Rob Hammer Photography - San Diego Advertising Photographer

Leon-Athlete Photography

Rob Hammer — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:14:59 +0000

Way too many lighting set-ups here then I feel like listing. Used a lot of bounce boards which is sort of unusual for me. Happy with the outcome.

TAGS: Sports Photography, Athlete, Portrait of an Athlete, Fitness, Fitness Model, San Diego Fitness Photography, Rob Hammer Photography

Salton Sea, CA

Rob Hammer — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:52:17 +0000

Went hiking in Anza Borrego and figured why not check out the Salton Sea. It’s a bizarre place about 3 hours from San Diego, and well worth the drive. The elevation is 226 ft, below sea level and the lake itself was created by accident in 1905. I could go on and on with useless numbers about this place, but google them for yourself if you really want to know. You’ll get way more accurate results then anything else I could write. Anyway, this is probably the strangest place I have even been. The town isn’t completely deserted, but it might as well be. Apparently back in the day, it was a mecca for fishing, swimming, boating, etc. Then the Salinity of the lake got so high you could no longer do any of these things. Now the shores are covered in MILLIONS of dead fish carcasses that seem to be preserved by the chemicals in the water. The whole place smells terrible. Walking around the shore is literally a fish graveyard. Bones crunching around your feet the whole time. We rolled up about 20 minutes before sunset, so I was frantically shooting before the light was gone. It’s hard to believe that a place like this actually exists. So weird, but something tells me I will be back there. Everything about the town, people, and lake is fascinating.

TAGS: Salton Sea, California, Salton Sea Photography, Dead Fish, Travel Photography, Salt Lake, Rob Hammer Photography

Letfy’s Barber Shop

Rob Hammer — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:48:10 +0000

Lefty’s has been my Barber Shop since I lived here the first time in 06′. Actually shot here a while ago for a magazine assignment, but thought it would be cool to grab some portraits of a few of the guys. Shot a few rolls of film on the RZ67 that I still need to drop off at the lab. Anyway, Lefty’s is a cool little shop filled with talented barber’s. A couple of them are actually local, but they all look local. Almost everyone cutting hair is covered with tats. AJ, the one in the 2nd shot is my barber. I’ve never received anything but a great haircut from him.

You can check out more Barber Shops that I’ve shot here, here, here, and here.

This first shot was actually part of the mag assignment last year, but wanted to include it anyway. I think it’s a cool.

TAGS: Lefty’s Barber Shop, Lefty’s, Old School Barber Shop, Classic Barber Shop, San Diego Barber Shop, Pacific Beach Barber Shop, Barber, Barber Shop Photography, Rob Hammer Photography

Stancil’s Barber Shop

Rob Hammer — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:43:20 +0000

What a gritty old gem this place is. While home for Christmas, I was spent a day looking for some cool old shops and was striking out until I finally found Stancil’s. It’s obvious from the interior that it’s seen a few haircuts. It was free entertainment just being in here listening to everybody go at each other. The guy in suspenders rolled in around 2:30 with a to-go box of bacon, french toast, and grits. I found it very amusing and started taking his picture. One of the other barbers said “he’s been in this business for 35 years.” I said “you’ve been cutting hair for 35 years?” And he said “No, I’ve been in the eating business for 35 years!”.

This is Stancil. Cool Cat!

This is Stancil’s spot. Way in the back.

TAGS: Barber Shop Photography, Stancil’s Barber Shop, Barber Shop, Old School Barber Shop, Classic Barber Shop. Barber, Albany, New York, Rob Hammer Photography

Matt-Fitness Photography

Rob Hammer — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:26:08 +0000

Worked on a couple different specific ideas during this shoot. Some of them came out they way I wanted, and some were total failures. However, I believe that the failures are the best images to come out with because you learn so much more from them. The winning images never make me a better photographer. It’s the losers that I spend the most time staring at and figuring out what I should have done differently to make them work. I won’t say that the images below are my best work, but the others were so bad that I won’t even bother posting them. Thankful for my screw ups on this shoot (and all the other), because next time I know one more thing that I SHOULDN’T do to make a successful image.

LIGHTING INFO: All images were made with one light plus the sun. White Lightning in Westcott Softbox. Powered by Vagabond and triggered by Pocket Wizards. On the first image I A-Clamped some white poster board to the fence to block the direct sun from hitting Matt’s face and torso.

TAGS: San Diego Fitness Photographer, Fitness Photography, Fitness, Fitness Model, Male Fitness Model, Athlete, Sports, Portrait of an Athlete,Training, Runner, Running, Sports Photography, Advertising Photographer, Rob Hammer Photography

Pugsley’s Barber Shop

Rob Hammer — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:31:05 +0000

Was introduced to Pugsley’s Barber Shop from one of the guys at The King’s Club Barber Shop who used to work there. This wouldn’t be that weird except that TKC is in Dana Point, CA and Pugsley’s is in Kingston, NY. Small World. Anyway, Pugsley’s is a cool shop in an interesting town. It really seems to fit in perfectly. The outside it very inviting and the inside has a warm and comfortable glow. The real topper for me though, wasn’t the decor or the conversation, but the kegerator in the back corner!

Much like all the previous shop I have shot, I wanted to keep the lighting fairly unnoticed. To do this, I either bounced a bare head off the yellow walls or put it outside and aimed it through the window. The feel of this place was so cool to begin with, it didn’t need much to top it off. One whole side was filled with large windows, but it still needed a little fill. Bouncing it off the yellow walls made the temperature of my strobe light a perfect match.

TAGS: Pugsley’s Barber Shop, Barber Shop Photography, Kingston, New York, Old School Barber Shop, Classic Barber Shop, Barber, Rob Hammer Photography

Paula-Fitness Photography

Rob Hammer — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:06:10 +0000

PAULA

LIGHTING INFO: White Lightning in 3ft Chimera Octa as key. Bare White Lightning as rim. Triggered by Pocket Wizards and powered by Vagabonds.

MORE FITNESS IMAGES ON MY WEBSITE

TAGS: Fitness Photography, San Diego Fitness Photography, Fitness, Fitness Model, Female Fitness Model, Portrait of Female Fitness Model, Athlete, Sports, Advertising Photography, Rob Hammer Photography

Claudio Caponigro’s Last Days

Rob Hammer — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:09:24 +0000

Very bitter sweet about these images. Not at all happy about what I was able to get, but honored to have been in this place at all. It’s barbers like this, that inspired me to start this project. Claudio Caponigro came to this county from Italy long before my parents were even born. To say he is an old school Italian would be a huge understatement. He has been cutting hair in this East Harlem shop for 62 years. Claudio’s Barber Shop is a Harlem landmark and he is a legend. Soon after starting my project, I came across some info about him on the internet. After all these years a new landlord bought his building and decided to triple the rent on him. Unless he paid, then he would be evicted and a Chinese take-out restaurant would occupy this 15′x15′ piece of history. Now, just like many other mom+pop shops, Claudio’s is no more. He was forced to move despite the help and support of politicians, friends, and his neighborhood “family”. Prior to my visit I saw pictures of the shop and it was incredible. In my opinion, the most beautiful old school shop I have ever seen. The walls filled with artifacts and the floor occupied by gorgeous pistachio colored leather and porcelain chairs. However, upon entering I was faced with a completely different shop. Almost all of his belongings were ripped off the wall and placed into boxes. The shop was a rugged shell of it’s 62 year old self. It made me sad for him. Despite the place being dismantled, I could still feel the many years of history. I introduced myself and told Claudio why I was there. He immediately got fired up. Yelling in as thick an Italian accent as I have ever heard. Saying how he was getting kicked out and the lack of “respect” the Chinese landlord had for his history in this Barber Shop. He wasn’t just mad. He was visibly upset about the whole situation. His entire life was being taken from him. After he calmed down a little bit I started asking him some questions about his start as a Barber. While cutting a customers hair, he threw up his hand stating that “I WAS BORN A BARBER”. In fact his father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and just about every other male relative had been a barber. He briefly told me about his 100 year old cash register and the old days when he first came to NY. At that time he was charging 75 cents for a haircut. Now they are still only $10. Again he got upset at the whole situation.After a few minutes of shooting and asking questions he stated “youaskatoomanyquestions”. “I am very confused. You want to take your pictures. Take your pictures and go!” I felt horrible for him. Everything he has ever known has happened in that barber shop. I have no doubt that he was not angry at me. Just at the eviction and the 62 years that are being taken from him. So I respectfully packed my bag and left. Thanking him and apologizing for what was about to happen. I was in Claudio’s Barber Shop for one of his last days! On December 31, 2011 he would be officially kicked out.And although he found a new space 50 yards down the street, it would never be the same. He actually came outside and offered to show me the new shop. Of course I obliged. Again I was sad for him. The new place was downstairs with virtually no sun light and the walls were just plain white sheet rock. Here, it would be impossible to regain the character of his former shop.

If you want to see what Claudio’s shop looked like in it’s day go HERE.

TAGS: Claudio’s Barber Shop, Barber Shop Photography, Barber Shop, Old School Barber Shop, Classic Barber Shop, Barber, Harlem Barber Shop, Claudio Caponigro, Rob Hammer Photography

Triathlete in a Cave

Rob Hammer — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:01:19 +0000

Got back last night from an awesome road trip up to Park City, UT. For years I have been wanting to ride that world famous snow that comes in off Salt Lake. And unfortunately I will have to keep waiting. PC much like all the other U.S. resorts are hurting for snow fall. On Saturday we rode on a measly 20 inches. Regardless it was an awesome trip. Our crew of 13 had a great time. My camera hung out for most of the trip, but wasn’t used for anything but documenting the good times.

Shot these a couple weeks ago. You can see the set-up shot here. Still not sure I’m thrilled with them. Shot a bunch of different angles, but these are the only ones I halfway like.

MORE ATHLETE SHOTS ON MY WEBSITE.

TAGS: Triathlon Photography, Triathlete, Portrait of a Triathlete, Female Triathlete, Dramatic Portrait of a Triathlete, Swim Bike Run, Athlete, Sports Photography, Advertising Photography, San Diego Triathlon Photography, Rob Hammer Photography

Johnny Lovato’s Barber Shop

Rob Hammer — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:41:42 +0000

Johnny Lovato. With a name like that I figured he had to be a character, and he didn’t disappoint. Johnny kept me entertained for the entire hour I was in his shop. He had tons of stories and is very proud of the time he cut Jerry Lewis’s hair. When there aren’t customers coming through he still has the company of his Cheeto eating bird; Jojo. Just like other barber shops, all the artifacts covering the walls tell you how long he has been around. This one was a challenge to shoot because almost the entire place is mirrors. I thought his “banana tree” hanging behind the chair was funny. He keeps them around for Jojo to eat when the Cheeto’s are all gone.

TAGS: Johnny Lovato’s Barber Shop, Barber Shop Photography, Barber Shop, San Diego Barber Shop, Portrait of a Barber, Old School Barber Shop, Classic Barber Shop, Rob Hammer Photography.