The End

It’s not really the end. It is really the beginning. It is the end of the transformers shoot. I do have to say shooting was a great experience and I was able to use all of the techniques that I learned in the past. The lighting on the Steel Mill like this is a first and a last. I have one regret. I wish I woke up at 4:30 and did some more shooting ( My wife would kill me ) . I guess it’s the just one more mentality. After reconsideration, there is one more thought. It is the fact that this was a once in a life time opportunity to capture a landscape that may or may not be around for long. It was an opportunity to capture a setting that will never have this quality of light projected.
I have a TON of editing to do now!!!!! I did take a lots of shots over the past four days.


I hope to set up a web site and market my best shots. Nothing in this world is free;)

June 4th

Day three on location. I decided to try a different approach to get to the location. I drove to Sand Island and it worked out a LOT better. I arrived at 7:45 right before a slightly rainy dusk. As I was starting on the bike path, I heard the Blackhawk helicopters launch. So I ended dashing to the site. Fortunately, I was VERY close to where I wanted to shoot. I set up on the bank of the river and shooting. What a great experience !!! I was able to a MANY shot of the Blackhawks- the trains and explosions. I wish I had taken more pictures of the trains. I had company on the bank. A few fellow photographer and a few serious beer drinkers with rowdy kids !!! Once it became dark, I started taking some night shots and was able to get a few explosions. I decided to go back on the bike trail and my intent was to shoot my way back down to the bridge. I was able to head through the woods an shoot a nice shot off the river bank. I was heading to one of the opening near the riverbank off the bike trail and was greeted by a policeman. He kindly informed me that the bike trail was closed. I guess it was time to wrap things up.

June 3rd

Second day shooting on location of Transformers. Ok maybe not the official location but still location;).. I was on site a little earlier ( 7:45PM ) tonight since I drove straight form work. I decided to shoot from the same angles again. Back down the secret passage. Maybe it’s not secret but they were not many people on the bike path. The town was REALLYYY pack with people. I ran into a security who pleaded with me not to take picture. She did not want to get in trouble. So I just bypassed her and shot at other locations. I found a location going over a bridge and it came to a nice landing with a great view of the Steel works. Overall it was quite and I was hoping to get some shots of the Blackhawks. Right in the middle of a lens change, two Blackhawks launched. Murphy’s law. I felt I had a number of good shot so I called it a day about 9:45 PM.

June 2nd

First day of the Transformers II shooting. The shooting began at 7 PM. I had to work...Drive home from Jersey and then wait for my wife and step son. Of course I was REALLLYYYYY anxious to get started shooting. I decided to shoot from the bike path again. We got there about 8pm and the BlackHawks were already in the sky. I was able to take a few grab shots as we got out of the car. The sun was setting fast and I was already shooting at ISO 1600 and F 2.8.
We really missed most of the action but I was able to get some fantastic lighting shoots using a tripod. They did an EXCELLENT job lighting the old steel mill. I shot until about 9:30 everyone was bored except for me ..Go figure.. I left my flash light int he car..nice move !!!!!

I have to say it was exciting.. Having the Blackhawk helicopters fly over your head - trains-explosions... A great experience:)

June 1st

Now I know why there were Chinese symbols !!!! The movie transformers II is being shot at the old Bethlehem Steel works. The setting is a futuristic Chinese city and this is the opening scene. The shooting beings Monday June 2nd.

My thought is to get there before the shooting starts on Monday and get some great captures. I got at the steel works about 5am. The parking lot was filled with vehicles and trucks. Not a good sign. I was greeted by the security guard and said I was going to take a few shots. He said that's is exactly why I am here. To stop you from doing that. I left the area and began my strategy ;)

I decided to park in an area adjacent to the railroad tracks and follow them. I was able to get some nice shots of the sunrise and the sun beaming off the steel structure.

I starting to think of an alternative view. Maybe the railroad tracks on the other side of the Steel works. No luck finding easy access so I crossed the Stefo bridge. I notice an opening crossing the bridge and decided to check it out. Sure enough there were steps to the bottom of the Bike Path.
WOW some excellent views of the Steel Works across the Lehigh River. The movie company set up 4 or 5 banks of lights and had security set up. Fortunately they did not give me any trouble. I was able to get some nice captures before the sun was too high in the sky.

May 25th Sunrise Shoot

I decided to do a sunrise shoot at the Bethlehem Mills. I just about made it at Sunrise. I noticed a few security guards around and thought it was just part of the construction efforts. I also noticed the Chinese symbols and thought nothing of it. Once the security guard noticed me, I was asked to kindly leave the area... Oh well.... So I was able to sneak through the wooded area and capture a few wide angle shots.

The Beginning

I have finally decided to Blog. For quite a while I always wanted to do a portfolio. Nothing interesting really came to mind. Last summer I finally decided on my project and it is right in my back yard which is the best place to be. Close to a year later I finally named my project and found the direction I wanted to go.

 

Bethlem A Study in Light