Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of Kiss plus partners have opened their 3rd Rock & Brews restaurant in the South Bay of Southern California at 6300 Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach, CA. This was just a corner on the way to another destination, now it is the rock themed, burger slinging, many beers to pick from Rock & Brews!

This area needed something like this as is apparent by the long line and waiting list to get in on any given night. People sit at casual tables and watch rock videos while ordering up juicy burgers and brew from the impressive list of both beer and wine. I was hired to shoot the media day before the opening so the photos included show off the excitement and buzz the new restaurant has created in the area.

Actually this gorgeous new restaurant “Tamarind” Of London is located in the Newport Coast Shopping Center, California. A spectacular location at the ocean right next to Newport and Laguna Beach. Being hired to photograph this new restaurant right before the official opening was perfect timing as everything was new and fresh.

The restaurant features a full menu of exotic Indian cuisine cooked in their large Tandoor ovens and served up in an elegant fine dining setting. A classy full bar sits next to the dining area and is separated by the three large red ovens which are one of the restaurants signatures.

Designed by Steven Langford Architects, the restaurant has a colorful modern industrial look to it that fits well with the elegant dining interiors. The restaurant is not large, but is well laid out to create a nice flow between the dining room and bar area.

Restaurants are always one of the most demanding Architectural subjects photographically. They normally have limited access to power outlets making lots of extra cords necessary. Coupled with the need to cover the windows with fabric to control the light, I used my full bag of lighting tricks to get the job done. To keep the light balanced with the restaurant illumination, I used several of my large tungsten soft boxes plus small spots to fill in the dark areas and control the contrast.

Next time you head to South Orange County and have a taste for some great spicy curry, check out “Tamarind of London” at the Newport Coast.

House of Blues Restaurant, Dallas, Texas

I am Happy to be on tour again this summer shooting for the House of Blues. Starting at the Anaheim venue for 2 days with my Art Director/Assistant friend Ron Leland, we are now ready to tackle the Boston and Houston Venues and we will finish up in Las Vegas in June.

Architectural Photography At Night - What does that mean exactly? That is what I do the most as far as my photography is concerned. Take the House of Blues for example, I started shooting for them in 1999 when I was hired by Architect Sy Teller to create a magazine article on the Las Vegas Venue he had just finished. To retain the incredible lighting detail and dark cave like quality of the House of Blues brand, we decided everything should be shot at night or shot by blocking any window light to control the unique saturation that makes the House of Blues so special. A great place to see a show or have a spicy cajon style meal while enjoying the famous Blues Bar that is part of every House of Blues.

House of Blues Swamp Cookie, Anaheim, California

Of course part of the dark detail vibe means long exposures for the camera, a great tripod is must. In the time of film many exposures were in the 2 minute range. Now with 21 mega-pixel digital quality image capture, the time has been reduced, but long exposures are still what allows the intense saturation and detail which is what my brand of photography is all about.

Now 10 years and 10 cities later, we are again on the road for the ultimate images of the House of Blues that inspire, entertain, and show the promise of the House of Blues southern style hospitality vibe !~ Paul Jonason