CA/NV DPC Night Photo Camping Trip - Fri, Aug 19th

12/10/2004 07:23:03 PM · #1

Hi Everyone,

One of my favorite photographers, who's such an inspiration to me, shoots mostly at night in the Cali & Nevada deserts / Ghost Towns. I would love to get a trip together with as many DPCers as possible to go camping and try to learn his technique.

The only catch is, we have to go out during the full moon, and the first weekend that we have a full moon in 2005 is August 19th (Friday night). So, that's the weekend we'd go.

Please visit: //www.lostamerica.com/lostframe.html to learn more about the technique, the locations and get inspired.

I hope some of you will want to go. We can camp or get motel rooms, but we will be out most of the night til about 3am or so shooting :)

Arie

scab-lab

Canon EOS-D60

12/10/2004 07:31:13 PM · #2

Cant say I can join the party, but I can vouch for Troys work... I have the Book "Lost America" and I really enjoy it. You might be interested in these these guys . They are based out of Cali I believe.

Good luck, sounds great.

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

01/03/2005 01:27:44 PM · #3

I love "Lost America". I have it on my coffee table for all to see. It's so inspiring! It's what's inspired me to do this trip actually! I have been wanting to do this for about 2 years now, but never have really gone out and done it. So, I am hoping to gather some people by next autumn and have a really fun time with night photography!!!

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

01/03/2005 01:57:46 PM · #4

Funny I found that site a while back doing a search for the Phoenix Trotter Park. On my visits to see my Mom just outside of Phoenix, I wandered over to the abandoned site and shot some pictures of it, then had to go find out what it was. Little is known about it and wanted to portray something thousands of people see.

I did a theme on TrekEarth on it with 10 pictures: The Phoenix Trotter Park
Now these were more snapshots than what is found in the Lost America Collection, but interesting anyway.

Message edited by author 2005-01-03 13:58:05.

Artifacts

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/21/2005 03:03:40 PM · #5

Originally posted by BradP:

I am familiar with this site and will be driving by it later today, no photos though, but you never know. :)

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/21/2005 03:10:50 PM · #6

Looks pretty cool!

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

01/21/2005 05:15:42 PM · #7

I've had that site bookmarked in my inspiration folder for quite some time. I went out to the desert last year, I was attending a conference in Las Vegas, but never found the time/energy to get out into the desert at night. I did make some colored transparencies for my flash and spotlights in anticipation of doing so though.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/21/2005 05:24:29 PM · #8

Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

I went out and bought cellophane and flashlights, but the cellophane is really weak. Even when I triple layered it, it was still not giving off the correct color light. How did you make yours?

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

01/21/2005 05:57:36 PM · #9

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

I went out and bought cellophane and flashlights, but the cellophane is really weak. Even when I triple layered it, it was still not giving off the correct color light. How did you make yours?

I looked at cellophane at the stores but as you found they are pretty light in color. What I did for my spotlights was take tranparency sheets, the type you use for presentations, and printed them on my inkjet. I then made cardboard holders for them. For my flash I got Rosco gels. You can get a sample pack from B&H for a penny. These are a little smaller than the 550's head but some tape takes care of the light at the edges.

Edited a typo.

Message edited by author 2005-01-21 17:58:11.

06/07/2005 11:25:58 AM · #10

For those who are interested in this trip, I want to begin planning it more now that it's summer.

First, read everything on this page: //www.lostamerica.com/how.html

Next,
1. We need the right place (can someone find an old ghost town or desert junk yard that we can spend the night in)?

2. We need our equipment checklist. I am bringing my film cam as well to compare the results of my digital.

3. We need camping gear or a place to sleep (hotel) nearby. We will be out most shooting from 11pm til 3am probably. So, let's consider that.

4. Anyone have any experience or insight?

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/07/2005 11:58:21 AM · #11

Sounds interesting, I might be able to go if we can stay at a motel (sorry not into sleeping out in a desert with no bathroom and with rattle snaked and the sort).
Plus it's gonna be hot as hell in AZ during August.

Message edited by author 2005-06-07 23:45:58.

Gringo

Nikon D2X

06/08/2005 03:41:48 AM · #12

I don't think snakes will be much of a bother, but scorpion can be a real problem. I ran into a couple of them out there. There are some great places along route 66 near Geoffs and needles on Hwy 40. It's not too far off the beaten path to AZ. If you wanted to go north instead, there are a bunch of places to shoot along 95 north of las Vegas. I didn't do very much night shooting out there, but I'll be posting more of the shots into my portfolio this week if anyone is interested in them. Goldfield and the town of Tonopah and some of the surrounding places are great for the type of shots you are trying to capture mirdonamy. Once you get up that far, The town of Bodie isn't much farther at that point. It's a heck of a hike in the snow. Make sure the road is open before you make the drive if you are thinking about going that way. The loop is a worthwhile photo adventure for sure. I could have spent several more weeks out there.

tfarrell23

Sony DSC-F828

06/08/2005 03:46:13 AM · #13

Oatman, AZ.... People can meet in Laughlin, NV. at the Casinos cheap rent....

06/08/2005 10:49:13 AM · #14

If we can motel it, I'm in.
I just need the dates ASAP so I can schedule those days off.
I can also drive as well in my big car.

06/08/2005 09:56:08 PM · #15

August 19th... it's a Friday. We should consider taking off work Friday and leaving Thursday (so we don't have traffic). Then, we can rest on Friday, get set up and take photos all night on Friday night (full moon). Then, we'll wander around on Saturday morning and head back in the afternoon. My sister's birthday is Sunday... so, I have to be back Saturday night for her party.

So, we can get a cheap motel and sleeping bags for the floor or get cots or something for Thurs & Friday nights.

Who's in?

awpollard

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/08/2005 10:01:28 PM · #16

My buddy just came back with some shots from Calico Ghost Town near barstow. Actually looks like some cool stuff out there.

ED: Found some of his shots on PBASE

Message edited by author 2005-06-08 22:03:59.

Sandman

Nikon D200

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Nikon

06/08/2005 10:21:08 PM · #17

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

Do you know what John is up to :).. we can tuff it out in the great outdoors again.. then we can see that beautiful Canon of his... *drowl*

I'll have to see if they will give me that friday off since i've asked for 3 days in July... I don't usually ask for this many days off in a year.. Feels like i'm begging :)...

*pplleeaseee mmaa'ammm... may i have some moreee??*

You see i work for the "WO-man" not the "MAN".. big difference :)

Message edited by author 2005-06-08 22:25:02.

06/08/2005 11:30:18 PM · #18

Sounds good to me, exactly where is it that we are going to and do we need to bring cellophane? I've a 6 D cell flashlight and a spotlight that can be plugged into a car if we need to bring flashlights. No cellophane though.

07/06/2005 11:17:37 AM · #19

Can someone find us a really cheap hotel for Friday night? Who's going with me for this? We need to get some gear ready too. After my exam (providing I pass), I'll have more time to devote to organizing this.

:) Arie

07/07/2005 10:59:42 AM · #20

I need a preliminary head-count for this trip or I won't be able to book a hotel. At Anza, we had a lot of people bail. Raul & I ended up covering the camping fees. It wasn't terrible, but it'd be nice if we could have more of a show for this event. Plus, this will be a learning experience. You all like learning, right? :)

Let me know if you are interested. We could probably get a hotel for $50 to split.

07/08/2005 01:31:16 AM · #21

Hey Arie,
exactly where is the location and which day(s) are we planning to be there?

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Nikon

07/09/2005 03:38:33 PM · #22

I think leaving mid-day Friday would be best to get there by Friday night. Staying only one night. I don't know where to go... I was hoping some of the locals could recommend some ghost towns or places of the like. Maybe we need to write to get permission to photograph the ghost towns at night. Not sure... I really can't think about this til after my exam next weekened, so any help would be great!!!

Sandman

Nikon D200

07/10/2005 04:54:34 AM · #23

Doesn't look like I'll be able to make this trip :(. Hope you guys have fun! Want to see some great colors when you come back ^.^

08/08/2005 08:51:56 PM · #24

Okay, now that we are getting closer to the date, does anyone still want to do this? I can't afford much (just about $10 a night) so we need a few people to split a room with... anyone anyone... :)