Coolidge Outings .. Lessons Learned

[Jay Beckman]

Since Coolidge is a regular stop on the AzAP annual tour (and it means those attending are attacking the same subjects), I thought it would make for a good focal point for technique discussions or true confessions...

Two things I learned today (2/5/11):
1) I need to invest in some quality gloves that still allow for camera control.  I started to feel my hands again some time around 1130am.
2) My monopod technique is awful to the point that I'm truly sorry I even used it.  It's obvious that the movements needed to keep an aircraft solidly in the frame shooting with a monopod are very different from those needed when shooting hand held.  I'm honestly quite disappointed with my effort today.  Really messed up what could have been some epic shots.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Hey Jay:

Give a look at the types of "fingerless" gloves used in fly fishing. I've used them while fishing in some serious snow storms on the San Juan River and they help a great deal. The theory is that keeping your palms warm will help keep the fingers warm (relatively) and help with tactile function.



On the monopod, I've been wondering about using one myself. What type of head were you using? I've been researching a gimbal head from RSS.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=PG-02-FG&type=3&eq=

I have no experience with gimbal heads and don't even know if they would work on a monopod.

[Jay Beckman]

Thanks for the glove suggestion Jeff.

I don't use a head on the monopod.  I've had several sports shooters recommend against them with heavy primes because of the potential failure factor.

IMO, moving up to using a full gimbal or even a side kick style rig is just too much extra weight to be dragging around.  Now that it should start to warm up, I'll be going back to hand holding.

It's funny how you get used to working a certain way and just one little change causes such upset.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Jay - Thanks for the comments on the monopod, makes sense.