Simple shoot but interesting use of Forced Perspective which I’ve never done before. Sephora built a 20 foot tall Sephora Bag at the Culver Steps and two weeks before, they wanted to create a social media announcement for the activation.
The initial plan was to shoot live plates at the Culver Steps, then later shoot the bag in a studio to be comped into the plates. But this is more time consuming and also, if we shot the bag on the same day, the lighting would match perfectly.
I studied Forced Perspective a few days before via YouTube and did some tests with my wife Susan (in The video). The best approach is:
- Wide Angle lens - I used an 11mm
- Camera on the ground if possible
- Camera off the ground may require post compositing
Client wanted the camera higher which nixed the low angle approach, so we elevated the Sephora bag on a tripod, shot the plate then comped it in After Effects where I animated the bag too. IMO, it’s still better to shoot the plate on the day of, because the lighting matched and saved an additional studio day.
Check out the BTS clips
I had the good fortune to document Neil Diamond and Rick Rubin for Universal Music Group. Neil is such a kind and inspirational artist. Despite having Parkinson’s and in his mid-80s, he still goes down to his studio to write beautiful and introspective music, very different than the massive hits I know him for.
We even shared a laugh together. I told him when I was a little kid in Taiwan, my older brother loved to break out the guitar and sing the classics, like Neil’s songs. I didn’t realize till years later that my brother didn’t actually write those songs🤣 Neil smiled and when we finished filming he said: “I hope to see you again.”
And Rick Rubin… Obviously an honor as he’s the soundtrack of my life.
As a huge music nerd, one of the best parts of my job has been working with some music legends that have been on my speakers my entire life. @posshog thanks for the cool gig
I DP'd this Maryland Lottery commercial for fantastic director @its_mannyb_yo and the fantastic animation team at Dunwell Studio #Red #RedRaptor #Sigma #DZO #DZORetro #Zeiss #Arri #Alexa #Film #Sony #CineAlta #Canon #Cinematography #Photography #Films #Movies #Commercials
Some night frames from Conflicting Reports I shot for director @jperreca with cast @noelfisher@meg_leathers@guillermodiazreal@imandrewjacobs #Red #RedRaptor #Sigma #DZO #DZORetro #Zeiss #Arri #Alexa #Film #Sony #CineAlta #Canon #Cinematography #Photography #Films #Movies #Commercials
Mostly daytime exteriors from Conflicting Reports, a film I shot for talented director and great human @jperreca with cast @noelfisher@meg_leathers@guillermodiazreal The sun was in a nice spot, so we softened the highlights with a Half-Soft Frost and a bounce for return. B-Cam @zachary.peel.mcgregor Used @dehancer.film for the color grade #Red #RedRaptor #Sigma #DZO #DZORetro #Zeiss #Arri #Alexa #Film #Sony #CineAlta #Canon #Cinematography #Photography #Films #Movies #Commercials
2025 travel photos part 1 - #Patagonia #BuenosAires #Uruguay and #Rio on #iphonePhoto I've been pretty into 9x16 vertical photos as they remind me of all the vertical Chinese scroll paintings that my artist parents had in our house growing up.
@xcommpunx are the very talented children of 80s Punks and Metalheads. They do a super raw 80s style Hardcore. I’m just happy to see young teens still making music like this and they’re going places for sure. Some shots I did for director @rickkosick at @brooklynprojects with @jaymvargas
Frame grabs and video on YouTube for the KO music video by @thegreatnle who’s already killing it but sky’s the limit because he’s very talented and very hard working. I DP’d this for co-directors NLE and @travispayne1 - legendary dance choreographer. Great tributes to Prince, Michael Jackson and Tupac. Teamed up the good homies @zhiying_di@cizko.xavier and @zachary.peel.mcgregor and produced by @spittnimage .
