Get The Shot: I thought it would be fun to hear from some of you about what you have done to "get the shot". Tell us a fun story from an adventure, something cool or even stupid you...

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

I thought it would be fun to hear from some of you about what you have done to "get the shot". Tell us a fun story from an adventure, something cool or even stupid you did to get into a position to get a certain angle.

I did a shoot this weekend of a Car Show that was setup along a street. It's an old Town Center street with lots of old shops and stuff lined with Pepper Trees. The old cars were parked at angles with the curbs along the street for over a quarter mile and I wanted a different angle. They had a lift that was used to string speaker wire through the trees along the street and it was parked at one end. I had the Electrician fire it up and we boomed out over the street (we had people keep that area clear no one got under us) and took some shots from about forty feet up. It made for a great angle showing a "sea of people" as far as the eye could see. It was a great way to get a different perspective and it worked out well.

MPratter Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I photograph in derelict, abandoned structures, so it's not uncommon for me to spend a saturday in a tyvek suit, wearing a P100 respirator and a hard hat, taking 30 second exposures with a flashlight crawling in assorted bird and rat feces, and mold.

It's not glamorous, but it gets a picture I don't see in other peoples' pages.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

I was at the Portland, OR Zoo and watched as an elephant trainer was teaching this elephant to suck up water from the pool at his feet, raise his trunk in a classic pose and then, on command, spray that held water toward an imaginary crowd.

Because these actions were repeated dozens of times I got a chance to position myself for the next try.

Elephant Training
Elephant Training...

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

Cool stuff, is that an old theater?

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

Nice Elephant shot, there always a great subject to photograph.

MPratter Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

BigD wrote:

Cool stuff, is that an old theater?

Yes. Two of my best photo shoots were derelict old theaters. One I got let in while it was being torn down. One I negotiated an entry fee with a security guard.

Of all the places I've been, derelict mills, run down state hospitals, decaying grain elevators, those theaters were by far the most dangerous, rich with mold, droppings, and decaying wood.

The theater with the green seats was a sad story. It used to be a neighborhood cinema, kids would go with their parents to see the weekend block buster. Then a guy bought it up and turned it into a porn theater that blighted the neighborhood and allowed the classic architecture to decay and break down. Now the old classic is lost, and so is the neighborhood it's in(though there's a revitalization project now).

I stay up to date on my tetanus shot because I'm a photographer!

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

Oh wow that's cool, makes me think of the Phantom of the Opera sneaking around deserted theaters haha.

Hey have you seen those LED lights on Ebay that have like 126, 160, 180 LED's? I have the 126 LED version that runs on the batteries from my Video Camera (AA's work too) and MAN that little sucker would turn that theater into daylight. There really small and light too so if you haven't seen them look them up on Ebay, one of them will keep the zombies at bay LoL...

MPratter Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Yeah, I switched from mag lights to approx 150-200 lumen light weight LED lights and they've done a stellar job. I haven't done much of the extremely low light stuff since I switched to film, so I don't know if they'll throw off the tonality yet, but they were great for digital.

I liked the 30 second average exposure they give me. I don't get orbs or floating dust really in that time frame, and I can pick what I want highlighted, thinking critically while the shutter is open as well as before.

hmm...suddenly I feel inspired....

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

Only one way to find out HaHa. Road Trip... That one pic of what looks like a flood control tunnel or something reminds me of Alien. Its October, maybe get some dummies and take them with you on your next shoot, get some crazy Halloween Shots.

MPratter Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Here's the one I couldn't find before.

saside Loc: live in pueblo co

What I wanted to do was capture car lights in movement. This was my last location on a curved bridge. In almost all the shots i took i was laying down with my camera on it's bag for stablity and the angle. I was about done when A firetruck with it's lights on was coming up the street. I thought my lucky day! As soon as it get into the frame I pressed the shutter...3 second exposure. As soon as the shutter closed i herad a car behind me stoped and the engine running. I thought thats wrong, theres no place for a stopped car on the bridge. I got up turned around and saw a cop car with his lights on. As I walked over I noticed there were 3 cop cars 1 ambulance, and the firetruck, all lights ablaze. I asked whats up guys? The cop replyed, " We got a call saying there's a dead guy on the bridge." My nickname should be the dead photographer.

saside Loc: live in pueblo co

What I wanted to do was capture car lights in movement. This was my last location on a curved bridge. In almost all the shots i took i was laying down with my camera on it's bag for stablity and the angle. I was about done when A firetruck with it's lights on was coming up the street. I thought my lucky day! As soon as it get into the frame I pressed the shutter...3 second exposure. As soon as the shutter closed i herad a car behind me stoped and the engine running. I thought thats wrong, theres no place for a stopped car on the bridge. I got up turned around and saw a cop car with his lights on. As I walked over I noticed there were 3 cop cars 1 ambulance, and the firetruck, all lights ablaze. I asked whats up guys? The cop replyed, " We got a call saying there's a dead guy on the bridge." My nickname should be the dead photographer.

Dria Loc: Ohio

Well this happened 19years ago and still makes me chuckle...
Alex (my son who is almost 21now and has cerebral palsy) - his early intervention school was having a Halloween party-
I could never go observe and take pics of anything because as soon as he would see me he would freak and ONLY want me.
So I thought I would be sneaky- I dressed up as a jester- full mask all kinds of feathers hiding my features-- even a wig.. when I entered the school the kids were doing a parade- I was standing back watching and taking pictures- Alex (as Elmo) was about 20 feet from me locked in and yelled, "MOMMEEEEE!!!!" Oh my gosh! the staff hadn't even realized it was me! The things I will do to get pics of my kids :)

Wildmallard Loc: Virginia

Great stories!

Bobbee

I climbed up and over the retention railing and was on the cliff edge to get this one. Long way down.

Deer in the Headlights