JP

This shoot was styled by Tiffany Azmouz. For these first two I used a beauty dish on the right and octabox on the left for fill. I think the black and white conversion really brings out the texture in the coat and scarf.

For these I switched up the lighting and went with the octabox on axis above camera and a ring light for fill.

Here's the crew, Cassey, JP and Tiffany.

Docu Drama: Murder Scene

This was an assignment for my Editorial class. I worked with two classmates, Ed Ramos and Rodrigo Sanchezleon. The assignment was to recreate an event as if there was a photographer there to take a photograph as it happened. I had thoughts of 48 hours and other shows that chronicled crimes with recreations. The group bounced around ideas of a murder or suicide scene. As we planned the shoot we decided to have a witness being interviewed by an "officer" while the other "officer" examined the victim. To be honest, with scheduling conflicts,  we decided on a location last minute and kind of winged it.

Here is a portrait of Larry, who fits the officer character perfect, as we set up and tested the lighting.

The final shot

Public Service Announcement: Stop Smoking. Smell Better.

This Public Service Announcement was an assignment for my advertising class. PSA's give photographers freedom because you don't have to create "desire" for a product or service. You are promoting a cause or organization, which can be done in so many different ways. My inspiration for this ad was the daily occurence of being in close proximity of someone who has just smoked a cigarette. It is a signature smell, that pungeant sharp biting odor of a freshly smoked cigarette on someone's clothes. To create this ad, I shot a Marlboro cigarette box and cologne bottle seperately. In Photoshop, I was able to place the sprayer on the box and also change the branding on the box.  I added a shadow and highlight on the sprayer to give it depth and have also slightly changed the perspective of the text so it doesn't look flat. I thought about photographing the smoke, but it was so much easier to use a smoke brush. For the class we not only have to produce an image but also the ad itself.

Jay Z and Trey Songz on the Opening Night of 2010 BP3 Tour

I was stoked to get the chance to shoot Jay Z. I've been a fan for a long time and his recent album was great. I came into the show figuring that the lineup would go Trey Songz, Young Jeezy, and Jay Z. Unfortunately, Jay Z went on and Young Jeezy did not appear till we were out of the pit. The bass was bumping in the pit and the arena was rocking.


Jay Z and Trey Songz Opening Night of BP3 2010 Tour at Bank Atlantic 2-20-10 - Images by Alex Markow

Fashion Styling Class

This semester at school I have started to work with the Fashion Styling class. The class is for fashion designers and merchandise majors. Each week they have to create looks to be photographed in accordance to the theme of the week. It's great for me because I can walk in and have all of that stuff taken care of and I get to shoot. The downside is that I have a limited time with each stylist and can only develop the concept so much. I have definitely had to think on my feet and switch lighting set ups completely from one model to the next. Here are my favorite shots from the first half of the semester.

$5 Burger Bliss at Table 42 Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar

Sometimes at Gab, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the weekly grind that, by Wednesday, we are in serious need of a midweek wind-down. Table 42 Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar, a new Boca Raton hot spot in Royal Palm Place, is our secret weapon for taking the load off. Every Wednesday from 5pm-11:30pm, Table 42 attracts hundreds of trendy diners to $5 Burger Night, making Wednesday our official favorite night of the week.

Let us break it down for you:

Executive Chef Matthew Danaher (you may recognize him from DeVito South Beach or Vic & Angelo’s) starts with fresh Harris Ranch beef –all-natural, corn-fed beef grilled to juicy perfection from rare to well-done.

Not in the mood for a bun? No problem – although we do recommend Table 42’s airy, slightly sweet sesame bun. The list of gourmet toppings is the stuff of a foodie’s dreams, offering everything from thick strips of bacon, onions (Vidalia or caramelized), sautéed baby portabellos, beefsteak tomato, avocado, organic baby arugula or shaved lettuce, and a fried egg. Table 42’s sauces and spreads go beyond the standard ketchup and mayo, and include truffle aioli, crispy caper aioli, herb pesto, and “42” sauce. Top your burger with your choice of cheese, including goat, mozzarella (fresh or smoked), gorgonzola blue and aged provolone.

You could just as easily make a meal out of the gourmet quality sides: Sweet potato fries, French fries or a not-so-small house salad are yours for two bucks more. For three dollars, treat yourself to the truly addictive Truffle Fries. We dare you to try just one.

Then, sit back, have a cocktail, and enjoy the view. The former location of Coal Mine Pizza, Table 42 was recently redesigned by Karen Hanlon, interior designer of YOLO in Fort Lauderdale. The space now boasts a coal oven surrounded by luxe white marble, edgy red light fixtures, a tufted leather bar and other chic design touches. Table 42, which opened this past November, is quickly becoming the place to be for hip diners who know a thing or two about great food or simply want to see and be seen.

As loyal $5 Burger Night attendees, we can hardly believe how quickly the night has grown into a full-fledged phenomenon! We have a feeling it’s going to get even bigger… Last night, Owner Gary Rack launched a $5 Cocktail Menu – the perfect complement to a $5 Burger.

Between the hip décor, high-energy vibe, people watching, tasty cocktails, and the best burger you will ever eat (seriously), Table 42 is the place to be every Wednesday night.

So, what do the Gabbers check off on their Designer Burger card every week?

 Sesame bun, rare, fried egg, Vidalia onion, bacon, gorgonzola blue cheese, truffle aioli, truffle fries. Dip the truffle fries in the truffle aioli. Repeat.

 Sesame bun, medium rare, shaved lettuce, beefsteak tomato, 50/50 mayo and Dijon, goat cheese, small house salad.

 No bun, medium well, avocado, caramelized onions, aged provolone, small house salad.

 Sesame bun, medium rare, organic baby arugula, herb pesto, goat cheese, sweet potato fries. Tip: Put the sweet potato fries on the burger.

Plus, we can’t resist:

 Lemon Drop Martini

 Giant Chocolate Cake

Look for us next week at $5 Burger Night!

Table 42 Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar
Royal Palm Place
399 SE Mizner Boulevard
Boca Raton
Tel: 561-826-2625
http://www.grrestaurant.com/

Become a Table 42 Fan! Visit www.facebook.com/table42

Composite

When I started editing this photo I had a small idea of reflection and then ended up drawing from the style of M.C Escher and put this all together. On a side note, I recently went to the Boca Raton Musuem of Art for an M.C Escher exhibition. Amazing and inspiring. Anyways, the hardest thing about putting this together was working with the four layers and corresponding the layer masks. If I moved anything everything was off. Take a second look.....

Alison

Alison needed photos to accompany her resume. She was applying for jobs in the hospitality business so I didn't want the pictures to seem too stiff and boring. Alison has been a friend of mine since middle school and at first it was comical, but we were able to get some good shots.

Here is my favorite shot for her resume. There was not much light coming in from outside so I simulated incoming light with a shoot through umbrella behind Alison to the left. The main light was also a shoot through umbrella camera right.

We had some extra time so Alison changed outfits and we came up with these. I went for more dramatic light and had a shoot through umbrella almost as a side light and slight fill from camera right.

State Radio and Big D and the Kids Table at Culture Room

I got the chance to shoot State Radio with 311 a few months ago and was impressed by State Radio's performance. I made a decision a while back to stop shooting shows at Culture Room unless I liked the band and this night made me realize why. The venue is set up to have decent lighting but the set of lights that would add the front light that would make it all come together are NEVER used.  The only front light is provided by two small spotlights on each side. My method for shooting this show was to be more observant and try and catch the moments where the spotlights did illuminate the subject. To give you an idea of the lighting, I shot the show entirely at 3200 ISO and around 1/100 of a sec.

Big D and the Kids Table put on a fun show and had quite foxy back up singers. State Radio, not as animated as the last show I saw of them, again impressed me with their performance.


State Radio and Big D and the Kids Table at Culture Room 2-10-10 - Images by Alex Markow

New Found Glory, Fireworks, Hello Goodbye, and Saves the Day at Revolution

t had been a while since my last show at Revolution in Fort Lauderdale. The pit is a little tough to shoot from because of the combination of a high stage and not much room to step back. The lighting used to be horrible with almost all colored light with rare front light. Things have changed. I'm thinking about sending the light guy a thank you letter, because the lighting for this show was great. Even with most of the bands bouncing around for their set, I was able to get sharp photos. The opening bands built up the energy, and New Found Glory had the crowd going bananas.

I am now using Photoshelter more actively and my images are now available for print and licensing through the site.


New Found Glory, Fireworks, Hello Goodbye, & Saves the Day at Revolution 2-9-10 - Images by Alex Markow

Stampede at O'Brian's

It was another great night of good vibes and reggae music with Stampede's show at O'Brian's. The band is really getting comfortable with its Saturday night slot and the crowd has been receptive. Definitely check out the band's music and if you haven't seen them live yet, Do It.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Sweet Somethings For V-Day

There’s just something about Valentine’s Day that gets us at Gab all lovey-dovey. It’s not the sappy movies, frilly Hallmark cards, or cellophane-wrapped chocolate assortments that get us going, but the thought of a luxe night out (or in!) with a sweetie or with friends.

That being said, there are some Valentine’s Day classics we can’t get enough of. For example, chocolate, chocolate and chocolate.

Artisan gourmet chocolates are all the rage…right here in the Gab office. It could be because we receive the monthly Godiva catalogue (the pages of which we promptly tear out and lustfully display), but we do our fair share of chatting about chocolate. We love chocolate so much, we covered trainers from Life Time Athletic Club Boca Raton in Kama Sutra Chocolate Body Paint at last week’s Chocolate Decadence event!

Some of our local faves:

Hand-rolled gourmet truffles from Romanicos Chocolate in Miami. Are healthy truffles too good to be true? At 38 calories each, we think not. http://www.romanicoschocolate.com/

Godiva champagne truffles. Totally indulgent, these glamorous truffles are rich and slightly effervescent. Godiva also makes a luscious chocolate liqueur – try it poured over ice cream or add a dash to coffee. http://www.godiva.com/beyond_chocolate/entry.aspx

Truffle Mac ‘n Cheese from Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge http://www.ilbacioofdelray.com/

Truffle Pizza from Table 42 Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar or RACKS Italian Market http://www.grrestaurant.com/

OK, we admit that truffle mac ‘n cheese and truffle pizza aren’t truffles in the traditional sense, but we promise these dishes are just as decadent! Join Table 42 for rustic Valentine’s Day specials prepared by Executive Chef Matthew Danaher, enjoy the stunning waterfront view at RACKS Italian Market in North Miami, or swing by Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge for their pheromone-infused ambiance and aphrodisiac-inspired Valentine’s menu.

Bored of the same old tired Valentine’s routine? Greet the Year of the Tiger. This year, the Chinese New Year falls on February 14th. Practice your chopstick technique at home with your sweetie, and finish off your low-key takeout meal with chocolate-dipped fortune cookies.

For those of you trying to seduce a certain someone, mix him or her an Orange Crush. This simple recipe will ensure the feelings are mutual:

http://4orangevodka.com/sips.php?id=8

What are your Valentine’s Day plans?

VIP Launch of "Sunset Sundays" at Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge brings the Jamaican vibe to Delray's Atlantic Avenue

Anyone who couldn’t escape to Jamaica for a beach vacation this summer found what they were missing during the launch of Sunset Sundays at the ultra-chic Il Bacio Restaurant and Lounge in Delray Beach. The VIP launch party and exclusive Beach Bunny Swimwear fashion show, coordinated by extraordinary event specialists The Gab Group, offered guests a taste of what is to come every Sunday at Il Bacio – live reggae and island music by “The Reggae Boys” and an overall super chill tropical dining atmosphere guaranteed to unwind. 

At the Sunset Sundays launch party on July 26, guests walked through the palm tree-lined entrance into Il Bacio’s massive exterior courtyard and were transported to a tropical island getaway. Rastafarian stiltwalkers towered over delighted visitors as the relaxing beats of live island music by The Reggae Boys washed over the crowd.

Partygoers sipped refreshing complimentary Appleton Rum and Ketel One cocktails, and enjoyed grilled hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Il Bacio, served by the appropriately bikini-clad Il Bacio Girls.

The night heated up with a hypnotic swimsuit fashion show featuring Beach Bunny Swimwear, a fashion forward L.A.-based swimwear line. Bronzed runway models with perfectly tousled, beachy waves expertly styled by Bond Street Salon worked the catwalk in fun, funky beachwear inspired looks in nautical themes as well as the vibrant sunset hues of the tropics. Strutting their stuff to a pulsing playlist of today’s highest-energy beats, models tossed oversized beach balls into the audience, inviting them to join the fun.

The remainder of the evening was packed with sizzling entertainment, from comedian Guy Richards to a Jamaican cruise giveaway finale and exotic fire performers that danced and blazed in the night. To immerse themselves even more into the island vibe, guests could enjoy their cocktails from a freshly cut coconut shell, or puff a hand-cut Cuban cigar.

Proceeds from the night benefited The Connie J. Goodale Breast Cancer Foundation, the only 501 c3 organization in South Florida that provides direct financial assistance to help local women with breast cancer cover the costs of medical bills associated with the disease.

Uncle Brian

My uncle Brian came to visit my mom for a few weeks to fix up my house to sell and I was able to get a chance to sit him down for a quick portrait. I didn't have my light stands with me so I problem solved. These were shot with a SB-800 hot shoe mounted onto a tripod and shot through the inside diffuser from my 5 in 1 reflector. The diffuser was clamped on to a tall room light. I added fill from the opposite side with the white reflector from my 5 in 1 draped over a chair. I don't usually use the TTL mode on my flash off camera, but it worked quite well for his situation. Problem solved.