Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Surf strobe: test number two

Yesterday I learned why it's important to read the owners manual. I kept firing off the strobe, but it wouldn't fill in any light. After an hour in an out of the water, multiple time removing the cords and dome port I couldn't figure it out.
Checking the fiber optic cable for flaws  "I see the light"


And then, after one switch of the nob the strobe goes from not outputting any power to full blast!  Too bad I realized 10 minutes too late, and missed out on the epic sunset.

Shots Test 2:

Best of yesterday

Surf and a deep purple sky



Strobe fired way too hot.

surf completely frozen by the strobe.  I love the way water looks when strobed


Obviously, these aren't Jaw dropping images. But I am pleased at the direction I'm moving in, and can't wait till my next sunset in the surf. 






Friday, August 19, 2011

SURF STROBE test 1


I got the idea this week to slave my strobe to my surf housing. Spent all day trying to get the fiber optic cable to sync with the strobe.

Surf housing connected to ys-27 dive strobe


Girlfriend's off work by 6:40,  sunset at 6:58.

After a 35 minute drive to sandy's, we arrive at the tail end of the sunset. Oh well, I'll test the strobes in the dark (this will cost me later)

My camera settings were all over the place, and aiming the strobe is more difficult then I would have thought. ... But, the strobe fired, and the results show that there is some potential.

Shore break at night. 

 My strobe hand kept getting submerged before the camera, so I think I need to hold the strobe with the hand closest to shore.

Night time barrel ( strobe test)

This shot is kinda interesting.  I think it's the Lip of a smaller wave falling onto the camera. 
water falls onto my camera
Remember when I said it would cost me?  Well it was time to pay my dues. A larger set rolled in. I saw it and tried to dive into the wave as the lip was crashing down.  Since I have the camera in one hand and the strobe in the other I dove straight in, both hands straight out like an olympic swimmer. The result was the wave slamming my housing into my head. 
Head split open from surf housing