Water Polo Medal Winner Rick Merlo: came to my studio to shoot some publicity shots for a video production where I cast him save the day when a young student turned away from her studies at school. It was a great experience for my 9 to 13 year old video students to meet an Olympian and work with him, side by side on the set.

When I first met David Ziser, I was mesmerized by the wealth of knowledge and experience he demonstrated when speaking about being in control of his photo shoots. I have seen him in action and that sealed the deal. He knows how to work with people and how to light them. Not to underplay the value of knowing composition and other photo techniques, but to cut to the chase, if you know how to get a proper exposure and can light your subject(s) well you’re all set.

Today’s array of gear is so vast and so cool that it is almost impossible for me to define that line in the sand between needing it and wanting it. I want it all. Considering the variety of projects I’m commissioned to produce with video and still photography, I have or have access to (by supportive manufacturers) just about anything you might imagine lighting-wise.

This is what compels me to write this article. If I had to choose one thing to have with me on that proverbial deserted island for my still photography lighting needs, it would be Ziser’s [shoot through] Zumbrella. It’s a mighty resource for a little tool that folds up to less than a foot in length.

Shooting events is something I do quite a bit. I consider myself a specialist at this type of photography. Getting the shots you need to convey the story of what is going on is what I’m all about. I work well with people and that, if there is one thing, is my deep rooted secret to success. Naturally, the work I deliver to my client has to be high quality.

I have an assistant help me. My instruction and training for my helper is easy. Hold this strobe on a stick shooting through the Ziser Zumbrella up high and aim it where I direct. Stay off to my side most of the time. Sometimes get behind my subjects too. You’ll see my hand gestures pointing you to where to be. You’ll notice my expressions and head-bobs when I’m ready to shoot. In between, stand down. You might even collapse the umbrella – which is easy enough with the push of a button.

Getting the proper exposure is easy. You have the choice of letting the cameras auto settings work for you to control the strobes light output. That’s okay. Even better however, is to use a high enough ISO so you can shoot with the rooms existing light at a decent shutter speed to give you an exposure that is just under exposed by almost one stop. Then, set your strobe to manual and dial in the power level you need to get great exposures at (let’s say) 15 feet away – ZSD (Zumbrella to Subject Distance). Have your helper stay about that far away and you are good to go.

The effect will give you a nicely directed light from various sides and back angles with a natural fall off creating a beautiful vignette on your finished photos.

I have to confess, I didn’t figure this stuff out myself. David Ziser taught me when I attend one of his training seminars. I ran with what I learned from David and took ownership to make it work for me.

… and it does!

About the Author:

Marc Blake, a professional photographer, video producer and mastermind behind a number of corporate marketing campaigns leads a double life. With his love of music as well as photography Marc began his professional career in the music industry. He was the photographer for NAS (National Academy of Songwriters with members like Paul McCartney, Kenny Loggins, Randy Newman, Paul Simon and the likes). Marc was also MTV’s West coast  “go to guy” for the MTV Video Awards and their private parties. He has worked with many musical artists in numerous venues during his career; was the official photographer for “The Doobie Brothers” and toured in Russia with Cyndi Lauper and Michael Bolton. Those of you over 40 years old might find it interesting to know that Marc is currently the “Cruise Director” for the 70′s Platinum Recording Artists “Pablo Cruise.” You probably sang along with some of their greatest top ten hits…”Place in the Sun, Love Will Find a Way, Whatcha Going to Do When She Says Good-Bye!.” In addition to Marc’s photography skills he is also an instructor and trainer with expertise on both sides of the camera. He excels in post production techniques and is an all around extremely creative producer.

We reached out to Marc Blake to provide us with an introspective view of his experiences using Azden [audio] gear. As you’ll see, he speaks favorably about their products while sharing some helpful hints at handling busy events with ensured audio results!

In January 2012, I decided to stow my traditional video cameras and MOVE into the HD DSLR world. I waited for Canon’s next greatest DSLR to make my major change from Nikon – simply for video-sake. Then, Nikon announced and released their D4 and their D800/E cameras. Since I was already well-invested in Nikon rigs, lenses and their Creative Lighting Systems (fancy name for strobes), I made the decision to invest in these new Nikon cameras. Mine arrived early – one of the perks of being a member of Nikon Professional Services. The cameras are everything they’re cracked up to be.

Then I noticed that for “this kind of money” these camera bodies didn’t include the built-in sound quality needed for professional projects. I was quick to realize that I had to gear up to fit my audio recording needs and minimize the learning curve this implicated with the challenging  jobs I had looming on the horizon.

My solution… I contacted Azden Corporation. Choosing Azden was simple because years ago my video studio designer set me up with Azden wireless gear. It never let me down. Year after year I was always just a few AA and 9v batteries away from having what I needed audio-wise for all my video shoots.

After some valuable advise from their support team, I acquired Azden’s 330LT Wireless System and Azden’s SGM-3416L shotgun mic. I also picked up their cool FMX-DSLR mixer.

I ran some tests with the 330LT system. This is comprised of two 35BT body packs (transmitters) with EX-503L lapel mics and a 330UPR stereo receiver. I hooked up the mics on each side of my shirt (left and right) and connected the receiver to the shoe mount atop my Nikon D4. I adjusted the audio on my camera to #7 using the manual audio mode in the movie settings menu. The 330UPR has volume levels available as well in order to dial things into the levels you need. I ran similar tests with a Nikon 7000 – a camera that has far more limited audio controls. The results were elegant.

Mic’d up, I walked around my studio, then opened my noisy double doors; one at a time. That provided an efficient way to test the stereo of a left and right door opening, then closing as I passed through. The range on this 330LT system is phenomenal. I thought to myself, “if they can maintain the transmission quality passed closed doors and into other rooms then certainly they’ll do fine in an auditorium situation when I’m capturing seminars (which I do often for clients).”

I played back the recording with my (Bose) ear buds connected to the headphone jack of the D4. When I heard the doors open and close I turned around ABRUPTLY to see who just came in. I actually fooled myself! It was the recording. When I say that the sound recording was so vivid and alive I’m doing a horrible injustice because it was unbelievably amazing. I can not say enough about this great system.

So, I was finally in excellent shape for mic’ing up my seminar presenters… but what about my other needs? Enter Azden’s SGM-3416L shotgun mic. I normally shoot [events] alone. It is not uncommon for me to have three video cameras recording and shoot stills all at once. I have my bag of tricks in post production to marry all the sound sources together to deliver a refined mix of main audio source, seasoned with ambient sound when desired. I’ll often use my SGM-3416L on a boom mounted on a light stand with a grip head and boom bracket fixed on my main subject. I’ll put my lapel mics elsewhere in the room. This gives me this all-encompassing array of sound that just grabs it all – and it’s very clean!

One more thing to throw into the mix. When I’m on a job, I will either use different DSLR’s to grab the sound from my Azden mic sources of choice – or – I’ll use Azden’s very cool, FMX-DSLR, a very affordable audio mixer and patch everything I’m doing into that handy unit which connects with a stereo audio cable to my camera.

This entire DSLR changeover has been a new adventure in creative video solutions. I’m really enjoying the clips I produce with my new gear. So do my clients. When it comes to dependability and audio quality, I can say that my Azden products are giving me a sound I like to hear.

If you have any questions, please send an email to: m@marcblake.com. I posted a couple fun promos to demonstrate my use of Azden gear. Check them out!

Capturing the moment is a full time job™
Marc Blake, a photographer from Fresno

Open the phonebook or do an online search and you’ll find plenty of choices for video professionals that specialize in weddings or any other occasion. Having all these options is certainly a good thing since it keeps prices competitive and means you should be able to find someone with whom you’re comfortable. It can also mean the choices for video professionals become overwhelming since you have so many from which to choose!

Chances are most video professionals will do a great job for your event, but you obviously want to steer clear of those that will produce a poor quality tape. Since you won’t get a second chance to capture those memories on film, you want to get it right! So when choosing between video professionals, how can you make that choice? How can you narrow down your search?

Here are some quick considerations for choosing from all those video professionals you see advertised.

Check Their Previous Work

The best video professionals will be those that have examples of their work online or somehow available to prospective customers. You can and should review this work with a critical eye to see how it might relate to the work you want done. Has this person edited it professionally so that it’s pleasant to look at and the images flow together freely? Has it had unnecessary items cut out as well? True video professionals know that a wedding video or any other production doesn’t need hour after hour of pointless shots of the venue and guests.

You might also consider those video professionals that add in certain effects to make the video more appealing. Your wedding video or the video you need of a business conference isn’t a Hollywood production, but it may need some additional text and wording, fading from one scene to the next, and so on. The best video professionals will offer these things and will have examples of how they’ve been added to previous videos as well.

Ask Questions

Often those looking to hire video professionals are hesitant about asking questions, feeling as if they’re being rude by doing so. They may not want to ask about their rates, the effects they can add to a video, how many copies are available, their past work, or anything else that seems intrusive.

In truth, the best video professionals are very happy to answer these questions and any other you may have. Chances are they’ve been asked the same questions repeatedly by other questions! And true video professionals realize that hiring such a service is new to many people and that they don’t quite know how to go about doing this. The best professionals in the business will do whatever is necessary to help prospective clients through this process.

Take your time when looking for video professionals and don’t rush into a decision. If you shop around and make sure you get your questions asked, you’re sure to find the right professional for you.

Capturing the moment is a full time job™
Marc Blake, a photographer from Fresno

Many people that love creating videos and home movies daydream about being a big time movie producer and hobnobbing with the stars of Hollywood. While this dream may be unobtainable for so many, it is possible to make a living in video production no matter where you live.

This is because video is everywhere today, not just in Hollywood. Today, websites use video production professionals to put advertising online. Companies use video for their own marketing, leaving a DVD with potential customers rather than just brochures and printed material. And there are always local needs for commercials, music videos, newscasts, and so on. You can even use your talents for video production to go into business for yourself rather than work for another company, meaning you can then get your customers anywhere.

Consider some quick tips for making a real living in video production no matter the industry or even if you want to stay self-employed in this business.

Go to School

You may have a real knack or talent for video production and may already know how to create interesting videos and film, but chances are there are still many things you can learn in school. Technology is changing all the time and learning this new technology can also give you a competitive edge over others that are in the video production industry.

If you want to run your own video production company it’s also good to go to school to learn how to run a business. Remember that being self-employed is about more than the videos you produce; you need to understand accounting procedures, tax filing requirements, how to market your business, and so on. The more education you get about producing the videos themselves and about running a business, the more successful your video production company will be.

Expand Your Horizons

You may want to work in the video production industry in film and television alone, but it may be a good idea to expand your horizons. In your local area you may find that producing wedding videos or videos needed for commercial use is very lucrative. There may also be a need for video production for local bands and even smaller television stations. These areas may not be the same as working in Hollywood, but you can do something you love and make a solid living at it as well.

It’s also true that you may find that you love being self-employed in video production and working at weddings or other such functions. If you work hard at your business and grow your customer base, you may see that you prefer to be in charge and be the boss. So while you may have had big Hollywood dreams when it comes to video production, working in your local area and at weddings and other functions can be just as enjoyable. Consider these quick tips and you’ll see that you too can make a living producing video on your own.

Capturing the moment is a full time job™
Marc Blake, a photographer from Fresno

Looking for new and interesting marketing techniques for your business? The way you present your company will be a great influence on whether or not customers purchase, and this is where video producers come into play. While standard marketing material such as brochures and business cards are still important, creating video is becoming more and more common with companies – and with good reason.

If you haven’t yet worked with video producers to design a marketing video for your company and don’t see the importance of such a production, it’s time to rethink this. Not only is video becoming more common with companies, it’s actually often expected from customers and clients. There are many ways that video producers can help your marketing campaign, and incorporating video can give you that competitive edge you may need today.

Here are two quick ways that video producers can help you with your marketing efforts, and your company’s overall bottom line as well.

The Use of Video

Some who shy away from having video producers help them with marketing do so because they don’t understand how video is used. Today a person can easily watch a video right on their computer screen and can download it from the internet, use a DVD, or simply watch it online. Good, experienced video producers understand how easily video is used by others and understand that customers and clients often expect video because of this ease of use.

It’s not unusual today for companies to have video running on their website, on the homepage and other pages as well. Professional video producers understand this and can produce a quick video that will run for only a few minutes on your site, and also understand how various pages of your site can host different videos. These videos may include not just information about your product but contact information about your company, current specials, and other information that video producers know will be important.

Content of Video

Professional video producers can also help you with the content of your video. For companies, a video may include not just sales information about a product or service but instructional information as well. Why is this important?

Good video producers know that if a potential customer sees how easy it is to use your product, they will be more likely to buy. If they see how quickly and conveniently they can apply the use of what you’re selling, they will be less inclined to turn away from the product. Instructional videos are just as important as sales videos, and professional video producers can help you in this regard as well.

If you’ve been considering the use of video for your company, get in touch with professional video producers and ask for their assistance. They can review your company’s current marketing strategy and website and give you some much needed assistance in creating the right video that will drive customers to your site and convince them to purchase as well.

Capturing the moment is a full time job™
Marc Blake, a photographer from Fresno

Chances are you don’t work with professional photographers every day; if you’re like most people, you hire them only for certain events and occasions. This means that you may wonder what is involved in having a photographer at your wedding or business party or other function. Check with Marc Blake to learn more.

Typically professional photographers are very adept at caring for what they need and usually stay out of everyone’s way. They know that they need to be in the background and out of the way of the wedding or other function. However, the best professional photographers may still need some things from the host or organizer of the event, and it’s good to recognize how to work with them for the best results.

Here are some quick tips for getting the best results from professional photographers no matter the event or venue.

Make a List

Before hiring professional photographers and bringing them to your venue, spend some time explaining any particulars you need. This may be a particular shot or part of the venue they must capture. To do this, make a list for yourself before you discuss this with him or her. Take some time to compose this list and then go over the details. Most professional photographers appreciate having this type of direction from their customers so they know they’re getting the photos that everyone wants.

You may find that when you make your list, you remember certain parts of your venue you want to really capture that had slipped your mind. This is good for you and for those professional photographers as everyone knows the important shots that cannot be overlooked.

Ask Questions First

When hiring professional photographers it’s good to never assume anything about their services or the products. No matter your needs for a photographer, ask questions before the event and before you sign papers.

This means understanding how long they will be available, how many photos you can expect, how many copies you get or if they put everything on a computer disk, and so on. With professional photographers they usually have time limits at events, or you need to explain how long you’d like to have them available.

It’s also good to listen carefully to what professional photographers need in order to make your event successful. This may mean access to a venue or certain areas of the venue ahead of time, the cooperation of everyone involved with the event, and so on. They may want to tour the area an hour before the event begins; the best professional photographers make sure they plan their shots ahead of time rather than trying to make up everything as they go along! Make sure someone can walk them through the area easily before the event begins.

Working with professional photographers is typically an easy process, but it does take cooperation on everyone’s part. If you are sure to explain what you need and are sure to provide what they need, you’ll no doubt get some beautiful photographs of your event.

Capturing the moment is a full time job™
Marc Blake, a photographer from Fresno

Nowadays that photography is becoming increasingly popular at many major events, such as weddings, important family gatherings, birthdays, etc., many people are seeking out the services of a professional photographer to cover all of their photography needs. This may prove to be a very invaluable service to many due to the fact that pictures promote lasting memories for everyone who is involved, and it is hard to deny that sometimes it is necessary to look back and reflect on good times. Thanks to the services which professional photographer Marc Blake is capable of performing for anyone, you can rest assured that all of your artwork needs will be taken care of with the utmost professionalism by someone who has the greatest eye for detail and a great mind of imagination for art. Indeed, this professional photographer has what it takes to make every event a memorable one, so go online and see what Marc Blake has to offer you!

Every professional photographer should be sure to include an extensive portfolio on his/her website so that potential clients will have a clear idea as to the quality they can expect when they hire a professional photographer. Marc Blake has spent several years perfecting his art and also has experience in teaching many classes to aspiring art students, and this is clearly visible just through one visit to his user-friendly website and his thorough blog. The art work which is proudly displayed on each respective website and blog is quite thorough and well planned, and it is easy to see that Mr. Blake has spent years taking advantage of his eye for detail when it comes to his art work. Each photo is a step towards a masterpiece and many people have been able to draw inspiration from this professional photographer’s art. Each canvas which Mr. Blake has worked with contains something which is truly beautiful and sends a clear message to each viewer – this professional photographer knows what he is doing and how to produce the best results that are possible. So if you are in need of a professional photographer, whether it is for an important party or gather, to teach a class and assist aspiring artists in improving their artistic works, or perhaps to find new inspiration around the world, seek out the services of someone who has plenty of experience and a great eye for detail, such as Marc Blake.

Now that you are just that much more familiar with the quality of the work which this professional photographer is capable of performing for anyone, it is time to take a look at some of the specific services which this professional photographer is capable of performing with skill. Aside from photography, Mr. Blake is a professional videographer, trainer, educator, writer, musician, producer, a consultant for many forms of art, developer of websites, programmer, and has his own hosting company. Based on the wide array of talents which he possesses, it is easy to notice that he works very hard and will be just the right person to assist you in your events.

Capturing the moment is a full time job™
Marc Blake, a photographer from Fresno

Planning a California wedding means getting the best wedding photography in Fresno that you can; you only get one chance to get your wedding pictures done right, so obviously you want a photographer that will be the best for your event.

While most of the wedding photography in Fresno will be up to the photographer, there are some things that the bride and groom and wedding party should consider in order to help him or her along. For example, your wedding photography in Fresno won’t include those touching pre-wedding shots if they’re denied access to certain areas of the venue or cannot get in to see the bride and her party. Making sure everyone knows the photographer is coming and ensures their access to the event is vital.

Here are some other important tips for getting the best wedding photography in Fresno that is available today.

Plan in Advance

You rely on your photographer to come up with different shots and poses for your wedding photography in Fresno but you need to do some planning in advance on your own. Check out your venues, both for the ceremony and reception, and consider some areas where you definitely want photos. Obviously there is a list of standard shots of a wedding – the couple at the altar, the bride walking down the aisle – but there may be an outside area that would be good for photographs or something else personal to you. To make your wedding photography in Fresno the best, do some planning on your own.

You might also want to make up a list of these particular shots or the things you need when planning your wedding photography in Fresno. Don’t leave anything to chance as of course you’ll be busy with many things on your wedding day and may overlook those shots you want to get. Go over this list with your photographer well in advance of the big day rather than simply dropping the list in his or her lap that morning. This will help to ensure the best wedding photography in Fresno that’s possible.

Cooperate With the Photographer

For the best wedding photography in Fresno you need to cooperate fully with your photographer. Ask Marc Blake to discuss this with you. There is a lot of important things for you to know. This may seem like an elementary point but it’s surprising how often a bridal party will get impatient with the photographer or get busy with other activities rather than pose for important shots. For your wedding photography in Fresno to be its best, you need to understand what the photographer needs and make sure that everyone is giving him or her their full cooperation.

These simple tips may seem obvious when it comes to wedding photography in Fresno but they’re vitally important. By giving your photographer just a slight bit of help in planning out the poses and in making sure everyone cooperates you’re sure to have the best wedding photos possible. And your wedding photography in Fresno will be photos you cherish for a lifetime!