Day 36 - Project 365

When Ben asked me if I wanted to destroy a TV last week, naturally I said, "hell yes"! I haven't used a sledge hammer on a TV since 1994. We scheduled to shoot it for day 35 but things just didn't work out. So, today at 2pm we made our way out west to the only area I figured we would't get hassled. We drove Ben's Excursion and had no problem traversing the off road path that led out to the electrical field. We quickly setup three lights and started snapping test shots. The sun was in perfect place to act as a 4th light. It's only the second time I've had the chance to shoot a project 365 picture during the day.

Without even thinking I told Ben to wear a dress shirt, tie and nice pants. I foresaw this being a business man taking his frustration out. Shurly it wasn't because I had watched part of Office Space yesterday. He brought a few different outfits and I picked the purple shirt because it just fit so good with my theme.

Once we set up the lights it was time to haul the TV out to the field. This isn't a small TV! I picked up all 36 inches and approximately 70lbs of this useless hunk of plastic and glass and hauled it about 30 yards to the center of our makeshift studio. The wind was kicking at about 15mph so sand bags were a necessity. Unfortunately I had messed up one of my Alien bee's stand collar thingy and now I can't tighten the screw. Soft box + WInd - Tight Screw = a widely spinning windmill. Between Ben and I, the problem was semi solved and the shoot continued. I knew that we didn't have more than 1 or maybe 2 chances to get this shot right. I don't have speed lights strong enough to illuminate the scene to my liking so multiple high-speed exposures was not an option. No,… I had to 3…2…1 it. Well, Ben and I practiced a few times, got our signals straight and decided that it was go time. I fired off one more test shot, re-focused and battled with the blinding sun to not get a massive flare. I opted to go with the wide angle lens despite the inherent danger of flying glass. I wanted a slightly comical and sharp shot. I've been favoring this lens more and more as the old work horse 28-105mm just isn't what it used to be.

This was it! We didn't have another TV. Ben had to get it right, I had to get it right, the lights had to fire. It all had to come together or I'd be shooting a picture of Ben dressed up in the middle of a field holding a sledge hammer with no context. 3…2…1 swing, fire, blinding light… did I get it? Light bright, sun shining… YES I got it!

Ben ran over and agreed it was great. We looked at the TV and figured it had enough glass left to try one more time. 3…2…1 swing, fire, blinding light… Perfect. This one was the winner. We both agreed and that was it. Ben always seemed like he was harboring some suppressed anger. Well,… as I started to clean up the lights he started to make damn sure that TV was dead. By the time he was finished there wasn't much left. I dragged the TV into the tall grass and from a distance I'm sure it looked like we had just brutally beat someone and then dragged them into a shallow grave.

I think the shot turned out pretty good. A slight bit of motion blur was to be expected since my shutter speed was 1/250 and he was moving faster than that. However, it wasn't too bad. I was satisfied with it. A quick edit and day 36 is done before 7pm. I now have to quickly get ready for a crazy night in West Palm Beach. The question is… should I bring my camera and lights and get tomorrows shot in Palm Beach or not chance it. Wow… I'm really not sure. I guess I have 30 minutes to decide.

One last thing… after all that would you believe we forgot the beaten corpse of a TV in the field? Ya thats it… we forgot it! - Michael

Lighting: look at this nifty lighting shot! thats easier than typing it!

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