Couple hours at the climbing gym

[sacral]

Went to the climbing gym in Bloomington Indiana for a few hours to try out my new speedlight the day after I got it. Still learning...didn't have a diffuser yet either, so some of the light is pretty harsh. Had to ascend a 30 foot rope with an ascender and aider to get some of the shots...MAN was the tiring! Then sat in a climbing harness for 2 hours while trying to stabilize for shots...

All shot with the 70-200 at various focal lengths. C&C welcome and appreciated! :)

My buddy clipping a draw
http://i31.tinypic.com/2r44kg4.jpg

On the "prow" - 45-degree overhanging upside refrigerator essentially...about 45 feet of 45 degree climbing. I was clipped in the static line at the very top of the prow
http://i30.tinypic.com/2lpbpd.jpg

Roof climbing...OOF, but for some reason I sorta liked it. *Shrug*
http://i26.tinypic.com/289zlkx.jpg

Hands
http://i28.tinypic.com/205p9nm.jpg

Starting hold
http://i29.tinypic.com/25klgqt.jpg

2nd fav pic of the day - the speedlight was on my camera. Not sure how the lightning turned out the way it did!
http://i25.tinypic.com/34gpruc.jpg

Prolly my favorite pic - obvious PP, but turned out pretty nicely. While climbing looks pretty burly from the ground, it's quite intricate...proper footwork, hand technique, etc.
http://i27.tinypic.com/2q9z8ya.jpg

Sorry for the lack of EXIF data - tinypic is poopy.

[evan_d]

Nice photos!

I want to go rock climbing now.

[jevidon]

great angles. the on-camera flash just doesn't do it for though - i'd love to see you get your hands on a couple off-camera flashes because I think you would come up with some great stuff. :)

[sacral]

thanks for the advice Jevidon!

I was using my 580EXII, but had to keep it on camera because i was 40 feet off the ground hanging on a rope. I'm thinking about getting the ST-E2 wireless transmitter soon, and rigging the speedlight on a robe so I can hold it out to the side. Or maybe put it on a stick... :)

[jevidon]

i've shot up on a rope before and i completely understand the limitations, but it is well worth the effort.