A Foggy Sunset

While working, I am always on the lookout for something neat or interesting. Sometimes, I am lucky enough to be blessed with something absolutely gorgeous. There was a heavy fog that had rested on the valley floor for a couple of days. Fog as a weather pattern is not that unusual. It doesn't come all the time, but it definitely adds an interesting environment for shooting. After gathering the typical people walking through the fog, I decided to see if I could get above the clouds.





I headed up Hwy 32 toward Forest Ranch, but didn't have to far to rise above the fog. I was able to pull over to this area that overlooked the valley. I was right above the fog that covered end to end. It was quite a sight that I don't think my photos can even describe properly.

I set up three cameras, two that were on time-lapse taking shots about every 5 seconds. I held the third camera in hand shooting both video and stills. The sun began to set as I began to work. It was truly a view that I was powerful. I need to figure out how to build a house at that spot. As the sun set and the moon began to shine brighter, I noticed the stars that began to show. The absolutely clear sky was something that I had not seen for a couple days. Stars filled the sky and the city lights created a glow from below the fog. There was no way to capture it all. I just breathed deeply to enjoy what I could. I did manage to snap a self portrait of me out in the scene.









Fog lies on the valley floor over Chico as seen from Hwy 32 Friday, January 7, 2011 in Chico, Calif.
(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

I later came down the hill and compiled the time-lapse shots into a video. I was surprised how much the "apparent" motionless fog actually moved. It was something you didn't notice as you stood their watching, but over the span of 30 minutes you could see the fog rolling like a river.

See video...

Tell me what you think? What is your favorite?

Email me at propixelographer@gmail.com

Taking the Plunge into the New Year

Well 2011 has arrived and it was an eventful day. Hundreds of Chicoans gathered for the annual Polar Bear Swim across the Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area. I was assigned to cover the event. I decided to shoot both video and photos. It was quite challenging being that the swim last no more than 20 seconds. How did I shoot both?

People brave the chilling cold water in Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area for the Polar Bear Swim Saturday, January 1, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Wearing a "Happy New Year" headband, Kelly Nokleby laughs with friends after she and other people brave the chilling cold water in Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area for the Polar Bear Swim Saturday, January 1, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

I just set up 5 different cameras. I had one remote camera on the west end of the pool and a second remote camera on east end. They were both point and shoot cameras shooting video. I also placed a remote camera with a fisheye lens looking over the middle of the pool that was going to shoot a timelapse of the event. I carried the fourth and fifth cameras on me to shoot both video and photos.

It was a hectic scramble. What made it difficult wasn't shooting both the video and photos at the same time, but rather the large crowd that had gathered. Both sides were filled with people who gathered to take the plunge on one end, and to watch on the other.

People leap and dive into the chilling cold water in Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area for the Polar Bear Swim Saturday, January 1, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Two remote cameras were placed in the trees for the Polar Bear Swim Saturday, January 1, 2011 in Chico, Calif. The one on the left was shooting a time-lapse and the one on the right was shooting video.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Next year, I will probably try some different angles to switch things up a bit.

See video....

TTL? How About NNTL

     There is a terminology in photography called TTL. It means "through the lens". It is in reference to a camera's flash to evaluate a scene communicating through the lens as opposed to on top of the camera. This enables it to see as the camera sees. Though it is not the same terminology, we photographers generally look "through the lens" to compose a picture. It is a very good practice to not be the only way to take pictures. Sometimes I lay the camera on the ground or raise it above by head to get the better viewpoint. I don't think I would be taking pictures TTL. 

     But what is NNTL? Well, how about "nowhere near the lens". Yes, I am taking about a remote camera. Remote photography is setting up a multiple cameras that are all triggered by the same device. In my case, I set up a camera behind the goal post at the Chico vs Foothill girls soccer game. I was triggering that remote camera with a second camera in my hands while I stood about 60ft away on the sidelines. I was able to fire both cameras at the same time. This allows me to take pictures when I am nowhere near the camera, NNTL. This is becoming a common practice among many sports photographers. What is great about this system is that it allows me to be in two places at once.

The first shot shows my viewpoint from the camera in hand. It obviously isn't a very good sports photo since both players have their back to me and there is no ball in sight. Chico High's Julie Haselton (center) scores on a play involving Olivia Carey (4) and Foothill goalie Stephanie Dennison in the first half of the league title match Thursday in Chico. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

This is the shot from my remote camera set up behind the net. Thought the lighting is backlit, the players are facing me and the ball is in sight. Chico High's Julie Haselton (center) scores on a play involving Olivia Carey (4) and Foothill goalie Stephanie Dennison in the first half of the league title match Thursday in Chico. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

      Being a sports photographer has a lot to do with being in the right spot. And as it happens, my remote camera happened to be in a better spot than me this last Thursday. I have two shots from the same goal that was scored, with my remote shot being a far better image than the one I shot in camera. I never know if I got the shot when I'm NNTL. It reminds me a little of developing film, where I have to wait to see if I got anything when I get back to the computer.