Introduction from a SoCal Photographer

[Aaron Kupferman]

Hey John and Everybody, I figured I'd introduce myself here before I start posting elseware on the forum.

I have been shooting since I got a Rebel X as my high school graduation present back in '96. I almost went into photography as a full time career but ended up majoring in Digital Media / Computer Graphics at Otis College of Art and Design. I worked as a visual effects artist (compositor) on many commercials and now work on feature films including Pan's Labyrinth, Night at the Museum, and currently, Alvin and the Chipmunks (weee!). (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1585808/)

I shot 35mm film when it was cool to do so, but when the 35mm DLSR digital craze took over, I ended up in a job at one of the top photo labs in Los Angeles, A&I. I embraced the beauty and quality of medium format film while working there partially because I could develop, drum scan, and print my own stuff for free. I then got side tracked with my Visual Effects career for a little while and lost interest in photography for a bit.

I sold my medium format gear a year ago and purchased a Canon 5D a few weeks ago. I love this camera :D and I can use all of my old lenses on it (20-35 3.5-4.5, 28-135 3.5-5.6, 100-300 4.5-5.6). I am starting to realize though how soft all of my current lenses are and have started looking down the slippery slope of L lenses. I am afraid to buy one because before I can blink, I'll have three.

My whole family is a car family. My Dad races vintage cars with VARA and HSR-West here on the west coast, my brother can name and spout details about pretty much any car on the road, and I love driving my Audi TT on the track. Although I have spent my fair share of time shooting traditional landscapes and travel photography, I have always loved the beauty and thrill of shooting cars.

Now that I have a 5D and work close to Samys (wide selection of L glass for rent), I'll be shooting more and more car events. There is a good chance I'll get media credentials for the season ending ALMS Laguna Seca race in October, and if I don't get credentials, I'll still be shooting from the sidelines. I will definitely be looking for John and the rest of you guys there.

For more of my work, please check out my website - www.electricreality.com (http://www.electricreality.com/)

Thanks for reading my intro and here are some sample images I have shot over the years...

http://www.electricreality.com/photohost/700/FSM_TT_01.jpg

http://www.electricreality.com/photohost/700/POC_005.jpg

Shot on a manual 6x7 camera
http://www.electricreality.com/photohost/CalSpeedwayPan.jpg

My Dad's #777 Porsche 911 (Shot with a P/S)
http://www.electricreality.com/photohost/700/DSCN7382.jpg

The first photo I was ever paid for - the local MBZ dealership
http://www.electricreality.com/photohost/700/Walters.jpg

[Erik Anderson]

Welcome. Looks like you favor German cars! That's ok too! ;)

[Aaron Kupferman]

You'd better believe it, big time German car nut. But I'll turn my head towards the occasional American and Japanese car as well. :D Those British and Italian cars aren't half bad either. :rolleyes: :D

[Daniel Buck]

Hey, welcome! Glad to see another VFX guy here! Where do you work? I'm a 3d lighting/shader/camera guy at Sway Studio (mostly just commercials, but a little film work, small studio), I do a little bit of compositing in Nuke as well, but mostly just 3d.

[Aaron Kupferman]

Hey Daniel, yeah, very cool to find another VFX person on this relatively exclusive forum.

I have been working at Rhythm & Hues (http://www.rhythm.com) for over a year now and should be sticking around at least until next summer to work on the next Hulk movie next year. I am actually just starting to wrap my head around Nuke because I've been using the R&H proprietary in-house software for so long, and it seems like Nuke will be taking Shake's place in the industry.

Like you, but reversed, I do a little bit of 3D, but mostly live action compositing. Like Photoshop for film. We should have lunch at some point, you guys are in Culver City, right? We are in the Marina.

[Daniel Buck]

Yes, we're in Culver City. Lunch could be fun :-)

I think there are a few guys here who have worked at R&H before (one at least, anyway) I've heard good things about R&H, and the work is outstanding :-)