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Mike Wilkinson
Lexington, KY

Articles written by Mike Wilkinson

Using Photoshop To Turn A Wedding Reception In To A Police Chase

Featured last year for his "Wedding Day Zombie Apocalypse" composite, Photographer Josiah Moore is up to his old tricks again. This past fall he shot a wedding where both the Bride and Groom were car enthusiasts. He decided to make a fun chase scene out of a photo from the reception, and this video shows his process in Photoshop.

Lights, Cameras, And Pirates: Behind The Scenes On A Malibu Rum Ad

In this behind the scenes video for Malibu Island Spiced Rum, various members of the video crew share nuggets of useful information about the work that went into the commercial. Multiple locations, a huge pirate ship, and fake food are just the start of what it took. The final, edited ad is at the end of the video.

The Symbolism And Storytelling Of "Into The Mind" Revealed In Behind The Scenes Video

This year's most notable ski film, "Into The Mind" wasn't just your average sports reel. Camp 4 Collective and Sherpas Cinema put together a visually striking feature, along with a narrative that is filled with symbolism. In this behind the scenes video, the filmmakers discuss how certain shots came about, and how the story elements came together serendipitously.

The Strahlen LED: A High Powered Light With A Flexible Design

Boasting a CRI of 90, bi-color options, and an output 1600 lux at 4ft, this Indiegogo campaign for an LED light takes a look at technology that's not old, but not exactly new either. Read on to find out what makes this LED light unique from others on the market today.

Is Adding Boudoir Sessions To Your Photography Business Right For You?

When winter hit and weddings and senior portraits weren't generating any income, Michael Sasser decided to expand his reach by adding boudoir style photography to his repertoire. If you're looking for a way to increase your business through the slow months, this might be just the thing for you. In this interview, Michael explains how his new sessions have been working out.

Stunning Timelapse Video Reveals The Beauty And Ferocity Of The West

This powerful timelapse video called "Wyoming Wildscapes II" was put together by photographer Nicolaus Wegner. Taking 14 months, this video covers the cycle of the seasons, the shifting of the landscape, and the ever-changing weather. To find out more about this project, I interviewed Nicolaus and asked about his gear, workflow, and experiences.

The Aviator Travel Jib: A Portable Jib For Video Shoots In Hard To Reach Places

My passion is shooting outdoor lifestyle and documentary projects, and those shoots often require me to be on the go and in remote areas. Historically, getting an expensive jib or crane in those locations was not possible. With the Aviator Carbon Fiber Travel Jib, taking a jib into the field is not only possible, but easy for everyone.

Corey Rich Explains How He Captures Both Still And Motion In The Field

Corey Rich's work spans both photography and video, often using Nikon DSLRs to capture both. His projects take him to hard to reach places, and being able to manage his gear in both modes quickly, enables him to come away with great images. In this video, Corey explains his choices for gear and shooting style on a climbing trip in Pakistan.

Trying To Catch A Fighter Jet With 24,000 Watts Of Light

Stock Photographer Yuri Arcurs definitely went big with this experimental photoshoot, to see if it would be possible to shoot a fast moving fighter jet, and actually light it up with flashes. This behind the scenes video shows us how difficult it was to pull off, but that the end result justifies the elaborate and at times frustrating work.

Simple Cinematography Trick: The Flip Shot

In this video tutorial, learn how to perform an interesting video shot without expensive rigging or accessories. Stock music website Premuimbeat has an a whole collection of videos on their Vimeo page with information on cinematography, motion graphics, and lighting, all for helping out the budding video shooter or editor.

Tips For Setting Up Your Home Office Without Breaking The Bank

So I just landed in Colorado, and while working from my laptop on a TV tray worked in a pinch, getting a home office set up quickly and cheaply has been a top priority of mine. I’ve come up with some tips that have helped me now and in the past when it comes to making a functional workspace at home.

A Cheap LitePanels Alternative? A Review Of The Zabolight LED Light Kit

An LED light kit for video is something I've always wanted to own. After years of using hot ARRI and Lowel lights, and renting LitePanels when the budget allowed, I discovered a company called Zabolight that was making LED panels and other fixtures at a much cheaper price. I purchased a kit of these, and did some testing to see how they compared to other more expensive brands.

Aliens, Special FX, And Storytelling Combined In Red Giant's Latest Project

The team at Red Giant Films, working with special effects guru Stu Maschwitz, have yet again released another compelling short video. Unlike other shorts such as Spy vs. Guy and Plot Device, this is actually a pitch trailer for a film based on a video game that they hope to create. Check the full post for the behind the scenes video too!

Why I Quit My Job To Do What I Love, And Why You Should Too

I just quit my full time job of six years as a video producer at a local college. A decent salary, good benefits, and the security that came with it… all gone. I'm now focusing on my dream project called Ascending India (our film trailer is what’s featured) and I might go broke trying to make it. Read on and I’ll tell you why I couldn’t be more excited, and why you might want to consider trying to make your dream project happen too.

Tips For Making A Better Video Demo Reel Which Can Get You New Clients (Part 2)

How can you take HOURS of footage from completely different projects, and edit together a montage that's only a few minutes? Here is the second part of the Making A Better Demo Reel article where I'll share a few techniques on reducing the number of clips you have, selecting music, and more.

'The Muir Project' Documentary: Exclusive Interview And Clips From The Film

The documentary "MILE... MILE & A HALF" has been featured before, with it's dazzling visuals and informative insight into creating art while on a long backpacking trip. This film took 2 years to produce, and it's finally complete! The creators have shared a clip just for the Fstoppers audience, and they have also answered some questions on the production of their film.

Tips For Making A Better Video Demo Reel Which Can Get You New Clients (Part 1)

If you’ve ever struggled to put together a video demo reel, or you’re planning to make one in the future, this post is for you. Below, I’ll share some tips that will help you be more efficient in your process to prepare for editing hours of your footage down to a montage of a couple of minutes.

10 Tips On How To NOT Get Hired Again As A Production Assistant

Everyone has to start somewhere, and for people seeking entry into the world of video production, or even studio photography, doing work as a production assistant is a great way to get your feet wet. I've hired lots of assistants, and before that I worked as one myself. I still do for some producers! Here are my tips on what to NOT do if you'd like to keep getting hired and make your way up the chain.

Sale! Calumet Offering $200 off $1,000 Purchase, Today Only

Calumet Photographic is offering $200 off of a purchase of $1,000 or more on any in-stock items. Canon, Nikon, Sony, and some other brands are unfortunately excluded, but there are plenty of other items available if you're looking for something other than a lens or camera body. Tripods, camera bags, lights, and even Sigma lenses are included in this deal. Some good examples of deals include