 |
| Can I suggest visiting a dentist? |
For the second year I went to the
Broad Ripple Zombie Walk exclusively to photograph the event.
This is a really fun event that gives participants
the opportunity to get their zombie on and to benefit Gleaners Food Bank.
This year’s event took place the weekend
before Halloween.
The event is hosted by
IndyMojo.
I would guess about 500 people showed
up. I arrived early and picked up my
media pass. I brought the following kit
knowing there would be bright light ending-up pitch black:
Soon after I got myself organized
people started to show up. Most came
with their zombie make-up already on, or took advantage of the 3-4 makeup artists. People could get made-up for free at the
event. Early on people simply walked
around talking, listening to the DJ, dancing, or just looking at other people’s
make-up. Some people were SERIOUSLY into
the event and had amazing make-up.
 |
| Like, "what-everrr" |
 |
| Seriously, awesome! |
 |
| Smile for the camera |
I started off with a Nikkor 24-70mm
lens asking zombies if I could shoot their street portrait. Everyone was in a good mood and obviously,
had absolutely no problem letting me shoot them (sorry, photography them). After about an hour I switched out to my
Nikkor 70-200mm lens so I could get some tighter shots. While it was still bright outside I shot in
Aperture priority with f/stop in the f/2.8 – f/4 range. The goal was to get shallow DOF for all
street portraits.
By the time it got dark the place
was hopping & PACKED. Just like a
scene from The Walking Dead. So cool,
and fun to watch everyone get into it.
There were kids, families, young couples, hipsters, older couples,
couples with babies, singles, you name it.
The event attracted all types.
And let me tell you, people were seriously getting into their
makeup. Some were professional grade.
 |
| Child's Play |
 |
| Starting 'em young |
 |
| You looking at me, you looking at me? |
 |
| Sorry for interrupting your conversation, seriously |
Soon after it started to get dark
it was time to do the zombie walk. This
is when everyone walks through the streets of Broad Ripple showing off their stuff. What a blast.
I switched into my Nikkor 35mm, opened the aperture as wide as possible,
and mounted my Nikon SB-600. I used a
large diffuser on my speedlight to get soft indirect light. I know you aren’t supposed to do it, but the
speedlight was mounted on the camera.
Please forgive me! Anyway, I
jumped ahead of the horde, parked myself behind a tree and fired away as the
zombies walked by. It was fun. The only problem I noticed is that I think my
focus point must have been off. I
normally shoot center-point focus and recompose, but I think I must have had my
focus point to the left of center, because I had about 30% of my images
focusing in to the left of my subject.
With such a shallow DOF this was a problem. However, I took tons of photos so I still got
quality images during the walk.
 |
| KISS fan |
 |
| The Corporation is here |
 |
| Seriously creepy |
 |
| Time for a mind meld |
After about 5-6 hours I called it
an evening. The event was fun and a real
photo rich environment.
After action tips for you fellow
photogs:
· Learn your camera. In an event like this you don’t want to be
fiddling with your kit. Especially when
it gets dark,
· Remember, people are made up so they WANT to be
photographed. Take advantage of the
opportunity. Only a few people asked me
what I was going to do with their image,
· Bring good glass. When it gets dark you need your lens to focus
pronto,
· Go light.
I wanted to, but still had a full backpack. After a few hours you start to feel it,
·
Talk to the other photographers. I chatted up a few photogs that I had seen
around, but never met. I like to talk to
people especially if I know there is a common interest.
· Sacrifice ISO for shutter speed. This event called for tack sharp.
 |
| Portait Time |
 |
| America's Top Model, zombie-style |
 |
| Oh no, the military is infected |
No comments:
Post a Comment