What have I been up to...?



Well apart from editing video non-stop, I've been learning Adobe After FX on the side. I did a few "segway" (or pre/post roll) 5 second videos for Phil's website/web channel www.mapmagazine.tv that he started recently. Well, they aren't in use... yet... or might not ever be (edit: starting to use some for the chuecawifi videos), but I liked them and thought I would share.

Justin

p.s. Woe is me... nothing in the photography department of late... gotta get back in gear as usual!

Royal Palace / Palacio Real - Madrid Photos

This is actually the back of the palace (or at least I assume the side facing "Campo del Moro" is considered the front, making this the back). Anyway, those doors are usually closed and I have no idea who's car that is or what it is doing there but it's kind of cool to see inside there.

So if you are wondering what is up with the "look" (as in post processing) it's a single RAW file tonemapped in Photomatix and then tweaked (levels and what not) in Photoshop. Gives it a gritty look with a lot of contrast (I also removed my circular polarizer halfway through the few shots I grabbed here but don't recall if it was on for this one or not).

I'm having a hard time deciding if I like this look or not. It's very dramatic but if I'm going to be trying to sell images like this as general stock should I just leave them "alone" (well I can never leave an image entirely alone, there is always improvement to be had in post).

Oh well... see it larger at Stock Photos Madrid.

- Justin

Jon Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray - Madrid Photos / Fotos

Time to take out the Heavy Trash.

For those of you unfamiliar with Mr. Spencer by name, he was originally the front man for "Pussy Galore" among others, but is best known for his time with "Jon Spencers Blues Explosion." I must admit that I only considered myself a fan for one short summer way back when a friend in high school gave me a mixed tape (ya, I said tape). It was a soundgasmic mix of varying melodies and rhythms from Mr. Bungle and Bjork to Los Fabulosos Cadillas and Jon Spencers Blues Explosion. That tape shaped my music tastes in many ways for years to come as I had only really ever been exposed to mainstream acts like Pearl Jam and Nirvana (or Steely Dan and The Doors thanks to "Pa") but for one reason or another I never came across or sought out more Spencer.

Feel free to stop the video after the Heavy Trash
bit or it will just keep loading others.

Well, Mr. Blues Explosion is now touring and promoting his new side project "Heavy Trash" with the very rockin' Matt Verta-Ray (who only rocks more because he doesn't have a wikipedia page! Where'd Spencer get this cool cat?), of which I was asked to edit a video of a recent Madrid concert at Rock Palace.

What's even cooler? They are coming back this month on the 17th to play Sala Sol! Check'em out if you get the chance! A tried and true "dinosaur" rock/blues sound with a modern edge and fresh faces. If you ask me these guys were born about half a century late!



- Justin

La Noche En Blanco / White Night - Madrid Photos / Fotos

Looks like a crazy night of festivities and art in the streets of Madrid, I'll be uploading some time tonight when I get back so stay tuned!

Update:

And here they are...

"La Noche En Blanco / White Night" 2007 here.

Coming Soon... - Madrid Photos / Fotos

Just in case you've been wondering what I'm up to, I'm starting a stock photos of Madrid and Spain site. Stay tuned as I'll definitely have some new photos soon and will likely turn this site into a personal/photos-madrid.com blog.

Working For The Man - Madrid Photos / Fotos

New MAP advertising campaign? Go on... click it... you know you want to.

Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to update my blog over the past week or so, nor have I even really been taking that many photos as I've been spending most of my "productive hours" editing video.

I did have some time while I was capturing new footage to my computer to set up the above shot on my balcony and try out some off camera strobe photography on Phil. The final result was tonemapped in Photomatix and cropped/tweaked in Photoshop. Gives it sort of a Diesel advertisement feel.

Anyway, I'll be back into the swing of photo things soon enough I hope.

- Justin

Trash Treasures - Madrid Photos / Fotos

The newest addition to my photography related gear is an old wooden drawer I found in the street one night, coming home from a bar, slightly sauced. Alas, not so drunk as to not realize a perfect opportunity to snag a useful item from the street.

It wouldn't be the first time either. In my old flat I had three large chairs of different shapes, shades of brown and sizes, all of which I had found in the street. How!? Where!? Why!? Well once a month the city has a "throw out your old furniture" day so special vehicles can come around and collect them. If you are quick enough and lucky enough you can snag some real finds. Just be sure to grab or stake your claim (sometimes friends need to be called when the rare and often sought sofa is left curbside) before the gypsy resalers get there first, they are even faster than the city employees!


-Justin

Hot Dang! - Madrid Photos / Fotos

Nudists on the march!... er... ride! Though this footage is actually of last years "ciclonudista" ride, it was held again recently for the same reasons, to protest the horrendous number of cars in Madrid and the danger they pose for cyclists. Why am I posting it here? Boasting rights of course! I get to shout out that...

I made this!

Ok, ok, it's just a video, but this is the first time I have ever done any form of video editing and was also the first time I had ever touched the software I used to make this, so needless to say, I'm happy.

- Justin

P.S. Can you say Tyler Durden? *wink*

Poker Plaza - Madrid Photos / Fotos

There is something to admire in knowing that one day there will be little else in the world that matters more than a card game in the park with old friends.

- Justin

Gijon, Spain - Madrid Photos / Fotos

Just got back from my weekend trip to Gijon in northern Spain. Weather was great, food was great the atmosphere was great. Everything was great. Check out some pictures here or go to my flickr page to browse on your own and read descriptions.



- Justin