When BVK Advertising AD Mike Scalise wanted “Strong Babies” for his ad campaign, he went to powerhouse ALTER for their digital imaging expertise to execute this concept. Together with photographer Eric Sahrmann, working in concert with ALTER digital artists, Eric Sahrmann photographed (17) separate babies (whoah, that’s patience!!!) to create these award winning images.
When Paul Aresu walked onto the field at the Rose Bowl last week, he was playing for real. Hired by Creative Director to photograph The League, they wanted Paul’s narrative style for their new campaign. FX Network wanted Paul’s signature photography and his ability to work with people. Shooting alongside broadcast is always exciting (and challenging). These huge productions filled the arena with vans, trucks, the largest lighting set-ups imaginable and tons of protection for that sacred ground. Paul had his own A-team from Aresu Digital by his side (as always) to develop extraordinary imagery as they do on a daily basis. (I never walk into their studio when there isn’t some incredible picture up on the computer screen in development under the tight direction of Paul). Now back to The Rose Bowl! So FX new campaign is slated to promote hit comedy show The League. Paul masterfully worked their team and his crew photographing each member of the cast then creating final iconic Aresu images using innovative techniques developed over years and year. While I am not at liberty to show you those pictures yet, here’s a few that illustrate Paul Aresu style. Thank you Paul and FX for an incredible shoot.
When Nicolas Rieben, creator of 2Fake announced he’s traveling to Africa with his father and six-year old daughter, the excitement in him was overwhelming. Being Swiss, he was bred with that European mentality that if it’s August – you take vacation. No guilt! You just do it! But Nico is such a responsible man while still being the consummate artist, he would never leave his clients without the support team in place – he needs to complete every assignment that he’s accepted. So when he sent me this image as his symbol of what to expect “Summer at 2Fake” to look like, all I could do was laugh, and of course think, ‘I’ve got to show the world’. Until you know him, you’ll never completely understand his wit, his warmth, and his dark side. I am so fortunate I do. To celebrate our departures for summer holidays, we had an amazing dinner before he left with my daughter, dining at this fabulous Korean restaurant in Williamsburg that Nico loves (very very cool) and had the most delicious time. See ‘work in progress’ from 2Fake studio here too!
Rhinos Tunnel . CGI . by 2Fake
Rhinos Texture . CGI . by 2Fake
Fedex Travels the Brooklyn Bridge . CGI . by 2Fake
Tale of A Whale . CGI . by 2Fake
As I was saying, ARESU DIGITAL is HOT. While I love to let pictures speak for themselves, I realize telling a story is essential to broaden your knowledge and understanding of exactly what you’re looking at here. This is among the finest digital imaging in the world. These images, that are created from multiple captures over a period of time, often in various locations, under a huge of array of lighting conditions, are visionary. The constant is …. PAUL ARESU and his vastly talented associate, Photoshop master, Mike Moskowitz of Aresu Digital. The passion and sophistication, collaboration and connection, the seriousness mixed with unending jokes, make them an unparalleled match. Get ready for your experience with outrageous results when you work with Aresu Digital. Incidentally, I am not all talk. Here’s the proof……
NBA Superstars: LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant photo by Paul Aresu / Imaging by Aresu Digital
NBA Superstar Kobe Bryant / photo by Paul Aresu / Imaging Aresu Digital
ALTER never ceases to amaze. Working in concert, every discipline under one roof, they produce images with no boundaries. Spanning time and space, ideas abounding, no limitations. Whether it’s ‘historical’ captured moments like ‘Gladiators,’ showcasing Eric Sahrmann’s exquisite photography, or capturing a boy in a modern day school room with extra pizzazz (wait n’see in future blog). There is no limit to what ALTER does. Oh yeah, top-notch conceptual thinking, high-end photo production (including casting, styling, wardrobe, props, set construction, splashing, swirling)-and that’s just photography. Then ALTER launches into realm of CGI! Hold onto your hats-it’s like being shot out of canon! From physical to virtual where ‘anything’ is possible. At ALTER extraordinary CGI artists work side-by-side with phenomenal digital artists to create whatever! Here’s a little something they did in their ’spare’ time. Transcend time and space. Think ALTER and go!
The Gladiators - ALTER CGI - photo: Eric Sahrmann
When Paul Aresu goes out to shoot, the response from clients is phenomenal. This morning alone, three testimonials filled with praiseworthy phrases for Paul and his team for shoots this week. ”You really nailed this project for us!” “Your shoot was easily the smoothest we’ve ever had…the quality speaks for itself.” from CNBC. ”I’m just so thrilled with how everything went, from Commonhealth, “accolades from client to you and your crew…. really, really enjoyed working with you.” And from Palio, after shooting video and print “Great working with you and your team.” Go Paul! Go Team!
ALTER CG artists, distinguished group of specialists, create organic images including animals, plants and, YES! humans. I’m making a big deal of this artistry because recently I read in PDN Nov issue, “CG artists still haven’t been able to make human beings look real.” Well, meet Ben cgi by ALTER. In all his many incarnations: wire frame, model, textured, they built this handsome guy as CGI human. I am very proud of this amazing CG team at ALTER.
Testimonials are an effective way to share other reactions (than my own) to the work I am so proud to represent. When I e-blasted these CGI images created by the phenomenal artists at 2FAKE, imagine how gratifying to have the response come right back that said: ’WOW! That’s really awesome work. Thanks for sending.’ Our intention is to inform and educate the creativing community about the work from 2FAKE. CGI offers opportunities and challenges, creating artwork that’s impossible to to capture through photography, less effective with illustration. Exploring the ‘virtual’ world with ‘virtual’ photography through research, sketches, and like the sculptor, create the model, add texture, then light, you reach the final phase of the process, and retouch; the outcome is beyond the limit where we could go before now with expanding technology. The realm of new possibility renders an exciting place to live, especially with the superb 2FAKE!
Watching 2Fake work is watching the Masters! Nicolas Rieben, Head of CGI was a sculptor for 20 years working in wood at a size double his near 6′ tall height. His attention went to precision, form, detail. Now 2Fake builds CGI for advertising clients from the premier studio of 2Fake in Williamsburg. Moving from “physical” to “virtual” was an obvious transition with the new wave from iPad technology – print comes to life, websites want motion, man needs to fly. Software from Hollywood takes 2Fake CGI from print to animation. So move it!
Until we figure how to load our animation samples, click on this link and view at Vimeo our new theater.
Top notch Art Buyer asked me recently if Alter could create bubbles, not just ordinary bubbles, but iridescent, shimmering, luminous bubbles, shining with a lustrous sparkle; she emphasized the amount of research that went into the study of her client’s product. She wanted “glow” emanating from their form – and to be sure that Alter would follow the agency’s creative direction. With these samples we won her confidence – and the work.
