Film Director David King What a beautiful campus!

One of our favorite places to visit and shoot, is the beautiful campus of Washington State University, Vancouver. The scenic views from the campus’ hilltop location are breathtaking and change dramatically through out the seasons. Our crew visited the campus again for our second video collaboration with WUSV’s marketing department. Here are a few words from our Film Director David King.

For the second video in our series for Washington State University Vancouver, we were asked to help the university highlight how “non-traditional” students thrive at the Vancouver campus. With an enrollment of just over three thousand students, an average class size of twenty, and a student to faculty ratio of 1:14, WSUV truly caters to the student that is serious about furthering their education without sacrificing the whole university experience.

For this video, we directed our focus at transfer students, students that have families, those that hold down jobs outside of school, and those that are looking for help with financial aid. We spent the day on campus, interviewing five students with very diverse backgrounds and career aspirations. The common thread for each of them was how easy it was to be a student at Washington State University Vancouver while working and in some cases, raising a family. It was great to hear them talk about what makes Washington State University Vancouver so special.

We were able to utilize some of the scenic footage we captured on our earlier visit in the fall, before school had started for the year, as well as shooting some new footage with the campus bustling with student activity. The video ultimately ended up on the WSUV website and is viewed often by prospective students who may be looking for a university that will fit their unique circumstance.

Check it out here, or visit the WSUV website at http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu.

To view more Videos created at Studio 3 Films please click here!

Studio 3 Films Director David King and Hog Wild's President Joe Rooper discuss their latest video project!

Studio 3 Films, Behind the Scenes, Click Shot Commercial Video, Power Popper Commercial Video
 

Studio 3 Films is so excited to partner with Hogwild in Portland to highlight their latest products! For insight into this video project read below to hear from our Director, David King!

Hog Wild, a Portland toy company and one of our long-time photography clients, came to us with a need for two video commercials to launch their newest products: Click Shots and Power Poppers. Both spots were to be shot in studio, featuring kids, voiceover and a lot of action.  We brought in frequent collaborator and Director of Photography Andy Maser with his RED Epic for the shoot.  We wanted to shoot with the RED for a couple of reasons: 240 frames per second, slow motion would help us capture the fast action of the products and the 4k resolution at 24 frames would give us the option of doing some fast, optical zooms in post production.

We shot the spots over two days; one day at Studio 3, and because our stage was already booked for another shoot, we shot the next day at Picture This Studios. While not professionals, the kids were fantastic. The RED Epic performed as expected. Two weeks later, the post production was done and the spots were on their way to Hong Kong for one of the biggest toy trade shows in the world.

“Studio 3 produced two .30 TV commercials for us. Both were for toy products brand new to the market and both need high energy and pizzazz. We gave them a decent script and storyboard but what they came back with based upon their creative input, camera techniques, direction and post production was a mile above where we started. We’ve used other companies for our TV spots in the past but we’re incredibly happy with the results we received from Studio 3.  Three thumbs up for their creative smarts, direction and technical expertise.” President/CEO Hogwild

Commercial Photographer David Bell Tick Tock!

Commercial Photographer David Bell had some spare time on his hands, and the inspiration to create a collection of beautiful images showcasing the technology and texture of the Diesel watch collection. A few words from David…

I decided to shoot a collection of Deisel watches in order to create a new product photography series for my portfolio. I’ve always loved how fascinating a watch can be from the technology, materials, gadgets, weight, and pure beauty of the details.
I included added textures to highlight the specific components of each watch by photographing them in different environments to compliment the design. I chose these products due to the challenge and pleasure I derive from photographing something with extreme complexity. My goal was to make the watches stand out individually and seen as a series. I wanted them to pop and stand alone from the backgrounds in a hero type fashion. I chose the backgrounds based on specific element in the watches so it had a beautiful composition. As you can see the bold watches were matched with dark and gritty backgrounds to compliment the gears.
I chose to work with the Hasselblad H3D-39 megapixel back camera with the tilt shift adapter. The decision to use this camera which is a medium format platform is due to the large sensor that allows for capturing fine details. The high res nature of this equipment is my ideal shooting device. My chosen lighting technique was either dramatic or high key depending on the background and the end look I desired. I used the Speedtron Studio Strobe Lighting kit with utilizing grids, spots and floods; that helped with creating the desired effect. I am looking forward to my next inspiration and having a day off to play and be creative. Enjoy the collection below!

Commercial Photographer

Commercial Photographer

Commercial Photographer

Commercial Photographer

Commercial Photographer

Commercial Photographer

Commercial Photographer

Commercial Photographer

Product Photographer Henry Ngan Danner!

Product Photographer Henry Ngan continues to amaze us.  He recently began a series of images capturing still life in a new light.  We decided to celebrate the upcoming changing of the seasons with an outdoor lifestyle shoot featuring Danner boots.  For more insight into the creativity of this fantastic shoot here are a few words from photographer Henry Ngan.

First of all, this is why I like Danner boots. You can kick the living daylights out of them and then have what’s remaining re-crafted. Mine are made in the USA right here in Portland Oregon, my own back yard. They just get more comfortable the longer I wear them and that’s why you don’t want to get rid of them when they seem worn out. Just send them back to the factory in Portland, Oregon and they will re-craft them. They feel like bedroom slippers once you wear them in. They are the boots you need to get for rough, heavy duty use. If you take care of them they will last a lifetime and then some. Don’t make the mistake of getting one of the ones made offshore. They won’t last because they are made differently and you won’t be able to re-craft them.
My intention for this shoot was to create a dramatic image through warm detailed lighting.  Highlighting the Danner boot in this fashion was my focus. I wanted to show the viewer a beautifully crafted product that will eventually become even better after lots of hard wear and tear. Just 2 lights were used on this set. But I re-directed multiple beams of light using various reflectors to create this image. The story is told by the sum of all the components. But the lighting is concentrated on the boots and fall off on the rest of the image. I am currently working on a series focusing on this type of lighting and warmth. Stay tuned for more images to come!

A sneak peak into Henry’s latest shoot!

Product Photographer

Henry Ngan: Deep Under the Earth!

Sometimes you can find inspiration in your backyard, other times you find inspiration in the third deepest train station in the world! Photographer Henry Ngan recently found himself in the super cool Robertson Tunnel, a local engineering gem that passes through the west hills of Portland, filled with basalt up to 16 million years old. Whoa!
Lets hear what Henry had to say about his adventure in the deep:

The Robertson Tunnel is truly a great achievement of Industrial Design and the technology required to create this tunnel inspires me. The designers created a people friendly space in an unlikely place and capturing the human element within it was what I aimed for. Feeling the rush of the wind, people reacting to the mystery of the emerging train  — preserving this moment was my intention.

Road trippin' with Sperrys!

Photographer Dana Jonas is taking full advantage of this amazing summer weather we are finally getting in Seattle! From our studio in Queen Anne over to North Bend, up to Snoqualmie, through Fall City and circling back over at Carnation, it was truly a full day’s road trip!

The most challenging and adventurous part of this shoot was finding the EPIC yellow VW bus. After many phone calls and emails, someone suggested an upcoming VW show. So I took a drive to Renton and found Jason, the owner of my dream bus. After a break-down and few reschedules, we finally got this beast in front of my camera, and with the help of Jeff, Billy, and the ever-sexy Sperrys, made her look fabulous!!

Coca-Cola With A Twist!

Nothing is quite as iconic as guzzling down a refreshing Coca-Cola after a long day of playing in the sun. That irreplaceable feeling is what inspired a recent shoot, which included Coca-Cola along with a fun outdoor location. Dana Jonas loves the challenge of mixing classic, vintage Coke bottles, and modern, therefore shooting Coca-Cola with adorable blonde models was right up her alley. The day of the shoot was of course typical Seattle; hideous, including rain, clouds, and no sun breaks, yet the pictures still conveyed that young, summer, fun, feeling. Dana explains in her own words how she created sunshine on a cloudy day:

“Believe it or not, this was one of the rainiest shoots I’ve been on. As we shlepped through the wet grass, soaking our feet and testing  Ashli’s (MU&H) patience, I realized I would have to work pretty hard to achieve the look I was going for. But, I was certainly determined if nothing else. The girls were troopers and we made the best of it by playing with the focus, composition, warmth of the image and backlighting by using some of my favorite on-location lighting (speedlights). The images turned out great and no one can ever believe that it was raining. Mission Accomplished.”

These sunshiny pictures are here to offer hope to Seattlites everywhere; that summer may come after all. 🙂
 


 

Bike Photography In Two Styles!

Seattle and Portland are in the nation’s top ten bike friendly cities, so it’s no surprise our photographers are inspired by the environmentally friendly mode of transportation, therefore they get their bike photography on. Dana Jonas and Chris Eltrich teamed up to play out their personal strengths, with Dana shooting bicyclist Eddie and Chris shooting the fun color inspired product shots, it was a bike to remember. While Chris shot his series in studio, Dana chose a pier on Green Lake and here are her thoughts on bike photography:

I chose to shoot on a pier in Green Lake to have the option of creating the element of surprise. My goal was to have the viewer take a second look, like: what, wait, wow…is that guy riding on water? The model was great, seeing eye to eye on my vision. He even got so intense as making himself hyperventilate to look authentic. It was a great team and match up, I am definitely loving the fun visual result!

Check out the lifestyle bike photoshoot below:

bike photography

bike photography

Here are a few words from Chris Eltrich on shooting bike photography in studio:

bike photography

bike photography

bike photography

bike photography

To View More Photography By Our Photographers Check Out Our Website!

The Making of Cupcake Royalty

When approaching a shoot, we always like to tell a story. Lucky for us we have a team of photographers that are readily available to help. When it came to this particular shoot, it was all about young love and of course, CUPCAKES. Dana Jonas landed Cupcake Royale as a location and had some fun with frosting and our adorable young models. Clients frequently express the need for “chemistry” in their photos, which makes our photographer Dana Jonas giddy, since her favorite part about being a lifestyle photographer is interacting with the people involved, and of course, the final shot. Read below for Dana’s take on this exciting daytime shoot:

The cupcake shoot was right up my alley; bright colors and a cute couple having fun! Cupcake Royale has such a great vibe to their Capitol Hill location, it was an extreme pleasure to shoot there. The only tough part was keeping my mouth from salivating all over the camera. 🙂 Couldn’t have asked for more enjoyable models; Emma and Weston had a great connection. He even gave her a ride home after the shoot, how cute!!

Clients love Dana for her efficient photography skills and her ability to work with the “talent”, her shots also have a fun edge that has even overshadowed her infectious laughter on set. This girl gets results every time, from shooting asset libraries, to packaging, to ad campaigns, to making a delicious cupcake even more irresistible!
Check out the whole on-set story, in picture, below:

Dana Jonas, photography

Dana Jonas, photography

Dana Jonas, photography

Dana Jonas, photography