Keeping dry on the AC72

I don't mind getting wet for a good picture, but I hate getting salt water on my expensive camera gear.
Pro series Nikon digital cameras and lenses do have amazing weather resistant seals but I doubt they were designed to sit in what amounts to a horizontal salt water waterfall which is what you can get on board a fast moving yacht.

I have been trying out a camera waterproofing product called Outex.
The Outex system is based around a latex camera condom with glass ports for the lens and viewfinder.
Once enclosed the camera can be pretty much used as normal, under water to a depth of 10 Metres.
You have to remember where your buttons are and you can't review the images on the LCD screen of couse but it does allow you to hold and operate the camera as you are used to.

It is a finicky thing to fit to a large camera like the D3s.  The whole Camera/lens arrangement must be forced through the lens hole in the latex bag.

Not perhaps as easy to fit as a solid waterproof housing but a damn site cheaper, lighter and more tactile, and frankly I don't need the ability to take my camera under water, I just want to not have to worry about it when it gets a dousing.

Here I am onboard the Emirates Team New Zealand AC72. D3s in the blue Outex cover.

  ... and here are some shots from on board.

... plus a few from on board CAMPER in the race from Auckland to Fiji.

Learning to shoot a new boat

While the Emirates Team New Zealand sailors have been learning the ropes for sailing the AC72 class catamaran, I have been learning the techniques and angles for shooting the boat.
Keeping up is a big part of the challenge. With the yacht doing close to 40 knots at times shooting from the chase boat racing alongside takes quite an effort to keep the boat in frame and to hold on.
I'm still trying to find all the good angles but at the moment it is sometimes more prudent to stay out of the way.

A busy year

2011 has been an awesome year for me.
So much going on. Not only with Emirates Team New Zealand doing both the CAMPER VOR campaign and the America's Cup World Series but also with other clients. Barcelona World Race in February, a few Yacht beauty shoots and continued work on a few books. Here is a taste of the images I can make public.

2011 roundup - Images by Chris Cameron

Brutus

No complaints about the photo boat at the Louis Vuitton Trophy held in Auckland last month.

This beast was my office through out the regatta. Acres of space, tons of grunt and friendly, intelligent non smoking drivers.

A very stable comfortable and dry platform to shoot from. I was even able to use the 600mm while underway.













Brutus is the diving tender to Ulysses. Owned by one of New Zealands wealthiest men.
The drivers were really nice guys. Kevin, who is a deck hand and Chris, the captain on Ulysses.






Now we have been this spoilt any thing else will be a disappointment.