Paddling with a Camera

Sat - June 28, 2008

Canon EOS 40D, Programmable Selftimer, Sticky Pod and Sea Wind Canoe

Canon EOS D40 camera mounted on a bow of Sea Wind Canoe with a modified My Sticky Pod. Canon TC80N3 Timer Remote Control is attached to the camera and protected by a plastic bag.

Recently, I expanded capabilities of My Sticky Pod, a suction cup camera mount. It comes with a 1/4" bolt to attach a small ball head (knuckle) or extensions. I added 3/8" bolt which allows me to mount some of my tripod heads and a monopod in a reverse position (see pictures from the monopod camera mast).

I attached a panning tripod head to my sticky pod, mounted Canon EOS 40D DSLR camera with a programmable ttimer, put the entire thing on a bow of my Sea Wind canoe (with a double tether) and launch just before sunset in Beaver Pond to shoot some paddling self portraits.

I paddled in circles trying different exposures to the lowering sun: direct light, shadow, sun light filtered trough tree leaves. Pictures were taken at 5 second intervals, so I got hundreds of them. And, I am not really satisfied with them.

Sea Wind with a white deck is always difficult to shoot. The white deck and paddler's black pants make a correct exposure impossible. The above pictures were posted with minimal adjustments. However, since I record pictures from the Canon camera in RAW format I can do more postprocessing in Photoshop than it would be possible with jpeg pictures from my Pentax Optio W30 camera.

Next time, I may try the same camera setup when paddling with Pixel. He is a much cuter photo model.

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Posted at 06:00 AM |

Mon - June 23, 2008

Kayak and Water Photography by Jock Bradley

I am just reading Kayaking for Fitness book by Jodi Bigelow. I am going to write a review of this book, but the first thing which grabbed my attention was a great photography by Jock Bradley. Certainly, it is inspiration for my picture shooting.

Jock Bradley is considered to be one of the finest kayaking photographers in the world. His images have appeared in countless magazines such as Canoe and Kayak, Paddler, Kayak Session, Men's Journal, Outside, National Geographic Adventure and Sports Illustrated. A few years ago he published "Torrent" - a coffee table book collection of his finest whitewater images. You can see his portfolio dominated by kayaking and water themes on his web page: Jock Bradley Photography.

Here is a quote from his professional bio:

Early in my career it was clear that my eye was attracted to water. I found that I loved both the graphic power and the tranquil serenity it offered. Paying bills and raising a family led me along a more financially stable path of doing corporate assignments until about seven years ago. It was then, as a kayaker I decided to finally succumb to my true calling.
At first it was just about athletes kayaking over waterfalls that captivated me. The graceful synergy of the kayaker as he avoided bodily injury or death while plummeting over a sixty-foot waterfall was fascinating. For a few years, I immersed myself and explored the creative depths of this genre. To celebrate this photographic chapter of my life I recently had a coffee table book published showcasing some of my favorite whitewater images.
My vision has evolved from high-risk adrenaline activities to equally graphic and enduring images of people interacting with water. From kayaking, to yachting, to snow sports, anywhere there is water, you will find my camera focused on the activity.

His pictures appear in several recent books on kayaking including Kayak Fishing, Sea Kayaking Rough Waters, and Canoe Camping. I am sure he is involved in more books, but it is not so easy to find them since the photographer is not usually listed as a book co-author.

Posted at 10:59 AM |

Thu - June 19, 2008

Paddling Workout with a Dog - Pixel in Sea Wind Canoe

Yesterday, Pixel, my Corgi puppy has his debut as a paddler. We paddled 10 miles in Sea Wind canoe on Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area near Fort Collins. He behaved perfectly in the front of Sea Wind cockpit. It is much easier to paddle with a little Corgi than with Dax, our 100+ lb Newfoundland.

Pictures were taken with Pentax Optio W30 camera. I think we have more photographic opportunities here.

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