Brian R
Well-known member
Your photography during your scouting trip (5/11 posts) is sublime.
Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Mid-Century Moto Mecca Makeover
- Thread starter sakurama
- Start date
Workspaces between 485 and 705 squarefeet.
Cseger1
Member
Do your Festools know about this?
Thanks.
I just got a call from an old client about doing a new campaign. I can't say anything as it's very secret but the idea is amazing. Hopefully we'll get the okay in the next few days and I'll be sure to share it with you.
But thanks. I want to step it up a little for the actual trip.
Do your Festools know about this?
Oh, you know, they're Fein with it.
Gregor
Cseger1
Member
Groan
Modern Jess
Well-known member
[rimshot]
YoungMedic
Well-known member
Max Power
Well-known member
What a set up.
utahdog2003
Well-known member
It's been a busy few weeks and looks like it will stay that way for the next few weeks. While busy I did have time finish up the closet. It's not much to look at but it's another box to tick off.
I made a false top panel to conceal the power supply, switch and the wires. The heat of the LED's if left on for more than 10-15 minutes would bow out the plexi so I used a little hot glue to hold it in. The closet is very bright and has been quickly filled.
The next small project was something that had bothered me since we moved in - the metal stock that I brought from NY was just standing in the corner after being under a tarp. That corner of the garage flooded (of course) until I fixed the gutters. I needed to do something about it.
I ended up making a few brackets from steel I didn't know I had (as the pile in the corner was a mess) and then hung it up on one of the beams. This turned out to be a pretty good solution for the long stock. Short stock is kept under the notcher and drops and small scraps in the shelf behind the mill.
It feels like the summer is filling up already so I have to be happy with really small progress. I now know what stock I have and it's off the floor.
Don't expect much for updates for a while - lots of projects coming up.
Gregor
I made a false top panel to conceal the power supply, switch and the wires. The heat of the LED's if left on for more than 10-15 minutes would bow out the plexi so I used a little hot glue to hold it in. The closet is very bright and has been quickly filled.
The next small project was something that had bothered me since we moved in - the metal stock that I brought from NY was just standing in the corner after being under a tarp. That corner of the garage flooded (of course) until I fixed the gutters. I needed to do something about it.
I ended up making a few brackets from steel I didn't know I had (as the pile in the corner was a mess) and then hung it up on one of the beams. This turned out to be a pretty good solution for the long stock. Short stock is kept under the notcher and drops and small scraps in the shelf behind the mill.
It feels like the summer is filling up already so I have to be happy with really small progress. I now know what stock I have and it's off the floor.
Don't expect much for updates for a while - lots of projects coming up.
Gregor
Capture
Member
Gregor, this thread is awesome. I spent far too much time going through it between shoots this week. Got me going on a couple things around my place. I'll be starting my garage thread here shortly.
Wondering: you said you watch videos and research your cabinets, etc. Any good forums, books or video sources you would recommend to get started?
Thanks man.
Wondering: you said you watch videos and research your cabinets, etc. Any good forums, books or video sources you would recommend to get started?
Thanks man.
zman
Well-known member
WOW! this thread is great and expensive. I took a couple days and powered through. Now I need to catch up on the Guzzi build. See I have a bit of a Guzzi problem at times.
zman
Well-known member
I loved it. And there lies the rub, I made a mistake and sold it. I miss it dearly. Though not as much as this one.
From now on call me before you sell a bike... OJ Bartley
Well-known member
I was going to mention the state of the floor in that shot, but then I realized you have more than likely already noted it, and started the wheels turning on a solution. Then I started to wonder... what will he come up with this time? I can't see a plain ol' epoxy as the solution... porcelain? Racedeck? Something completely designed and built from scratch? And then sadly, I realized this thought process has seeped into my regular projects around the house. Sometimes when I look at a job I can't help but think "WWGD?"
lowspeed_highdrag
Well-known member
I dedicated a lot of my free time to reading this thread over the last few days. It gave me no ideas to work with, only because I do not have near enough skill to do what Gregor has. I hope to see the finished project and certainly more of the garage in the future.
WWGD?!? Omg.
I think epoxy might be next. The tile is great but doesn't hold up as well.
But this week I'm on an epic adventure leading some guys from Gear Patrol around Eastern Oregon. They won't have the story for a few weeks but I encourage you to follow through Instagram. I was very nervous planning the trip as I wanted to do a good job - it's my first time as a "guide" but it has been just epic. I'm only on a phone so check out Instagram for some cool shots and click through the hashtags.
Gregor
I think epoxy might be next. The tile is great but doesn't hold up as well.
But this week I'm on an epic adventure leading some guys from Gear Patrol around Eastern Oregon. They won't have the story for a few weeks but I encourage you to follow through Instagram. I was very nervous planning the trip as I wanted to do a good job - it's my first time as a "guide" but it has been just epic. I'm only on a phone so check out Instagram for some cool shots and click through the hashtags.
Gregor
Modern Jess
Well-known member
As someone who regularly mentors other people in a variety of subjects, I hear this sentiment a lot. But it's not true. Or at least, it's only true if you do nothing. I'm sure Gregor made many mistakes on his way to DIY godhood, and so do I, and so will you. But each of those mistakes is in fact a step toward knowing how to do something well. And you'll never get there until you take that first step.
TL;DR: It's more important to do something -- anything -- than to wish you could do it well.
Bob Hall
Well-known member
Well said sir!
zman
Well-known member
I've had good results with some of the home kits. It seems that like most things the key is the prep.
R. Johnson
Well-known member
Wait, what? Is this really the end of the rabbit hole? No, can't be...
First post here; I burned a lot of my weekend skimming through this thread from the beginning. I have to say, this is some awesome work.
First post here; I burned a lot of my weekend skimming through this thread from the beginning. I have to say, this is some awesome work.
I apologize for falling off the map. Summer took off and work has me slammed and the kids are my weekends for the most part. I haven't slept in days after a wicked late night shoot with Victory. Fun stuff but I'm wiped out. I'll be writing an update this week.
And no, this rabbit hole will reach China I'm sure...
Gregor
And no, this rabbit hole will reach China I'm sure...
Gregor
E12-535iTurbo
Well-known member
The only way to stop Gregor is to kill him..... but even then he'll most likely figure out a way to continue from the after world.
TahitianGreen
Well-known member
Gregor, I'm sorry if I've missed them at some point, but did you ever post a collection of finished interior pics?
That's funny. Not true, but funny.
"Am I going MAD, or did the word “finished” escape your lips?"
My apologies to Princess Bride - one of my favorites. Um, yeah, no.
But I have been really busy on a bunch of different things and I need to do an update here as this thread, and the support I get here, is one of my biggest motivations to keep going and lately I've been needing motivation.
So...
One of the things that I've been busy with is a couple of shoots with Victory Motorcycles and Ducati. Since I'm never satisfied and always trying to come up with a new way to do something and I finally have a working shop the time was right to build something I've been thinking about for a while.
When I shoot motorcycles the more exciting angles are generally lower. This is basic psychology of how things are perceived but nonetheless good to know. The other thing that helps is motion as it implies excitement. Typically when someone shoots motorcycles (or cars) they pan from the side of the road. That is fine but you're too far away to have any drama. So the plan was to build a platform that I could attach to my truck that would allow me essentially lay down "on" the pavement at speed. Okay, not on but a few inches off.
And here's a shot of the platform on the truck with the camera (Canon 1Dx) and the gyroscope I use to stabilize it further.
I just finished the Victory shoot and the platform worked great. I want to refine the design but I was able to get some great shots more easily. Sadly I can't share the shots yet because the bikes aren't public. I'll update this when they release the images. Sorry, I know it ***** to not see the final product.
Okay, next post is the house. I swear!
Gregor
GDPossehl
Well-known member
Nice. I saw this on Instagram over the weekend. Are you going to add the naked lady mud flaps to the truck to keep road debris from pelting you while shooting?
OJ Bartley
Well-known member
Cool work project, Gregor. I have read a bit about car photography stuff in the past, and even amateurs seemed very reluctant to disclose details about the various rigs and techniques they used to get good shots. Very generous of you, a professional, earning his living with stuff like this, showing HOW you manage to get the shots that you do.
...probably banking on the fact that not many others will be brave enough to hang off the back of a truck at speed to get the really good angles.
...probably banking on the fact that not many others will be brave enough to hang off the back of a truck at speed to get the really good angles.
DarkMonohue
Well-known member
It's probably a bit like a pro chef divulging their favorite brand of knife, or Chip Foose telling us what kind of colored pencils he likes best. It ain't likely to turn a drooling admirer into any kind of competitor.
R. Johnson
Well-known member
I tend to believe true innovators aren't afraid to divulge their magic sauce as they tend to already be working on the next innovation by the time someone copys them.
Nice. I saw this on Instagram over the weekend. Are you going to add the naked lady mud flaps to the truck to keep road debris from pelting you while shooting?
I don't think I could put them on my truck because they would lack the proper irony on an F150. I did, however, have chrome ladies on the mud flaps of my Volvo wagon when I was first out of college. I think I was the only person who really appreciated it...
Gregor
polexican23
Banned
may have saved you a few hours, but then again it wouldn't be a Gregor. They sell the luggage carriers that plug into the hitch. just get a drop hitch to get it lower.
Are you going to refine the straps? If the upper set attached to the top of the truck bed - maybe with another custom bracket, the increased angle would improve how they are loaded.
More info. about the gyro please. Sounds like a nifty tool / gadget to have.
More info. about the gyro please. Sounds like a nifty tool / gadget to have.
I suggested that too when Gregor was designing the platform. He wanted to keep everything lower-profile so he could lean out over the edges without the straps getting in his way.
If you look on Gregor's webpage you can see video of him hanging off the back of his truck with his Hasselblad. That method won't work with the Canon because of how the viewfinder is oriented, so he needed this rack to get him lower. http://gregorhalenda.com/contact/
Gregor,
Strong similarities. Lived in Florida, taught and practiced photography. Summered in Westcliffe (had 8 acres east hills) until the elevation proved to great. Now in Central Oregon, permanently, but a coder developer now with less photography and a 1200^2 developing shop. Just a little too old to hang off a hitch platform.
Mike
Strong similarities. Lived in Florida, taught and practiced photography. Summered in Westcliffe (had 8 acres east hills) until the elevation proved to great. Now in Central Oregon, permanently, but a coder developer now with less photography and a 1200^2 developing shop. Just a little too old to hang off a hitch platform.
Mike
Tell me more of the Gyroscope. 
I have been looking at Gyro's off and on for awhile and even tried making my own out of old hard drives. Have the prices come down a bit?
I have been looking at Gyro's off and on for awhile and even tried making my own out of old hard drives. Have the prices come down a bit?And here's a shot of the platform on the truck with the camera (Canon 1Dx) and the gyroscope I use to stabilize it further.
As Ben mentioned I tried a few different mounts with the straps. The platform itself was designed to have no rim or lip so I could lean over it if I wanted. That was one of the reasons why I didn't go with a luggage carrier. Also, my platform is a bit larger so I can take a spread out "sniper" position with my legs to help stabilize myself.
The platform itself is strong enough but the "slop" of the hitch component is the reason for the straps. I considered making a steel brace to truly lock in the platform to the truck but I decided to try it with multiple straps at first.
One thing I can tell you is that, much like welding or making something for a motorcycle, you can bounce on it and push on it all you like but when you're flying down a closed road at 80 mph a few inches off the ground you become very aware and critical. One thing that I do is wear a climbing harness and I use climbing slings to tie me off to two points in the truck with locking carabiners.
Here's a link to the video that Ben mentioned:
https://vimeo.com/34941855
I was working on 20-22 hour days on that shoot so in the interviews I'm barely conscious but you can see the way that I used harness' to hold me in. The other aspect of the harness is something that comes from climbing and that's the way your mind relaxes if you feel the tension of the straps. In the same way that you can easily walk on a railroad track but would freak out if you did the same thing 500' off the ground your mind can relax when it feels safe and so I set my straps so that I can lean into them - feeling the tension. Otherwise you feel naked and untethered like any bump could knock you off.
As for the gyro it was something I learned about when I was a stunt rider in BMW's K1200S launch.
That's me in front. I was racing a lot and this was the biggest shoot I'd been a rider in. I was still strictly a still life photographer but I found the whole process of shooting the bikes fascinating and the photographer was a car shooter so didn't know too much about bikes. I didn't know too much about running shots so I paid close attention. He used a gyro to stabilize the camera and rubber straps to suspend it from the struts of the minivan. I'd only used gyro's up to then for helicopter shots.
Here's the site of Kenyon Labs: http://www.cms.ken-lab.com/distributors/history/ken-lab
It's a double gyro in a housing of helium gas and spins at like 20,000rpms. The two gyro's stabilize the camera in two axis and that allows you to hand hold the camera at shutter speeds lower than you would be able to otherwise. On my Victory shoot I was getting lots of very sharp shots at 1/60 and 1/125th but still had lots of blur.
I don't mind sharing info - it's a strange thing to try to keep knowledge secret so I don't. I'm also not really promoting my methods on photo blogs but I have taught workshops. You guys are curious gear heads who probably spend more time than most looking at car and bike photos so I think you'd find it interesting.
Perhaps the most interesting type of shot and one that no one can usually figure out is the rig shot. I'd never seen it back then so I was blown away and the concept is extremely cool.
That is me again but this shot was done with a rig, a 2 second exposure and the bike/rig was pulled at a slower than walking pace. The camera is locked to the bike through a crane platform which you can see here:
Sorry, they're photos are painfully small - probably on purpose.
http://www.move-n-shoot.com/us_movies.html
http://www.move-n-shoot.com/us_rig_inventory_b1.html
This is more typically done on cars as it's extremely expensive to do and motorcycle companies don't have the budget that car companies have. Now that you've seen this and if you poke around the Move-n-shoot website you'll be aware of how often these shots are done. Oh, and the rig is retouched out of the shot obviously. You can always recognize these types of shots but the blurred background.
It's my next project to make a motorcycle rig. Renting them is $5000-10000 or more a day so I've yet to shoot with one but if I make my own I can do some fun/cool things with it.
Gregor
I have a camera rig that I can use on cars/trucks, I even had limited success mounting it my motorcycle.
This was taken with the rig on my truck. It was just me and the rider so I used the truck as a stable platform and fired the camera remotely using Pocket Wizards while driving the truck at the same time. It was more of a 'Point-and-Spray' but it's what I had available to me at that time.
The rig itself holds well even with the suction cups and have it on race cars shoots at over 140mph.
This was taken with the rig on my truck. It was just me and the rider so I used the truck as a stable platform and fired the camera remotely using Pocket Wizards while driving the truck at the same time. It was more of a 'Point-and-Spray' but it's what I had available to me at that time.
The rig itself holds well even with the suction cups and have it on race cars shoots at over 140mph.