“Constructed” Images – building photographs and phodeos from parts

Some people ask me why my business is called “Constructed Images”? Why the word “constructed”?

Well, I think it works for me for 2 reasons actually:

1. My method of making photographs and phodeos involves the assembling of many separate exposures into the final visual form, and
2. I photograph architecture, so my market is the building industry; architects, interior designers, and builders. These people “construct” the structures where we live, work, and play. So that seemed like a good tie-in.

The process of “constructing” images from many different exposures creates a lot of options and freedom, to ultimately create an image that my clients envision. Many photographers work differently, to capture the image in one exposure. This is the artist coming out. And many/most purchasers of photographs want the “look” of that particular photographer. However, the purchaser is then stuck with that, with only some editing available to customize the image.

I build my photographs with as many as 25 different exposures, usually with varying lighting for each exposure. All these exposures are then blended together to make the final image. Because I have all these “pieces” to work with, the final image can vary quite a bit. And, by communicating with my clients, they can tell me what to change to make it look like what they want.

My phodeos are also built from different pieces or exposures. However, the “construction” process involves a patent-pending method to assemble the final video-like form. Again, the client can provide feedback as the phodeo is assembled, and we can customize the final product.

The intent of this process is to really give the client what he/she wants, with little compromise. After all, the customer experience is really what separates businesses. I want to provide a unique product and customer experience.

Phodeo Concept - why not just call it "Video"?

What's all this about “phodeo”?  What is that?

Well, a phodeo is the result of taking photographs to a video-like form.  (PHOto > viDEO)  Of course, that is already done, in the form of modified slideshows.  They even transition with the famous Ken Burns technique called “pan and zoom”, as you can see in his documentories. And fades are standard fare.

I think there is enough difference in my phodeos to warrant a new term.  Traditional video has an inherent time basis.  The “action” usually changes with time; the view of the subject changes in some way as time progresses.  Or the camera moves.  When still photographs are used, there is no change in the subject with time.

However, with my phodeo, there is a change in the subject.  While the subject itself doesn't change (usually), the lighting does.  This lighting change provides some dynamism to the phodeo, as it progresses.  Remember, this doesn't have a time basis, though.  The change in lighting can occur in the time frame I choose.

This lighting change is due to the way I develop the still images for the phodeo.  Using proprietary lighting and blending techniques, I get still images with varying lighting.  Then I use a patent-pending process to put the images together into this audiovisual form.  From there, the phodeo is handled like normal video, in that special effects, audio, and text can be added.  Higher resolution than even HD can be used for displays with very high resolution.  This would work for computer display for  one-on-one showing.

Take a look at one phodeo I produced of the Denver Art Museum Hamilton Building. 

Phodeos work well for architectural subjects, which don't move.  That is my interest and target market.  I want to differentiate my work from standard video and videographers,  and hopefully garner clients that appreciate the difference.   It would also work well for other subjects that have minimal changes in the subject.

So take a peek at my other phodeos on my YouTube site; gregsprenger.

http://www.youtube.com/user/gregsprenger?blend=1&ob=5

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading,

Greg