Kodak is once again well represented in the majority of films up for nominations at this years Academy Awards. We are proud to feature a series of them on our homepage and in our blogs:

The Wrestler

Mickey Rourke in a scene from The Wrestler. Photograph by NikoTavernise/Protozoa Pictures.

The Wrestler is the story of Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) who was a headlining professional wrestler in the late 1980s. Now, 20 years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of die-hard wrestling fans in high school gyms and community centers. Director Darren Aronofsky presents a portrait of a battered dreamer, who despite himself and the odds stacked against him, lives to be a hero once again in the only place he considers home - inside the ring.

Cinematographer Maryse Alberti, broke into the industry as a still photographer on low-budget films. She went on to work as a camera assistant on documentaries, which led to opportunities to shoot nonfiction films. The film was shot in Super 16mm format partially based on a modest budget, but mainly it's a bit of an edgier look that we felt was right.

KODAK VISION2 200T 7217 film and KODAK VISION3 500T 7219 film were used to shoot The Wrestler which has received two Oscar nominations; Actor in a Leading Role: Mickey Rourke and Actress in a Supporting Role: Marisa Tomei

More information on Kodak's role with The Wrestler here.

The Betrayal

A scene from The Betrayal. Photograph courtesy of Ellen Kuras, ASC.

The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) is the directorial debut of renowned cinematographer Ellen Kuras, ASC, who spent 23 years working on the documentary in between shooting feature films. The film is a testament to the resilient bonds of family and an astonishing tale of survival. Moving seamlessly between intimate personal stories and political documentary.

Ellen Kuras' first documentary, Samsara: Death and Rebirth in Cambodia, earned the 1990 Sundance Film Festival Jury Award. In 1996, she was honored with the Kodak Vision Award at the Women In Film Crystal Awards. Kuras is a three-time recipient of the Sundance Film Festival's Best Cinematography Award. Her diverse body of work includes I Shot Andy Warhol, The Mod Squad, Summer of Sam, Bamboozled, Blow, Coffee and Cigarettes, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Ballad of Jack and Rose, Neil Young: Heart of Gold, Be Kind Rewind, and the upcoming Away We Go with director Sam Mendes.

Kuras estimates that she used over a dozen Kodak stocks over 23years including Super 8, 16, and 35mm film formats. The Betrayal received an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature: Ellen Kuras, ASC and Thavisouk Phrasavath.

More information on Kodak's role with The Betrayal here. 

The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger as The Joker in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight," distributed by Warner Bros.Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. TM & © DC Comics



Batman on his Bat-Pod in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight," distributed by Warner Bros.Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. TM & © DC Comics

The Dark Knight ^TM once again has Batman ^TM matching both wits and brawn with the forces of evil. Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in their city for good. At first effective, but soon find the city prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker ^TM.

Wally Pfister, ASC credits include Insomnia, Laurel Canyon, Slow Burn and The Italian Job. This is his third Oscar nomination, having been previously honored for Batman Begins and The Prestige. "Chris (Nolan) and I agreed that we would create the look in-camera and use physical rather than visual effects because we feel that makes the images more natural and believable. There is some sheen on Batman's cowl and the rest of his costume but his cape is absolutely matte black. He is a creature of the night. You just see his mouth and eyes behind his mask. Bruce Wayne and Batman share the same soul. You can see it in their eyes. We used soft light to put the same glow in both characters' eyes. There is also a little extra zing in Batman's eyes that is almost subliminal."

KODAK VISION2 500T 5218 and KODAK VISION2 250D 5205 were used to film The Dark Knight. The film was nominated for 8 Oscars; Actor in a Supporting Role: Heath Ledger, Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando, Cinematography: Wally Pfister, ASC, Film Editing: Lee Smith, Makeup: John Caglione, Jr. and Connor O'Sullivan, Sound editing: Richard King, Sound mixing: Lora Hirschberg, Garry Rizzo and Ed Novick, Visual effects: Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin

More on the Kodak's role in The Dark Knight can be found here.

The Reader

Kate Winslet and David Kross in a scene from The Reader. Photograph by Melinda Sue Gordon/2008 The Weinstein Company

The Reader opens in post-World War II Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. After he recovers, he seeks out Hanna to thank her. They are immediately drawn to each other and begin a secretive affair. During their trysts, Michael reads his favorite literature to Hanna. Hanna mysteriously disappears one day, leaving Michael heartbroken. Eight years later, Michael is now a law student observing the Nazi war crimes trials, he is stunned to see Hanna as a defendant in the courtroom. As her past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that impacts both of their lives.

The film used the talents of both Roger Deakins, BSC and Chris Menges, BSC as Cinematographer. Menges said of the film; "The Reader is a personal story, so we wanted to keep the cinematography as simple as possible with no distractions for the cast."

KODAK VISION3 5219, KODAK VISION2 5217, KODAK VISION2 5218 were used on this picture. The Reader has been nominated for 5 Oscars; Deakins and Mendes for Cinematography, Actress in a Leading Role: Kate Winslet, Directing: Stephen Daldry, Adapted Screenplay: David Hare and Best Motion Picture.

The Changeling

Angelina Jolie in a scene from Changeling. Photograph by Tony Rivetti, Jr.

The Changeling is based on actual events. On March 10, 1928, 9-year-old Walter Collins disappeared from his Los Angeles home. Six months later, his mother's prayers are answered when the kidnapped boy is returned. Amidst the photo-op reunion, she realizes the boy is not Walter. Facing corrupt police and a skeptical public, she desperately hunts for the truth.

Cinematographer Tom Stern, ASC, AFC began his career working as a gaffer/first assistant on medical films and documentaries. He has had long-term association with Clint Eastwood, eventually as director of photography on Blood Work, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima and Gran Torino.

KODAK VISION 500T 5279 film was used on the Changeling which earned three Oscar nominations; Cinematography for Stern, Actress in a Leading Role: Angelina Jolie, and Art Direction and Set Decoration

What a great year for the movies!

-Tom

Yellow walls

Blue walls

Brick walls and stone walls

Guess what the theme for the homepage images are this week? You guessed it - Walls!
We are featuring images on the homepage which use the wall in the background to add texture, pattern, contrast and highlighting the subject, ultimately creating the perfect backdrop.

Backgrounds can be tricky; sometimes they can be used to really help put the subject in the forefront, complimenting the image or they can be the tree growing out of Jonny's head. When taking pictures it is easy to miss just how much the background can add to an image. Next time you are out taking pictures before pressing the button take a moment to look, see what is happening in the background - it may just become the foreground of your image.

I must confess the singing in the beginning of this post was because while writing I hit a brick wall!

I truly hope you can take a few minutes and enjoy the images below as well as viewing them larger on the homepage. And don't forget when you have captured that fabulous picture submit it to picture of the day - you never know, it may be on the homepage someday!  



September 29, 2005
Doing Business    
Nir Fartouk    
Israel    

This picture was taken in Trinidad, Cuba.




April 12, 2004
Wash Day    
Bob Flounders    
United States    

Every where in Italy the colors are interesting, even on wash day! The picture was taken in Siena, Italy -- February 2004. I was attracted to the colors of the wall, clothes and pins holding the clothes up!




December 3, 2008
Jump!    
Denise Snyder    
United States    

My son and I went out in search of cool locations to try something new - this was collaboration between both of us and was so much fun to do!




July 5, 2007
Yellow Brick "Jump"    
Josue Gonzalez    
Mexico    

Just like Elton John's song, "Yellow Brick Road" ...but jumping!

- Paulette Brandes
 

Last week, we lost a dear friend and an invaluable source of inspiration and leadership here at Kodak. Paul Porter, Director of Kodak Design Strategy and VP was the driving force behind the redesign of the Kodak homepage, and the overall new look. His leadership and guidance throughout helped ensure the initial concept became reality.

One of the key elements of the new design is the emphasis on the big picture. (The process of selecting images for the page is worthy of a blogpost itself, but that is for another day.) The team selecting the images and developing the common themes for presentation include several visual designers and a staff photographer. You've got some very strong personalities in this group, all with distinct points of view. The meetings can get pretty 'animated'. Paul, not a photographer by trade, brought his own insights to the discussion.

Now, it's important to remember that Paul was a VP here, highly respected and carrying some serious weight in the corporate world, but you'd never have known it in these meetings. That's part of what made Paul so special - his total lack of pretension and his ability to bring out the best in everyone around him.

So, the team would meet every week to push images around on a big table. Invariably some of the images get pushed to the side but there was this one group that just kept 'reappearing'. We'd push 'em aside and Paul would slip them back in again. They all have a common element that clearly appealed to Paul, a certain air of mystery shrouded in mist and possibility. "What's out there?' Paul would say as he presented these images again.

In honor of Paul, we are presenting those images on the homepage for your enjoyment, and Paul's as well.

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Morning Tree     
Marius Visser     
Picture of the Day, March 24, 2008

At a very early and quiet moment in the morning, this situation lasted for just one minute. Taken in the Drents Friese Wold in the provence of Drenthe in the Netherlands.

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Not Even a Ripple     
David A. Luzi     
Picture of the Day, February 19, 2008

Sometimes you have to push yourself to go get a great photo. I got up early one foggy October morning to drive around Bantam Lake and take quite a few shots. This is the only one I was happy with. I'm glad I did it.

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A November Morning in Yorkshire     
Colin Venables     
Picture of the Day, May 3, 2003

This picture was taken with my new DX4330 digital camera during my stay in a cottage in the Yorkshire Dales, November 2002.

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Foggy Harbor     
Emma Lupton     

Picture of the Day, May 26, 2004

This was taken in May 2003, overlooking the town harbor in Oriental, NC. This is where I call home but it is a vacation destination for many. The town dock sees hundreds of sailers each year traveling north to south and back again. Oriental is a favorite stop over. Right at sunrise the colors are awesome. I 'm always looking for unusual boats at the dock. This image is special to me because this is what I think of when I think of Oriental, a mix of sailboats and work boats.

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The Morning Paddle     
Jan D. Novak     
Picture of the Day, June 24, 2008

Cool and foggy fall morning in the back country in Algonquin park, Ontario. We kayaked and portaged over few hills, lots of beaver dams and even rolled the kayak with all the camera gear. The next morning, sun was just coming up and the solo canoe went by our campsite. It was so nice to be at the right place and at the right time.

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I don't thnk I'll ever look at another image with this sort of 'atmosphere' again without thinking of Paul and hearing his voice saying, "What's out there?"

- Joel Rosen

Bob McNeely has been accompanying President-elect Barack Obama in the days leading up to his historic Inauguration as the 44th President of the United States. Bob has been generous enough to share these historical moments with us as he is capturing them. Over the next few days Bob will continue to send us photographs of his journey.



Viewing President Obama's Inaugural Speech from the Mall, on the large screens.



Obama speaking from the first event of the day in Philadelphia at the 30th Street station in the North waiting room



President-elect Obama and Vice-President -elect Biden placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery



Barack & Michelle Obama and Joe & Jill Biden walking is from Baltimore.  They are entering the rally site where 40,000 people waited in 10 degree weather for them to come



Barack & Michelle Obama and Joe & Jill Biden on the back of the train as they are departing from Wilmington Delaware


Bob took a few moments to talk to us about photography and his experience as a political photographer.  



Robert McNeely's interest in photography began while he was serving in the US Army in Southeast Asia.  When he returned to the US he took several workshops at the Center of the Eye in Aspen, Colorado and then began to photograph full time.  In 1972 his fascination with politics started when he became a staff photographer on the McGovern for President campaign.  

In 1977 he entered the White House as a staff photographer with a primary responsibility to cover Vice-President Mondale.  Throughout the 1980's and early 90's he traveled the world for editorial and corporate clients.  In 1992 he became the campaign photographer for Bill Clinton and entered the White House with Clinton as his personal photographer.  His work from the years with President Clinton was published in the book "The Clinton Years".  

Upon leaving the White House he began work on a two year documentary project called Photo 2000 that documented the election cycle of the year 2000 at the local, state and national level.  This work was published all over the world and in a 30 page, award winning portfolio in Fortune Magazine. Since then he has continued to photograph personal projects and for editorial and commercial clients.  He also lectures and teaches workshops on documentary photography.


Bob McNeely is just one of the world's most influential photographers who will be documenting their personal celebrations of President-elect Obama's inauguration festivities and they want YOU to get involved. Share your photos with the rest of the nation at obamaphotobook.com

In commemoration of Martin Luther King Day, we are proud to present a series of historic images of Dr. King created by renowned photojournalist, Ben Fernandez.

Benedict J. Fernandez is a renowned photo-journalist, although he prefers to refer to himself as a "Photo Anthropologist".  He founded the Hoboken Almanac of Photography, the Almanac Gallery and the Departments of Photography at the New School/Parsons School of Design.

In 1999 Fernandez was appointed Senior Fellow in Photography at the Corcoran Museum in Washington DC. He was at the Corcoran until 2003. Fernandez is now fully engaged in archiving his considerable collection of work that covers the last 50 years of photojournalism.


Copyright Benedict J. Fernandez
 
Dr. Benjamin Spock, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Reverend Rice from Pittsburgh, march against the Vietnam war, Broadway and 50 St., New York. April 15, 1967
 


Copyright Benedict J. Fernandez

Portrait of Martin Luther King, Central Park South. March to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, April 15, 1967



Copyright Benedict J. Fernandez

Surrounded by supporters, advisors and security personnel, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. prepares for his speech at the United Nations on April 15, 1967. At left is NBC correspondent, Ponchita Pierce



Copyright Benedict J. Fernandez

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his office at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Headquarters. He is shown working on one of his speeches. Atlanta, Georgia, February, 1967
 


Copyright Benedict J. Fernandez

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King and Bernice Albertine (Bonnie) King at home for Sunday lunch with guests in Atlanta, Georgia. November 1967

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In addition to these images, Ben has graciously provided a selection of additional images of Dr King and others from his collection.




In preparation for the presentation of these images, Ben took a few moments to shared his thoughts about these images with us.




See more of Ben's work and learn more about him at benedictjfernandez.com

To see everything going on at Kodak for inauguration week check out kodak.com/go/inauguration

An image became an idea, an idea became a question, and the question became reality that was the iteration process. Not too long ago, like a few weeks ago, we were presented with a question - can you create a new dynamic homepage that we can reveal during the Consumer Electronics Show the first week of January? Initial response, absolutely!

Let me take a minute to introduce myself, Paulette, project manager, new to Kodak. Imagine my excitement when I was handed the project to help redesign the homepage for our web site. Wow, this is incredible! I will meet so many other teams, interact with everyone.  

Now let me tell you about the "real" process we went through to achieve the final result....

With so many businesses, so many objectives, how does one go about understanding what the vision for the homepage is? Where do you start? With the designers? Consumers? Business units? Conducting research? Walk around the street and take a survey?

Do it all, keep it under budget. Oh and by the way, can we have it next week?

Time to get started.

Design 1: Clean up the homepage, keep it simple. No clutter. Less says more.




Design 2: Add in a photo, we are a photography company. Make it big, be edgy, but not too edgy, dare to cross the line, but don't really cross the line. When in doubt go big, go blue.




Design 3: Don't forget to add in the navigation, we want everything to be one click away.




Design 4: We also need to be able to tell customers about our promotions, we need to tell them about our events, we need to tell them about our technology, we need to tell them what is going on, we need to use the homepage to communicate everything.




Design 5: There is just too much, but we need it, just do it without making it so busy. Can you make it not so cluttery?



What do you think of our new homepage? Share your thoughts with us, who knows, maybe our next version will be influenced by your comments!