KWWphoto Blog

Inspiring Video Spots Driven by Architecture

Kyle Wiebalk — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:33:47 +0000

Ready for some inspiring video spots? Check out Auckland-based Oktobor has released three gorgeous spots for Tiger Beer and agency Saatchi and Saatchi Worldwide.

I’m discovering more and more bigger budgeted spots using architecture to situate their brands within more localized culture. This can drive more targeted video distribution (in this case the architecture of New York, London, and Paris) to increase the spot’s messaging relavency rather than rely on broad international ads.

[via Motionographer]Similar Posts:

How Photographers Use Twitter

Kyle Wiebalk — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:44:25 +0000

I’m finally just starting to get comfortable with Twitter, and I came across Qiana Mestrich’s lists of interesting Twitter users and explains the unique ways they use microblogging. Follow a few that sound interesting and start experiencing the power of Twitter.

Oh and by the way, follow me on Twitter @kwwphoto.

[via Black Star Rising]Similar Posts:

Twitter’s Snarky ‘Page Not Found’ Page

Kyle Wiebalk — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:35:33 +0000

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Free 70-page Adobe CS4 Superguide

Introducing RareForm Entertainment

Kyle Wiebalk — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:16:56 +0000

Bubble Gum: Canon 5D Mark II Teaser Video from RareForm on Vimeo.

I’ve been pretty quiet on this blog lately…

With the economy still down and all my projects slowed down, I decided to take some time and create a production company with a friend. Check out RareForm Entertainment–we specialize in high definition video production (using the Canon EOS 5D Mark II) and interactive marketing. Our demo reel is coming soon!

I’ll also be putting more effort back into this blog, so stay tuned.Similar Posts:

Inspirational Video: UK Tour Time Lapse

Kyle Wiebalk — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:05:51 +0000

South Bank By Philip Bloom
View in HD Download 720p HD Version

I’m in the process of researching 35mm adapters for a RED One camera we’re purchasing shortly, and so far I have the two main players:

(Why use 35mm adapters with digital video cameras?)

British filmmaker Philip Bloom has several videos posted that use the Letus 35 adapter with a Sony EX1 XDCAM HD camera. Watch his video “South Bank” for a great time lapse tour of the city!Similar Posts:

Obama Inauguration Largest Online Viewing Event of 2009?

Kyle Wiebalk — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:46:13 +0000

[Obama Presidency Channel on Hulu]

Of course Barack Obama’s inauguration is drawing huge attention–both national U.S. and worldwide–if nothing more than the U.S. has the opportunity to change in a completely new direction for the first time in eight years.

With huge attention comes huge online viewership. Services that stream decent content libraries like Hulu and Netflix Watch Instantly (even Joost canceled its software version and converted it to a web application version) have exploded in traffic growth throughout 2008–and according to Quantcast, leveled off after the election.

Hulu & Joost vs. Veoh (established video network)

So the real question is how many people will actually turn out for this event to watch it live on the web? Online viewership on NBC.com jumped from 330,000 unique visitors in Athens 2004 to more than 2.6 million in Beijing 2008–on opening ceremony day alone. NBC has pumped out nearly 20,000 hours of Olympic content to feed this insatiable desire for portable entertainment.

Other web services may also be at risk: even the Hudson River plane crash just took Twitter offline a few days ago. Check out this list of the places the inauguration is streaming live on January 20th! Lifehacker has a comprehensive list here too. Stay tuned…and don’t forget to watch our new President along with the rest of the world.Similar Posts:

Why LAPD Stopped me From Taking Public Photos

Kyle Wiebalk — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:13:46 +0000

I was out last evening experimenting with some night photography, such as star trails and traffic trails. If anyone is familiar with the Santa Monica/West Los Angeles media district–or even if you aren’t–it’s full of older industrial factories from the turn of the last century. These are all converted now into production and post production companies, often rented cheaper and labeled as “creative space.” At any rate, it’s a great space to experiment with.

At around 8:30pm a police car drives slowly past me, and just past the intersection, they flipped around and pulled up the curb where I stood with my camera mounted on a tripod. I wasn’t sure what I had done wrong, but the enormous spotlight directed at me sure seemed unnecessary. The woman sidekick cop just kept saying “this doesn’t look good.” Thanks, how reassuring…

View Larger Map

After diligently taking down my most private information, I they finally explained why they were supposed to report me. Apparently since 9/11, they are required to report any suspicious activity–like photographing a federal building–just ‘in case’. I had asked if I had done anything wrong, and they said no. But clearly my night out was over.

The LAPD ensured me that they would report any photographers or filmmakers, as long as they don’t have a permit (”anyone with a big crew and lots of equipment”). Only exception, of course, are news crews. When I pressed them to explain other circumstances or situations in which they need to report suspicious activity, they gave me this list of forbidden locations:

federal buildings (a given)
national monuments (a given)
utilities buildings (like the electrical distribution area I photographed)
schools
large public areas, like town squares or parks
freeways
freeway interchanges

The last few suspicious locations seem a bit general. It seems there’s a pretty good change of getting stopped and reported anywhere in public, even though anyone with a camera “isn’t doing anything wrong.” The photo in question is above at the top of this post…traffic trails aren’t exactly a threat, are they? And I don’t like them inferring that I could be a terrorist…what ridiculous waste of time.

Apparently I’m not the only one this happens to around the country. Take a look at the National Photographers’ Rights Organization flickr group and just read some of their posts. This post from Boing Boing was from back in May ‘08, with a call to action for the same reasons. Has anyone else had any experience with getting hassled while taking photos or filming in public? Sounds like a good time to review the photographer’s legal rights…

Photographer’s Legal Guide

UPDATE: It seems my timing is perfectly in sync with other local photographers, including a similar story about Venice photographer Anthony Citrano. Read these other uneasy stories about the encouter, including an LA Weekly feature:

Santa Monica Pacific Park’s Weird and Confusing Photography Policy (Thomas Hawk Digital Connection, 1/18/09)
Pacific Park Must Clarify Their Photography Policy (Cosmic Tap, 1/18/09)
Photog Feels Santa Monica Pier Pressure (LA Weekly, 1/19/09)

photo credit, kwwphotoSimilar Posts:

How to Become a Rockstar WordPress Designer

Kyle Wiebalk — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:39:12 +0000

WordPress is a web publishing platform with typical applications ranging from blogging to a solid content management system (CMS) for more business-oriented websites. The best part is that WordPress is focused on what is lacking in most web frameworks (and hence so many websites): aesthetics, web standards, and usability. It’s all open source (free) and centered around a huge development community, which means you’ll receive constant updates to improve features, security, etc.

Rockable Press, publisher of How to Be a Rockstar Freelancer, has just released a book all about making WordPress websites as useful and impressive as possible. $29 is money well spent on building out such a powerful website, especially considering the cost of professional web development.

Grab a Dreamhost coupon and start a WordPress website today!

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JPG Magazine Will Survive After All

Kyle Wiebalk — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:46:00 +0000

A week ago I wrote about how JPG Magazine was on the verge of folding–I think due in part to their mandatory print subscription which comes with membership.

At 4:30 this morning, I received an email from their publisher, 8020 Media, stating that they are in fact going to survive thanks to a huge amount of community outpouring. Of course news coverage like those here and here don’t hurt either. They are settling on a buyer next week. Exciting news!

This is a great time to remind any photographers out there to take a look and consider contributing to JPG Magazine. There are some fantastic artists showing their work, and you should join them.

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Best Twitter Backgrounds

Kyle Wiebalk — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:23:48 +0000

[image by -nathan]

I’m been increasingly immersing myself in all types of social media in order to help grow a few businesses I’m involved with. The latest type I’ve been experimenting with is microblogging–or twitter to most of us.

Of course with nearly everything on the web, design & usability are two of the largest influences on an online reader/viewer. Check out these great Twitter backgrounds; they even have a monthly top ten contest.Similar Posts: