Fall Fashion Event (Part 2) - 9/11/2011

After about a 2 1/2 hr break, I came back to check out the "Face Forward presented by Modern Luxury" show.  I had no idea what kind of fashion show it was since the title wasn't too descriptive. I was intrigued because the whole stage area was sectioned off for this 'invitation-only' event.  I happened to bump into Erick and he had no idea what this was either.   I thought maybe it was some kind of make-up demo session from the sound of the title.  They had nice upholstered chairs for the 'guests' and then I saw finger foods and drinks (non-alcoholic) being served.  After everyone settled in, the show finally started, albeit a little behind schedule. What WAS cool was that Erick and I waited behind the roped off area where the sound guy was and he told us if there no other photogs show up, then he'd let us stand in that area to get a closer view.   I figured cool..I can get better close up of their models' faces.

The show started.  I though this was some unusual fashion....not your ordinary day-to-day fashion.  but the model was sure 'making it work' with the giant sun flower.

The next model also had another flower motive.  This was super colorful and cool .. I figured that this was a costume fashion by a dance troupe.

After a while, the sound guy motioned us so we got closer and I got some head shot.  The models were all very expressive with accordance to their costumes.

Since they didn't do the usual stop and pose like the runway show, it was hard to spot when they'd look our way.

There was this cool peacock costume..darn my lens is not wide enough..

There were super vibrant colors in all their costumes.

She was some spunky funky octopus.  In the 40-45 mins show I took lots of photos.  I'm so glad it was all digital.

During the show, servers would pass by and server food/drinks.  It was kinda distracting watching the show and looking at all the finger foods going around..so I started to take  food shots...

They served water, juice and coffee.  After the show, one of the server guys came by and offered us some of the left over coffee.. this was REALLY good coffee!

It was a really tight trying to focus so close w/ my zoom lens.

After the main show, there was a fashion makeover of the leaders at some local non-profit organizations.  They strutted their new looks but they walked so quickly, I could barely find focus.  I decided to turn it B and W to hide the out of focus areas. 

Afterwards, I was marveling at the professional photographer who was taking photos of them with the studio lighting setup.  She then posed everyone for a group shot.

Fall Fashion Event (Part 1) - 9/11/2011

I was back to the basics with my Canon XT since I had to take in my 50D for repairs, but nonetheless, I made the best of using my 70-200mm for the fashion shoot at the Fall Fashion Event at the Ala Moana Center. I've seen many fashion magazines and have wanted to reproduce those cool runway shots and this was the perfect opportunity. I found my spot for the Ryota Shiga's Fall Runway Show about 35 mins before the show. Then as the show time came closer, a swarm of other photographers showed up, all w/ better gear than me. I was in total equipment envy mode with my little XT. 

The runway wasn't too long, and at the end of the runway, the sunlight was really strong and it left undesirable shadows on the model's faces.  Other spots on the runway had a red reflection that I ended up having to remove using photoshop. I ended up finding the lighting the best at the edge of the stage.

The models were wearing some fierce heels that I had to take a shot of.

Soon enough, after about 25 mins, it was all over...Fashion shoots are sure fast and furious..I was just getting in the groove of the fast pace!

The designer ran out onto the stage, I took one shot and then he was gone in a blink.

After the show, there was a Hope for Japan T-shirt designs made by students of Honolulu Community College.  There were regular looking Tees...

Then there were cutout Tees.

On some designs, it was more intricately designed in the back than in the front of the tee..

Waikiki Rough Water Swim - 9/5/2011

I had the opportunity to take photos for the Waikiki Rough Water Swim with Celia. We got there early for the 9am start. The start is at the Waikiki Natatorium and finish at the Beach at the Hilton Rainbow Towers. The weather was great and from the announcement, it would be a great day for the swim since the surf was on the swimmers side so there may be new records times.

People checked in and got their numbers written on their arms, given their assigned colored swim caps and timer. 

The safety officials were readying.  In the distance, you can see the buoy markers.

Swimmers begin to gather for the start. Each group of swimmers get a different color designation.

The pink swim caps are the elite swimmers and the first group to swim. With the boom of the cannon, the swimmers were off.

The next group of swimmers await their start.

The third group watches the swimmers in the distance.

By the time we left the natatorium and caught a ride to the finish, the first swimmer had already crossed the finish line!  I was able to catch others in the elite groups finish.

The timers were collected when they cross the stop clock.

All the swimmers had a look of accomplishment. A job well done indeed.