dc chavez – the BLOG

Just got done producing a new ad for Motoworks. They wanted to show the diversity of applications in their product line. This is the third ad I have put together for them- trying to keep a consistent look and feel among all of them. All of the photography in this ad is mine from the photoshoots a while back. We wanted someone to turn the page and know right away they were looking at a Motoworks ad. Here is the most recent ad:

Motoworks Performance Ad

I have attached a copy of what their advertising USED to look like:

Old Motoworks Ad

This is my take on the same ad. Keep in mind there is the same amount of information on the ad that I produced:

Motoworks Carbon Ad

Before there was no main focal point- my eye didn’t know where to go looking at the ad. I tried to create a hierarchy with this ad- start by looking at the title, the product, then the magazine testimonials and finally the main text. The client was really happy with the way it turned out- not to mention I saved them money in the process!

The other ad I produced for them was based around their race team and its success on the track. They wanted to showcase the riders and their accomplishments for the season. Here is how it came out:

Motoworks Team Ad

For more info check out Motoworks.com

Yep- end of year spending- at least thats my excuse… 

I have been doing a lot of reading on a method of photography called “Strobist.” Essentially people that use their speedlites in lieu of a portable lighting kit like a 7B kit or something like that. Its a way of moving the light away from the camera and getting very interesting results. Here is a link to the blog that started it all… strobist.blogspot.com

New Gear

Here is what I got:

PocketWizard Ultra II Transcievers x2
Westcott 43″ Shoot Through Umbrella x2
Manfrotto 001B Nano 6′ Lightstands x2
Manfrotto 026 SWIVEL UMBRELLA ADAPTR x2
Manfrotto FLASH SHOE f/MAGIC ARM x2
Paramount MINIPHON -HOT SHOE FEMALE

Oh- and 1 item for my video gear- a SOLID head for my tripod:

Manfrotto 501HDV PRO FLUID VIDEO HEAD

All kinds of new gear that will change the way I am able to take photos… SOOOOOO excited to get out there and use it… I already had a chance to use the stands and Pocketwizard on the Motoworks Shoot- I don’t know how I have been a photographer for this long and not had them in my gear bag…

The same day I also got another shipment- a new Forum Lander 160 snowboard from Sierrasnowboard.com for $200 shipped! What a steal- time to head up to mammoth!

Motoworks Photo Shoot

This is one of the shots from a shoot I did the other day for Motoworks. They wanted to show what each of the different exhaust systems look like when installed on the bike. They had been loading up the bikes onto a trailer, driving 30 or so minutes to a studio to get photos taken. Not only that but, they were being charged $1600 for the day. I proposed we set up a mini-studio in the back corner of one of the warehouses as a way to save money. I went to Samys Camera and bought the Profoto 600W Compact Kit for them to have on-site. Wow- its an amazing what two little lights can do!

KTM450HC

In one day I shot 6 bikes with a total of at least 3 exhausts per bike and 5 angles per exhaust. It was a lot of work, but we got it all done in one day. The client was really excited about how smoothly everything went. They were pretty amazed what someone can do with a couple of lights and how it looks like a “real studio” shot.

Can Am Race Bike

I went back the next day and snagged a couple of shots for their other brand called Roadhouse. I needed the image for a new ad that I designed for them- advertising their new “Lightning Duals.”

Roadhouse LIghtning Ad

This is the beginning of trying to update this brand… Motoworks purchased Roadhouse not too long ago and are finally starting to wrap their head around everything. Now its time to get creative and to update everything- I am going to get started on their website redesign pretty soon.

All-in-all everything went pretty smoothly and the client was STOKED! Always great to genuinely help out good people (the owners of Roadhouse) and make some money at the same time.