Lobsters everywhere

Spent today photographing robotic lobsters in Nahant, Mass., with Dr. Joe Ayers, Associate Professor of Biology at Northeastern University. Joe is the inventor of these Biomimetic Underwater Robots, known as Robo Lobsters RoboLobsters. These things are really cool and have been featured in all kinds of press. Basically they take advantage of capabilities proven in animals for dealing with real-world environments. Tried different lighting situations indoors with three SB-800's, including using some blue gels, but liked this image best as an overall shot. Robo Lobster is being featured at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City next year and the photos I shot today are for the catalog that will accompany the exhibit. Off to San Diego tomorrow to cover flight operations on Sea Fighter. Will post from there.

Snow time

Been a while. Anyway, I'm back in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, to do some follow up on Sea Jet and it is snowing like crazy outside. Landed at 2 p.m. Pacific and the snow started coming down around 4. Hasn't let up since. Should be interesting tomorrow as I head out on Lake Pend Oreille with an Australian film crew from Discovery Tomorrow to document underway sea trials. God I love this job.

Travel update

Not that I've been talking much about it, but I've been on the road quite a bit lately, in fact, I've only been in the office one day in the past three and a half weeks and will be heading out again in two days for the remainder of the month. Reason for this post is that I think I have finally settled on great packing strategy. I replaced my Lowepro AW backpack with a three-day assault pack from Blackhawk. It holds my 12" Powerbook which I have in a Macally padded sleeve in the outer compartment. For camera protection, I carry a body, 17-55mm, 70-200VR, and one SB-800 encased in Think Tank pouches in the main compartment. When I arrive at the job, I can put the belt together with the lens pouches and I'm ready to roll. Backpack is very comfortable and fits great in the overhead. Other cameras, lenses, also encased in Thinktank products, along with tripod and additional accessories are carried in a Pelican 1610 case. The Pelican case gives me the option of shipping additional equipment home, which I did after Sea Jet job in Idaho. Depending on length of trip, I add a Blackhawk overnight bag or a garment bag and I'm light and mobile.

Alligator II

I just returned home early from the Hunt for the Alligator II expedition based out of Ocracoke, N.C. The approach of Hurricane Ophelia cut this year's survey short. As I wrote in last year's post, the Alligator is the U.S. Navy's first submarine that was lost during a fierce storm off of Cape Hatteras, N.C., in 1863 while being towed to participate in the battle of Charleston harbor.


I'm involved because the Office of Naval Research has teamed with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and several other partners to search for the Civil War-era vessel. This year I spent only one day at sea and that was aboard a 40' fishing boat where we deployed REMUS, an autonomous underwater vehicle, that uses side scan sonar. The seas where 5-7' and we got beat up pretty bad, but completed the mission and I made a few photos.

Travel update

Posting from Spokane, Wash, airport as I prepare to depart for Burlington, Vermont, and a long awaited vacation. Just spent last two days in Bayview, Idaho, shooting the Advanced Electric Ship Demonstrator, now known as Sea Jet, following christening earlier today. Not a bad gig and it is beautiful country up here. May have to take a few extra days the next time I'm in the area. Well September is going to be a very busy month. Right now looks like I will only be in the office two full days. Otherwise, will be passing through to adjust gear and head out on another job. Travel opportunities are really picking up. Had lots of good play from Sea Fighter photos and expect similar from this job. Initially set out to light Sea Jet using three SB 800's, but the best shots came out available light. Still need to play with strobes and work out limitations. Hoped to break in Pocket Wizards on this trip, but with such close access to ceremony and limited space, there was no need to set up the remote.