Everglades Test Shoot

posted March 3, 2012 in Photographer Resources, Portraits

One final image.

Quite often that’s the goal of a commercial shoot, to create one final image used in a spread of a magazine or billboard campaign. Full of detail. Concept. Lighting. Styling. Think Annie Leibovitz.

At this level, megapixels do begin to matter. But is not just about one photographer, but a team. There’s no “I” in PhaseOne. wpid-phaseone_test_shoot_everglades_01-2012-03-3-11-30.jpg Making it Happen

Ideas often hit when you least expect, like gathering with a bunch of friends to enjoy a beer after the day job ends.

“Let’s shoot sunrise in the Everglades first thing,” I say. This might sound easy if you shoot landscapes with minimal logistics other than packing the gear, finding and waiting for that golden moment. I like people in my landscapes.

“Let’s make it a test shoot,” I push. I’m looking for an excuse build my commercial portfolio. “We’ll need a model, a dress, permission. And an airboat, fueled up and ready to go at 6am.”

We made it happen.

My A-Team

The Airboat Team consisted of four friends. Gintus, a real-world Alligator Dundee, a marine biologist for the Miccosukee Tribe and our airboat pilot. You’ll find a machete in his backpack most places he visits, including casino hotels. He’s killed more than just a few pythons in his life to save the Everglades. Kristen asks lots of questions, which is why I like her. She’s a photography aficionado and has been a blog follower for a number of years (thanks, Kristen!). Kristen volunteered to be my voice-activated light stand. She also knows these swamp areas and tree islands like the back of her hand, even when the GPS doesn’t work (Gintus). Finally, our model, Marta. Marta moved her from Poland 10 years ago. She’s one smart geologist and engineer. Along with Kristen, the girls know how to flip an airboat, bilge the water out, and get it reader to move again faster than most guys decide they might need to call for help.

I loved our company. Shot with a Nikon D700:

Shot with PhaseOne 645 DF (I noticed a improved tonality and dynamic range compared to the Nikon D700 apparent here):

Logistics & Gear

Because none of this was really planned in advanced, I didn’t fly to Miami with my normal on-location studio lighting equipment that would compliment this style of shooting with a PhaseOne 645 DF. Off-camera flash suits medium format photography VERY well, I’m finding.

Problem: I had only one Nikon SB-900. Solution: Make it work.

I wanted my final image to have a commercial-feel, well executed. Lots of self-pressure, so much I found myself browsing a Banana Republic store for inspiration. I’m guilty. After speaking with a few friends, I was assured analysis paralysis wasn’t gonna stand in my way.

We shoved from the dock pre-dawn 6:15am. I remember mornings like these well rowing 4 years in college, the only thing that the weather was perfect, no bugs, and I wasn’t in for a grueling physical workout. However, creative workout dawned on the horizon. Sometimes it’s best to plan. Othertimes we roll with our instinct. wpid-phaseone_test_shoot_everglades_10-2012-03-3-11-30.jpg Here’s a chronicle of our adventure: Ode to John Michael Cooper’s Ophelia (image now retired): I am thankful for this privilege and rare opportunity to photograph on Miccosukee tribal land without the Natives becoming restless. I couldn’t have done it without my A-Team!