David Hiller

Film-Digital

2011-10-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

The difference between film and digital...

West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology

2010-09-30T01:45:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I received a call from a director at the Experience Hendrix L.L.C.

I was honored to find out that they wanted to use three of my Hendrix shots for a new boxed CD set (West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology) to be released in November. I shot Jimi at the Anaheim Convention Center about an hour south of Los Angeles. I was shooting for a music publication , Record World, and was allowed to go anywhere.

I remember being in front looking up at him and to my amazement saw he was using a quarter for a pick...

Flying V Guitar 1968

Sarah

2010-05-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

Approaching Randy Tex Cobb: getting the perfect image and walking away untouched

2010-03-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

The John Greengo Photography Video Podcast is tomorrow, one of the topics we will be covering is my approach to capturing the right image. The way I approach most photography sessions is to connect with the subject and not let the mechanical aspect of the shot get in the way.

One session I recall with fondness was my shoot with a man who knocked out 13 straight opponents in the boxing ring: Randy Tex Cobb.

Randy broke the ice in the session when he turned to his brother and said in his Texas drawl, "I betcha Dave hasn't gone a round with anybody, Have ya Dave?" I told him that "I am a peace loving photographer, now sit over there and keep your chin down!" To which they both laughed.

It was a fun session. And I ended it by punching him in the stomach :)

You can catch more stories like this one on the John Greengo Photography Video Podcast tomorrow, March 17th at 3pm:

http://creativetechs.com/training/live/

If you miss the show the podcast will be available on Itunes via free download in about a week:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-john-greengo-photography/id340795652.

Movie Posters in the Making Pre Photoshop!

2010-03-11T14:10:00.000-08:00

I was asked by John Greengo to be on his live video podcast show on March 17th. He asked me to furnish him with images that we can discuss on the show. While searching I came across some movie poster images that I took in the 80's.

Advertising for a movie (posters, magazine and newspaper ads) sometimes would be developed as much as a year after filming stops. If they need shots of the actors it was often quite difficult to get them back for a photo shoot...Many elements (including still shots from the movie) went into producing these posters. Sometimes I would shoot an elaborated setup (using the original costumes, props) just for an illustrator to copy from. Other times I would shoot bits and pieces to be retouched into the poster.

Here are a few samples of what I use to shoot in the pre photoshop era!!!

This is my assistant Victor who so kindly modeled pants to be used in the poster.

This model refused to come back after the 7th shoot. Apparently we had the rig setup the wrong way!!! Ouch...

This was for the "Running Man" campaign. No its not Schwarzenegger but it is a body builder. Even though the saw was fake, it still was heavy...

Ashlyn and Jesse from Heffner Management, Seattle

2010-01-11T00:27:00.000-08:00

Test Session with Ashlyn and Jesse from Heffner Management. Make-Up and Hair by Lindsey Watkins, http://lindseywatkins.com/ and her assistant Noel. Many thanks to all that helped with this fun shoot.

Amanda C. from Heffner Management in Seattle

2009-12-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

Had the pleasure to work with Amanda from Heffner Management. Hair and Make-up by Lori Young. Her poses really show off her dancing background...It was such a pleasure working with them...

A day with Danielle from Heffner Management

2009-11-27T11:46:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure to work with Danielle B. from Heffner Management this month. Hair and makeup was done by Lori Young. Danielle was extremely sweet and great to work with. It's a wonderful experience when you shoot someone that has a great inner beauty in addition to being absolutely stunning. She was totally dedicated.

Here are a few samples.

Paula Abdul and the dreaded telephone call…

2009-11-23T15:11:00.000-08:00

In the 80’s I use to shoot the Grammy parties for A&M records at Spago’s on the sunset strip (great food!!!). I use to love to walk up to the front door as all the paparazzi gave me dirty looks-they were jealous as I was the only photographer let inside.

I shot a lot of A&M Record stars that night: Sting, Janet Jackson, Suzanne Vega, Al Green, Iggy Pop, Quincy Jones, Herb Albert, Billy Crystal… it made for a very Hollywood party! As I was setting up, the head of PR for A&M came over and told me to follow “this new gal” around. A&M had just signed her and were expecting great things.

Her name was Paula Abdul.

It was a typical party; the only thing that was different from all the others I shot was the reaction from the celebrities. I noticed that people were bothered by the strobe light a little more then usual. A strobe will put out the amount of light that is needed guided by a sensor. I didn’t give this a second thought, maybe I should have. After a hard night of shooting and partying, I dropped the film off at the lab around 1am and returned home.

The dreaded phone call:

I was awakened at 6am by the telephone it was the lab:

“David, the test snip was about 4-stops overexposed-there is hardly any image on the film”

My first thought: NOT GOOD.

“I will test another roll…”

Second thought: REALLY NOT GOOD…where are my shoes? I started to panic…running out the door down to the lab.

When I got there, the technician ran the film about 30 seconds in the developer.

I’m thinking: BETTER…breathing is now returning to normal

I had the shots copied, getting more detail in the film and the prized pictures of Paula Abdul-MUCH BETTER- delivered the film to the client.

SUCCSESS! What a night…or morning?

Music Legend Jethro Tull

2009-11-13T18:55:00.000-08:00

I just found out from a friend that Jethro Tull is performing here in Seattle. This reminded me of an incredible event that happened to me when I was supposed to shoot the band after a concert at the Forum in Los Angeles.

I was hired by Warner Brothers Records to shoot Jethro Tull after their concert. I was enjoying the concert with a couple of Warner Brothers Records PR staff until we decided that it was time to get backstage to get ready for the shoot.

To gain access backstage, we had to walk to the back of the auditorium, out to the lobby, and around to the backstage entrance. As we were walking to the back of the auditorium we noticed a surge of people rushing towards the stage. None of us realized what provoked this reaction.

By the time we got to the backstage entrance a full riot ensued. We were lucky to get through. Walking through the backstage doors, I looked back to see forklift trucks barricading the doors separating us from the wild crowd. Ushers herded the band, Warner Brothers executives, and myself back into a small room.

The door shut.

So there I was, waiting anxiously-with Jethro Tull, Warner Brother executives, and a handful of managers and roadies sitting in a small room as police where guarding us from outside chaos.

Needless to say the shoot should have been a fun time but it did not even take place. I questioned myself many times if it would be appropriate to take my camera out and start shooting, but the mood was so morose-I felt that to do such a thing would not be appropriate. We were waiting for hours as the police cleared the Forum. Finally we were let out. I bid Jethro Tull farewell, and ran to my VW bug feeling very lucky that I made it out of there.

A day with SMG Models

2009-11-13T18:17:00.000-08:00

I had the fortune to work with Estelle Heron, model and makeup artist and model Mieko Rye last week. Estelle styled the shoot, having the idea to emulate iconic GUESS advertisement campaigns. Here are some samples of the shoot!

Introducing Lamar...

2009-11-10T16:20:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here in the office with my assistant, going over prints, thinking about all the work that goes in to producing a photo and art show. I realized that I needed to introduce my counterpart to this show, Lamar.

Lamar grew up in Port Angeles, Washington. In 1990 he moved to Seattle to attend the local Art Institute. Graduating with a degree in Visual Communications, he began working commercially in the field of sculpture and painting; serving clients across the United States. For the past ten years, Lamar has taught art students of all ages in private as well as public settings. If you are interested in learning more about his work, please visit his website at www.lamar-soderstrom.com .

His current show is inspired by the great Jim Dine and Lamar’s love for found objects.

Explosive Show

2009-11-02T14:05:00.000-08:00

I was lying on my side cutting in the baseboard-painters jargon- at Tulinda’s, the location of my photo show on December 10-11th. I was in the presence of great company: in the room with me was my wife Linda, our dog Rosey, Lamar Soderftrom, who will also be showing his artwork, his lovely wife Nadine and David Scully-the voice over, designer and actor extraordinar.

Suddenly we heard a loud explosion and saw a fireball! Linda said she thought it came from the light fixture on the ceiling, while I thought it came out of the wall. While we never found out what happened, I took it as a sign that our show on December 10^th and 11^th will be on fire!

While panting the walls my thoughts turned to the famous wall at the Whiskey, in Los Angeles. A location where I have shot many famous music legends.

They will be the heart of my show.

I will be sharing these great memories with you here on the blog in the upcoming weeks. More stories will be shared in person at the show. See you there…

The Lone Pigeon or The Guard?

2009-10-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

Was he or she standing guard, or not in the clique? This morning I was walking Rosey and we were about to cross the street when I looked up and saw the pigeons. I got this lonely feeling but then it changed to a feeling of strength. I realized that the lone pigeon perched above could have been standing guard for the group while they were on their coffee break. Appropriate, as they were perched right above Tully's Coffee in Madison Park.

The Gang

2009-08-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

Roxy

Rosey

Razz

Floyd

The Handout

The Feet The Paws

Can you believe a photograph?

2009-07-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

Was this picture of Rosey retouched?

Absolutely not...

Walter Cronkite

2009-07-17T20:56:00.000-07:00

"And that's the way it is"

That statement made me feel that everything

was going to be all right. For so many years I watched

Walter Cronkite on You Are There

(a show recreating historical events)

and then the CBS Evening News.

I had the pleasure of taking his picture for an IBM shoot back east.

We sat down to chat durning a break. We talked about

numerous topics and especially his love of sailing,

but he also asked questions about me,

how did I get into photography and such.

He was a wonderful man and it was a pleasure

meeting and talking with him...

Rest in Peace

Verathon Medical Shoot

2009-07-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

Fun shoot at Verathon Medical,

one of my favorite clients.

We were shooting a couple of ads.

I guess you could say I was lying down on the job!!!