my grandpa

I went on a mini vacation to the family "cottage" this past long weekend.  I also got to test out some new kit, but more on that over the next few days!  There is definitely a photodoc post or two coming later this week, so stay tuned.

My grandparents also have a place up on White Lake and I got to spend some much needed time with them.  My grandparents have been people I've wanted to photograph since I first really got into portraiture.  I've had so many ideas, but they were either too elaborate or not meaningful enough.

So, while packing for the train ride back home, I made some room for my battery pack, a head, a mod and a light stand.  I spent many a summer up there, so I knew I could find an interesting location.

I could go on and on about inspiration for this shot...  My grandpa is a major reason I love the water, sailing, camping, nature, the outdoors and slingshots (and many other things) as much as I do.  There are just far too many memories to even think of off the top of my head.

I ended up shooting this during happy hour (a family tradition when we're all together).  I had to wait for the sun to drop below the trees for the mottled light I was looking for, and had about a five minute window.  Unfortunately the mosquitos were also horrible, so between the first and final frame was a span of maybe seven minutes.

The main goal was a candid feeling shot with just him and his (in my mind) famous slingshot and a couple of rocks.  The rest was just waiting for the moment I saw the real grandpa I know and fighting off the bugs.

So here's my grandpa, Bert Bashaw, as I see him.

Remember to check back every day this week, I plan on posting a few more posts from this long weekend as well as a gear review post...