Day 329 - Project365

"Hey uncle Jack… how many spokes do you have?" that was the question I posed to him before I even busted out one light. I knew that if I was going to attempt a full body composite, transplanting my cycling enthusiast of an uncle from flat florida to the wide open roads of Nevada, I'd need to be sure I wouldn't want to shoot myself later when I had to mask out 500 spokes. His reply was a little more in depth than I anticipated as he went in the the composition and style and even the origin.

Being oddly interested in just about everything, I listened as he rattled off specs left and right. I really like talking with people who are equally passionate about their hobby as I am mine. After a good minute of explanation the information I was waiting for came up. 16 spokes in front, 20 in back. I knew right then that it was possible to mask them out with out going insane. Although, I knew it wouldn't be a walk in the park either. We pushed forward with the plans and after a little auto jockeying of the vehicles in the drive way, I was able to setup the typical three light setup.

I had requested that my uncle come over complete with bike and super obnoxious biking attire. He had recently picked this outfit up and loves the reaction he gets while riding. It only takes me about 15 minutes to setup. Jack throws on his gear and we start snapping test shots. I had a few poses in mind and we breezed through them. He was curious about Shawn's Jeep being in the background and if it would screw up the shot. I chuckled a bit and confidently said… "oh, you won't be in the drive way when I'm finished, I'm thinking a long open road with mountains the background" I knew that peaked his interest. He expressed his eagerness to show all his riding buddies back home. Even though we looked through most of my portfolio a few days prior. He was about to get a crash course in just how far I take things on a daily basis.

At one point he suggested he try to stand up and make it look as if he was riding. I didn't see this ending well from the start but held out hope as he was a seasoned pro. I suppose the slanted drive way was a wee bit more than he anticipated. Just like a slow motion action sequence in a big Hollywood movie. He stared to tip… his face showed a calm anticipation of the fall and the bracing for the inevitable collision with the ground was eerily docile. Something tells me you don't get the "calm as a hindu cow" zen like expression on your face before a fall unless you've fallen enough times to master it. He wasn't able to unclip his foot in time and over he went. Experience took over and he was able to save the bike by letting his knee, shoulder and spine take the brunt of the impact. "the body heals, the bike doesn't" Honestly… I'd of dumped the bike as I know full well that the body takes a whole lot longer to heal than it takes to earn the money to fix the bike. Over the years, my body has taken longer and longer to heal. My uncle is 58… He must takes years to heal! Joking Joking!!

After the fall I figured we'd had enough shots. Before I broke down, I figured I'd snap a few shots of both my uncle and my father. The second they got in front of the camera I knew full well, where my brothers and I got our personalities from. It was like they two were kids again - It was hilarious. My uncle hasn't changed in years. This is the man who taught me to fart with my armpit and the importance of adequate retreat time while lighting fireworks.

After the shoot my dad decided to help me break down. He says it was because I was going to head over to my Uncles and help load the freezer onto the truck. I really could of handled the gear alone. He took one C-Stand and I had to lift a freezer. Fair? … don't think so. I did go and after getting there realized that I wasn't needed as Teddy and My father lifted the freezer into the backend with no problems. I had spokes to mask out and gear to pack and I'm standing around, not needed. Although, to make it appear as if I helped I gently placed my hand on the freezer while it was being hoisted. From an outside perspective I looked like a team player! it was really a win win situation.

I'd like to note that this man makes my spur of the moment 100 mile bike ride from Ft. Lauderdale to Port Saint Lucie, FL a joke. He routinely rides 40 miles a day. He once road his bike from Buffalo NY to Bar Harbor, Maine. Although, he trained and was prepared for the trip. I road a broke ass bike with 3 working gears. packed a gallon of water and 5.00 cash and set out after dark all in an effort to make it home for my brothers birthday. I made it in 12 hours and 56 minutes and could barely walk for 2 days after that! I'd do it again but not on a bike with a little more mechanical soundness.

So… the spokes. They weren't as difficult as I anticipated and a solid hour of masking and the image was ready to be overlaid with a background from my stock collection. I found a nice background I had shot way back in first half of the project. A windy road way up in North Nevada by the border of Utah. I thought it worked well and dropped it in. I'm happy with the result and think I may have been a little anal about the masking. 700% zoom seems a little ridiculous. However, a 24x36 inch print with a poor masking job would look a million times more ridiculous. I would probably cry if that happened. That is why I zoom in so much and that is why I am SO attentive to details.

Time to sleep as I have a shoot in the AM. Dogs, Christmas trees and a whole lot of mischief. Should be a great shot.

Lighting:

AB800 Med Gridded Softbox at both 10:00 & 2:00. 3/4 power
AB800 Beauty Dished boomed overhead at 6:00. 1/4 power