Back from the Bikini Jam in Cabo

[lkeeney]

I\'m back from my photo shoot at the Ujena Bikini Jam that was held in San Jose Cabo, Mexico.

The photo shoot was not at all like I expected. Because this event was filmed for a TV reality show, they made everything as difficult as possible; unrealistic deadlines, etc.

In any case, it was a fun week. The Crown Plaza Resort where the event was held was outstanding. The food was great, and the people were very nice. There were 75 models, 55 photographers, a Ujena crew of about 10-15, and a lot of guests, and the TV crew for a total of about 200 people at the event.

I put up a small web site that show the resort and some of the model shots I took. You can see the site here: http://www.blackcanyonsystems.com/Ujena/.

The photos on the site are in random order.

Lawrence

[admin_old]

It looks like you had a great time. I am envious of you. :whistle: But I guess someone has to do it.
Thanks for sharing.
T

[wazza]

Hi Lawrence,

What flash setup do you use for your outdoor portrait type shots?

Cheers
Wazza

[lkeeney]

Wazza,

For fill flash on outdoor shots, I use English Bob\'s techniques.

The FL-50 settings were:
Flash - ILL \"A\", Flash - CLP off because I had the flash on a stroboframe.
Fourthirds Zoom - 4-3.

The camera settings were:
Flash mode - Fill-in Flash (arrow symbol)
Metering - ESP
Expaoure Mode - Program
White Balance - Auto
ISO - Auto
Exposure Comp. - 0.0

Everything worked great except for some reason the flash did not fire for a whole series of the same shot where I had the model in front of a statue the the background was the outdoors and the ocean.

Lawrence

[lkeeney]

Wazza,

I used this same flash set up for all of the photos I presently have on my gallery page on this site.

[wazza]

Lawrence,

The good old EB settings.....

I was wondering if you had tried one of those omni bounce things or something simular?

I was having a few problems with the fl-36 blowing out highlights especially when used for fill, but found if I focus and meter of the lightest part of the frame, half hold the shutter and recompose that seems to mostly get rid of the problem.

[admin_old]

I usually use a omnibounce on inside shots. It does a good job. The other night It was so dark where I was shooting at a local concert that I didn\'t use it though and it did a good job. Without it on the FL-50.
But for weddings I usually have it on, as well as a stroboframe.
I am very interested to try out the QTM flash.

[wazza]

Hi Tony,

I just tried sending you an e-mail from your profile in DPR, but it bounced back to me, also the contact us page here is empty.

Cheers
Wazza

[OzRay]

Lawrence

Nice hotel, but you must have taken a few more shots of the models.

Cheers

Ray

[Ian]

wazza wrote:
Hi Tony,

I just tried sending you an e-mail from your profile in DPR, but it bounced back to me, also the contact us page here is empty.

Cheers
Wazza

Contact Us is ok for me. Try sending to tony@fourthirdsphoto.com

[wazza]

[/quote]

Contact Us is ok for me. [/quote]



That is strange, its working perfectly now though, Thanks

Wazza

[lkeeney]

Wazza,

I do have the Westcott Micro Apollo mini 5\" x 8\" light box, but it blocks the focus assist light on the FL-50. I have tried to figure out a way to get around this problem but haven\'t come up with a good solution yet.

Lawrence

[lkeeney]

OzRay wrote:
Lawrence

Nice hotel, but you must have taken a few more shots of the models.

Cheers

Ray

Ray,

I only ended up shooting 4 models because of the way they had the event structured. We had to give 8 photos to each model we shot. They had to turn these photos in as part of the contest. They allowed only 1 1/2 hour for 50 photographers to contact the models and give them the photos once the photos were back from the printers. I think you can imagine the confusion of 50 photographers trying to find the models they shot out of the 80 models when they were scattered all over the large resort.

Because this was filmed for a TV reality show, they made everything difficult. I could see the writing on the wall so I only shot 4 models. It was all I could do to find the 4 models and give them their prints within the 1 1/2 hour period.

I have attached one more image from the shoot.

Lawrence

Post edited by: lkeeney, at: 2005/09/12 11:06 Dylan.jpg size=49313]http://fourthirdsphoto.com/components/com_simpleboard/uploaded/files/Dylan.jpg

Post edited by: lkeeney, at: 2005/09/12 11:09

Post edited by: tspore, at: 2005/09/12 13:05

[pixelman]

4 is good but shooting all 80 would be better for us:) Good job

[Dean]

If my wife caught me taking photos like these, I\'d be dead! :P

[lkeeney]

pixelman wrote:
4 is good but shooting all 80 would be better for us:) Good job

If I go to next year\'s event I am going to refine my work flow so I will have more time to shoot more models.

I wish I could attend the same type of an event without the Reality TV twist to it.

Lawrence

[KellysCayman]

Hi Lawarence,

Great shots..

I noticed you mentioned that you are using Stroboframe flash bracket.

Can you tell me the model of the bracket and if you are using an Olympus cord or a nother companies?

I have been shooting some weddings and the pro I shoot with has Stroboframes on his gear and I find it works well. Only thing is he is Nikon and Fiji.

I am looking for a bracket that rotates so I can have the flash above the lens even when I am shooting vertical.

Thanks for your help

Kelly

[lkeeney]

Dean wrote:
If my wife caught me taking photos like these, I\'d be dead! :P

My wife is very understanding of my work with models. I try to get her involved as much as I can. We have met a lot of nice people with the fashion shows, the Bikini Jam, and the individual models I have shot.

I got started in shooting models when I first shot a Fashion Show at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas. At that point, I decided I wanted to learn every thing I could about shooting models.

While at the Bikini Jam, I met another photographer from Las Vegas who told me about the very good photography classes being held at the Community College. From what he told me they have courses on lighting and posing that are taught by a lady photographer who he said is fantastic. I have to get signed up for these courses, and I will probably have my wife sign up for the courses too.

I think the trick is to get the wife involved.

Lawrence

[lkeeney]

KellysCayman wrote:
Hi Lawarence,

Great shots..

I noticed you mentioned that you are using Stroboframe flash bracket.

Can you tell me the model of the bracket and if you are using an Olympus cord or a nother companies?

I have been shooting some weddings and the pro I shoot with has Stroboframes on his gear and I find it works well. Only thing is he is Nikon and Fiji.

I am looking for a bracket that rotates so I can have the flash above the lens even when I am shooting vertical.

Thanks for your help

Kelly

Kelly,

The one I use has a label that says:
MFG. For Siegelity By CAM_RYTE www.cam-ryte.com

There is also a label that says: Product of Canada

I like the one I use as it is easy to switch between portrait and landscape mode and keep the flash above the lens.

It apprears to be very well built.

I can\'t remember where I purchased it, or how much it cost.

Lawrence

[OzRay]

Bummer! With all the potential, what a disappointment to be limited to such a small range. Maybe next time.

Cheers

Ray

[lkeeney]

OzRay wrote:
Bummer! With all the potential, what a disappointment to be limited to such a small range. Maybe next time.

Cheers

Ray

Not only that, but there were two models who were not as young as most of the models, and most of the photographers were clamoring to shoot the younger models. I opted to shoot the two other models.

As it turned out, I think my shot of Dylan (as shown in my gallery here) is one of my better model shots.

Lawrence

[OzRay]

lkeeney wrote:
OzRay wrote:
Bummer! With all the potential, what a disappointment to be limited to such a small range. Maybe next time.

Cheers

Ray

Not only that, but there were two models who were not as young as most of the models, and most of the photographers were clamoring to shoot the younger models. I opted to shoot the two other models.

As it turned out, I think my shot of Dylan (as shown in my gallery here) is one of my better model shots.

Lawrence

I think that was a good move. You probably got more appreciative models and ones who were prepared to work with you somewhat more. And there ain\'t nothing wrong with older chicky babes either.

Cheers

Ray