LamboGenie Promotion Evening

Saturday the 19th September (Still catching up!!!), and LamboGenie (the parent company of Lotus Car Hire) is holding a promotional evening to showcase the various companies and their abilities. Following on from the track day, I was asked to photograph this event. The remit was very simple, "Make us look good!"

Hmmm, ok.

Besides the Lotus cars, they also deal in exotic car hire for events and more. With an events co-ordinator on board now (With vast experience, I might add) they are able to manage those events too, if required. Part of the promotion was to show the various aspects and abilities of the various team members, including the likes of John, the lighting guy. He spent three days lighting the premises and erecting the rather exotic looking marquee and the final effect really was quite magical. The above shot of the marquee details are as follows:

Nikon D3 24-70mm 2.8 @ 24mm f2.8 1/15th sec ISO 3200 hand held

 

Of course, the preparation for the evening needed to be duly captured, with the above image useful for the event co-ordinator's portfolio as it shows their attention to detail. Nikon D3 24-70mm f2.8 @ 38mm f3.2 1/50th sec ISO 1600

 What would LamboGenie be without their cars. This particular shot was a nightmare. Yes, a nicely lit floor. Yes, smoke to help distinguish the light and add atmosphere. Yes, the car's interior was nicely lit too. BUT, the damned floor was strobing about once a second. It was supposed to be constantly lit, with an option for variable speed strobing. It just wouldn't switch over to constant, and the slowest it would strobe was once a second. Oh joy of  ruddy joys!

No point in whining, you have to work with what you've got. Took a total of eight shots, five missing the lit floor and three managing to catch the strobe. Nikon D3 24-70mm f2.8 @ 58mm f4.5 1/13th sec ISO 1600 hand held (yep, proud of this one due to the lack of tripod).

 

Another of their cars, again beautifully lit. Nikon D3 24-70mm f2.8 @ 42mm f3.5 1/13th sec ISO 1600 hand held. Not as pin sharp as I would like, but perfectly usable for their publicity literature and website etc. (actually, good for an 8x12 print).

Different view of the marquee, taking in the woodland backdrop which had also been painstakingly lit to enhance the overall effect. (John is a bit of a fanatic, to say the least!). Nikon D3 24-70mm f2.8 @ 27mm f2.8 1/15th sec ISO 6400 hand held.

Final shot of the night, requested by the lighting guy (John) as he particularly liked the view whilst tampering with one of the lights during the evening (he spent most of the evening fine tuning the lighting). To be honest, I have to agree with him, it's a really nice view that non of the 50 or so corporate guests got to see, which was a shame really. Nikon D3 24-70mm f2.8 @ 32mm f2.8 1/60th sec ISO 6400 hand held. The higher shutter speed was chosen as there was no need to capture internal detail within the marquee or people etc, and I also wanted to saturate the light on the trees and bushes, keeping the sky black.

Adendum - Lotus Track Day

Remember the Lotus Track day article? Well, this is a small update to that entry which I should really have mentioned long before now. I mashed a quick slideshow for the company to use with a promotional evening (more on that later!).
For those that want to know more of what they do, visit their website

Just For Me

Yep, still playing catchup.
So what was I to do with two cancelled regattas and five days between them in Wales? I made it a weeks vacation instead, and photographed anything I fancied. Just for me. No editors, no clients, no one. Just for me.
So, pretty much a week in Betws-y-coed with pretty good weather and a motorhome stuffed to the gills with gear and no deadlines. I felt 18 again! It was great.
er........... what now!
No deadlines means no pressure, no editors means no agenda, and no clients means no subject. Hmmm, that means I have to find something all on my own. Strange how all of a sudden there is nothing to photograph.
Walking along the riverbank, I came across this solitary toadstool/mushroom thing on a log. With not alot else to occupy my time, I dropped anchor and set about taking a few snaps to check the lighting and overall feel of the composition. I felt there was a little too much ambient lighting, giving a rather flat look to the whole image. I took a single SB-900 and put it on its little footstand just out of picture left, basically crosslighting the toadstool thing. The flash was co-ordinated and commanded by an SU-800 and utilising Nikon's CLS.
Nikon D3 24-70mm 2.8 @ f4 1/320th sec ISO 800
This was actually done as a test run after getting my D3 back from service.

Portpatrick Weekend

A bit of a disaster really. Arrived on the evening of the 26th August, and looking forward to photographing the jetskiing and spending time with good friends. Well, the friends were great, the jetskiing was short lived (very!) and the weather was tripe!
Wondering why this entry is regarding August but filed in September? just too damned busy! Got back from Portpatrick, a bit of rushing around and then off to Wales.
Oh yeah, remember those two regattas I was looking forward to? they both got binned. I was gutted to say the least.
I have to say, I felt particularly sorry for the club and it's members, as this had taken a lot of organising and was to be their first National event for the CYRC. However, the water board had other ideas.
The above shot was taken with D2Hs Sigma 120-300 f2.8 + 1.4TC @ 1/1600s f4

Lotus Car Hire Trackday

Sorry for the absence, but work has been a little busy of late (woohoo!)
Yesterday entailed an assignment I'd been looking forward to for some time. Lotus Car Hire provide trackday events for corporate clients and individuals. The day includes full tuition from some of the best mentors available with tangible results. My remit was very loose, simply capture the day with images that could convey the essence of the day's experience to potential clients.

Did the usual reportage thing of capturing the events as they unfolded, along with detail shots and the sort of stuff to add interest. However, I wanted a few shots that would grab the imagination of the potential client, and what better than a racing image of one of their cars gaining ground on another Lotus, which just so happens to be one of their other cars (no point in giving away free advertising to another trackday organiser!).

Once the day with the clients finished, I set about organising this shot. Before I begin to explain, have a close look at the shot and write down whatever you believe the car speed was, and the camera settings used before reading any further.

Done the writing down thing? ok, lets move on -

The total time, start to finish, including set-up and pack-away time for this shot was a shade under 10 minutes. Oulton Park was closing shop, and I had very little time to get it organised, set-up and shot, before we were likely to get thrown out.

I attached two suction mounts to the rear deck of the car, before zip tying (cable ties) a tripod to them both. The tripod head was swapped out for a pistol grip quick set type head, onto which I attached a D3 with a 24-70mm f2.8 lens, which promptly caused the quick release plate to disengage, allowing the camera and lens to fall the 3.5 feet to the track, with the fall broken by my foot (ouch!). No damage to either camera or lens, but my Calumet pistol grip is destined for the bin. The problem was down to a worn locking lever, and a new grip will now be ordered (and it won't be a Calumet model).

To get around the problem with the quick release plate, I zip tied the locking lever in position and that seemed to stop the problem. The car was then pushed by three members of staff and several shots taken at a slow shutter speed to accentuate movement.
1st run was pretty good, and a re-run got us the keeper I was after.

Nikon D3 with Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 1/13th sec f14 ISO 100 (that would be LO 1.0, as the D3 has a lowest ISO of 200)

So, considering the shutter speed was a mere 1/13th sec, any guesses as to the speed of the car?
About 3mph, or something like walking pace.

The camera doesn't lie, but perceptions can be skewed.

The Leaping Groom

When I get a Bride and Groom that are confident, and will at least listen to creative ideas without shuddering, I tend to get very excited and all those ideas and visions I've had for some time start to bubble forth.
So, on Saturday I had just such a couple, and the fact the Groom was arrested an hour before the service and frog marched to the Church by three Imperial Storm Troopers and an Imperial guard, gave me the green light on a few projects I'd been saving for the right couple.
This particular image I've had in mind for over twelve months, and if I were to be honest, I don't feel it's fully worked to the best advantage here. The ceiling was too low, and the foot of the bed had a wooden board that was likely to catch the Groom's feet if he wasn't careful (and who wants to be responsible for taking the Groom to hospital on his wedding night?).
Well, we have to work with what we have, and this is what I got. I'm quite happy using the Nikon Creative Light System, which takes care of a lot of the exposure etc automatically, and it's damned good too. And I'm also perfectly at home using a fully manual set up, dialling in the required amounts of power to each strobe, taking full command.
Here, I chose to go with a fully manual setup, as I knew if I were to use the CLS option, the white dress and white walls would likely confuse the hell out of the CLS system , and I'd have to dial up some exposure compensation anyway. Now, being a lazy photographer, I couldn't face setting it all up automatically, and then having to dial it up bit by bit, so I set it all up manually to begin with.
First SB-800 camera left at six feet with a stofen on, at 1/16th power. Second SB-800 camera right at six feet with a stofen on, again at 1/16th power. Why two? To eliminate shadow and give a more voyeuristic look to the image, along with the final post processing I had in mind.
Nikon D3 with Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 at f5.6 1/125th sec 200ISO.
Took two shots to get the light levels right, and then three shots to get the keeper. Post processing? Not a lot really, convert to black and white, add ""film grain" for authenticity, along with a healthy vignette for the same reason.
What would I change? A bed without the foot board, a higher ceiling and a longer run up so the groom can get more height and straighten out.
Well, it made me laugh.

Graduation

In the middle of working on the previous wedding photographs, I get a frantic call from a mother who wants her son photographed before the hired gown goes back the following day. Hmmm, ok I say and chuck my gear together and head out west. Well, across the valley, anyway.
Rameez has just gained his degree in Law, and his family are justifiably proud of him.
So, I set up as per usual. Two brollied SB-800s and another at the back on a short stand and gel'd.
All this is set to use Nikon's CLS via an SU-800 and it all goes nicely up until the lighting test shot.
Rameez's skin tones, coupled with the black of the gown, is throwing the metering way off and badly underexposing him (almost two stops, would you believe). I also didn't have enough distance between Rameez and the background to isolate it completely.
Now, I'm basically lazy. If I have to faff and generally fart about, I get bored. If I get bored, I get into mischief and that's a whole new story for another day!
So, rather than just start faffing shaving a third of an EV off the light here, raise two thirds there. I dropped the lot to manual and dialed in my guesstimate and bingo! On the button first pop.
D3 24-70mm at 50mm 1/200th sec f5.6 200ISO
Main light camera right = SB-800 1/8th power & shoot through brollie slightly above Rameez's eye level
Fill light camera left = SB-800 1/16th power & shoot through brollie just below Rameez's chin height to lift his chin and eyebrow shadows.
Back light behind Rameez (on the floor) = SB-800 1/32nd power, Stofen'd and pointing almost upright.

Scott and Leanne

Saturday proved to be one of the more relaxing weddings I've photographed. No rush, no holdups and no complications. Leanne and Scott are both Organised people, and it showed on the day. It was a nice sized wedding with close family and friends invited, who were all very warm people.
Leanne's father, Paul, is a retired wedding photographer, and it was Paul who did the research regarding photographers for his daughter's wedding. I was honoured I'd been chosen, but it did increase the pressure somewhat.
This is the first wedding party that has insisted we join them for the reception meal, and I'll put money on Paul having something to do with that!
The ceremony was held at the registry office, and we made use of a nearby park area for some quick group photos, and then moved on to the reception venue, which didn't offer an awful lot regarding scenic backdrops etc.
The image at the top of this post was taken immediately after the meal with me precariously balanced on the wall of one side of the fountain, shooting across the fountain to get the image.
Possibly not the best, but you utilise what you have available. There was a car park to my eft and behind me, with the hotel (in standard brick) to my right. Hmmmm, not a lot of choice then.
D3 24-70 at 70mm f5.6 1/100th sec 400ISO fill flash at -0.7EV to lift the eyes and add a touch of highlight.
This second image was one of those you just see take place, and snap instinctively, not really appreciating it till you get back to the office. Taken as Scott and Leanne made ready before going outside for the image at the top of this post, it was a nice relaxed moment that just grabbed my attention, with waiting photographer in the background. (not me, obviously! my wife, Anne)
D3 24-70 at 27mm f4 1/30th sec 3200ISO

Regatta revived?

Funny, isn't it? You get told everything's off. There's no water, no lake, no boats, no people and no fun!
Until you speak to one of the guys in charge. "Yes, the water will be low, and we can't say for sure how low. Cancel? not yet!"
So, I still have a regatta in September. Plus, I got to have a play and see what the place was like. Lots of water! Well, a bit less than the week before, but still a lot of water. The folks were very friendly, and seeing as I was making use of the Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 and a 1.4x teleconvertor. I knew I'd have to put up with the usual "My, that's a big'un!" I told myself to smile, they think it's the first time I'd heard it.
Actually, don't knock it. It makes a useful conversation starter, and it's surprising where the conversations go. Whilst talking to Dave, I mentioned I was basically there to do a reccy because of the doubt over the September regatta. It was at this point he mentioned a second regatta the following September weekend which was a national event organised by the Royal Yachting Association (The first to be hosted there) which I am now also going to shoot for them and the Association. Result!
The above image was taken on the back of a rather bumpy safety boat with a very wet seat! Nikon D3 70-200mm f2.8 VR shutter priority 1/1250th sec f7 400ISO
This second image is of a lady who has only been sailing a month or so, and it was her first competition. She was overtaken by a few of the competitors, but she was thrilled to bits and chuffed she finished. Nikon D3 70-200mm f2.8 VR shutter priority 1/1250th sec f6.3 400ISO
The folks were extremely nice and I have to say, I can't wait to get back. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

The Regatta is sunk

Just been informed that a regatta I was to cover in September near Denbigh, Wales has been cancelled. Apparently the organisers were informed by email within the last day or so. The waterboard are draining the lake to allow maintenance to be carried out on a wall. The lake will be out of use throughout the yacht club's busiest time, and re-filling isn't scheduled to begin until early September, around the date of the much publicised and anticipated regatta.
However, this weekend I'm across at my sister's for her 40th birthday (all say ahhhh!), and Sunday there is a boat meeting at the s ame lake before the drainage gets into full swing. So, I'm taking my gear anyway for the birthday bash, and I guess I'll tag along for the last hurrah.
The image above was from a weekend at Port Patrick, may 2008 with a very large party of very good friends. That's simon with the face of terror. Nikon D2Hs Sigma 120-300mm with 1.4x
Hopefully, I'll have pictures and news after the weekend

Edinburgh Trip

The above was the culmination of several attempts to get this image, each attempt accompanied by cursing and limping. However, I would consider the aggravation and discomfort to be worth it in the end. It was taken at the river mouth at Crammond, on the Firth of Forth.
Why the interesting colours? Well, the shot was taken on a manual setting of 1/250th sec at f6.3 200 ISO which basically underexposed the shot by just over two stops, as the correct exposure was 1/60th sec at f5 200 ISO. This helps saturate what little colour was there, and believe me, there wasn't much!
So, that's the basic exposure, so what about the colours? That's the easy bit, as I just set the white balance to fluorescent which gave the the colours a nice mauve colour cast.
Post processing? Using Nikon's Capture NX (Yes, it's slow, but it does a damned fine job) I accentuated the white balance further, to increase the mauve cast, and then increased the vibrancy a little too. In the end, a nice little holiday snap.
The second shot was taken a few evenings later, and again made use of the fluorescent white balance to add the mauve colouring to the base of the clouds. Again using a manual setting of 1/1600th sec and f8 at 200 ISO to underexpose by at least three stops (I didn't take a standard exposure for reference this time, sorry) which heavily saturated the blue of the sky and the orange of the sunset (which, incidentally, was barely visible). Again tweaked in Capture NX to up the vibrancy a touch, although this required very little post processing to be honest (well, a little noise control).
So, simple holiday snaps to something a little more perhaps, with no real effort other than a little forethought.
ok, so it looks like a busman's holiday, but these were for my enjoyment, and not some editor or other, which suits me fine. (Even though I'm still using crutches at the moment, the editor of Off Road Rider magazine still asks if I'll be out at the track side for the weekend. Sheesh, these guys are all heart)

Finally.....................

OK, so it's taken a while. Quite a while. Or as Catherine or Stuart will no doubt point out, a very long while.
A while for what?
Well, I've said, time and time again, I'll set up a blog and this is finally it. And how long is a while? Oh, about three years.

With the ever increasing workload, and ever decreasing free time, it's just been one of those things I was to do tomorrow, and tomorrow seems to have finally arrived.

So, what have I been doing recently, that's going to remotely interest you. Well, I've had a spanner in the works recently and been off my feet (more accurately: on a pair of crutches) after an old knee injury flared up. About four years ago, whilst photographing MotoX for Off Road Rider Magazine, I caught my foot in long grass and twisted my knee. Four years drift by with a stiff, painful knee every morning that frees up after a few hours. Until a week ago, when it doesn't free up, and gets worse throughout the day, and then much, much worse overnight.
Turns out I ripped the medial cruciate ligament off completely four years ago, and pretty much shredded the medial meniscus at the same time. Whoopy doo

Anyway, it seems to be settling down gradually. So, what's been of note, lately?
Well, it was my parents Golden wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago, over in Wales. Along with the invite came the usual "are you bringing your camera?".
I had less than an hour to clear some space in their living room, set up a couple of stands, brollies and SB-800s, and a third SB-800 on a footstand for the background, gel'd for blue.
Due to time restraints, I went with CLS and fired off a test shot first, re-dialled the strobes via the SU-800 and then shot the keepers. Set up, 98 shots and take down, all in under an hour.
This was the second shot (first keeper) using the two brollies one above the other in a shoot through clam shell type setup. Upper SB-800 at metered, lower SB-800 at -0.7 (2/3rd of stop lower) and the back lighting SB-800 is around a 1/3rd stop under.

Actually, pop ain't bad at all for 71






We then moved on to mother, with a similar setup, although shifted the distance between the two brollies so they were no longer vertically in line. Same settings, more or less. When it comes to your parents, you cannot flatter them enough with soft light, believe me!

Enough brownie points were earned doing this one small session, to keep me going for some time.