Here are some photos from the past few weeks shooting various events for The Chris Gethard Show. It's been an awesome experience every time I shoot for these guys, and I hope to make a habit of it in the future.
May 17, 2013
Red Bull Music Academy Presents: A Night Of Improvised Round Robin Duets
I've been getting more live music gigs lately, and this one was a bit of a treat. A little while ago I photographed a show at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple called "A Night of Improvised Round Robin Duets." This was a show where one artist starts improving onstage for five minutes, and was joined by a second musician who would duet with them for another five. Then the first musician would leave and the next would join in, and for the next two hours twenty musicians would take the stage.
Of the twenty musicians I was only really familiar with three: ?uestlove, Andrew W.K. and Andrew Bird. It seemed like a rather random assortment of talents to bring together on one stage, so I was intrigued to see how the rest of the lineup would mesh together. It was just as random as I expected - DJ's playing with pianists, jazz sax players playing with punk rockers, acoustic instrumentalists playing with computerized sound-scapes, etc.
What ensued was a one-of-a-kind performance that brought together a wide array of musicians and fans that would otherwise never have found themselves at the same show.
Of the twenty musicians I was only really familiar with three: ?uestlove, Andrew W.K. and Andrew Bird. It seemed like a rather random assortment of talents to bring together on one stage, so I was intrigued to see how the rest of the lineup would mesh together. It was just as random as I expected - DJ's playing with pianists, jazz sax players playing with punk rockers, acoustic instrumentalists playing with computerized sound-scapes, etc.
What ensued was a one-of-a-kind performance that brought together a wide array of musicians and fans that would otherwise never have found themselves at the same show.
Boston Marathon 2013
I was in Boston for the day of and the week following the marathon bombings. I didn't take any profound photos from the finish line, and I didn't have a particularly unique experience compared to most other people in the city, but I do have some images I'd like to share from my week.
Harpoon Brewery
I recently took a tour of the Harpoon Brewery in Boston. It was the first time I'd been there since 2010 when they were still doing renovations, so I was excited to see how they'd improved the already impressive brewery. Our tour let out into a giant beer hall at the perfect time of day, just as the sun was setting behind the Boston skyline. My brother and I sat at the bar facing the view, and I was able to make this great HDR image of a back-lit glass of beer:
After glancing at my camera to make sure I got the shot, I look up and the backlight was gone - the sun had just crept behind the Prudential Center. I gave myself a little pat on the back and smugly finished my beer.
After glancing at my camera to make sure I got the shot, I look up and the backlight was gone - the sun had just crept behind the Prudential Center. I gave myself a little pat on the back and smugly finished my beer.
Game of Thrones Exhibition in NYC
When I heard about the temporary traveling Game of Thrones exhibition I jumped at the chance to nerd out for an afternoon. I had no idea (though I guess I should have) that so many people would line up around a city block just to get an inside look at the show.
I had a great time photographing costumes, props and behind-the-scenes aspects of the show, but I also indulged in the Blackwater Bay video game and got my Santa-at-the-mall-esque picture taken on the Iron Throne.
...and I might have gotten in line again and posed as Spider-Man.
I had a great time photographing costumes, props and behind-the-scenes aspects of the show, but I also indulged in the Blackwater Bay video game and got my Santa-at-the-mall-esque picture taken on the Iron Throne.
...and I might have gotten in line again and posed as Spider-Man.
Mar 28, 2013
Hurricane Sandy
This is a RATHER late post about my coverage of Hurricane Sandy in my neighborhood. After all the floods of 2011 our block and the surrounding houses were ready for the worst. Luckily we were spared any flooding, as most of the water damage came from tidal surges rather than heavy rains. However there was wind and tree damage like I've never seen.
The Lakota Wolf Preserve
This past Sunday I went with Bergen County Camera to the Lakota Wolf Preserve. The trip was a bit pricy, but absolutely worth the money. Out in Columbia, New Jersey, the people at the site work year-round to feed and care for not just wolves, but foxes and bobcats as well.
On the bumpy ride up to the shooting area our guide told us that during Hurricane Sandy around a hundred trees were blown down, some damaging the fences keeping the wolves in. Amazingly the trainers spent the night on top of the hill amidst the hurricane conditions making sure the wolves were safe and contained.
This was an amazing opportunity, getting to photograph these beautiful creatures in a near-natural habitat. The morning light created several challenges, but allowed for some beautiful views of the animals.
On the bumpy ride up to the shooting area our guide told us that during Hurricane Sandy around a hundred trees were blown down, some damaging the fences keeping the wolves in. Amazingly the trainers spent the night on top of the hill amidst the hurricane conditions making sure the wolves were safe and contained.
This was an amazing opportunity, getting to photograph these beautiful creatures in a near-natural habitat. The morning light created several challenges, but allowed for some beautiful views of the animals.
The Central Park Zoo
Nothing particularly unique about these pictures, just a day trip to the Central Park Zoo. I've always loved shooting animals, whether they're in the zoo or in the wild.
The Old '76 House
The Old '76 House is one of the countries oldest taverns, and holds a particularly interesting place in American history. This is where American troops brought the redcoat Major John Andre for interrogation and imprisonment after he was caught aiding the infamous Benedict Arnold in his attempt to deliver West Point to the British. Andre was tried, convicted and hanged atop a nearby hill, which is marked by a similar blue-and-yellow sign. These signs are common sights throughout the Historic Hudson Valley.
Inside the tavern is decorated much as it might have been in colonial times. The portraits of Andre and Arnold (or "The Spy" and "The Traitor", respectively) sit atop one of the mantles, the latter turned upside down as is customary with traitors.
The menu contains as much history and folklore as it does food items. It lists its notable patrons throughout history, from George Washington and Alexander Hamilton up to Bill Murray and Rosie O'Donnell. The waiters take pleasure in telling patrons ghost stories involving Major Andre's imprisonment as they make salads at the table.
Though this area is full of official historical sites and buildings, The Old '76 house is definitely a unique experience.
Inside the tavern is decorated much as it might have been in colonial times. The portraits of Andre and Arnold (or "The Spy" and "The Traitor", respectively) sit atop one of the mantles, the latter turned upside down as is customary with traitors.
The menu contains as much history and folklore as it does food items. It lists its notable patrons throughout history, from George Washington and Alexander Hamilton up to Bill Murray and Rosie O'Donnell. The waiters take pleasure in telling patrons ghost stories involving Major Andre's imprisonment as they make salads at the table.
Though this area is full of official historical sites and buildings, The Old '76 house is definitely a unique experience.
Jan 27, 2013
"The Dream @50" Celebration at The Met
Yesterday I had the pleasure of covering 'The Dream @50' Celebration at The Met. This was an art contest awards ceremony that included submissions from local K-12 students, meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's famous 'I Have a Dream' speech. Though the actual date isn't until August 28 (something I've always remembered as it's also my birthday), holding this event in January was a great, touching way to start of Black History Month this year.
The ceremony included two performances by students from the Harlem School of the Arts. Between the artwork and the performers, there was some amazing stuff presented. I kept having to remind myself that these were elementary, middle and high school kids dancing and singing and painting, etc. - which made the work 'RULL' impressive, rather than simply 'really' impressive.
Curators made several references to works form the American Wing throughout the ceremony, so I decided to take a walkthrough afterwards and as a bonus I've included some of those HDR's.
The assignment for the art competition was to present a piece that reflected on the progress of the Civil Rights Movement in the decades since MLK's work. What was really interesting/inspiring was how much of the artwork dealt with not just the state of Blacks, but of all races, religions and orientations.
The ceremony included two performances by students from the Harlem School of the Arts. Between the artwork and the performers, there was some amazing stuff presented. I kept having to remind myself that these were elementary, middle and high school kids dancing and singing and painting, etc. - which made the work 'RULL' impressive, rather than simply 'really' impressive.
Curators made several references to works form the American Wing throughout the ceremony, so I decided to take a walkthrough afterwards and as a bonus I've included some of those HDR's.
Jan 15, 2013
2013 NYC Winter Jazz Fest
I had the pleasure of photographing the NYC Winter Jazz Fest in the West Village this past weekend. Not a whole lot to say here, so let's get right to the pictures!
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| Bonus: Here's a botched HDR of an upright bass player at Sullivan Hall. I rather like how it came out. |
Dec 28, 2012
'A Christmas Carol' in Sleepy Hollow
Since I started working at Davis Studio back in 2010, I've been exploring the surrounding area of the Hudson Valley more and more. About a ten minute drive from Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, it's a very cool place to be in the Fall. Though most of their attractions are Halloween-oriented (The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, for example), the Historic Hudson Valley organization has some interesting Christmastime traditions as well.
Jonathan Kruk, the same actor who gives annual one-man performances of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow does the same for Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. They didn't allow photography during the main performance, but I was able to snap a few frames that I think set the scene pretty well.
Jonathan Kruk, the same actor who gives annual one-man performances of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow does the same for Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. They didn't allow photography during the main performance, but I was able to snap a few frames that I think set the scene pretty well.
New York Comic Con 2012
2012 was a year of comic books for me. Though there were plenty reasons to get excited about the New York Comic Book Convention, one of my main reasons for going was to meet and photograph all the characters in costume. I had been to a few conventions up in Boston, but nothing like this - the Jacob Javits Center was packed with people for whom Comic Con is an opportunity (or excuse?) to dress up as their favorite characters. I've incorporated my picture-taking into a Peter Parker/Spiderman costume on a number of occasions, but today I decided to try my luck as Captain America. It was not very impressive at all, but luckily I was on the right side of the camera, photographing everyone else's amazing costumes.
Global Citizens Festival 2012
I was one of the 60,000 lucky fans to win tickets to the Global Festival in Central Park back in September. Rather than try to fight my way up to the front of the crowd to fight for pictures I knew everybody was trying to get, I thought I'd hang back and capture the show from the nosebleed-section perspective. As much as I'd have loved to get a nice close-up picture of Neil Young or the Foo Fighters, I'm glad I was able to show the average concert-goer's experience.
9/11 Beacon Memorial
I've always wanted to photograph the 9/11 beacon memorial. I remember being particularly inspired by the opening scene from Spike Lee's movie The 25th Hour, which focused on the beacon lights from different angles for the first several minutes.
Though I hadn't been home the past several anniversaries I was finally able to make it this time around. Throughout the year my work for Lifetouch took me to several places in New York and New Jersey that had great views of the Manhattan skyline and the Freedom Tower construction site. It's been interesting to witness the slow but steady progress on the tower at different points in the year. So this year I decided to spend Sept. 11 revisiting a couple of these spots and photograph the beacon memorial from different vantage points.
My first stop was a cliffside park in Weehawken, NJ, a ways upriver from the World Trade Center. It was a relatively quiet scene, though the sidewalk was lined with all sorts of photographers. Some had iPhones and point-and-shoots, others had tripods and enormous telephoto lenses. For the most part people were silent, but here and there you could hear quiet conversation.
I spent about 15-20 minutes photographing and taking in the scene, and then drove down to Liberty State Park in Jersey City to get a closer vantage point. This was a very different atmosphere. I arrived around 9:30, a short while before the parking lot's usual closing time, though you wouldn't know it that night. It felt more like the Fourth of July, especially when I noticed the ice cream truck stationed right outside the park entrance. Inside the park I found myself in a sea of tripod-wielding photographers, each one fighting for a spot on the river. The longer I stayed the more uncomfortable I felt, finding myself somewhere in the middle of the spectrum between somber visitors and enthusiastic photographers. On my way out of the park I noticed a group of older visitors posing for pictures in front of a piece of metal from the Twin Towers that had been turned into one of several memorials at the park. I tried not to judge, figuring everyone copes and commemorates tragedy differently, but when they put their coffee cups on the piece of the building so they could review their pictures I had seen enough.
So the trip was not at all what I had planned, but I think I managed to find a few moments at least to reflect and photograph some nice (if not at all original) frames of the memorial.
Though I hadn't been home the past several anniversaries I was finally able to make it this time around. Throughout the year my work for Lifetouch took me to several places in New York and New Jersey that had great views of the Manhattan skyline and the Freedom Tower construction site. It's been interesting to witness the slow but steady progress on the tower at different points in the year. So this year I decided to spend Sept. 11 revisiting a couple of these spots and photograph the beacon memorial from different vantage points.
My first stop was a cliffside park in Weehawken, NJ, a ways upriver from the World Trade Center. It was a relatively quiet scene, though the sidewalk was lined with all sorts of photographers. Some had iPhones and point-and-shoots, others had tripods and enormous telephoto lenses. For the most part people were silent, but here and there you could hear quiet conversation.
I spent about 15-20 minutes photographing and taking in the scene, and then drove down to Liberty State Park in Jersey City to get a closer vantage point. This was a very different atmosphere. I arrived around 9:30, a short while before the parking lot's usual closing time, though you wouldn't know it that night. It felt more like the Fourth of July, especially when I noticed the ice cream truck stationed right outside the park entrance. Inside the park I found myself in a sea of tripod-wielding photographers, each one fighting for a spot on the river. The longer I stayed the more uncomfortable I felt, finding myself somewhere in the middle of the spectrum between somber visitors and enthusiastic photographers. On my way out of the park I noticed a group of older visitors posing for pictures in front of a piece of metal from the Twin Towers that had been turned into one of several memorials at the park. I tried not to judge, figuring everyone copes and commemorates tragedy differently, but when they put their coffee cups on the piece of the building so they could review their pictures I had seen enough.
So the trip was not at all what I had planned, but I think I managed to find a few moments at least to reflect and photograph some nice (if not at all original) frames of the memorial.
Oct 25, 2012
Scott Kelby's Fifth Annual Worldwide Photo Walk 2012
I recently took part in Scott Kelby's Annual Worldwide Photo Walk. I hadn't heard of the event until a colleague of mine mentioned it to me this year, but it seems like a really cool organization. On a given day, photographers from all over gather in various locations --anyone can start their own walk in any location-- and take pictures together. I thought it would be good to meet and collaborate with some new people, and I jumped at the chance when I saw there was a walk at the Ramapo Reservation, a place I've hiked at before but always wanted to photograph in the fall.
Here are some of my best shots from the walk. I had a great time, but would love to go back again soon and see how the leaves look later in the fall.
Here are some of my best shots from the walk. I had a great time, but would love to go back again soon and see how the leaves look later in the fall.
The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze
An annual display of over 5,000 hand-carved jack 'o' lanterns, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is a celebrated fixture during the Historic Hudson Valley's fall festivities. Located at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, the Blaze is within driving distance of Sleepy Hollow, which has its own array of Halloween-related celebrations this time of year.
Jul 12, 2012
The Upright Citizens Brigade's 14th Annual Del Close Marathon
Here's another rather large batch of pictures from one of my latest gigs - the UCB's 14th Annual Del Close Marathon (a bit of back story: The Upright Citizens Brigade, originally founded by Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh, created the Del Close Marathon after Del Close, one of the pioneers of improvisational comedy, passed away in 1999).
This was, by far the COOLEST photography gig I've gotten so far. Three straight days of improv, performed by the best comedians in the business, and all I had to do was sit in the front row and take pictures. I'd always assumed there was more to improv than Michael Scott continuously pulling out his "gun" (see: The Office), but I had no idea how much of a fine craft it really is. Or how much hard work and training it takes to be a professional improv comedian.
I knew there were going to be some big names at the marathon (after all, one of the UCB's founding members is Amy Poehler, one of the most successful female comedians out there), but I was surprised at how many familiar faces I saw on the various stages. From minor recurring TV characters, to frequent supporting roles, even my favorite YouTube sketch comedy groups, it was interesting to see how wide the UCB network spans. Basically, if I ever decide to become a comedian, this would definitely be the place to start.
Anyhoo, without further ado, PICTURES!
This was, by far the COOLEST photography gig I've gotten so far. Three straight days of improv, performed by the best comedians in the business, and all I had to do was sit in the front row and take pictures. I'd always assumed there was more to improv than Michael Scott continuously pulling out his "gun" (see: The Office), but I had no idea how much of a fine craft it really is. Or how much hard work and training it takes to be a professional improv comedian.
I knew there were going to be some big names at the marathon (after all, one of the UCB's founding members is Amy Poehler, one of the most successful female comedians out there), but I was surprised at how many familiar faces I saw on the various stages. From minor recurring TV characters, to frequent supporting roles, even my favorite YouTube sketch comedy groups, it was interesting to see how wide the UCB network spans. Basically, if I ever decide to become a comedian, this would definitely be the place to start.
Anyhoo, without further ado, PICTURES!
Jul 6, 2012
Hopeless Romantic - Production Stills
Here are the production stills for Hopeless Romantic, a film my friends at Tanaka Bros. are working on. This was quite a learning experience for me, not just from being on my first movie set, but also from jumping into the medium of production still photography from scratch.
Editing was quite a chore, narrowing a collective batch of about 1250 pictures down to a somewhat-comprehensive 136. I like to think these pictures tell a relatively concise story, showing some behind-the-scenes action, some of the scenery, and a little bit of impromptu celebrating after we wrapped filming.
This was a pretty surreal experience, working well into the night for several nights in a row, witnessing the production of what I'm sure will be an impressive piece of filmmaking. I'll say one more "Congrats" to the cast/crew of Hopeless Romantic - can't wait to see the final product!
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| © Andrew Bisdale 2012 |
Editing was quite a chore, narrowing a collective batch of about 1250 pictures down to a somewhat-comprehensive 136. I like to think these pictures tell a relatively concise story, showing some behind-the-scenes action, some of the scenery, and a little bit of impromptu celebrating after we wrapped filming.
This was a pretty surreal experience, working well into the night for several nights in a row, witnessing the production of what I'm sure will be an impressive piece of filmmaking. I'll say one more "Congrats" to the cast/crew of Hopeless Romantic - can't wait to see the final product!
Jun 22, 2012
GRAVITY by Descent
Here's my comprehensive visual documentation of GRAVITY, a musical theater project produced by Descent, an up and coming theatre company based out of Brooklyn. The show is about an evil demigod named Gravity, and a small group of superheroes determined to break free of her influence.
This is the same company that I took part in ENTOMO with. I was only the photographer for this project, as opposed to bassist/actor/photographer/graphic designer, but it was a pleasure as always to work with these folks. In my humble opinion, these guys are all friggin' rock stars and they're going to take over the world, theater by theater.
This is the same company that I took part in ENTOMO with. I was only the photographer for this project, as opposed to bassist/actor/photographer/graphic designer, but it was a pleasure as always to work with these folks. In my humble opinion, these guys are all friggin' rock stars and they're going to take over the world, theater by theater.
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