10 hours in 105o (F) weather with a reflective 100ft (plus) white cyclorama wall and direct sun can be pretty demanding. Not only the people inside of it, but also the lighting, camera, and computer equipment. Throw in a pool of water and electricity and you have a few obstacles to overcome.
Luckily the water wasn't too deep so we were able to place the Broncolor Move 1200L power packs on apples boxes so they would sit above the water. We used batteries to power everything needed for the shoot, (including the light packs and the computer). This made things a lot easier (not to mention safer) than running cables over/near the water.
This was a fitness shoot for Shape magazine. Once my (amazing) photo editor David Baratta told me we would be shooting at Weese's Pieces in Little Rock CA.,(which is basically the desert) I was beyond excited. Ive always wanted to shoot at this place and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect model (the beautiful Lauren Collins) and team for the shoot.
I knew It was going to be hot and there was going to be a lot of hard direct sunlight that day. So instead of fighting, blocking, or defusing the harsh light we blended in fill light with the Broncolor Para 88 and the 22 inch beauty dish to soften up the shadows. (switching between the two as my main light sources and using the other as fill). I then gave some separation and “kickers” or edge lighting with p65 reflectors this look as well as the location gave a very ethereal look to the photographs (in my opinion) and has to be one of my favorite fitness photo shoots to date.
The equipment handled wonderfully without any hiccups during the day. We kept all the the Broncolor Move packs inside of the protective carrying cases to keep them cool and out of direct sunlight and only had to change the lithium batteries once during the day. The only equipment problem I had was with my Phase One IQ back overheating a few times. We fixed this by placing it in a cooler with ice in it in between set ups. (there was a heavy ballistics nylon between the camera and the case in the cooler) I felt this was even excusable given the temperature of the day.
My camera settings for most of my shots where ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/500th or 1/640th
Aperture 10 or 11
Lens
55mm for the wider shots and 80mm for the tighter ones.
