Pro tip: Watch the shade cloth setup at Papago Park before you book a shoot there

I was scouting a sunrise shoot near the boathouse last Tuesday and nearly lost my whole rig to a gust coming off the lake. The permanent shade structures over the picnic tables have frayed ropes and uneven tension, so they flap like crazy when the wind picks up around 7 AM. One of the poles is also sitting crooked, and the base plate is cracked, which is a serious hazard if you're placing a c-stand nearby. If you're planning a commercial or interview there, bring your own sandbags and ask the park office about the repair schedule before you pay for a permit. Has anyone else had gear knocked over by those things?

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patricia38512d ago

Watched a buddy lose a lens to a rogue gust at that exact spot last fall, thing went straight into the water before anyone could blink. Those shade poles have been iffy for years, I've seen park staff strap one down with bungee cords like a bad joke. Bring your own sandbags for sure, but honestly, I'd set up on the east side where the hills block most of the wind.