I love the photos looking down from the mast top...

JonnyQuest · #1 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010

....But how do you keep your hands so steady for a clear shot when your holding on so tight to the mast?

Seriously, though, how do you set up these photos? general googling hasn't come up with anything for me, but I know ya'll know the answer!

Thanks!

smackdaddy · #2 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010

Lots of ways to go up (boasun's chair, mast steps, webbing ladders, ascenders, or just clip into the halyards and have a couple of pals hoist you up).

You just want to make sure you've got backup (couple of prusik loops around the mast, climbing harness or equivalent, two halyards, whatever).

It's fun, but it sure makes you sore after 20 minutes or so if you're in a climbing harness.

Maine Sail · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010

smackdaddy · #4 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010

Nice Maine!

Here's a thread that Bene started with lot's of good pics and advice:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/genera...-view-top.html

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010

High shutter speeds keep the boat sharp while you're sitting in the bosun's chair or climbing harness.

If you can't figure that out, you need to take a refresher photography course.

smackdaddy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010

Of course, some guys never quite get off the deck in the first place.

Too busy taking refresher courses. Heh-heh.

ericread · #7 (**permalink**) 07-02-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyQuest

....But how do you keep your hands so steady for a clear shot when your holding on so tight to the mast?

Thanks!

It is indeed hard to keep a steady hand on the camera as you fall.....

jcalvinmarks · #8 (**permalink**) 07-02-2010

The other method would be to set up a rig that balances the camera looking down, set a timer, and haul it up from the deck on a spare halyard. My little 18.5 footer is too small to go aloft, so this is the only option for me. Actually works out better, though, because then I can set it for video, and get some video looking down while underway. I haven't found a camera that I'm sufficiently detached from to try it yet, but it's on my list.

[Let me qualify that: my 18.5 footer is too small for my fat ass to go aloft. If I can find a willing midget, then I'd be in business]

JonnyQuest · #9 (**permalink**) 07-02-2010

Those are excellent ideas, thanks to you all. Now I either need my old climbing rig or a fearless midget to complete the job and snap some pics while up there.

It'll be a month or two, but I'll figure out how to post some pics if the midget survives!

JonnyQuest · #10 (**permalink**) 07-02-2010

BTW the link to Bene's thread was pretty cool, SmackD.