Tiempo Flies - Madrid Photos

I haven't blogged since February and I feel ashamed (not that anyone is reading this or cares).

I've been busy with video production work, went to Granada for my Birthday (took lots of photos but haven't had the time to get them online) and as of a few days ago I've been going to town on my roommates new Wii... life is good I guess.

Anyway, thought I would give a little update and post a little something for those of you who have been wondering.

Here's the second episode from a series of new web shows we are doing called "En Plan Rock." It's basically an internet talk show for the local Madrid and Spain rock scene. I doubt this one will ever end up paying the bills one day but since we have many friends in the rock world of Madrid and have been involved in it ourselves at times it still feels good to take part in it, and who knows, it could become an internet cult following type thing.

Without further ado I give you Episode 2 (sneak release as it's not on the main site yet) featuring Coppel Iñigo with presenter Ignacio Garbayo...


Episodio 2 - Coppel from enplanrocktv on Vimeo.

For episode 1 and future episodes checkout enplanrock.tv.

- Justin

Runs (Flys) In The Family - Madrid Photos

Thought I'd give a nod to my old man since has also recently gotten into the photography business, but of a more specialized nature.

He's doing aeriel photography in the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs, Palm Desert, etc., basically the Southern California desert area) via a remote controlled helicopter/camera rig.

Check his stuff out!

Aerial Photography Coachella Valley

I made him a little video a while back too.



- Justin

After Effects - Madrid Photos

Some more video work. This time just for fun/practice. No real footage (or Royal Palaces) were harmed in the making of this video.

Turn up your speakers!

Dive Bomber


If you are familiar with my work (all two of you) then you might recognize that there wasn't any real footage involved in this video at all. I used the below HDR image I took of the royal palace some months ago.

- Justin

Madrid Mas - Madrid Photos

Just throwing some new editing work out there in case anyone is interested. The shoot was a Madrid Mas party night for mapmagazine.tv which I occasionally help produce content for.

Check it out.



- Justin

Schmap Madrid - Madrid Photos

Schmap Guides (a seemingly web-based travel guide) has published a couple photos of mine. They seem to comb flickr for usable images as this is the second time I've been contacted, but hey, I'm not complaining. They've got a cool little widget and their site seems interesting enough. - Justin

Planet Retiro and Panorama - Madrid Photos

I've been working with some panorama techniques involving multiple shot stitching, such as the one below. This photo is comprised of 9 shots stitched together using photoshop.



An interesting additional effect that can be achieved using panoramic shots can only be described as the "planet effect." I admit that a fair amount of "photoshopery" is involved in getting this to look right but the end result is quite spectacular in my opinion.



Please note that these photos (and all photos on my blog) are protected by copyright. That does not mean I am against people using them and if you ask I may just let you. Otherwise, most of these photos can be found for between 2 and 5€ on my stock photography website Photos Madrid (not to mention they are in much higher resolutions as well).

- Justin

How many 5 year olds could you take?

I think this is a relevant question for this day and age.

26

Funny thing is I usually consider 27 to be my lucky number, yet in this situation it would surely be my demise!

New photos coming soon. Ya'Rly!

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