Photographers and shoe fetishists

Wolf | July 22nd, 2011 - 14:13

I came across a comment to a post or other on Google Plus. The writer had added struggling with shoelaces to his comment. Or her comment – I cannot remember, who posted it because my brain is convinced that memorising names is for wimps. The completely out of context and somewhat odd statement about the shoelaces inspired a photograph, which should appeal to both, photographers and shoe fetishists alike. You will agree with me, dear reader, that it is not every day that you can marry the interests of photographers to the obsessions of shoe fetishists so effortlessly.

The shoe fetish element is obvious although perhaps lacking in the leg department. Next time I have access to a good pair, I will add them. Promise.

From a photography point of view, this is basically an available light photograph with just a little balanced fill from the front, compliments of my latest toy, a Nikon SB-900 speedlight.

The Nikon flash (they call them speedlights) is the first system dedicated flash that I have ever owned. System dedicated means that the flash can hold conversations with the camera and if they both agree on a lighting strategy, you end up with a great photograph. I imagine it works like this:

Camera: “1/250 sec at f/5.6, would you say?”
Flash: “Right ho!”

What happens if they disagree (Flash: “You can’t be serious, old box.” – Camera: “Who are you calling old?”) or decide to chat about whatever it is that photographic equipment talks about in private whilst they are meant to be at work, I dread to think.

I bought the SB-900 specifically for weddings. I do not do many of those but they do crop up. I normally use Quantum flash for location work but find it just a little cumbersome if you need to move a lot and fast. The concept of flash lighting is so simple that you do not need a machine to work it out for you but the machine can do it faster and make things just a little more convenient for the photographer.

As both, photographers and shoe fetishists, will be able to testify, new toys are always exciting.

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