Day 249 - Project365

Lets run down what this trip has found it necessary to throw at me thus far.

1. Broken PC cord on Day 2 causing me to shoot on camera lighting.
2. Vagabond takes a crap on day 3 causing me to be tethered to the wall outlet
3. This morning my Stands and Stand bag arrived. The bag is 7 inches too small. This is the bag that was recommended for those stands on B&H photo.

I'm really being tested! I'm not understanding what I did for all this to come down on me. 2000 miles from home to top things off! Luckily the bad luck has been diluted by a few shining rays a light. A seemingly random individual whom happened to catch my day 248 shot on flickr offered to loan me his Vagabond Battery pack. I continue to be blown away by the photography communities solidarity. Unless you are a super high up stuck up asshole photographer who thinks not only does his shit not stink he also thinks that no one cares when he blows dirt in a crowded studio. Those photographers would rather walk over you while asking you to get him coffee than help you out. Anyway…

Thank you so much Anthony Segarra from Reno, You really helped me out when I needed it! And to think… I know people that I consider friends that wouldn't jump that fast to help. I'm blown away!

Paul C. Buff sent out a loaner Vagabond this afternoon to replace mine while in the shop. So, that is yet another bit of good news to dilute the small pond of bad news. B&H photo sent me a return slip for the bag. Unfortunately the size that I need is double the money! I'll just end up shipping the new stands back home before I leave instead of forking over another 45 dollars.

So, we meet Anthony in Fernely, NV about halfway between Fallon and Reno. Remnets of Burning Man festival can be seen everywhere. Although the event was not held in Fernely it seemed that many of the now dust covered attendees were unloading garbage, refueling and preparing to return to civilization! I saw the strangest things on trailers, including dust covered living room sets complete with sofa, love seat and tables. I saw trailers with bikes and grills and blow up toys. I've never been to this event and probably would be reluctant to fork over the 300.00 admission. Although, with over 50,000 people attending it really seems like one huge, kick ass party! Too bad they don't allow cameras, which is very odd!

So, Anthony arrives , we "meet" and ask each other some photography related questions and decide to all hop in the Jeep and make our way out to take a picture. We find a long dirt road leading to pretty much nowhere. We take the Badass Jeep down this soft sand road until we can't go any further. I bust out the new stands and setup two lights. Now, for some odd reason I really felt retarded as I couldn't get my head focused. It must have taken me 20 minutes to setup two lights.

I'm sure Joyce could have setup faster than that! I got distracted several times by the Dust Devil (whirl wind dust tornado frequently seen in the desert) This one was unique as it stretched from the ground all the way up into the sky. It looked to be about as big as a NYC skyscraper. A size that is very uncommon for Dust Devils.

The sand was soft and every third step I would take my foot would break through the sand into what I could only imagine was some sort of venomous desert creatures home. All I could picture was my foot breaking through and a rattle snake lunging up and like a whip snapping ageinst my legs and burying its hypodermic needle like fangs deep into the tender flesh of my calf. I have an over active imagination… I can't help it!

So, once I was setup we started snapping shots. I realized that the back light I setup wasn't strong enough and essentially it was not even reaching him. I decided to scrap that light and go with a single light setup. We moved over the the cliff edge and snapped a few more shots. It really didn't take long to get the shot I was after. We packed it up and parted ways.

From Fernely we headed back down Highway 50 to Fallon. We stopped at this old abandoned building that looked as if one spark would hit it it would go up in flames. The old dry particle board exterior was dry, cracked and nearly turning to dust. However, the thing was locked up tight! In the distance we saw what appeared to be the battered shell of a mobile home. we trekked through the cracked desert about 200 yards to the house that was barley standing. Doors and windows had been long since knocked out. The whole thing was full of bird shit. The house sat up on several cinder blocks. This made it about 3 feet off the ground. A wooden blank was propped up against the opening and we made our way up and into what once appeared to be someones home. The room we entered was the bedroom, It was littered with excrement, glass and wood. A pigeon had been cornered in the room on account of our presence. It repeatedly attempted to fly out the window. Unfortunately the window he was trying to fly out was the only remaining window in the entire structure that was still intact. We moved on to the living room and kitchen in order to give Mr. Birdie a chance to escape. On the kitchen counter were very old pictures that appeared to be from the early 1900's. Of course I snapped a few shots of these before we left the house.

From there we went downtown and I finally stocked up on Brick wall and texture stock that I've been so desperately needing! I now don't have to rely on that brick wall action that comes with photoshop. I'm excited!!

Joyce says I was in an off mood all day. I'm totally willing to attribute that mood to a combination of broke down gear, extra money needed to fix said broken gear and lack of freedom because of broken gear. Although, I'm hoping that the mood will pass now that I have things semi figured out.

While on the phone today with Paul Buff's customer service I was messing with the Vagabond. They had just taken my credit card info for the 10.00 shipping charge on there loaner battery. Just as I had said the last few digits the vagabond turned on. I really don't know what it is about Paul C. Buff gear but just being on the phone with them makes things work. The last time I was having an issue with the Vagabond, I called them and magically it started working while on the phone. I figure i'll just call them from this point out whenever any of my gear stars acting up. I really do like the company, their product and how well they stand behind each and every item they manufacture. Even though I managed to get it to work, I'll still be sending the inverter back so I can have them check it out. Its one month from being out of warranty and I know for sure that once that warranty is up, thats when the problems will really start!

So I'll leave you with this deep final thought. "I lay here in a unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar city, far from home. I stare at Joyce's pet turtle trying to escape its tank and can't help but identify with him. He doesn't understand why he can see freedom yet not touch it. Each stroke he makes sends him into the glass yet he never gives up. I too can see my "freedom" (a fulfilling career) yet there seems to be glass in my way! I too wont give up! I don't think Mr. Studebaker will ever break that glass… But I know damn sure that I will!

Lighting:

AB800 Med Softbox 8:00. Full power. Triggered Via Cyber Syncs.

Correction:
Burning man does allow cameras, strobes, tripods and video as long as you register them and are not selling them. Commercial use requires an agreement with burning man since it is a private event. I normally research before I write but took someone's word for it. Its ok... I'm not mad at you Joyce.