Saturday, November 20, 2010

Sato's Okazuya Saimin Stand ... Best Fried Saimin :) ... and a Big Kahuna bonus shot
















Sato's Okazuya Saimin Stand
94-235 Hanawai Circle
Waipahu, HI 96797-3029
(808) 677-5503

This is my favoite Fried Saimin.
 
I have been shooting more and more Resturant AD's lately  ...
So, I need to say this first   ... I will not be blog-ing on any of those paid shoots.
Just so you know.  This was "not" paid.
 
Will post some Resturant AD  images on my site  (RDHphoto.net) at some point.
 
Was in Sato's the other day  .. a hole in the wall place.
Had to wait in line for way too long. 
It's one of those places with old posters on the wall ... and stuffed animals in there glass case.
Don't ask me why they do that! :)
 
But, their Fried Saimin  ...  WoW!
I told another photog  that when he is on Oahu ... I will take him here.
So,  here is my blog on them ...  in case you need to find your way back  LOL.
 
Just so you know  ... normally I order the  Large Fried Saimin    $7.00
 
But, the two pics on this page   are of there  $6 - $7 plate lunches with Fried Saimin (instead of Rice)
The Fish  is pretty good too. 
 
Shot this natural light  ...  right at my table   ...  "Why Not"  :)
If you know me  ... you know  I am not a natural light shooter, for this kind of stuff 
 
The shots was "not bad"  ... it is, what it is ....  and kinda fit to the  Mom & Pop place, it is.
No Food Stylist  here  ...
 
Ross Hamamura  / http://www.rdhphoto.net/
"Tourist of Light"
 


Here's a little bonus pic  ...  just because I was also there recently ...
When at the  Airport  ... Flying out or in.  

I always pick up a  Panaolo Beef Briskit Sandwitch (think that's the name) with extra sause, and/or the Garlic Balls .. and the Pizza is good too. :)

Da’ Big Kahuna’s Pizza ‘N Stuffs

550 Paiea Street in the Airport Trade Center
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

Tel. (808) 833-5588
 
Well, what might be interesting to some is the exif of this shot:
f8, 70mm,  iso6400  ... and I still only got  1/40  ... and this was during the day.
This is straight out of LRv3  ... I should mention also ... there is a one stop improvment on LRv3 vs LRv2 on noise, on the D700  RAW file processing.
imho,  a  good iso6400 matters :)   ... a year ago (pre-D700)  I would have never even entertained the "thought" of bumping to iso6400.
It has saved me on many "handhold's".  
(I am not a tripod guy ... even on a comercial Food shoot .. I try  sometimes ... but, I always end up not using it lol)
 

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Lighting Class Set up ... what I like

Ok, so I have not blogged in a while :)  ... it's been busy ... and I am backed up on my shoots (it's a RAW thing lol)
and ...  I learned a few things on the Kona IronMan World Championship shoot ... but, that's another blog lol.

Just organized a recomendation for a Lighting Class Set Up
So,  as I tweak it  ... thought to Post it ... so I can just  LINK to it  ... when someone asks.

Here it is:

Style Number / Description /  Qty /  Cost / Total COST /  Web Link     (it was on a excel file)


MPEX.com

SX3 Lighting Kit Strobist Starving Student SX3 Lighting Kit
 1    $489.99      
http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,12841.html

(this includes two LP160 Flashes .. and pretty much has everyting you need to start)

LP160 LumoPro LP160 Manual Flash
2     $159.95           = $319.90
http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,14648.html


(If you don't have two flashes already … you will need four total)

LP633 LumoPro LP633 Umbrella Swivel w/ Flash Shoe Adapter
2       $17.99      = $35.98
http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,11776.html

This is my favorite Umbrella swivel ... because it packs small and is strong. (both important when traveling)


B&H

PHPDBDSK Photoflex Pro-Duty Backdrop Support Kit
2       $199.99     =$399.98
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/556182-REG/Photoflex_DP_SHDBGSPKT.html


This is a PRO Backdrop Stand set at 12'6" Tall , very useful ... and has a bag, AND is not any more for the bag and cross bar ... a relative value. :)

UM-RUT45 Photoflex Convertible Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Backing - 45"
2         $29.95        =$59.90
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/42505-REG/Photoflex_UM_RUT45.html

Look at the Reviews on this Umbrella  ...  5 stars  ... and you will know why I love these.
You can take off  "just" a  section of the Black Backing  ... and shoot thru the open section.  Nice!
* Photoflex has also changed the "ribs" on this Umbrella ... to a  Nylon/plastic looking materia (=flexable, yet firm enough)  .. THIS little new feature, will save you when your stands fall over in the wind.  And they "WILL"  lol.  It's just a matter of time.

It's a  "Love It"  new feature.



RadioPopper

JRX-KS RadioPopper JrX STUDIO KIT
1        $159.95
http://shop.radiopopper.com/radiopopperjrxstudiokitusca.aspx

JRX-RS RadioPopper JrX Receiver STUDIO
3         $99.95     =$299.85
http://shop.radiopopper.com/radiopopperjrxreceiverstudiousca.aspx


* What is great about this JrX Radio triggers is that they are ROCK solid and work with anything with a Hot Shoe.

* AND can control the Power level of AB studio strobes

Have done a blog on these already  ... I own BOTH the  PX and JrX studio versions of these Radio Triggers    ...  So, you know that I  LOVE these!  and they work  ALL the time, Period.
No Way are you going to find something more reliable than these.   (and more so , for this price)
I have owned the JrX Studio on the first shipment from RP ... and the PX triggers a month after that (because I was sooo impressed)  ... both of these radio triggers have "never" dissapointed.



Thomas Distributing

MH-AAI240 MAHA IMEDION AA 2400MAH RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES 4-pk LOW DISCHARGE
4 packs @ $10.97    =$43.88
http://www.thomasdistributing.com/shop/maha-imedion-aa-2400mah-rechargeable-batteriesbrultra-low-dischargebr4-battery-pack-nimhbr1-free-four-cell-battery-case-p-2096.html?SP_id=&osCsid=u53ohoomk1is3j4dga59jufu46


K-MHC801D-BC MAHA MH-C801D AA - AAA 8 BATTERY PRO CHARGER
1        $68.67
http://www.thomasdistributing.com/shop/maha-mhc801d-aa-aaa-battery-chargerbrdeluxe-8-cell-professional-battery-charger-w-full-lcd-displaybrbrfree-accessory-bag-2-free-eight-cell-battery-holdersbrspecial-price-6897-p-437.html?SP_id=&osCsid=u53ohoomk1is3j4dga59jufu46

* I own the cheaper 800S version of this 8-battery PRO Charger  ... because of the smaller  plug for Travel (trust me, things add up) ... and the lower cost  ... and that it was the newer version  ... but,  Thomas Dist.  does not have it listed right now.  (11/10/10)
 
Have two(2)  4-battery 401FS  and a 800S 8-battery PRO Charger ... and they are plugged in all the time. :)
p.s.  I love the  Thomas Dist.  8-battery  case they give away free with the 801/800s chargers.  They are now my fav.
 
Oh,  just in case you need Roll paper for your Backdrop stands ... on Oahu, Hawaii
Attco Inc  ... a  staging supply company near Lagoon Dr at the Airport
Aprox.  $50  for a Roll  .. about 9 feet wide (forgot how long, but it's enough)  ... they have many colors
The roll box is not huge, so it's not that hard to carry with you (or your van).
I like it better for White, than fabric/muslin (which I have Black and Green/Blue)  particularly in white because you don't have to  steam before use , and when it gets dirty or ugly you can just tear it off  and when you roll out a new section it is sooooo  Smooth and White :).     nice!
http://www.attcoinc.com/


Sandbags (the bag part) from B&H ... so, my lightstands don’t fall over ... you could use other things.

also, note ... they are bright orange ... imho this is important ... so people can see it and don’t trip over it.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/421469-REG/Impact_SBE_18O_Empty_Saddle_Sandbag.html


Should also buy some large Plastic Clips from Lowes in Hawaii ,
Bessey XC-14pc  $ 12.98    ... to hold the Roll paper in place :).
This is a Big nylon bag of 14 Plastic Spring Clamps ... 2 - 3in. (which is huge), 2 - 2 in. , 4 - 1 in. , and 6 - 3/4 in. which are cute, small, and moderately useful (and you will not mind if you lose them)   they do help pin a green screen flat on backdrop stands. :)
At Amazon on the web:
http://www.amazon.com/Bessey-XC-14PC-Piece-Plastic-Spring/dp/B003XO0MLM



Hope this helps someone,
Ross Hamamura   ...   Tourist of Light
http://www.rdhphoto.net/