The post Light Years: How my Lighting Gear Evolved Over Time appeared first on Chicago Photographer & Director of Photography.

Trade magazine photography for Brickstreet Insights featuring nonprofit CEO Mark Ishaug of Thresholds.

Sometimes, even I need a boost, despite being 6-4! Shooting a #trademagazine in the loop today but I can’t say which one yet. #Elinchrom #rotalux #deepocta #deepocta100 #famousbtsmag #iso1200 #famousbtsmagazine #tallphotographer #canonusa #canon #profoto #profotoglobal #profotoD1 #d1air #setlife #behindthescenes #pelicancase #stormcase #octabox #softbox #coverphotoshoot #photoshoot #galaxys7 #chicagophotographer 📸 by @marcusmatteo

A post shared by John Gress (@johngressmedia) on Sep 27, 2016 at 2:13pm PDT

By www.brickstreet.com

The belief that everyone contributes to society and should have the opportunity to live a life of value, self-respect, passion and dignity is what drives Thresholds’ work. Established in 1959, Thresholds is one of the oldest and largest providers of recovery services for individuals living with serious mental illnesses in Illinois.

A study from the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that nearly one in five people in the United States is living with a disability, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates the same number experience mental illness in a given year. Thresholds works to help these individuals reclaim their lives.

Thresholds offers 30 programs in more than 100 locations throughout Chicago, Cook County and adjacent suburbs, and eight surrounding counties. These programs include access to medical and psychiatric care, job readiness and work placement, educational opportunities and safe, stable housing. The organization currently serves 10,000 people each year and employs more than 1,400.

When looking for a workers’ compensation insurer in 2013, Thresholds’ management knew that the carrier would need to understand the complexity of its business – the communities it serves, the issues it faces and all facets of its operations. BrickStreet provided Thresholds with the solutions and services to meet its unique needs.

The post Trade Magazine Photography for Brickstreet Insights with Thresholds in Chicago appeared first on Chicago Photographer & Director of Photography.

Placido Domingo Part 2… When a c-stand won’t fit where you need it to fit @jtergo is the next best thing. In fact, @jtergo is always better than a c-stand. He is a multi mombo combo. Thanks, JT.

A post shared by Art Streiber (@aspictures) on Dec 2, 2015 at 9:20pm PST

The result… A portrait of Placido Domingo studying sheet music in the basement dressing room of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion…one of seven set ups we did in two hours with El Maestro. A post shared by Art Streiber (@aspictures) on Dec 2, 2015 at 9:24pm PST

It slices it dices, it makes you coffee, it….. well you get the picture. It comes with a removeable shaft and a unique diffuser that creates ultra soft light that you can place just out of frame and then make beautiful portraits.

I have two 60” and one Photek Softlighter II 46-Inch Umbrella. When looking back at pictures it’s hard for me to tell which one I am using in each shot, but sometimes I can remember or tell from the behind the scenes. When I am using it for a fill or on one person, often times I will just use the 46. I also I like having both sizes because sometimes the 60″ is just too big. They also make a 36″ ($70), but I have never used one. I once ordered two, but when they came they were missing the gold and silver disc’s you can insert into the back of the umbrellas, so I sent them back. The 60″ does not come with discs.

The umbrellas are great, just make sure your modeling light is all the way inside the diffusion sock. One of mine started to catch fire after it slipped down and came in contact with the front of my Profoto D1 Air 500 Monolight which was quite hot thanks to the 300-watt modeling light. It was fairly embarrassing since I had to stop shooting in order to leap into action and give the diffusion cover a drink of water. Now it looks like its singed around the opening and I haven’t gotten around to replacing the $50 cover.

I lit the image below with a 60″ Photek Softlighter II Umbrella and a Profoto RFi 36-Inch Octabox.

1/2 #BehindTheScenes and a finished #portrait from my #photoshoot with @jeffersonwest. Styling by @stylez_by_mike. #softlighter #photek #octabox #profotousa #profotoglobal #profoto #johngressmedia #portraitphotography #f9mag #portraits_ig #pursuitofportraits #headshots #studiophotography #igportrait #studioportrait #portraitspage #studioportraits #johngressmedia #chicagomodels #chicagomodel #malemodels #malemodel #chicagophotographer #factorchosen #eswwmodels #endlessfaces #famousbtsmag #iso1200 📸 by @beshde

A post shared by John Gress (@johngressmedia) on Jan 12, 2017 at 3:10am PST

If I am not using it as my main light then I am almost always using it as a fill and some times I use it as an edge light. In the images below most of my exposure is coming from the Photek Softlighter II Umbrella, but then I gave it a little punch with a 20-degree drid and a 7″ reflector aimed at the models face.

#Photoshoot with @tristinxjohnson. Makeup and grooming by @decarrbeauty, Styling by @richpaden 📸 by me @johngressmedia #portrait #setlife #behindthescenes #famousbtsmag #handsomeblackmen #JohnGressMedia #blackmodel #blackmodels #blackmalemodel #blackmalemodels #profoto #profotoglobal #malemodel #vscoportrait #vscoportraits #headshot #portraitpage #chicagomodel #chicagomodels #chicagophotographer #portraitphotography #jj_allportraits #makeportraits #ig_portraits #portraits_ig #photek #blackmen #softlighter #iso1200

A post shared by John Gress (@johngressmedia) on Jun 29, 2016 at 4:29pm PDT

  To me, photography is all about growth an exploration. Just when I think I have got it all figured out something new comes along and its time to grow and take a path you never knew existed. The Photek Softlighter II Umbrella is a perfect tool for today’s photographic style and given its versatility, it’s something you’ll be able to use, at least on a secondary light source, until the wind blows it inside out. That’s why I suggest it to every aspiring photographer I meet. A few months after I got it, I realized that I rarely touched my $400 Profoto RFi 5′ Octabox. It’s that good.   There are two different shaft sizes available. The 8mm shaft fits into the D1’s and it’s a very tight, yet functional, fit in the pro heads. I haven’t used the 7mm before, but I like the fact that the 8mm is a tight when used with the pro heads, because it’s too lose on the D1s and tends to slip in and out depending on placement angle or the wind speed. I used the 8mm on the Acute heads too, but it wasn’t as tight as the pro heads, however, I dont remember if it was as loose as the D1 heads. I’ve also used two of them in a clam shell configuration to create alluring portraits. I used the 46″ version of the umbrella below with the gold disc inserted and a 60″ above, producing a warm glowing angelic light.

New #headshot of @iamgabrielray. According to him get ready for a special announcement on 2/22/2016. Shot with two #photek #softlighter s in a calmshell position. #profotod1 #profotoglobal #JohnGressMedia #chicagosinger #lasingers #blackmodel #blackmodels #africanmodel #behindthescenes #setlife #igportraits #ig_portraits #portraits #portraitpage #ChicagoModels #chicagophotographer #mensfashion #chicagoheadshot #photoshoot #jj_allportraits #makeportraits #portraits_ig #portraitphotography #chicagomodel #chicagomodels #vscoportrait #vscoportraits makeup by @decarrbeauty photo by @richpaden A post shared by John Gress (@johngressmedia) on Feb 21, 2016 at 8:32am PST

The first time I used the Photek Softlighter II Umbrella was for the portrait of Realtor Keith Goad below. Not only is the light really soft it also makes people look more matte which helps people who aren’t wearing make up look less shiny.

There was barely enough room in the stairwell to deploy the 46″ and the 60″ would have been out of the question.

I was so excited today because I got to use my new $85 #Photek #Softlighter II while shooting an #advertising #portrait for a #ChicagoRealtor. I love the quality of light it produces and most of the time I’ll chose it over my $600 ‘5 #profotooctabox! Thanks for the great #ChristmasGift @marcusmatteo! #profotoglobal #profoto #photeksoftlighter #Behindthescenes #Setlife #Softlighterii #JohnGressMedia #commercialphotography #commercialphotographer #advertisingphotographer #advertisinghotography #portraitphotography

A post shared by John Gress (@johngressmedia) on Jan 3, 2016 at 2:37pm PST

  The Photek Softlighter II also looks great outdoors and one of my favorite ways to use it is to have the subject stand with their back to the sun and then allow the umbrella to illuminate their face.

 

Shooting the #magazinecover for #PositivelyAware’s May-June issue with @bhuttumathews. Finished image to follow. I posted an other bts about four weeks ago when we did the shoot. #kupogrip #vagabondmini #hivAIDS #photek #softlighter #photeksoftlighter #profoto #profotoglobal #JohnGressMedia #Behindthescenes #setlife #iso1200 #variablend #famousbtsmag #portraitpage #portraits_ig #ig_portraits #igportraits #portraitphotography #raw_portraits #jj_allportraits #vscoportrait #canon #photoshoot #rugby #stobist #portrait #sportportrait Photo by @rickguasco A post shared by John Gress (@johngressmedia) on Apr 23, 2016 at 9:40am PDT

The light from the Softlighter is so natural looking that I love using it for lifestyle photos like the magazine cover photoshoot below.

The post The Photek Softlighter II Umbrella… the Best $115 You’ll Ever Spend appeared first on Chicago Photographer & Director of Photography.

Last night was a fitting and emotional end to a chapter of my life which I will never forget.

There have been so many things that have transpired over the years, which I will go through in chronological order.

I was there when Obama stepped on the national stage, delivering the Keynote speech at the 2004 DNC. I would have never guessed that he would become our President, just 4 years and a few months later.

US Senator elect Barack Obama (D-IL) (2nd from L), his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia, 3, (R) and Sasha, 6, (L) celebrate at their election night head quarters in Chicago, November 2, 2004. Obama faced Republican candidate Alan Keys in the first Senate race with two African American candidates. REUTERS/John Gress

In the 14 years that have passed, I have gone though 9 camera models and with each generation the quality has only improved by leaps and bounds. I’m not exactly sure how many different lens I have owned, but it has to be close to 30.

After he was elected to the Senate, Obama threw out the first pitch at the ALCS. The White Sox went on to win the World Series that year and he was still unknown enough that the photo editors I was working with misspelled his name.

As Presidential campaign speculation mounted, Obama spoke at an MLK breakfast before going to a Church service. Afterwards before he gave a press conference and as I was standing next to him, elbow to elbow, I started cursing out a male TV reporter for telling a female newspaper reporter that she had to move so he could be in the shot with Obama. I soon felt someone tug at my arm as Obama was giving his opening remarks and the f-word was flying out of my mouth.

But within a month the speculation was over and the junior Senator announced his long-shot presidential candidacy on a cold winter day in Springfield, Illinois.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) looks at fellow candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) at the conclusion of the AFL-CIO Presidential Forum at Soldier Field in Chicago, August 7, 2007. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

As the campaign turned into a 1:1 race with Clinton, I covered the two of them and McCain, traveling with them inside the bubble as we flew and rode from place to place.

18 months after going to Springfield for his announcement, I was back in the capitol city when Obama announced that Senator Biden would join him on the ticket.

I spent election night in a scissor lift towering above the crowd. It seemed like an out of body experience as I went home in disbelief that he won and the election wasn’t even close, recalling the drama of 2000.

After Obama was elected the transition began. For weeks I was waking up before dawn to ride in the motorcade and follow the President Elect wherever he went in Chicago. Whether it was to the gym, his transition office or dinner.

Oh and then Time Magazine decided to put one of my images on the cover. I swear he wasn’t smoking when I took the photo.

Once Obama was in Washington, I only saw him a few times, but in 2012 I was there when he was reelected.

And Finally, after shedding a few tears last night thanking his wife and Vice-President Biden, Obama in effect said goodbye to all us.

The post Obama’s Farewell Brings an End to an Era appeared first on Chicago Photographer & Director of Photography.

Gilberto (“Beto”) Soberanis, 31 (left), diagnosed HIV-positive in 2003, and recently out as undocumented. Portrait by Photographer John Gress Armando Ramierez-Guzman, 26, was born in Guanajuato, Mexico and Emigrated to the U.S. when he was six years old. He was Diagnosed with HIV in 2003. Portrait by Photographer John Gress

Positively Aware Magazine photoshoot in Chicago behind-the-scenes

Given that our shoot had to take place mid morning to accommodate our subjects’ schedules, I had to find a way to tame the mid-day sun. So I put together a 4×4 frame and skinned it with Roscoe 3004 Half Intensity Soft Frost diffusion material, which cut down on the harshness of the light and also reduced it’s brightness by 50%. Then I put a Elinchrom Rotalux 100cm Deep Octa softbox on the other side and paired it with a Chimera Chimera Medium Stripbox over their opposite shoulder. Effectively, the sun became my fill and I didn’t really need to worry about the direction of the natural light because my background was flat and mostly lit by the octabox. I used the same approach on the two “face” portraits.

Behind the scenes photography of me shooting Beto Soberanis and Armando Ramierez for Positively Aware Magazine in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.

Photography by Rick Guasco

The sun wasn’t much of an issue when I was shooting Beto (below) since it was blocked by the building he was leaning against. So this time I placed the octabox opposite of the sun. Then I put the strip box across the alley, just outside of the frame on the left side to edge his body and separate him from the background. I would have moved it closer, but cars kept driving through our set.

Behind-The – Scenes photography of Gilberto (“Beto”) Soberanis, 31 posing for Positively Aware Magazine in Chicago. Photography by Rick Guasco

Front cover backstory

Colorful ethnic murals are scattered throughout Pilsen, a predominantly Latino neighborhood in Chicago. Portions of three murals are featured in this issue of POSITIVELY AWARE—on the cover, the contents spread on pages 4 and 5, and on page 28 of the print edition—photographed by John Gress. Another example of a wall making a statement is the Declaration of Immigration. No human being is illegal, asserts the mural. Underscoring that message is Gilberto (“Beto”) Soberanis, 31 (left), diagnosed HIV-positive in 2003, and recently out as undocumented. Soberanis and his family came from the Mexican city of Guerrero, crossing the border on foot in 2006. Although his family has since returned to Mexico, Soberanis remains in the U.S., having been granted Deferred Action for Early Childhood Arrival a few years ago. He is active in Chicago’s HIV community, working to overcome stigma and helping to raise funds for HIV organizations.

—Rick Guasco

One-on-One with Guillermo Chacón

The Executive director of the Latino Commission on AIDS talks about what it will take to end AIDS in Latino communities

INTERVIEW BY JEFF BERRY

Since its founding in 1990, the Latino Commission on AIDS has become the largest organization in the U.S. advocating for the health needs of the Latino community in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Also known as Latino AIDS, the commission works with community organizations in developing HIV education, prevention programs, and capacity building. The commission, which began in New York City, now serves Latino communities in more than 40 states and Puerto Rico. Guillermo Chacón has been president of Latino AIDS since 2009.

JEFF BERRY: What do you see as some of the broader issues facing the Latino community?

GUILLERMO CHACÓN: First of all, it’s extremely concerning that new HIV infections have increased among young black MSM [men who have sex with men] and young Latino MSM. It’s around 21%, for Latinos, of new HIV infections in the latest data. We are always concerned about the effectiveness of our response. And when I say our response, it’s the communal one. It’s the CDC, it’s the community. One particular segment we recognize is the transgender community, which we need to understand and engage because they are one of the most challenging that we face. That’s something that has been reported, but it’s not a national commitment. I use “trans” because it’s my understanding that there are striations and variances in the community. Someone came to me and said, “We prefer ‘trans.”

But also I’m sure you know that when we look at Latinos in general we also need to identify women who are still being impacted. I always try to be careful and mindful about explaining to many community-based organizations throughout the U.S. that the reason why so much attention focuses on women is because of new HIV infections among this population. Now, of equal concern for us is the level of homophobia that I believe represents a major challenge for our community across the board. The stigma of homophobia and transphobia is across all communities and all institutions.

Click here to read more about this topic in Positively Aware magazine.

The post Positively Aware Magazine photoshoot in Chicago: Latinos and HIV issue appeared first on Chicago Photographer & Director of Photography.