Comments on: Shooting Waverunners in Mexico – In the Ocean

By: wizwow

wizwow — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:29:08 +0000

Thanks for the comment.

As stated in the article, these images were shot at a different time and are being used to sell a concept to the advertiser. We plan on going back to reshoot what we have deemed to be appropriate for the campaign.

As to the reality of it… well, in advertising reality is quite a bit different than what is portrayed. I am sure that disclaimers of ‘closed track with a professional driver’ are used to advantage on car ads. I would say that the life-vests would not be an issue for this campaign… I mean it is Mexico, so there is no LAW that states they have to wear them, it is a ‘given’ among the guys who rent the JetSkis. And if it is decided we need to do it, we will certainly make efforts to get some sort of ‘approved’ life vests that are at least attractive and not the beat up old orange ones they have on the beach. Heh.

As for SC no helmet law… yeah, I would come there to ride as well. Love the area so much… and the Smokey’s – wow. A Photographer’s dream of locations.

By: Duluk

Duluk — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:57:18 +0000

Nice article. I was wondering, seriously out of curiosity, not finger-pointing, what your thoughts were on the girls not wearing life jackets in the shoot for an ad campaign for a resort/whatever that does require life jackets. Would you say it is false advertising? Because the point of the campaign, from your article, is to say, “Hey look at how much fun you can have.” I could easily see someone thinking, “Ah and you don’t have to wear life jackets! Sweet!” And then she arrives for vacation and is told she must wear a life jacket. “But…” she protests, pointing at the large billboard of the girls NOT wearing life jackets…..

Oh, and why would someone want to ride the jet ski with no life jacket? Or why would she be upset if told she did? I don’t know, but I live in SC where there is no helmet law for motorcycles. And people come here to ride for that reason alone.

By: Then and Now: A Matter of Style | LIGHTING ESSENTIALS For Photographers

Then and Now: A Matter of Style | LIGHTING ESSENTIALS For Photographers — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:49:18 +0000

[...] some recent posts: Shooting Waverunners in Mexico â€“ In the Ocean Interview with David Giral, Montreal Photographer Enough Negativity: Ten Things to Positively [...]

By: Niraj

Niraj — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:36:17 +0000

Like that note on the POV and the perspective and angle of the shot. Lovely work and the image came out as expected.. stunning.. I really feel I am watching them while in water..

By: Peter Dixon

Peter Dixon — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:35:09 +0000

Good article. Having photographed a lot of motocross in days gone by, having a sixth sense is really important. Any moving vehicle has the potential to go in a different direction that what it is supposed to and that can get really messy. I have had times when I stepped back to have a bike land where I was standing. great action photos are fantastic to see but many people do not realise the challenges and risks in getting them. They very hard on gear and can be physically hard work as well. My view with action photography was “if it feels too dangerous to be here then it probably is”. Jet boats traveling at over 100mph make a big mess. Although my photography is on the back burner at the moment I find your articles very relevant for the work I am doing developing a training business and many of the issues you raise apply to any business setting. Keep up the good work and say it as it is.

By: Geccko

Geccko — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:36:05 +0000

Uau, you are brave!

By: Steve Gray

Steve Gray — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:25:32 +0000

Cool; thanks! Yeah, I’m envious!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:08:11 +0000

Super cool! Thanks for sharing how you did this!

By: wizwow

wizwow — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:33:53 +0000

Hi and thanks.

No, I didn’t do any other POV shots. For the campaign we are doing a camera mounted on the handle bars shot, a protected camera shot of two waverunners going on either side of the camera from the water perspective. If it is too hairy, we may do one on one side and then the other and composite them… we’ll have to see how brave I decide to be with 20 year old girls on Waverunners coming within 24″ of my head… Heh. We will also be shooting catamarans, desert ATV’s and beach shots… all from a POV of someone in the action. It should be a really fun gig.

By: Steve Gray

Steve Gray — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:17:19 +0000

Looks like a lot of fun! It definitely gets my brain going with the possibilities. Just curious: did you do any shots from a boat-to-boat perspective? As in sitting on the back of the lead waverunner, shooting the model driving the training waverunner? Or shooting over the shoulder of the trailing driver toward the lead boat, putting the viewer in a following-the-leader position?