--Best Buddies Leadership Conference attracts over 1000 students from all 50 states and 30 countries to learn, inspire and invigorate the Best Buddies mission of inclusion.

A quiet moment between sessions

 Learning Sessions

Sarah at the closing ceremonies

The Buddy Idol Winner on stage, Closing Ceremonies

Photo notes:  Group photos everywhere but I try to find some special moments.  The photo of AKS with the international attendees is an annual situation.  It needs to be refreshed each year.  As we try to do something different each year, logistics of location and timing seems to be the same.  So its the energy that is captured.

The main purpose of the event is to share information to best serve the organization.  The photos may be ordinary but vital to share the conference's goal.  The closing ceremonies is always a 'happening' event.  Finding and knowing where to stand is vital to photograph the right people both in the audience and from behind the stage.

Copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin

www.LLLevin.com

Grocery Manufacturers Association

July 17--Washington, DC--Grocery Manufacturers Association's Growth and Public Policy Summit Breakfast with Sam Kass, Executive Director of Let's Move and Senior Policy Advisor on Nutrition, The White House, promoting healthy eating for young people.  The Summit was convened to discuss food, health and consumer product policy.  The Kass photos were published online by Letsmove.gov.  The closing dinner honored George W. Koch.  Senator Pat Roberts and Rep. John Boehner delivered congratulations to the night's honored guest.

Representative John Boehner

Senator Pat Roberts

Photo Notes:  GMA does an outstanding job to properly brand the stage of their events.  In almost every angle I can make photographs of speakers on stage, a distinctive GMA identification can be included.

To get your message/brand seen, a well designed stage can accomplish your goal. The signage is bold but not distracting, the background colors are bright but not overwhelming, and there is enough light on the subject for a good exposure.

Photography Copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin 

www.LLLevin.com

My LinkedIn 

Local Birds

Mid April, Montrose Park, Washington, DC--The park gained two new residence,  two baby owls.  They were hard to see, hiding in their nest.  But in several weeks they were out on a limb.   

In July, with borrowed Nikkor 300mm f/4 lens and my teleconverter, transformed the lens into a 500mm did a walk through Glover Archbold Park.  I made two multimedia videos,  one with music, the other with natural sound.

Photography copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin

www.LLLevin.com

Hyannis Port Challenge

Tom Brady

May 30--Boston and Hyannis Port--I have photographed the Best Buddies Hyannis Port Challenge for a long time.  Each year the goal is to not only capture the obvious shots but find something different.  So after the good looking photo of Tom Brady and the Miss USA winners, the concentration was to find interaction between buddies.

Miss USA Nana Meriwether, Miss Kansas Teen Katie Taylor, Miss Indiana Teen Darrian Arch, Miss Teen USA Logan West

Bryan Link and Will Macom

NFL Center Dan Koppen and Michael Jaxtimer

Sarah and Tom

Copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin
www.LLLevin.com

Earth Day Network

Sir Richard Branson, Earth Day Network President Kathleen Rogers,  present the 2013 Climate Visionary Award to SpaceX & Tesla CEO Elon Must 

May 23--Washington, DC--Earth Day Network hosted its fourth Climate Leadership Gala to advance the cause of a cleaner environment.  Hosted at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, celebrities, politicians, business leaders gathered to honor several notable achievements, Elon Musk received the Climate Leadership Award and Melanne Verveer received the Women and Green Economy (WAGE(R)) Award.

John Corbett 

 Melanne Verveer accepting her 2013 Women and the Green Economy Leadership Award in The Mayflower Hotel Ballroom 

Sir Richard Branson

Photo notes:  The folks at the Earth Day Network found me through a search on the Internet.  Glad they did.  This was an extraordinary event.  So many interesting and respected guests.  Thus the goal was to photograph as many of these people with guests.  Each of these folks were pulled in every direction.  I had to be diplomatic yet unobtrusive but had to coax all of the people assemble and smile.  There was so much going on all the time.  So it is vital to prioritize, work with the client to make certain to get the images they really need.  During the presentations,  I wanted to get additional candid images. Most of the candid shots are from the stage and table shots.  All those were made with the stage or other ambient light.  Using the RAW digital files permits better color correction when doing post processing. Although it takes a significant amount of time to process the files, it is well worth it to get better results.

All photographs Copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin
www.LLLevin.com

Levine School of Music Gala

April 26, 2013--Washington, DC--Since 1976 The Levine School of Music has provided the DC community with music education and enjoyment. This non-profit depends upon contributions in order to serve its students.  Each year they host a gala to highlight their accomplishments and showcase their students.

Photo Notes:  During a stage rehearsal, the three youngest performers were a bit nervous and reserved.  Their parents were watching and each performer was a bit shy.  I was trying to get them to show some emotion.  As a homage to Phillippe Halsman, I asked them to jump.  So in one, two, three!  Jump!!!

All content is copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin
www.LLLevin.com

2013 Cherry Blossoms

April Cherry Blossom Season- The Annual Cherry Blossom photo season provides so many opportunities to make images.  It's about timing and luck with the light. Usually I try early morning, less people and you can find parking. Hopefully one year I will get a glowing sky........This year the Washington Monument was surrounded by scaffolding to repair damage from an earthquake.  

Jefferson Memorial

Washington Monument and paddle boat dock

Cherry Blossoms on Tunlaw Road in Glover Park DC

This panorama photo made with the Lumix LX-7 in panoramic mode.  This mode will processes the panoramic image in camera.  

Photography copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin

www.LLLevin.com

GEICO Bryce Harper Commercial-Washington DC shoot

On they day of this shoot, there was an extra security alert in DC.  This segment was suppose to filmed at the White House.  So we stayed on the Mall and made a solution.  

April 16, 2013--Washington, DC--DCP Productions filming the other half of the Bryce Harper Batting Practice commercial for GEICO.  See the commercial 

Filming on the Mall, you can't lock down everything.  You have to depend upon a cooperative public.

A green screen was used since we couldn't go to the White House
Finding a solution when a problem arises.

Filming on the National Mall at the Lincoln Memorial

All photographs copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin and DCP Productions
www.LLLevin.com

National Guard Youth Foundation Gala

Color Guard during rehearsal

February 26, 2013--Washington, DC--The National Guard Youth Foundation is an organization that promotes and provides second chance opportunities for at-risk students.  The Gala held in Washington, DC raises funds for scholarships.  Nearly a thousand people attend the event.

Representative Tammy Duckworth with participants

WWE superstar Kofi Kingston 

Senator Mary Landrieu is co-chair of the honorary board

Photo Notes:  There are a lot of activities going on simultaneously at the Gala.  Luckily, I am able to bring a second shooter.  As the primary shooter, I need to make sure all the requirements are done.  Everyone wants their photo with the celebrities, there are sponsors, signage, group shots, VIPs and attendees.  As like all of the galas I cover, the podium shots, presentations on stage and performances are needed photos.  It is my practice to get more than just one shot for each situation.  I want to provide the client with as many angles, and compositions for opportunity.   That is a delicate operation since presentations on stage are under time restraints.  Diplomacy,  quick adjustments and a smile help to make things go smoothly.

All photos copyright Laurence L. Levin 
www.LLLevin.com

The Optical Society

February 9, 2013--Washington, DC--The Optical Society's  Board of Directors.  OSA is one of my 'newer' clients.  The members are remarkable: scientists, educators, inventors and many Nobel Prize Winners.  It is an honor just to be in the same room with everyone. No doubt many of my camera's functions were from discoveries and inventions made by OSA members

Every year at their conference, the board gathers and a group shot is made.  Early Saturday morning, in between meetings, they walk to a pre-determined location and pose for their photo.  Since time is of the essence this photo takes some planning;  A location near their meeting room, lights set-up, and situation planned.  In the lobby of the Palomar Hotel, there are four steps, a good location to do a group shot.  There is 'layering' so we can see everyone's face.  The board congregates, they go to a spot on the steps, a quick check to make sure no one is blocking someone.   In one minute and 32 seconds, eight frames are made. And the 2013 OSA Board photo is done.

Copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin
www.LLLevin.com

GEICO's Money Man

To see "I Wish"

February 2013--California--It is a challenge and exciting to work on a film set.  There is always a constant creative activity for both the production team and the talent.  As the production still photographer you have to be nimble to document what it happening and most importantly be invisible to the filming.

As part of the DCP Production team, we work long days, sometimes it is hot, other times it is cold.  But the camaraderie makes the day go quickly.  And always, amazing to see the 'movie magic' that is done during each scene......

Camera attached to the motorcycle in  "I Wish" 

In Griffith Park, Los Angeles
See "Motorcycle Mountain Drive"  

See "Get Away"
                               

Scene from "Get Away"

Wonderful faces of the Extras

All photos copyright 2013 Laurence L. Levin and DCP Productions

Eric L Scott

January 06, 2013--Washington, DC-- Neighbor, friend and DC Native, Eric L Scott is a talented dancer.  He teaches dance as well as performs.  In 2013 he moved to Los Angeles to expand his horizons and is now associated with The Movement Talent Agency.  Eric has all the right moves.  Visit Eric's Facebook page 

Photographed in Washington, DC with a Nikon D800, 3 Nikon Speedlites. 

All photographs copyright Laurence L. Levin www.LLLevin.com