January 27 - Ridez and Barkz

IMG_0975, originally uploaded by wasabi_peas.

I think the story for this one is better than the photo.

My goal with this shot was to shoot the Wheely Bug ride-on toy as it it were a car, with a black background and a big light tent close to the "car"

So about 10pm, I setup the seamless background paper in our office, though there is barely enough room. I figure I can shoot from the hallway. Now, I need a frame for the "tent". I steal our old laundry sorter which is the weakest form of PVC plastic known to man. I disassemble and then reassemble in an a-frame form. 10:30 I am clipping a piece of sheer fabric to the frame.

I setup two Vivitar 285s, one pointing to each section. Zoom to wide, with the diffuser in each.

I test fire to make sure the flashes and triggers are working, and our dog decides to freak out. I know she does this, it's just that the last time I had flashes in the next room, she did fine. And she was fine while the flashes charged. (My running theory *was* that it was the high-pitched whine that drives her crazy.

Keep in mind my plan to shoot from the hallway.

So I hang out with the puppy for a while, get her calmed down, and then go back to the office, close the door, and figure I can get a couple shots.

I wad myself against the door, take a test shot to check exposure, and blammo: freaky dog.

I give up.

So here's my one-shot Strobist setup. I should have flagged the backside of the tent (out of frame) to keep the tent from bouncing light onto the background. Also, as you can see from the wheely bug eyes, the scrim I used was not opaque enough, so huge hot spots. And the front wheels (kinda the key here?) need more light.

Lots to try and change next time. Not real happy with this one. But glad to get the chance to setup the gear on a weeknight.