Capabilities
Paso Robles California Photographer Syl Arena creates photographs people, food, wine, botanic, horticultural and agricultural subjects. His creative photography appeals to magazine, advertising, annual report, editorial, event and hospitality clients. Syl photographs on location and in studio throughout California. His photography studio in Paso Robles provides convenient access for location photography in nearby San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Visalia, Fresno, Carmel, Monterrey, Gilroy and all other locations in the San Joaquin Valley and on California’s Central Coast.
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PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALTIES
Agricultural Photographer — Creating great photographs of California farms and ranches is a unique ability in the world of commercial photographers. Most photographers seldom think about who produced the food they eat - nor do they focus on creating beautiful photographs of California farm products. Syl Arena traces his roots in farming and ranching through four generations of his family to the founding of the Arena Fruit Co. in 1888. As a youth, Syl spent most summers working on his family’s farm west of Phoenix. He has never lost his connection to agriculture — nor his awareness of how vital modern images of farming can be to the industry. Knowing how to photograph food produced by California’s farms with an understanding of the heritage of the state’s vast farming resources is one of Syl Arena’s greatest skills. Agricultural photography calls upon a wide range of photography technique — shoots can range from macro photographs of fruits and vegetables to photographic portraits of farm workers, farmers and consumers to panoramic photographs of farms and ranches. Syl has photographed throughout the San Joaquin Valley — including locations such as Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield , as far north as Stockton, Sacramento, Chico and Redding, and as far south as San Diego, Palm Springs, El Centro and Brawley.
Horticultural Photography - Syl spent more than a decade working in horticulture. As a former producer and distributor of unique garden roses, Syl honed his skills as a botanic photographer. Many images from his extensive collection of rose photographs have been licensed by leading publishers: including Martha Stewart Living, Sunset Magazine and Ortho Books. Capturing natural beauty while photographing flowers requires both a deep sense of aesthetics and photographic technique. Fortunately, Syl’s home in Paso Robles is centrally located to many of California’s leading breeders of flowers. Syl has also photographed gardens throughout California — including the famous rose collection at The Huntington Library near Pasadena, the Rose Hills International Rose Trial garden east of Los Angeles, the Walk of Roses near San Diego, Gaal’s Little Acre east of Ventura and the Flower Fields north of San Diego.
Food Photography and Wine Photographer — Building upon the vast resources of the state’s heritage in agriculture, California is home to many of the nation’s finest producers of artisanal foods and beverages. Further, Paso Robles is the state’s third most successful wine region (after Napa and Sonoma). The area features over 150 wineries and thousands of acres of vineyards. Whether photographing on location or in the studio, Syl has the experience and tools necessary to create captivating images of California’s food and wine.
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PHOTOGRAPHY FOR PUBLICATION — MAGAZINES, ANNUAL REPORTS AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
As an editorial photographer, Syl Arena is qualified to produce creative photographs for use in magazine, annual reports and corporate communications. His photographs have been published by Sunset Magazine, Martha Stewart Baby, Garden Compass, Pacific Coast Nurseryman. Photographing for magazines, annual reports and corporate communications frequently requires that the photographer work on location. Syl Arena is very adept as a location photographer. Depending upon the vision of the art director, he can create natural light photographs or photos that are creatively lit as if they were shot in a photo studio. As a magazine photographer, Syl Arena understands the importance of delivering a portfolio with a wide range of options and the importance of delivering that work on time. Whether shooting location photography or studio photography, California photographer Syl Arena uses a digital camera and a completely digital workflow
CALIFORNIA ADVERTISING PHOTOGRAPHY
The creation of successful advertising photography requires that the photographer visually coordinate the client’s message with the art director’s vision. Syl is a creative photographer who is able to communicate with art directors, creative directors, photo editors, graphic designers, ad agencies and all other types of creatives.
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CALIFORNIA PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
Paso Robles Photographer Syl Arena is not a traditional portrait photographer. Rather he strives to create photographic portraits that convey the persona (the personality) of his clients. Syl’s executive portrait photography can be used for corporate communications and advertising. His environmental portraits demonstrate his ability as a location photographer.
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CALIFORNIA STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY and CALIFORNIA LOCATION PHOTOGRAPHY
Drawing from his years of experience as a photographer of agricultural and horticultural subjects, Syl Arena is equally adept at photographing on location as he is when shooting in the studio. Of course, each type of photography has its unique requirements.
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DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER
Syl Arena uses a completely digital workflow from image capture through post-production and delivery to the client. Digital photography is the best solution for projects that have to be produced on location, in a short time frame or with color critical requirements. Using a combination of Adobe Lightroom and Canon’s EOS Utility, Syl is able to shoot directly from his camera into a laptop for color measurement, focus check and composition analysis. He often takes a color-calibrated studio monitor on location.
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PASO ROBLES PHOTOGRAPHER / PASO ROBLES WINE PHOTOGRAPHY
Syl photographs wine produced by the many vineyards and wineries around Paso Robles – the hub of California’s central coast wine region. Many Paso Robles wineries are members of the Wine Institute. Located halfway between Los Angles and San Francisco, Paso Robles is a popular destination for wine enthusiasts. Paso Robles is a comfortable drive from many other California locations - including San Luis Obispo, Monterrey, Carmel, Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Fresno and Salinas. Syl is available to photograph wine events. Recently, Syl photographed on location in several beautiful homes available through Paso Robles Vacation Rentals. Other information on the local area and ideas for photographing in Paso Robles are available through: the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, Paso Robles Main Street Association, and the San Luis Obispo Visitor’s Guide.
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FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY / AN EDUCATED PHOTOGRAPHER
Syl earned his BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in the College of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona during the 1980s. As a student, he spent considerable time studying the masterworks of modern photographic art at the nearby Center For Creative Photography. Prior to attending art school at the University of Arizona, Syl studied at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara — just two hours from his current home in Paso Robles.
Syl participates in many workshops each year. The Santa Fe Photographic Workshops are a particular favorite. He has also studied with Mac Holbert and John Paul Caponigro at the Fine Art of Digital Printing. Syl looks forward to attending the Palm Springs Photo Festival each spring.