Every summer, when it gets so hot that you just can't stand it, these guys show up. Not only do you have to contend with the heat and humidity, you have to constantly check for laser sights, wrist blades and throwing discs.
And man are they jerks.
Their English is really bad, so they tend to work with an interpreter. This poor guy tried holding the door open for the Predator, only to be picked up and shoved through the studio entrance. I guess it was afraid of booby traps or something.
"Mister, ah, Dave? My client is interested in having some shots taken. You know, to sign at conventions."
To sign at conventions, the Predator clicked. It sounded like it was mocking him.
As I gathered up my gear, I asked if Reflector if he was ready. "NOPE." He hasn't been the same since the Bionic Commando shoot went south...
We started off slow, with just a couple quick snaps to get him used to the camera.
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to do, because those arm swords started swinging a little close to my face.
"Hey, that's a cool mask" I said and moved in for a close-up. "Uhhhh, Dave? I, um, I don't think you should be doing th-" Click.
And then it started yelling.
"The, ah, Predator would like to negotiate on your price."
Did I mention that Predators are jerks?
Be good,
-Dave
(Today's post inspired by Edward Lee's excellent Predator pic)
your heart is in my pocket
and there's a lie inside my hand
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I love portfolio work for celebrities. Even pseudo-celebrities. The hurried phone calls from their agents, run ragged trying to meet their demands. The awed hush that comes over the studio when they finally arrive.
Or not.
Monev the Gale fell out of the public eye several years ago. I mean, let's face it, Trigun didn't end well for the guy. Sure, he got a cool action figure made and made an appearance in the anime, but publicity is all about the now. So when he came into the studio, I'll be honest, I was surprised.
"Dave, you gotta help me. My career has completely tanked and I can't get anyone to return my phonecalls. I need some shots for my portfolio." He kept looking at the floor while we spoke. A real shame to see a guy broken like that.
Stepping over to the outdoor studio, he seemed to perk up a bit. A little awkward at first, but he fell into his groove pretty quickly.
Fortunately, we only had a single incident. Reflector sometimes forgets that he isn't the boss...
We needed one more; something for him to sign at events. This one had to be a stinger!
BAM!
Be good,
-Dave
Even though you think
I might just set you free
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Godzilla (ゴジラ, Gojira) is a fictional Japanese dinosaur, first appearing in Ishiro Honda's 1954 film Gojira. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Company Ltd. The monster (daikaijū) has appeared in numerous other media including video games, novels, comic books, television series, and an American remake. An American reboot is currently in the works by Legendary Pictures.
With the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki still fresh in the Japanese conscious, Godzilla was conceived as a monster created by nuclear explosions and a metaphor for nuclear weapons in general. As the film series expanded, the stories took on less serious undertones portraying Godzilla in the role of a hero, while later movies returned to depicting the character as a destructive monster.
(Courtesy: Wikipedia)
One of the most interesting parts of being a photographer is the variety of subjects. I really don't know what I'm going to be working with from one week to the next. So you can imagine my surprise when my able assistant came in with this week's assignment.
What am I supposed to do with Godzilla?! Ok, ok. Deep breath. You are a professional. You can do this. Try not to think of Hank Azaria...
Let's start with a profile shot. That's always good.
There, see? You can totally do this. How about a vintage-y, black and white look? Something dignified, but still showing off his age.
Good. This is easy. Textbook portraitu- GIGAN OUT OF NOWHERE.
If they start fighting, I'm-
-out of here!
Be good,
-Dave
How do you know you?
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7:02 AM by
El Dave
, under
wall-e
WALL-E, promoted with an interpunct as WALL•E, is a 2008 computer-animated science fiction film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and directed by Andrew Stanton. The story follows a robot named WALL-E, who is designed to clean up a waste-covered Earth far in the future. He eventually falls in love with another robot named EVE, and follows her into outer space on an adventure that changes the destiny of both his kind and humanity.
(Courtesy: Wikipedia)
You may have noticed some similarities between the last few posts, and that is due to my amazing outdoor studio. I'm fortunate enough to have this great little secluded stream within walking distance.
I've taken several figures down there, and I'm rarely disappointed by the results. The variety of landscapes offers a tremendous variety of potential shots, even though I mostly just dunk them in the water.
It's even shady enough to bring the Starflex out to play.
Ok, I think that's enough for this week. Say bye, Wall-E!
Be good,
-Dave
Some of us live life
Like we didn't know it exists
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The original "Variable Threat Response Battle Suit, Mark I" is a solar charged carbon-composite-based steel mesh armor which provided its user with superhuman-level strength and durability as well as utilizing laser guided munitions. Stark gave Rhodes a modified version of the armor, Mark II Model JRXL-1000, created just for him with the inclusion of repulsors in each palm of the armor's gauntlets and a multifunctional unibeam projector in the chest. The armor could be modified in the field with various modular weapons and has an improved tactical computer system with automatic targeting. Additional weapons included pulse bolt generators, retractable shoulder minigun, variable-configured double-barrel cannons on each gauntlet, gauntlet mounted flamethrower, plasma blade on the left gauntlet, missile box launcher, micro-rocket launcher, particle beam discharger, and an electromagnetic pulse generator in the unibeam projector that could shut down any electronic device in a 50 mile radius. The battlesuit also includes a photon emitter that created a force shield, forcefield-based stealth technology, boot-jet propulsion, and a self-contained breathing system.
The second version of the armor, reconfigured by Stark, contained upgraded improvements such as heat seeking missile launchers, pulse cannon, and retractable weapon pods located on its back. Rhodes utilized different types of specialty ammunition as well as non-lethal weapons such as rubber bullets. Though Rhodes lost the original armor, he still possessed a functional prototype helmet and gauntlet.
(Courtesy: Wikipedia)
This is my last post about Iron Man 2. Promise.
One of my favorite scenes is when Justin Hammer is making his big presentation and showing off his drone armors for the first time. I got goosebumps when he announced the Variable Threat Response Battle Suit.
Out of all the armor designs that have come from the Iron Man films, War Machine has made the largest impact on me. I find myself playing with the movie War Machine WAY more than the movie Iron Man...
Be good,
-Dave
I have changed the world in front of me
One against all; I'm starving this world
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Tony Stark
Makes you feel
He's a cool exec
With a heart of steel.
As Iron Man,
All jets ablaze,
He fights and smite'n
With repulsor rays!
A blaze of power!
Iron Man!
Amazing armor!
Iron Man!
Ok, so here's the thing. Iron Man is my absolute favorite comic book character. Other titles I drift in and out of, or I'm happy waiting for the trade paperback. It was the first comic title I ever read.
When I heard they were making a movie, naturally I was very excited. The teaser images and trailers not only served their purpose, they went above and beyond in creating excitement for the film. So much so that I feared it couldn't live up to my expectations...
Then I saw the film. 7 times.
And then there was the sequel. A sequel is always placed under a more intense microscope, and end up being considered worse than the original. For my money, however, Iron Man 2 is just as good, if not better, than the original! There's a super villain. There is a super hero fight. Super science. Happy Hogan and Pepper Potts have a larger role. We get to see more of Tony Stark and Jim Rhodes. Justin Hammer and Ivan Vanko were fantastic villains. Cool fights. Cool armors. Action! Comedy! Thrills! Seriously, just go see it. Again and again.
"No. No! You have the big gun. I am the big gun!"
Be good,
-Dave
I'd like to tell you how I'm feeling now
But it ruins everything
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7:11 AM by
El Dave
, under
Big Daddies (also known as Protectors) are genetically-enhanced human beings who have had their skin and organs grafted into an enormous diving suit, with Alpha Series being an apparent exception to the grafting process. Their primary purpose is to protect Little Sisters while they escort them around Rapture.
Big Daddies, besides the Alpha Series, communicate by haunting sounds similar to that of a whale's call. For easier interpretation, lights were added to the helmet to display what state of intention the Big Daddy is in. Big Daddy helmets have three light colors: green indicates the Big Daddy is hypnotized and friendly, yellow indicates awareness of but indifference to his environment, and red indicates a rage towards assailants. If the first few attempts to drive away potential threats prove futile, Big Daddies will become enraged, unlike Alpha Series who always begin enraged.
(Courtesy: BioShock Wiki)
My buddy Brian dropped by the studio on Saturday, with Big Daddy in tow. While I haven't played either of the BioShock games, I've watched them being played a LOT and have been itching to get some shots of Big Daddy.
Unfortunately, seeing as how I live on the outskirts of Chicago (and not in an undersea dystopia), I'm not really able to get amazing photos like THESE. What I do have, however, is a nearby stream that's just secluded enough for me to dunk Big Daddy in and go wild taking shots.
What I think draws me to the character is that he's heavy. That metal diving suit, the massive air tanks, and the way his head sits so low on his chest; to say nothing of the MASSIVE drill hand. This guy is huge and I have a soft spot for the big guys.
Big Daddy is a ~7" action figure produced by NECA Toys.
Be good,
-Dave
I won't
I can't
I'm lost
I'm a freak
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