NC Snowboarding-Rail Jam

[tomcat360]

The weakest excuse for what they wanted to call a "rail jam", was one flat rail, a rainbow rail, and a box....all set up in a line with about 20 feet of width and maybe 15 feet between each feature....nonetheless...

Light was JUNK! I tried setting up a flash....wasn't powerful enough.....so added another....and still wasn't gettin anywhere with it so said screw it, changed lenses and backed up. Shot with two other lenses and they just looked crappy....I think I officially have L fever.

20D, 70-200 2.8 @ 2.8 or 3.2, 1/640th ISO 200

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/3109203765_5c3f75e943_o.jpg

Framing seems to be popular with these guys these days....so I gave it a shot, but not enough contrast with the branch against the rest of the trees.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/3110036384_2049f36279_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/3109203701_1c25c20b38_o.jpg

[justincase724]

Once you catch L fever, there's no turning back. Despite the conditions and all the other trouble you went through, I think your last shot is pretty good. Good framing and good depth. Well done.

[tomcat360]

Thanks for the comment. I really want to get out closer to sunset and get some flashes set up.

The L fever was bad....then it wasn't too bad, now it's back, I couldn't get a single sharp image from my Sigma or Tamron!

[namasste]

TC, do you have any shots taken with the two flash setup and what settings and locations did you use for the flash? I ask since you should be able to shoot in broad daylight with a couple of remote flashes and get reasonable results. I've shot in daylight at ISO100 and F16 and the backgrounds get dark enough that you can still have great separation. I'm only saying this to encourage you to give it another go. The added benefit is that your AF system can rock because of the good light. Here's an example during daytime. Shot in my drive with two flash setup and a still taken in the front yard with a similar setup. As you can see, I only really hit him with one light as the second was a rimlight (or supposed to be).

http://www.sephotos.net/img/v1/p848909784-5.jpg

http://www.sephotos.net/img/v1/p1064495635-5.jpg

[Dan-o]

I like no.3. There isn't a cure for L fever except to run out of L's to buy so be careful. We are finally getting snow locally in So. Cal. so I may head up this weekend. :)

[tomcat360]

??? Snow in soCal?

Scott, I'm thinking I should have stopped down more....but I was thinking the flash wasn't powerful enough so I needed to open up.....ehhhh....confused, haha.

Anyways, 1/100, f 6.3, ISO 100, with two flashes at full power to the left of camera, pretty much aimed in the same direction, maybe 10 feet from subject (as close as they would let me)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/3113495095_e52c132aef_o.jpg

I would like to try it again soon....but I went up yesterday, they probably lost 6" over night due to 50 degree rain, and we have a week more of that coming, so they will probably close and the rails won't be out till the rest of the mountain is open. I'm shooting some dirt jumping back home though so I'll try to apply what you're saying for that.

[tomcat360]

Oh and the flashes are two little cheap-o's, a Quantary and a old Pentax one....I have two 283's I'm planning on working on over break.

[Dan-o]

Snow in soCal?

One of the great things about Southern Cali. is you can surf and snowboard in the same day if you want to.

If the clouds weren't there you can see the ocean and Catalina island.
http://dmunson.smugmug.com/photos/437981551_SsKCf-X3.jpg

This place is real old school. Hasn't changed in the 25+ years that I've been going there.
http://dmunson.smugmug.com/photos/437981563_sgCKi-X3.jpg

[jbergdoll]

Up your shutter speed to 1/250 and stop down WAY more.

[tomcat360]

It won't sync past 1/125.....I think it will with the camera but between the poverty wizards and all...

However will stop down way more next time.

Now I'm really jealous of everyone in SoCal....how far of a drive from San Diego is that mountain? What's ya'll vertical drop there?

[jbergdoll]

It won't sync past 1/125.....I think it will with the camera but between the poverty wizards and all...

However will stop down way more next time.

Now I'm really jealous of everyone in SoCal....how far of a drive from San Diego is that mountain? What's ya'll vertical drop there?
Replace your batteries!

[SenateDC]

dan-o those shots are amazing

[tomcat360]

I have the replacement ones in there that midwest sells with them....I'll do some practicing, very new to them!

Thanks for the help ya'll

[justincase724]

Now I'm really jealous of everyone in SoCal....how far of a drive from San Diego is that mountain? What's ya'll vertical drop there?

I'm not sure where those shots were taken (which by the way are incredible looking for SoCal snow) but Bear Mountain/Snow Summit is about 2 1/2 hours drive from San Diego (with clear roads). It has taken me 6 hours to get there, but that was after about 18 inches fell overnight, and everyone was backed-up driving up the mountain trying to put chains on.

[Dan-o]

I'm not sure where those shots were taken

Baldy.

[namasste]

Dan, just when I think you suck as much as possible, you raise the bar.:lol: Spectacular images and it looks like a blast. Second shot reminds of Powder Mtn. in Utah. Same get up, hasn't changed forever.

[JeffCanon]

Up your shutter speed to 1/250 and stop down WAY more.

It won't sync past 1/125.....I think it will with the camera but between the poverty wizards and all.---

Replace your batteries!

I’m confused, how will replacing the batteries help? Seem to me a dedicated flash with high-speed sync or shooting manual exposure would help more or am I missing so thing?

[namasste]

I’m confused, how will replacing the batteries help? Seem to me a dedicated flash with high-speed sync or shooting manual exposure would help more or am I missing so thing?batteries are always the first thing I change when I ever have troubles. They are cheap and offer immediate feedback. Your suggestion is correct but a few batteries is much more economical as a first step. The ebay triggers are notorius for this type of thing although there are a thousand sites with step by step instructions on mods to improve sync speed and distance and I'd go the google route and try one. At a minimum, he stop down as Joe and I said. The flash (if firing and syncing at 125) should still stop most action if you are well under ambient and using a short duration (low power) setting. I'd try that and some new batteries in the trigger and flash first, then take the next step which involves a capital outlay.

[tomcat360]

I have looked into some of the poverty wizards modifications and plan eventually on doing so.

[jon.t.]

??? Snow in soCal?

Scott, I'm thinking I should have stopped down more....but I was thinking the flash wasn't powerful enough so I needed to open up.....ehhhh....confused, haha.

Anyways, 1/100, f 6.3, ISO 100, with two flashes at full power to the left of camera, pretty much aimed in the same direction, maybe 10 feet from subject (as close as they would let me)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/3113495095_e52c132aef_o.jpg

I would like to try it again soon....but I went up yesterday, they probably lost 6" over night due to 50 degree rain, and we have a week more of that coming, so they will probably close and the rails won't be out till the rest of the mountain is open. I'm shooting some dirt jumping back home though so I'll try to apply what you're saying for that.


Why 100ISO? Seems a little slow...

[tomcat360]

Because I was attempting to drop the ambient but wasn't quite thinking perfect.

[Coastal]

This got a bit off from that Rail jam..

I see that Ski Beech is doing another Rail Jam on Feb 7th. It is a night event. With me not having any lighting, I dont plan on going to shoot. A friend may go up to get coverage, but your description of this event makes me rethink his idea. I just posted a few daytime photos from my weekend there. I can't imaging this terrain park allowing anyone to have really great results.

[tomcat360]

Well...Sugar's last priority of all time is park and such. They only did this so they could write it down on the website for a feature of "sugarfest". It sounds like Beech is trying a bit harder this year to get some park features. If you really wanna get some park shots try App, they have great features.

[Coastal]

Ah, I thought you were at Beech for these photos.
yes, beech shows alot more going on for this upcoming event.
And App. def. has the rest overshadowed with their terrain. I actually went to all three places in the last seven days.