A playground of images - wedding details

A playground of images - wedding details, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

I've often referred the the business I am in (providing lighting and effects for special events) as getting the chance to play with a really big toy box filled with goodies. I know, kinda silly, but its felt that way since the beginning. This season, more that average, has found us lighting quite a bit of weddings. It seems only natural that I approach these environments with my camera like a playground.....with goodies to photograph all around me. I know, REALLY silly. Speaking of silly, check out the video I uploaded this evening. I don't know where I could have possibly thought that I would have the time to video blog from the event in the Bahamas we are leaving for in the AM, but I decided to record an intro video this afternoon. Well, an on camera talent I am NOT! As I looked over the clips for a shred of anything useful, I realized that what I had actually created was a bunch of out-takes. Check in out if ya get a chance. Lets hope it gets better as the week goes on!

End of the day in the Cote' D'Azur

End of the day in the Cote' D'Azur, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

I absolutely love train travel! For me, some of the best tracks around are the ones that trace the coast of the Mediterranean. Here in the South of France or specifically....the Cote D'Azure, there are endless little pockets of goodness to explore about. Yummy! Pick a train, pick a random stop, and go!

And on a totally unrelated note....I got chickens...lotsa chickens! I paid a little surprise visit to one of my newly acquired rental properties today and took a peak around back at one of the units and .... well...there was this cage, with what appeared to be about 5 or 6 chickens. Actually, looked like mix of roosters and hens, very strange non the less.

So, now that were rambling here a bit, here's something even more unrelated.....

Just a quick clip of a pretty cool "fire effect" we created for an event this evening. Worked out pretty cool actually. As always, my rock star crew helped make it all possible.. Thanks everyone!

Now, what to do about those chickens........hmmmm......

(more on all this later.....)

A perfect night for a new beginning - Wedding at Turnberry

A perfect night for a new beginning - Wedding at Turnberry, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

As I type this post while glancing out at the deluge of rain we are getting here in South Florida, I am reminded of the risk one takes in planning an outdoor event here. On a great night however, there is nothing quite as special as a wedding outdoors. This one we worked on a few months ago was for a long time clients daughter. Just another from the stack of files I have yet to get to! I am often asked just after the event if I can forward my images. Sounds easy, but its really not. I shoot them, but its not really my gig. When I eventually get around to digging back thru to process them, its easy to get a bit overwhelmed. Take this one for instance. After merging 9 exposures in photomatix, I set the clock. After merging, tonemapping, cropping, blending in layers in photoshop, painting in a few sky textures, adjusting curves, and sharpening...well, about an hour passed. Yeah.....hold on a second.....I'll get to those images from your event soon....hang in there... LOL!

Event in the Cathedral Room at the Boca Resort

Event in the Cathedral Room at the Boca Resort, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

This past week had the Hy-Lite team and I rockin' out a few cool events. And, as luck would have it, before the dust settles we have a few more right around the corner! Tis the season around here.

Our week started out with a 3 day event for Loreal in Boca. I was personally around for the 1st and 2nd evenings events. Monday was an ice breaker event poolside. As the load in schedule was a bit tight, all right....REALLY tight, I wasn't able to get any shots :( I must say though, it looked awesome, and I wish I did. I hung around to actually help tear down (sometimes its the only exercise I get), and must say that the cool South Florida air coming off the ocean coupled with the sound of the ocean waves actually served as a bit of therapy. What a great evening it truly was. I guess its all in the perspective sometimes.

This image was created from the 2nd evenings event. Bruce Sutka and his team of artisans created what most of the resort staff referred to as the most impressive use of that room they had ever seen! I must say, its always great to be part of the magic :)

Look for more from this event soon.

Oh yeah, I gave up trying to straighten up this one!

Waiting for the thousands - Market America at the American Airlines Arena

Waiting for the thousands - Market America at the American Airlines Arena, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Wow, how time flys. I think this is actually the 10th year I have worked on this event. Just after this was taken, the house doors were thrown open and the attendees scrambled to get a great seat for an intensely packed day of knowledge, training, and inspiration. We're about half way thru the day and coming down the home stretch. The closing will include a little mini concert with Latin star Alejandro Sanz.

My home as I like to call it for the week. All the basics for a great show.....a lighting console, an online backup console, laptop, internet access, cue sheet, a nice chair, water, and most important.....COFFEE!


On this view from the main floor, I tried this little technique to simulate a kind of "rendering" look. Kinda cool? I like it :)

And this last one....well, nuff said. Yeah.....it was kinda late indeed! (click on it, its a video)

Entrance to the Gala - a walk into color!

Entrance to the Gala - a walk into color!, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

As promised....drum roll please....I present tonight....details of the event :)

I guess I should mention something as I usually think it is assumed. These event images are taken and processed by yours truly, but more importantly, are lit by, well, yours truly again. Actually, I'm not gonna take all the credit. It takes a great team of creative individuals that I am grateful for as well as an incredible synergy with other vendors, the venue, and the talent to create a great event. I am eternally grateful to have had such great opportunities to live that process.

As I was sorting thru and processing these images tonight, I was reminded of what a magical experience setting up and running these events really is. I'm gonna have to do a little behind the scenes video kinda documentary thingy someday. Tons of time to do that....haha. I'm a little bit of a goofball, so I'm sure it wouldn't be too serious. We'll see though....stranger things have happened. Might be kinda interesting to see, perhaps.....to who, I have no idea!

Anyhooo,......enjoy......

A look at a Gala

A look at a Gala, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

So I got a call the other day from a perspective bride that found a few of my images via tags that ended up on google images. Looking for a lighting solution for her big day, she called me up to inquire about details. I thought it was kinda funny that she started out the conversation with "I see you have a lot of really cool images posted on your blog, but do you still actually do lighting?" Haha, I got a bit of a chuckle outta that actually. Soooo, here we go......

Seasons in full swing here in Palm Beach, and this weekend found us illuminating a couple of the Galas here. I took a few shots from both events as I always find them full of subjects. Almost like a kind of toy box full of photographic opportunities. Tonight's post, as well as the following images are part one of a series from one of the events. Look for part 2 tomorrow night.

As the guests arrived to the cloister area, the brick facade simulating a backstage door welcomed guests into what was designed (by the mastermind event designer Bruce Sutka) as a walk thru a backstage area.

Various props, cases, costumes, and details you might actually find backstage as well as 2 live actresses helped create entertaining "tableaux vivants" to help tell the story of the scene.

After the guests completed the walk thru the theatrical scene, they were treated to a spectacular room of color and kinetic energy. Watch for images in tomorrows post as I unfold the color and details! Also check out Sutkas site for more from Bruce Sutka and his amazing teams talent.

Merlion Fountain - Singapore (and a couple of New Years Clips from the Paradise Ball with a bit about 2010) ... wow, long enough title or what??!!

Merlion Fountain - Singapore (and a couple of New Years Clips with a bit about 2010) ... wow, long enough title or what, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Well, first post of the year.....what to say, what to say....

For one thing, for me anyway, the new year is always a great time to reflect on past accomplishments and give gratitude. This past year has rewarded me with a bit of travel....visits to places I never dreamed I would visit, and for that....I am sincerely thankful for. Iceland, France, Italy, Switzerland, and of course the US. And with a cool sounding year (Twenty Ten.....I like the sound of that don't you? Has a positive and energetic ring to it), I am sure to be treated to more opportunities!

Being in the events industry, I must admit, New Years Eve is always one of those evenings that I am usually working, but I love it....so that makes it fun actually. For the last 25 years, I have for the most part been on one of our events. This year was no exception. The countdown is always a kinda cool deal when you are responsible for a few effects to happen on Q. Sure, I've witnessed my share of balloon bags that never opened or confetti cannons that for whatever reason, decided not to go off....but this year, like most so far....we rocked the house! Here's a little clip from the countdown here in Palm Beach at the Paradise Ball while the second one is a little rough handheld psuedo timelapse clip created from a few images a couple of years ago.

Enjoy, and oh yeah, Happy New Year! May yours be safe, prosperous, loving, and full of self growth. More on that in future blogs to come. :)

Event at the club (and a book launch party)

Event at the club (and a book launch party), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

The Art of Celebration South Florida. Well, the book is out, or at least should be soon. This evening was a little get together of South Florida's finest in the event industry, most of whom are in the book. Although this image is not from the show, its a small sampling of the caliber of work we are associated with. It was a great evening in Palm Beach and a nice night to be outside at a great event, unwind, and touch base with a few friends, associates, and colleagues. In case you are interested, here is a link to the book. Hy-Lite Productions, my special event lighting design company, is featured as well as several of my images.

Art of Celebration - South Florida

Check it out :)

Lighting on the bay - APOA in Tampa

Lighting on the bay - APOA in Tampa, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

About a month or so ago, we were proud to be part of a week long summit for AOPA in Tampa. I hope to post a few more over the next couple of weeks, but until then, here's a little tease.

Overlooking the Tampa bay was a great location for this evenings event. The long hallway with its 30' columns was a great empty palette for us to paint the colors of the evening with light. The ceiling of the long corridor became a blank canvas to project kinetic waves of light to simulate water and waves. Over top of that, in a slight amber contrast, were projected images of seashell patterns. Good food, great music, dramatic lighting, and exquisite decor.....as always, its great to see it all come together!

Temporary lighting on a HUGE waterfall - Turnberry in Aventura

Temporary lighting on a HUGE waterfall - Turnberry in Aventura, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

This cool waterfall on the golf-course was the backdrop for a wedding that we lit a couple of weeks ago.....pics to follow soon. About 100 yards off to the left was the ceremony. We used wireless DMX to control a rack that fed power to the lights that you see along the wooded cart path. Without these, the waterfall and surrounding trees were virtually in the dark. The effect worked awesome, all were happy, and I got this cool image :)

The process required a few exposures as the waterfall was quite a bit brighter that the foreground here. In fact, the foreground red flowers were in the dark! It was something like a 3 minute exposure to get the detail. As always, more to come!

The Skull Lounge

The Skull Lounge, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Devils night, Halloween, Alls Hallowed Eve, ...... whatever you choose to call it, its a great excuse for a party. This year was of course no exception. My friend Kevin sinks a huge amount of time, creative energy, and focus into this event, and like last year, I was happy to be a part of the magic!

Just around the corner from the "haunt" where guests could be hears throughout the gardens schreaking from the many surprises, the ghosts danced their little ballet over the pond. Backlit smoke effects silhouetted the brick sculpture while creating a backdrop to the moody environment.

An area in the middle of the Garden was appropriately named "The Skull Lounge". Here, the guests could chill out under the stars while listening to a bit on a mix of ambient "Ibiza Chill" tunes. Wildfire black-lights illuminated the spider web decor suspended overhead.

The main stage was the place to be scene as this inaugural party of the Palm Beach Season kicked in. Moving lights, fire projection effects, and dramatic red washes of color helped create the ambiance. If the neighborhood allowed, the energy of this event would have lasted till the weee hours for sure, but instead, the after hours crowd took the party over to Palm Beach!

Market America Convention (and a Time-lapse Tuesday post)

Market America Convention (and a Time-lapse Tuesday post), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Like all of our events, there is long planning process, hours and sometimes days of behind the scenes setup and prep, a burst of excitement during the show, and then a "flash in the pan" teardown and exit. For this weeks Timelapse Tuesday, here is a peak into that quick exit......sped up about 30,000 percent!

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - "a small but important part of a special event"

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - "a small but important part of a special event", originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Yes, indeed it is Sunday again, and for this blog.......you guessed it.....Son et' Lumaire Sunday. That one day a week that I have reserved for a peek into the unique industry I have been a part of.

I am quite proud of the fact that in addition to flawlessly serving the social, corporate, and event markets (which is quite rare for a small company to accomplish), we have always been a full technical production house with a design driven focus. While, it is quite common to find equipment rental companies, labor organizations, and design organizations, having all of that under one roof can sometimes be a bit of a juggling act. I can proudly admit that we are but one in a few that has successfully accomplished this....design driven production with a passion for excellence.

Ok, enough of the pat on the back for now......

What I really want to focus on goes a little deeper.....

In the events world, it takes quite a bit of focus from a lot of vendors. Meeting planners, designers, production coordinators, caterers, florists, etc., all working in complete synergy for the same goal.....a flawless event. I love that! Sure we all have other events we are working on with a million things that need to be done, but when it comes down to it, nothing matters before the event except for THAT event.......nothing! Doors happen on schedule and there is NO excuse. When I start to loose that focus, I remind myself of one thing. Be it a wedding, corporate meeting, concert, party, or theatrical performance, there are a few key individuals that have lived this event in their minds for a long time. The bride who has dreamed of her special night, the meeting planner that had the vision for that special launch promotion, the artist that has practiced for months for their performance, the fundraising committee that has worked tirelessly planning for weeks.......it all boils down to that special time, show time. As an event professional, you have to realize that, tune into it, and become a part of it. To give it anything less that 100% is really letting down those who have entrusted you to help carry out their celebration and vision. I sincerely look forward to once again, harmoniously being a part of this magic over the next few months as our season kicks in.

Timelapse Tuesday - Aegis in Boston

Timelapse Tuesday - Aegis in Boston, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

About the only thing I learned when I worked on a layout for this collage tonight is that indeed I am NOT a graphic designer. Good grief, what's with that background I have going on! Hmmm, maybe I'm just a bit tired.

FYI, the time-lapse for this is being uploaded right now. I'll post a link when its finished.

Check back next week for the world famous (yeeeeaaaa) Time-Lapse Tuesday.....and with any luck, it will be from somewhere else in the world ;)

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - The Season in Palm Beach

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - The Season in Palm Beach, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

"In the beginning there was nothing. God said, "Let there be light!" And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better." ~Ellen DeGeneres

On Sunday evenings, I like to take a little moment to recognize, look back at, and kind of give a bit of thanks to the industry I have been a part of for the better part of my life. Some posts are eu' currant, while others are a bit of a trip back in time. Why I do it in this tricky little French title kinda way, I have no idea.....but that's another story altogether......anyway.....

The Season.....yes the Season....

That period in South Florida and specifically here in Palm Beach in which the real party begins. Historically, the island swells up from its slow paced population of the summer from around Thanksgiving weekend up until Easter weekend, give or take a couple of weeks. Vendors such as hotels, restaurants, rental company's, event companies, florists, ......well, they all depend on this. It's always been a predictable cycle. A few of us have branched out and catered to the corporate market as well, but this seasonal social market continues to be a rather large share of the pie around here.

As I took a quick glance of the up and coming event calender for this season, I must say that this year seems to be predicting a kind of bleak outlook. Should be no surprise with the economy and the whole Madoff fiasco, but its still kinda tough to except.

For most of us in the game, I guess its a safe bet to except the fact that this is just a bump in the road. Sure, at times it seems like a huge bump, but I feel good times around the corner.

I've approached this challenge as a unique one. An opportunity to slow down a bit, focus on new strategies, realign myself with some new goals, travel, take some much needed personal time with my daughter, and appreciate (really appreciate) the fact that I have had a great 25 years so far. Although, it's not going to be business as usual for quite some time, I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that my bright future is bound to provide me with!

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Devils Night and a view over Ghost pond

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Devils Night and a view over Ghost pond, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Wow, it seems like it was just last week about this time when I had my weekly post about the magic of special event lighting! (ahhhh, sorry, that was kinda lame....)

So anyway, these few images sat dormant for a bit until today. Kevin, a good friend of mine, is putting his creative magic wand to the event again this year. In hopes of helping out the website and the Facebook PR for the event, I passed these on to him today. Halloween is one of those holidays that allow us to have fun and be creative, and this year will be no exception. If last year is any indication, this is going to be THE party to be at on Halloween here in South Florida.

Check out the following video from last years event!

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Market America - 2009 Convention (and a reflection on industry relationships)

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Market America - 2009 Convention (and a reflection on industry relationships), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Wow, these Sundays seem to come at me at lightning speed!

For tonight's weekly reflection on the industry I have enjoyed being a part of, its more than the image above...it's about relationships. This image was from a recent project we were a part of in North Carolina...but more on that in a later post....

I must say that it is nice to know that over the last 25 years or so, there is group of folks that have tirelessly continued to promote and sell the service's of my company. Its a comforting feeling knowing that there is always a team of loyal producers, creative designers, coordinators, technical directors, and planners that see the value in our services and continue to bat for us. That being said, when there is an opportunity to return the favor and pull a few of these folks into a project that I am a part of.....well, it just feels good. Thanks for being there!

Here's to a great kickoff to the season this November!

Update from the arena floor

You know, I've been working in this industry for years and some things still amaze me. Watching this rig come down and load out was like watching a ballet. (Well, thats pushing it actually, but it was smooth!) Only with the help of my incredible crew of Chris, Sara, and Dallas could I have pulled this one off. Ten vendors, six semis, 6 straight trucks, a few vans, 50 stage hands, and about 24 lead techs and we are almost outta here. I have been hanging out a bit as I am attempting to time-lapse this "Dance" of sorts.

So for the record, it went like this:

7:00 PM Crew call for strike

7:50 PM Actual available start time for crew (show ran late, as predicted)

9:30 PM Under the deck and top of deck was cleared for stage to roll out
10:45 PM The screen truss and cable bridge were the only things in the air (I am pretty sure)
11:00 PM Crew break
11:30 PM Crew back on / screen truss came in
12:15 PM 1st lighting truck was being loaded / points were out of the air
12:45 PM As I type this right now, it looks like we have a few cases in the venue
I am guessing a total finish by 1:30AM / 2AM at the latest

So, also for the record, here are my thoughts:

1. The show is essentially a one off, so there is no way it can load out like a concert in say 3 hours.
2. The truck loading situation here is just a mess. If there were docks, we could possibly trim back an hour for sure
3. The call time for the out should start at 1 hour after the scheduled close of the event. This would allow for some time when it goes longer while giving the crew a quick break and would also allow scenic to get a jump start on getting off the stage.
4. And one more thing, the what the hell am I still doing here?!?!?! I gotta get outta this place!

Thats all for now. Look for more images and a really quick show wrap up on Sunday as well as a possible time-lapse!

2:30AM update - hold the press! (Geez, that was stupid!)

I ended up staying thru the strike to help get the last of the cases outta the venue and to coordinate the local hands (who were awesome this year!) as the cases bottlenecked at the top of the ramp.....as they do every year! What a stupid ass design for a colosseum load-in! Anyway, the truck doors were closed at 1:45AM....not too bad at all. Thanks again guys (and girl)...you all ROCKED this week :)

Gnite!

View from the dimmer beach

Well, the last day of the Market America Convention is in full swing. We are about an hour into the show this morning and off to a good start! I shot this yesterday, and although it starts a bit dark, the level picks up a bit after it kicks in.