The Hat Trick

For those that don't follow Hockey, a "Hat Trick" is when a player scores three goals in a hockey game, and for me this past week I had three shoots in a three-day period.  It started when I volunteered to provide my photographic services for a hospital's fund-raising project on Thursday, July 22.  Since I was included in the project I cannot disclose the name of the Hospital until the images are published.  What I can tell you is that I shot from midnight until 6:00 AM on July 22, and had an experience I won't soon forget.

On Saturday, July 24, I participated in the Third Annual Scott Kelby Photowalk.  Last year I attended the Photowalk in Paso Robles, but this time one of my photographer friends decided to register as a walk leader for Bakersfield.  The walk was scheduled to commence at 6:30 AM and would last for two hours in an attempt to beat the heat.  For "TheWalk" I limited myself to a 50mm Prime Lens, an SB-900 Speedlight (Flash) and my HOLGA 120 Film camera.  One of the Highlights of "The Walk" was meeting two FLICKR friends: Steve and Sandy, I really respect their Landscape images and overall photographic skills.

Barbara had mapped out a route to take the participants through most of downtown, but being a separatist, I decided to take a group of ten participants on another journey of back alleys and paths less traveled. Overall it was a fun experience and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.  Hopefully we'll have another one nearby next year.  Although I'd like to participate in one elsewhere, too. 

As we were wrapping up the Photowalk, I noticed it was 9:00 AM and my model shoot was scheduled for 10:00 AM.  Fortunately the model was running late so I was able to get everything set-up and  honed in.  I purchased two Paul C. Buff strip boxes and this would be the first time I would have to test them out.  Also I was working with a new model, so that always makes it challenging. 

We shot for two hours and four wardrobes , but I kept the same Thunder Grey Seamless paper.  I used mostly three lights, two in the strip boxes and the Beauty Dish for three of the shots. For the fourth shot, I used three gridded strobes and barndoors to mimic Hollywood lighting, but I really needed to use a fourth light for fill.  I think I'll get it the next time, which will be August 7 or August 8.

So what did I learn?  Since this was studio work, not much except I need one more light for fill.  I did pre-order another Einstein... and "That's A Wrap!!!