Sports Photography – Madison Color Run
Last Sunday I was contracted to shoot the Madison Color Run. Like the one in Racine, this is a fun 5K race where the participants are pelted with different colors throughout the course. The color being made of pigment and cornstarch, is very fine, and gets everywhere, but sticks most to areas where there is perspiration or moisture.
I was concerned with the weather for this one, as the forecast said there was a 100% chance of rain and an 80% chance of severe thunderstorms all day long. After what happened the week before at the Muderella event, I was not going to take anything for granted.
In fact I had just ordered some Gore-tex rain gear, which would arrive promptly a week late for the Color Run. Fortunately the worst of the weather was on the drive up, and by the time the race started, things had cleared up nicely. Cloudy blue skies with a strong breeze.
The breeze kept changing directions throughout the day, however, so I found myself dodging the cloud of pigment often. At one point I was hiding out behind a golf cart that had a windshield, to shoot from around the corner.
This time I brought my painting pole and adapter with me, to try shooting some elevated shots of the post-race party. Several weeks ago I bought a heavy duty painting pole that extends from 8-16 feet. I mounted an adapter to this that allows me to connect a camera. The problem is that the only remote trigger I had was my Intervalometer, which I set up to take pictures every 10 seconds for up to 45 shots. Regretably, in my haste, I did not properly secure it to the pole, which meant the first bump and it fell, pulling the contacts out of the cable. So much for that idea. At least I got a chance to feel out the balance of the aperatus. Manageable.
In case you are wondering what it looks like in the middle of a color throw, this was what I saw from the stage, just a cloud of pigment that obscured everything. Truly surreal.
Update:
Hey, if you are seeing this, you are on my old blog. Be sure to check out my new website with my updated Sports Portfolio here.
Sage Arts Studio