New York NYC Halloween Parade

[Calzone]

This year's parade is on a Wednesday, right in the middle of the week.

After Fashion Night Out's great results, with a Pentax 67II with AE prism, shooting slow speed color slide film with flash at night, I think I will go this way again. This is rare for me as over the past 4 years maybe I shot 12 rolls of color.

I'm thinking I will take some time off work to do this fun event.

Although the parade starts at 7:00 PM, Jeff says be there at 4:00 PM. I find that there's lots of great shooting in the staging area. I'll likely be there before 4:00.

For those that never did this event, basically photographers are allowed to literally become part of the parade.

Cal

 

[icebear]

Hi Cal,

any event where you can just mingle in is a great opportunity to really get close to the action.
As mentioned yesterday during the RFF NYC meet up, also the NYC Hare Krishna Parade is such an event, colorful and happy people.
See at Halloween in the City.

 

[Calzone]

Hi Cal,

any event where you can just mingle in is a great opportunity to really get close to the action.
As mentioned yesterday during the RFF NYC meet up, also the NYC Hare Krishna Parade is such an event, colorful and happy people.
See at Halloween in the City.

Klaus,

I forgot to add in the Photo Plus Expo on the 27th. Its a free event if you register early. There's a link on the thread for the Expo. Are you able to attend?

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

I'm not sure if I'll have recovered from the Japan trip, but I might try to go.

 

[Calzone]

I'm not sure if I'll have recovered from the Japan trip, but I might try to go.

Hope you can. People in costumes, floats and than there is the challenge of getting good shots under chaotic and challenging conditions.

Ever try to load a film camera in the dark in front of the spectators behind the barriers, but on the parade route?

Also very-very colorful as well as crazy. BTW very different vibe than the Mermaid Parade. I found the staging area to be very fruitful because you have free access. Then further on up the parade route there's the section that is flooded with lights because the parade is being shot live to be broadcast. Not sure if its broadcast live.

Anyways the shooting in the staging areas is rather relaxed. Basically you have co-operative models, especially very early.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Yeah, Cal...I hear ya. Not sure if it is my thing, but maybe I'll try to make it. You know I don't like these events where everyone is photographing the same thing, but sometimes you get something.

 

[Calzone]

Yeah, Cal...I hear. Not sure if it is my thing, but maybe I'll try to make it.

John,

Not sure how these events fit into my work, but I always have fun.

I do know that at these events/specticals is where I tend to experiment with my gear to find the limits of both my gear and my own personal ability. At my first Fashion Night Out I learned that trying to shoot high ISO at night at a crowded busy event was a mistake and I got skunked; at this year's Mermaid Parade I learned that the TTL metering on the Pentax 67II is deadly accurate; and at this year's Fashion Night Out I surprised myself and everyone else with doing something everyone told me not to do: shoot slow speed slide film at night with a flash.

Sometimes you just have to do crazy things, and here in New York we live in a great-great city where there are all these crazy events.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

and at this year's Fashion Night Out I surprised myself and everyone else with doing something everyone told me not to do: shoot slow speed slide film at night with a flash.

Yeah, I didn't get why people were so dead set against this. Slow film and low light is the reason people used flashes (among many others) in the first place. I mean, what was Weegee using back in the day (film speed wise)?

 

[Calzone]

Yeah, I didn't get why people were so dead set against this. Slow film and low light is the reason people used flashes (among many others) in the first place.

Accually I got inspired by Arri with his Wee Gee imitation. Remember when he scared/terrorized that dog on Houston Street after a Meet-Up? LOL. Anyways he was shooting slow speed film and flash during the day.

I found the strong contrast in combination with the bright vivid colors of Fuji Velvia 50 to be interesting in itself, but when combined with the event it provided subject isolation in a profound way. I think I will use this combination again for the Halloween Parade.

Also I learned that the 90 percent VF'er is making my shots loose, because I'm use to 100 percent view of Nikon Pro SLR's. I need to get tighter for the Halloween Parade. I really like the high contrast, but vivid colors on the slides.

Cal

 

[stompyq]

I'am going. Last year I had a blast and probably took my favorite picture of 2011 (on my dear departed X100....). I'am also not going to do the same mistake as fashion night out and work my butt off and expect to have enough energy to do a full night of shooting. I'am planning on leaving early and getting there around 3.

Btw anyone know where the staging area is? I'am up for meeting up somewhere and then going as well if anyone is interested.

 

[stompyq]

I still haven't completely given up on bringing my Pentax 67 loaded with TriX, although I'll probably be using my DSLR a lot this time.

 

[Calzone]

I'am going. Last year I had a blast and probably took my favorite picture of 2011 (on my dear departed X100....). I'am also not going to do the same mistake as fashion night out and work my butt off and expect to have enough energy to do a full night of shooting. I'am planning on leaving early and getting there around 3.

Btw anyone know where the staging area is? I'am up for meeting up somewhere and then going as well if anyone is interested.

Near 6th Avenue just south of Spring Street.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I still haven't completely given up on bringing my Pentax 67 loaded with TriX, although I'll probably be using my DSLR a lot this time.

I shot Kodachrome 64 (5 rolls) right before processing ceased that Mervyn gave me in the afternoon, then shot Tri-X and HP5 at 650 back then (prior to Diafine) and did fine through dusk.

On the parade route you eventually "get into the light," as Jeff puts it near where there flood lights for the television crews. Shooting B&W hand held is worthwhile, is a great challenge, and is a real heightened reality because basically you are part of the event, but your shooting maybe limited along the parade route. At dusk the light typically gets errie, and then there's "into the light." I shot two Nikon F3's, both with motordrives one year. Also realize that the glass I used was a 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor and a 105/1.8. Your Pentax 105/2.4 is a bit slower. Anyways just do it for the challenge. Let's see how really good you are.

Check out Jeff's crazy rig!!!!

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Anyways just do it for the challenge. Let's see how really good you are.

Is this about target practice or photography? 😉

 

[Calzone]

Is this about target practice or photography? 😉

It's about shooting, but then again its like fish in a barrel.

Let's see if you can get any trophies. I'm not afraid of getting skunked either.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

I didn't realize we were taking part in the competitive sport of photography. hahaha.

 

[Calzone]

I didn't realize we were taking part in the competitive sport of photography. hahaha.

I'm not afraid of the agony of defeat. LOL. Perhaps one day photography will be an Olympic sport.

Also want to mention that two years ago you got that great shot of that Berdorf window with the two models in maid uniforms. Meanwhile I got skunked.

BTW one of the reasons I was advised to shoot higher speed slide film for Fashion Night Out is the Velvia 50 I was using is one of the most unforgiving films as far as exposure. I really wanted to see if there were limits to the TTL metering on the Pentax 67II.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

I'm not afraid of the agony of defeat. LOL. Perhaps one day photography will be an Olympic sport.

Kind of already is... it's super competitive.

BTW one of the reasons I was advised to shoot higher speed slide film for Fashion Night Out is the Velvia 50 I was using is one of the most unforgiving films as far as exposure. I really wanted to see if there were limits to the TTL metering on the Pentax 67II.

These cameras are all really good at this point. As far as equipment, we are in a great place these days.

 

[Calzone]

Kind of already is... it's super competitive.



These cameras are all really good at this point. As far as equipment, we are in a great place these days.

The Pentax 67II is my only TTL camera, and all my other gear is mucho retro. Anyways its like coming out of a cave for me. I'm totally amazed by matrix metering. For me its kind of like a miracle.

I know photography is competitive, but then again all I'm trying to do is be me. I think and believe its much better to compete with yourself than against others.

Anyways for an Olympic venue how about trying to evade arrest for trespassing while being chased by a NYPD helicopter.

Or instead of weightlifting how much gear can you carry.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

This is a bump.

Hurricane Sandy might hit the New England area. Hopefully it won't effect this event.

Cal