Peter Poremba | Joe DiMaggio

To all the ships at sea, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years as a photographer and filmmaker, it’s that I don’t have all the answers. Hopefully, I’m smart enough to go to the people that do have the answers. Peter Poremba, the CEO, president, and senior electrical engineer of Dynalite was kind enough to go to Malibu on two separate occasions, and with the minimum amount of equipment he was able to light 30% of the arena: just one light and one power pack (if it was for SI, he would have brought in six power packs and eight lights). The combination of the electronic flash and the hypersync on my Canon 7D and Peter’s Nikon D7000 made for some photos that could not be taken back in the day. Some of the other photos in this blog I threw in just because I wanted to, will have a follow up.

Tech information: triggering device was the new Pocket Wizard Flex, power pack MP800, SH2000 Studio Head, SP-45 reflector, Nikon 85mm 1.4 lens, Canon 135mm lens.

Nikon D7000 exposures: 1/800 of a second, ISO 400, f4

Canon 7D exposures: 1/1200 of a second, ISO 500, f4.5

Peter Poremba, © Joe DiMaggio

©Joe DiMaggio

When I think of the name Peter Poremba, I think light. For most of Peter’s adult life, he has been involved in perfecting electronic flash and photo-education. He is head and shoulders above all of his competitors. An extremely creative business person and always thinking out-of-the-box. His clientele always comes first. He’s also a very nice guy, has a beautiful wife and a gorgeous daughter. It doesn’t get better than that. While Peter and I were at a design meeting at Sartek with Carl Saieva, I was explaining mixed-light and how I utilize it in my photography. I did a quick and dirty portrait of Peter, which is the lead shot of this blog. It was shot with an 85mm lens, but in actuality it was done with a 11mm to 16mm zoom. I just wanted to have a little fun with the crop. Hopefully there’s a little bit to learn about perspective. I’m certainly not saying you should throw away your portrait lens! But in a pinch, one camera, one lens, two batteries, two cards, and a little imagination… Oh, did I forgot the light? The most important thing! On our trip back, we made it through Suffolk, Nassau County, and Queens in light-speed. Unbeknownst to us, we got three and a half miles from the GWB and there was an overturned vehicle and three trucks with three workmen drinking their coffee and smoking cigarettes while working on the side of the road. Peter would tell you it took 59 minutes, I would tell you it took an eternity. Then again, I’m a little older than Peter. Time is very valuable. Joe D signing off!

Dynalite’s Website