Amore' Vlok, 2017 IMTA Contestant, photographed by Naomi Estment

Modeling Portfolio Magic

Posted by Naomi on with 2 Comments

Do you or someone you know need a professional talent or modeling portfolio? Or do you simply enjoy beautiful portraits? Either way, you’re in the right place! If you’ve followed our blog for a while, you’ll know that personal portfolios are a specialty of ours, that I particularly love to shoot. This time of year is always exciting too because models, actors, singers and dancers all over the world are preparing for the IMTA (International Modeling and Talent Association) convention, which takes place next month in New York.

International Model of the Year

I’ve recently had the privilege and pleasure of photographing three stunning contestants from Figures Models Randburg. Above is a photo of Amore’ Vlok, who won the Figures Models SA International Model of the Year award, including an all expenses paid trip to the convention. She wanted some versatility in her portfolio, including indoor and outdoor images, so we set up a special portable lighting scenario in our garden, which is adjacent to our studio. This made it super quick and easy to incorporate natural, shallow-depth-of-field shots, as well as co-ordinate changes of outfits and backdrops. Here are a few more photos from her shoot:

Modeling Portfolio of Amore' Vlok - by Naomi Estment

Capturing Personality

As you can see, Amore’ brought along a hat, which really suits her. This is something that I suggest clients do for their individual portfolios, so that we can try it out and include a few photos with a hat in their final selection. Without fail, I find that it helps to bring out personality and inject a bit of fun into the shoot. We generally include a mix of casual and more formal clothing, which we go through together in order to match different outfits, hairstyles and make-up with various backdrops, props and lighting arrangements.

Talented Young Stars

It was a treat to photograph Amore’, who brims with talent, both on camera and in person. She is fabulously tall, giving her a great advantage on the ramp as well. To see more of her photos, view my Facebook album Amore’ Vlok in Studio. While you’re there, have a look at the albums featuring modeling portfolios of two more gorgeous contestants: Mwila Masongo and Nicole Morgan:

2017 IMTA Contestants, photographed by Naomi Estment

Each has their own signature brand of beauty, which I’ve no doubt will shine in New York just as it does here in Johannesburg.

Please join me in wishing all three of these talented young stars everything of the best for their trip!

Aerial Photograph of Construction in Progress

Time Lapse – It’s Just A Mystery

Posted by Dave on

Time lapse photography is a genre of video work that uses still images shot at pre-determined intervals to create the illusion of a high speed ‘time warp’ for the viewer. It’s a popular method for creating another perspective on the progress or timeline of a project, event or natural scenario. Imagine shooting the night sky by depicting the stars and satellites appearing to scribe perfect arcs in the sky as the earth rotates, or creating a video to illustrate the progress of a skyscraper, where the building appears to go from its foundations to completion in just 90 seconds, with tiny people scurrying around at warp speed like ants building a nest!

We at OV&P have created a variety of time lapse sequences ranging from the erection of a record 13,000+ sq.m of Nomadik tents that seemed to pop up from nowhere in preparation for the epic annual 702 Walk the Talk event at Marks Park in Johannesburg, to a 19 month time lapse project of a 15 story building being constructed in the Sandton CBD – changing the suburban landscape forever to match the frenetic business transactions also happening at warp speed in the prime office space of the financial capital of Africa.

The variety of applications for time lapse video is unlimited, but we prefer to focus primarily on specific industries in order to specialize and serve our clients best by developing techniques and processes that give them the edge in their marketing. We often combine different elements of video into a project because we find that the more interesting we can make it, the more engaged the audience is, and the more success our clients enjoy. Below is a sample of the collaboration between Action Gear and OV&P in creating lasting relationships with developers like FWJK, whose 3 month progress on their Illovo construction project is depicted in the video:

Using a property construction project as a time lapse example, we utilize traditional ground based video to capture the close-up and panning shots required to emphasize the quality and attention to detail that’s so important to investors who demand the best bang for buck. We then add exciting high level aerial footage shot from our hi-tech drones. As a SACAA registered and qualified pilot, I use different techniques to fly through, circle upwards and away from the site and to get really creative shots not possible before the advent of drones. During all of this, there are strategically placed time lapse rigs quietly doing their jobs, perfectly positioned to capture the required compositions in order to illustrate the magical way that the building grows from day to day.

We highlight important stages of construction by using shorter intervals between shots to feature more detail for viewers, and then contrast this with the warp speed illusion which is so dramatic. We feel that using multiple disciplines to convey the story creates the most compelling end result, ultimately ensuring that we exceed our clients expectations and maintain a competitive edge in the market place by utilising the best gear, the best people and the best techniques available to ‘get the shot’. When we at OV&P call it a ‘wrap’, we go home and sleep well knowing that we went the extra mile to secure a win-win for all concerned.

Enduro Motorcycle Riders photographed by Dave Estment

Capturing Hard Core Racing

Posted by Dave on

Not for the faint hearted, the 3rd round of the 2017 Enduro World Cross Country (EWXC) series was held recently at Serendipity, about 2.5 hours from Johannesburg. Our OV&P team was there to capture the action with our cutting edge filming gear, including 2 aerial drones to add a spectacular perspective for the riders and supporters to enjoy.

This year, Gary Franks and his Enduro World team set a new course that offered demanding terrain for the competitors to negotiate during the 3 hour test of their riding fitness and skills, as well as their physical and mental tenacity. My good friend and colleague, Chris Duys, was my right hand cameraman, each of us armed with a pro drone and a Panasonic DVX200 4K camera. We recce’d the course together early in the morning to select good vantage points to film from and create a compelling video.

Racing started at 8am with the Pro and Expert classes being the first to blaze a trail through the challenging terrain. The first serious obstacle was about 300 metres in, so Chris covered the start then ran to join me there. It was a steep, rocky, slippery climb which saw riders strewn over every possible line, being helped to manhandle their machines until they reached the top and had a slight breather before tackling the rest of the course. An exhausted rider described it as having been set by someone with sadistic tendencies, namely Igor Baleta and his team, who have earned a reputation for setting awesome but tough courses.

There were some ‘chicken routes’ for less experienced riders, who opt for an easier way around specific obstacles, which takes longer but is less exhausting. Chris and I stuck to the interesting and challenging parts of the course, clambering over rocks and running from one vantage point to the next, toting our cameras and setting up before the riders came through. It’s funny to watch their antics as they approach a camera, either putting on a great show or stopping to chat with us and catch their breath.

Being competitive souls, not too many riders take the easier route, which often results in bottle-necks. This can be very entertaining for spectators and the film crew, watching riders of different skill levels use each other for traction, if necessary, to conquer rocky river beds, steep climbs, water hazards and what seems to be a never-ending roller coaster testing man and machine to their limit. We caught some classic action on camera and with the drones, making dramatic manoeuvres through the trees and rocks to shoot some great tracking and panning shots as the riders negotiated the course. Watch the video below to see for yourself:

Three separate races were held for the different classes, ranging from the Professional and Expert riders to ladies who never cease to amaze their male opponents at how well they ride, all the way down to the youngest riders on their little 65cc and 85cc bikes. They really steal the hearts of the spectators and parents who shout and scream to encourage these little tigers, our future champions. At the end of a hot and well organised day of racing, we filmed the top 6 riders in each class being awarded their trophies at the prize-giving, happily celebrating their achievements to cheering from their rivals and spectators alike. After the formal proceedings, the story-telling and banter began amongst this tightly knit community of athletes comparing stories, hardships and experiences.

It was gratifying to be included in the banter, sharing our day of filming and running around like headless chickens to get everything covered. As the sun set, everyone loaded their battered bikes onto trailers and headed home for a relaxing evening before returning to the hustle and bustle of Jozi on Monday. Since my own racing days seem to be over, this is a great way for me to stay involved and give something back to a sport that has been such a huge part of my life. Well done to the organisers for yet another successful leg of the EWXC Championship which will definitely be the talking point until the next race. We hope to be there to capture the action!