Wednesday, November 30, 2011

City of Blinding Lights- adventures in advertising

The image that started this.
I had originally wrote most of this for @U2's series called Like A Song.

With the use license up for the image, I thought it was time to tell the story behind how I got one of my images printed in magazines like ESPN the Magazine and Rolling Stone.

I was contacted by an advertising agency in September of 2010 asking about the image seen to the right. They were looking to use it in an up coming Budweiser ad campaign called "Grab Some Buds." It wasn't anything I had heard of but the dollar figure they quoted made me seriously consider it. 


This also proves that a shot from anywhere can be had. This image was a mistake, as outlined in the piece below. I didn't mean to take it. I almost deleted it as soon as I took it. But I kept it... not only kept it, but had mind enough to shoot at my Canon S70's highest resolution. I also backed all my images up, so I was able to pull it my from archives. Lastly, this was my 8th photo EVER to be posted to Flickr back in 2005. Never forget that almost anything can be used, a mistake with P+S camera, and one of my first posted images via Flickr. Amazing.
I was worried though. This was an image from a U2 concert, not something made for selling beer. I emailed some U2 photo friends, and some "in the know" U2 friends to ask advise. The end result was that I should go for it, but in the contract to include an indemnity clause protecting me in case U2 world came at the advertisement with lawyers. 
The thing was, I had no idea if U2 had copy-written their shows. As in, something that was uniquely theirs, and any attempt to make it pass off as someone else's or to sell another product was illegal. If you know what you are looking for in the image above, Edge is in there. 

Image used in ad in ESPN the Magazine
Well, now you know my story. I've only seen the image in ESPN the Magazine, as seen to the left here (October 4, 2010 issue), and Rolling Stone in the store. [interesting on the opposite side of a page involving Edge]
Now with some of the personal back story to this image and song.


The follow piece is taken from an article I wrote for @U2.


When I first heard "City of Blinding Lights," I was impressed. It was a big song for U2, and I thought it should have been the first song on the album. I had no idea when I first heard the song that it would twist through my life and supply me with distinct memories: from inspiring me in song, to inspiring me to help, to repaying me. 


MARCH 26, 2005 – LOS ANGELES

I was in San Diego early to take in the first two nights of the Vertigo tour. I was assisting with the @U2 pre-concert party, and hanging out with two great friends, fellow @U2 staffer Sherry and her other half, Steve. We took the day to drive to L.A. because we had time, and of course, U2 was rehearsing. If this was going to be a U2 vacation, we were going to geek it up. Then, the magic occurred. Fans who were gathered at the L.A .Sports Arena were let in with the radio contest winners to watch the last rehearsal for the Vertigo tour. To see a preview of what's to come for free before opening night was like winning a golden ticket. They opened with "City of Blinding Lights," and it was just magical: the confetti sprinkling down, the sheer joy of the moment, Bono singing "Oh you look so beautiful tonight" at full tilt. It was a defining moment in my U2 fandom, one I doubt I will be able to top. The song was perfect for opening the show, just as "Zoo Station" was perfect for the Zoo TV tour. It set the tone for the entire show.

MAY 14, 2005 – PHILADELPHIA

An accident occurred at this show for me that turned out to be somewhat magical. During the opening of the concert, Bono "appeared" to rise up under a shower of confetti at the front of the ellipse. I wanted to photograph that moment with my fancy point-and-shoot camera. I made sure the flash was turned off. While I knew what to expect, I missed the moment entirely -- I snapped too early. The resulting image, however, has easily become one of my favorites. I have moved on to more serious photography interests, from a point-and-shoot camera to a digital single lens reflex camera. I have had opportunities to officially photograph U2 for @U2 at events like the "U2 by U2" book signingBono receiving the Liberty Medal, and a couple U2 concerts (123). My interest in photography and U2 led me to the African Well Fund, where I organized three different photo auctions of U2 material by fans. The auctions raised more than $20,000 over the three years it has occurred. I put that image of "City of Blinding Lights" up for auction twice and was amazed at the money it raised for the cause. FALL OF 2010

An ad agency contacted me last fall about using that same image for a high-profile ad campaign. The money they paid me allowed me to upgrade my camera gear -- something I couldn't do easily with a young family, and one thing I couldn't have dreamed of when I took the photo five years earlier.  Every time I hear the song, I think of those distinct moments in my U2 fandom, from golden tickets and mistake shots to helping a Bono-inspired charity, and how they all came full circle in giving something back to myself.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

11/11/11 A football game- recap

Shooting sports is not something I do that often, though I think I really like it. Therefor- it is VERY hard for me and I get frustrated.

As I predicted, my 70-200mm lens was on my 7D body for 95% of the game. And as the game was under the lights, I was glad for the usable higher ISO and the low low f/2.8. Getting the right angles, figuring out what is important, and following the action is even more interesting. (read hard) I think if I had more pratice and more of a direct goal, it could/would be easier. I do know a 70-200 is not going to get me very far in the sports photography world. I would need at least one more body and a 300mm or 400mm prime lens. The 70-200 is good for 'closer' up photography... in my case, it was the best I had and I 'happy' with the results.

I took well over 500 photos, but it was easy as the Canon 7D made shooting 7 fps much easier to snap crazy.

It was also a little frustrating as a lot of the action wind up being away from me, run away from me, or generally not easy to shoot. However, I did position myself to snap, as it turned out, the winning score. It was right in front of me, and I recognized the play pretty much right away.

Woot. Life is good for that one.

For the rest of the set, check my flickr set for them. It helps to have a relationship with the subject in question. I've shot other games, and I was able to call the day of and get permission to shoot this. Thank you again Calvert Hall.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Impromptu photo assigment

I hadn't planned to shoot tonight.... not at all. However, as I will not be in town for the annual Turkey Bowl I won't have a chance to shoot it like I have in the past. (2010, 2008)

I realized yesterday that Calvert Hall was in the play offs for the MIAA championship. They play tonight under the lights at CHC, and I figured- what the heck?

I called, asked nicely, and they said sure. Gonna be cold, gonna be a bit windy. So layers, gloves, etc are in order. I got plenty of cold weather gear, not worried about that.

Haven't shot a sports game since I got my Canon 7D though. I think the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS is gonna be glued to the body for 90% of the game.

Gonna be fun, never 'officially' shot a CHC game at home before. Will offer the images up to the Alumni Office if they want any of course. Won't be like Ravens Stadium, but at least I won't be hedged to the stands.


Off to charge batteries and make sure my Patagonia Capilene doesn't stink.