OFFICIAL KEN KOLLER

iCream: The best ice cream in Chicago

kenkoller — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:52:00 +0000

Last week I had the great opportunity to shoot some product shots over at iCream in Wicker Park, here in Chicago. When I say they have the best ice cream in Chicago I mean it. Cora and her team use liquid nitrogen so you get the smoothest tastiest ice cream possible. Not only that they custom make each individual order, you choose the base, flavors, mix ins, toppings, and even the color. Here is one of the many photos we took.

This is straight from the mixer, no frills, just amazing taste and fresh ingredients. Behold.

So before the cold sets in be sure to try iCream you won’t regret it. 1537 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622 (I am not a paid spokesperson, unless ice cream counts

Photo taken with Nikon D80, ISO 100, 50MM, F/4.8 1/200

Filed under: Photography Tagged: 50mm, blueberry, chicago, ice cream, icream, ken koller, liquid nitrogen, NIKON D80, photography, product, rasberry, shots

The Chicago Skyline

kenkoller — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:26:57 +0000

While the weather is still good here in Chicago I thought it only fitting to capture the city in a nice big panorama. Below are the same photo. The first photo is the huge full resolution for those of you who want it, and the last one is a more manageable file size. This photo is stitched together from about 12 individual photos.

Filed under: Photography Tagged: chicago, chicago skyline, city, d80, lake, lake shore drive, michigan, nikon, NIKON D80, photography, skyline, summer

The south side and lost friends

kenkoller — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:28:46 +0000

Had a photo shoot this week with the artist I.B. Fokuz we spent the majority of our time on the South side of Chicago. Dude is a real chill individual and has some great music. Here is one of his videos on illroots.com (shout out to Mike Waxx)

Besides taking the actual photos, I love the conversations that take place during shoots, not only do they loosen up the talent and thus reward the photographer with a more relaxed subject, but you always learn something.

This particular photo carries some history and deeper meaning for I.B. Over a year and a half ago I.B. Fokuz and one of his good friends were in this park, that was until local gang member began to fire shots in their direction. These gunshots fatally wounded his friend. I.B. hadn’t been back to the park since then, that is until this shoot.

Photo taken with Nikon D80, ISO 100, 50MM, F/4.0 1/500

Filed under: Photography, Portrait Tagged: 50mm, chicago, gang, gun, I.B. Fokuz, ken koller, killing, nikon, NIKON D80, photography, portfolio, south side, violence

Belizean Beaches and Birds

kenkoller — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:25:06 +0000

As the Chicago summer is nearing it’s end, honestly it wouldn’t surprise me if it snowed tomorrow, I thought it would only be fitting to post another photo from my trip to Belize. Below is another beach photo from one of the many small islands we visited. And remember, as will all the photos you find on my site, the full resolution photo can be downloaded by clicking on the photo and following the full resolution link at the bottom of the page.

Filed under: Photography, Travel Tagged: belize, panorama, pelican, photography, travel

I think I was a bug in a past life.

kenkoller — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:37:25 +0000

Often times people will ask me to describe my style of photography. My usual answer is to tell them “I have no style, I just know what I like.” The more I look through all of the photos I have taken over the years it is safe to say that I have no one particular style. Although what I have noticed while perusing my photos I notice that I have noticed certain themes or similarities in my subject matter.

I found, and have come to realize that I like to photograph light sources. These range from huge lightening strikes to small compact fluorescent bulbs. I haven’t fully explored (mentally) why this is the case or why I am drawn to them, but I am pretty sure I can come to one conclusion. I am pretty sure I was a bug in a past life and now I’m drawn to the zappers.

As always, all photography by myself unless otherwise noted.

Filed under: Photography Tagged: bug zapper, bulb, fluorescent, lights, past life, photography, style

100,000 Views and Counting

kenkoller — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:05:26 +0000

I don’t like to make it a habit of re-posting videos, but I am happy to announce that the Raghav “So Much” music video featuring Kardinall Offishall has hit over 100,000 views on youtube. Be sure to buy the track off of itunes, I admit, it’s catchy. Buy it from itunes here.

Filed under: Music Video, Video Tagged: Music video, Raghav, so much, Youtube

My Dad’s Orchids

kenkoller — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:04:39 +0000

I was recently in Florida visiting my dad for a few days. The trip was amazing, it’s always good to catch up with family and have good conversations. During my stay I discovered my dad has taken up growing Orchids or Orchidaceae if you prefer. Below are two photos I took of some of the ones he has been growing.

Filed under: Photography, Travel Tagged: florida, flowers, growing flowers, orchid, summer

Actress Danielle Fornarelli

kenkoller — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:38:16 +0000

I first worked with Danielle on the Raghav “So Much” music video. Upon first meeting Danielle I knew that she was our lead girl for the project and not just because of her stunningly good looks. What sold me on her was how personable she was and her focused work ethic. She was definitely not just another pretty face on set.

Often times I have come across women who have done a few projects and feel like they deserve the world. This could not be farther from the truth with Dani, during the entire shoot she was a dream to work with and willing to do what it took to get the right shots. She even learned how to operate the liquid nitrogen powered ice cream machines on set, saving us valuable time during our shoot. So without further ado here is her 2010 Reel. Now get out there and hire her!

Filed under: Other, Video Tagged: actress, Danielle, Fornarelli, reel

Chicago Football Classic Commercial

kenkoller — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:42:28 +0000

I just directed two commercials yesterday for the 2010 Chicago Football Classic in cooperation with Mid C Media. Below is a quick still of things to come from the commercial. I’m looking forward to getting into the edit and create two great pieces.

Filed under: Commercials, Video Tagged: 2010, cfc, chicago football classic, commercial

Ken is Sick

kenkoller — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:57:51 +0000

Recently I have come down with a bit of a cold, some congestion and overall just sick. I didn’t want this to prevent me from updating my blog so I decided to put up a photo I took years ago when I had a bit of a bloody nose. This photo has seen a lot of iterations and various changes and interpretations over the years that I have had it, however below is one of the original versions of the photo. If you look closely you might notice a little something in the drain catch, but what it is will remain a secret, unless someone guesses what it is. I hope you all feel better than I do right now.

I have noticed every time that I get sick I find that it is very difficult to remember what it is like to not be sick. Anyone else feel that way too when they get sick?

Filed under: Photography Tagged: bloody nose, sick

The Forbidden City

kenkoller — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:53:56 +0000

Last year I traveled across the Pacific Ocean to visit a good friend of mine as well as travel all around China and The Philippines. Below is a photo I took while inside the over 600 year old city. The city is located in the middle of Beijing, and I have to say that even being there with hundreds of tourists, it is an awe inspiring experience. To think that this city was the home to emperors for nearly 500 years. To put things into perspective the whole complex covers 7,800,000 square feet. If you ever go to China, try your hardest to make it to this amazing place.

Filed under: Photography, Travel Tagged: china, city, forbidden, ken koller, photography

Model Shannon Nelson

kenkoller — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 04:42:47 +0000

Although I didn’t do any of the photography I put together a comp card for a good friend of mine Shannon Nelson. Below is her comp card, so feel free to reach out to her, but only if you are gonna cut her a big check.

Tagged: card, comp, model, nelson, shannon

2 Dogs 1 Stick: Secret and Tara

kenkoller — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:23:07 +0000

This is Secret and Tara, they are 2 out of the 3 German Shepard guard dogs/beach toys we had in Belize. They loved the water, seemed liked they were born in it, great swimmers too.

What I love about this photo is that everything that one of them did, the other immediately did as well. And as you can see, even if there is only one stick thrown, be sure both of them will find a way to return back to you. If you are wondering, yes that is bamboo, and yes there is a lot of it down in Belize.

Filed under: Photography, Travel Tagged: bamboo, belize, fetch, german, jeanies, jungle, ocean, shepherd, stick

Creepy Light Painting

kenkoller — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:05:10 +0000

I’m not going to sit here and type out an explanation of how light painting works, or the fact that it no longer relegated to a fun photography past time. I just found a light painting I did about three years ago and decided I should share it on my site.

What sets this photo apart from other light paintings you will see is that I white balanced for the street lights which were some deep orange sodium vapor lights. This in turn made my flashlight a nice cool blue light. (as well as some of the halogen lights on the garages)

Filed under: light painting, Photography Tagged: alley, flashlight, light painting, photography

The Western Highway

kenkoller — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:58:36 +0000

While driving throughout Belize you come to find out very quickly that a road like this is a rarity. Most roads that are not near major cities look like the bastard children of New York City, Chicago, and the Arizona desert. Let me break it down.

The Coastal Highway = a dirt road.

The Western Highway = a 2 lane road with an occasional center line here and there.

The Eastern Highway = a 1.5 lane road with a non existent center line, and suicide to drive at night.

Below is the Western Highway looking it’s best for us.

Filed under: Photography, Travel Tagged: arizona, belize, chicago, dirt roads, highway, new york city, western