inside AB by Alfonso Bui

inside

FIRST ISSUE

MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK PREVIEW

MONTHLY PORTFOLIO

BEHIND THE SCENES

ON THE COVER: NORA LI New York City based actress.

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IN THIS ISSUE JAN 2013

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fashion week Fashion Week Preview Working the Big Show Full spread views The Runway

cover story

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Cover story photoshoot

montly portfolio

Interview with Nora Mercedes Li

Latest from the lens of Alfonso Bui

downloads

Free wallapaper downloads

abTV

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All Access - Behind the Scenes video

Exclusive photos from the Runway

Artist Spotlight - Documentary shorts

Covery story interview with Li

A collection from the monthly portfolio of Alfonso Bui

MESSAGE FROM

ALFONSO BUI EMAIL: alfonsohbui@gmail.com

SITE: alfonsobui.com BLOG: alfonsobui.tumblr.com

“Sometimes you have to put pressure on yourself for new ideas to burst out.” Three years ago at this time I bought a Nikon D90, the first DSLR to record high definition video. This also meant my bed was relegated to being a flat air mattress but worse, I didn’t know how I would come up with rent. Its hard create and work in an environment of stress but sometimes you have to put pressure on yourself for new ideas to burst out. I knew that if I wanted to begin something significant, success would come in tiny bits at a time. Over time with hard work, these small successes have added up and afforded me the opportunity to establish my career in a timely fashion.

cover story Story behind the shot

tech specs CAMERA: Canon 60D LENS: Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 Manual LIGHTING: Natural

location New York City

Today, the price of admission into photography and film is much lower. No longer do you need to take out loans and spend thousands of dollars for a good digital camera – you can find a used, good DSLR and 50mm lens for less than $350. This began to worry me just as it seemed my business was beginning to take off after all these years- what if business slipped away to seemingly undeserved competition just because they had a nice camera? Every corner you look now someone has a fancy new camera (granted they’re using the bundled kit-lens, but they’ll learn). That’s where I had to take confi-

dence in being and behaving like a pro. Any professional knows that if you take yourself seriously, others will take you seriously. Yes the tools are important, but mastering your craft is more important. Take pride in your work and put in the hours, the business will come. Try not to focus on the competition – there is always room at the top. People will recognize your skills and talents and you’ll be up there with the best of them if you stay at it. Photography is a hard profession, there’s no doubt about it. But we all have to start somewhere and, heck, if your first gig is filming your aunt’s 70th birthday

its still an opportunity to create a good product. As my mentor Ed Caban once told me, “Your home videos should be so good it should have alternate endings!” When you work this hard you’ll find that the bigger stuff will present itself…just be ready to realize the opportunity and seize it. In the spirit of curbing my Wordsworth, I want to thank you for taking the time out to read this. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love for a living. I hope you continue to follow and enjoy my work. What you will get from me is a promise to always provide beautiiful, entertaining, and intense visual art.

alfonsobui

how the shoot went down

This photoshoot happened in the summer of 2012 on a shoestring budget and there was major concern about the effectiveness of the shoot. We could only afford manual film lenses which would be difficult to use in such a fast paced city. I don’t believe in happy accidents, but I do believe that sometimes challenging situations force the best out of us. Our circumstances demanded us to be meticulous. The result was a photoshoot that pushed Nora and I to capture some fantastic images. Nice cameras and lenses are great, but in the end they’re still just tools. So pick up what you already have and go create!

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FASHION WEEK

PREVIEW

In anticipation OF FASHION WEEK SPRING 2013 we look back at past shows in NY Pictured spread: Dennis Basso Spring 2013 @ The St. Regis Hotel, New York, NY. September 11, 2012

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View from the crowd Pictured spread: Elie Tahari Spring 2012 @ Lincoln Center, NY.

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DID YOU KNOW...

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York was previously, Olympus Fashion Week. before the sponsoroship changeover.

WORKING THE BIG SHOW Another season, another Fashion Week in New York City. It’s hard for me to believe, but this will be my fourth season covering the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. The pageantry and fast-paced nature of the shows have always demanded the most out of me as a photographer. If I take a moment and reflect, I don’t think there is a single day during fashion week where everything is running smoothly. For the most part, everyone on the riser (where the photographers and media stand) is really respectful and helpful. We all have our dedicated space to get the job done. But its a bit difficult sometimes when the person in front of you whips out his step-ladder to get a bird’s eye view of the runway. And you do have the occasional grump talking your ear off about the good old days when Olympus ran the show. Not the biggest distractions, but when you have a handful of minutes per show there is little room for error. All that aside, there is nothing quite like fashion week for a photographer. It’s a privilege to work the big show because most people won’t have the opportunity to attend. The good news for you though is, if you can’t make it to the shows you can follow me on www.alfonsobui.com and facebook. com/alfonsobuiphotography for all the latest up to date photos!

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Birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye view of The Riser, aka The Pit Pictured spread: Elie Tahari Spring 2012 @ Lincoln Center, NY.

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Waiting for Nicole Miller to begin Pictured spread: Nicole Miller Spring 2013 @ Lincoln Center, New York, NY. September 7, 2012

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Elie Tahari Spring 2012 Pictured spread: Elie Tahari Spring 2012 @ Lincoln Center, New York, NY.

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NICOLE MILLER The Nicole Miller Spring 2012 show provided a welcome ensemble of colorful garments. Pictured spread: Nicole Miller Spring 2013 @ Lincoln Center, New York,

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Top left: Dennis Basso, Spring 2013 @ Lincolnc Center, Sept. 11, 2012 Top right: Dennis Basso, Spring 2013 @ Lincoln Center, Sept. 11, 2012 Bottom: Tadashi Shoji, Spring 2013 @ Lincoln Center, Sept. 7,2012

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0016 DENNIS BASSO SPRING 2013 Dennis Basso Spring 2013 @ St. Regis Hotel, New York, NY. Sept. 11, 2011

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DENNIS BASSO Spring 2013 @ St. Regis Hotel, New York, NY. Sept. 11, 2012

Top right: Zac Posen, Spring 2013 @ Lincoln Center, Sept. 9, 2012 QUOTEDS NAME Bottom left : Tadashi Shoji, Spring 2013 @ Lincoln Center, Sept. 6,2012 JOB TITLE Bottom right : Nicole Miller, Spring 2013 @ Lincoln Center, Sept. 7, 2012

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FROM SWITZERLAND

TO NEW YORK AN INTERVIEW WITH ACTRESS NORA MERCEDES LI

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A.B. Photography sits down with actress:

NORA

MERCEDES LI REPORTER: Alfonso Bui

NORA MERCEDES LI is more than just eye candy. (But lets be real - if she was she would definitely be top-shelf, center aisle at your corner bodega) Li and I have collaborated on numerous occassions now. Through these experiences with Li I’ve come to learn that she is an extremely versatile talent with a NY swagger you just don’t find everyday. Several photoshoots and a short film later I managed to drag her into the studio for a little interview. AB: Why do you feel it’s important to be in New York as an actress? NL: New York is like…it has everything. It’s flowing life all the time. Things are moving. Things are going. People are doing things. People are hustling. And they’re not just lolly-gagging around – they’re on a grind and I respect that. AB: There are tons of artists in the city -- how do you deal with all the competition? NL: I crave learning. If its something I’m passionate about I want to engulf myself in it, I want to be surrounded by the people that love it and do it. Its motivating and it motivates me. And I think that being in New York presents a lot of opportunities when you’re in the right place at the right time I’m able to make a living working at night and during the daytime I can go to midtown or here or there for auditions. You just hop on the train – everything is accessible. It just works. AB: As an actress in a film, what do you think your main job is? NL: Actors breathe life into a film and if they’re good then they’re convincing and they can touch people and make them feel something. Maybe feel more in touch with themselves or their emotions which sometimes we grow to numb ourselves to some of the time. An actor is able to make that person maybe feel not so lonely because they can connect to that person theyre playing. I feel that people sometimes watch films to escape. Sometimes reality is just not fun. Sometimes we just want to be somewhere else for a little while and have a break. AB: Any last words of advice for your fellow upcoming artists? NL: Do what you love to do and stay focused on that path. Because at the end of the day if you’re doing something you hate, you’re going to hate your life. Just go for it full throttle. Time is of the essence. Seize the day.

GLITTER & GLAMOUR Photoshoot on the Upper Westside with Li.

“I CRAVE LEARNING. AND IF ITS SOMETHING I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT I WANT TO ENGULF MYSELF IN IT” -NORA MERCEDES LI

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In the Woods Photoshoot in Central Park, New York.

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MONTLY

PORTFOLIO A collection of shots by Alfonso Bui from various photoshoots, venues, and events.

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Monique Shot in the South Bronx, New York.

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Comedian, The Rantman Photoshoot in West Village, NY.

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Shinsuke Ikeda Studio shoot in New York.

EDITORIALFEATURE

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Tina Rahman Beauty shoot in the Upper Westside, NY.

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Marlen Tovar Shot in the Upper Westside, NY.

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Katie Shuman Shot in Tribeca, NY.

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Nora Mercedes Li Shot in Tribeca, NY.

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Ariana Paula Engagement Photoshoot shot at Central Park, NY

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Bronx rapper, Superstar Streets Studio Shoot in New York.

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Country singer, Bobby McGrath Studio Shoot in New York.

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Pianist, KYUNG-HYE BAEK. Photo taken at Carnegie Hall.

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FREE DOWNLOAD

WALLPAPERS RIVERSIDE BOAT BASIN - DOWNLOAD HERE This photo was taken at the Riverside Boat Basin off of Riverside Park in New York City. It is a three exposure HDR image, taken on a Canon 60D with Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens.

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PARIS, FRANCE - DOWNLOAD HERE This photo was taken at the Old Bridge in Paris, France. Shot on the Panasonic GH1 with 14-140 kit lens.

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JANUARY featured event

WHAT IS ABTV? abTV is where you’ll find episodes of “All Access” - the official Behind-The-Scenes series of Alfonso Bui Photography; And also episodes of “Artist Spotlight” - which takes a look into the mind of up and coming artists. You can find all the videos on the official facebook fanpage. Direct links to the videos provided as well in case facebook is blocked at work! Make sure to like the FB page: http://www.facebook.com/AlfonsoBuiPhotography

January 9th

ALL ACCESS EPISODE #1 What better way to kick off All Access than with a true bred New York comedian who is constantly getting into trouble? Introducing: The Rantman

JANUARY 9TH

BRAND LAUNCH Alfonso Bui Photography was originally founded as small fim production company by the name of Kingsbridge Productions in 2007. Six years later, Alfonso Bui Photography x Film re-launches with a new look and as a new brand. Watch the video to see what its all about.

VIDEO HERE: https://vimeo.com/56675189 January 9th

ALL ACCESS EPISODE #2 Episode two of All Access brings us to a laughter-filled photoshoot with up and coming country singer Bobby McGrath.

January 16th

ALL ACCESS EPISODE #3 Beauty and fashion photography requires beautiful women. On this behind the scenes episode we meet Chilean and French beauties Alejandra and Melinda. As a special thank you for downloading the magazine, you don’t have to wait until 1/16/13 to watch the episode...go directly to it now with the link below!

VIDEO HERE: https://vimeo.com/56676330

VIDEO HERE: https://vimeo.com/56675967 VIDEO HERE: https://vimeo.com/56675358

Like us on FACEBOOK!

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT VIDEO SERIES... What goes on in the mind of an artist

#1 CAROLYN MALACHI

#2 GEOBANY RODRIGUEZ

#3 SEBASTIAN EBARB

#4 MICHAEL CINQUINO

Go behind the scenes with Grammy-nominated singer Carolyn Malachi as she lays down vocals for the track “Look at What I Did with Nothing.”

Graffiti and mural artist Geobany Rodriguez talks about how he began his craft in Boston and ended up in New York City.

Designer Sebastian Ebarb talks Native American art and his upcoming home goods product line, NAHI.

Brooklyn based photographer Michael Cinquino talks about his career beginnings as an actor to becoming a professional photographer.

VIDEO HERE: https://vimeo.com/33216614

VIDEO HERE: https://vimeo.com/43790121

VIDEO HERE: https://vimeo.com/42435754

VIDEO HERE: https://vimeo.com/44082741

#5 I’LL WALK YOU HOME

FEATURE SHORT FILMS... Directed by Alfonso Bui

Romantic short about the innocence of young summer love. Filmed at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. Starring: Wasly Castillo, Nora Mercedes Li VIDEO HERE: https://vimeo.com/34444158

#6 BE BACK SOON A short film about an exchange student who is finally leaving New York to go home -- only to realize that New York is where home is. Starring: Margaux Le Coquil, Giulia D’Ambrosio VIDEO HERE: https://vimeo.com/32589581