Shooting on the beach

[Tim Duran]

I'm spoiled since most of my shoots are in controlled environments. I have a pending shoot coming up that involves shooting on sand and on rocks along the 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. How do you protect your camera and the shoot from probable wind, blowing sand dust and possible afternoon fog? (Saying shoot early AM doesn't help) I have some rain protective gear that I've never used, but that seems like overkill, but maybe not. I see how that protects the camera, but I don't see how that keeps the lens clear of fine spray and dust.

 

[Johnny Friday]

Tim,
Absolutely simple, easy and economical to due. Most of my shoots are in some rather harsh marine environments on a regular basis. First i have to say that most cameras out there can take the wear and tear outside in the elements with no protection. that's to say as long as you don't have rain or heavy wind blowing sand on your gear.

But to get to the point, a savvy DP should with a shoot as you've expected coming up should be prepared with a few garbage bags and duct tape. Why not use a rain cover for the RED? Although i have an ET rain cover and it's a work of art, i like the fact i can quickly/easily throw on my garbage bag. I make a small cut at the end for the lens so that it has a bit of pressure still on the lens. you can also make small cuts to place your hands or make space to see through your EVF or LCD. If it's raining, you can bring some thin plastic---i typically just cut out a piece of plastic from a clorox bottle to make lens covers or LCD covers. It's all quick, easy, and on the fly. I've done this on all of my natural history doc. shoots in Alaska in daily damp and rainy weather to hurricane shooting in Baja, Mexico. The RED is not an easy to use ENG camera under those conditions, BUT can easily be adapted for such use with a bit of time---say 15mins.

If you want full protection from rain then you can also bring a tarp and 2x4's or tent poles....setup under the tarp or use a tent and shoot from inside the tent. Basically all common sense answers in the end. And in some cases you can't always gain full protection from things like fog and condensation on the lens, you just have to adapt as best as possible.

I've been shooing RED in the marine environment now since early 2008 and no problems to report so far.

 

[Tim Duran]

Jonny, I have the ET rain cover as well--still folded as purchased! I've read about the garbage bag trick in the past but forgot about it. Good idea. What do you do to keep spray away from the lens? We won't shoot in rain or dense fog, but near the breakers may be just as bad. How do you keep the lens dry (short of using a telephoto) and get a clean image? Thanks for your input.

 

[Johnny Friday]

Tim, I will build the camera up, then place it on the tripod and set the shot and then put the trashbag over the camera, then take a pocket knife or sizors and make a nice incision where the lens will protrude...cut it slightly smaller than the lens diameter. Then make any other incisions for LCD or EVF. Also I ALWAYS have on hand a bag of rubberbands and small braided line....they come in handy to keep the garbage bag from becoming a parachute in winds. Or on long timelapse shots....i can walk away for 60-120mins and not worry about wind or rain. Rubberbands for lens or use the tripod to pull tight one section of the g.bag to the other....basically keep it all tight. But if no wind and you are operating and not doing timelapse, maybe no need, but always goot to have on hand.

as for the lens....asi i mentioned. I can quickly cut out a piece of plastic from a water bottle or a large bleach bottle to make a rain cover hood and duct tape it in place...same for LCD and EVF. I'd say it all works (for me) as good as any made to fit raincovers and i can easily accessorize quickly and inexpensively and it's a lot less bulky to haul.

 

[Tom Gleeson]

Beach Holiday? Not.

Beach Holiday? Not.

Tim,

Also don't underestimate the difficulty of the environment on yourself and crew.
Being based in Australia beach shoots are reasonably common and they always prove to be the hardest days. Not sure about your part of the world but an Aussie beach in Summer is hot with a powerful sun reflecting off white sand and water. When you start at dawn and finish at sunset if you do not have sun and wind protection you will be fried to a crisp. Lugging large cameras and metal cases in soft sand or over wet slippery rocks can sap the strength of anyone over a long day.

Keeping sand out of gear is a constant battle. Bring a tarp you can place over the sand and pray the wind doesn't pick up.

Watch the tide and be wary of the surf. Every couple of hundred waves there is a real big one that will race up the beach hungry for cameras and equipment.

Should be a fun day regardless as a beach can be a great location. Just be sure there are enough hands to carry gear and everybody wears sensible kit.

 

[Thomas Wright]

Tape up all ports that aren't in use.

I'm so jealous, I miss the sea. Not been for a surf in over two years. Not had the time for holidays at all. I grew up in Durban and would go for a wave before and after school and all weekend.

Now I'm in London, it's supposed to be summer but it's grey.

 

[Harry Clark]

Listen to Tom and Johnny... they are spot on.
Clear 33 gallon contractor bags are the most common foul-weather accessory in professional film work. Cheap, disposable, tough. I seal any holes I make with Bongo Ties or rubber bands, since tape often becomes useless in the damp air near the ocean.
Pay close attention to the back side of any filters (meaning not just the front) as moisture can haze up the glass, and fine sand can coat the filter closest to the lens. Your footage can end up a little soft or hazy and it's hard to detect (unless it's obviously covered in shmutz) under field viewing conditions.
Keep direct sun off the Red, and bring a bunch of gel packs to ice down and put on the top of the camera. Leave the bottom of the contractor bag open so the camera can breathe.
Tom's point about the human element is good too. After just a few short hours of walking and humping gear around soft sand, everyone will be rubber-legged and tired. See if you can get a few extra hands.
I would say have fun, but I rarely do on the days when we shoot on the beach!
Cheers,
Harry

 

[Richard Foster]

Watch for sand and water. If the wind is calm and the waves are calm - no problem. I've done a bunch of shoots in the Caribbean (Corona commercials, etc.) and it's usually pretty calm so the sand and water is mainly an enemy to grip eqpt as long as you keep your cam off the sand and water level. If you do encounter heavy surf there is a nice way to deal with spray on the lens. You can rent a spinning clear filter that goes in front of the lens. Also the previously mentioned being in the sun and elements for the crew is a consideration. Provide shade and water:–)

 

[David C]

Equipment with joints like tripods, dollies, handcarts, etc. tend to suffer. I have a handcart rendered useless by a beach shoot, and my tripod legs crunch a bit when unfolding. Luckily they were my cheaper Bogen legs. Cameras were all fine. A UV filter on the lens is a good idea.

 

[Tyler Black]

This won't help for shots where you're shooting directly into the sea, but if you're shooting down the beach you can have an extra person hold a solid next to the lens to block sand and water from hitting it from the side.

 

[Tim Duran]

Lots of great idea. FYI, the Monterey Peninsula/Pebble Beach area is noted for its rocky cliffs, small inlets with tiny beaches, more rocks, then long beaches, cliffs, etc. There is almost always a breez of some sort, but a lot of swirling air in the inlets; more direct air elsewhere.

An asset is that there are lots of turnouts to park, so long equipment hauls really are not a factor. But I'm concerned about how long a shot I can take before the lens gets wet--or is it too wet?

Thanks for all your help. Lots of good ideas

 

[Johnny Friday]

But I'm concerned about how long a shot I can take before the lens gets wet--or is it too wet?

Thanks for all your help. Lots of good ideas

Just make sure you have a proper screw on filter---whatever's required for the day: pola, nd or whatever. And keep close by your lens cleaning kit. I usually stuff a few washable lens cloths in my pocket and a bottle of ROR (residual oil remover). Be careful to check for salt spray before wiping the lens clean since you'll likely have salt spray or residue that can and will scratch the lens, a squirt of cleaner and gently wipping it to the sides will eliminate ending up with a scratched lens.

 

[dustin lindgren]

[ But I'm concerned about how long a shot I can take before the lens gets wet--or is it too wet?

Have you heard of a Spin-Tec? If not, its basically a motorized piece of spinning glass that sits inside a custom clip on sunshade. You can literally take a glass of water and throw it at the front of your lens and it deflects it off instantly.

They use bigger versions of this for shots you see in car commercials. Like when a 4x4 truck is ripping through the mud and you see a close up wide angle of the tire and shocks working. Your wondering how did they get that shot with out spaying the lens. Spin-Tec (or a different verison)!!! It also comes with a camera cover bag that attaches to the spin tec.

I have sat in the spray of water falls for hours waiting for my shot. Simply turn on the camera and turn on the Sipn-tec and start shooting without ever whipping. I also use it in the snow often. Works awesome.

I recommend getting it in your hands and fitting it before just renting one and running with it. Make sure when attach the Spin Tec that the spinning glass isn't rubbing up against the front edges of your lens. It will scratch that spinning glass up badly and will need to be replaced. Also find a really good long lasting battery that it runs on. I use to use my spare film camera batteries!

http://www.innovision-optics.com/prod/spintec.shtml

Cheers

Dustin

 

[Tim Duran]

Dusin, thanks for giving me a name. I remember demos of the Spin-Tech several years ago. Since I figured I would never need it, I didn't collect any brochures, etc.
Thanks again for the lead.

 

[Greg M]

Be sure to wipe down your gear thoroughly each evening with a damp rag to get all the salt off or you will find a bunch of rusty parts in a week or so.