Ringflash: The Rollergirls next door

I love the look of the ringflash. Who doesn’t really, but I’ve never had access to one until Tim Gruber let me borrow his for a freelance gig. He had the Alien Bees ABR800, which is both compact, relatively inexpensive, and easy to use on location.

I discovered our local Rollerderby team quite by accident. They had been around for a couple of years and we had never done a story on them! I couldn’t believe it. But, I didn’t want to do the story I had seen so many times before – you know – fast action in bad light. I thought it might be a good time to try out the ringflash (borrowed again but from a different friend), so I concocted the idea of diptych portraits of the women.

Most of the time I used the Vagabond battery pack (also borrowed from yet a different friend. OK, so I don’t like to buy things before I try them). I’d have to say I like them both and hope to use them again when the time is right.

So to make the package a little more complete, I did really quick 5 minute interviews, condensed to 30 seconds or so each, and put it all together in Vuvox (I’m a big fan of Vuvox, btw).

The Rollergirls of Central Kentucky are a diverse group of women (and men) who enjoy the aggressive competition and comraderie of the sport. For some, it is an extension of their everyday lives. For others, it is a chance to be someone else.