Michael Kang, photographer

Doritos Crash the Super Bowl Contest Submissions (and how I got that shot from the dash)

Written by Mike on November 22, 2011 — Leave a Comment
Behinds the Scenes on set for "Road Trip" our entry into the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest.

Behinds the Scenes on set for "Road Trip" our entry into the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest. Photo by Alison Lee.

The Star of "Race for Love" a 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S

The Star of "Race for Love" a 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S. Photo by Michael Kang.

A few months ago I was able to help out some friends who were making their finalist video for a contest sponsored by the Reelz Channel and Porsche. I figured spending the day with a 911 Turbo S was not a bad way to spend the day.

Here’s a link to the final video.

While we didn’t win the contest. I certainly learned a lot and got to meet some of the other amazing writers and directors of the other finalist videos. It also got my juices flowing to try my hand at shooting some of my own videos.

Then a couple weeks ago while attending the Ocelot Robot Film Festival I ran into Alison, the writer and co-director of the Porsche video. She asked me if I’d be interested in helping her shoot another contest submission this time for Doritos. Uh duh, of course.

So with a major effort by Alison and her producers: Earlene  and Sean they were able to get everything we needed together (cast, other crew, equipment and props that we knew we needed) to shoot on a very tight schedule.

Here are the links to the final videos (unfortunately there’s no way for me to embed these yet plus I want people to go to the site so we can get more views–thanks!): [They also don't work on mobile platforms - FAIL]

Road Trip & Family Picnic

Click through to see how I did the interior car shots

Posted in Blogs, Tips, Video | Tagged , , , ,

It’s That Time of Year Again. PLEASE VOTE!

Written by Mike on September 20, 2011 — Leave a Comment

PDN is hosting their annual Ultimate Music Moment contest and I’ve submitted two photos this year. You can vote for either:

This one in the “Crowd” category

The Shrine at Timewarp Music

Please click on the photo to be taken to the page to vote.

or this one in the “Performance” category.

Coco Hames of the Ettes at Indie West Fest 2011

Please click on the photo to be taken to the page to vote.

You can vote for your favorite but my preference would be to vote for the local unsigned guys, the Shrine. Thanks for your support!

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Nick Waterhouse & the Tarots with Miila and the Geeks at the Li Po Lounge in San Francisco

Written by Mike on May 12, 2011 — Leave a Comment
Nick Waterhouse & the Tarots

Nick Waterhouse & the Tarots at the Li Po Lounge

Nick Waterhouse & the Tarots playing at the Li Po Lounge in San Francisco with Miila and the Geeks all the way in from Japan. Happening only a day or two after the massive earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, the money from the show went to a Japan relief fund.

More photos and info about capturing other photographers' lights in the rest of the post.

Posted in Blogs, Music, Shows, Tips | Tagged , , , , , ,

Glen Iris at Outdoor Cinema Food Fest (August 21, 2010)

Written by Mike on January 24, 2011 — Leave a Comment
Glen Iris / Outdoor Cinema Food Fest (August 21, 2011) © 2011 Michael Kang

Glen Iris / Outdoor Cinema Food Fest (August 21, 2011) © 2011 Michael Kang

Outdoor Cinema Food Fest is exactly what it sounds like. A movie plays on a 50-foot screen that is set up somewhere outdoors while food trucks (all the rage here in Los Angeles) are parked all around the block for your dining pleasure. Before each movie there is also, typically, a band.

On this night the movie was Princess Bride (“Inconceivable!”) and the band was Glen Iris from Eagle Rock, California.

Not familiar with them? Here’s a brief synopsis from their MySpace page,

“Debbie wrote poems but not to music. Stephen wrote songs but had no words. They met. They brought their friends.”

Their songs are infectious—the kind that gets in your head and then decides it likes it there and won’t leave and their live performance is as genuine, honest and down-to-earth as their music. There is no doubt, this is not music for the macho. Quite the opposite, I think the melodies and Debbie’s smile might have the ability to make the strongest man crumble like dried out play-doh. I really like this band; you should give them a listen.

Glen Iris / Outdoor Cinema Food Fest (August 21, 2011) © 2011 Michael Kang

Glen Iris / Outdoor Cinema Food Fest (August 21, 2011) © 2011 Michael Kang

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Nada Rasta, Babylon Saints, Meet Me at the Pub at Good Hurt

Written by Mike on January 19, 2011 — Leave a Comment

August 14, 2010 – Mar Vista, California.

Featured:

Nada Rasta at Good Hurt (8/14/2010) © 2010 Michael Kang

Nada Rasta at Good Hurt (8/14/2010) © 2010 Michael Kang

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Slumberland Records 20th Anniversary Party

Written by Mike on January 18, 2011 — 1 Comment

Even though I have no idea what it’s like to run a record label, if I ever wanted to start one or work for one, Slumberland Records would be what I would want it to be like. For over twenty years now they have been consistently releasing some of the best independent music, well, independently and they recently held some show on the east and west coasts to celebrate this milestone.

I have to admit even though I wanted to take more photos I wanted to enjoy the day and the music even more so I didn’t take as many photos as I normally would. Despite this If you didn’t get to attend I hope you enjoy this little piece of music history.

Brown Recluse at the Echo March 28, 2010 © 2010 Michael Kang

Brown Recluse at the Echo March 28, 2010 © 2010 Michael Kang

Rose Melberg / Go Sailor at the Echo March 28, 2010 © 2010 Michael Kang

Rose Melberg / Go Sailor at the Echo March 28, 2010 © 2010 Michael Kang

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Happy Hollows / Also I Like to Rock Concert Series at the Hammer Museum (July 8,2010)

Written by Mike on September 29, 2010 — Leave a Comment

The Happy Hollows are one of those bands that to really appreciate them, you need to see them live. Their energy is highly contagious it creates a unique feedback loop with the audience.

They will be in Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, Boston and Chicago in November.  Don’t miss it.

Happy Hollows @ Hammer Museum © 2010 Michael Kang

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Posted in Music

Reggae Motion with Mayaztek, Litmore and Dread Daze at the Good Hurt (July 3, 2010)

Written by Mike on August 8, 2010 — Leave a Comment
Fabio Assis of Reggae Motion

Fabio Assis of Reggae Motion at the Good Hurt © 2010 Michael Kang

If you haven’t been to the Good Hurt in Mar Vista, I definitely recommend checking it out—it’s been my regular hangout for the last couple months now. They showcase a lot of local talent and the occasional touring act as well. These photos are from July 3, 2010.  Headlining was Reggae Motion an L.A. based band that’s been together since 2005. Their live show is worth catching as they get a lot of audience participation. Keep reading for more photos

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , ,

JRevolution Prototype Showroom / Downtown L.A. Art Walk (June 6, 2010)

Written by Mike on August 8, 2010 — Leave a Comment
JRevolution Prototype Showroom 600 S. Spring St. © 2010 Michael Kang

JRevolution Prototype Showroom 600 S. Spring St. © 2010 Michael Kang

Near the center of the Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk (2nd Thursday of every month) is the JRevolution showroom.  You can find it easily by the loud Reggae music emanating  from within—from either a great local DJ or band. The clothing is hip, urban attire with obvious Reggae and Caribbean influences. More photos after the jump

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In honor of the 2010 Winter Olympics, summer in Vancouver

Written by Mike on February 20, 2010 — Leave a Comment

Quatchi and Miga, mascots for the 2010 Winter Olympics. © 2009 Michael Kang

Burrard Street (Sheraton Wall Centre). © 2009 Michael Kang

As I’m sitting here, watching the drama of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vacouver, British Columbia, Canada unfold on television and on the internet, I’m reminded of what an amazing city Vancouver is.  My first trip there was during a summer in the late 90s.  My girlfriend at the time (now my wife) and I were visiting Seattle and we decided to take an overnight in Vancouver.  We wanted to visit the city of  one of our favorite bands (Cub). We didn’t know what to expect, but what we found was an amazingly cosmopolitan city much like a small New York City but clean,  full of friendly people and amazingly affordable.

More than a decade later we returned to Vancouver and though we found much of it “grown up” with expensive stores on Robson street and burgeoning with expensive lofts and high rises it was still just as charming and still full of great little nooks, enclaves and niches to discover and explore and there are still so many parts of the city we haven’t seen yet.

Back to the Winter Olympics… so as we are watching, we are deciding that we really love Vancouver and that we’ll be visiting again soon.  Maybe we’ll even recreate the historic drive we did the first time we visited.

More photos after the jump.  I hope you like them.

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