Doe a Deer

There's a shot I've been trying to get for the past three weeks and I'm just now getting it figured out. A local train runs along the rim of a small canyon near me and it's so pretty with the snow! But that's not enough. I've been trying to catch it after dark with my lights. Last week's attempts came up short as even when I used 8 Nikon SB-25 flash units at full power, I didn't have near enough light.

This week I found a narrower stretch of the canyon so my light didn't have so far to go. I drove to the other side of the canyon and placed three lights (radio triggered) along the tracks on the edge of the canyon set to 1/4 power, then drove back to the other side. I set up two more SB-25 flash on 8 ft. stands and a third I just placed on the rock column in front of me. That's one of the details I was saving for last. The canyon sides are a sheer 25 foot drop onto the frozen stream below. I walked out on a very narrow snow covered ledge that juts out into the creek and set my camera up on that. I was wearing my crampons and had a rope tied around me this was so spooky! Keep in mind I'm doing this in near darkness. Everything was looking good! I had a total of six Nikon SB-25 lights and their radio triggers all set up waiting my command. This took a fair amount of effort and time.

I stood on the rock column, being careful to not forget where I was AND not look down. In the dark I eventually heard the train slowly coming my way, the sound of it's horn announced every road crossing. Finally I heard the throb of the three mighty engines struggling up the twisting grade and saw the headlights. That was my signal to hit the shutter button. I do this about 5 seconds in advance to wake up my flash and to give the train crew some notice I was around. Well, the flash seemed to wake up more than just the strobes! I immediately heard a snort and the sound of my lightstands crashing down, and then foot steps in the snow about eight feet behind me on the trail. I caught a glimpse of a young doe (female deer) streaking away. I yelled potty words at the deer but managed to stay on task. I wheeled back around and hit the shutter button again. The three flash on the far side of the canyon popped and I got the train, but the flash on the stands fired uselessly into the snow and did not light up the far canyon wall. With that, it was all over. I will now have to wait another week to get this shot. I might of said a few more potty words as I picked up my lights and camera in the dark, and carefully made my way back to my car. I have no idea where the deer came from. My guess is it was simply coming down the trail and happened to be right by my lights at the moment I touched them off. I've never had anything quite like this happen before.


Kent in SD

Aint progress grand? You are making progress aren't you? Well done so far!

Hard to know whether to laugh or cry reading this story. Oh, my! What a project... I can't wait to see the results! Waiting eagerly...

I can only imagine what the deer was saying!! Also, I wonder what the train crew is saying after 6-8 SB25's fire off when they pass by! They're probably blinking and seeing spots for the next 10 miles!! Keep it up, the third time's a charm.

Did you ever think of taking up story writing? You're good at it!

Bob

Hi Kent! Yes, you ARE good at story writing. Should pursue that as well. Writing articles about your happenings or should I say mishappenings!! Good luck with your next try and I look forward to viewing it!!

Kent, you need to publish both the story and any shots your got as well as natural light startup shots. That's my 2-cents.

I was fascinated as I read the description of what you are attempting to do.

Way to go.

And best of luck.

I'm watching for updates to this serial weekly story

Rather like the weekly short movies that my brother and I watched when we were young. Way to go Tom Mix.

Carol

Tom Mix! Yikes, Carol, you're dating yourself.

Kent, I' sure you'll get the image in the end, because you are persistent. Meanwhile you'll have a good story to tell at photographers' gatherings. I imagine you'll refine it over time to increase the drama, much like a good fishing story.

A heads up or BTW for you Kent-

While we've never had deer attack our light stands, we have to endure people tripping on them in crowded settings. Our solution may be even more useful for you: Hang a heavy counterweight from the bottom of the stand, right down there where the legs join or lower. We use 20# shot bags, but you could get away with a small stuff sack of rocks while not adding a lot of weight to your portable setup. If the ground isn't too rocky, you could also use my trick for camera tripods on windy days: Drive a tent stake into the ground right below the center column, then synch the tripod to it using para cord. Tent stakes and para cord don't add much weight or bulk to your kit, either.

Hey, like that windy day tripod anchoring tip, Hank. I always have 100 feet of para cord in my camera pack, and a couple tent stakes take up little room and no weight.

Here's another for you Steve: Dangle a loop of para cord from your center column. If you get the length just right you can step on it to steady a tripod rather than resorting to the tent stake. I really like this one when I have to be mobile. Also beats futzing around with tent stakes in the snow or on frozen ground. Enjoy!

Thanks again, Hank. I live in really rocky country, too, so that final tip will come in handy in all seasons. Is it spring wildflower season yet?

In New Zealand.

Carol--

There really was no natural light in the shot I'm trying. I actually shoot after dark for these things. This time of year that is easy since I don't have to stay up late waiting for the sun to go down! I eventually will make a magazine article out of these, once I get enough good shots. I submit several per year to different railroad magazines.

Steve--
Looks like I forgot to mention this was a 12 point doe and chased me out on the rock ledge!

Here's a link to a similar photo I posted on NPN last week. While the scale of the shot is nowhere near as large, it gives you an idea.
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=88438&b=vg6&st=0&la=358&ph=15&sid=23116&u=23116


Kent in SD

Kent, I wish you were here so I could ask you how wide the rack was and you could hold your hands out in measurement. You know, it was THIS big, and THIS big gets bigger with each retelling.

So Kent...a month has passed...Did you get your shot?!?

Nathan