Photographing in Challenging Conditions
A few days ago I got invited to a fishing evening with some really good friends. I decided to leave the fishing rod behind and instead take my photo gear. It was quite late in the evening and I decided to challenge myself. I only took one camera, the Nikon D800 with the 24-70 f2.8 and no extra lights, just a small Joby Gorilla Tripod in case I needed it. Not having a single light with me is way out of my comfort zone but hey, if you don't challenge yourself you don't grow.
So I got to the meeting point, a stunning location in the Bay of St Aubin. The boys we're perched on top of the fort guarding the entrance to the bay. They were busy setting up their gear as the night was closing in.
Some last minute lessons were being taught and the evening tactics were set in place.
Just before we lost the light, the lures flew over the fort's walls with the rods bending with the force and the lines whistling in the wind.
With the night taking over the surroundings, the cold settled in as well. Lucky for us, these guys came more than prepared.
The fishing wasn't very successful but the guys were not that easily discouraged, reloading the lines with fresh bait as soon as it would be eaten and launching it back into the ocean with even greater strength provided by the mysterious golden potion.
The night wasn't kind to me either, with a big misfortune happening --- note to self, never place a full frame Dslr camera with a massive lens on a Joby Gorilla Tripod, go in pitch darkness and expect nothing bad to happen.
Dropped it on it's front element, thank god it had a filter attached to the front that took most of the bash. Still had to go into repair as the zoom bearings were crushed into their grooves.
It was all worth it though, and amazing night filled with amazing people, great stories, laughs, a beautiful location and some great photos to tell the tale.
and here is the Hero image that my lens gave it's life for
Fishing on a Starry Night
