What is it about fireworks that draws us close, cause us to emit uncontrollable ooohs and ahhhhs, and brings a group experience unlike any other? That shared , almost primal feeling of amazement at seeing those colored explosives, bursting in air, and the crescendo of the finale, is an experience like no other.

Here are some tips on creating your own iconic images. And some more.

Want the basics?
1. Shoot with a tripod
2. No Flash
3. ISO 100 is sufficient
4. Photograph peoples reactions too. You may want to get those ooohhs and ahhhhsss on record. Mass happy reactions! Remember-no flash!
5. Experiment with focal lengths for a new look at the same patterns.
6. Set your focus to infinity
7. Shutter speed should be set to “bulb” or shoot 1-4 secs. Experiment!
OR
Set your point and shoot to “Fireworks” and shoot away. You may not get the best , but you’ll have a memory.

And have a happy and safe 4th!
All part of a good stay-cation.
For all of our friends around the world, keep these tips handy for your country’s celebrations.
Hmmmm…maybe July 14th for our French photographers.

Wasn’t going for a sweeter price than list, this store had just what I wanted. Just what you wanted. That was all that was important.

The lesson here is two-fold: 1) everything is NOT online, and 2) thankfully book stores like Hennessey and Ingalls exist so we recommend your hearty support of them. When the top sellers go out of print, and we’ve discussed this before, maybe a store like this will solve your search.
Oh, yes. the irony is not lost on me that writing about a store online, with a link to that same store, while recommending a physical visit, is a bit well…ironic.
If you are in Santa Monica, CA. you have to get there. If not, support your local bookseller. At least some of the time.
Continuing on this walk, a stop into Urban Outfitters had to happen as they are fervent supporters of the photoworld, with a full line of Holga and Lomo products, plus books.
They even sell lomo film.
This other item though, was a new one. In a cruder style of Chuck Close, they had a pixel image paint set, where you upload a photo, the site converts it to pixels and numbered squares, and you ‘paint by numbers” with the enclosed grey scale paint and paint brush.
The biggest decision is which photo to use.
It comes from a company called DIYART, and goes for about $20.

We’ll share what comes from that little project.

The best news is that the winner of the giveaway book, is guaranteed the first choice book. Whew! I feel so much better now.

And with the Nikon D700, it’s full frame, my favorite 51 point focusing system, able to react as fast as it should, enough exposure controls which get pre-set and numbered so depending on the main environs, customization is a button press away. And the glass…ahhh that sweet, fast 2.8 lens, works it hard .
The high noiseless ISO, saves me innumerable times. Even when i have to crop for the shot, there is plenty of clean room in the file.

In the apartment I rent (always preferred to a hotel) setting up your workspace is key and this little area gave me a glare-free environment plus access to the power strip.

The media cards are traveled in a zippered case, because it’s harder to lose the separate cards in their plastic holders. For me anyway.

The readers get doubled up. There is the Lexar firewire and the Delkin Express, which slips into the card port.
Now the Delkin unit saw more action this trip due to logistics:
The external hard drive of choice is the G-Tech G-DRIVE mini Triple Hard drive 320 GB –
which spins a fast 7200 rpm and has it’s own bus-powered fan. Great for stills, essential for video.
And when the G-tech was plugged in, that took too much space so the lexar was crowded. Hence the Delkin reader.
This trip saw the first time use of the Hoodman Raw SDHC Card Reader
. small and did the job, that’s all I ask for.

Batteries got their juice from the Delkin Dual Universal Charger
(except the Canon Elph) which allows you to mix and match batteries for charging 2 units at a time. Needed that.

As we had mentioned before the Canon PowerShot SD780IS12.1 MP Digital Camera
became our pocket camera, when the big boy was too much. And it worked hard capturing video and stills at a moments notice, with no unsightly bulge.

Always in the bag were 2 out of 3 of these pups:

The Joby Gorillapods in mini had a tripod screw AND a suction cup deal that was used for the old iPhone.

The tripod mount held the Canon when video was needed and I was the only one around. The XShot Camera Extender
was just a fun deal that got some attention as I could be included in the shot. Sometimes, I’d use it for video and it had a strange, Mean Streets look to it, if you know that scene with Harvey Keitel. Anyone?

OK, the big one was outfitted with a giottos ball head and could hold the other video camera, complete with the cool Litepanels, new micro pro adjustable LED light. On this new battery powered unit, added gels was super easy and brilliantly designed.
Throw in the lavalier mic, body packs, and HD tape and we were set.
By the way, that camera may be going through a change, although when on the road, recording to a hard media like a tape is a comforting thought.

Since we were out of the country, extra plug adaptors and transformers were part of the kit and traveled in a net zipper bag so it was obvious what was there. the red thing is a multi USB connector picked up at a design store. As long it works, a little cool design ain’t bad.

So wrap it all up and pack it into the Think Tank Airport International
, and this set-up goes with me all over the world. On board, in the hands.

On site, it always gets broken down and transported in another bag, it could be ThinkTank Urban Disguise, or a Crumpler 8 million dollar home, or a Lowepro Sling bag, or maybe just an Oakley backpack.
Whatever the venue is, the bag is appropriate, and I’ve used them all. Lots of factors come into play, and your mileage may vary.
So that is an overview of what travels around the world me these day.
Sometimes, additional lenses, always a Flip UltraHD Camcorder,
, rechargeable batts with the charger packed in the suitcase, mini power strips in the states, a 3M privacy screen for the laptop, especially on the plane. best for everyone.

What do you take on your trips?
Maybe we can highlight one of you every month and we can share some tips.
Email or comment right here with any questions you may have.

The richer, brighter, colors were perfect for the family photos, even as the culture only allowed certain elements and genders to appear so.
Come vacation time, that set of rules went away, as all of the accoutrements of a work-free environment, stood for fun.
No blackberries, unless you were picking them and eating them. Apple products were put into pies.
Dad didn’t bring his laptop to “be in touch”, and face time was used, instead of facebook.
I’m not judging here. My family rarely picked blackberries.
But someone always had a camera.
So it is with a slight sigh, that we say goodbye to Kodachrome, as Kodak made their announcement, last Monday, that production would finally cease after 74 years.
I haven’t shot with it for years. there is only one lab in this country that will process it.
However, it has gone the way of the dodo. Except with a lot of memories in it’s wake.

The giveaway this week, is a book of tribute to that emulsion.
Americans In Kodachrome definitely pays tribute to the family, and the visual history they all created, with a common paint palette. Like all art, whether it is high minded or vernacular in scope, each artisan, or craftsman uses the paint differently. Different brushes, different subjects, different canvas.

“Introduced in 1935 as the first modern color film, Kodachrome was used extensively after World War II by amateur photographers equipped with the new high-quality and low cost 35mm cameras. Americans in Kodachrome is an unprecedented portrayal of the daily life of the people during these formative years of modern American culture and is comprised of ninety-five exceptional color photographs made by over ninety unknown American photographers. Conceived as a book and nation-wide exhibition, Americans in Kodachrome 1945-1965 is an evocative and haunting portrait of a historic generation of Americans.”

I’ve ordered a copy of that book to send to one of you and hopefully it will be delivered to us soon.
If not, another book on the Kodachrome subject : Kodachrome: The American Invention of Our World, 1939-1959
, will be substituted.
Another change this week is that the NEWSLETTER will come out on Thursday, not Weds.
Sorry, just putting together some new stuff, and came back to office later then I thought.
So sign up for the NEWSLETTER, now that you have more time, and look for details on getting this free tribute to Kodachrome, included in that email.

Say, how did anyone feel about the advertising business coverage last week?
we have a few more vids we’ll share with you coming up and want to see if it’s too much off mark, or there is some interest.
Post a comment or email us privately.
Thanks.

Toss that all together onto the Riviera, and you have a pretty solid festival.
Even with the numbers down both in entries and delegates, the even has been one of the richest in years.
The work has been selective and the Lions organizers made sure to schedule high quality seminars every day, all week.
As a matter o fact it has been the seminars which are the big draw, with massive line-ups for each.
Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof, Spike Lee, Miami Steve Van Zandt, Roger Daltry, and the top marketing minds from the interactive and advertising business.

more photos after he jump

Sir Martin Sorell, WPP

If you wanted to get a clue as to where the advertising business, and our communication lives in general, are headed, this was the place to be , o question about it. As we’ve said before, Mad Men is a great show, but it sure isn’t like we do it now.
The party scene was smaller this year, but allowed for more solid personal connections.
Due to economic scale backs, only the executive levels came from most agencies in the USA, yet the Euro and other markets sent some of their younger members.
The sales reps numbers were greatly diminished as the folks hey generally would deal with, were not in attendance.
Now by sending the younger creative teams, they may have gotten the best, compacted education possible, and served their companies well Access to the current crop of the smartest people in the room, was in abundance.
Later in the week, we’ll bring you an interview with one of those teams, as we grabbed lunch with first time attendees from Hamburg.

All in all the best work is getting awarded, and tonight we’ll see the biggest.
The Titanium awards for the biggest idea.
Check online at Cannes Lions , for the seminars and winning work samples
You’ll be happy you spent the time.

Oh and of course there was lunch.
Sometimes a quick sandwich,

sometimes a little sit down;

lots more to come.
Winners from tonight, the gear we used in the week, some real world reviews of what was in our bag, and more.

Well , we are seeing the crowds beat a steady rhythm around the Palais (fancy term for the convention center) flocking to, and exiting, the seminars en masse. And you can see the seminars for yourself, for free, @ canneslions.com. A first for this event. And you should take advantage of it, just for the information given by some of the best minds in the marketing world.
The screening rooms are a little less populated, but the titanium and integrated sections appear to be booming. If all of that sounds like a language you can’t understand, go to this site, Cannes Lions, and it will be made clearer.
The main thing we are noticing is the chatter about the new economy and how everyone will fit into it. Or not.
It is generally agreed that the massive layoffs at the agencies are jobs that just aren’t coming back. Not that personnel won’t be needed when things pick back up, but not the positions that have been eliminated. It will all be leaner and meaner to be sure, and the skill sets required are just being figured out. And the seminars seem to give folks some comfort in figuring out what may be next for them.
If you have been fully immersed in the digital space, it’s not so much new info, as a confirmation.
A smaller crowd, but incredible insights.
by the way, this campaign just won the Grand Prix for outdoor advertising.

And smoothies by Liquidchefs.
Watermelon and basil smoothie,

sounds bad, but tastes great!.

And if you didn’t want the freebie T, Uniqlo had an exclusive line for to purchase. Or bring back as gifts ” My boss went to Cannes and all I got was this crappy T-Shirt”. No, they didn’t really say that.

and just a quiet moment on a pier. You need one of those every now and again.

Before we go, here is your daily video.

So goodnight from the Lions! see you tomorrow!

The crowds came into the Palais to check out the shortlist for the print/ poster/and outdoor awards, and managed to fill the space nicely.

People were in at 9:00AM sharp to see who made the cut. this is a fraction of the crowd.

But it was the seminars that had the buzz.
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, had people climbing onto to stage trying to talk to him. Total rock star status.

If you have already been working in the Twitter space there was not a lot of new info, but if you are trying to get a handle on it, you can check out the presentation on-line

The new Schematic touch wall brought a sense of Minority Report to the scene, as a chip embedded into your delegates pass, caused you to be recognized by the wall, and you could search, connect and have informational emails sent to yourself, via a wall size touchscreen.

And we, of course, had some of our favorite print work:

Obamacain from Grey NY

from Istanbul, DDB produced this series of ads for Witte Mulen Bird seed with the line” turn birdie into man’s best friend”
Very funny.

Monday agency in Bangkok , had series of 3 ads for a karate school.

What a perfect way to illustrate the Nikon’s ability to recognize up to 12 faces, in the Where’s Waldo kid of adult ad from euro RSCG, Singapore.

Look, I’m not an art director or copywriter but these ads stood out to me.

A little more rain tonight, but seems like the Gutter Bar will be hopping again.

By the way, the Great Schlep, with Sarah Silverman, won a gold lion tonight!

See you tomorrow!

And the new media or integrated or titaniums or whatever you want to call an advertising campaign that fully embraces WEB.20, has been a real hit here.
If you think that making a :30 spot is the last word in advertising, you know by your own usage of the web, that it just isn’t true.
The traditional commercials are not going away, nor are they dead. The structure they are based on, fund the rest of the work.
But the advertising campaigns that invite you interact on so many levels, are where the future has been and is evidenced here at the Cannes Lions Adfest.
Even the audience median age told the story: the young creatives flocked and filled the integrated rooms, while the older school hit the commercial rooms.
Everyone will see it all, we promise you, but that first blush, the initial date, showed where the love was.

one of the many rows of display panels waiting for the short list of work.

Tomorrow we get to see the press and outdoor work, which is mainly the photographic work being judged here, and in a few nights we’ll see who takes home a Lion.
We did get a chance to look at all of the entries online.


Say, does this look like a famous photogs work with the initials JG?

Some of the work required photoshop skills of a master, while others just required you to design great shot.

For me, the integrated campaign on Human Trafficking, from Amnesty International was perhaps the most impactful including ebay auctions for people. Just search the work portion of the site to pull it up.
And another campaign let viewers get interactively involved in a love story, going as far as your choosing the placement of the 2 people at specific spots so they can meet and tryst, which I will find or you.

Overall though, a great start to the festival with the co-founder of Twitter speaking tomorrow.

OK, off to bed for now.
Or maybe one last one at the Gutter Bar…..
And now, here is your daily video:

a favorite watering hole, soon to be overrun by ad folk.

You don’t have to work in advertising to know that the ad industry has been affected by the “new” economy, like every one else.
But advertising is a major engine in the stimulation of the money flow, but messaging has been changing so fast, it’s tough to keep up, on a relevant basis.

Smart, entrepreneurial photographer, stands in front of the famed Carlton Hotel, snaps your photo, edits it, prints it, and hands it too you in a cardboard frame, All from the back of his motorcycle. Gotta hand it to him for marketing.

And as long as we live in a society that makes products, and gets them to market, the public has to know that the product is available.
The Cannes Lions is the biggest and most prestigious festival celebrating the ad work of the past year, and now, holding seminars and workshops with some of the greatest global minds in the business. And just in general.
By gathering these minds together, perhaps there will be a piece of the puzzle in the economic next steps.
Whether you believe it or not, advertising is a pretty big engine when it comes to stimulating the economy.
And not just the economy. How about the historic election in the USA, last November?
This year, the leader of the Obama campaign will speak and if you don’t think that was some of the best marketing this past year, you need to take a closer look.
Using all of the social networking and technology available, including the famous Shepard Fairy poster of the AP photogs shot of Obama, to twitter feeds and Facebook groups.
And speaking of Facebook, how about the Whopper Sacrifice campaign, where for every 10 friends you delete you got a free whopper.
Even FB didn’t know how to deal with it, till they shut it down. But the point was made. The media coverage of the ensuing removal of the offer, gave much more exposure to the campaign than it ever had.

And what about he photo industry ? Microsites and stock houses took it in the shorts, meaning so did a lot of you who may depend on stock photo sales for income.
Getty even made a deal with Flickr to sell your photos through them via Flickr.
Because the advertising community wants more authentic photographs. Kinda like the ones most people take everyday.
And if you cruise through Flickr you’ll see some incredible work.

After over 10 years of attendance here, we have seen the wretched excess and now we’ll see the tighter, smarter business mode. We think.
So here we are looking talking shooting, videoing, and bringing you some perspective from the biggest a festival of them all. The Cannes Lions 2009.

And just for the record, we pick the Obama campaign for the Grand Prix. When you can change history with he help of strong, smart, innovative, current, marketing it seem to be worthy of the biggest prize.

Even the taxi driver from the airport commented on President Obama. Now that’s some strong branding!