How to Light a Lamborghini with Blair Bunting
I found this behind the scene video at Blair Bunting‘s blog very interesting. He basically taught us about the equipments and techniques neccessary to light a car in a studio setting.
Final Image:
You can read the Blair’s entire post here: http://www.blairbunting.com/blog/?p=2509
2011 Applied Arts Student Awards Winner
The Applied Arts Magazine is Canada’s visual communications magazine that recognizes the talent of high caliber Canadian artists. For two decades, the Applied Arts Awards has invited highly regarded industry professionals to judge the contest in several categories, and has been regarded as are one of the industry’s most prestigious recognitions of creative excellence.
In the December issue for students, I was fortunate enough to be featured with 2 awards. With a 33% increase in entries for the December issue, the industry demonstrates to become more competitive and that there is a large number of emerging artists in the visual communications industry. With graduation only 2 months away, I am getting excited to launch my career in this dynamic field of photography.
I was awarded for photography in the following 2 categories for Photography – Single and Photography – Series.
The following are my winning images:
Category: Photography – Single
Title: Chinese Funeral
“The white funeral outfit symbolizes sadness in the Chinese culture. Paper gadgets are burned to deliver them to the deceased in the dark world. The note offerings, a rectangular white piece of paper with three circles in the center, are scattered in the air to bless the deceased to have a smooth journey to the dark world.”
Category: Photography – Series
Title: Kung Fu
“The main purpose of this series is to capture the graceful and dynamic movements of the Chinese martial arts. Kung Fu incorporates qualities such as flexibility, internal and external strength, speed, stamina, balance and coordination. With the use of water, a multi-faceted element, these qualities can be illustrated. Water enhances the demonstration of the momentums and power of the martial art moves as well as the internal strength of the fighters.”
Page 156 – Tear sheet of Applied Art Magazine, Vol. 26, No. 5
Page 155 – Tear sheet of Applied Art Magazine, Vol. 26, No. 5
Photo of Ryerson University: New Image Arts Building
© 2012 Clifton Li Photography
The School of Image Arts is the home of students in film, photography and New Media. A four-year project, starting from April 2008, the new renovated building has recently launched in Fall 2011 and allowed students and faculty to reconnect again. This building will feature a large expansion of space including study spaces, natural light and greater accessibility.
Upcoming on the street-level, it will feature a café and the Ryerson Image Centre, which features the Black Star Collection. This is donated anonymously, and will showcase a large black and white collection of photographs featuring personalities in the 20th century including Winston Churchill and Marilyn Monroe.
I was commissioned to take portrait of the newly renovated building that has transformed Gould Street with its exterior glass-encased LED lights. The photo was shot in Fall 2011 and is now featured on the Ryerson University’s Homepage. Shot during noon, the sun perfectly shines in the background to provide the perfect lighting. The lens flare further enhances the feeling of new era as the university continues to grow and expand in Toronto.
More Information regarding the IMA Building can be found here: http://www.ryerson.ca/ryersonbuilds/imagearts.html
Bottle Pre-Production (Part 2/3)
Below, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to perform the pre-production of a bottle for a still shot.
1. The paper labels are never properly or symmetrically bonded in bottles. For their removal, let the bottle soaked in water for a couple of hours; that’s what makes the label come off the bottle. Thus, the glue dissolves and the paper comes off without much effort.
2. In the case of plastic labels, it’s unnecessary to soak (more…)
Preferred Lifestyle Magazine – Fall 2011
Cover of Preferred Lifestyle Magazine – Fall 2011
In November, I got an urgent call from Global Wealth Trade to do a photoshoot for their luxurious FERI watches as they were unsatisfied with the result from their previous photographer. I was very honoured to have been given this opportunity and quickly delivered the final product within 24 hours for an immediate magazine publication. The client was impressed with the work and it was successfully published in the Preferred Lifestyle Magazine – Fall 2011 issue.
P. 27-38 in Preferred Lifestyle Magazine – Fall 2011
IPA – The International Photography Awards 2011 – 2nd Place and 3rd Place
It’s November and I’ve finally reached to my fourth year in university, ready to push my career to new heights. As I continue to grow as an emerging artist and photographer, I continue to submit my work to photography competitions to recognize my accomplishments.
The International Photography Awards celebrates the achievement of the world’s finest photographer and conducts an annual competition for professional, non- professional, and student photographers on a global scale.
I was awarded 2nd place in Advertising : Other_Ad Non-Pro
Screenshot of Advertising: Other_Ad Non-Pro
and 3rd place in Fine Art : Still Life Non-Pro
Screenshot of Fine Art: Still Life Non-Pro
In addition, I would be featured in the Annual International Photography Awards Book, featuring all the top 3 winners in all the categories in a high-quality, full-color, hardcover book. I am so excited for it to come out and retain a copy!
Preparing Your Still Life Studio (Part 1/3)
Lecture originally presented at the Estúdio Brasil 2010 photo conference, São Paulo.
The word “still”, as it is used in Photography, comes from a reduction of “still life”. To most, shooting stills is a very tedious practice with little appeal. But if you’re interested in learning several lighting techniques, from basic to sophisticated, the best option is to start shooting products. From a little diamond ring to huge settings, light is key. Only then comes the aesthetical sensibility and the photographer’s style. Of all fields within Photography, the most diverse and productive is Still Photography. New products are released daily; new cosmetics, new recipes, new drinks, new food, juices, water, clothes etc. The dynamics of the market forces clients to renew their products visuals and packages (more…)
Px3 – Prix de la Photographie, Paris – 2011 Gold Winner
Recently, I entered my photographs to the Prix de la Photographie, Paris (Px3) competition, which received over 4000 entries from around the world. Their mission is to promote the appreciation of photography, to discover emerging talent, and introduce photographers from around the world to the artistic community of Paris. CameraArts Magazine also named Px3 as Europe’s biggest and most prestigious photography competition. Therefore, I was very excited to take part and an honour to be awarded in several categories.
Screenshot of Clifton Li’s Winner’s Services Page
In the People’s Choice category, the general public can vote online for their favourite images. With over 23,000 votes, I was amazed to be ranked 2nd place for my Water Equations piece in the Advertising Non-Professional category. This certainly adds a mark to my photography career that I am excitedly ready to launch post-graduation! Thank you for everyone’s support.
Screenshot of Non-Professional: Advertising – Food
Screenshot of Non-Professional: Fine Art – Still Life
Ryerson University Magazine – Summer 2011
Cover of Ryerson Magazine – Summer 2011
Recently, I did some photographic work to contribute back to my university. I was surprised to find that the images were published in the school magazine.
Here are the two spreads that contain my images:
P.10 of Ryerson Magazine – Summer 2011
P.11 of Ryerson Magazine – Summer 2011
Zenith + Nadir Magazine – Editorial Photoshoot
I was extremely excited when I was asked by the Ryerson Fashion Faculty to be the editorial photographer in the Mass Exodus 2011: Zenith+Nadir Magazine. It was a 2-days shoot that took place at The Berkeley Church. Special thanks to Headshots Rentals for sponsoring us with all the Profoto gears I needed.
To be honest, this shoot was very intense and my index finger never stopped clicking the shutter. I basically needed my assistants to start setting-up the next location while I was still shooting at the previous spot. To conclude, it was definitely a great and awesome experience to work with an elite team from Ryerson University.
My Bio in the printed in the Magazine:
My Contributor Bio in Z+N Magazine
The Editorial Spreads published in Zenith + Nadir Magazine photographed by me:
Behind the Scene of the Editorial Shoot:
Behind the Scene of the Editorial Photoshoot
(music by J Dilla, video produced by Galen Milne-Hines)