Day 33 - Project 365

"Easy boys, its my first time!"

Day 33 was such a surprise! I had met Michelle last year when she joined Brittnee and I for dinner. Brittnee left during dinner to pick up a prescription and Michelle and I were sitting there eating and talking for about 40 min before Brittnee returned. It was funny because after 20 minutes both of us were like "um… do you think she's coming back?" Last week I had scheduled to shoot Day 33 with Michelle and today I met them at the Jetty Lounge on Hutchison Island. I arrive to a gentle warm breeze, the sun shining and deep blue skies with the faintest hint of white streaked clouds. I parked and walked to the beach only to find out Brittnee, Michelle, were in the bar with both Virginia and Sarah, both of whom I wasn't acquainted with yet. That was short lived as I introduced myself. They both knew me by my photographs already so there was no "Hi, I'm..." When I first walked in I noticed three gnarly looking bikers and immediately thought to myself that that will be my backup shot if Michelle doesn't work out. I would simply ask one of them to be Day 33. Funny thing is Brittnee, with her beauty, had already persuaded them to be part of the shoot! I immediately loved the idea and she introduced me to Tony, Leggs and Rapid Roy. I still can't get over how easy going bikers are. Never have I had an easier time talking to any one group of people.

I went outside, grabbed my camera and started scouting out possible backdrops. Not liking any of them I walked across the street to the river and found the location. Blue water and cloud scattered sky would be our backdrop for today. By the time I got back to the bar (100 yard walk)! The bikers and pretty lady gang were all outside. I approach them all and run my few ideas by them. Majority rules and we head over to the river. Sarah's convertible pulls up and the music starts to thump. Not more than 5 min after I start unloading my gear does a crowd start to form. Music, loud women, Harley's and a whole lot of photography gear sure does make one kick ass party. With a revived sense of energy, the kind you see in 3 year old boys, I quickly setup two lights. One AB800 with soft box and one bare. I spread them out, one at 8:00 and one at 4:00. I set both to around 1/2 power and start firing away test shots. This is when I wish I wouldn't have forgotten the video camera. Today would have been one kick ass video! Live and learn I suppose.

Once I dial in the correct appeture and shutter speed I start directing the show. The guys were great to work with and very willing to move and continue to move. This was Michelle's first time in front of the camera and since it was I found the title fitting, contrary to what will soon be popular belief it's not sexual. I didn't want the parking lot in the background so I just rotated the whole set about 90 degrees and continued shooting without the mass of distraction in the background. I had Michelle straddle the bike and quickly realized that this needed the wide angle lens. I ran out to the car and grabbed the Tokina 11-16mm lens. Parks and recreation had pulled up about 10 minutes prior and just sat and admired the scenery. "just do your thing" one of them called out from their truck. I smiled and ran back to the bikes. I then started capturing the shots that would surly make it into the top 3 choices for today.

Just as I snapped my 5th shot I looked down at Michelle's chest and realized that if her shirt was ripped it would be that much hotter! I asked her if it was cool to cut her shirt and she said it was no problem but she didn't have anything to cut it with. Well, that was soon rectified as Tony pulled out a 3 inch buck knife and was more than happy to become temporary wardrobe manager! Within 10 seconds we were back to shooting, ripped shirt proving to be just what we needed. I tend to not notice how close I get when using the wide angle as I don't remove my face from the camera while repositioning. I snap a few of the best shots and go to CHIMP (check image preview) and realize i'm about 6 inches from Michelle's face. At this point I let everyone know we have what we need and call it a wrap. We decide that a group shot is all we really need and we all gather. One of the girl asks a random fisherman to snap the shot. I explain what button to press and with a "uno, dos, tres… flash!) We have a kick ass group shot. A few more of just the ladies and we're back to the bar. The parks and recreation guys come up and I give them a card as I was packing up.

Back at the bar, I order a beer for only $2.25 and talk to Tony, Leggs, and Roy, exchange cards and shoot the shit. Roy mentions that he drives sprint cars. I let him know that I'd love to use that as one of my days and he agrees that it's a great idea. If someone would have told me this morning, I would meet three bikers and take pictures of them with a beautiful woman at the beach… you know what, I would have believed them. This project is really starting to open my eyes and broaden my horizons. I can't complain! - Michael

Check out, download and order prints from todays shoot at http://204studios.smugmug.com/Clients/project365/Day-33

Lighting:

AB800 8:00 Medium Softbox 1/2 - 3/4 power power
AB800 4:00 7 inch reflector 1/2 - 3/4 power

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