Movie (p)review - The Obama White House: Through the Lens
Wednesday, 11/04/2012
National Geographic, 2010
Although not really connected with concert, theatre or stage performance photography in any way, this National Geographic documentary tells a story about White House staff photographers and could be interesting for all documentary photographers out there.
President Barack Obama smiles while talking with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on the phone in the Oval Office, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. © Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
Our main character in this documentary is the photojournalist Pete Souza, great photographer and a really cool guy, judging by this documentary. Souza has been a photojournalism professor at Ohio Univeristy and a photojournalist for the Chicago Tribune and was named Barack Obama's White House photographer in January, 2009 (which is his second White House photo gig, after serving under Ronald Reagan). We follow his busy daily schedules and see how is it to be recording history 24/7 following the President of USA, arguably the most powerful man on our planet. Souza is the author, among many other already historical photos, of the photograph of Obama in the Situation Room during the raid on Osama bin Laden which has become one of the most viewed images on Flickr.
With unprecedented access, National Geographic follows the President's photographer inside the Obama White House-aboard Air Force One, backstage at the State of the Union, and into the heart of the West Wing. And, we get to see how worlds top class photographers can also make small embarrassing mistakes ion the job (shooting with full card, e.g.). Other White House staff photographers, former photographers and presidents are also interviewed, which is great bonus.
Although I would've like to see more Souza's and other photographers thoughts about their jobs (and some more anecdotes from their past, like this ones from Souza's work under president Reagan, plus maybe some photo related tips & tricks), I would recommend this movie to all interested in documentary photography of that type, plus the ones interested in the modern history.
I couldn't find the DVD on Amazon or even on National Geographic site (though, they have a DVD called "The President's Photographer" for which I'm pretty certain that is more or less the same movie with different title and different narrator), but you can find the whole movie on Youtube.
You can follow Pete's and his colleagues amazing work at www.whitehouse.gov, where they have up-to-date photo galleries, and on the White Houses's Flickr stream.
On the movie set of Bitch, a Derogatory Term for a Woman (Prasica, slabšalni izraz za žensko), debut feature directed by Tijana Zinajić
Tuesday, 12/10/2021
Working as a unit still photographer
Roughly two years ago, in a pre-COVID-19 world, I was very privileged to work on the movie set of a feature movie called "Bitch, a Derogatory Term for a Woman" ("Prasica, slabšalni izraz za žensko" is the original title in Slovenian) filmed on various locations in Ljubljana, Slovenia. With the movie premiering this Saturday, I’m very happy to finally post some images! :)
Still photographer on a movie set of a short film Polarity by director Tomaž Praunseis
Thursday, 21/12/2017
I was recently involved as a still photographer on a movie set for a short film "Polarity", that was filmed in Maribor (Slovenia), directed by a buddy of mine, Tomaž Praunseis.
On the movie set of The Constitution (Ustav Republike Hrvatske), new movie by legendary Croatian director Rajko Grlić
Friday, 26/02/2016
Or how is to be working as a movie still photographer
As a note of warning, this blogpost contains high quantity of personal thoughts, aspirations & emotions, not really connected to the photography per se, but more to the life in general. If you don't mind, do read on, please!
Movie (p)review: Finding Vivian Maier
Monday, 16/03/2015
John Maloof, Charlie Siskel, 2013
Amazing story of a great (street) photographer Vivian Maier that was discovered and gained recognition just after she passed away in the old age of 83.
Movie (p)review: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Thursday, 11/09/2014
Wes Anderson, 2014
Latest movie by Wes Anderson is a visual masterpiece that should be watched by photographers and cinematographers worldwide. Period.
Movie (p)review: Everybody Street
Saturday, 18/01/2014
Cheryl Dunn, 2013
A great documentary film about New York City street photographers and a bit of street photography in general by a NY based filmmaker and photographer Cheryl Dunn. A must for all interested in street photography.
Movie (p)review - McCullin
Wednesday, 30/10/2013
David Morris & Jacqui Morris, 2012
A powerful documentary about Donald "Don" McCullin, internationally known British photojournalist, mostly known for his war photography, and a war junkie, as he states himself, but a true humanist in every way. With some heavy images, this movie is not for those with weak hearts, because to see some of the stuff he saw, can make you loose hope in humanity altogether.
Movie (p)review - Ride, Rise, Roar
Tuesday, 30/04/2013
Hillman Curtis, 2010
Concert documentary showing performances and behind the stage shots from the David Byrne's "The Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno" tour, including not just musicians but some modern dancers too. For all fans of David Byrne, Talking Heads and the ones that like the good mix of modern dance with pop music!
Movie (p)review - Searching for Sugar Man
Tuesday, 02/04/2013
Malik Bendjelloul, 2012
Amazing movie! Seeing this kind of story makes you believe in the human kind once again.
Movie (p)review: Rock Prophecies
Friday, 17/02/2012
John Chester, 2009
A really cool and inspiring documentary film about rock'n'roll photographer Robert M. Knight, not just for music photographers, but also for emerging and even established musicians.