Sneak peek, Polynesia product shoot

Hey guys,

I'm doing a product shoot for Shop.Polynesia.com. Check out these Sarongs soon to be up on the site they also come in an assortment of colors per style. My favorite Seahawk green and blue!

If your a business looking for Product Photography I can help you out. Please visit my contact page WilliamScottCarlson.com.

Shooting FireKnife, Hawaii 50

 Fireknife ages 6-11 competition 2014.

Product Photography, Hawaii 50

Aloha friends,

Anyone need some tips on photographing product? I've recently got into the business of Product Photography. I've been testing some lighting combos, speed lights vs. mono-lights. It really comes down to if your working out of a studio. How much do you want to carry while traveling?

Here's what you need, a DSLR camera. With proper natural lighting shooting in manual you could stop right there. If you want professional images adding soft light gives it that extra oomph.

This is my choice lighting setup, but on the go I'll switch out monos for speed lights. The layout however stays close to the same.

The light on the left is my main, the light on the right is the back light. The speed light I'm using is the Sigma 610 DG super. I'm only using this flash to trigger the mono lights. The light tent is a Phottix 32 inch. The gain in using a light tent is that you can control the environment. The light that goes in bounces all over creating the endless white background.

Want to take this to the next level? Add a third light. Having one more light above the box will eliminate shadows. (coming soon a review on the Cactus v6 wireless transceivers and RF60 flashes).

Here are 2 examples of what the 2 light set up would get you. One mistake I made was not cleaning the product before taking the pictures. You can never get it 100% clean, so there is always a bit of Photoshop needed in post.

Another option is to ditch the light tent. I like using a glossy base for reflection. You can get some epic eye catching shots with a nice creamy bokeh background... Ok hold on I'll grab my camera and show you!







In this shot I'm using my 5Diii, Sigma 70-200mm, and the Sigma 610 DG super flash. Bouncing the flash off a white wall to illuminate the 7D without effecting the reflection. Other than that I put the camera on the floor right were the fan is in the first picture.

Side note: the lens on the 7D is the Sigma 17-70mm it's a great alternative to kit lenses. A lot better quality for someone looking to upgrade from a 18-55mm without going to a "Pro priced" lens.

Shootz,
Bill

If your interested in Product Photography please fill out a contact form.

Smoke Photography, Hawaii 50

I've never attempted smoke Photography. This was my first experiment. I'll explain how I got these images in case you want to give it a shot.

   I used a Canon 7D to capture the image because I wanted to use a Sigma 17-70mm macro so I could get in close to the smoke. You can really use anything with manual settings.

   This is best done in a lower light situation. I got these images about 30 minutes after sunset.
   The key element to capturing the smoke is to have a complete black background. I used the black side of a reflector, black paper works as well.
   With a light source aimed directly at the smoke. Use a piece of cardboard to block any light spilling onto your background. I used a speed flash, but any light source works, flash light or whatever you have.
   I used mosquito punks as my smoke, incense or blown out candle work well too.

   This is your basic none complicated version. This is not "professional", but a great start.
   The drawing however very technical very professional. Enjoy the blue prints.
   You could take the project even further with extra lights. Try different things to burn, put motion in the air to shape the smoke. You could also bring it into Photoshop and use a gradient map.
   The blue tint in the photos may be the actual mosquito repellant, more likely the auto white balance calibration in the camera correcting for the flash.

Thanks for checking out my first how to. If anyone tries this I'd love to see your results. You can post them to me on my Facebook page.

Shootz,
Bill

More shots from this week, Hawaii 50

This is Jen and this is Jens first time modelling? She gets it..

Shootz,
Bill

Recorded in color captured in B&W

The art of Photography is to capture a moment that will be forever lived. A moment that can bring us to that same place in time even if we've never been there.

The two images above in my creative thinking could not be swapped. The B&W only works in the first image, the colored image tells a completely different story.

In a colored photo you see everything, it's a record. Black and white on the other hand can cut right to the heart and is full of emotion.

I really enjoy both color and B&W, these days B&W is mostly personal projects.  Color really captures everything my clients need, (always subject to change).

B&W images can really hit home. Say for an engagement shoot, it's smart to shoot color. The bride will want images to record the outfit and surroundings. B&W cuts through all that special crap just focusing on the love.

B&W may be old school, but today they are far from. You can bring modern Photography to this classy film style. It's all in the execution. Really, it gives you a different side to the story being told.

I shoot EOS Canons, I also shoot 35mm Minolta, Fujica, Konicas, and a Samsung galaxy s3. I can get into gear on a later post. I really just shoot with what I have with me at the time.

I'll leave you with a super cheese ball Photography joke...
A man is drowning in a river. You only have time to save him, or make a photo.
Which f-stop do you choose?


Shootz,
Bill

While in Polynesia, Hawaii 50

Aloha friends,

I got the opportunity to walk around the Polynesia Cultural Center this morning. A chance to explore a slice of Polynesia.

Walking around the Island villages before the center opened was out of this world. It was so early I only saw a handful of employees!

Having an all access pass I had one hour with nothing off limits. These are a few images I took along my morning travels.

 If you haven't been to the PCC, I highly recommend you check it out. They do a great job of bringing to life seven of Polynesians cultures. These great oceanic colonizers traveled in double canoes in open ocean. (Remarkable even by today's standards) These people traveled around 1000 years ago using only navigational skills to find new homes.

The life style of Hawaii is why I live here. It's the only place I've been that a T-shirt and shorts is an everyday necessity. This place will always hold a part of me.


Shootz,
Bill

Moving the chains - lifesyle Photography - Hawaii 50

 Totally switching gears, part of my Hawaii 50 project is getting out of my comfort zone. This is the art of child photography.

I had the opportunity to shoot the beautiful young Marley. We headed down to a local beach here in Hau'ula HI. It was a little overcast, I like to call it Seattle's great light box. Perfect condition to get some smooth lines and creamy backgrounds.

This is the first time I've shot child Photography. The biggest take back for me is, I'm fairly likable but not as funny as I think I am. Just keep it simple

Kids are great to work with, no egos brought to the table. Not a care in the world just  the ocean and sand. I literally haven't smiled so much while editing photos ever! Very cute kid. Also note to self for next time, bring props toys, chairs, pony.

With the Hawaii 50 project I really want to get out and get busy. I want to shoot more than any other photographer in my area.

I'm learning that this project is more than just Photography. The people are really becoming the story. It will be interesting to see what comes of this project. I'm excited for where it's taking me next, stay tuned for a Polynesian experience coming soon!

If your on Oahu and want to make some art. You want to make something happen? I want to make something happen. Send me a message, I'm always looking to shoot.

 

Shootz,

Bill

A call to action 2 months. Hawaii 50

I believe for any pro Photographer starting out is extremely exciting. There is a rush in making your passion your job. When you love what you do for work it's not work.

The past two weeks have been eye opening. In the last few months I have been doing little personal shoots. This seriously shows in my work and my unchanged portfolio. I need to go back to the beginning and find that love again. (Insert lyrics here).

Well, Looking at my website WilliamScottCarlson.com it's a mess. Untouched since it's relaunch months ago and yes... same old portfolio. A change is a coming!


So, now that I've relaunched my blog, I'm coming to the realization I've neglected so much more. I am a working Photographer and I'm ready to create killer art. How am I going to take it to the next level you ask?  Answer- grace and style!

I've started a project called Hawaii 50. I will be taking 150 images from 50 shoots around Oahu in the next two months. It's been sometime since I took on a personal project. This project is solely for the fun of Photography and to inspire myself. Keep watching you might just get inspired yourself.

At the end of said two months, I will transform my webpage and scrap the old portfolio. During this period I will be posting my shots on this blog and on Instagram @WilliamScottCarlsonPhotography (that's a plug to follow me). When it's all said and done I hope to show my personality, my new vision, my art. Now it's getting to the good part.

Shootz,
Bill

Modern Street Photography

I think of street photography to the photo world as Jazz to the music world. The art of capturing human emotion outside of the house. This is public fine art, photojournalism, and candid photography. Getting a portrait of a person or persons in the raw at a specific point in their lives.

I don't do too much Street Photography these days, but I definitely enjoy it. These are a few photos from a farmers market in Kailua, HI last Thursday.

I try to find a scene, something I would be looking at even if I didn't have a camera with me. Street Chefs, human interactions, anything that would catch my eye naturally. I just get out there and people watch.
As for gear, use what you have. Traveling light has multiple advantages. Manual point and shoots like the Canon G series or a 35mm range finders are great choices. Really though, just use what you've got. Don't have a camera on you? Pull out the cell phone.

A few rules of street photography...
In a public place you have a right to take photos even if a stranger is in the image. If someone asks you to not take a picture of them, don't. Be respectful, but get in there and get the shot. Blend in stealth like. Seriously though, like a ninja. If people aren't paying attention to you, your doing a good job.

Shootz,
Bill

Get out and Shoot!

Aloha guys, check it out! I'm relaunching my blog. My goal is for you to draw inspiration that will help you grow in your craft, network with fellow artists and adventure with me!

I'll now be featuring anything that fires me up and sparks my passion.

Get excited, friend. Thanks for stopping by.
Shootz,
Bill

Next up head gasket or maybe just get a new engine @mybmw #lovehate #mostlyhaterightnow

     Cooling system overhaul complete $$, oil filter housing gasket complete $, belts and pulleys complete$, fresh oil no leaks! $, DIY -$. Compression test to find blown head gasket possible cracked head... Priceless

      A very smart man once said if you want your 525i to go faster best bang for you buck. Sell it and buy a 540i. Any one no a good machine shop here on Oahu?

Surf watch in Haleiwa