Volume 1, Issue 5: Fall 2008 Newsletter

Welcome to the Fall 2008 Newsletter from State of the Art Images!


"Cornucopia" copyright 2008 by Jim Brammer

Wow! Where did the summer go?? Fall is here and the holiday season is fast approaching. Herewith, a couple of quick news items to keep you up to date about what's been happening at State of the Art Images, some special offers to help stretch your gift-giving dollars this holiday season, and some photography hints and tips to hone your photography skills. Read on for more . . .

News: Awards
I am proud to announce that I was recently honored with an award in a print competition at Professional Photographers of Los Angeles County for my image entitled "Star Time in Prague" (shown below). This image, which I shot last year, is the Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall in Prague, Czech Republic. Built in 1410, this beautiful clock has special mechanisms to display astronomical information, such as the relative positions of the sun, moon and zodiacal constellations. Oh - and it displays the time of day on a 24 hour analog dial as well. This image is part of my fine art collection, available as a limited edition print on fine art canvas, gallery wrapped and stretch mounted.


"Star Time in Prague" copyright 2008 by Jim Brammer

News: Appointments
I was recently appointed Vice President of Professional Photographers of Los Angeles County (PPLAC) for the 2009-2010 term. Dedicated to the advancement and support of professional photographers, PPLAC is the local affiliate of the Professional Photographers of California and the Professional Photographers of America.

Seasonal Specials: Holiday Gift Ideas
Can’t think of what to get your parents or in-laws for the Holidays? A Fine Art Wall Portrait gift certificate from State of the Art Images makes a heart-warming gift. We delight in creating compelling images in fun and innovative ways to capture the essence of family - childhood, parents, grandparents, relationships and unique stories - special moments that evoke emotion. Our gift certificate includes a portrait session plus a Fine Art Wall Portrait and is priced according to the size of the portrait. The certificate is good for one year so the people who receive your thoughtful gift can arrange their portrait session at a time that is convenient for them. Our timeless, hand-crafted Fine Art Wall Portraits become family heirlooms to be treasured by many generations to come. Please call the studio for more information.

Seasonal Specials: Fine Art Greeting Cards
Staying in touch with family and friends is fast, easy, and personal when you send a one-of-a-kind custom portrait holiday card from State of the Art Images. Our Art Cards are much more personal and original than the mass-produced cards sold in stores.

Seasonal Specials: Super Size It!
From November 28 through the end of the year, we're doing our part to help the economy by supersizing your Fine Art Wall Portraits from State of the Art Images. For every Fine Art Wall Portrait purchased, we will upgrade you to the next size for free. So - for the price of a 20x24 we'll give you a 20x30, for the price of a 30x40 we'll give you a 40x60, and so on. The savings mount up fast so make your appointment early to take advantage of this very special offer.


Fine Art Portrait - copyright 2008 by Jim Brammer

This year, let your fingers do the shopping. Dial 818-344-0671 for holiday Fine Art Wall Portraits, Art Cards and Gift Certificates from State of the Art Images.

Photography Hints and Tips: It's all about the light! - Part 2

In my last newsletter, I talked about shooting in natural sunlight during various times of day. In this issue, I'll take it to the next step by telling you how to use natural sunlight to your advantage any time of day.

How you use, control and shape light makes a big difference in the quality of your images. When used correctly, natural sunlight is much more flattering for your subject than your on-camera flash. Your camera's flash comes from only one angle - directly from the camera, straight at the subject. Images taken with your flash appear "flat" with low-contrast lighting and hard shadows that detract from your subject, destroying the feeling of dimension created by properly-placed soft light and shadows. Professional photographers get around these problems in the studio by using multiple flashes or "strobes" - varying the diffusion, angle and intensity of each light to create depth and dimension.

Since you probably don't want to run out and buy a bunch of studio lights, the next best thing is to use what's freely available - natural sunlight. The secret is to use reflected, versus direct, sunlight. There are many ways to leverage reflected sunlight. One way that's particularly desirable this time of year is to use window light. If you're faced with a cold winter day and don't want to take your subject outside, stay inside and stay warm. Look for the brightest window in your house where the sunlight is streaming in. Ideally, this window is in a room with light colors on the floor, walls and ceiling, which will reflect the diffused sunlight. Position your subject just outside of the direct sunlight, turn off your camera's flash and capture the warm glow of reflected sunlight on your subject. Move your subject around until you find the best light, then move around your subject so you can shoot from the best angle to put your subject in that perfect light.

Until next time, happy shooting (photographs, that is),

Jim Brammer

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Fine Art / Portraits Commercial / Photography

State of the Art Images tm
Photography by Jim Brammer
Where fine art meets photography! tm

Tarzana, CA 91356
+1 818-344-0671 Office
+1 818-398-2614 Mobile
+1 818-344-6315 Fax

Web Site: http://www.stateoftheartimages.com/

Professional Affiliations:
- National Association of Photoshop Professionals
- Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation
- Professional Photographers of America
- Professional Photographers of California
- Professional Photographers of Los Angeles County (Vice President Elect for 2009-2010 term)
- Wedding and Portrait Photographers International
- Woodland Hills - Tarzana Chamber of Commerce

Specialties:
- Fine Art: Limited edition prints on fine art papers including linen, watercolor and gallery wrapped canvas
- Portraiture: My timeless, hand-crafted fine art portraits become family heirlooms to be treasured by many generations to come.
- Commercial: Architecture for real estate sales, product shots for brochures, headshots for executives, actors and models, product shots for catalogs and marketing collateral, and corporate events for almost any occasion.

Volume 1, Issue 4: Butterfield Overland Mail Stage Rides Again!

On October 19 I had the unique pleasure of shooting the sesquicentennial celebration of the Butterfield Overland Mail Stage at the Tarzana Community and Cultural Center (TCCC). As many of you know, I donate my time at the "Official Photographer" for the TCCC.

Yes - it has been 150 years since the Butterfield Overland Express Company carried the US mail from St. Louis, following a southerly route through Texas and Arizona and then up the California Coastline to San Francisco, marking the beginning of the Pony Express.

In 1858 John Butterfield of Utica, N.Y. won a government contract of $600,000 a year (Wow! - a lot of money back then, and even now . . .) for six years to carry mail from St Louis to San Francisco twice a week. Butterfield spent more than a million dollars getting the company started. He ran about 250 coaches, 1,000 horses, 500 mules and had about 800 employees.

Retracing the route of the first Pony Express stagecoach, the Harris Stage Line (driven by Tom Harris from Paso Robles, CA) followed El Camino Real (now Ventura Blvd) in the San Fernando Valley. One of their stops along the way was the Tarzana Community and Cultural Center at the corner of Ventura and Vanalden in Tarzana.

Los Angeles Councilman Dennis Zine rode in the stagecoach

Councilman Zine was met at TCCC by Pam Young and Richard Troy from Reel Cowboys - a Los Angeles-based non-profit Western Film and TV appreciation organization dedicated to keeping the tradition of the cowboy alive. Profits generated by Reel Cowboys events provide funding contributions to worthy charities.

Entertainment for the day was provided by Big Red Sky

And the boys in the band managed to get themselves into a little trouble with the Reel Cowboys ;-)

Chef Jason from Braemar Country Club cooks up hot dogs and hamburgers

The folks at Braemar Country Club generously donated their time and food for a wonderful barbecue, which served as a fundraiser for TCCC

Team Braemar

Jerry Fecht, President of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, printed postcards that were carried in the Stagecoach, then sold as souvenirs of this memorable occasion.

Councilman Zine gave awards to the folks from TCCC who hosted this exciting event (left to right: Louis Kaye, Hellen Baker, Patty McManus, Councilman Zine, Willard Simms)

And a good time was had by all!

All images copyright 2008 by Jim Brammer - http://www.stateoftheartimages.com/

Volume 1, Issue 3: Lambert-Moseska Shoot

Before I get started with this issue, just another quick reminder about our Operation Smile campaign. During the month of October, 2008, State of the Art Images will donate $50 from every family's portrait session fees to benefit Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. Your session fee donation will truly help change a child's life. See "State of the Art Images Inaugural Blog" for more information.

Last month I had the pleasure of shooting the Lambert-Moseska children. Talk about some of the cutest kids you've ever seen! And, as you can see from the images below, a good time was had by all.

Thanks again to the families for allowing me to create these delightful images.

All images copyright 2008 by Jim Brammer - http://www.stateoftheartimages.com/

Volume 1, Issue 2: Learn About Wine Single Malt Scotch and Artisnal Cheese Tasting

Before I get started with issue #2, just a quick reminder about our Operation Smile campaign. During the month of October, 2008, State of the Art Images will donate $50 from every family's portrait session fees to benefit Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. Your session fee donation will truly help change a child's life. See last week's "State of the Art Images Inaugural Blog" for more information.

Now, on to this week's events. I had the pleasure of shooting a very special event on Thursday night - Learn About Wine ran a charity event for The LAM Foundation, an organization committed to finding a cure for a benefit for lymphangioleiomyomatosis
(easy for me to say ;-). LAM is a progressive lung disease that typically strikes women in the prime of their lives - most often during their childbearing years.

Ian Blackburn of Lean About Wine teamed up with Barry Lynn Krich, The Cheese Impresario, and Ray Pearson, Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador, to present a wonderful Single Malt Scotch and Artisanal Cheese tasting event at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Wow! Talk about being in heaven - Your faithful photographer is both a single malt scotch fan and a cheese lover, so this was right up my alley. Unfortunately, I was shooting the event so I had to taste vicariously through all the wonderful speakers and guests. Herewith a few images from this beautiful, delicious and very educational event . . .

The evening got off to a wonderful start with a welcome from our hosts.

And the guests were greeted with nine different single malt scotches and a plate full of wonderful cheeses.

Then Ray and Barry Lynn proceeded to educate the guests about the finer points of single malt scotch and artisanal cheeses


The guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves . . .



Ian auctioned off some wonderful wines and art . . .

The evening was capped off with a very special tasting of The Balvenie . . .

And a good time was had by all.

Until next time, happy shooting,

Jim

All images copyright 2008 by Jim Brammer - http://www.stateoftheartimages.com/

State of the Art Images Inaugural Blog

Welcome to my inaugural blog!

Future posts will include highlights and comments from photo sessions and other items of interest.

I thought I'd start things out by posting my inaugural newsletter, which went out earlier this month.

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Welcome to the inaugural newsletter from State of the Art Images - Where fine art meets photography!

This periodic newsletter is designed to provide you with timely information about our studio, current offerings and valuable photography hints and tips. I plan to send these out on a quarterly basis and promise to keep it short, sweet and to the point, providing you with only relevant information.

News and Events: October is Operation Smile month at State of the Art Images
Help us create a family masterpiece . . . and change the life of a deserving child.







During Family Portrait Month, October 2008, State of the Art Images will donate $50 from every family's portrait session fees to Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Charities to benefit Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. Your session fee donation will truly help change a life.

What better way to prepare for the holidays? Celebrate your family with a beautiful holiday portrait while helping a child! The attached brochure provides additional information about Operation Smile.

Thinking about giving a professional wall portrait as a gift to a loved one? Family portraiture is our specialty.

Would you like to send a one-of-a-kind custom holiday card to friends and family this year? We have hundreds of holiday card templates to choose from.

Call us today to schedule a portrait session and discuss how, together, we can create a photographic masterpiece that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.


Photography Hints and Tips: It's all about the light! - Part 1
The difference between good and great photographic images is all about the light. How you use, control and shape light makes a big difference in the quality of your image. Take, for example, the sun - arguably the largest light source in the world. Natural sunlight comes in many different forms: early morning and late afternoon sunlight casts long, soft shadows that complement your subject by adding depth and dimension to your image. Mid-day sunlight with a clear sky casts short, harsh shadows that call the viewers attention away from your subject because of the extreme differences between light and shadows. The best time to take pictures is what photographers call the "magic hour" - the last hour before sunset each day. The natural light just before sunset takes on a soft, warm glow that gives your images a beautiful feel. I'll talk more about shooting with natural light in future issues.

Until next time, happy shooting (photographs, that is),

Jim Brammer

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Fine Art / Portraits Commercial / Photography

State of the Art Images tm
Photography by Jim Brammer
Where fine art meets photography! tm
Tarzana, CA 91356

+1 818-344-0671 Office
+1 818-398-2614 Mobile
+1 818-344-6315 Fax

Web Site: http://www.stateoftheartimages.com/

Professional Affiliations:
- National Association of Photoshop Professionals
- Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation
- Professional Photographers of America
- Professional Photographers of California
- Professional Photographers of Los Angeles County
- Woodland Hills - Tarzana Chamber of Commerce