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

Food Marketing Institute

December 2012--Crystal City, Virginia--The Food Marketing Institute needed portraits of their staff.  In a make-shift studio in a conference room, the 56 staff members had their individual photos made.  Each person reviewed their images and were able to make a select on-site.  All done on-time and on budget.

Copyright Laurence L. Levin/FMI  All rights reserved.  No publication rights granted without written permission.
www.LLLevin.com

The Miami Best Buddies Gala

The Miami Marlins Park was host to the Best Buddies Gala.  A panorama from the upper deck.

November 16, 2012--Miami, Florida--The 16th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala held at Marlins Park.

Photos Notes:

Each Best Buddies event is different each time.  This year's gala was held on the infield of Marlins Park in Miami.  So I decided to go to the upper deck to get a bird's eye view.  After gaining permission, I went up to one of the upper decks to get the perspective.  Handholding the camera and using the grid in my viewfinder, I made over lapping frames from left to right.  Using the automated feature in Photoshop to stitch the 6 images together, a panorama of the event was made.  Sounds easy but it does take time and a little skill.  The final image was over 100 megabytes.  The size was reduced, the image was cropped to fit on this page. 

Eunice Shriver, Anthony Shriver, Katherine Schwarzenegger,
Lauren Potter and Alina Shriver 

Sky Blu of LMFAO entertained the crowd and even brought Buddies
and Lauren Potter on the stage to sing and dance.

As I rather be behind the camera than in front of the camera, my good friend Verne Troyer insisted on this shot!
Verne is a great supporter of Best Buddies and a great guy to photograph.  

Copyright Laurence L. Levin  All rights reserved.  No publications rights granted without written permission.
www.LLLevin.com

Patches 2012

Patches
Fall 2012
Dumbarton Oaks

Copyright Laurence L. Levin.  All rights reserved.  No publications rights granted without written permission.

www.LLLevin.com

Best Buddies Challenge--DC

The start of the BBC walk. 

October 20, 2012 Washington, DC--Over 1400 people participated as riders, runners and walkers to raise over $1.4 million for Best Buddies.  This is the third annual Audi Best Buddies Challenge.

Photo notes:

Covering these events for a long time, I try to find something different and capture the essence of the day.  There is so much going on, it is important to isolate and find situations that show faces.  People make this day special.  Find people and make them comfortable in front of the camera and find moments amongst all the action going on to make the activities unique.  

Students from Best Buddies Virginia chapters Yorktown and Marshall High Schools. 

Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis with Best Buddies from Virginia.

Everyone can participate.

"Glee" TV show star Lauren Potter with 94.7 Fresh FM Radio Personality Tommy McFly 

Anthony Shriver with a criterion rider. 

All Photography Copyright Laurence L. Levin.  No reproductions rights granted without permission.
www.LLLevin.com

Nicklas Backstrom and GEICO

"I think you'd call it a Splinter"  Capital's Nicklas Backstrom featured in GEICO's NHL Commercial.  

October 10-11, 2012--Arlington, VA--DCP Productions  producing three GEICO NHL Commercials with NHL Capitals Nicklas Backstrom.  The title of the three spots: Splinter, Lord Stanley and "15"

Photo notes:
Working on a film set is exciting but does have its limitations.  My job is to document everything that happens.  These images are used for publicity, promotion, gifts and hopefully picked up in a print ad.  Sometimes during the shoot, the director will check the framing with my camera to get ideas.  Thus I need to be nimble and observant.  Working with all the departments, I must be friendly, helpful and stay out of the way!  Being part of a great team, helps me to get the photos they need.  

Director Don Cherel, DCP Productions

In the locker room, Nicklas Backstrom and Lord Stanley 

Lord Stanley, "Nicky I want to share a secret with you." 

It takes a lot of talented and dedicated people to film 3 commercials in 2 days.
 Over 30 professionals worked on this set.  Script supervisor Jane Hampton reviews her notes,
verifies all shots, and records all the details from each take/scene.   

Backstrom helping Backstrom.  NHL star Nicklas Backstrom assists stand-in Aaron Madsen

Director Don Cherel and Nicklas Backstrom review a take from the
15 Goals in 15 Seconds Commercial 

Nicklas Backstrom 

Photography copyright Laurence L. Levin / DCP Productions.  All rights reserved.  No reproduction rights granted without written permission.
www.LLLevin.com

Public Discussion on Higher Education/Zócalo Public Square

Carnegie Corporation President Vartan Gregorian

September 19--Washington, DC-- Zócola Public Square,  an innovative online and event organization provides live discussions and presentations of current events.  A panel discussion hosted at the National Press Club provided a lively presentation entitled, "Can the Next President Put Public Universities on Top?

University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman 

Panel member UCLA Chancellor Gene Block during the wine reception after the panel discussion. 

Tech notes: Seems my most recent assignments required shooting in available light.  Making friends with the production crew is vital to get information about the lighting in the room.  During the presentation shot at 4000 ISO and 3000K.  Knowing these numbers help to make quality images with my Nikon D800.

All images Copyright 2012 Laurence L. Levin 
www.LLLevin.com