PHOTO POST PRODUCTION & CGI Feb 2014

With over 15 years' experience, bildgudt :: digital artworks is Stuttgart-based photo studio specialising in pre-press, illustration and CGI.

The company has an impressive worldwide portfolio, including recent projects with Nike, Grunding, MAFELL, McKinley, TROST and Lidl.

Other clients include Jürgen Altmann, Ernesto Martens, Pascal Malamas, Deniz Saylan, Jung von Matt/Neckar, Grabarz & Partner, Kemper Kommunikation, Shanghai Berlin, Nike, Mercedes-Benz, Grundig, LBank, Trost, PANAMA, Stefan Hohloch and Robert Westrich.

2013 was a very busy year for CircleMedia, culminating in the release of the new Porsche Macan, for which the company provided over 70 CGI images.

Working alongside photographer Stephan Romer and his team, CircleMedia travelled to Australia, Singapore, Canada and the United States to provide imagery for Porsche’s global ad campaigns and the Macan brochure. All aspects of the car were realised in CGI, retouched and graded at CircleMedia.

Other projects since the company's last Spotlight include working with Trigger to create advertising imagery for the Rolls Royce Wraith coupé and Ghost coupé, and working alongside Paul Zak on ads for the Audi RS5 cabriolet.

Look out for upcoming Spotlight issues for the results of the next exciting CGI projects.

Creation Theory exists to see great ideas happen.

Built on the idea that there is emerging in this new digital age no less than a second Renaissance - born of the power of ideas to connect globally and the technology to realise even the most grandiose of them - Creation Theory is interested in helping to imagine the best of these ideas and to communicate them through design in the most compelling and intuitive ways possible.

"So, it’s the ideas age - What’s your idea?"

"44 years providing professional, advertising, industrial, artistic and creative imaging services."

Founded in 1971, EGM Laboratories offers high quality services to photographers, artists, advertising agencies and others. The company is proud of its reputation for excellence in prestigious projects, always providing the best possible quality at highly competitive prices.

EGM core services are CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery), post-production, specialist retouching and photographic montage, render farm services.

The company has many dedicated rooms for meeting with clients and creative directors in fully equipped environments, enabling the team to work at the highest level in real time. Using the latest technology, EGM offers a flexible on-line service for national and international provision of high quality CGI, animation, 3D static photography and post-production services.

From premises of more than 4000m²  in the centre of Barcelona. EGM also offers large and small format printing on all kinds of materials. The company can meet all conventional and artistic needs, including decorating and demonstration stands, fine art reproduction and photographic exhibitions.

DVH Creative Studios is a young 3D rendering company based in the Netherlands and led by Dario van Houwelingen. With its strong background in photography and its collaboration with renowned retouchers and CGI artists, DVH Creative Studios creates images that stand out by their great attention to detail, texture and lighting, images that evoke a feeling that suits the product.

DVH Creative Studios integrates CGI, photography and post-production into a powerful and effective workflow for creating captivating imagery.

DVH Creative Studios welcomes challenging projects in the fields of the automotive, beverage and cosmetic advertising industry. With equal enthusiasm the company creates well-executed packshots and photorealistic images of innovative or regular industrial products in all stages of development.

"The creative process. What is it really? Everyone has a different answer. The producer who lays out the battle plan and handpicks the team is confident that he sculpted the end result to what it became. A photographer will insist that her input is the creative aspect of the process. The post-producer who puts it all together and makes the final imagery beautiful will probably claim he's the one where true creativity lies. Same goes for the stressed-out production manager who really has to be creative to make ends meet and the deadline met.

"The truth is that they are all correct. When everyone works together for a common goal and are willing to share credit, it will become a creative process. Obviously we're completely forgetting the agency's creative team who actually came up with the idea. Honest mistake!"

Gokhan Altinigne is a global post-production company with a network of international photographers and agencies.

Providing services for creative retouching, compositing, automotive, hair, beauty and fashion images, the company is willing to approach every project with the same sensitivity, offering creative direction to achieve outstanding results.

With a strong background in forming effective partnerships, Gokhan Altinigne's harmony with the emerging visual market offers an excellent medium for long-term partnerships.

Visit the website, facebook and linkedIn for updates and more information.

The Holubowicz Postproduction Studio team has over 12 years' experience in hi-end photo post-production. They focus on creative retouching for print and digital media and continue to explore the possibilities of CGI.

Providing services for creative retouching, compositing, automotive, food, still life, hair, beauty and fashion images, the company is willing to approach every project with the same sensitivity, offering creative direction to achieve outstanding results.

Holubowicz Postproduction Studio works with the most important agencies, photographers and production companies in Poland. They also support clients around the world with first-class creative results and quality.

They have recently worked on campaigns for Coca-Cola, BMW, Discovery Chanel, Microsoft, Vodafone, Samsung, Levis, Nike, Procter & Gamble and many more.

Holubowicz Postproduction Studio has contributed to works that won multiple awards at Cannes Lions, Golden Drums, KTR and has been published in Luerzer's Archive.

HOUSE, a digital post-production company that is named after a building that represents the aesthetic and metaphor of old time craft and care, yet thrives in a contemporary world.

"HOUSE is modern, yet believes strongly in the old fashion values of customer service, personal attention, quality, and business conducted with integrity. Our birth place, that little brick house, is in perfect contrast to the towers of steel and glass that surround us just as we take pride in our contrast to the sterile, impersonal and rushed world of digital post-production.

We have grown and relocated, but still invite you into our sanctuary, now nestled above the sycamore trees of Beach Street Park where West Broadway, Beach Street and the Avenue of the Americas intersect. Escape the hectic and sip coffee or tea with us, as we mark up proofs or gather around the glow of monitors."

Idris Kolodziej's new productions are - as always - a cross between photography and CGI. The entire production process (including post-production) takes place in his studio, meaning all the different components can be ideally coordinated.

Particle-and-fluid-simulation are new research projects in Idris' portfolio. Examples featured in this Spotlight include the leaves of the hedge-monster, the raindrops on the Mercedes-Benz car paint, and the milk splash for Saturn.

Clients include The Coca-Cola Company, Heineken, Ikea, Mercedes-Benz, Metro Group and Vaillant in cooperation with agencies such as BBDO, DDB, Kempertrautmann/Thjnk, Shanghai Berlin, Serviceplan and Scholz & Friends.

Idris is represented by Kelly Kellerhoff.

"Imaginary Lines, celebrating our 20th year of creating the most exciting photo illustrations you can imagine. 

With our artists and gear on your set, you are assured a seamless transition from capture to post. We embrace a world of images from products to people, participating in productions taking place anywhere in the world.

We specialise in providing digital project management including camera rental and capture, as well as comping on set and final post-production. Our comprehensive approach to production means we are a completely self sufficient part of your team.

Our kits include the smallest accessory to the biggest cameras. Back-up units for computers to generators for AC units. In a studio, in a tent or in a trailer. All by the book, all insured, all around the globe."

PX Group, with branches in Hamburg, Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt, is a high-end studio for CGI, creative image retouching and PrePress services. Over the years, personal service and dedication have made PX its clients’ first port of call for advice and inspiration when it comes to all kinds of image creation and composition.

The team's extensive knowledge of cars, fashion, still life, advertising and people imaging enables PX to be a reliable partner to photographers and advertising agencies in finding solutions to aesthetic, timing and cost matters.

Joern Schmidt c/o Rockarts Imaging provides high-class digital retouching and composing for national and international clients, focusing mainly on transportation and stills as well as people projects.

Latest jobs include Jaguar F-Type Coupe, Aston Martin Vantage, Porsche RSR and Mercedes-Benz trucks.

For the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles calendar 2014 'Night Shift', Joern retouched all 12 images shot by Michael Haegele. Also with Michael, he created an image of the amazing Aston Martin V12 Vantage S. Michael shot the background image and Joern produced the car in CGI as well as the overall look.

For the launch of the new Jaguar F-Type Coupe, Rockarts handled the post-production for several images shot by Greg Pajo. Last but not least, Joern had the idea to support the 'Save The Ring' petition in his own way - putting the new Porsche RSR (winner of Le Mans 24h) virtually into the Nordschleife. Sean Klingelhoefer delivered the backplates for this project.

Whether it's candy bars or cars, Rocket Studio offers a wide variety of talent for CGI and retouching projects. The team has an international reputation and is known to create beautiful visuals and even the impossible with CGI.

Recent projects include Snickers with photographer Markku for BBDO in New York and the Toyota Tundra campaign with photographer Christian Stoll for Saatchi & Saatchi, Los Angeles. Additionally, the team has just completed the launch of the new Acura TLX for Mullen, which debuted at the Detroit Auto Show.

Other recent work includes Beats By Dr. Dre featuring Nicki Minaj, Mitsubishi for 180LA, HP/UPS, Lexus, and a CGI environment for The North Face.

Rocket Studio is a full service creative production company and will be expanding its CG motion division even further this year.

Since opening 15 years ago, Sergeev Studio has undertaken many demanding projects, using a number of services including castings, styling, retouching, complex photo manipulation and compositing. Its offices are located in Vienna, Austria and Sofia, Bulgaria.

A winner of numerous awards, head photographer Lyubomir Sergeev is highly acclaimed in the photographic society. The entire team is also known to take on any challenge and handles all projects with passion and innovation.

Clients include Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett, Publicis, DDB, EuroRSCG4D, Acumen, Havas Worldwide Digital, Noble Graphics, Brand New Ideas, MAG, Affect Media and more.

Souverein is a post-production company which consists of a group of creative individuals who specialise in high-end image creation in various forms. The team works together with photographers, autonomous artists, agencies and large brand companies to combine creativity, years of experience and professional expertise to form outstanding visuals. The company's area of expertise includes image manipulation, CGI/3D, project management, photography and fine art printing.

Having years of experience in high-end CG, Souverein is expert at the creation of 3D visuals or combining 3D and photography. Its dedicated CGI crew works in partnership with Photoshop experts to create high resolution, quality work.

The Souverein team is expert at handling large, complex projects that require a high standard of quality and coherence and well developed organisational skills. The company takes on these projects and makes sure the flow is well thought out and handled with professional care.

For the launch of new Porsche Macan STAUD STUDIOS was commissioned to produce pictures for the worldwide premiere. During the project, the company's photographers and CG artists worked hand-in-hand to get the best results. Backgrounds were shot in the USA while lighting, rendering and post-production was completed in Leonberg. CGI: STAUD STUDIOS.

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is a legend. On the occasion of the final edition STAUD STUDIOS wanted to establish a monument for its successor, the SLS. The company staged this milestone of AMG history with the banner idea 'Living Legend' on the Walk of Fame. Post-production: STAUD STUDIOS.

For new client David & Goliath STAUD STUDIOS staged the American KIA Forte family in Los Angeles, on location and in the studio. Retouching and post started on set and were coordinated between agency and client. Photographer: René Staud. Post-production: STAUD STUDIOS.

"If you are a photographer, you might think of Sugar as your trusted printer." The company is capable of heavy lifting on the composition front as well as CGI work. "For us, it is about understanding your vision and making your final image as balanced and beautiful as you might have imagined it."

For agencies, Sugar can be considered a highly responsive vendor but also a creative partner and problem solver. As much of its work is done in pre-production as in post.

Visit the website for more information.

TANK is a small creative post-production studio in London specialising in CGI and high-end creative retouching.

The team at TANK works closely with clients to ensure they get the best out of their images and help create imagery that will make an impact far beyond expectation.

Recent projects include:

• UPC with JWT Amsterdam.
• Bayan Audio with Earth.
• Under Armour with photographer Dirk Rees.
• conEdison with photographer Mark Luinenburg.

To work with TANK email or call +44 (0) 20 3620 4049.

The Tapestry team are looking forward to getting involved in plenty of new and exciting projects in 2014, all from their newly refurbished offices that make for a relaxing, comfortable and creative environment in which to work.

Email or call David Flatt on 0207 896 3104 to discuss upcoming projects.

With over 20 years of experience and expertise in photography The Scope offers high-end CGI work across several specialised departments in what it calls 'CG Photography'. CG Photography means creating images exclusively using computer technology - sets, landscapes, props, cars and lighting are completely computer generated, while production and workflow mirrors a live shoot using a photographer to supervise the production as a visual director.

Founder and Creative Director Faruk Heplevent strives to find the best possible solutions for visualising creative ideas. To push this concept all members of The Scope team come from creative backgrounds; art directors, painters, architects, designers, photographers and many others.

Believing in ‘creativity before technology’, The Scope has won multiple awards including Cannes Lions, ADC Pencils and Eurobest trophies alongside a global reputation amongst clients.

As of January 2013, The Scope has been represented in the US market by Cartel & Co., NY. Clients include Audi, Avon, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Keuco, Lego, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Nivea, Opel, Pirelli, Porsche, Ricola, Vitra, Volkswagen, and many more.

Weaton Digital Inc. is a production studio based in Colorado that works with a variety of in-house marketing departments and advertising agencies. 

The company excels at multi-discipline projects that utilise any or all of its expertise in CGI, photography, retouching, compositing and video - integrating 3D models, video footage, VFX, and retouching to not only showcase products, but to tell their stories. Weaton Digital's most extensive work is with the soft goods and footwear industries where it makes images shine, showcases product features, and illustrates product technology.

Weaton Digital puts a strong focus on client relationships and meeting clients’ exact needs. A selection includes Oboz Footwear, Pearl Izumi, Gaiam, GoLite and Crocs.