OK, this is way off-topic but I had to share it with you all nevertheless. I've been hired to shoot an engagement party next Saturday night. The mother of a young woman who lives in Ohio is flying her daughter and fiance into Orlando on Friday and then she's asked me if I would drive them to the beach and take some lovely, moody beach portraits.

The catch is: the nearest beach to the airport they're flying into is on the East Coast of Florida (New Smyrna Beach) and they want sunset shots. Taken between 3 and 5 pm. The sun sets here about 7:30. On the other coast:).

So, here comes "highlight priority" settings and under-exposure. Not to mention a setting sun from some other shoot to be added later. From the WEST coast!

Time to pull out the scrims and reflectors (gold of course)!

Did I mention I hate weddings and all the stuff associated with them? Ugh!

Jim

Hey Jim,

LOL, I LOVE weddings. Having said that, I completely empathize.

James

James,
it's just that the expectations don't match the planning . I love beach shoots. But to get what mom wants, we should be on the East Coast beach at dawn and a West Coast beach at sunset. Sigh.

I'm driving over to the beach today to see where the best locations are and see what I can do about the lighting -- assuming that there aren't major thunder storms coming through during that time of the day on Friday. Hmmm, that would make for some dramatic shots!!

Jim

"it's just that the expectations don't match the planning . I love beach shoots. But to get what mom wants, we should be on the East Coast beach at dawn and a West Coast beach at sunset"

Hey Jim,

I completely get it. However, they put bread on the table...and we are only the 3rd thing that the bride thinks of after the question is popped, so the details do get a bid muddied at times... Curiously, outside of reflectors, how are you lighting these scenes? I may have some ideas for you if you are interested.

James

James,
2 AB400s and a Vagabond II. A lot will be available light to get walking/footprints shots and that bucolic stroll on the beach. It really depends on what the sun is doing when we get there. This week's weather has been bright, sunny and 95 degrees. The rest of the country might be waiting for Summer but it's been here for a while.

I'll scout the location later today at about the same time I'll be shooting and see what I need then. I've done similar shoots with just the 580 EX for fill but I've gotten some blown out highlights that way. Of course, I have no idea what they're wearing either so if I get white, I'm in trouble. Linda will be there to assist and help with the reflectors and other stuff.

If it's windy, it will be lots of fun . Then I'll just take my chances with available light and the 580.

Jim

This looks like an interesting spot:

28°51'27.94"N
80°46'35.24"W

Punch it into Google Earth and look at the images around there. Also looks like it backs up to a sound for sunset.

County Rd A1A and S. Atlantic Ave.

Preston,
actually it backs up to the inland waterway. If you look a little more North and slightly West, you'll see Smyrna Dunes Park which is where I'm thinking of heading. That's where I take the dogs for their beach romps in the Winter. It has the Atlantic on one side and Ponce Inlet and the Halifax River to the West. Just need to see how much stuff is in the background on the River side: refineries and other industrial junk.

I'll check out both locations later today.

Jim

Local knowledge trumps Google Earth. The 'sound' was labeled Mosquito Lagoon, and the one sunset photo in there looked like a way to fake out being on the West coast.

Good luck with your shoot.

Preston,
in the aptly named, Mosquito Lagoon, the insects are so big that two of them are capable of carrying off Sundance .

Jim

OK, so today was the beach shoot and we met the couple at 2 pm in Sanford (20 miles North of Orlando) and headed over to the East coast. It was 98 degrees in Orlando and yesterday the thunder storms moved in around 3 pm. I was not my "usual" positive self .

We get to New Smyrna and Linda says, let's just go to the main beach and see what we can get there. So, we drive onto the beach, head North about 200 yds., find a place to park without too many people around and get ready to shoot. I should mention that the couple is young and quite attractive. We discuss what we're looking for and start shooting and, suddenly, it's magic time. They move like models and they touch as if they mean it. They are gorgeous together or separately. They see the image in my head and re-create it in the viewfinder.

We headed down to the water for some wading shots and several people asked if I wanted them to move. I told them "no" because I was much more interested in the background and then asked them what they thought of the couple. They thought the couple was gorgeous! They loved that I asked and they told the couple how pretty they looked and how much they liked what we were shooting. The kids were really happy.

These kids touch each other as if they mean it and move as if they had ballet training. When they kiss, they really KISS. I've worked with a lot of engaged couples but most of them are awkward the moment you put them in front of a camera. These two were totally comfortable.

Temps on the beach had dropped to 89 degrees, there was a cool breeze coming off of the water and the entire session lasted just over an hour including wading time for everyone. The shoot I was dreading ended up being a lovely experience for all involved.

A young man was walking down the beach playing a guitar and we asked him if he would be willing to serenade the couple. He was and he did. It was great fun. I hope the images pay off the time we spent. I'll be editing them tonight. But the shoot was truly a great time!

Jim