HPS Photo Exhibit Setup - 4/18/2010

Hawaii Photographic Society has been exhibiting at the Pauahi Tower for many years and this year it's the first time I'm participating with the group having joined the club last year. I brought my old canon S45 and quickly discovered it was not good at capturing indoor shots. My shots came out grainy but I decided to post them anyways
It's quite a huge undertaking to collect and then hang some 70+ photos. I was able to capture the process and also help in some of the tasks. All the photos were first laid out and it was matched up as to where it should go.
Here are my submissions.
The photos were hung on thick fishing wires that were attached w/ hanging hooks.
Some worked on the glass case of photographers' bios. Before...
After..
More adjustments to straighten the photos..

Scottish Festival - 4/11/2010

I checked out the annual Scottish Festival but didn't stay too long, but long enough to catch some of the activities and entertainment. Here are some images I took. There was a frying pan toss this year, instead of the log last year. I also caught the Royal Hawaiian Band and a scottish dance performance.

East West Fest - 4/3/2010

I saw this event in the newspaper and decided to check it out because it said there were representatives from many different countries. I met Erick and we had a great time taking photos of the different colorful costumes and seeing the different performances by students from the many countries. I can't believe I spent 4 hours there watching all the performances. It turned out to be a great event.

Shopa Le'a Fashion Show - 3/28/2010

After the Autoshow, Erick decided to shoot the fashion show at the Ala Moana Center Stage and I went along. I was totally not prepared since I only brought a 50mm and looking around at the other photogs that showed up w/ full gear, I was in equipment envy mode. The models were showing some fashions by designer Valerie Joseph. They sported some 'fierce' eye lashes of feathers and body painting..They walked by really fast and stopped at the center edge of the stage, struck a short pose, then continued on. They walked SOOO fast... I had just one chance to click. Sometimes they looked my way. Other times, they looked away. The lighting kept changing the skin tones of each model so it was too dark, then too bright. I had to do some fixing w/ PSE.
It went by so fast, and then all the models made their last "sashay"...
And then it was over. The designer, Valerie Joseph, came on stage, with the same makeup as the models. Overall, it was wild and crazy 20 minutes and was great fun and I'm glad I was able to experience my very first fashion shoot and being amongst other more professional photogs.

First Hawaiian Auto Show - 3/28/2010

I went to see the Auto show again this year and met up with Erick to see the new cars. To my surprise, there were also other photographers taking pics of the cars. First, I got to check out some hybrid and electric cars.
I thought this Yaris was so cute 'cuz it was so small.
Then, on to check out the cars of the wealthy. I'm not sure why they always keep these near the large window that makes it really difficult to get a good photo.
The Bently Logo...
Check out the major sticker shock! There's even a $3700 gas guzzler tax tacked on.
Then, Erick got the idea to do HDR on some old cars. I tried a few..it's kinda hard to hold the camera for the three shots..even when I used the 'high' speed continuous shooting mode.
Here's one of the interior of a VW Volkswagon.
Then I also tried it on this green Mazda. Somehow, for me, green cars came out the best under this lighting. I had to marvel at how some folks kept their engines immaculate! I can even see myself in the engine!

Ala Wai Harbor - 3/27/2010

Saturday, I wanted to check out the Honolulu Family Festival at Magic Island, but by the time I got there it was early afternoon and it was too bright to capture anything worthwhile. I spotted these sailboats making their way back to the harbor and decided to take a few shots. I've not taken pictures there during the day and I had my 50mm lens and though I'd try to stitch together a panoramic too.
On the way out of the park, I heard this buzzing noise and found these speed boats in the pond. It was a nice walk there and also the first time testing shots in Adobe RGB. I'm not so sure about this blue tinge in my shots..