Rocking these Adidas Gazelles
I fell in love with these shoes the moments I saw them.
It was late at night in Las Vegas and I was far from sober. Like shining beacons on a stormy night I saw them when walking (not stumbling) by. They stood out amongst all the rest. No gold, silver, or neon pink for me.
These Adidas Gazelles are some of my favorite shoes. I don't wear them very often, but when I do, they never fail to get a nod :) The only thing I really hate is how quick they pick up dirt, and scuff. Even with brushing and cleaning regularly I only bring them out for special occasions.
Before I sent them out into the world to be gazed upon
I couldn't help but make some marketing materials. I mean, awesome shoes like that, an ability to create, a network of people to help out? How could that be a bad idea.
A new angle to pitch clients is always a blast to figure out. It forces me into a different seat on the other side of the table. What would their customers want to see? What would get their attention? How could I produce it at the lowest cost?
Then I get to jump over the table and actually do it. After that is the 'fun' of pitching it. But, let's focus on the real fun.
I started with the stills.
Nothing too crazy. I just grabbed a piece of blue construction paper, set it on some stands so it hung down, and held the shoes myself while shooting tethered to my laptop. After a series with the blue, I tried some yellow as well, but wasn't a big of a fan. Perhaps good for a basic ad, if I took out the hand. There still might be some potential for that shot looking at it again.
For light I used a couple of no flicker fluorescent bulbs (2 stands, each 600 total watts), LED's would work just fine, it's just about balancing the slight so it falls the right way. Next time I'll grab some pics of the setup. Completely forgot this time.
Could you guess how I shot that? It's probably a lot simpler than you think. :)
Take a single light like the one from the stills
Another piece of construction paper (white), and a really steady hand with a solid idea of what I needed...and that's it. Slow pans, zoom ins, zoom outs, into focus, out of focus, showing off what I thought were the main features. I followed a checklist I had made and I think it only took 15 minutes or so. Maybe 20 because some of the pulls were hard to get smooth. The light was sitting at a portrait 45degree angle like the sun in order to get the shadows I was looking for.
The super cool part was the music, which was done by a friend of mine, Jason Wolchuck. Wish he had a website to link to...if you need him let me know. He makes some really dope beats. I actually met him at a get together a different client brought me to. An awesome weekly event where a bunch of music producers got together and spent a couple hours working the same sample to see who could make the coolest beat. They called it a Beat Off. Kid you not. That's why I love this town. I showed him the footage I had cut, and he was like, HELL YES! I sent it over and left the rest to him.
I love doing stuff like this with other creatives. A real collaboration. Everyone playing with things the way they wanted to but always with their eyes on the same prize. :) Got times all around.
If you have any questions about how I did any of this, like more specifics on the tech end, feel free to ask :). I kinda glazed through things. Still trying to figure out how do this article type right :)
See more work at www.mwesselphotography.com