So as a lot of you have probably seen, you can now record full 1080p 14Bit Raw video on the Canon 5D Mark II and Mark III. This is truely incredible. However, you can not just import the video and get to editing right away. To be able to use the RAW video, you have to convert the RAW files to DNG. Here is a quick workflow tutorial on how to do that. It’s really not that hard to do, just a little time consuming. [more]
Do you remember 14 years ago when the Matrix came out and blew some of our minds with filming techniques? One of the most ingenious scenes at the time was the wrap around bullet shot where the camera spun around the actors on a large dolly while they were suspended in mid air. Popular Youtuber Mark Rober has come up a really simple and cheap way to replicate the rotational filming effect of that scene.
To see more of his creative videos, check out his channel.
About a month ago we featured a video from the guys over at Neko Neko Films. In this video, they cover a mix of tips that while some may be no-brainers, you might find some very helpful if you having a tough time figuring out where to begin. We interview people all the time and I can’t emphasize enough just how important the little things are to create an engaging, yet informative video. [more]
One of the most frustrating things that can happen in photography is seeing a perfect moment and snagging a shot, only to get back to your computer and find out the picture was barely out of focus. As a wedding photographer, I can’t count how many times my couple has been composed perfectly with that magic moment that only lasts one frame, and my autofocus drags away from their eyes. To be fair, there is a lot of human error that goes into focus problems. However, did you know the problem doesn’t always lie in the user? [more]
The use of smoke machines in photo shoots can be amazing. With the flip of a switch, you can provide a moody environment to your backgrounds. However, many times, when shooting on location, power just simply isnt accessible. So how do you get the same benefits from a smoke machine, without having any electricity at all? [more]
We all have been in the situation. A great shot pops up through a building, plane, train, maybe even a submarine window and you snag it. Only to see after that you got more of your reflection then the scene. Well photographer and web designer Michael Courier has a simple DIY project he discovered while preparing for a train trip.
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Yes, that is a bold claim, but hear me out. Sometimes something so creative yet so painfully simple comes along and just blows me away. This timelapse/hyperlapse video created using Google Street View is just one of those things. My mouth was agape the entire time I was watching this. Teehan+Lax Labs created this project by recording Google Street View movements all over the world and [more]
If you have an interest in electronics and computing, then you probably already have heard of Raspberry Pi, the credit card sized ARM based computer that runs linux and can be had for under 50$. These computers have been mega-popular with the DIY and electronic hobby crowd, and as you might has expected, there have been some great project ideas that people have cooked up. Of course, in that mix there was bound to be some photography related projects.
If you are like me, then chances are, you find yourself constantly detaching and reattaching your camera strap. When I’m shooting long exposure shots in a breeze, I don’t want the strap whipping in the wind. Removing the strap while not rocket science, can be a bit time consuming, and I am the type of photographer that finds myself in ever changing situations where adding and removing the strap is not always the best use of time. Now I could spend forty plus dollars on a quick release strap and be done with it, but personally, I get more pride out of making things. Oh, did I also mention I am cheap?
As photographers, we usually focus on matching photography parameters with other photography parameters: matching ISO to F-stop, matching exposure to ISO and so on. But have you ever tried matching a photography parameter with sound parameters? By matching the frame-rate (fps) on the camera to the Hz units coming out of the speaker you can create magic in video, without any editing. Create something your naked eye will never see. [more]
A couple weeks ago I posted a lighting diagram showing how you can emulate Martin Schoeller’s lighting by using gaffers tape and foam core. One reader commented that the catch-light makes the subject’s eyes look like a cat. This got me thinking about what would happen if I were to change the pattern of the tape into various shapes. Here’s what I discovered. [more]
Magic lantern is by far the best thing to happen to the DSLR cameras. It offers so many options not given to you by the normal Canon firmware that it should be sin not to install it. This is a quick little walkthrough on how I use ML for easy, accurate free-lensing. [more]
Most cloth backdrops I have found cost between $70 – $100, but today I was turned onto a cheaper alternative. Photographer Elena Jasic posted a tutorial today on her blog on how she made her on distressed canvas background for around $50. The materials can be purchased at local stores such as Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart.
Adrien Broom, Connecticut based photographer, recently successfully funded her new project “Where did All the Colors Go?” on Kickstarter. The project is a multimedia story for children in the forms of a children’s book, a short film and also an integrated platform to be viewed through a tablet. For both the photo and video production, Adrien created amazing sets featuring different colors. The first color Adrien shot was White. Check out how she built the set and of course the final results.
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Last week I tried my hand at emulating Martin Schoeller’s portrait lighting with a single bare-bulb speedlite. Though the experiment was technically a failure, it still produced a nice portrait. Since then, I have tried two more lighting scenarios before finally nailing it on the fourth (please excuse my OCD tendancies) and final attempt. [more]
