Wedding: Floating the Frio River

[Redneck]

I just received a request for a wedding coverage, including floating the Frio River.
I'm shooting Nikon D300 and D700 with 24-70 and 70-200.

I'm pretty sure this can be a lot of fun, but I've never done a river tubing wedding before. Any recommendations how to protect my camera and still get high quality pictures?

[Kalrog]

That is a unique one! There are certainly some diving housings that would work if you want to still use your big gear. That would probably be the best protection and give you the best pictures, but those are quite expensive (think cost of new body+). I don't think that those rain protection devices will be sufficient for a dunk in the river.

The other option is to look at something like the Olympus Tough series (Canon has one as well) that are waterproof cameras - but they are P&S (with all that entails). If you can be in a canoe and not tip over, the SLR + raingear is probably enough. If not... well, I don't think I would take my SLR tubing.

[KdLaneJr]

Originally Posted by Redneck

I just received a request for a wedding coverage, including floating the Frio River.
I'm shooting Nikon D300 and D700 with 24-70 and 70-200.

I'm pretty sure this can be a lot of fun, but I've never done a river tubing wedding before. Any recommendations how to protect my camera and still get high quality pictures?

The only way I could see this as being something viable to do is to it from a relative stable platform such as a canoe with outriggers attached or a 16 to 18 ft. flatbottomed boat.

In either case, I'd recommend you have someone with you controlling the boat with an electric trolling motor so you can move around the couple, bridal party, what have you, depending on how much of their float on the river they want photographed. Barring that, I think shooting from a bridge as they approach and pass would be your safest bet.

Using a waterproof P&S is the only way I'd remotely consider doing this if I had to float in a tube with the group.

[Phisch]

Borrowlenses.com rents the waterproof housings for cameras. The rental is not cheap, though. I think it was $300+ for a day or something like that. They aren't cheap pieces of equipment but that's not surprising considering what they have to do.

[MicWayWal]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

The only way I could see this as being something viable to do is to it from a relative stable platform .... 16 to 18 ft. flatbottomed boat.

In either case, I'd recommend you have someone with you controlling the boat with an electric trolling motor so you can move around the couple, bridal party, what have you, depending on how much of their float on the river they want photographed. Barring that, I think shooting from a bridge as they approach and pass would be your safest bet.

Using a waterproof P&S is the only way I'd remotely consider doing this if I had to float in a tube with the group.

What he said.

[Redneck]

Well, the "boat" will be an inner tube, there's no space for a co-rider. Maybe I'll try to shoot from the river banks. I think I'll check the route first.

[BeccaJ]

Originally Posted by Redneck

Well, the "boat" will be an inner tube, there's no space for a co-rider. Maybe I'll try to shoot from the river banks. I think I'll check the route first.

might not be such a bad idea... that's what these guys do:

RiverFotos.com | GUADALUPE RIVER-2010

if you had someone to control a boat/canoe or whatever for you, id think you'd be able to get some in the water & some from the river banks both.

[TxTowman]

I have a row boat and strong arms!

[DangerouslyMoody]

they have rafts you can take...fits 4-6 people and rarely tip over, you stay relatively dry...i would try that...maybe bring a cooler for extra protection for the gear you bring but aren't using and have that sit in the center as kind of weight. and then have 1 or 2 poeple assist you in the boat to steer you and balance the raft out etc

[snydersnapshots]

Originally Posted by DangerouslyMoody

...maybe bring a cooler for extra protection for the gear you bring but aren't using ...

Are Pelican cases waterproof? That might be a little more protection than a cooler if it ends up in the water.

Also--maybe call around and see about a waterproof housing rental. Perhaps someone here might have one they're willing to let you rent/borrow. Any dive shops along the coast?

Just throwing out some ideas here. This sounds like a fun concept. Love to see any pics you can post when it's all done.

[brewercm]

I'd agree on renting the housing and just throwing that into the cost.

Best might be bank shooting where your are nice and dry and have someone else controling the bride and grooms tubes for you. Maybe by a rope underwater that they can keep them in place when taking the shots.

[jBakerPhoto]

Originally Posted by snydersnapshots

Are Pelican cases waterproof? That might be a little more protection than a cooler if it ends up in the water.

I used to go canoeing alot growing up and we would get ammo cans/dry boxes from gun shows to keep stuff dry. They are cheap and are made to keep it dry. They also float if something happens. You will also want to paint it so it doesn't blend into the river and tie it to the raft if something does happen. I think bass pro sells a orange plastic version but the ammo cans are made a little better.

[Bella Pop]

not sure if you ended up with this wedding or not but a friend of ours purchased this case and used it to shoot underwater with her 5DM2!! it or one like it might work for your purposes... New Underwater marine case for Canon EOS SLR 5D Mark II on eBay (end time 24-Mar-11 15:03:36 GMT)

also my husband once pointed out to me that our insurance did not cover being in water or on any kind of watercraft - so you might check into that and if you need to add on if there is an option.

[Phisch]

NICE. Thanks for posting that!

[monicaolson]

How fun! I wouldjust tag along and be a second shooter for free!