After the last jump on Day 2 at the P3 Big Way Camp at Skydive Perris Valley, Craig OB and I headed straight for The Bomb Shelter for some off camera flash action. We needed some practice to help speed things up during the actual shoot. In today’s shoot we had to set up fast and then deal with live models, ie. Drunken happy skydivers, so we had to be quick about it.
In my Skydiving Photography Newsletter I talked about the importance of projects and products. This is a perfect example. If you want to be a good photographer on the ground or in the air you must have to projects where you test yourself, learn your equipment and apply what you learn. Constantly practicing, stretching your comfort zone and educating yourself on your camera equipment pays off big.
For this project we had to light up the entire bomb shelter with a dark ceiling and we didn’t have much time to do it in either. After setting up lights and popping tons of pics the night before we knew it was still going to be a challenge but we were way ahead of the game. Once set up we had five off camera lights using remote electronics and flash syncing from the bigger strobes. Then it was time to fill the place with people bribing them of course with fame, fortune and free beer. Yes, exactly like herding cats.
By the end it would appear we got the shot needed and all was a success. Then it was time to head out to the pool area for some outside on-the-fly documentation. The pool was the best. Took a while for the pool to get glassy but with patience, and two speed-lights held by Terry Weatherford and myself, Craig was able to get a beautiful reflection pool shot. We even managed to coax Cathy, Terry Weatherford’s lovely wife, into the pool and a bikini for some fast off camera flash action. That was fun and made for a super long day, although a very productive one. There is nothing like seizing the moment of life no matter what.
If you are interested in learning more about simple off camera flash set ups, I highly suggest you check out The Strobist, the easiest and cheapest way to get started.
Can you spot all five flashes?
Next up – A Day for Success.
Thanks for tuning in,
HP
