Outside of Darkness: Portraiture

In addition to being the camera operator for the film project “Outside of Darkness,” I also provided still photography work for the website and other elements of the production. The two actors seen together in one picture, Sharif Razzaq and Amber Martinez, play as Kael and Merrena, the movie’s main protagonists and onscreen couple.

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Outside of Darkness: Teaser Trailer

Since fall of last year I have been extensively involved with a film project called “Outside of Darkness”.   It is a web series with elements of the supernatural.   The plot revolves around a Kael, a young man who is reeling over the unsolved death of his fiance, Merrena.   After experiencing several disturbing visions and voices, he is visited by a demon who gives him new information about her death.

Here is the teaser trailer which was recently released:

Most of the film has been shot around Raleigh.  The screenplay was adapted from a story written by Sharif Razzaq (the actor playing as Kael).  Working primarily as the director of photography but also, from time to time, the director, screenwriter, editor and casting producer, it is my most ambitious project to date.   Due to the dramatic nature of the movie, I have many opportunities to create very stylized shots so it is both exciting and challenging.   Episode one will be released soon as well as a website for it which I have been programming.   More to come.

Raleigh: First Weekend of Shooting for “Absolutely Positive”

Last weekend, shooting officially began for the short film “Absolutely Positive”, a short film written and directed by Anthony Williams about several individuals who get tested for AIDS. Even though the work days were 12+ hours in length, I enjoyed the experience documenting the production and meeting many interesting people. Here are some of the photographs I took:

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For further information and updates about the movie, check out its Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/absolutelypositivefilm.

Raleigh: Table Reading for “Absolutely Positive”

Last week, the principle cast for the short film “Absolutely Positive” was selected and met to read through the script from start to finish. Written and directed by Anthony Williams, the film revolves around several characters who get tested for HIV.

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For further information and updates about the movie, check out its Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/absolutelypositivefilm.

Raleigh: Auditions for “Absolutely Positive”

A recent project I have been involved with is a short film from Second Glance Productions called “Absolutely Positive”. Written and directed by Anthony Williams, the movie revolves around several people who get tested for HIV. I am the onset photographer and have been documenting every major meeting for the production. All of the pictures here are from the callback auditions.

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For further information and updates about the movie, check out its Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/absolutelypositivefilm.

Washington DC: Construction of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial

This June I was given access to the construction site for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial and recorded footage of its development ahead of its opening this month. The 3-story statue of Martin Luther King Jr. was off-limits for recording but I was able to capture some of the engraved quotes and the massive entrance. I also interviewed two workers about what the monument means to them.

[video property of USA Today]

District of Columbia: National Pinball Museum

The game of pinball has a colorful and extensive history that might surprise most people. For example, did you know that one of the game’s earliest ancestors was part of the French aristocracy? The National Pinball Museum, located in northwest Washington DC, both entertains and educates the public by providing exhibits and playable pinball machines. Curator and owner David Silverman talks about pinball’s history.

[video property of USA Today]

Bethesda: 2011 International Submarine Races

From June 27th-July 1st, the 2011 bi-annual International Submarine Race was held at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (Carderock Division) in Bethesda, Maryland. Teams from around the world tested their human-powered submarines at the David Taylor Model Basin.

[video property of USA Today]

High Point: Blacksmith

Last Saturday I visited the High Point Museum and talked to a blacksmith giving demonstrations of his work. I created a short video using a Canon 5D Mark II. It was the first time I explored its recording capacities. Shotgun and wireless mics were employed for recording the audio.

Gun Shoot

Last Friday I created pictures of several handguns for a gun reviewer. I utilized a simple two-light setup with an occasional fill card. These were done on the dining room table of the reviewer’s kitchen. The guns stood upright by leaning on a medicine capsule. Both the shadows and capsule were later edited out in Photoshop.

The biggest challenge was making the engravings and details on the guns visible. The dark-colored polymer guns were the hardest to light properly.

The Ruger SR1911 had the most visually pleasing design and was my favorite of the selections.