Q: What happens when you combine the greatest swing in golf with the power of modern digital photography technology?
A: Nike Golf: Swing Portrait
Nike Golf is airing a new ad this week showing Tiger Woods’ swing via slow-motion, high-definition photography. The ad was orchestrated by cinematographer Junusz Kaminski, who won Academy Awards for “Saving Private Ryan” and “Schindler’s List,” and utilizes a Phantom v5 digital camera capable of capturing 4,000 still photographs per second. The ad was shot in April, 2006, inside a Las Vegas sound studio, with Woods taking 20-25 swings over an eight-hour period.
An original cello arrangement composed by Christopher (Kimo) Kemp, with cellist Cameron Stone, accompanies the footage.
You can view the poetry at nike.com/nikegolf/swingportrait/ and be sure to turn up your speakers for the full effect.
Update: It appears Nike have removed this campaign from their web site. Thankfully, YouTube comes to the rescue and you can still view the original ad there.
(Thanks to Berger for the background information.)
Three words FANTASTIC
Daryl hi. I’m wondering if you know what this composition’s name is, and if there’s any way to get it.
Appreciate it.
Alejandro,
As far as I can tell, the music is by a cellist named Cameron Stone, playing an arrangement by Christopher Kemp.
I’m not sure if the piece is publicly available, but here are some details about the ad campaign and a few potential contact points, should you wish to search further:
PROJECT NAME: Nike Golf “Swing Portrait,” “Grip,” “Shoe” and “Shoulders”
DATE OF FIRST AIRING: 7/23/06 (during broadcast coverage of the British Open)
RUNNING TIME: 1 x :60, 3 x :15
AD AGENCY: Wieden + Kennedy
CITY/STATE: Portland, OR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Hal Curtis
ART DIRECTOR: Ken Meyer
COPYWRITER: Tatum Shaw
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Ben Grylewicz
AGENCY PRODUCER: Pamela Standley
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Anonymous Content
CITY/STATE: Culver City, CA
DIRECTOR: Malcolm Venville
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Dave Morrison
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Janusz Kaminski
LINE PRODUCER: Paul Ure
TELECINE: Company 3
CITY/STATE: Santa Monica, CA
COLORIST: Stefan Sonnenfeld
EDITORIAL COMPANY: Joint Editorial
CITY/STATE: Portland, OR
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Patty Brebner
EDITOR: Corky Devault
ASST. EDITOR: Matt Hilber
VISUAL EFFECTS COMPANY: A52
CITY/STATE: West Hollywood
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Mark Tobin
PRODUCER: Heather Richardson
VFX ARTIST: Kirk Balden
MUSIC: Elias Arts
CITY/STATE: Santa Monica, CA
FINAL MIX: Eleven Sound Studios
CITY/STATE: Santa Monica, CA
MIXER: Jeff Payne
Good luck!
Daryl. I really appreciate such info. I’m going to look into it, good luck.
Tiger Da Best
Is there a copy of this original swing video anymore? A non-youtube? The originals (down the line & facing) used to be on Nike with an interactive version at nike.com/nikegolf/swingportrait/. That url seemed to have disappeared at some point in the last year or two according to wayback machine. Anyway, here’s hoping the originals / interactive resurfaces! Come on, Nike!