Sooooo…. We just entered into a contest with folgers and it was a blast! we were a little late in the game, but was able to produce a pretty cool video with Byran Umphenour’s orginal song. (http://bryanumphenour.com)We used a Canon 7d and a 50mm f1.4 mostly, But for a few wides we used the canon 5d with a 24-70 2.8 L series lens. The drumbeat is actually a folgers can, no really… it is. Also the shaker is a folgers instant coffee bottle, but unfortunately we didn’t have time to go grab it once we were filming at the lakefront (We were shooting the day before it was due ).  More questions? just let me know!

This week I had the opportunity to take some head shots for some friends of mine. I ended up using constant LED lights instead of our alien bees. I may have just found my favorite way of taking photos! Since we live in a digital age, the picture is viewable immediately, and our setting our so controlled now, i the studio we don’t need REALLY BRIGHT light. (oh how i thank you Canon 7D) What’s great about going with constant light is that I know EXACTLY what the light is going to look like, hence… CONSTANT.  I used a 2 1000 LED lights, 1 that had a 48″ soft box rigged (by Velcro) on it shooting almost directly from the side. 1 from 2 feet off the ground, and at a 45 degree angle from his back. And finally, a 48″ silver reflector to fill in the darkness caused by the dramatic lighting just enough to get detail, but still keep effect. David Reece and I shot some of a good friend Ladson Poole just a few days ago with this same set up. Anyway, here is the what the shot looks like of My young friend Jon Luke garrard:After looking at the photo, I soon realized a very popular series does this same thing… Ever heard of Twilight? nahhhhhhhh.

To achieve this effect, its actually rather simple if you know the basics of Photoshop. (download the trial version at the link) I masked out his skin and desaturated it. Masked out his eyes and did a hue shift and over-saturated those.  Finally, I added a diffuse glow to the photo with zero noise grain, and voila! Jon Luke Cullen. If you would like more information on how to do this, just let me know.

Yesterday I decided to take the day off from any kind of work I may have going on… but that doesn’t mean the 5d just stayed still. I got a ring light from Konova Photo and wanted to test out some macro shots with my Tamron 90mm Macro. Got some cool results, but am still tweaking settings. Here’s what came out of it thus far. Post in Adobe lightroom.

Here is a little teaser video of Uma Pergunta. I created this specifically to show the people I was sent by, how the footage turned out. Right now I am in the process of getting it translated through a number of people here locally that are Brazilian. It is quite a process because I am not looking to get the answer alone translated. I am wanting everything. Because the answer is maybe 20% of what this film is going to be about. It’s about the reaction to the question, the thought that goes into the answer. the relationship between the person, and their past. I am very excited to see where this may go. Stay tuned for more stuff coming your way soon! And I can never thank you enough for your support.

Uma Pergunta- What would you forget // TEASER from Jeremiah Fry on Vimeo.

It’s been a week and a half since I returned from Brazil. And not a moment too soon, with all the floods now going on! over 500 people have already lost their lives in the town where my good friend Marlon is from! (I stayed with him, his video will be out soon!) I am desperately praying for them! Right now I am working on the Uma pregunta footage (50p1q.com) and it is looking awesome! I am lining up the audio with the video, which is tedious, but well worth it. the payoff is the look that these beautiful cameras (Canon 5d, & 7d) give you. I am hoping to have this video done within the next month, but that basically means taking a bite out of it EVERY DAY. I hope to post something about workflow at some point. Would you be interested? Just lemme know. Here are some screen grabs from the footage:

Back home and ready to roll. Brazil was absolutely incredible and I WILL be going back soon. I am excited to see how the footage turns out and how God will use it. Tomorrow is the start of a 21 day fast and I am actually looking really forward to it. I need to do some mental preparing today so I dont flip out but cant wait to press through and gain some direction and clarity. You ever fasted before? Even someone who doesn’t consider themselves spiritual should try it. Denying the “flesh” is a good thing. My heart lies in three categories: Film, culture, and story telling. And when those three things combine… I feel like I’m using what has been given to me most of all. Last week was just that. What an opportunity, may I never forget what I was before. And Who has changed me now.
2 Cor. 5:17

Yesterday we shot our 50 people, One question video in old town Rio. B E A utiful. After a number of headaches it turned out really well. Missing piece, bad cable, rain, nothing stopped us. I am really looking forward to editing the piece. Incredible answers, incredible people. This city is absolutely gorgeous! Today I will be in the slums of Rio filming for Pastor Daniel Camaforte (danielcamaforte.com) He’s had a church in the favelas (slums) for 8 years now, and has such an incredible story!
I hope to help him raise the support he needs through this filming to change the face of this slum. Such a blessing to be a small part in a large plan. Tonight I travel back home. If my wife were here, I could stay for a month! But I am missing my better half I look forward to show you what this trip was about in the coming months. Reaching People, and building lives… in Brazil. I originally came here to film some soccer players and coaches, but that has been postponed until later due to scheduling. Looks like I’m just gonna have to get back here soon

It’s almost 6am. Two hours of sleep, but many memories worth every waking minute. I’m quite overwhelmed by the generosity of the Brito family, and Brazilians in general. I will be back. I feel like I have known this family forever! My “adopted daughter” was trying to stay up all night so she could say goodbye to me… She didn’t make it, and I’m almost crying now as I type this thinking about that sweet little girl. I also need to mention Lucas. This boy is 16 and incredible! He is 16 going on 35, with a very bright future ahead of him. I bombarded him with translation questions 24/7 and he was more than willing to answer them… always. My new irmão (brother). I have also learned a new term that describes my feeling now. It’s one only in the Portuguese language and no other… Saudade ( Saw uu dodge ee). It means to long for someone or miss them deeply. Today I meet with a Brazilian producer about work-flow, then on to shoot a 50 people, One question in Rio. (50p1q.com) and then home. The schedule to travel back is a bit grueling but well worth it…

This weekend has been an incredible time of shooting. Yesterday I filmed a guy who was a drug lord in Brazil for years, and is now a pastor that can reach seemingly everyone he comes in contact with! This morning was probably my favorite time of shooting yet. I decided to do a short film for the history of project grow, and I think it is going to come out really well. im a little tired, and wish I could write more. I will definitely post some photos up tonight, and try to tell a story or two. Last night I was tweeted by one of my biggest DSLR ( My camera type) mentors and that was pretty exciting. Thanks so much for taking the time to read about whats going on here in Brazil… It’s because of people like you that I’m here.

Its almost 3am as I write this, and I’ve only slept 5 hours in three days, so I am gonna make this brief… Happy new year! Here is a video of a little soccer playing I filmed from Project Grow. More explanation and footage to come… but for now… enjoy this fun lil vid!