Just Hanging Around
Nothing like rappelling upside down and deciding to snap a selfie with a full-sized DSLR...Adventure photography for the win? (picture taken about half way down...
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Nothing like rappelling upside down and deciding to snap a selfie with a full-sized DSLR...Adventure photography for the win? (picture taken about half way down a 90' cliff that ends in the East China Sea)
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Jun, 2015Views
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Full Adrenaline Rush Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Selfie Photo Contest 2019
Contest Finalist in Young And Active Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Redefine Selfies Photo Contest
Winner in Interesting Characters Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Portraits that tell a story Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Genius
Superior Skill
Emotions
Impressed
Happy
Top Ranks
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 1
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Top 30 rank week 1
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this picture about halfway down a 90' ocean-side cliff in Okinawa, Japan.Time
We started rappelling about 4:45 or so in the afternoon. However, this was taken after 40+ minutes of talking a friend off of the edge of the cliff (it was his first time rappelling, so he was rather nervous). Once he reached the bottom, I hooked in, and zipped down to the halfway mark to prep for the photo (it is important to have one's belayer set the rope very tight in case you slip while taking pictures). So, all things taken into account, it was between 5:30 to 6 pm when the shot was taken.Lighting
The cliff blocks the sunlight after about 3-4 pm during the early summer months, so the picture was taken in deep shade, with a sunny sky above.Equipment
This picture was taken with a Canon 40D with a Canon 10-22mm lens. I also used a carabiner hooked on the camera strap and to my person to keep the camera from falling the rest of the way down the cliff had I dropped it.Inspiration
I honestly wanted to see if I could do it. Also, there was an 'epic selfie' or something similar challenge here on Viewbug, so I figured this kind of photo would qualify.Editing
No post-processing (I do very little post processing to any of my photos).In my camera bag
In it's current state, my camera bag contains my Canon 40D, an EF-S 55-250mm Canon lens, an EF-S 10-22mm Canon lens, a micro-tripod, some extra batteries, and a cleaning cloth. I took the bag in this configuration on a recent trip up Mt. Fuji and it served me very well.Feedback
First and foremost: Ensure you are properly trained in rappelling, and have a good amount of experience doing it before trying something like this! Secondly, double check your equipment (harness, belay device, rope, anchor to the cliff, etc) to make sure it is defect-free. It helps to test this on a small drop (<10 feet) so that if something malfunctions, you don't get seriously injured. Also, if you plan on going inverted, make sure your harness is designed to keep you in it in that configuration. And finally, make sure you have a good belayer to help you stay in the right spot as you maneuver around on the cliff face. Have fun!
