Go with what is offered

I have a shoot coming soon, and I spent part of the day thinking about lighting, what equipment was needed and which lenses to use etc. I like to make sure everything is in ready condition.

But I’ve been doing this long enough to know that not infrequently, changes have to be made in real-time that may not have been anticipated. And the key is to stay comfortable with the idea alternatives have to be used, and that with a bit of creativity things will turn out well.

Tonight, I took my puppy to my neighborhood park for our nightly game of “chase the puck.” Zoey, (her name), and I over the last several weeks have gone to this park where there is a hockey rink next to a larger skating rink. And although there often are a few people there, I am able to set a puck flying across the ice, which Zoey then chases and brings back. The skating rink is at least 75 yards long, and 50 yards across. And she will chase the puck in all directions, maybe 35-40 times before I usually beg to return to the car. It is usually well lit.

But tonight the lights were off and the skating rink and hockey risk were dark. I considered lighting the area with my headlights, but that was a no-go. I thought maybe the lights were off maybe for the season. This is an activity that gives my dog a lot of exercise, and I get a chance to sometimes meet new people, and always enjoy being outside. I took one more look at the hockey rink before leaving the parking lot, and saw there were streaks of light extending across it from the one permanent light of the park.

It worked and was a good decision as the puck went skirting along the path created by the light - and we got in well over 40 throws.

Zoey got her exercise and I got my fresh air. And that is the point. We could have left once we saw how dark it was, but once we adapted to the different, albeit weak light, we had fun.

Check out the very dark and grainy video taken with my cell phone. You will be amazed by Zoey’s talent!

Dark but Still Works