…And I Thought I Knew How To Take A Picture.. 2

Every now and then you're asked to do something that, well, you've never thought about doing before.

Such was the case when the phone rang last spring and Cannon product manager Dave Maryanov said:

"Hey Tom, what do you think about having us out to the Puget Sound area this summer to shoot our new catalog featuring our new downriggers."

For a Great Lakes based company to come all the way out to the Pacific Northwest for a photo shoot is a major undertaking and speaks to the regard they hold for the Washington State market.

"Dave,  I think that's a great idea!" I responded…. And then, the work began…

The logistics of organizing five boats, operators, "talent",  and accommodations,  not to mention tow vehicles, arranging locations and rigging the boats was overwhelming to say the least.
Fortunately, I had help in the form of Jeff Lalone of Bayside Marine, Glen Wooldridge and Rob Hyatt of Wooldridge Boats, Marty Smith of Stabicraft USA and Larry Carpenter of Master Marine. Without these guys rigging and providing boats and tow rigs, there is no way that we could have pulled this shoot off!

Product in the form of downriggers, mounts and apparel began arriving on my doorstep and I became a "delivery boy" of sorts getting the appropriate gear to the right place at the right time.

It was only when the Cannon entourage arrived that I began to understand that I was providing a canvas on which some truly talented, hard working guys were about to paint.

The photo crew's equipment alone was impressive. Here is a waterproof "fisheye" housing being readied for action… 

…and here is the shot that was the result… pretty impressive…

Here's some more "fruit of the fisheye lens": For this shot, the photographer leans over the gunnel and immerses the camera partially underwater… not gonna do that with my camera…!!!

My fishing buddy and "male fishing model" Phil Michelsen takes direction (Yes, there was a director) as the photographer gets soaked on the swimstep, waiting for Phil to behave…

Cannon's new lineup is as functional as they are photogenic. The rod holders are repositioned to the sides and the side plates are removable for maintenance and an easy swap out of the entire spool!

Re-designed keypads bring all Cannon's functions to your fingertips and are backlit so they are easier to see in low light conditions as well!

Robbie Tobeck got into the act on the last day of the shoot. Here's a shot of his boat "The SalmonHawk" skipping across Rosario Strait on our way to yet another scenic location.

Look for the new Cannon line-up to make it's debut this show season and in stores by spring 2011. Cannon has made significant upgrades to their entire line along with a kick-butt track system for their downrigger mounts and rod holders. Just one more reason to get fired up about next year!