--- title: Carlos Da Silva description: Photographer | The Turquoise Shadow | Photographic Post Production url: 'https://www.artsume.com/a/the-turquoise-shadow' type: artist createdAt: '2026-09-16' updatedAt: '2026-10-05' disciplines: - Photography location: 'Encinitas, CA, United States' website: 'https://www.theturquoiseshadow.com' birthYear: 1971 --- # Carlos Da Silva *Photographer | The Turquoise Shadow | Photographic Post Production | Photography | Based in Encinitas, CA, United States* ## Artist Statement The Turquoise Shadow is a photographic practice exploring the relationship between humans and the worlds they inhabit. The experience of immigration disrupted any fixed sense of place, creating a lasting sense of existing between places, suspended in an in between state that sharpens an awareness of space and of the subtle moments in which belonging is felt. Moving between ocean, landscape, and portraiture, these photographs are less concerned with narrative than with atmosphere and perception. They occupy a space between observation and immersion, often inviting the viewer into moments of suspension where distinctions between self and environment begin to dissolve. Before photography became its primary medium, The Turquoise Shadow worked across graphic design, sound, and music, producing sound works commissioned by galleries and cultural institutions while musical projects were released internationally through numerous record labels. Across these different mediums, a common inquiry has persisted: how place shapes experience, and how we come to recognize ourselves within it. ## About Photographer working as The Turquoise Shadow, with experience across editorial, publishing, commercial photography and image licensing. I also provide photographer led post production, including color grading, retouching, image finishing and preparation for print and publication. My photographs are featured throughout NALU, published by Clarkson Potter / Penguin Random House. Before photography became my primary professional focus, I worked extensively in graphic design and creative direction, including roles with Microsoft and within the music industry. That background continues to inform my approach to color, composition, image finishing and visual communication. I am currently focused on my photographic practice, personal projects and publishing work, while also supporting photographers and creative teams with professional post production. ## Curriculum Vitae ### Commissions - **2005** - Outside: In, Bumbershoot Arts and Music Festival, Seattle, WA, United States Note from the artist: Four channel sound installation. The work combined electronic composition with environmental recordings gathered in Wisconsin to create a continuous immersive sonic environment within the exhibition space. - **2003** - I Hear Them Singing When I Close My Eyes, CoCA Seattle, Seattle, WA, United States Note from the artist: Sound installation commissioned for the Dorkbot exhibition. The installation combined electronic composition, field recordings made in Southeast Asia and frequencies associated with EEG brainwave activity. Sound was presented through both conventional speakers and tactile transducers. ### Publications - **2026** - *NALU*, Clarkson Potter / Penguin Random House, pp. 304 ### Positions - **2017–Present** - Fine Art Photographer, The Turquoise Shadow, Encinitas, CA, United States Note from the artist: Fine art photography practice encompassing personal work, editorial and publishing assignments, image licensing, selected commissions, color grading, image editing and print production. Recent publishing includes photographs featured throughout Nalu, published by Clarkson Potter. Available for selected assignments, collaborations, licensing and photography instruction. - **2012–2020** - Creative Director, Mystic Kombucha LLC, Seattle, WA, United States Note from the artist: Founded and built Mystic Kombucha into one Seattle's leading craft kombucha brands, overseeing the company’s creative direction, visual identity and brand experience from launch through growth. - **2001–2003** - Graphic Designer, Microsoft, Seattle, WA, United States Note from the artist: Professional graphic design and visual communication within Microsoft's creative environment. - **1996–2000** - Creative Director, Delicious Music, Seattle, WA, United States Note from the artist: Led creative direction and visual presentation for the independent music company, working across artist imagery, releases, promotional materials and visual identity. - **1997–2000** - Creative Director & Graphic Designer, EatKnowledge Recordings / Lakeshore Records / Will Records, Seattle, WA, United States Note from the artist: Creative Director and Graphic Designer for EatKnowledge Recordings and three sister labels operating within Lakeshore Records / Will Records. Directed visual identity across multiple label and artist projects, including album packaging, photography, typography, promotional materials and print production. - **1990–2000** - Graphic Designer, Tasty Shows Events / Neverstop Productions, Seattle, WA, United States Note from the artist: Created visual identities, promotional design and event materials for music and cultural events throughout Seattle. ### Photography & Post Production - Color grading - Digital asset organization - File preparation - Image editing - Image finishing - Image sequencing - Print preparation - Publication preparation - RAW processing - Retouching ## Portfolio ### NALU - History, Legends, and Wisdom from 1,000 Years of Hawaiian Surfing (2026) NALU is a richly illustrated exploration of Hawaiian surfing through its history, culture, mythology, and living traditions. Bringing together contemporary photography, rare archival imagery, historical research, and Hawaiian language sources translated into English for the first time, the book offers a deeper understanding of surfing's place within Hawaiian culture and identity. My photographs appear throughout the publication alongside contemporary photography, rare archival imagery, and historical material documenting more than a thousand years of Hawaiian surfing culture. ## Links - **Website:** https://www.theturquoiseshadow.com - **instagram:** https://instagram.com/the_turquoise_shadow