Fluffing with the family

With onset of the warmer weather I can finally get outside and do cool stuff. 

The colder climes that inhabit Southland I am always wary of the subjects comfort level. 

It has to be an enjoyable experience, that is all part of the memory.

Now we have some sun, lets freaking use it. 

Last week was a successful week of trials.

I am trialing (and error'ing lol) different lighting permutations. 

For those who are technically minded.

I am breaking away from my beloved TTL metering and guesstimating manual OCF power levels. 

(Guesstimating because the light meter I ordered never arrived, and then the manufacturer stopped making them.  I did get a refund eventually.)

I am also running trials of the power losage of high speed sync vs my traditional loss of light via aperture. 

(Stopping down vs shutter speed to control ambient light)

High speed sync may be the way forward. 

Because shutter speed only effects the ambient light, and not the strobe light, I gain 4.3 stops of light control from 1/200 to 1/4000 in attempts to tame that ambient light. . 

But then I lose 'about' 1 stop because of the nature of how HSS works (light pulses). 

In theory its a win, but I still havent quite my head around it in its entirety, nor the practical nature of actual experience.

So it is a work in progress, and I could be wrong lol. 

(Although at this stage I only have 2 OCF which are HSS capable, which does limit creative options.)  

 It is my dream to eventually over power the sun. 

You will often hear me say I am picking a fight with the sun.  I like challenges lol. 

I know it is possible, I have seen it over seas done well.  

I just need to hammer it over and over to get a consistency.  

To know what is going to happen before I push that button.  To be in control.

And that is the key.  Control.  

All a camera does is record light.  If I control that light, then anything is possible. 

Then it doesnt matter what time of day it is, what the weather is doing, or where we are. 

We can make any vision a reality.  Bring those international standards to Invercargill.

(Note I do say 'we', it is always a partnership in creative vision)

It is a long term process, and it will probably mean in investing in more powerful lighting gear.  

But we will be having a hell of allot of fun along the way.

I am enjoying the process.  

I like to think I have mellowed a little in my 'results driven' mentality.  

It isnt about getting the shot, it is about getting out and doing stuff.

An excuse to be social and spend time with people.  

Where the only expectations are that of my own.  And honestly "I dont give a ......  " 

I do still wind myself up a little, when I see touches of brilliance. 

When its almost there and one wee push in the right direction could see that image exhibited in a European or American art gallery. 

(and yeah.  That part isnt a dream, that shit is happening right now.  It is a fact.)

But in the bigger picture, there is always tomorrow.  Lets do it again. 

And of course all the practical knowledge flows on to the commercial work. 

I know what will work, and what doesnt. 

The confidence to pull off that epic shot everyone would like for their wedding day.  

To get that family sunset shot where the sunset is the backdrop, not the dominant subject. 

To say "Yes I can do that", without compromise,  or doubt, or bullshit. 

Time is ticking with the seasonal day, err night job looming. 

I am aiming to get out creatively at least twice a week, different times of the day, in different locations.  Just doing stuff for the sake of doing stuff.  Having fun. 

If anyone wants to hang out and do cool stuff, message me on face book.  

I cant do it on my own.

 *click me*

#exordiumphotography #notmanyifany