iliketoby said:
Hey, WillCAD, where is the bench you are standing on in the middle picture of your signature? Or, if it isn't you, whatever...where's the bench? That is hilarious!
Can I copy off you?
People have been asking me that for years, which is why I use that pic in my signature; my ego is great enough to appreciate all the adulation!
Anyway, yes, that's me in the pic (in much skinnier days). The bench I was standing on was in Italy, just past the raised walkway. The benches have moved several times over the years, so you will have to play around quite a bit to line up a good shot, but it can still be done.
The hardest part is to maintain a mock leaning pose while standing on a bench that is flexing under your weight, while knowing that there is a long, long drop to the waters of the Worls Showcase Lagoon just inches behind you. I wouldn't try that shot if you have strong vertigo.
A similar shot can be obtained in Japan. There are shorter concrete benches along the water that are positioned just right for the shot.
We shot my leaning shot with a 35mm camera, in the days before digital, shot only one frame at the time, and didn't develop the film till a week later, after I got home. Somehow, it turned out perfectly, which is a tribute to my friend Frank's photographic abilities (he is a wedding photographer). Digital cameras make shots of this type much easier!