mvw photo Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>Another "hey guys, what would you bring?" question.</p><p>Shooting, tomorrow night, a large fetish party/leather show in Toronto. From fashion show to people all dressed in leather. No doubt it will be intolerably loud and warm. :)</p><p>Question: what would you all bring? I am an experienced event shooter, but however long I have been doing this, I am never too old to learn from colleagues. I have everything in cameras (1 aD MkIII, a 1Ds MkIII, and a 7D) and in lenses (50 f/1.4, 35 f/1.4, 24-70 f/2.8, 16-35 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8IS, etc) and speedlites and modifiers and accessories. But of course as always the limiting factor is: I am alone and have to CARRY all this stuff all night.</p><p>And I expect there will be a mix of dark and light, grip-and-grins and runway, PJ and posed. So I;d like everything but clearly that is not an option.</p><p>I am thinking two bodies. Maybe the 7D with long lens and 1Ds with wide - or with 24-70? Or instead 1D with 16-35 (lighter)? Honl speedlight modifiers and Fong lightsphere, spare batteries, and that should do it?</p><p>Thoughts?</p><p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>Your two body idea is something I'd do. As for lighting, I would bring one compact stand and one other off camera flash with modifier(s), in case I have the time and space to use them. If it were me, this would consist of my Nano compact stand, Sunpak 120J with triggers, and a compact umbrella. All of this fits in a 27-33" tripod bag which I would carry across my back. Also, some bungee cords or other fasteners, in case I can make use of convenient places to put an off camera flash.</p> <p>If forced to work without the above, I'd rely on my ST-E2 with the flash in my hand or on my lightstick. I also have one of those Morris wide slaves. All of this stuff sits in my shoulder bag anyway. I also have a 20" umbrella that I carry on the bag, although I have a number of other modifiers.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>Also, I might bring a simple flip flash bracket. If forced to use on camera flash, with no other option (placement or no flash), I'd put the camera on the bracket so that when I shoot verticals (fashion show), the flash is on top. I hate those side shadows.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw photo Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>Thanks - as always, Nadine.<br> I was teaching (photography), hence the slow response.</p> <p>I'll bring all that.. also, I will use the strap I just bought - Blackrapid.com - as well as the Ezeestrap I am evaluating. So that means Ill be able to hang all my cameras from me in some comfort, which will make a nice change.</p> <p>A necessary one since I teach all day first,and then 9pm-3am shoot... :-)</p> <p>Agreed re shadows - awful. I always avoid aiming flash at people - meaning I then get underexposed images if the ceiling is 1,000 ft high... anything to avoid aiming the flash at people... but yes, will bring all the modifiers I have. Lumiquest, Honl, et al.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>If I absolutely have no other option, I use one of those A Better Bounce Card deals with the Demb Diffuser front diffuser. Seems to work just as well as a small umbrella. But that's my last chance choice.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw photo Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>If given no choice, I'll do this:</p> <ol> <li>Fong lightsphere if there is anything to bounce off</li> <li>If not, maybe a Honl bounce card (easy velcro on off!) and/or snow white gel </li> <li>or a lumiquest softboxIII if I am shooting faces from close by</li> </ol> <p>But apart from umbrellas, nothing (nothing) beats nice ceiling/wall... what I will not get tomorrow, I fear. I fear a large dark room with zero light and 500ft high ceilings, and loud music. Oh and everyone who is dressed at all will be dressed in black leather.</p> <p>Sigh!</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>You <strong>really</strong> need to come up with an assistant. Black leather cries out for rim lighting for separation and for showing the leather texture. How come you can't get one of your students?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw photo Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>Well you are right, and I could - but I cannot get them a press pass. One only!</p> <p>That said - it may be worth going back and saying i need an assistant's pass...</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw photo Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>Also - I tend to do rim lighting by holding one speedlite in my left hand, as far out as I can...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>There you go...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw photo Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>Yeah.. and hey, re the three cameras and siex lenses, what would be your choice as a starting point? (I;ll want to have the best chance of not having to go back to the car to chake lenses)</p> <p>I'm thinking... 7D for bits of video maybe. So then 1Ds or 1D as second camera? And what lenses?</p> <p>You know the feeling Nadine - you want everything with you (there. the assistant again) just in case- but in reality you can't do it. I sometimes almost wish that the government would mandate just one 50mm lens and I'd do just fine :)</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>I would use the 7D and the 1Ds, as long as you had the appropriate zoom ranges to cover. 16-35 on the 1Ds, 24-70 on the 7D? 70-200mm carried. 35mm for back up and if you can go flashless.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw photo Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 <p>Nadine - hilarious! As you typed this I was at the other end of my office/studio, preparing exactly this:</p> <ul> <li>1Ds with 16-35</li> <li>24-70 on the 7D</li> <li>70-200mm packed</li> <li>35 and 50mm for backup and flashless</li> </ul> <p>LOL!!</p> <p>Many thanks for confirming my thoughts!</p> <p>Michael</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw photo Posted October 25, 2009 Author Share Posted October 25, 2009 <p>OK, pictures soon. In the mean time: terrible light, nothing to bounce off. My best shots initially were taken with the 70-200. Some great ones. Fill the frame. f/2.8, 1/60th, 1600 ISO.</p> <p>But later, the "smile at the camera pics" were a challenge with very inconsistent flash results (and I know e-ttl well: I teach it).</p> <p>Best later was when I finally broke through the ambient barrier by using the 35mm f/1.4 on the 1Ds. Fong Lightsphere. At f/1.4, 1/30th, at 1600 ISO. That finally gave me backgrounds.</p> <p>Biggest challenge all night: I could not see my camera controls (too dark). Try to set FEC or ISO when you cannot see a darn thing!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw photo Posted October 25, 2009 Author Share Posted October 25, 2009 <p>I mean this. 1600 ISO - 1/30th - f/1.4 on a 35mm prime lens on the 1Ds MkIII using a Fong Lightsphere.</p> <div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 <p>Michael--this is why you need mobile light stands called assistants...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mt4x4 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 <p>You forgot to tell us what BAG your using. Do you like to go backpack or shoulder bag? Personally I find backpacks cumbersome and only like to use them when I'm hiking.<br /> <br /> If you have a good shoulder bag, with a good strap, you shouldn't have a problem packing 2 bodies, with the 24-70, 70-200, and your lighting stuff. I would probably also toss in the 35 for kicks. I use either a Lowepro Stealth Reporter AW650 for two bodies, or an old laptop bag for one body. I bought an OP/TECH S.O.S. strap for the Lowepro bag, and even with the bag packed to the hilt (35lb) its not bad. If you use a shoulder bag and have a chance, try out one of those straps, you'll be amazed at the difference over the one that comes with the bag.<br /> <br /> Oh, and don't forget your business cards. This will be excellent opportunity to line up some work for later.<br /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw photo Posted October 26, 2009 Author Share Posted October 26, 2009 <p>Shoulder bag: I use a Domke photjournalist bag. But the bodies hang off straps. So, three thngs on me: bag, 1Ds3, 7D. And I'll try your suggestion for sure (and cards, yes, I carry those!)</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now