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On The Road
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Image #1 View from Ouray ... This is
the view from the top of the gorge just outside of Ouray.
The mountains surrounding Ouray are spectacular and a
fresh snowfall made for a nice opener to our adventure
in the high country. This is a composite image made up
of 7 frames that have been stitched together to form a
panorama of the mountains surrounding the gorge. Nikon
D2Xs, ISO100, 1/250 at f10, WB 4300K, Nikon 70-200mm VR
Zoom Lens, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod, SLIK Super Ball
Head, Lexar 4G Flash Card. |
|
 Image
#2 Tools of the Trade ... I have always enjoyed photographing
the details of the events and subjects I document. Ice Climbing
requires many tools including ice screws and I found them
interesting to photograph. I believe that these kinds of images
of the supporting pieces that make up the whole experience
are important to total coverage. Nikon D2Xs, ISO160, 1/60
at f9, WB 3600K, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, Nikon SB800 Speedlight
with Warming Gel at a power output of +1 using a LumiQuest
Snoot, Nikon SU800 Commander to trigger the Speedlights, Gitzo
Carbon Fiber Tripod, SLIK Super Ball Head, Lexar 4G Flash
Card. |
|
 Image
#3 Up The Daggers ... This is Mike Anderson, a renown rock
climber with scores of big wall first ascents to his credit.
He is a very experienced ice climber as well and was a source
of education to me during our week in Ouray. Mike and his
wife Janelle were very generous in their willingness to
guide and teach me about the sport which made the week of
climbing/photography a great joy from start to finish. This
early morning climb was a good opportunity for some images
that Keith needed for his clients who are always in the
market for strong images of adventure sports. I used this
time to scout the area, take some general stock pictures
like this one and get acquainted with the sport in an effort
to further envision the kind of pictures I wanted to create
later in the day and into the night. Nikon D2Xs, ISO200,
1/200 at f5, WB 4500K, Nikon 200-400mm G VR Zoom Lens, Lexar
4G Flash Card, 2 inch spiked Crampons. |
|
 Image
#4 Ice Ax ... The Ice Ax is an all important tool for the
ice climber and Janelle Anderson was willing to allow me
to get so close to the action that ice chunks bounced off
my protective lens filter. There is no sunlight in the gorge
or on the ice. This unlit environment would be perfect for
the use of lighting and a stylized approach to photography.
This is why I came to Ouray. I wanted to make images that
are creatively lit and that are truly unique to the sport.
Nikon D2Xs, ISO200, 1/640 at f4, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB
3600K, Two SB800 Speedlights (tandem) power output +2 with
warming gels placed behind the ice wall and a Nikon SU800
Commander to trigger the Speedlights, Lexar 4G Falsh Card,
2 inch spiked Crampons. |
|
 Image
#5 Ice Curtain ... This is Chris Alstrin climbing an ice curtain
in the bottom of the gorge. Chris is an internationally known
ice climber of great skill who's abilities and patience were
key to the success of the pictures. Here again I used two
Nikon SB800 Speedlights rather than shooting with the ambient
light on my subject. I wanted to illuminate my subject with
creative lighting. Nikon D2Xs, ISO200, 1/200 at f5.6, Nikon
17-55mm Lens, WB 3600K, two Nikon SB800 Speedlights (tandem)
power output +2 with warming gels and a Nikon SU800 Commander,
Lexar 4G Flash Card, 2 inch spiked Crampons. |
|
 Image
#6 Ice and Rock ... This image of Mike maneuvering along side
a massive out cropping of rock appears to be shot at mid day
but was shot at dusk and illuminated with one Elinchrom Ranger
RX Speed AS battery powered strobe lighting system with a
fast recycle time (Speed), and an asymmetrical (AS) power
distribution. The Ranger RX Speed AS is an 1100 watt sec.
pack with strobe head that is the self contained portable
brother to the Elinchrom Sport Strobes that I use for indoor
arena lighting ... (see Workshop at the Ranch: April
and May 2005) Giant outdoor
location lighting is one of Keith's specialties, he is the
best in the adventure field. We decided that a natural look
to the lighting would be best and so we located one Ranger
RX Speed AS system above the route that Mike would climb,
set the camera exposure for one stop under the ambient light
conditions and illuminated the entire scene with one strobe.
Just because there are no catwalks to secure strobes to or
AC outlets to plug into does not mean that arena lighting
is not possible ........ the Ranger RX Speed AS system makes
it possible! Nikon D2Xs, ISO200, 1/60 at f4.5, Nikon 17-55mm
Lens, WB 4500K, One Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed AS Pack and
Strobe Head with sport reflector, One Bogen Lightstand Pocket
Wizzard Multi Max Transceivers to trigger the Ranger, Lexar
4G Flash Card, 2 inch spiked Crampons. |
|
 Image
#7 Day in the Gorge ... Chris appears to be climbing up from
the deep darkness of the gorge on a sunlit ice wall ... but
there is no sunlight in the gorge, the light is produced by
two Elinchrom Rangers RX Speed AS systems. The two Ranger
RX Speed AS packs and strobe heads are located on the cliff
overlooking the gorge approximately 100 feet away. The strobes
are angled to make a long narrow shaft of light that runs
from the rim of the gorge down 3/4 of the ice wall. Nikon
D200, ISO200, 1/250 at f7.1, Nikon 70-200 VR Zoom Lens, WB
4500K, Two Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed AS packs and strobe heads
with sport reflectors, Two Bogen Lightstands, Pocket Wizard
Multi Max Transceivers, Lexar 4G Flash Card, 2 inch spiked
Cramp-ons. This was my favorite strobed image of the week.
It has a wonderful alpine feel and it is the use of lighting
that makes it distinctive. Without the light produced by the
Ranger RX Speed AS system this image would be average and
lacking in excitement and depth. |
|
 Image
#8 Bottomless ... OK, this is the BIG reason I came to Ouray
... LIGHTPAINTING ! Alright, I admit it ..... it's a passion,
but check this out. As if ice climbing in general is not dangerous
enough Mike and Chris said "no problem" and were
more than willing to make night ascents of some of the most
difficult ice terrain in the gorge. I will not go into detail
about the technique of Lightpainting as I have written several
Workshop at the Ranch articles about it ( see Workshop at
the Ranch: May 2005, May
2006 and November 2006.
) In this image, Mike has climbed up from the bottom of the
gorge. At certain intervals I asked him to hold completely
still while I made an exposure of 30 seconds and Lightpainted
him and the gigantic section of the gorge. I could hardly
believe the pictures as each climber took their turn and made
their way up the big ice wall ... at night!!! Nikon D2Xs,
ISO100, 30 seconds at f5.6, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 3000K,
Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod, SLIK Super Ball Head, Pocket Wizard
Multi Max Transceivers to trigger the camera remotely from
my Lightpainting location 200 feet to the right of the camera
position along the top of the gorge, Two Brinkmann Q Beems
( 2 million candle power each ) ... one Brinkmann had a blue
gel, Lexar 4G Flash Card, 2 inch spiked Crampons. |
|
 Image
#9 Stairway to Heaven ... This image was shot one hour after
sunset which gave me an exposure time of 13 seconds. Chris
is slowly making his way up some "gnarly" (Keith
taught me that word). I Lightpainted Chris and sections of
the ice wall each time he stopped to survey the route for
his next placement. I did not ask him to hold still but allowed
him to start and stop on his own and Lightpainted him only
when he was motionless. Nikon D200, ISO100, Aperture Priority
(13 seconds at f8 with EV-2), Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 3000K,
Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod, SLIK Super Ball Head, Pocket Wizard
Multi Max Transceivers to trigger the camera remotely from
my Lightpainting location across the gorge and directly above
Chris, Lexar 4G Flash Card, 2 inch spiked Crampons. I used
Aperture Priority because the ambient light was in the diminishing
faze of the twilight hour. I was located on the other side
of the gorge just above Chris, too far away to adjust the
exposure manually as the twilight faded. |
|
 Image
#10 Fantasy Ice Climb ... I loved all the Lightpaintings I
made in Ouray but this image of Mike illustrates what really
can be done with this technique. It was the last night climb
of the week and Mike began his ascent one hour after sunset.
He masterfully routed out from underneath an overhang of ice
and came around the face which aligned him perfectly for this
view of the gorge and giant ice formations. His head lamp
illuminated the ice directly in front of him while I Lightpainted
his route and the ice formations across the gorge with my
Brinkmann Q Beem spotlights. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 30 seconds
at f5.6, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, 3000K, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod,
SLIK Super Ball Head, Pocket Wizard Multi Max Transceivers
to trigger the camera from my Lightpainting location directly
across the gorge and slightly above and behind Mike so as
to backlight him and 3/4 top/sidelight the ice formations
with 10 seconds from one Brinkmann (daylight,no gel) and 20
seconds from the 2nd Brinkmann with a blue gel, Lexar 4G Flash
Card, 2 inch Crampons. It is the backlighting and 3/4 top/sidelighting
of the ice formations combined with blue color that gives
this image of Mike the look of ice fantasy. |
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WOW,....what a great week! Each day/night
offered something new and completely unique to photograph. I want
to thank Mike and Janelle Anderson, and Chris Alstrin for putting
out 110% effort to make this photographic project possible and
a rewarding experience from start to finish. Their expertise,
patience and eagerness to help make great pictures made them wonderful
to work with and a joy to be around during our week in Ouray.
My thanks and gratitude goes out to a great friend and partner
in this project Keith Ladzinski ...... DUDE! (Keith taught me
that word) ... You made it a great week of fun, learning, adventure
and pictures ... Thank You! Team work is not often found in the
ranks of photographers but this project combined the collective
knowledge and the desire to make new and exciting pictures from
all of us who where involved. We each had a vision of what could
be done and we accomplished our goals together.
Hope you all enjoyed the adventure and I'll see you next time
On The Road .................... Adios. Dave
SPECIAL NOTE:June 5-15 ..... Photo Quest Adventures RUSSIA: Moscow and St Petersburg
www.photoquestadventures.com August 4-7 ..... Long Island Photo Workshop in Smithtown, Long Island, NY. www.liphotoworkshop.com September 21-25 ... Rich Clarkson's Adventure Photography Workshop
in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. www.richclarkson.com
|
May,
2008 (click here)
A Southwest Tour
April,
2008 (click here)
The Endless Winter
March,
2008 (click here)
PMA Show in Las Vegas!
February,
2008 (click here)
At the Ballet
January,
2008 (click here)
One Week of Work
December,
2007 (click here)
A Look Back at 2007
November,
2007 (click here)
Traveling
with the New Nikon D3
October,
2007 (click here)
High Country Journey
September,
2007 (click here)
Walking
On The Road
August,
2007 (click here)
Speedway
Thunder from PA
July, 2007
(click here)
"Arlington National
Cemetery"
June, 2007
(click here)
"Kentucky Derby Day"
May, 2007
(click here)
"Mexico Trek"
April,
2007 (click here)
"Egypt Trek"
March,
2007 (click here)
Transit Mix
"Images From the Air"
February,
2007 (click here)
Ice Climbing in Ouray
January,
2007 (click here)
2007 Year in Review
People of Willoq, Peru
Lexington, Kentucky TREK
Training for the Mr USA Title
"The International Golf Tournament"
"Tour of Champions Documentary"
"Northern California, the FBI and Clint Eastwood ..."
"The 2006 Kentucky Derby"
"Off the Road Picture Sales"
Ladies Olympic Figure Skating
Torino Italy and the 2006 Winter Olympic Games
"Hey Dave, are you going to the Winter Olympics in Torino and What Equipment Do You Take?"
The Holiday Tea with Tchaikovsky
presented by Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet
Landscapes at Pebble Beach:
a look back at 2005
Lightpainting Landscapes
NFL Football
3 Day Photography Workshop
Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, North Carolina
Michelle Kwan
International Gymnastics Camp
the Men's US Open Golf Championships
The Kentucky Derby
Nevada Photojournalism Day
John Bolin's "The Thorn"
Indoor Track and Field
UC Irvine's Paul Spittle and
the Sports Shooter Academy
with Nikon's new DX2
Broncos Football:
Denver vs Indianapolis
the US Figure Skating Nationals
Portland, Oregon
College Basketball:
Colorado State vs Air Force
Broncos Football:
Broncos VS. Dolphins
Assignment work:
Wrestling
A look back at 2004
Rich Clarkson's Photography at the Summit Workshop &
Moose Peterson's Digital Landscape Workshop Series
Whitewater Kayaking
Gymnastics and more
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games
Athens, Greece
A look back at some wonderful Olympic moments
USAFA Graduation flyover
US Olympic Training Center - Swimming and Gymnastics
Last Month the Masters, this month The Kentucky Derby......I love my job
Masters at Augusta National
The American Cup Gymnastics
NIKON COLLEGE WORKSHOP
Indoor Track and Field
Women's Freestyle Wresting
Rhythmic Gymnastics Nationals
The Glass Flower Ceiling at the Belagio Hotel in Las Vegas
College Basketball
Women's Waterpolo
Olympic swimmers on their way to Athens
NFL Football
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals
A look back at The Greenbay Professionals
Monday Night Football the Sports Shooter Workshop and Luau in LA
Photography at the Summit workshop
Portraits to workshops to stock image sales
Lightpainting in Banf
The World Gymnastics Championships
International Gymnastics Camp
Thunderbirds
Gymnastics
The Sports Photography Workshop with Rich Clarkson
Velodrome Cycling, More
The 129th running of the Kentucky Derby
White water kayakers
The Champions on Ice tour
PBR Rodeo
Chris Shivers and Little Yellow Jacket ride for $1 Million
Nikon's featured speaker at PMA in Las Vegas
American Cup Gymnastics
USAFA Women's Basketball
USAFA Swimming
USAFA Boxing
NCAA Fencing Championships
USOC's Titan Games
Air Force Basketball
Pro Football Pre-Superball Stock Sales
Swimmers train at the Swim Flume at the USOC
Much more!
Diving at the Air Force Academy
Denver Broncos VS. The Arizona Cardinals
Olympic Hopefuls Lenny Krayzelberg and Tom Molchow practice at the USOC
