... pictures by Björn Olin from Stockholm with explanation how did he shoot them:
http://photokayaker.fit2paddle.com/C1666358270/E20070424191512/index.html

Are you ready to expose your DSLR camera to splashes?

Marek,
You hit on one of the best pieces of advice I was ever given about photography -- of any kind.  Somewhere along the way, we amatures have gotten into the midset that we snap one shot of our subjects and then move on to the next.  It simply should not be this way.  Heck, the trained and experienced professionals shoot several or even many frames of the same subject to get just one print they like.

I suppose our tendancy to shoot once comes from the idea that we have to pay for film processing and prints.  But, with digital photography, this is no longer the case.  With the memory cards we have available today, we can shoot away at a subject and then go back and select one or two shots of that subject we really like.  We can experiment with composition, light levels, perspective and orientation.  To me, this is the real power we have with digital cameras.

One more thing I'll mention and then I'll stop.  There is a principle in photography called "follow through."  It's the idea of continuing to hold the shot (and camera) just a few moments past the shutter click.  I have found that many who use a digital camera with auto focus press the shutter button and then move the camera.  However, upon pressing the shutter button on many digital cameras means it is sending out a signal to determine the distance and lighting, making those automatic adjustments and focus, and then your shutter will be triggered.  However, many amatures click the button and jiggle their cameras slightly while the shutter is operating and thus get blury images.  So....follow through.  It is an old but valuable technique.

Merek:

How stable is that thunderbolt?...you are obviously taking pics from her...I read once that it was hard to take the lid off a water bottle while in that boat...I guess it all depends on the paddler....did you lower your center of gravity with your custom seat?...can you paddle it with knees together in a pumping style...or do you have to keep your knees splayed out and locked into the boat....one other question : on this boat...they talk about knee straps...what do they mean by that and would chaffing become an issue?

Bryan

     I'm very comfortable in my T-bolt now, but I have a high seat (for speed and comfort) which may make it a bit tippier. The leg straps have never chaffed me....why I don't know- now that you mention it, it seems like they should. I can easily roll the T-bolt with the leg straps. I also take them off at times to alter my seating position.  During the Gritty Fitty, balance just wasn't a problem...On the Missouri, in the conditions yesterday, I would never take both hands off the paddle to open a bottle of gatorade.
     When downriver training on the Saint I know that 20-27" level is a dangerous level. The river goes snakey and sinuous, quick alternating left/right currents. Any level below that, or above that is fine.
     The Missouri, yesterday, was like that, strange and sometimes violent alternating current changes, boils, etc. Easily manageable for a 4 hour float- maybe even first night- but second day/night? I guess time will tell.
     The T-bolt was fun in the Gritty Fitty....I enjoyed the chop and the waves (but not all the water I took into my boat- at least 3 gallons by the dam portage- another one of the stupid things I did during the race!). Out on the Missouri yesterday? Not so enjoyable- it's a whole different ball game.
     I still haven't decided on a boat for the 340. I have 4 good choices. I'm watching river levels.
     

Hey Scott- we got the impression the water was coming from the Osage, releases from the big pond upriver. The highest reading above osage was 80,000 while we were dealing with 140-160,000 yesterday. The water was also at a very nice temperature- almost cold, another reason why we thought it was a release.
     Also- rumor mill has it highway 94 will be closed during the race so getting to the ramp at Weldon Springs will be a real trick.
     Rumor also has it that the corps is going to shut down all our river gauges during the race to do maintenance.
     (how did all this get on "paddling photography?)

You're right, Scott, that's not a landing I plan on hitting during the race....however it's a beautiful place to start from!  Bonnet's Mill- are you going to go on into town and have a beer at the bar????Also the guy in the market across the street has an interest in the 340!

We may be hitting bonnet's mill this weekend. I'll be sure and tell Soda hi from the both of us. Should I also get a....cola?

contemplating sunset ver Rocky Mountains from a board of Thunderbolt kayak:



a few more pictures:
http://photokayaker.fit2paddle.com/C1666358270/E20070711184318/index.html

yeah, freakin . . .

9 snapshots from 2 hour paddling in Colorado:

http://photokayaker.fit2paddle.com/C2079147609/E20070808171158/index.html