Hollywood Spectacular Musical Photography

MCW Music will host a Hollywood Spectacular musical recital Sunday, Oct 7 2012 in Thousand Oaks CA.  I will be providing photo coverage of the event and performers.  I'll post the photo galleries here as they are completed.  

As always feel free to contact me by any means all listed on my About page.

Thank G-d for Gratitude

I recently had the privilege of directing the photography for an inspiring lecture series by Rebbetzin Shula Bryski from the Chabad of Thousand Oaks and published by the Jewish Learning Institute's http://www.torahcafe.com. 

This is part one of the series:

I am also honored to consider Rabbi Chaim and Shula Bryski and their family as personal friends and I would encourage anyone in the Thousand Oaks area looking for a warm and friendly Shabbat with an amazing kiddush featuring the best cholent and inspired Torah discussion to pay a visit.  You can say hi at http://www.jewishto.org or you can give me a call anytime.

This was shot using a JVC GY HD250, lights and audio gear generously provided by Mark Alyn Productions.

To set the scene I had soft, indirect daylight coming from a window camera left.  I used a hard hair light, with a little bit of blue color correction – so it wouldn't be too yellow – from camera right, just behind Shula.  Then I used a flood light with barn doors closed to throw a splash of light on the book case behind her.  

I placed her about eight feet in front of the book case and set up the camera with a long focal length and open aperture to create the separation between Shula and the back ground.  I think I was able to get a nice bokeh and I'm happy with the results. 

Thank you Reb. Chaim and Shula Bryski.  Thank you Elya Silfen at JLI.  Thank you Mark Alyn.  Thank You G-d for Your never ending love and kindness and for the opportunity to be grateful and to show my gratitude for Your blessings.

Update on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 10:00AM by David C. Cooper

Here is part 2:

Update on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 5:10PM by David C. Cooper

Part 3:

Update on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 6:36PM by David C. Cooper

Part 4:

Highlights of a New Torah Scroll Dedication at Chabad of Westlake Village

The Sofer (scribe) writes the last few Hebrew letters into the Holy Torah Scroll.A Jewish lady is sponsoring a portion of the Sofer's writing and asking him to concentrate on dedicating those letters for her.
The completed Torah scroll is festively dressed and paraded around the synagogue.

David C. Cooper Announces: Exclusive Winter Location Portrait Sitting

David C. Cooper Photography is proud to announce our first ever, exclusive location portrait sitting Friday, December 30, 2011 at the Conejo Creek Park behind the Thousand Oaks Library in Thousand Oaks, CA.

How often does your family get together?  This is a great opportunity to have a custom family portrait created while everyone is visiting for the holidays.  

If you'd like to have a custom portrait like this:

We are now booking sitting appointments for December 30th.  You can reserve your sitting time by contacting David by email at cooperdavidc@gmail.com or just call 818.564.7427.

Great Simchas and Mazel Tov

G-d recently blessed me to capture some amazing images while covering the celebration of a boy becoming bar mitzvah or "son of the covenant."  

A grandfather helps his grandson don the traditional leather phylacteries, known as tefillin, which are worn by Jewish men after they become Bar Mitzvah.

The boy's father helps him find his place as the boy begins his first ever public reading of the holy Torah.

The family prepares for their portrait. Since the father works for the winery, I had exclusive access to the restricted floor of the barrel room. I chose that setting for the family portrait to highlight the family's connection with the industry and for the interesting contrast of the industrial equipment and the family's elegant wardrobe.

This is the resulting family portrait.

His uncle holds up the traditional loaf of challah bread to illustrate the size of the loaf.

Finally, all of his hard work pays off.