Author Archives: Chris Ramirez
Off the Clock 2023 Call for Entries
APA LA OFF THE CLOCK 2023
CALL FOR ENTRIES OPENS: March 1, 2023
CALL FOR ENTRIES FINAL DEADLINE: March 31, 2023

retouching | digital imaging | post production | finishing | pre press | book production | graphic design | photography | concert photography
APA LA is pleased to announce the twelfth annual OFF THE CLOCK curated photo competition. OFF THE CLOCK is the pre-eminent opportunity to present your inspired personal photography to the world. Each year APA LA invites a well-respected, influential visionary from the international photo community to contribute their talent towards curating this prestigious exhibition. This year we are honored that Darius Himes, International Head of Photographs at Christie’s, has accepted our invitation to apply his unique vision in carefully selecting his top one hundred images from all submissions. And this year, as an added incentive, Mr. Himes will also select three images as Best In Show!
About The Curator:
Darius Himes has had a long, storied career in the photographic arts, and is a well-known, knowledgeable and respected scholar of the medium. His impressive credentials brought him to join Christie’s in the Fall of 2014 as International Head of Photographs where he is responsible for setting and implementing a global strategy for the department and managing the international team. He is based in New York, and brings with him a rich knowledge of the history of the medium, with a keen interest in the contemporary market. Most recently Himes was director of Fraenkel Gallery in San Francisco. Prior to that, he was a co-founder of Radius Books, a non-profit publisher of books on art and photography, and a founding editor of photo-eye Booklist, a quarterly magazine devoted to photography books. A widely respected lecturer and writer on photography and photobooks, his most recent title, Publish Your Photography Book, was co-authored and published in 2011. He received his Masters of Arts from St. John’s College and his Bachelor of Fine Art’s degree in Photography from Arizona State University. Himes also lived in Haifa, Israel, where he oversaw and worked with a permanent collection of over 50,000 photographic objects drawn primarily from the Near and Middle East and dating back as early as the 1870s.
APA Los Angeles is honored and humbled that Darius Himes will be joining us to curate Off The Clock 2023. dariushimes.com christies.com
EXCEPTIONAL EXPOSURE
Once our curator has chosen his 100 favorite images, the winners’ work begins to gain exceptional exposure through our beautifully printed and PDF catalog which will be sent to each winner as well as key influencers in the advertising, corporate and fine-art sectors. The winners’ images will also gain exposure through our online gallery and artist features on our social media and web platforms. Through the APA global network, your finest personal work will be available for viewing by thousands of potential clients, gallerists and curators throughout the world.
PLUS – this year we will gather for a beautiful gala opening reception to celebrate all the winners with special invitations sent to top creatives in the Southern California region. Further details to follow.
As for the three Best In Show winners, they will be featured on the APA LA website, as well as featured in our printed and PDF catalog that will be sent to key industry influencers. Best In Show winners will also receive their winning image printed by a premier West Coast fine art print specialist and beautifully custom matted and framed by one of the West Coast’s most respected fine art framers.
In addition, each of the three Best in Show winners will be awarded one twenty-minute portfolio review session at APA LA’s virtual Fall Portfolio Review – an invaluable opportunity to meet and discuss your work with a top industry professional, creative director, art director or art producer. These are professionals on the front lines of hiring photographers
SHOW YOUR FINEST PERSONAL WORK
OFF THE CLOCK is easy to enter with no confusing categories, no image series restrictions, and no creation date restrictions. The most important parameter is that your submitted work should be strong, original, creative and truly personal. Entries may be black and white, duotone, or color, and should be self-commissioned and must represent what you consider to be your finest personal work. Our easy-to-use online submission interface allows you to enter as many images as you like! What are you waiting for? Give it your best shot. Show the world your personal vision.
The curator will limit the number of selects from any one entrant to a maximum of four.
ENTRY FEES
APA Member Entry Fee: $20 per image
APA Non Member Entry Fees: $40 per image
Not an APA member? Now is a great time to join APA and receive up to a 50% discount on each image submission. Current APA member looking to upgrade your membership contact: members@apanational.org
Questions? Please email: director@apa-la.com
About APA: American Photographic Artists (APA) is celebrating its 42nd year as a leading national trade organization run by and for professional photographers. With a culture that promotes a spirit of mutual cooperation, sharing and support, APA offers outstanding benefits, educational programs and essential business resources to help its members achieve their professional and artistic goals. With chapters in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Charlotte and Washington, DC, APA strives to improve the environment for photographic artists and clear the pathways to success in the industry. Recognized for its broad industry reach, APA continues to expand benefits for its members and works to champion the rights of photographers and image-makers worldwide.
Submissions Open for APA 2023 Sourcebook
The APA Sourcebook is a special benefit for APA photographers at the Leader or Professional membership level.
Each qualifying APA photographer receives a single free page featuring one image. Your name, website address will be printed with your image. This year we are adding the option of including a location.
The APA Sourcebook is sent to art buyers/producers at ad agencies, and editorial photo editors, across the country.
There is no charge to the eligible photographers.
Photographers may upgrade to a double page spread, featuring one or two images on the spread, for just $500.
Download the 2023 Sourcebook Guidelines. Use the Photoshop template provided.
It’s easy to join or upgrade your membership and take advantage of this offer. Not an APA member at the Leader or Professional level? To upgrade your membership, send an email to membershiprep@apanational.org
Enter your 2023 Sourcebook image(s) HERE.
2022 APA Award Winners Announced
2022 APA Award Winners Announced
Award winners were selected by a group of high-profile judges representing an excellent cross-section of the photo buying community.
Congratulations to all the winners!
(Above) Best of Show Winner – © Samantha Wolov
APA LA proudly announces 11 chapter members as winners:
Steven Simko – 2nd place Beauty/Fashion
Art Streiber – 2nd place Celebrity/Musician
Sam Grant – 3rd place Celebrity/Musician
Diana Feil – 2nd place Documentary/Photojournalism
2nd place Lifestyle
Sean Davey – 2nd place Nature/Animal
Christopher Malcolm – 1st place Sports/Adventure
Corey Nickols – 2nd place Sports/Adventure
Mark Leibowitz – 1st place Travel/Landscape
Tracy + David – 2nd place Travel/Landscape
Kremer Johnson – 2nd place Series
Ilanna Barkusky – 3rd place Series
View the Category winning images here: https://apanational.org/awards/entry/announcing-the-2022-apa-award-winners/
View the winning Series here: https://apanational.org/awards/entry/announcing-the-2022-apa-award-series-winners/
New at SYNC: Urth Star Filter
New at SYNC! #urthstarfilter
We now carry an Urth Star Filter Kit – 82mm!
It comes with a 4-point, 6-point and 8-point Star Filter!
Call us at (323) 285-5450 or email us at SYNC@SYNCphotorental.com, to rent today!
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#WhatYouNeedWhenAndWhereYouWantIt
#SYNC #SYNCphotorental
#SYNCrental #photography #photo #photorental #laphotographer #photoassistant #commercialphotography #cinematography #cinematographer #cinematography
#setlife #setlifela #onlocation #onset #filmgear #filmlife #commerciallife #musicvideo #gaffer #keygrip #setlightingtechnician #setlighting #setlife #setlifela #onlocation #onset #filmgear #filmlife #commerciallife #musicvideo #gaffer #keygrip #setlightingtechnician #setlighting #filmlife #filmlighting #iatselocal728 #iatselocal80
New at SYNC: Bowens Mount RFi Speedrings!
New at SYNC: Bowens Mount RFi Speedrings!
These Speedrings are great if you have Bowens Mount soft-boxes and they will also work with Aputure light fixtures such as the Aputure 600 and 1200 series!
Call us at (323) 285-5450 or email us at SYNC@SYNCphotorental.com, to rent today!
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#WhatYouNeedWhenAndWhereYouWantIt
#SYNC #SYNCphotorental
#SYNCrental #photography #photo #photorental #laphotographer #photoassistant #commercialphotography #cinematography #cinematographer #cinematography
#setlife #setlifela #onlocation #onset #filmgear #filmlife #commerciallife #musicvideo #gaffer #keygrip #setlightingtechnician #setlighting #setlife #setlifela #onlocation #onset #filmgear #filmlife #commerciallife #musicvideo #gaffer #keygrip #setlightingtechnician #setlighting #filmlife #filmlighting #iatselocal728 #iatselocal80
Mamiya RZ67 Pro II Medium Format Camera is for RENT!
The RZ67 Pro II
The RZ67 Professional II is a 6×7 medium format SLR camera that creates stunning portraits and breathtaking close-up photography.
From it’s legendary 6x7cm ideal format, to its unique revolving film back, the Mamiya RZ67 has earned the respect of professional photographers around the world. Now with the demand from photographers to provide clients with the same quality and performance that they have come to expect, A user-friendly blend of mechanical dependability and electronic convenience, the RZ67II’s robust construction and surprising portability let you shoot with ease both in the studio and on location. Perhaps best of all, the RZ67 System uses uncompromising professional lenses to produce large detail-rich transparencies and negatives that deliver clarity and punch—unparalleled in smaller formats.
Mamiya’s follow-up to the extremely popular original RZ67 Professional, the Pro II adds the conveniences of: audible darkslide-in warning, half-stop shutter speeds for easier exposure balance, and fine focus gearing for easier critical focus. In 2004 Mamiya introduced the RZ67 Pro IID with Mamiya Serial Communication (MSC) for easier interacing and use with compatible digital backs; The Pro II remains popular because it has effectively identical features aside from MSC.
SYNC has lenses compatible with both the Mamiya RZ67 and the Mamiya RZ 67 Pro II for rent.
On-location with SYNC’s Mamiya RZ67 in Big Bear, CA. Photos taken by Marco Bravo – Instagram (@marcko_)
To rent, please contact SYNC Rental by email: sync@syncphotorental.com Or by Phone at (323) 285-5450
Check out these videos from YouTube for more information!
The Off The Clock 2022 Gallery is Online!

Now Available From SYNC: Canon’s EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera
This week on #WhatsNewWednesday it’s the Canon EOS R5!!!! Canon’s EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera is a fantastic camera for professionals or really anyone else that’s looking for an extremely capable option for almost any type of photography, from action and sports, to studio products and portraits, landscapes, and events.
The EOS R5 builds off of the powerful legacy of Canon’s full frame cameras offering next generation refinements in image quality, performance and reliability.
The EOS R5 camera features an entirely new Canon-developed CMOS sensor with approx. 45 effective megapixels.
Introducing the Canon EOS R5 Digital Camera
High Image Quality featuring a New 45 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor
ISO range of 100-51200; Expandable to 102400
Up to 12 fps with Mechanical Shutter- Up to 20 fps Electronic (Silent) Shutter
High-speed Focusing with Dual Pixel CMOS AF
(Photos and Camera Description taken from Canon’s website)
Call us at (323) 285-5450 or email us at SYNC@SYNCphotorental.com, to rent today!
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#WhatYouNeedWhenAndWhereYouWantIt
#SYNC #SYNCphotorental
#SYNCrental #photography #photo #photorental #laphotographer
How Do You Like Them Apple Boxes?!
Ah, the apple box. The humble apple box is a gem on film/photography sets that probably gets used on a daily basis, usually used to prop objects, to stand on, or to sit on.
The apple boxes come in a few different sizes– Full, half, quarter and pancake.
I’m sure we are all familiar with this, but there are also fun nicknames for apple boxes when someone wants them to be placed in a certain position. These nicknames are based off three major U.S. cities: New York, Chicago, and L.A.
• New York position: the apple box stands tallest on its smallest side.
• Chicago position: the apple box lays on its narrow, long edge. Also known as Texas.
• L.A. position: the apple box lays completely flat on its widest and longest edge.
For instance, say you want to place the camera on an apple box laid completely flat, one would ask for it to be placed “L.A. style.” Or if you wanted to use it as a seat, you can ask a grip to stand it up “New York.”
So how do YOU use apple boxes on set? Are there any great tips that most camera assistants overlook when using apple boxes?