It’s 6:57pm according to my husband’s computer and I am currently waiting for him to call me so that I can go pick him up at the hospital.  He’s there right now, in the waiting room of the ICU, where his father, Martin, is fighting for his life.

I have commandeered Zack’s blog in order to let all of you know what’s going on and to ask for your prayers, for those of you who pray, that Martin would pull through this.  Zack is doing his best to be hopeful, as are all of us, but his spirits are understandably low and he’s feeling overwhelmed and so if you think to pray for him, too, that would be amazing.  He could use them.  

Tuesday night, December 30th, we received a call from Elaine, Zack’s step-mom, that Martin was in the ER and that they were working to save his life.  He had almost gone into cardiac arrest.  The ER doctors told Elaine that had she gotten Martin there a minute later he most certainly would have died.  Martin has COPD ( or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ) which is a progressive disease that narrows the airways to the lungs and makes it harder and harder to breathe.  It is a disease typically brought on from smoking, which Martin did, for 47 years.  For as long as I’ve known him he’s had to carry around an oxygen tank.  Other than that he’s strong as an ox, quick witted, and most definitely not a frail old dude at all.  ;-)  He had caught pneumonia and was having a hard time breathing the day of the 30th and by the time he and Elaine got a little bag packed and headed to his hospital he could hardly breathe at all.  When Elaine pulled up to the ER he had stopped breathing entirely and had passed out. Right now he’s completely intubated ( on a ventilator and feeding tube in addition to a “port” into his heart where all meds can be injected into his bloodstream without the need for a lot of IV’s) and heavily sedated.  He’s been given ridiculously strong antibiotics to knock out the pneumonia but is now unable to breathe on his own.  Every time the attempt has been made to lower Martin’s need for the ventilator his Co2 levels spike rapidly and the oxygen has to be brought back up.  The worry is that his lungs have reached their capacity to be able to function on their own, thus rendering Martin with the need for A.  a lung transplant (which is highly unlikely since he’s 78) or B.  Having to remain intubated and sedated.  It’s frustrating because, like I said, he’s healthy in every other way.

I have to go get Zack from the hospital here in a bit.  He doesn’t know I’m doing this.  I just know that he’s in a fog right now and all the things he’d normally be doing he’s not and this year had started off a lot differently than we had originally planned.  Just know that we are, and have been, working on getting the new OneLight workshop dates set in place ( things are going to be a little…well…a LOT different.  In a very awesome way… ), new sites launched, new shoots to work on, studio parties, art gallery showings at the studio, travel, a new baby, etc.  So hang in there while we manage this crazy roller-coaster we’re on.  We appreciate everyone so much.

I hope this finds all of you well and in lovely spirits with a pocket of peace you can dive into.

Meg

P.S. For anyone who’s ordered a OneLight DVD in the past couple of weeks have no fear! We haven’t forgotten!  I am personally going to make sure that is taken care of tomorrow. Also Zack’s brother, Chris, sent out a lovely email that I posted on my blog if you’d like to read it. 

Everyone is invited to our studio opening party next Friday night. Please come on out and celebrate with us as we kick off our new space. Network with other creatives in town! Drink FREE Newcastle!

I’ll be showing some images that have been benchmark photos for me and my career.  The picture that started my music photography career, the shot of Big Boi in the dentist chair, the series of Bloc Party’s lead singer trying to knock my “bloc” off.  

There will be plenty of food and drink!  Doors open at 7:30 and it will go until it goes!  

12/12/08 :: 7:30pm - till
Usedfilm Studios
533 W. Howard Ave.Suite A - UPPER LEVEL
Decatur, GA 30030 

:: google map ::

We are in the ACME Lofts building next door to Thinking Man Tavern.  If the front parking area is full there is additional parking in the rear of the building and along Atlanta Ave. next to Thinking Man. 

RSVP here in the comments or on Facebook. 

Cheers,
Zack 

You want to see what the new place looks like? You’ll just have to come out and see it in person! (photos to come on the blog after the party!)

Assignment :: Father & Son photos for my friend Chad Shearer. 
Gear Used :: Nikon D3 with Nikon 105mm f2 lens.
Lights Used :: Available window light with reflectors and scrims where needed. 

While I don’t market family photography I end up shooting a lot of portraits for family and friends looking for original Christmas presents.  My friend & kick a$$ graphic designer Chad Shearer of Caren West PR came in earlier this week for some photos of he and his son. With the studio at 98% completion, I’m shooting quite a bit in here now.  I still have studio blogging to do.  I have a lot of things to do.  I need 48 hours in each day to catch up right now. Here are some more photos from this session. 

Cheers,
Zack

My good friends at Elekta called me this week to come in and shoot some images for a new service campaign they are working on. They wanted images shot on white seamless. Having been to their office a number of times I knew that there was no need to take a roll of white seamless with me and set it up. I just needed a white wall of which, they had many to choose from.

Assignment :: B&W portraits on a pure white background. Tight crops, low angles, normal angles, plenty of negative space for text and graphics.
Gear Used :: Three Nikon SB-25 flashes (paid $89 for each one!), Nikon D3, Nikon 35mm f2, Pocket Wizards.
Modifiers Used :: 10º grid spot for first image (cover shot) attached to flash via a bungee cord and a LightSphere that was painted black (DarkSphere), Westcott 60″ reflective umbrella for portraits.

Here is the set up for the cover shot…

For the following portraits I took the DarkSphere and grid off of the flash and put the 60″ umbrella on. Is it the most ground breaking photography you have ever seen? Of course not. As I say in the OneLight workshop though, this is the type of work I do to pay the bills. Simply understanding how to use off camera light can increase the jobs you are able to take on.

Here are some of the portraits…

Don’t forget to add to your fine art portfolio while you are out shooting.

Cheers,
Zack

I really love the power of light.  It gives me options.  It gives me control.  As I’m downloading images from today’s shoot with Nic Cowan, I have been looking at some other images from this year and came across some shots I did at John Michael Cooper’s Very Alt F workshop here in Atlanta.  I don’t think I ever posted these.  John and I tag teamed part of the shooting one day.  He approached the subject one way and I went another way.

Here is the environment we were in…

With four lights I killed the ambient light… 

Alien Bee 1600 with 20 degree grid on her face.  SB800 at full power zoomed to 105mm  for the hair.  A pair of bare bulb Sunpak 120j’s under her dress at 1/2 power each.  

Off to trick or treat with the kids!  Have a safe Halloween y’all!

Cheers,
Zack 

Companies pour tens of thousands of dollars and up into their booths and presentations material when they are slinging their stuff to the industry.

Of all the amazing booths, presentations, and half naked Craig’s List models standing under softboxes, Megavision gets the “lawn of the month” award at this show.  Simplicity is key.  The symmetry of the chairs, the boldness of their signage, the turning of the table so that it transforms from your day to day square to a diamond.  Diamonds are classy you know.  The subtle use of trade show blue carpet says to you, “Hello, we are Megavision.”  

In fact, their whole presentation sort of wraps up their new marketing campaign.  ”Hello.  We are Megavision.  We’re so good we aren’t even going to show up.”

Highlights thus far?  Metting David Hobby face to face!  After three years of emails, David and I got to sit in and listen to UK photographer Drew Gardner speak about his work.  I was so humbled and honored when David introduced me to Drew and he said “OH yeah, yer that OneLight guy. Yeah.  Love what yer doin’ mate.  Ya should come to London and do one.  That’ll be fantastic!”

Jason Groupp’s party was the place to be earlier this week.  I would say “Jason Groupp’s party was the place to be _______ night.” but I can’t remember what day it is right now.  

Of all the things that had to get done here at PhotoPlus, the OneLight planning meeting for 2009 was crucial.  I’m pretty sure we did that yesterday. Erik, Kara, Meg, and myself sat in the hotel lobby bar for four hours looking at the schedule for 2009 and framing in a schedule for the new workshops.  I’m sad to say and happy to say that there will be fewer workshops in 2009.  Happy to say that because the travel has been taking a toll on me and my family.  Sad to say that because I love traveling so much.  

We also had a conference call with Ross from FloSites.  His crew have been working on the new OneLight site.  It will be launching soon!

I think we had that meeting yesterday.  

Lastly.  I can not get over the fact that the best BBQ I’ve ever had in my life was in Brooklyn.  Really?  It was at a place called the Smoke Joint.  Look it up the next time your here.

TGI?

Cheers,
Zack 

One more day in NYC.  I’m taking something more than my camera phone out today. Maybe I should have borrowed a camera from Megavision. Oh wait. They didn’t even show up. Well done.

Yo.  Ay.  I’m shootin’ ‘ere!  :)

I have had a great time up here in Jersey teaching a double header OneLight.  BIG thanks to Bryce York for bringing me up and opening his home to all of us. Meg and I are now heading into NYC for a few days.  I’m really looking forward to meeting many new folks and connecting with old friends at Jason Groupp’s pre Photo Plus party tonight!

Cheers,
Zack 

As hard of a time I have judging photo competitions, I have taken on the role again!  I’m a sucker for punishment.  This time I get to sit alongside fellow ATLien Rachel Niesen from LaCour, Cliff Maunter, my new friend from the One Conference Jenn Bebb, and crusty ol’ me.

I’m a judge and sponsor of the Winter round of the WedComp competition. Check out the WedComp site for details about this great wedding photography competition.  I didn’t even place last time so I’m going to take out my bitterness as a judge.  Legislate from the bench!  I’m joking!  Really.  :)

Cheers,
Zack 

I am back from the dead!  At least that is how it feels right now.  It has been an overwhelming few weeks as we get DVD’s out the door, conduct OneLights from the East to the West, and finish the studio build out.

For those who have been around on the OneLight Forum you probably have noticed the insane amount of spam that was taking over.  We’ve gotten it cleaned out and have changed the registration process for new users.  Hopefully that will take care of the spam issue.

Who is heading to NYC next week for Photo Plus?  I’ll be up there with the entire OneLight / UsedFilm crew this year.  I’m looking forward to Jason Groupp’s annual party.  What other parties should I be aware of?

Are you hot for Apple?  Are you hot for the new MacBook Pro?  I have been waiting for a laptop upgrade for a few months now and I just got my hands on the new MacBook Pro with the multi-touch pad today.  I have been doing ok on my MacBook until I’m conducting a workshop and trying to run a flat screen, Lightroom, and PhotoShop. As soon as Steve Jobs announced that they would be available today in the stores (via his media event yesterday) I got on the horn to my local Apple business rep and secured a spot in line.

I’ll put more of a formal review up later.  I’ll just say it is by far the greatest computer I’ve owned.  By. Far.  And no… I don’t mind the glossy screen at all.  I know some are not happy that a matte finish screen is not available for this machine but dang it all… After the first test run of images through Lightroom I have zero complaints.  Zero. It is so fresh off the line that when I registered it online today, I got an email from Apple thanking me for registering my iPod Touch. Nice.

I hope you are all doing well.  The DVD is in stock and shipping all week while we are still in town.  The price jumps to $250 in the morning!  Get on it!  We will not be shipping next week since we will all be in NYC for workshops and Photo Plus.  We will resume shipping after we get back on the 27th.

I’ll be resuming regular blogging by the second week of November. Between the buildout, new branding, workshops, shoots, and time with my family, the blog has had to take a break for a few weeks. Be sure to use an RSS reader so you’ll know when the posts start up again.

Please check in with me in the comments. Let me know what’s keeping you busy these days!

Cheers,
Zack 

I had the pleasure of being interviewed for another podcast this week. I met Ron Dawson of Cinematic Studios this week at the One Conference.

You can find the interview here. We re-capped the ONE experience and I talk about my personal life a bit more and the road I’ve walked to get to this place…

Here are a few images of the new studio space that we are building out right now. This is how it looked when we signed the lease. Previously the space was a hair salon.

Here is the exterior view from the street.

I have an insane few weeks coming up. Heck, I have an insane 6 weeks coming up. As I have time I will be documenting the studio build out here on the blog and discuss why a studio is the right decision for me. I hope you’ll follow along!

Cheers,
Zack