The Science of Thrill

Last week I had to run out in the middle of a 100° day to shoot people enjoying rides a The California State Fair.  What better time to shoot people having fun at a fair than 2pm on a Tuesday on July, right?  Such was my shift though and despite feeling like a night shoot would go better, I didn’t want to leave Buster at home all day to come back.  Plus, kids still have fun during the day no matter how hot it is or how flat the light might be.  I lucked out with a couple great photos and Autumn Cruz was able to grab some better light at night later in the week when she went to do helmet cam videos of the rides.

There is a bit of a funny side to the photo beyond the girl’s expression.  I had already ridden once prior to her hopping on and I wasn’t exactly thrilled to ride it again.  I needed a better photo, though, so I sucked it up.  On my first ride I didn’t anticipate the G-forces making it so difficult to shoot.  Leaning your head forward to look through the lens made you almost instantly sick and if you tried to hold the camera out it was instantly sucked back into your body.  I was also positioned trying to get a fisheye effect on the ride the first time, but realized it was just easier to play the curve given the limitations.

Chyanne was hopping on the ride for the first time with her twin sister.  I saw the pair from across the ride looking around like they had no idea what to expect, which gave me an idea they might be better to shoot that the group of teenagers to my left that would probably be too cool to show any emotion while riding it.  I walked over, introduced myself and instead of the normal reaction you get from a seven-year-old who’s about to get their photo taken I was asked, “Is this ride scary?”  The Gravitron was actually one of my favorite rides as a kid, so I replied, “I don’t like really rides at all, but this is one I’ve always liked. It’s not scary, don’t worry.”  I thought about explaining the fun I used to have as a kid on the ride when we’d flip ourselves upside down or lay across the wall sideways, but I realized I might be putting ideas in her head so I held back.  Personally I don’t think I lied about the scariness level, but Chyanne might given the look on her face.

Link to the story: Science of Thrill

Link to the gallery: Fair Rides

Link to videos: Helmet Cam Videos

Chyanne Stone (left), 7, rides "The Starship 3000," (also known as "The Gravitron") for the first time with her twin sister Cierrah (second from left) at the California State Fair on Tuesday afternoon, July 20, 2010.