Adorama Pixs Books

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on March 28, 2012

I just received a shipment of two new books from Adorama pics. There are very few things that amaze me and knock me on my ass. The quality of the books, the paper, and the binding are magnificent. That’s a strange adjective to use, but over all they just blow me away. When you realize the price is minuscule, that adds to the overall experience. Their web page is so easy to navigate even I can do it. Anyone who has been to my lectures/workshops knows I am not the most technically savvy person. Let me be perfectly clear, I do not work for or own Adorama, I am just another customer. By the way their customer service is impeccable, and shipping is extremely quick. It seems like everybody is an expert at everything; I am not. I love what I do, and now having the ability to create books that not only I enjoy, I also have them as great teaching tools.

The environmental portrait of Willie Nelson was done at 200mm, 1.8 lens at a 2/50o of a sec at 1.8 iso 500 on a gitzo monopod.

Bert Sugar aka Bert The Great

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on March 26, 2012

Good friends try to keep their requests for assistance down to a minimum. Every time I’ve asked Bert Sugar for a favor, he’s always come across. There is an old italian word for bert. He’s a real “Mench” You can tell how good my Italian is. Bert joined me and Dylan yesterday as Gleasons Gym to interview Oscar De La Hoya. Bert being the profesional that he is, made a few executive decisions. We managed to get through the day unscathed and with all of the information we needed for our film “In This Corner”. Oh my God, that’s the name of the blog! What a coincidence! As day was winding into early evening, Bert wanted to go for a cocktail. Anyone who knows Bert, has to get used to three things; his fedora, his cigar, and his double Chivas Regal neat. I’m pretty sure that’s scotch whiskey! So we left Gleason’s and strolled over to a lovely little wine bar, 7 Old Fulton. It was way to early for dinner, and way to late for lunch. It was perfect timing for us to kick back and exchange war stories. Bert just returned from Miami, where he helped our mutual friend Angelo Dundee re-open the 5th Street Gym, after having been closed for 17 years. Boxing is coming back to Miami in a big way.The principles at the restaurant were of Italian heritage from Triest. The decor was beautiful, the food spectacular, and a genuine warm place to go with some friends for a cocktail and dinner. I affectionally call Bert the “Bertster”, and he calls me Uncle Joe (don’t ask.) It was a great day, a hell of a lotta fun. That’s it, Signing off. – Joe D.

81 Years Ago Was a Good Day

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on March 22, 2012

Photo ©Joe DiMaggio

To All The Ships At Sea:

I’ve had thousands of photo students. Some of them celebrities, politicians, FBI agents, butchers, bakers and candlestick makers. I come from the old school. I treat them all the same. I must admit Bill Shatner on one level was the easiest student I’ve ever had. He has a great eye, is a wonderful director and can that guy ride a horse!

Happy Birthday William. I can’t wait for 100

Photo ©JoAnne Kalish

Feb 22 Sorry I Missed It

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on March 21, 2012

I think John really captured the ambiance of Chinese new years I really like the way lady is looking up at the confetti, great shot!

“The Photo-walking Tour during the Chinese New Year celebration was phenomenal. I really learned a lot from your numerous street photography tips. I also enjoyed interacting with my fellow student photographers. I look forward to taking photos with you again soon.Here is a pic from the class that I hope you like. Thanks again for sharing your expertise!”

(John Pitts)

camera: NIKON D90
shutter speed:1/200 sec
focal length:32.0 mm
lens:17.0-50.0 mm f/2.8

Leon Russell Amazing!

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on March 20, 2012

Last night I had an opportunity to see a special on Leon Russell And Elton John Called the Union. Most of it was shot in London, the concert was at the Beacon. If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it and maybe able to come away with more passion in your photography. I guess when an artists endures for five decades and his peers pay him homage it’s all great. I spent a half hour with Leon maybe seven years ago. Huge talent, small ego, what a combination.

My favorite lens for actors musicians, actors, and dancers is the 200mm 1.8 for obvious reasons its light gathering power relatively long focal length, compact size, balance, and hand holdability. Of course I use it 90% at max apature and indoors. ISO was 125. http://ww2.eltonjohn.com/union/index.html

Better Late Then Never

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on March 19, 2012

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Better late then never, just joking. Craig was one of the students in the chinese new year work shop and it seems that he did just fine. i like his passion!

“Well here are a few of my images from that great day. The Spring migration is going great, I took a break on Saturday and went to Washington DC to photograph the Cherry Blossoms and I’ll tell you they are busting out. As we were walking along the Tidal Basin I came up on the new monument honoring Martin Luther King, Wow it was amazing.” (Craig Leaper)

Sam Vs. St. Patrick’s Day

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on March 15, 2012

To all the ships at sea. Last summer, my dear friend Bill DeSmedt, Harvard grad (he always loves to remind me, you can always tell a Harvard man, but you can’t tell him much), was kind enough to introduce me to Samuel Arun Kumar Kudumula. Sam is a test architect at Alliance Global Services and an avid photographer. He wanted to swing by to see our studio and learning center and it was a great day. He’s back in the United States, so we took the opportunity to reconnect, talk photography, and of course world politics. Any time I have an opportunity to learn from someone like Sam, I certainly jump on it. It allows me a different way of seeing, and isn’t that really what it’s all about? Visual literacy, photography, film-making, and the world.

The following photographs were generated by Sam and one of his friends.

Ralph, The Cheesecake King

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on March 14, 2012

©Ralph Mocciola

Good afternoon Marie-Vic and the rest of the photo team,

Thank you for the Link…. Marie-Vic As you know we did not win the lottery….. I think Joe’s mind was in negative territory and not positive for a win…., but there will be a next time. Here are a few of my photos of that day.

Have a great day and many more workshops with Joe. Every time I think I know a lot about photography Joe and Dylan instruct me on so much more and I realize there is so much more to learn by them.

Thanks Guys…. See you in April for another NYC photographic experience.

Ralph

There are many advantages to having students like Ralph. The first advantage is that he makes a homemade cheesecake which in my opinion is the finest cheesecake in the world. If I had a spare two or three million dollars, I would love to bring his cheesecake to the entire planet. Oh, by the way… He’s an extremely fine photographer, and getting better all the time. Now as for his ability to pick a winning lotto number, well I’m not going there… Ralph, cant wait to see you at the next photo retreat. JoeD

P.S. If it isn’t obvious, Ralph is an expert with NIK software. It’s so much fun it should be illegal!

©Ralph Mocciola

Peter of Dynalite

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on March 13, 2012

©Joe DiMaggio

When I think of the name Peter Poremba, I think light. For most of Peter’s adult life, he has been involved in perfecting electronic flash and photo-education. He is head and shoulders above all of his competitors. An extremely creative business person and always thinking out-of-the-box. His clientele always comes first. He’s also a very nice guy, has a beautiful wife and a gorgeous daughter. It doesn’t get better than that. While Peter and I were at a design meeting at Sartek with Carl Saieva, I was explaining mixed-light and how I utilize it in my photography. I did a quick and dirty portrait of Peter, which is the lead shot of this blog. It was shot with an 85mm lens, but in actuality it was done with a 11mm to 16mm zoom. I just wanted to have a little fun with the crop. Hopefully there’s a little bit to learn about perspective. I’m certainly not saying you should throw away your portrait lens! But in a pinch, one camera, one lens, two batteries, two cards, and a little imagination… Oh, did I forgot the light? The most important thing! On our trip back, we made it through Suffolk, Nassau County, and Queens in light-speed. Unbeknownst to us, we got three and a half miles from the GWB and there was an overturned vehicle and three trucks with three workmen drinking their coffee and smoking cigarettes while working on the side of the road. Peter would tell you it took 59 minutes, I would tell you it took an eternity. Then again, I’m a little older than Peter. Time is very valuable. Joe D signing off!

Dynalite’s Website

©Joe DiMaggio

Dive Light Action

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on March 12, 2012

©Joe DiMaggio

I met Carl many years ago when I was doing a lot of diving. In a short period of time, I managed to do 600 dives. I met Carl at Beneath the Sea (we corresponded voice and email up until then). He asked me what types of lights I used underwater and I told him. He said “You could use a new light.” I said “I don’t think so.” He proceeded to turn on his HID light and smash it on a counter three times with no damage. I said “You’re right, I do need that light!” Thus became our relationship. Carl is an absolute genius. As important as that is, he understands what people want and need. I would be remiss if I didn’t say he over-bills. The Sartek light below is good to 320 ft. I said “Carl, I need it for the rain!” I guess it could rain at over 300 feet. Carl is the inventor and designer of the Gr-Pro Flat Port which converts your Go-Pro into a much better camera for above and underwater usage. He modified my two super magnets to take the Manfrotto head and the Sartek light (in 30 minutes by the way). If anybody needs custom lighting, anything above or below the water, Carl is the man. It’s nice to have smart friends… I’ve head that before haven’t I? You can meet Carl March 24th and 25th at Beneath the Sea. Tell him Joe sent you.

Manfrotto Website
Dynalite Website
Sartek Website

©Joe DiMaggio

I think John really captured the ambiance of Chinese new years I really like the way lady is looking up at the confetti, great shot!

(John Pitts)

camera: NIKON D90 shutter speed:1/200 sec focal length:32.0 mm lens:17.0-50.0 mm f/2.8

camera: NIKON D90
shutter speed:1/200 sec
focal length:32.0 mm
lens:17.0-50.0 mm f/2.8