Studio 3, Inc.

Products

WE Get It

Posted on February 10, 2015

A beautiful array of items on a desk including Samsung Galaxy Tablet Shot by Studio 3 — Studio 3, Inc.

Visual imagery is your brand’s calling card, and Studio 3 understands how to get you there creatively, on budget, every time. We provide creative solutions and the peace of mind that your project will be completely handled. Whether it is a single phone or a semi truck full of SKU’s, we’ve been there. We do it all well.

Our photographers and videographer work with our production team to achieve your visual goals and timeline. Once your images are shot the digital group delivers beyond expectations, with the best processing in the business, and G7® color certification. From start to finish the process is streamlined and we take care of you. Which makes YOU look really good to your client and your boss.

That’s why we keep our clients and why you should take a meeting with us. You’ll see we make great partners. Oh, and we have a lot of fun on the way!

We’ll be reaching out…take the invite. Look forward to meeting you.

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Throwback Thursday – The Learning Machine

Posted on January 22, 2015

the learning machine studio3 — Studio 3, Inc.You might be asking yourself, “Is THIS for real??”
We know…it’s hard to believe, but this is TOTALLY for real!

Since the advent of this amazing technology, it is tough to recall how cumbersome it was when our noodles were all leashed up. That’s not irony. That’s progress.

On August 13, 1993, The Learning Machine hit the market – and the face of learning was never the same again.

When Zygon International Inc. approached Studio 3, the Team set about creating mesmerizing images for the front and inside of a brochure about the spectacular capabilities of The Learning Machine. It synchronizes your mind into the optimum mind-state for psychological programming! It uses Alpha and Theta mind-states to open your learning centers and expand your mental function! Wait…what?? And it boasts a state-of-the-art Light Shield and Learning Discs system that create a light-sound matrix to “launch your brain into incredibly realistic dream world fantasies!” The Studio 3 Team brought those fantasies into reality by executing a product photography shoot that was as futuristic as it was fun. But that’s not to say we have psychic powers now.

Studio 3’s very own David Bell, unafraid of this wacky new technology, agreed to shoot the mind-bending images for the brochure. When asked about the shoot, he revealed some great insight: “I don’t remember a thing about it.” Hmm. Probably because he wasn’t using The Learning Machine while on set. We’ll forgive you, David. You did shoot some hypnotic images after all.

He did finally recall using the Speedtron Strobes to get the perfect balance of the CD’s reflective qualities, while still being able to read the writing on the CD’s. Which, in the age before Photoshop, was QUITE a challenge! (CD’s and DVD’s are notoriously hard to photograph and to strike that elusive balance between readability and the changing color cast on the surface; see here for an example of Chris Eltrich’s work showcasing this.)

the learning machine brochure1 studio3 — Studio 3, Inc.

 

These photos were shot with a Hasselblad C-500, with a 150 mm lens film camera. The light flares and lasers were all added at the color house during the post-processing phase. The large product shots may or may not have been shot with the SINAR-P 4×5 camera, but since we didn’t try out The Learning Machine in its heyday, it’s a little hard to remember.

And if you’re in the market for your very own Learning Machine, you may still be able to get your head inside one at Zygon International’s website here. But you might want to double-check on that money-back guarantee they offer….

the learning machine brochure2 studio3 — Studio 3, Inc.

(And you can also pick up a CD player from them too for the going rate of only $129.95.)

Have some cutting-edge technology photography you need shot? Hope this has been a learning experience to what Studio 3 can provide: expert lighting, stellar photography, plus…we never take ourselves too seriously. Call us today to get in on the super happy fun times!

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Product Photography – Bonavita Espresso Supply

Posted on January 14, 2015

espresso supply coffee drink 2 david bell — Studio 3, Inc. Product photography isn’t just about how great the product looks on-camera; it’s also about showing the viewers what the product does. And when your coffee brewer can whip up some fabulous coffee drinks in no time flat – and Photographer David Bell gets ahold of those drinks and casts them in the starring role on a rugged, manly set – pure magic can happen through the lens.

That magic began with the Bonavita 8-cup Stainless Steel Carafe Coffee Brewer, which received the 2014 Men’s Journal Gear of the Year Award. When it came time to exhibit at the Men’s Journal “Gear Lab Pop-Up” at the MLB FAN CAVE, Bonavita Espresso Supply wanted to pair their award-winning coffee brewer with some drinks you could make with said brewer, and called on the award-winning talents of the Studio 3 Team to deliver the photography. (Not to toot our own horn, but we also provided the recent product photography for Bonavita’s website if you take a gander at the link above.)

It was a blast working with 3 original and delicious coffee-centric beverages and styling them on set. With props sourced from West Elm and Crate and Barrel, and vintage thermoses from the Studio’s extensive prop closet, Producer Megan Nolan crafted a set that said M-A-N, Pacific NW-style. David Bell contributed his decades of experience with lighting surfaces and drinks, choosing exquisite textures to create the backdrop and make the drinks stand out. David lit the set using dramatic, contrasty light to bring out all the textures and reflections in the surrounding props. His unique style and eye for details was essential (like adding that refined messiness of a delectable coffee drip on the side of the cup), which made all the difference.

Unlike some drink photography where photographing the actual drink on set is too difficult (i.e., having to use stand-ins that won’t lose their temperature or look unrealistic), in this case what you see is what those drinks really look like were you to try your hand at those recipes!

espresso supply coffee drink 2 david bell — Studio 3, Inc.The Flannel Shirt

Ingredients

  • 3 lightly crushed juniper berries
  • ½ ounce simple syrup (or to taste)
  • 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
  • 1 1/2 ounce gin
  • Bonavita-brewed *Ladro Ethiopia Wotona coffee
  • Small cedar bough and spruce sprig for garnish

How To

Put crushed juniper berries into the bottom of a pre-warmed mug. Add simple syrup, aromatic bitters and gin. Top with freshly brewed coffee. Garnish with spruce sprig and set mug on cedar bough to release aroma.

espresso supply coffee drink 3 david bell — Studio 3, Inc.

Rummy Gingerbread Man

  • 3 teaspoons dark muscovado sugar or dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon *Gingerbread Spice Blend
  • 1 ½ ounces dark rum
  • Bonavita brewed **Ladro Classic espresso blend coffee
  • Whipped cream
  • Whole nutmeg, grated as garnish

How To

Fill 8 ounce mug with hot water to warm it. Pour water out and add sugar, spice blend and dark rum. Stir to dissolve sugar. Fill mug with hot coffee, top with whipped cream and finish with grated nutmeg or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

*Gingerbread Spice Blend:

  • 2 teaspoons ginger
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

espresso supply coffee drink david bell — Studio 3, Inc.

Lodge Toddy

Ingredients

  • 3 cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
  • Bonavita brewed *Ladro Central American coffee
  • Slice of orange (Valencia – Blood Orange – Cara Cara)

How To

Put cloves, cinnamon stick and honey into the bottom of a mug. Add bourbon and stir to blend. Fill mug with hot coffee. Twist and squeeze a slice of orange it to release the juice and oils from the peel and drop it into the mug to finish.

All recipes by Marcus Boni and Victoria Trimmer, Bonavita.

How much is your mouth watering for these drinks…and where is your Bonavita Espresso Supply Coffee Brewer when you need one?

And if you ever need photography for your drinks, beverages, or food-related products that gets mouths thirsting for more…you know where to find the magic-makers. In both Portland and Seattle, here at Studio 3.

Client: Bonavita Espresso Supply

Featured Product: Bonavita 8-Cup Stainless Steel Carafe Coffee Brewer

Producer: Megan Nolan

Photographer: David Bell

Photography Assistant: Tom Radio

Equipment: Hasselblad H-3D, 50mm lens

Digital Artist: Alex Gumina

 

 

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Happy Holidays from Studio 3

Posted on December 23, 2014

Christmas Collage 2014 — Studio 3, Inc.

It’s all about the stylin’, baby!

Got your list? Checked it twice?

Taking a product photography shot like this doesn’t require much more than good lighting and professional hands on the shutter (and we can do both no problem!), but it’s the product styling that truly makes the photo shine. Accomplished by all-star commercial stylist Tristan Weholt, this photo took about 2 days to tweak the styling to that festively organized level. Producer Megan Nolan sourced the full array of holiday items from local stores, and Ms. Tristan set about fitting them all together like a puzzle, choosing where the bigger pieces fit and maneuvering smaller items to coordinate. Ms. Tristan says that she loves these creative briefs because “it really lets the creative mindset of styling flow…this is where my career meets my passion.” Photographer Chris Eltrich created the set and lighting, and ultimately captured the essence of spending Christmas morning at home with the fam.

For the above photo there was a specific creative brief, but for the company Holiday card it was just to come up with an idea and execute a shoot that encapsulated the Team here at Studio 3. Each studio location shot its own top-secret creative twist on the brief, with our Santa-hatted Portland office going head-to-head with our Hawaiian-themed Seattle office. Who did it best? You be the judge.

Portland

Christmas background — Studio 3, Inc.

Seattle

Seattle Christmas — Studio 3, Inc.

Need a fun and unique interpretation on your company’s creative brief? Give us a ring and see the amazing and wonderful happen with Studio 3.

Happy Holidays from Studio 3!

 

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TBT_ScaWolff_006

Throwback Thursday – The Salon of the Future

Posted on November 20, 2014

TBT ScaWolff 006 — Studio 3, Inc.Back in the mid- to late 80’s, this was the salon of the future, but the above photo was created using the cutting-edge techniques of the past. For reals. For Throwback Thursday #TBT this week we’re sharing some product photography that was composited from three separate film-based shots, created by Studio 3 photographer Henry Ngan, assisted by Craig Wagner.

In the heyday of salon tanning (before that whole skin cancer thing got in the way), SCA Wolff System/Sun American Corporation was looking for a way to market their new tanning beds to salon owners and called on Studio 3 to execute. The brief for this shoot was to make the product look glamorous and have the cover shot act as the entrance the world of tanning, where through that open door lay a futuristic, glamorous world full of glowing beauties. At the time, laser beams in photography and visual media were mad trendy with Star Wars and Laser Tag leading the charge. The idea was to incorporate this trend with tanning beds to emphasize their futuristic and cutting-edge technology.

Mid-1980’s Product Photography

Shot in Studio 3’s earlier location at Lenora Square in Seattle, this shoot relied on large format 4×5 film for the cover image. (And 8×10 film for the image below.) What that means is that the actual 4″ x 5″ sheets of film were loaded, ViewMaster-style, into a Sinar-P technical camera, exposed, removed, flipped around, inserted, and exposed again. Creating just a single image was a great deal more hardcore than the much simpler point-and-shoot DSLR’s of today!

Here’s the 4-1-1 on how it went down: The doorway was shot first, and then on a completely different set Henry and Craig used a lithomask with different-colored gels in different areas to create the colorful pink and purple tint to the lights. The “laser” light streaks were created in-camera by either pulling or pushing the camera lens during a timed exposure. (Similar to the concept of creating a long exposure on a camera facing a highway at dusk: the cars’ tail lights appear as streaks traveling down the highway.)

TBT ScaWolff 008 — Studio 3, Inc.For the photo inside the brochure, the tanning beds were shot with a longer lens in our Portland location. The background star field was easily created with black seamless [paper] lit from behind, with holes punched in it.

Once all the images were shot, the superimposing of the final photographs and client-chosen artwork was done at a prepress house, rather than our own Studio 3 Digital Department like we use for post-processing today.

The process may have changed in all the years since, but we still create laser-focused, high-quality images for discerning clients. Check out our other totally awesome product imagery, and Just Say Yes to Studio 3 doing your next product photoshoot or video. Catch you later!

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Product Photography – Water Cartons

Posted on October 21, 2014

Water Carton Test — Studio 3, Inc.When it comes to exceptional product photography, lighting is the essential in making the product come to life. Case in point: these simple, minimalistic water cartons begged to have the spotlight shone on their clean lines and stark contrast. The goal was to take something simple, and render it elegant and breathtaking with creating the perfect lighting setup. For the client, this creates a product that is new and sexy – elevating it to be slick, cool, and utterly covetable.  With the right lighting and direction we can make every product look amazing!

The choice of photographer was obvious. With a reputation as a maestro of light techniques, Craig Wagner is always able to attain optimal lighting to showcase products. The goal was to create the distorted water effect to the background in-camera, rather than digitally. To add interest and texture to the image, Mr. Wagner utilized a large sheet of rippled glass as the background from our extensive prop closet at the Studio. He kept the lighting simple, only using one 2000w Junior Mole, and redirecting it as needed with silver cards and a Mini-Mole as a kicker. Using the tungsten lights allowed him to drag the shutter for 4-6 seconds, during which he altered different parts of the image to create the visual wavy effect. Our post-production team adjusted the color temperature and saturation to achieve a flawless color tone, and the final beauty shot.

Producer: Liz Swales

Photographer: Craig Wagner

Digital Artist: Carl Beery

Equipment: Canon 5D MKIII w/ TS-E 45mm 2.8

Lighting: 200W Mini-Mole, 2000W Junior Mole (Key light)

Check out our other product photography, where the product sits center stage with lighting that highlights the unique attributes of each item. Then give us a ring so we can capture your product in the limelight.

 

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Product Photography Shoot – Grenade Gloves

Posted on September 15, 2014

grenade gloves studio 3 — Studio 3, Inc.Here at Studio 3 we are often coming up with new ideas to to push the envelope and add gorgeous images to our portfolio.

We recently completed a product photography shoot with our Photographer Henry Ngan, featuring Grenade Gloves on a bed of green powder.

We know what you’re all wondering: are these gloves used to handle grenades? Are they made from used grenade casings? If you’re not into snowboarding, Motocross, or skateboarding, you may not have heard of Grenade Gloves.

Founded in 2001 by the two professional snowboarders Matt and Danny Kass, Grenade Gloves Inc. is now a worldwide, global lifestyle brand that has hosted the annual Grenade Games since 2005. The founders chose the grenade as their logo because it was reminiscent of G.I. Joe, someone they felt was in line with their renegade image. Headquartered in Portland, OR, the Grenade Gloves brand is growing at an exponential rate and has a loyal following of extreme sports enthusiasts.

No grenades were harmed in the making of this photograph, however. The inspiration for this photo came from a recent magazine feature, where powder was used to show the imprint of the product, instead of the product itself appearing in the photo. We thought it a neat idea to incorporate this into our next product photo shoot.

Prop Styling Behind the Scenes

Henry bought toy grenades for the shoot, and had to disassemble the parts to imprint each carefully into the chosen background powder. The team carefully addressed the placement of the grenades, first trying out a full-scale pattern (which looked too busy), and then settling on one where the glove would appear to be “holding” a single grenade. Other imprints were made selectively in the powder order to balance out the initial top-heavy feel.

The gloves appeared too flat in the first test shots; in order to give them body and allow the fingers to be bent the team created an internal wire structure all the way into the fingertips. Henry wanted the feel of hard light in the image so the scene was lit by a single Fresnel key light and incorporating mirrors and bounce cards to enhance and fill the scene. In post-processing, our Digital Artist Ciaran Green removed stray fibers and increased the contrast in areas that appeared too blown-out under the hard lighting. With a little tweaking, the image turned into what you see above: a beautiful color pop of green and orange, with saturated blacks. All in all, it was a fun couple-day shoot for the team, resulting in art and photography merging on a bed of green.

Poll: Identify that Prop Styling Material!

**Poll is now CLOSED**

easypoll results — Studio 3, Inc.

Find out the answer on Twitter!

And if you’re not following us there yet – go ahead and sign up; we don’t bite. And we won’t lob grenades at you. We just showcase amazing, inspiring photography that you’ll definitely want to see.

Go ahead – take a peek.

 

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Break A Cool Sweat

Posted on August 5, 2014

Here we are in the HOT HOT HEAT of the summer and there’s no way we are hanging up our bathing suits just yet! While breakin’ a cool sweat and trying to stay cool, Studio 3 brought in the Marquis Spas  ATV (Aquatic Training Vessel) for a much needed dip. The ATV was delivered on a trailer and was fork-lifted into Studio 3. From there, the team hauled that huge piece of heaven onto a custom-built stage. It took 2 days to fill it up and get it to a temperature that was juuuust right. Once the bubbles were flowing, the cameras started rolling. 

Marquis Spas — Studio 3, Inc.

Studio 3 has had the pleasure of working with Marquis Spas for many years now. The California based company founded in 1980 strives to provide top-of-the-line aquatic products that aid in rest and relaxation for the “ultimate soaking experience.” 

For this particular shoot Studio 3 Film Director of Video Production, David King, filmed the features of the ATV while our Lead Photographer, Craig Wagner, caught some overhead and underwater shots. Craig gives a bit of insight on this splish-splash shoot:

“I was piggy-backing on the video shoot of Marquis’ new ATV. The client wanted to feature someone working out (water aerobics) from under the water’s surface. Since the tank was blue, we chose to give the image an overall blue hue by gelling the key lights.

I shot this using a Canon 5D MKIII in our underwater housing. I also mounted a Canon 5D MKIII above the tank for the overhead image. I remotely triggered the camera and viewed the images in Lightroom. Speedotron packs and heads were used along with our 8’x14′ lightbank with custom flash tubes.”

Marquis Spas — Studio 3, Inc.

The end result was comprised of a five-star video and brilliant stills that capture the endless capabilities of a Marquis Spas ATV. If you think you don’t need one, just wait until you watch this.

There’s still a lot more sunshine comin our way for the rest of the summer. If you can’t take the heat, give us a call! Let Studio 3 take care of business while you enjoy the non-stop flow of ice cold drinks to keep you cool.

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Studio 3 Rides Out On Ducati

Posted on July 22, 2014

ducati test — Studio 3, Inc.

Summertime is all about fast cars and even faster Ducati motorcycles. Studio 3 wanted to explore our dare devil side and kick up the dust to catch the sunset on a few of these bad boys of the road. While the rest of us had fun forming our very own Studio 3 Biker Gang, our talented Seattle Shooters David Bell and Chris Eltrich had the pleasure of capturing these beauties with a Hasselblad Medium Format camera system. Eltrich goes a little more in depth about this sexy shoot:

“The team was looking for a darker, dramatic look… I used Studio 3’s Speedotron lights for all the shots with various light modifiers, but generally each shot had a Beauty Dish as the key light with lights through diffusion panels for accents. A lot of the planning and conceptualizing for the shoot was done by our amazing Producer, Megan Nolan and our go to Digital Lead, Alex Gumina.”

Alex shares his inspiration behind his work here:

“There seems to be a trend in vehicle advertising lately of hyper-processed, super crisp images. I thought it would be fun to do something in this style but needed a subject. That’s where Ducati Seattle came in. I pitched the idea to Megan, our studio producer, and we made our way across Aurora to Ducati Seattle to look at some beautiful motorcycles. We met with the sales manager Mike MacConaghy and before we knew it we had a couple beautiful Italian made motorcycles in the studio.

The original plan was to do a couple composites using shots of the bikes in studio, and environmental shots for the backgrounds. We would blend the two together to make one perfect, seamless image. Since we had the bikes in studio though, we decided to take full advantage of our photographers capabilities and do some amazing detail shots as well. My only request was dark, moody, high contrast, and sexy. What you see here is the end result.”

ducati test — Studio 3, Inc.ducati test — Studio 3, Inc.ducati test — Studio 3, Inc.ducati test — Studio 3, Inc.ducati test — Studio 3, Inc.

We had a blast having the Ducati Motorcycles for a few days. We couldn’t load up on our leather gear fast enough! At least we know we’ll be prepared for next summer! If you want in on the fun, give Studio 3 a call and we’ll bring an extra helmet.

 

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Pick Up The Phone!

Posted on July 8, 2014

Stressed about your company’s visual needs? Would you rather spend time having fun in the sun? Let Studio 3 ease your mind this summer. We’ve been smashing out countless videos back to back, while continuously providing outstanding photography and flawless production. Oh, did we also mention that our digital team is amaze balls? Trust us, you don’t want to be the only tanless, overworked one at the company party because you didn’t know about Studio 3. Save the embarrassment of all the “are you kidding me?” looks. We’ll make sure you meet that crazy deadline. There’s no reason to miss out on all the perks of working with Studio 3. And no reason to keep on reading, you’re wasting precious beach time – make a Pina Colada, and start dialing!! Make that golden phone call!!!

CW 15086T Pop phone PR 1500 — Studio 3, Inc.

And to make it that much easier, if you didn’t have our number yet, here ya go:

Portland Studio 503.238.1748, ask for Dalcetta

Seattle Studio 206.282.0939, ask for Marcella

 

 

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