Abram Kaplan, a professor at Denison University and a client here at Solar Imaging, debuted his amazing work of art "Fine Grain" in three locations around the campus. 

CLICK HERE to see the video!!

Solar Imaging is proud to have helped fabricate this entire display, with the guidance of Abram's design and direction, this visual display of food and where it comes from is something to truly marvel at.

At the bottom of the video there are even more pictures showcasing the exhibit in its entirety!

The exhibit is currently open and will remain open until November 18. 

The 2011 SGIA Expo is a little under a month away!

Why should you attend?!

*Expanded market access*

*Full range of technologies*

*The community's exposition*

*Attendees driven to success*

*Increased ROI*

Solar Imaging will be there to check out everything that the expo has to offer!

Going to be an exhibitor?  Check out the online Exhibitor Service Manual for any questions you have concerning your time there!

For more information on why you should attend, what the expo has the offer, and exhibitor preparation tips please visit the 2011 SGIA Expo website! 

One week from today!!!

Join us here at EclipseCorp as we welcome fall, and some new co-workers, we would love for you to meet as well...

...we hope to see you here, one week from today, the festivities start @ 4:30!!

Update Pelotonia 2011

With $9,257,21.00 raised to date, and 53 days left until the fundraising deadline it is no doubt that this years Pelotonia was extremely successful!! 

We sent out one of our in house photographers, with Eclipse Studios John Lubinsky, to capture the events of Friday evening leading up to the race!

**Riders wore t-shirts displaying who they were riding for;they wrote the names of loved ones on the blacktop, showing support for those who were battling or had battled cancer; riders were given bags featuring the ever familiar message 

"One Goal; End Cancer"**

**In the collage below you will see some of the signage Solar Imaging did for the event.  The top left image, we did the signage for the truss system, also the apron for the stage bottom right.**

An amazing event supporting an amazing cause, and we here at EclipseCorp were honored to have been a part of it!

Interesting article and a fun read!!

The Habits of Creative People 
by Leo Babauta

After the read share your thoughts on what you think makes you creative!  How/where do you get your inspiration from??

Pelotonia 2011 is almost here!!

The race runs from August 19 thru August 21, and with $6,077,810 raised to date it appears as though this year will be another successful one, for an amazing cause.

The preliminary activities for the opening ceremony start at 3:00 pm on the 19 with check in with the opening Ceremony starting at 7:15 pm.  The riders officially depart on the 20th at 7:00 am! 

For more detailed information on this race, visit Pelotonia's website, and for even more updates and information check out their blog http://www.pelotonia.org/the-blog/!!

Solar Imaging is also doing some of the signage for the truss's, directional signage and vinyl graphics for the stage.

Good luck to all the riders this year!!!

Technology is always a changin'... and this is pretty awesome!

YouTube- check out the video!

ZCORPORATION- then take a look at the featured companies website!

what are your thoughts?!?!?!

Revolutionary direction in photography?!? You decide...let us know!

Found this article on the CCAD discussion board on Linked in; 

Check out the site below and let us know your thoughts!!

Gizmag!

Origo and the Columbus Metropolitan Library promote reading!!

For 5 years Origo Branding Company has been the Columbus Metropolitan Library's choice partner for their Summer Reading Club Campaign.  This year's theme is "Be a Hero.  Read," and their hero is Captain Read.  While Eclipse Studios has partnered with Origo on projects, Solar Imaging teamed up with CML and produced the cardboard cut outs of Captain Read himself.

For more information and details on this years program, check out Origo Branding Company's blog!

Off the Grid Installation Pics!!!

ever wonder what all goes into the set-up of an event?!?!

**Solar printed the vinyl for columns and the windows **

Kitchen renovation!!

Team 3 has been working hard to transform the look of our staff kitchen a bit!!  Check out these before and after pics.

**BEFORE: notice the mural on the wall and the mini tables for us to sit at**

**AFTER!! Brad and John worked hard to build this awesome table!
(complete with stools!)  Stephanie transformed the mural wall into a chalkboard wall; which acts as a creative outlet and also to have on-going conversations.  She also re-painted the remaining walls to freshen up the room a bit.**

SOLES4Souls!!

"I am thrilled to help Soles4Souls in order to help spread their mission of 'Changing the World, One Pair at a Time.'  The charity's commitment is inspiring and I hope that thousands of people join me in support of the fantastic work it's doing across America."-Kellie Pickler (Country Music Singer)

**1 the number that matters-1 person, 1 pair of shoes**

"I'm proud to support Soles4Souls and applaud the charity for already giving away more than 5 million pairs of shoes.  Their outreach is fantastic, and the number of people who have responded to help out others in need is truly inspiring.  Congratulations to Soles4Souls on five great years."-Scarlett Johansson (Actor and Musician)

**250,000!  The amount of shoes collected for victims of the Asian Tsunami of 2004**

"There are many people around the world who have never owned a pair of shoes, and Soles4Souls is working very hard to put a pair of brand new shoes on their feet.  I encourage everyone to donate as many shoes as possible."-Randy Jackson ('American Idol' Judge)

**there are a little over two weeks left to bring your shoes here to EclipseCorp!! Thank you to those who have donated already!!**

Off the Grid Pics!!

Off the Grid was this past Saturday at the Wexner Center and it was definitely a fun time!!

Check out these pics taken by Chris at the event!

 

Here are some pictures of the large windows in one of the rooms of the event.  Solar Imaging printed and installed the removable vinyl for all 15 mini windows that created the large window.

In the same room there were 6 columns which Solar Imaging also wrapped in a removable vinyl.  

**For some photo booth pics check out Eclipse Studio's facebook page!**  For even more pics and general information check out the WexBlog @ www.wexarts.org/wexblog!

Off the Grid-Saturday April 30!

Looking for a night of non-stop entertainment?!?!

Then come out this Saturday, April 30, for Off the Grid presented by GenWex!! 

Starting at 9:00p.m. (7:00 for VIP) the Wexner Center will be hosting a night full of music by DJ sets like Shuttle and DJ Patrick and a huge selection of food and beverages from Dine Originals Columbus Restaurants.

Our very own photographer Chris Faytle will be there all night working the event, and Solar Imaging contributed to the event with clings, a photo background for Chris to use with contour-cut props as well!!

The evening is sure to be a blast, to say the least, a few of us here from EclipseCorp will be there and we look forward to seeing you there as well...the party does not stop until 2:00a.m. so come dressed to impress and ready to dine and dance the night away!!

Romancing the Grape-Saturday April 30!!

Join the Romancing the Grape committee, honorees Christine and Bill Dargusch at Romancing the Grape 2011 to benefit Easter Seals Central and Southeast Ohio.

This year the event will be held at the Huntington Club at Ohio Stadium, Saturday April 30, from 7:00p.m-10:00p.m; with the VIP portion starting at 6:00p.m. until 7:30p.m.  The evening will be filled with a variety of the world's finest wines and an array of hors d'oeuvres.

Solar Imaging also donated some work to the event including clings and life size cut outs of the children that were photographed here a few weeks ago with Eclipse Studios.  Solar Imaging also printed a photography background that will be used at the event.

Some of the staff here will be attending and we look forward to seeing you there!!

SOLES4Souls!!

SOLES4Souls Shoe Drive - Help Us Make a Difference!

SOLES4Souls is changing the world, one pair at a time. EclipseCorp wants to help.

SOLES4Souls is a shoe charity collecting new and gently used shoes for people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria.  Please stop by EclipseCorp and drop off new or gently used shoes during our shoe drive.   Anyone can join our cause, and we need your help!

EclipseCorp SOLES4Souls Shoe Drive
April 15 - June 3
Collection Location: EclipseCorp, 825 Taylor Road, Gahanna, OH 43230

Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away nearly 12 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently donating one pair every 7 seconds.) The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner's World, Ladies’ Home Journal, National Geographic’s Green Guide, and The New York Times. It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.

Follow us on our twitter @EclipseCorp and facebook pages for updates on our SOLES4Souls Shoe Drive!

April Fools?!?!....unfortunately not!

It was just another day last Friday on deliveries for Greg here at Solar Imaging, until something "fell from the sky" and struck the windshield of the delivery van! We all were a bit skeptical when we received the phone call as it was 'April Fools Day' but upon his return it was quite apparent that something had definitely struck the windshield!

Here is the account from the perspective of the meteorite himself:

Some Accounts of Earth: The Story How I Ruined a Company Van Windshield
By: A Carbonaceous Meteorite (Terry G.)

I felt sort of like a cosmic joker made of solid carbonaceous rock flying toward a little planet in a little section of the galaxy to a little town that low and behold had a little company operating on the east side of town.  My arrival was oddly enough what the softies call 'April Fools Day' and I thought all the better to mess up someone's day down on that little blue planet.  So here is what happened so ya'll can update your insurance policies to include cosmic debris of an extraterrestrial origin.

Descending at a velocity worthy of an exponential notation and a temperature deserving the same honor I headed for what the locals of the hemisphere call 'The Buckeye State', red hot and ready to rock my rock.  I thought to myself on what I plan on slamming into, the Earth?  My friends have been there and done that a lot, some even killed out whole ecosystems (so they say).  Maybe a lake?  And cause a big splash to trick fisherman into thinking there's some type of prehistoric monster from Cretaceous period out for 'em.  Nah, who am I kidding, a delivery van on its recent afternoon run would be just hilarious.  Only thing is I'll get him by the airport, ya' know just to confuse him a bit on what exactly came plummeting from the blue that day.

I go, my aim is true, and like the gods of old I strike onto my white target shining in the afternoon sun.  Though misjudging the durability of some man made materials I collided right in front onto the windshield and only caused a little hole and bounced off.  So quick that he probably didn't even see how awesome my little craters were despite how much I heated up to play this little prank.  I saw him as I bounded off the glass; he had this look on his face that I'll never forget, a kind of blank look of total disbelief and utter confusion on how such an improbable event just occurred on a day such as this.  Right now as I'm typing this on my space phone (yes rocks from space can type) I am laughing my rocks off recalling the event on the side of this dirty road though I do feel....hold on a kid is walking this way bye GTG...srry guysz

Here is a photo of the event that happened on the "side of this dirty road:"

**special thanks to Greg for his indepth re-telling of the encounter**

LaSenza Project - True Story

Yesterday afternoon close to 4:00pm, LaSenza called in a panic.  They needed quick retouching done to an image they provided, and then 4 - 26x36" posters produced on foamcore and delivered by 10:00am the next day for a company meeting.

Working with both resources, PageOne Productions did the retouching as soon as we got the file and then gave it to Solar Imaging to print last night so they could cut and deliver this morning.

The client was thrilled! Another one of our "cheerleaders" out there spreading the word!

Tradeshow video

Check out Solar Imaging's video for the tradeshow!! Hope you enjoy and hope to see you at GlobalShop!!

Global Shop 2011!!!-Image by Eclipse Studios

GlobalShop 2011 photo shoot!

By: Eclipse Studios

Every year we have a booth at GlobalShop in Las Vegas, the world's largest annual trade show dedicated to store design, visual merchandising, and shopper marketing.  To make sure we didn't get lost in the GlobalShop Arena, we wanted to do something a little different than your usual retail fashion shot.

We agreed on a concept and a tag line that embodied our Solar Imaging brand, "We Print On Anything."  Add a sexy model to the mix and the feature shot would be perfect.   The model was booked, wardrobe purchased and everyone was on board.  The shoot was fantastic.  Our model was great, Amy Morgan made her up beautifully and Chris Faytle made a gorgeous image.  It was just what we needed to get attention at this years GlobalShop Trade Show.

See for yourself!

Curious about the shoot details?  Well, here are the technical aspects:

Camera: Hasselblad H3D 39 megapixel (afterall, the image is 8 feet tall)
Lens: 80mm
Aperture: f/8
Software: Phocus
Lighting: Profoto D4 w/ Acute Heads
Main light: Small Box with grid
Fill light: 7' profoto umbrella with 1 stop diffusion (positioned right behind mail light)
Hair light: Medium box
Set: White Cyc wall

Other:
    Black cards to either side of the model to darken edges of her skin
    Black flag over model to keep hair light off lens

Here are some other images we shot to accompany the large banner.

GlobalShop 2011! "We Print on Anything!"

Written by: Ashley Clinger of PageOne Productions

Solar Imaging is going to have a pretty amazing booth this year at the GlobalShop Retail Solutions event in Las Vegas, thanks to the hard work and collaboration of the three companies here at EclipseCorp. After the initial concept was developed, Eclipse Studios shot the image in February with the lovely Brittany from Heyman Talent Agency.

PageOne Productions had the daunting task of retouching the image. I will step you through some of the work that was done to the image.

This was our starting point. Doesn't look too bad, right? Amy Morgan did an amazing job styling Brittany's hair and doing her makeup. Thanks Amy!

 

Brittany's skin was cleaned up, her neck was lengthened a bit, lips evened out, eyes brightened and widened, stray hairs removed, shoulder rounded, ear narrowed, armpit wrinkles (Is there a prettier way of saying that? Please let me know!) diminished, and background darkened some. 

All that was left was to fix the dress. We got rid of the black lining that was showing and warmed up the tone of the dress. That gave us a pretty nice image to work with for our next task… the tattoo!

We gathered all sorts of "tattoo inspiration" and decided on a sleeve. Each line you see was drawn in and shaded (except the text portion). It was definitely a time consuming task. Using multiple layers and blending modes (color, soft light, and overlay modes), we had our general tattoo ready.

Then we began coloring in the tattoos. But, as you see, it doesn't look quite real yet.

So we began trying different layers and blending modes to get enough color while still showing the texture of skin. We also blurred the blacks in the tattoos to give it a softer, more realistic look.

At this stage, we had the tattoo almost where we wanted it, so we worked on some shading. If you look around the collar bone, you can see where some shading and a highlight were added. We've also darkened the edges of the tattoo/arm to help give a more dimensional look to the tattoo.

Finally, our end result!

Relief for Japan!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people and relief efforts of Japan!

If you are looking for a way to help, please text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to Japan!!

Hoopy Hour- Happy Hour

Last Thursday was EclipseCorp's first official Happy Hour, affectionately called Hoopy Hour in honor of March Madness. The team that hosted it did an awesome job with the theme; complete with basketball shaped cookies, a basketball hoop, a spread of food and a projector that projected the games onto the wall in our Cyc Wall Studio!

These Happy Hours, from 4-6, are something EclipseCorp will be hosting the first Thursday of every month and we look forward to seeing you at the next one!

Check out some pics from the event and for even more pics be sure to check out our facebook pages:

Eclipse Studios
Solar Imaging
PageOne Productions

Corporate Caring Awards Finalist 2011!

This years Corporate Caring Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Business First, is taking place on Wednesday April 13 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus, Ohio.

There will be fourteen award honorees, including Benefactor of the Year recipient, announced at this luncheon and EclipseCorp is proud and excited to be one of the 45 finalists, out of 110 nominees, up for these awards.

Preceding the luncheon there will be an Information Exchange where nonprofits will display information about their organizations.

We would like to wish all the finalists best of luck; and stay tuned to our blog to hear how EclipseCorp and the rest of the nominees do!

Revitalizing Company Retreat

The three companies here at 825 Taylor Road have been going through a gradual change and this past Tuesday, we all met for an all day retreat to kick off the beginning of our new corporate culture.

The meeting began with a "one word open". For this, we went around the room & everyone gave one word to describe how they were feeling. We got "tired", "anxious", "nervous", "curious", and a few "goods".

Then we discussed the importance of culture. How do we see our culture? How do our clients / vendors currently see our culture? How do we want them to see our culture? What do we need to do to bridge any gaps?

Any group is only as strong as it's weakest link. We continued by "looking in the mirror". Each division discussed their strengths and weaknesses (as seen from the inside by employees, AND as seen from the outside by their peers and clients).

Before breaking off the business section of the meeting, we ended with a "one word close". As with the opening, we went around the room and each person gave a one word answer to how they were feeling. We now got "excited", "energized", "focused", "ready", and even a "WOW"!

The entire day was not all business. We finished out the evening at KDB located within Easton Town Center, where we participated in team building activities and a general good time! For pictures of that part of the day check out one or all three of our facebook pages:

Eclipse Studios
Solar Imaging
PageOne Productions

It was a successful day of reflection, and we here at Eclipse Corp. are excited for the changes happening both internally and externally!

Recommended reading if you are planning a similar event:
Good to Great - Jim Collins
Delivering Happiness - Tony Heieh
Built to Last - Jim Collins