Creative Spotlight: Lenore Weiss Studios

I received a call from Lenore a couple of years ago asking if she could book a shoot for a Chicago condo overlooking Navy Pier.  I had been a fan of Lenore’s work for years and was excited to work with her.

 

Often, when someone is in need of an architect, they will also seek out a good interior designer to work with.  There is such an advantage to using an architect and an interior designer in the early stages of your project to make sure that the finished product comes together perfectly, as the two fields can’t help but intertwine.  But imagine if you will, working with an architect who is an interior designer?  That’s Lenore.  She is a master architect and a phenomenal interior designer.   When I asked Lenore about this, she told me “To be a good architect, you need to understand interior design, to be a good interior designer, you need to know architecture.  My mind just can’t separate the two.”  I was floored.

 

We shot two projects nearly back-to-back.  Looking at the photographs, you will notice attention to detail that is out of this world.

 

Lenore was recently featured in the fall edition of Licensed Architect magazine.  An excellent read, and one that will have you reaching for the phone the next time you need an architect (and an interior designer).  One call to Lenore covers both fields.

There is so much to talk about with this project, but we will let the photography tell the story.  By the way, we could have easily added another 25 images or so.  Stay tuned as we select some highlights from another project by Lenore Weiss Studios. 

For those curious, all images are hand processed and were photographed using a SONY A850 and A700 cameras with Minolta and Carl Zeiss lenses.

Random 011 & 012 : Lauren Coburn

I was archiving some images today in our lab server and came across this kitchen shoot with Lauren Coburn from earlier this year.  I love the soft inviting colors, and the way the tones blend with the waterfall marble on the island.  These elegant pendent lights add a sparkle of warmth as the catch lights dance off of the superb cabinet finishes.  Truly a timeless design with Lauren at her best!  

 

These images were photographed using a SONY 7RMII and Carl Zeiss lenses. 

Shot on Film: A Bygone Era - Niagara Falls 1964

This charming shot of Niagara Falls in 1964 is among the hundreds of slides that were in a several sets of slides trays purchased years ago.   Look at all the families enjoying this spectacular site on a summer afternoon.   This photograph is taken from the Canadian side of the falls.  I can remember seeing all of those cars in my childhood.  From left to right: a 1959 Pontiac Bonneville, 1955 Ford Squire wagon, a 1964 Chevrolet Malibu, 1963 Pontiac Catalina, 1963 Dodge Polara and a 1963 Chevrolet Impala.  Makes me smile.

This image was shot on Kodachrome 64 and scanned full frame using a dedicated Minolta DiMage 5400 film scanner.  No adjustments applied.

Shot on Film: Bryce Canyon Utah 1997

Back in 1997, I loaded up my 1996 Ford Bronco with my family and headed West.  We didn’t take a map, we weren’t in hurry and leisurely drove wherever we thought would be of interest and fun for the kids.

The only camera I packed was my bullet proof Minolta x570 and three lenses.  A JC Penny 35-70, JC Penny 70-200, and a Minolta 50 1.7.  This image is shot handheld with the 50 1.7, probably a f8 or f11 on Fuji G film.

 

The JC Penny lenses I later learned were manufacturer by Vivitar and sold to JC Penny under private label. The quality of which was absolutely first rate.  I still have them.  Back in the day, JC Penny had an extensive professional camera department, as most department stores did in the late 70’s.  I miss that today.

 

My trip lasted about 6 weeks, covering Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, California, Oregon and Idaho.  I shot over 100 rolls of film, and have recently been scanning and printing them.  This one was just selected at random.  It’s not perfect, but not bad for a quick grab shot!  Makes me want to order some fresh 35mm film and head out West.

The image below was scanned full frame using a Minolta DiMage 5400 dedicated film scanner, no adjustments applied.

Shot on Film: A Bygone Era - St. Louis 1964

This was among a set of slides from the summer of 1964.  This particular family traveled South, then West that year for vacation.  I am certain that this was shot by the young man of the family, using his Argus 35HFM / half frame camera, which he is seen holding in many of the slides. 

I love the way one can flash back in time when you look at an old photograph. Imagine what the onlookers were thinking as the St. Louis Arch was being constructed.  It’s still considered and engineering feat and is truly a national landmark.  If you look closely, you can see a number of spectators in the background.  No one taking selfies, no one texting, and no one on a cell phone. The biggest distraction may have been someone with a transistor radio.  A bygone era indeed.

 

This image was scanned using a Minolta DiMage 5400.  The color reversal slide film is Kodachrome 64.  Stay tuned for hundreds more that were shot on film, in a bygone era.

Creative Spotlight: Kings Landscaping

With the first snow fall of the year, I thought I would reflect on warmer days.  We had the opportunity to work with Mark & Noel King, this past summer.  We love shooting for them.  Their team is amazing to work with and we always have a blast.

What you can expect on a Kings Project, is almost likened to landscape art.  The projects are always of the highest quality, the fit and finish are near perfect and every time I'm on sight I think, 'how could it be any better than this?'

 

The designs are practical, functional and beautiful.  Below are just a couple of highlights from one of our favorite shoots this year.  

Creative Spotlight: Expressive Interiors - out door living!

Creating beautiful interior living spaces is what Expressive Interiors is known for.  However, Marietta Calas doesn’t stop her design work there.  She completes it by making your outdoor experience something to really look forward to.  Comfortable, elegant, luxurious! 

Not just Expressive Interiors, it's Expressive Exteriors too.  Just a few highlights below from a late summer photo shoot. 

Random 010: Expressive Interiors

When is a powder room, not just a powder room?  When it’s been designed by Marietta Calas of Expressive Interiors.  

Creative Spotlight: Michael Hershenson Architects –

We had the opportunity to revisit some work that we had done a few years back.  This particular project, was created by Michael Hershenson.  This work has been featured in our marketing materials and website for years and is a consistent favorite in our portfolio. 

Michael and his team are wonderful to work with.  Google them and take a look at their vast body of work.  They can handle anything, from creating your new estate to renovating your existing space whatever it may be.  

 

Below are just a few highlights from the shoot.  

Creative Spotlight: Key Interiors - Virginia Tile

We met up with Debby Hill, Director of Design from Key Interiors, Inc., for a commercial photo-shoot a couple of weeks ago.  The photography tells the story.  Commercial/Retail spaces that have heavy foot traffic can often present quite a challenge for the design team. The Designer has to make sure that the floor layout, product visibility, selection workspaces, all work and flow together for unmatched customer experience.  Those staffing the space need easy access to product samples, implementation, and client consultation areas.  

The fit and finish of materials, cabinets, workspaces were all superb and especially robust.  

 

Notice too, the commercial will-call area for the construction professional.   Here, the commercial client isn’t left to feel as though their business is an afterthought.  Impressive will-call counter and meeting spaces for product reps and craftsman along with demonstration areas for product and installation tools complete the project.  

 

Overall, the end result is what one comes to expect when working with an excellent design and build team.  If you have a commercial or retail space that needs freshening or evening a complete remodel, give Debby a call.  Key Interiors is Chicagolands premier commercial design/build firm.  Below are a few highlights.

Shot on Film: A Bygone Era - Mexico November 1976

When I have spare time, I enjoy film scanning.  We have several high-quality scanners here in the studio, but my favorite is our Minolta DiMage 5400.  There was a time when we would shoot hundreds of rolls of color reversal film per year and scanning was a part of our regular workflow.  Particularly Fuji Astia 100, as it was my hands down favorite.  Often, we would load these film slides into projector trays and have client image viewings using a projector and screen.  That being said, we were always on the lookout for additional projector trays and would often find them for sale at estate sales, garage sales, flea markets etc.  We could never have too many.

 

Nearly everyone kept the original boxes that the trays came in for storage which kept the tray in pristine condition.  Many came loaded with family photos, business photos, snap shots, vacations etc.  Whenever we noticed that the trays had slides in them, we would try to return the film to its proper owner.  In some cases, however, it was impossible to tell when and where the tray of slide film came from and surprisingly many if not all didn’t want the film back.  Just throw it away was commonly heard.  Well, that’s something that a photographer never does.

 

I started to randomly pull a slide or two from some old trays that we hadn’t emptied and scan them.  I am going to post them here under our new feature ‘A Bygone Era’.  I will also try to identify the time period in which the film was shot, the type of film and if possible, the location.

 

I think this is going to be fun, because for me anyway I can look at a slide and just try and reminisce to what life was like during this time.  Since most of the film I have was shot during my lifetime, this won’t exactly be difficult to do.

 

Our first slide is obviously taken from a hotel room while someone was on vacation in Mexico.  This slide is stamped November 1976, a simpler time indeed.  The film here is Kodak Kodachrome.  Notice the complete absence of grain and the robust colors.  Like most film, it scans and displays like it was shot yesterday.  I hope you will enjoy our series of images as we look back at A Bygone Era, and if anyone recognizes the slide as their own, please email me so that we can return it to you.

 

Norman

Random 009: JMD Builders

Here is another shot from a Chicago condo photoshoot that we did for JMD Builders late last year.  The architecture, interior design, and craftsmanship are superb throughout.  JMD is headed up by Jerry Dardick and if you’re looking for an exceptional builder, to handle your project from concept to conception, give Mr. Dardick a call.

This image was captured using a Sony A-850 camera and a Minolta 20mm prime lens.  As with all of our work, this image was completely hand processed and crafted to the highest standards.

Shot on Film: Condo Interior - Water Tower Place Chicago

Back in 2005 I was shooting a custom condo in Chicago’s Water Tower Place.  We were setting up several cameras to shoot multiple rooms simultaneously so that we could quickly capture the magnificent cobalt blue sky that we get here during dusk off of Lake Michigan. 

While waiting as the Sun was descending, My business partner Mary Beth fired this exposure using a Minolta XE-7 on 100 speed Fuji Asita color reversal film.  The lens was our favorite Minolta Rokkor 24 f2.8.  We always used that lens for our general interior architectural work.  

 

This wasn’t the final shot, which we might display at a later date, but it is captivating; watching the descending Sun pour the beautiful hues into the room.  This image was scanned back in 2005 using a Minolta Dimage 5400 dedicated film scanner full frame with no adjustments applied.

Random 008: JMD Builders

I shoot most of my architectural work using a full frame Sony A850 and a 20mm Minolta prime lens.  I also usually will revisit some compositions with a Sony A700 and an 11mm Sony lens for spaces where I need just a little extra room for a proper composition. 

While preparing to pack up my camera bag, I was standing here just looking out that at the beautiful cobalt sky, and thought I would shoot this one last shot.  I am really glad I did.

 

This exquisite space built was built by JMD Builders and will most likely be included in our Creative Spotlight in the near future.  This image was photographed using a Sony A700 camera with a Sony 11mm lens.