I shot a wedding in Birmingham Alabama a short while back and was presented with a few challenges as the bride and groom were leaving in a helicopter at the end.... This copter was in a big grassy field and was to be surrounded by guests waving goodbye to the new couple. I knew this thing would be leaving in a hurry, so what to do......
We went out to survey the location...setup one light with a red gel to back-light the copter for a scene setter type shot, then noticed that there was a HUGE Par / Elliptical style light positioned outside aimed at this copter... hey, its big and bright and constant!
SO, What we decided was to pick this light up as a giant flashlight and follow the copter on its ascent! IT worked :)
We did use a low power off camera flash to accent light the couple for a shot or two... but using what we had in our surroundings also played a big part in making this shot successful for us!
This one was one of the first off camera flash bursts we used. The pilot was checking something with the copter, giving us a good sense of scale. Moon light directly behind him. Shot at very low power on the off cam strobe.
Our simple low power burst behind the copter for a back-light to give us a scene setter.
This is where I got the idea to use this elliptical light as my giant flashlight!
Low power (1/64 with a ND filter) burst of the couple. Notice my sexy silhouette of my 5d II with PW attached to the hotshoe... nice detail eh? DOH!
The flashlight at work :)
Saludos!
mateo
Thanks for sharing. My favorite picture is the 3rd picture. I like the expression of the couple.
In number two it looks like there was a massacre inside the helicopter :) At least at this small size it seems that the windshield is covered with blood… ;) Other than the gore it’s very cool :)
Excellent shots! The one with the red-gelled backlight is particularly nice…
Thanks :) It was fun to pick up this big elliptical light and aim it in the sky! PW in the shadow...ooops!
Nice solution.
funny to see the pocketwizard in the 4th picture.
Realy lovely light. I mean the condition were thougt. Pressure and not enough time to put exactly the light like in a commercial shot, so I think that you do a great job.
Pretty cool bud!