Zombies invade downtown Reno!

Nov

Ramblings

As a native Nevada I was always excited about Halloween. Unlike every other kid in the union, we privileged few Nevadans got the day off because not only was it Halloween, but also the state holiday. I bet if you asked most kids in the other 49 states when their state entered in the union, they would have no clue. But just about every kid in Nevada knows that October 31st is Nevada Day.

Put that in your pipe and smoke you Orange County brats!

So in a state known for legalized prostitution, gambling and bars that never close, it was the greatest to be a kid from Nevada. Of course over time, we changed the state law that instead of the 31st being the day off we got from school, they moved it to a 3-day weekend, which took some of the punch out of Halloween.

Because it was a state holiday, the capital would hold a parade on the 31st and to make sure the kids in the city attended, they did Halloween the day before, on the 30th. Many kids would con their parents to make the short 30-mile drive, so they would get candy two nights in a row.

You can keep all the professional ball teams and your museums New York; I will take two nights of Halloween any day. Sure our dental plans needs work and I have seen more than my fare share of people try to double down on the buffet, but you have to take the good with the bad.

Plastic Army men, one of the coolest costumes of the night. They kept me safe from the Zombies

While I am still a kid at heart, as a grown up I can’t go around trick and treating without the cops being called, so I do what any other grown up does, go downtown and run with the zombies. There is a chance of infection and the need to eat brains for the rest of your life, but the upswing is that you can get cheap beer while you ride out the apocalypse.

With a chance to photograph zombies; I feel the need to grab the cameras and risk life and limb for a few good shots. So I assembled my zombie kit, Canon 5D, 7D, a few lenses and some Canon Speedlights. But I know what you are a thinking, shouldn’t I have taken a shotgun and a machete?

The secrect to a healthy zombie relationship is sharing.

I haven’t had much chance to use my new Canon 7D, dealing with some sort of cold/swine flu and all. But I figured the zombies might be a good first subject to shoot with the camera. I also wanted to try the new built in flash with flash control on the camera. Plus I also wanted to try out the video function of the camera.

I first have to say that the 7D performed well, the ability to focus in low light was superior to my 5D. I did have some issues with using the built in flash to command my external Speedlights, I am going to do some more experimenting first, so I can make a more accurate report in a later post.

The zombie bride and groom.

I did also do some minor video recording. I didn’t spend too much time working with the video function of the camera due to only having one battery and it being so cold outside, I was worried of running out of juice before the end of the event.

So I managed to get through the night without turning into a zombie and made some fun pics of my fellow Nevadans enjoying their state holiday, Halloween and some fine drinks in costume. I can’t wait for Christmas, we do the same thing, but dress as Santa, minus the zombies.