Detroit Photographer Dwight Cendrowski. Musings.

2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit

2012-01-11T20:29:39Z

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder was everywhere during the opening media days of the Detroit Auto Show, touting the state to media visiting Detroit from countries around the world. The show opens to the public January 14. The vibe is certainly more upbeat compared to recent dour years for the auto industry. See a sample of my images at www.cendrowski.com/naias_2012.html

Kodak in bankruptcy?

2012-01-04T22:23:07Z

I just read a Reuters report that said Kodak is on the verge of declaring bankruptcy. Wow. If ever there was an iconic company in the film and photo industry, Kodak was it. But it shouldn't be surprising, since I've not shot a roll a film in 10 years. Still, what a melancholy thought.

Time moves on.

ASMP. For serious photographers

2011-12-20T21:09:24Z

I've just paid my dues for the organization ASMP, The American Society of Media Photographers, and I want to recommend them again to anyone running a serious photo business. I've been a member since 1989, and without doubt it's been the best investment I've ever made in my business. They have an unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise in business issues, especially critical during these turbulent times in the industry.

Check out this short video on the ASMP website, then explore the rest of the site.

Bess Bonnier. A life well played

2011-11-16T13:23:56Z

I want to note the passing of the Queen of Detroit jazz piano and a good friend. Bess Bonnier died in October at the age of 83. Anyone who knew this woman would attest to her quick wit, fierce independence, love of friends and family, and incredible artistry.

Here's some background from the program to her memorial service, written by her daughter Dorian.

"Bess began playing the piano at an early age taking her first professional job with a big band at 13. She joined the Detroit Federation of Musicians in 1946. Her career spanned over six decades and included regular appearances with Jack Brokensha at his club in Detroit's New Center area, and at countless other clubs and hotels, concert and festival venues, private parties, events and local resorts. Highlights of her stage career include a performance in 1981 at the "Detroit Jazz Summit" in New York City with Barry Harris, Tommy Flannagan and Roland Hanna. In 1994 she played in Brussels, Belgium with Jack Brokensha at the Very Special Arts Festival. In 2004 she appeared with the a capella vocal group "Coda" at the Jazz Cava in Terrassa, Spain and in 2006 was invited to perform a solo concert at the Library of Congress in Washington D. C.

Photo by Dwight Cendrowski

Bess was a regular guest of the Montreux/Detroit Jazz festival and the Michigan Jazz Festival at Schoolcraft College and the first artistic coordinator of the Detroit Institute of Arts "Jazz at the Institute" series. She taught many students as artist in residence at Cass Tech in Detroit in the 70's, at Grosse Pointe High Schools in the 90's, privately in her home and at her own music school.

She appeared on many recordings beginning in 1958 with "Theme for the Tall One" on Argo Records. Her last recording, a jazz opera based on the works of William Shakespeare titled "Suite William", was released on her own label, Noteworks, in 1999 and performed at the University of Colorado. In 1986 she received the Michigan Award for Jazz, in 1990, the State of Michigan Governor's Award. In 1994 she was named "Musician of the Year" by the Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association (SEMJA). Over her lifetime she served on many Boards and advisory committees related to the arts, art education and to improving accessibility for people with disabilities."

Veterans Day

2011-11-11T12:49:28Z

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers."
~José Narosky

CameraCake

2011-09-28T15:11:55Z

ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) has established a new social bookmarking site called CameraCake that is open to everyone. As they explain,

" CameraCake.com is our way of helping you keep up with the best resources on photography, video, multimedia, business, productivity, sales, marketing negotiating, creativity, techniques, equipment, educational programs, and everything else."

Check it out at cameracake.com

Ballard Street Comic Strip on GoComics.com

2011-09-09T18:59:42Z

Apropos of nothing, my all-time favorite cartoonist is Jerry Van Amerongen, who does a strip called Ballard Street. Never fails to start my day off with a laugh. See if his offbeat humor suits your taste:

http://www.gocomics.com/ballardstreet?ref=comics

Photography for colleges in Michigan

2011-09-09T18:47:16Z

I continue to work for colleges and universities in Michigan, something I've been doing since the early 80s. Macomb Community College called early morning two weeks ago, asking if I could make it to one of their campuses later that morning to capture the first day back at school. I moved some post production work to the back burner and headed out. It's the nature of the business. You've got to be flexible.

That can be tough for any sole proprietor or small business...being able to turn on a dime and revise the schedule to accommodate the customer. Oh those pesky customers! But come on, what else is there? We're in a service industry, and if you can't put those customers first every time, then you're probably not cut out for this industry, or any other for that matter.

Here's a pdf with some of those images.

mcc.pdf

Portraits. Don't call them mug shots.

2011-08-15T15:44:43Z

   One thing every company and organization needs is professional portrait photography, for websites, PR and promotional materials. This latest newsletter goes through some pointers to keep in mind when planning your executive portraiture.

    Plus 'More Signs of the Digital Times', including the corporate social networking site LinkedIn and the granddaddy of video sites, YouTube.

   Go here to find a pdf of the newsletter:

Phototalk, Fall 2011

architectural video

2011-07-19T19:49:53Z

    There's no doubt that video continues to have a huge effect in the imaging profession. I wonder at this point if all photographers will soon be expected to have video production capabilities. I added video to my business 8 years ago, and it has been a growing part of my business.

     I recently videotaped an architectural featurette of Angell Hall on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. Instead of my dedicated video camera I used a Canon 5D Mark II still camera, since I did not need to worry about sound quality. I added music in the editing process.

     It seems this type of video would work well for universities and colleges, as well as for documenting completed projects for architectural firms and construction companies. Click on the photo to go to the video on the academic page of my website.

Photography in schools

2011-06-09T18:15:30Z

On many assignments photographers, including myself, have their personal favorite photos. They may be ignored or passed over by a client, but something about them is personally fulfilling, producing that 'ahhh' factor that just resonates. These are the photos that give us a boost, that lift the spirits, that keep us searching for that next moment.

This photo is not earth shaking or monumental, but it resonates with me. It makes me happy to have taken it. So there it is.

Female academic power. ArtsEngine at University of Michigan

2011-05-12T20:00:57Z

University of Michigan President Mary Sue Colman tries her hand at the steel drum after the keynote address of her fellow president Shirley Tilghman of Princeton University, in white coat.
The event was a Michigan meeting of ArtsEngine on the role of art making and the arts in the research university. At left is Theresa Reid, executive director of ArtsEngine.

David Hobby and the magic road to professional photography

2011-04-22T13:26:32Z

Interesting if not gloomy read on slate.com about David Hobby and Joe McNally and their road show teaching professional lighting techniques. If you thought the market for professionals couldn't get any more difficult, think again.

http://www.slate.com/id/2291603

Big Bang Theory meets Barenaked Ladies

2011-03-22T18:22:53Z

This will take some explanation. At left is Mark Cendrowski, director of the hit comedy series The Big Bang Theory and venerable brother to me, Dwight Cendrowski. With him is Kevin Hearn, multi-instrumentalist member of the music group Barenaked Ladies. The Ladies wrote the theme song for the show, and on a recent visit to the set of the show, Mark pulled out some old photos of himself and Dwight when they were performing as a comedy act called Ski Squared. (To the second power. Get it?) Long, long time ago. But great fun.

Video for Michigan company websites

2011-03-17T17:53:00Z

Companies are increasingly adding video to their marketing mix. You can either send content to a video site like YouTube, or add video to your own site.

I've been assisting companies with video since 2003. To see a sample video completed last week and read a client testimonial, visit this page on my website:

http://cendrowski.com/testimonial.html

There's also a video reel link on the site.