Photographing on sailboat at night with limited flash use?

4 years 10 months ago #649020 by Sawyer
I've been asked to be a photographer on board a 62' sailboat for a charity race that is supposed to last 8 nights and 9 days.  These guys will be running their boats well into the night as I understood.  I need to photograph the action basically day and night.  During night, the only lights are being used top deck are red lights.  So, how in the world am I supposed to be able to capture action during the dark with no flash?  It's not like I can set up a tripod and take a go at a 30 second exposure.  I think my only option unless I'm missing something is super high ISO and blazing fast prime lens at night.  I'll use some sort of noise reduction software afterwards. 

What do you think? 

Canon 5D Mark II | Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM | Canon 35L | Sigma 85 1.4 | Helios 44M-6 58mm(M42) | Zeiss 50mm 1.4 (C/Y) | Canon 135L | (2) 430EX II
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4 years 10 months ago #649095 by garyrhook
Suggest you talk to them about their expectations, and explain the technical limitations of trying to shoot in the dark.

Suggest you not depend upon using flash. That would be hugely problematic for people actually working: you could temporarily blind them.

A Nikon D4 would be able to shoot at 25,600 and get you possibly usable images. Can't comment on other brands. IOW proper equipment will help.


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4 years 10 months ago #649153 by icepics
Since a camera is recording light, I'm not sure how you're going to get much in the way of photos with such limited light conditions at night.

This will be for a number of days, how many pictures could they possibly need/use?? how will they be using them? (which should be in the contract). Maybe you could get the photos they need shooting during the day, at sunset, and that'd meet their needs. Help them figure out more specifically what they actually need and see if you can work it out. Or decline and let them find somebody else (who may tell them the same thing...).

Sharon
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4 years 10 months ago #649235 by CaptNemo

garyrhook wrote: Suggest you talk to them about their expectations, and explain the technical limitations of trying to shoot in the dark.

Suggest you not depend upon using flash. That would be hugely problematic for people actually working: you could temporarily blind them.

A Nikon D4 would be able to shoot at 25,600 and get you possibly usable images. Can't comment on other brands. IOW proper equipment will help.



:agree:  might be worth to rent a Nikon D4 with a butt load of insurance.   


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4 years 10 months ago #649250 by garyrhook

CaptNemo wrote: ... might be worth to rent a Nikon D4 with a butt load of insurance.   


<etymology cop>

#againwiththeeyerolls
The term is "boatload". A "butt" is a unit of measurement and cannot, in and of itself, hold anything. A boat can hold a lot.

</etymology cop>


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4 years 10 months ago #649291 by Kenya See
That sounds like a fun trip.  I think your only option will be superfast glass and camera with great ISO performance.  


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4 years 9 months ago #649318 by icepics
True Gary, but then again... you never know, Capt. Nemo's phrase might fit some situations! :blink: But maybe we should stick to boat load considering the topic!

Sharon
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4 years 9 months ago #649513 by Chris Grimm
I would have said the same thing.  At least in my household we say "buttload" or "sh*tload", I'm sure the etymology cops will have a field day with the last one as well. 

Seriously though, rent a D4 or D5 with a couple fast primes with a BOATload of insurance.  


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