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Your light is falling

#1 User is offline   CGphotography 

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Posted 08 November 2009 - 06:26 PM

On an outdoor photo shoot, it's pretty obvious you need to weigh down light stands to keep them from tipping over in a stiff breeze. Indoors, the need for safety may not be so apparent. I was shooting a group portrait in the lobby of a hotel/restaurant (with permission) and far from any open doors or windows that might present a problem for umbrellas on light stands. I had set up one stand with a 45" umbrella and before I fired the first frame, someone in the group pointed to the light as it began to fall. Of course, all I could do was watch it crash to the ground and break my brand new umbrella. Nothing else was damaged - except maybe my psyche. So, if you're not already doing so, put some weight (even if just your camera bag) on those light stands, wherever you're shooting.
(By the way, no one was injured.)
Christopher Grisanti
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#2 User is offline   brettmaxwell 

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Posted 08 November 2009 - 09:15 PM

that's why I like cheap umbrellas, they're $15 cushions to protect $300 flashes :D
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#3 User is offline   CGphotography 

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Posted 09 November 2009 - 11:05 AM

View Postbrettmaxwell, on November 8 2009, 09:15 PM, said:

that's why I like cheap umbrellas, they're $15 cushions to protect $300 flashes :D


I agree! I was really impressed with the "cushion" the umbrella created, taking all the impact from the fall. Not only that, but what I had assumed to be a broken umbrella, turns out to be completely usable after bending a couple of the metal ribs back into place. Gotta give props here to the construction of the Calumet Soft Bounce Umbrella. Very sturdy, including what appears to be a solid core tube (not the hollow fragile type), a removable black cover for shooting thru the umbrella, and a nice carrying sleeve.
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#4 User is offline   mattcam 

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Posted 09 November 2009 - 11:50 AM

Indoors, even a 12" piece of gaffers tape anchoring a leg opposite the umbrella will help matters.


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#5 User is offline   escott 

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Posted 09 November 2009 - 06:17 PM

Haha, I love the title of this thread. Glad everything was ok!
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#6 User is offline   Chris Lin 

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Posted 23 November 2009 - 10:39 PM

Well, mine on Friday fell right onto the model. She caught it by the front of the shoot-through umbrella.
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#7 User is offline   JenniferBuehrer 

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Posted 30 November 2009 - 03:03 PM

I was with a group of photographers. We were learning to photograph children. The instructor seemed a little nervous having us there (It was his first class) and didn't notice his top heavy umbrella as it made direct contact to a two year old's face. I felt so embarrassed for him.
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#8 User is offline   Melanie J 

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Posted 30 November 2009 - 04:09 PM

That's why I love cheap SANDBAGS! Glad everythings ok.

I have to admit that when I was in photo school I had a light fall on a model- she needed STITCHES. it was horrible, now I use sandbags.
-Melanie Jaramillo (hah-da-MEE-yo.... tricky, I know)

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#9 User is offline   AndyWarnerSimpson 

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Posted 28 July 2010 - 02:00 AM

I have had a couple of lights fall on the heads of models. No injurys so far as they have only ever been sb800s and small soft boxes. Lost an sb28 years ago due to a gust of wind. It smashed into little tiny bits. :(
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#10 User is offline   Greta Dawn 

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Posted 28 July 2010 - 07:30 AM

Oh no... I hope I never have to witness this first hand. Thankfully, your flashes weren't busted!
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