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CAMERAS |
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 Nikon D800
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“I am seeing things in a fundamentally new way as an artist. My creative
pursuit to translate how things feel, rather than merely to document what they are, has become my personal mission. Now, through the exploration of
stitched ultra panoramic images, I am able to use dimensions far beyond the standard 160 degrees of human vision. For me, this technique cannot be
merely documentation; it must allow me to instill the emotions we all feel but may not see.
Every one of my new ultra panoramas has its own voice. Not only does each image resonate with unique emotion, it also defines its own space and has a
singularly logical beginning, ending and proportions/aspect ratio.”
Keoki has been a Nikon Pro photographer for over 20 years. Nikon cameras are Keoki's preferred tools for action photography and ultra
panoramas. Through the advancement of anti-vibration, autofocus, light metering and other digital technologies, the immediate feedback of
digital cameras has opened up new dimensions which allow Keoki to relax and move more when he shoots, and to further explore and interact
with his subjects in action.
Every camera and every format sees the world differently, and each one allows the artist to interact with his subject uniquely. Most of Keoki’s
limited edition photographs are captured on film. Inarguably, classic analog technology captures images differently than digital camera
sensors do. Analogously, vinyl records simply do sound better than MP3 files, and in many situations analog remains Keoki’s media of choice for
his most emotional images.
“Digital photography is quicker, easier and cheaper, and it does provide me with options outside the range of film; and as digital single lens reflex
technology has developed, DSLRs have become more and more the camera of choice. But there really is something desirable about the way film feels,
how it goes hand in hand with the roots of photographic art. Sometimes, even now, there are moments that just seem to demand a camera from the
past to create an unmistakably original creative statement which affects and impacts the viewer on the deepest emotional levels, and for those
moments, please give me my film!"
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KT Pano
Nikon digital, stitched ultra panorama
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 Hasselblad
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The Hasselblad XPan is widely used for Keoki’s more mountainous panoramics. It has a 2.7:1 aspect ratio,
basically combining two 35mm images in one shot — producing an image that is very close to the standard human perspective of 160 degrees.
The camera offers the flexibility of three interchangeable lenses, 30 mm, 45 mm and 90mm, giving Keoki the flexibility to adapt from wide to tight angles,
while maintaining a panoramic view. The Hasselblad has relatively fast shutter speeds and a slow motor drive. When getting to location safely is a
feat in itself, its low weight, compact size and proven durablity under harsh weather conditions have made the Hasselblad Keoki’s primary camera for over two decades.
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Bonus Round
Hasselblad 2.7:1 aspect ratio panoramic
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 Widelux
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Keoki uses a unique and personally modified Widelux camera for his most creative work. Essentially a 35mm rotating lens panoramic camera,
Keoki modified the film plane and film transportation to his own specs. He uses the camera for both singular and multiple exposure shots, which allows him
to paint with light through an ongoing moment of time. The resulting photographs, such as Borakai, are very close to his heart and tend to stay in his Private Collection.
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Borakai, Widelux: painting with light
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XL Storm Pano
Widelux: painting with
light in multiple exposures
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 Noblex
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For a different perspective on panoramics Keoki uses a Noblex rotating slit panoramic camera. The Noblex uses a
50mm f/4.5 lens and covers a horizontal picture angle of 146 degrees by rotating the lens. It utilizes 120 roll film and creates a frame that is 5x12 cm
in size in a 2.4:1 aspect ratio.
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Sheridan Glacier, Noblex 2.4:1 aspect ratio
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 Linhof
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The extreme panoramic format of the Linhof Technorama reflects an extended sense of space and depth. The Linhof is considered
to be one of the finest viewfinder cameras on the planet. The camera produces an image that is far beyond normal visualisation. Its spectacular 3:1
aspect ratio guarantees extremely high rendition through sophisticated optics. The Technorama is a roll film camera with a picture format of 6x17 cm,
essentially combining three 6x6 cm images in one shot. Although it can be hand held, the bulky camera is best used with a tripod in most situations,
and therefore is less suitable for action photography and balancing on delicate perches.
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Maestro on Lake Tahoe
Linhof 3:1 aspect ratio wide panoramic
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 Rolleiflex
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For his intimate portraits Keoki still relies on 60s technology: the reliable Rolleiflex. Because it is a waist level view finder
camera it allows Keoki to interact with his subjects in a less invasive manner. The Rolleiflex utilizes 120 roll film and produces images in a square
6x6 cm format. It is limited with one fixed lens, a Zeiss Planar portrait lens, but for this particular application the Rolleiflex is one of the
finest professional tools ever created.
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Rolleiflex
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Professional Digital Presentations
For custom image sizing and professional digital presentations please contact Lynn Gibson at (530) 414-8500, or by
email.
View examples on our custom installation and
digital presentation pages.
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