Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/12/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Adam, OK here's a "flash story" you'll not likely forget. :-) I was to cover a key political figure at a rally and I figured it wasn't any big deal so only took a couple of M's and figured there'd be lots of video camera lights so no need for flash. Oh yes and this was an indoor event in a big arena without any extra lighting. Of course I find out how little light when I entered the building, it was like some dinky little spot lights on the podium, that was it.The rest was as black as hell. I arrive at this so called no big deal rally only to find out.... security people insisted all photogs be on a high riser to shoot over top of the crowd from what seemed like a half a football field away. Fortunately I had put a 90mm on one of the M's. But no flash, "I don't need no stinkin' flash!" Yeah right! :-( :-( For me to get anything at all one of the news guys and I worked out a "1-2-3 shoot" flash routine. I set the shutter speed for a 1/4 and a few frames at 1/2 a second so it would be open long enough for him to trip his flash and light the subject. So I'd count out " 1-2-3 - SHOOT!" I'd squeeze the shutter release and he'd fire his flash. I got a few frames away that the shutter sound and the flash seemed to be in sink. Now don't forget this is in the days of "film!" So it was "hail mary" shooting. :-) No digital screen to look at! :-) OK so there's about 40 photogs who think this is the craziest thing they'd seen and some of them thought they'd get in on it. Not funny! :-( I'd say... "SHOOT!" And about 20 strobes all went off at varying sequence so I actually had several "flash images" on film as long as the shutter was open making the exposure. The first frame was on the mark exposure. After that it became ridiculous with all the flashes going off and it blew some images into wild over exposure or several images during the exposure. Just another one of those "flash" picture events why one should carry one when you think there'll be lots of lights or TV cameras with lights! :-) because that'll be the time it'll be darker than a coal mine! ;-) ted Ted Grant Photography Limited 1817 Feltham Road Victoria BC V8N 2A4 250-477-2156