-RSP-photography™

Editorial, Beauty Spread, Spanish Elle 1994, My life in Paris then..

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:05:00 +0000

To my request, my mom had searched the attic of our house in Tel Aviv and found 2 old original prints from the Paris chapter of my life.. After all my work, including my portfolio, mysteriously vanished out if my car and a
"friend's" Apt in the Bronx the night before relocating to
Los Angeles from NYC. Hummm.
Shot in the Dead Sea in Israel, one page from a 4 page
editorial on an experimental 6X9 Camera developed by Fuji Films UK and was given to me to try on that trip. Printed by Brian at BDI London. No make up, no hair, no styling.. all by us two, Betty Romani (Model) and I.
That was my life then and there, I we were traveling the
beaches of Europe and the middle East, shooting images
as such, then Elle International in Paris was publishing in many of their different editions.
That brings me to the same old question: WHAT AM I STILL DOING HERE?

Bullet Boy Soundtrack by Massive Attack

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:45:00 +0000

The trailer for the magnificent film Bullet Boy representing the core
of British gun crime and its sickening consequences.
Backing Soundtrack: Bullet Boy - Massive Attack

Blue... everyday.
Blue... everyday.
Blue... everyday.
Blue...
Bruised from another place,
Everyday,
Takes grace...
And the air's still warm...
From a bullet in the wrong place.
You're still moving,
I'm still wounded,
From the speed,
Never leave so free.
(Free)
I still stare...
From the glare...
(From the glare)
Of the last stare.
Bruised... from another place,
Everything,
Takes grace...
And the air's still warm...
A trailer from the movie:

Image update - Introducing Actor/Model Jesse Sinopoli

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:16:00 +0000

Massive Attack - Heat Misser

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:18:00 +0000

No Words..

High Energy - Life and Style- Fashion Spread, The Independent on Sunday Or how and where some rich and famous photographers getting their ideas

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Mon, 25 May 2009 02:54:00 +0000

Its keep coming back, resurfacing from the "pre digital age".
Here is one of my best editorials ever! a very well put together fashion Sports Wear spread for the "Independent on Sunday" Magazine. The date is 7 September 1996, the place is London UK at the WORX Day light Studio in Old Street. Everything was working right that day.. It was Jo Adams, that called me and wanted to discuss a sports wear fashion spread for the Sunday Magazine. She had seen a Sports wear spread that I had shot for the British Edition of Health&Fitness and she had wanted to repeat the idea and take it a step forward. The idea was a lot to do with the lighting involving water. I admit it did look a whole lot complicated than it actually was. It was even silly simple, yet it did add another wonderful dimension to a story that had all the potential to be dead boring.. I mean what could you possibly do with a model a few minimal sports wear items and a big white daylight studio..? I loved Jo's enthusiasm and she had dedicated herself to get the best she could in terms of studio, hair and make up and a model. "Elite Premier" supplied the model Eva and she was perfect. Jo Karsberg did the make up and Paul Mathews the hair. They were all noting less then excellent. I so love it when the whole team is just doing it together the whole way from A to Z and it's all
right on.I hope to be able to pull the pictures out from the Independent archives.

The point of this post starts actually way back. I was getting ready to leave London for many reasons, one of them is a story very similar to this. and that I believe will be the subject of my next post, sort of going back in time:) I was very frustrated at the time, 100s of times my ideas were stolen, copied and what not..
But that last one in London was so very blunt, well under the belt and extremely disrespectful. I could not get over this one, it hit me hard right in my essence. I decided to move to the apple. Just like this. if the big boys copies my ideas is such an obvious manner, I might as well go there and show them closer how to shoot. Just before leaving Paris (which is the biggest mistake I have ever made!) I met with the head of Conde Nast Paris at the time. Fiona Loved my work and she strongly advised me to get to NYC and when I am there or ready to get there for certain to let her know and she would fix me an appointment with John H. Then, the Art Director of American Vogue. She told me that this is my shot and I should focus on that only.
So, I called Fiona from London Heathrow and told her that I am just about to catch a flight to NYC. I was excited to hear her say that I will be well taken care of out there. I arrived straight from the airport to the art department office at American Vogue and there was a young associate art director, sorry but I can't recall the name. She through at me a list of event that we are going to attend together. Wow, I thought to myself.. this is it. I'm inn! I arrived home. We had a spin around town in a company car and I remember having a blast. In between all that it had "licked" to me that John likes my approach and style, yet he can not start me right at the top, I might start with a portrait with Vogue but I will have to shoot some fashion
for one the other Conde Nast magazines. I was advised to call Carla F. the picture editor of Mademoiselle Magazine and talk to her some ideas that I might want to shoot for her. So I did and I found myself in front of Carla the same very day that I called. Right at the start Carla had open her drawer and pulled out The Independent on Sunday with that sports wear spread that I was responsible for.
She looked through it once twice and the it came.. "So Roli, How did you do that?" I remember how I froze up. Carla did not wait much longer before striking with the same question the second time. I was very uncomfortable and ran the "collapse of Vogue and Roli's wonderful relationship" scene in my mind. I replied to Carla the same way 3-4 times: "well, the only way for you to find out is to hire me to shoot one for you. Some how with greater pressure and greater promises, I gave Carla the big secret and felt so very wrong about it, in fact, until this very day. I was not all surprised to open American Vogue a couple of months later to see my brain sweat all over 12 pages spread with the promising Steven M under it. Well this is one way to get a good idea and get paid well. Oh ya, I forgot to mention, but I did get from Carla a bone. I shot a humiliating "mini fashion story" for Mademoiselle. It was so badly casted and styled. In my memory the worse editorial put together I ever had to deal with. It is unfortunate that someone else can take my ideas that do suit my style and instead place me on a job that is far from my style as it could possibly be. Not to mention that my second encounter with another Magazine of this Publications called me up to a meeting short while after. I walked into the Art Department of Glamor to meet 3 lovely ladies. As far a I remember, the Fashion Director, the Creative director and the Managing editor. They set me down and talked a good pay for 3 stories that I would shoot for them in Miami. Sounds good so far, no? The only thing I will have to do to actually get the job, they added, was to JUST LOSE MY EDGE. Oh man, until today I don't know how to do that and more so WHY?
I am sure that if I'd known how to lose my edge I would have done just that.

Tricky, Wash My Soul

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:42:00 +0000

Tricky:
Wash my soul, wash my soul, wash my soul
Tricky and Bob Khaleel:
I get paid while they starve
In the streets
Visa cards, VIP
Wash away and use you as a fan
Starving these children
And i change the channel
You know me, i'm Mr.Nice
You know me I survive at any price
So it seems i'm the devil's son
Lick it, wet it, you like it, you let it
Lick it, wet it, touch it, take your turn
On somedays, together we can learn
Wash my soul, wash my soul, wash my soul
Lick it, wet it, you like it, you let it
Lick it, wet it, touch it, take your turn
On somedays, together we can learn
I've served with gangsters
And I've served with kings
These are a few of my favorite things
Think about love, love now and then
It's no good
I am weak, I admit
Wash my soul
Lick it, wet it, you like it, you let it
Lick it, wet it, touch it, take your turn
On somedays, together we can learn
Wash my soul, wash my soul
Lick it, wet it, you like it, you let it
Lick it, wet it, you like it, take your turn
Take your turn, take your turn
Together we can learn

Tricky Wash My Soul lyrics

Febfuary & March so far Image Update

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:42:00 +0000

The end of Victory Blvd West, San Fernando Valley, California.

Model Tommy Raz, Images

Geese and Ducks at the Balboa Park Lake, San Fernando Valley, Ca.

Mari Galicia, Snapshots in point Mugu

Editorial Update

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:37:00 +0000

I wanted to update you on my latest editorial, a cover for
The Printed Blog, a trendy magazine from Chicago. Pls check it out..
I had taken a break from the editorial scene and try to make a name as a
commercial photographer.Naturally the most responds are Magazines.
As much as I love to shoot editorials, it involves so much work and
resources and hardly or if at all pays. I have had requests to submit materials
from Oyster, Flaunt, Kitten Inspire Hair & Nail and Wedding Destinations,
all recently.This time I am shooting starting now:)

I would appreciate your consideration for any paid projects.

Photography Consultant Jain Lemos on my new image of Gees in Balboa Park

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:23:00 +0000

Photography Consultant Jain Lemos Writes in her blog:
"Los Angeles-based photographer Roli Shalem sends me a blast email. “Hello there, I have been shooting editorials all over Europe & the USA. I am producing only high quality images.” So I click through and find this shot that makes me smile. I was surprised to find out this photo was taken in San Fernando Valley. It just doesn’t look like California to me. Probably because Roli grew up in Tel Aviv and has lived in London, Paris, Milan, New York and Vegas. I asked Roli if I could post it here and share with you. Roli wins high marks in my book for adding captions to his photos!"

Photography in Los Angeles today, who can tell..? a Portrait or a Headshot?

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:02:00 +0000

I have learned that many clients, especially in Los Angeles do not know how to distinguish between a Portrait or a Headshot.. A Portraits is a very wide term, yet the most important element is that you learn more about the subject
then the facial features. A portrait meant to go deeper and dig inn, the deeper, the better, it must reflect something
that the naked eye could not see, it has mood atmosphere.. It is never limited to a single lighting style. A good Portrait
is a work of art. On the other end, a headshot, is a flat descriptive picture of an actor that meant to give an idea to
the casting director of what the actor/actress looks like. It has to be blunt, simple, for most part, smiley. I have started discussions on what a “good headshot” is, but no one can define.
The film industry had developed this niche and created a sub industry that before the digital age was capitalized by mostly un creative individuals that from this reason or another knew the basics of photography, knew how to operate a camera, but for most part, had the opportunity to cut a * “deal” with and acting agent. Due to the recessions and the dive in the amount of photographic work to be found Photographers and Camera owners; what so called “wannabes”, are now biting into this market. The result is CAHOS.

Images from the past.. how my photography from 20 years ago surfaced now.. from Wiliam Orbit to Sonic Youth via Simple Minds, London

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:52:00 +0000

Lately I have been finding more and more images from the past raising out of no where and reappearing on the present surface.. I was surprised to see William Orbit using on his myspace a picture I shot in the late
80's over 20 years ago [top]. This picture shot for the London Music Weekly "Melody Maker". Orbit's band, then, "Bass-O-Matic" had released the song "Fascinating Rhythm" that had climbed fast to the top of the London charts. @ the time I was living in a Victorian Building on Regents Park Road very near Primrose Hill on one end and Camden Market on the other side [London NW1]. Victorian = HIgh Cillings, so my fair size living room was using me as a little portrait studio mainly used for "Melody Maker" shoots..
On another occasion I came across another pic' from the same era, posted on a site called "allmusic" of Terry Sharpe from "The Adventures" [2nd]. This Job was commissioned by Maxin, the Creative Director @ "WEA International Inc." & "Electa Records". I remember that space,that day so well, it was my first
label job. My work, my approach, my eye, my understanding of light and color had grown so much since,
still, I will alawys love the simplicity, the bluntness of subject and light, the semi raw quality. I have just started working with Melody Maker and things rolled very fast. Before I knew it, beside Orbit's Bass-O-Matic
I had bands like “Simple Minds“ & "Stereo MC‘s" showing up at my Studio/Living room. As much as I liked working with Maxim, she really knew what she was doing. She had a deep understanding of image and what it takes to get
there. She was certainly one of those rare clients that get what she needs and LET you do it! there where no doubts or questions as such as what camera you using nor what lens.. she was only interested with the results. open mind, where
did you go? As far as my memory goes, "Sonic Youth", both in London and NYC, was another job I did with Maxim and shortly after, Island records got a hold of me and kept me as busy as I wanted to be:) The [3rd] Image takes me way back to the very beginning. That's where it all started. For that matter, I will paste an email I recently received:
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Itamar BZ
Date: Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Subject: about a picture you took 21 years ago
To: photo_roli
hey Roli
this mail deals with a picture you took 21 years ago for "Reshet Shoken" of the band "Nos'ey Hamigbaat".
i was told you live in the US now, so you may not know that "Kol Hair" got rid of his printed archive. as a
result, some ex-workers saved some of the pictures, & we're arranging an exhibition of underground rock
groups to take place in Jerusalem. we want to include this picture you took, and need your approval in order
to do that..." That is pretty self explanatory and no additions needed, which leads us to the [4th] Image and to
another story at a later time.. 1999 if to be exact. This takes place on a hot humid summer day in Manhattan's Soho.
I was walking down West Broadway when my eye cought Gretchen Cruz walking opposite me on the street. I turned
and so did she. We talked a little and went to my loft on the lower east side. we took some pictures and we went to
see Lance who was the Head Booker @ Boss Models, then.Gretchen and I became friends until we lost touch. A recent Googling my name directed me to a picture on her myspace account.

Tricky & Constanza "Car Crash"

noreply@blogger.com (-RSP- photography™) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:46:00 +0000

You leave me hungry, Wanting more
Am I thirsty, I wasn’t sure
See me driving, Through the rain
Why am I driving, I can’t explain

In my car to where you are
I won’t make it
I can’t make it
In my car to where you are
I won’t make it
I can’t make it

I am sliding, I lose my breaks
The lights are blinding, The earth quakes
Now I’m lying, Will I die
Will they find me, Will they try

In my car to where you are
I won’t make it
I can’t make it
In my car to where you are
I won’t make it
I can’t make it

Doesn’t matter about the time we make
Doesn’t matter it doesn’t shatter
If time we take
You know they’re lost
While I’m dragging the cross
(If you sing along…)
And where you cross (If I scream…)
While they’re washing they sins
(And we sing along…
She sings, I do evil things
I need I strive (and we sing along…
I bleed alive
(And we sing along… and we sing along…)