Exposure: 25s  Aperture: f/5.6  ISO: 200  Focal Length: 26 mm

The idea was that of a classic large scale interrogation scene from a movie. Single light shining down on a subject in a greater expansive area. A sinker and fishing line were thrown up into the roof of the hanger with hopes of it passing through the framework and creating a hoist for the torch. And what to you know…nailed it on the 2nd attempt! The torch was taped to a small piece of board so that it would hang more vertically.

Exposure: 25s  Aperture: f/5.6  ISO: 200  Focal Length: 26 mm

Sven and I experimented with various lighting methods for the surrounding structure. Problem being that it is very large and getting interesting lighting proved difficult. It was commented that many of our attempts looked like the cheap stage lighting of a magician. I was trying for the upper structure well lit and the lower structure dimmer to contrast the circle of light and subjects.

In the end two torches taped to the cross supports behind the camera proved the best for me. They were angled up the framework with their hot spots set just outside of frame. I also zoomed in a little from the initial wider composition to make the lighting task less massive. Sven of course tried all manner of coloured lighting with his RGB torch – which if nothing else does make an incredible flood light.

Exposure: 30s  Aperture: f/5.6  ISO: 200  Focal Length: 26 mm

Poses were also varied and all equally silly – we had everything from crucifix stances to two person Mortal Combat ones. In the end I had to go with rigid poses as a head cold was preventing me from holding still any other way.

So it was an interesting experiment and if nothing else proves a decent method of elevated lighting.

Exposure: 2s  Aperture: f/8.0  ISO: 400  Focal Length: 10 mm

The first foreign concept was stopping our car on the express way and getting out. One lane had been closed for the works and cars continued to pass in the other two. I can see now why road workers get so annoyed when people do not observe the lowered speed limits.

Exposure: 8s  Aperture: f/8.0  ISO: 100  Focal Length: 10 mm

Exposure: 1.3s  Aperture: f/5.6  ISO: 400  Focal Length: 10 mm

I was assigned the middle zoom photos, while Sven was using his fisheye. Our art director was none other than the multi talented Chris. There were only so many shots to take given our limited range of movement and the fact that the roadway and crane structure moved with every passing car, and with the movement of the workers below.

Exposure: 3.2sAperture: f/5.6  ISO: 400  Focal Length: 10 mm

Exposure: 1/8s  Aperture: f/4.0  ISO: 1600  Focal Length: 10 mm

Exposure: 4s  Aperture: f/5.6  ISO: 200  Focal Length: 17 mm

Many other photos were taken prior to this, off-site in the yard. However I will leave those in the capable hands of Chris for more professional post processing and wrap up my comments there. It was great to have the opportunity to assist.

Exposure: 20s  Aperture: f/5.6  ISO: 400  Focal Length: 10 mm

I have actually been in a hanger of almost the exact same style in the UK that is still active. That one is a listed building and from the new fence built around this one I would say it might be as well. The construction is really something – all the curved spans holding up the roof inside are made of wood. But despite being impressed by the engineering of the interior while casting my torch around, I did not find a way to take a worthwhile shot of it. Actually it was more having no decent way to light it – huge!

Exposure: 1/60s  Aperture: f/2.8  ISO: 100  Focal Length: 50 mm

Instead I spent most of the time with Chris setting up the above. It involved two flashes and some masking of reflections in the long steel basin. In the end certainly more improvements could have been made but we were both growing tired of test shots. So we let fly with the limited water we had to simulate some liquid exiting the mouth of the background subject. Arrr cheery stuff! We then quite quickly took the next shot as a secondary. Single flash with the only real intervention being to obstruct the flash somewhat to reduce the harsh light on the hand.

Exposure: 1/60s  Aperture: f/8.0  ISO: 100  Focal Length: 50 mm

After that we had a quick walk out onto the accompanying dock structure, which also turned out to be quite large. It was quite a nice view from out there as well. Lacking any further inspiration I wandered around, Sven having disappeared down a rusty section of the dock.

After 20 minutes or so a slow moving patrol (looking) boat started coming towards the dock. It may have been draw by our calls to Sven – trying to determine weather he was OK down a dodgy end of the structure. On his return we quickly departed and exited through the mangroves where we watched the boat scan the dock with lights.

Exposure: 30s  Aperture: f/22.0  ISO: 800  Focal Length: 70 mm

To add to that there were also sheets of asbestos roofing strewn across the interior. It appeared to be some sort of old service building for the nearby brickworks. Hoping to find some interesting relics inside I donned a mask and had a look. The roof sheeting cracked underfoot. Sadly it had been completly cleared out. The shot below is from the rear.

Exposure: 30s  Aperture: f/8.0  ISO: 800  Focal Length: 10 mm

After walking out through the very long grass, hoping not to step on a snake, our usual 20 minute roadside discussion on where to go next commenced. One fell to the call of sleep and feeling similar I insisted we drive towards home and hope for the best. We had a quick look at a known drain. The two adventures disappeared into the 7 pipe arangment while I remained outside and shot their antics. The top shot is stopped down to f/22 as I was quite close to the opening, balanced on rocks with the long lens and far to lazy to reposition further away.

Exposure: 20s  Aperture: f/5.6  ISO: 400  Focal Length: 70 mm

It was remarked during the evening that the new year has brought with it a serious drought of ideas for photos. I could not agree more. Serious thought and Google Map inspection needs to go into finding some new locations.

Exposure: 1.6s  Aperture: f/4.0  ISO: 800  Focal Length: 200 mm

We tried various new ideas but the most promising of them was aborted due to a rising moon and glasses full of milk that would just not balance on the slanted arm of a sofa (doi!). The standard stationary break (below) did not meet the usual standards either, I think due to lower viscosity (having been made out of powdered milk). The liquid just went everywhere without any real patterns. I left the mic in shot just for interest (and laziness).

Exposure: 2.5s  Aperture: f/4.0  ISO: 400  Focal Length: 135 mm

Exposure: 2.5s  Aperture: f/4.0  ISO: 400  Focal Length: 135 mm

We then proceeded to punish a Pooh Bear we found – it really is a treasure trove of human refuse that place. He was not the greatest model – followed direction poorly and kept falling over when hit with high speed ball bearings. Terrible really.

Exposure: 1.6s  Aperture: f/4.0  ISO: 800  Focal Length: 200 mm

Finally, as an afterthought, we spun the wool-wheel again. However we did not have the metal U-schackles that were used previously to hold the wool and tie the string onto. It would seem these serve an important role in preventing the string from melting, causing molten steel wool to go flying. Shots were limited, terrible and overexposed.

Exposure: 10s  Aperture: f/4.0  ISO: 200  Focal Length: 29 mm

Exposure: 4s  Aperture: f/4.0  ISO: 200  Focal Length: 21 mm

So I propose a break from high speed until the interest is there in preparing a decent scene. A person holding the glass was contemplated but would require at least a protective glove of some sort to avoid serious knuckle breakage.

Exposure: 3s  Aperture: f/5.6  ISO: 1600  Focal Length: 10 mm

Sadly the range itself was long gone and only this admin building remains. Decency demands that I forgo posting the other versions of this image