History

Charles (Chuck) Abrams has been involved in photography as an avocation since his pre-teenage years. Professionally, after graduating with a Master's Degree from Northwestern University, he worked in the advertising agency business and as a consultant for over thirty years. During those years, photography was always a hobby... a hobby that built slowly, but steadily into refined skills. A few years ago, he redirected his career to pursue his passion for creating unusual and distinctive photographs.

Describing his work, Chuck says, "I try to capture the essence of my subjects in terms of intense color, composition, lighting, pattern, shape, form, or texture. When shooting subjects like classic automobiles, I don't just shoot the whole vehicle. Instead, I like to get in close to create the strong sense of color and design that often goes unnoticed. In addition, I look for reflections off the metal or chrome surfaces to further enhance interest. While there is always a story behind each photo, I leave the interpretation of that story up to the viewer's imagination."

Questions and Answers

People often ask what kind of camera I use or what kind of film or have you gone digital. I tell them that those are not always the most important things. What is important is how you "see" what you want to photograph, how you envision the subject in your mind's eye, how you intend to capture a unique perspective and then translate that to the actual photograph. All photographs are moments in time, fractions of a second that last a lifetime. Whether shooting a fast moving subject or the still delicateness of a lily, both only exist for that moment in the final photograph.

Ok, so question 1: What camera do I use, film or digital, etc.?

I have always shot with Nikon cameras/lenses from my original Nikon FTN, to an N90 to an F100 and currently an F5. (Wait, my first camera was an old Kodak Duoflex that used 620 roll film if memory serves me right. And when I first started shooting in 35mm, I began with a Pentax SLR . . .which was all I could afford at the time).  All of these cameras are film cameras. The films I use most frequently are Kodak Ektachrome 100VS, Fujichrome Provia 100F and Fujichrome Velvia 100 depending on the subject.

Question 2: So what about a digital camera?

In 2005, I purchased Nikon D70 digital camera . It is a 6 megapixel camera and takes great photos. It offers invaluable advantages when I shoot custom collages because it allows me to take many shots with subtle differences (angle, shading, lighting) and see the results instantly .   In addition, the digital photos for collages allow me to work much faster for creating custom collages which means faster service for my clients.

To kick off 2006, I recently purchased the new Nikon D200 digital camera.  It is a 10 megapixel camera and takes even better photos that the Nikon D70.  It will replace the D70 as my camera of choice for creating all the custom collages.  If you haven't read about this outstanding Nikon camera, here is a great place to check it out:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d200.htm

Question 3: What kind of lenses do you use?

I have been using zoom lenses for many years and practically all of my photos have been shot with them. There was a time when fixed focal length lenses provided superior quality images. But in recent years, zoom lenses have become virtually as good in quality and in some instances actually surpass them. In addition the versatility of zoom lenses just can't be matched.  My most recent zoom is the new Nikon 18-200 mm AF-S VR zoom designed specific for use with Nikon's digital SLR cameras.  It is a fantastic lens and virtually all I need for creating my custom collages and any single images.

Question 4: What kind of prints do you make?

The digital revolution is certainly upon us and is rapidly catching up to the quality of detail that's necessary for very large prints (20" x 30" or larger). All  my large size prints are made at a professional photo lab here in Los Angeles and the results are stunning.

I do take advantage of the digital opportunities by scanning slides at a very high resolution and then using the scans to make high resolution digital prints. This allows me to have complete control over the quality/color of the prints up to a certain size. The sharpness, detail and tonality range of these prints are far superior to that of standard custom enlargements. I am often amazed at the results!

Question 5: What are you favorite subjects to photograph?

During my career, I have photographed many subjects in such categories as Nature, Travel, Portraiture, Motorcycles and Classic Cars . But I have to admit that I have the most fun shooting Classic Cars and creating custom collages.  And those are the photos that my clients like best of all. There is something very nostalgic about being able to see just a small portion of a car from the 30's, 40's, 50's or 60's and identifying that car immediately. Most people have many fond memories of their youth attached to one or more of those cars . . . and seeing them brings back all those good time memories!

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Artist Commissions

The Soffer Foundation - San Francisco, CA
The Mosaic Foundation - Denver, CO
The Abt Collection - Chicago, IL
Kaiser Hospital - Riverside, CA
The Schwab Collection - Scottsdale, AZ
Harris and Associates - Los Angeles, CA
Marcovici Design Group - Los Angeles, CA

Abart Properties Corporation - Scottsdale. AZ

The Haberer Collection - Scottsdale, AZ

The DeBusk Collection - Palm Springs, CA

The Turner Collection - Laguna Niguel, CA

The SInger Dental Group - Valencia, CA

The Silverman Collection - Chatsworth, CA

Zafarias & Partners - Encino, CA

The Bolton Collection - Laguna Niguel, CA

The Rudnick Collection - Los Angeles, CA

The Giglio Collection - New Lenox, IL

The Vivano Collection - Joliet, IL

Emergency Services Restoration, Inc. - Redondo Beach, CA

Virginia L. Landry Law Offices - Irvine, CA

The Bienstock Collection - Santa Monica, CA

The Carter Collection - Redondo Beach, CA

The Van Dusen Collection - Livermore, CA

The Freethy Collection - Lafayette, CA

Neurology Pediactric Neurology, Inc. - :Los Angeles, CA

RE/EX California - Palm Springs, CA

The Horioka Collection - Newport Beach, CA

The Joe Souza & Wilma Miller Collection - Newhall, CA

The Larner Collection - Northridge, CA

The Assayag Collection - Newport Beach, CA

The Maiers Collection - Redondo Beach, CA

The Paper Company - Irvine, CA

The Dahl Collection - Torrance, CA

The Maslak Collection - Chula Vista, CA

The Folsom Collection - La Mesa, CA

Peggy Collins Law Offices - Torrance, CA

The Walker Collection - Macon, IL

The Rheaume Collection - Westlake Village, CA

The Wi-Fi TV.com Collection - Newport Beach, CA

The Joe De Loreto Racing Collection - Huntington Beach, CA

Orr Builders Collection - Palm Desert, CA

The Raike Collection - Atascadero, CA

The Mike Caviness Collection - Scottsdale, AZ

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