Showing posts with label photo shoots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photo shoots. Show all posts

Monday 15 January 2018

Gravelly Patter &Model Behaviour






Had another extremely pleasant and productive photoshoot last week, this time at Studio Six in Writtle https://studiosixchelmsfordhire.wordpress.com/2015/06/24/studio-six-website-is-up-and-running-well-not-quite-but-this-will-do-nicely-until-it-is/ .  Well-equipped and spacious, Kathleen was the perfect host on hand with tea and skilled studio support.
Sony A6000 played nicely with remote flash triggers, suggesting it’s a temperamental streak with the older Alpha bodies. I’ve another studio shoot lined up after the core bike show and a February (location) gig in Peterborough.
Building rapport and communication are crucial to a comfortable experience and ultimately, high quality images. In the main, experienced professional models have required very little direction and during the first hour, I prefer them to lead. Past this point, a more experimental, collaborative flavour takes hold.
My stance is to communicate in detail, the moment a shoot is booked, developing rapport and a clear understanding of both model and photographer. This preparation avoids ambiguity and establishes the other’s comfort zones. References certainly help but life experience and a highly attune intuition are equally important.
Legally, in a shoot where the model is paid, images I take are my property and can be used accordingly. However, I work with the model and will only release/use those that both parties are comfortable with.
I read people very quickly and politely swerve those, who raise red flags. Safety for model and myself are paramount. I will never work alone-a third party (ideally neutral and female) must always be present. Again, I graciously decline anyone indicating resistance, or failing to grasp my reasons for doing so.
I’ve also been approached by Instagram “influencers” offering me the “opportunity” of exposure i.e. I chauffeur them to locations, shoot all day, hand them the unedited images afterward, cannot add any watermarks, or indeed receive public credit…
As a marketing case study, yes, there’s a lot to be learned from them. However, anyone buying into this “Power of Social media exposure” line with no money, credits, or rights is genuinely stupid.
By contrast, TFP (Trade for portfolio), where both parties exchange skills and time is perfectly acceptable, in certain circumstances.  Just as “You do the plumbing for my extension, I’ll plaster your walls” might be.
Sabre tooth man flu in remission, fettling also resumed. Soma fabrications Shikoro tyres came up at 36mm when I measured the front (at 85psi), suggesting the Ilpompino’s rear triangle might also swallow one without tickling the chainstays...
Lo and behold, it did. Admittedly clearance was as close as I’d feel comfortable with but acceptable, nonetheless. I also discovered a couple of spare Co2 cartridges, which were added to the wedge pack before distraction took me in another direction.
I’ve also resurrected a Zefal Z console front pack and tethered it to the Univega’s top tube. Decided carrying some additional spare butyl was a good idea and while it’s perfectly possible/acceptable, to stuff ‘em in a jersey pocket, I prefer to keep a couple on the bike. No danger of discovering they’re in the other jacket when you’re miles from base on a cold and rainy night…
A 90minute celebratory blast along the backroads and singletrack lanes last Sunday morning quashed any concerns and brought a big grin to my previously forlorn expression.
At 464g apiece, they’re a good deal lighter than the Schwalbe Marathon GT staples. This was very apparent when accelerating. Even pushing them hard along slimy sections, with 90psi in each, the supple casings just bit deeper, providing oodles of grip.
Look closely at the dimpled tread. This doesn’t add anything to performance in the latter context, rather is designed to protect against flints and similar sharps. More to this than marketing puff, if the past 100 mixed terrain miles are anything to go by.
On the subject of tyres, the recent slippery conditions and increasingly poor road surfaces (I’ve literally seen holes opening up in front of me)  have presented the ideal opportunity to see how well the Schwalbe Marathon 365 live up to their name.   https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-365-tyres-in-w
As for the nasty lube. Well that has clung on, come hell and hell water-400 road miles between reapplications is very reasonable. It’s remained relatively clean by wet, petrochemical standards, so less call for cleaning the outer plates. There are some riders who will pour scorn on any bike specific chain lube. Chainsaw oil is a particularly good substitute, alongside 10w/40 motor oils.
However, don’t make the mistake of thinking this applies to all engine oils. Modern petrol and diesel variants are developed with sophisticated detergents, designed to clean deposit and regenerate, under pressure of the fuel pump.
Drizzle these on your bike’s chain and it will be serene to start with. In as little as 35miles, chances are those additives will have stripped the lubricant layer, resulting in that familiar, thirsty tinkling.
I’ve tested a lot of lubes over the years and have some very firm favourites, although I’m yet to find one that is perfect for all conditions/contexts. I like clean formulas, so have high hopes for this Smoove Universal chain lube, which reached us in spite of the seasonal postal pilfering. Now, judging by the latest forecasts, I might be whipping those spiked tyres back on…