The photo above is the normal exposure of a Waffle House near my studio. Periodically the company remodels one of their restaurants. I saw this one was under what looked more like destruction rather than renovation. I noticed a pair of children with their father standing in front of the remains of a favorite place to eat. I made a quick set of 3 bracketed exposures at 2 stop brackets to use Photomatix Pro. Opening a bracket set in Photomatix Pro Before jumping into presets, here’s a quick start for opening a series of bracketed photos.Once … [Read more...] about New to Photomatix? Start with a Preset
fusion
Photographers: Do You Really Need An “E-Template?”
There is a disturbing new scheme out there to part photographers from their money. Companies selling so-called "E-Templates" are trying to convince you that "hybrid" photography will make you a fortune, BUT you NEED to use THEIR products to find all this new business. Sorry but I call bull you know what. I do believe that the market is hungry for a mixture of stills and video from photographers learning to add video to their packages and video shooters learning to add stills to their packages. This trend will continue to grow in my opinion. … [Read more...] about Photographers: Do You Really Need An “E-Template?”
Which Type of HDR is Right for You?
When working with HDR software tools, there are many options. Its easy to get overwhelmed with sliders and presets. Theres a critical choice that needs to be made first. How do you want to merge the multiple exposures together? There are generally three options to choose from. Lets explore the benefits of each. Fuse Exposures The most subtle use of HDR is to simply merge exposures. If you want to capture a scene whos dynamic range exceeds the capabilities of a digital sensor, use this approach. In Photomatix, choose the method Fuse exposure … [Read more...] about Which Type of HDR is Right for You?
Hybrid DSLR for Video Instead of a Professional Video Camera?
This post was inspired by a question I received from Mark Bringedahl. He said he didn't understand why anyone interested in pursuing professional video wouldn't buy a professional video camera. It's a valid question and one that I have asked myself. In some ways, the professional video cameras trump the DSLRs. The pro vid cams have many of the features you'd have to add onto the DSLR. But the really professional models cost a great deal more than even a top line DSLR like the Canon 1D MK IV. If you look at the video you can produce with a … [Read more...] about Hybrid DSLR for Video Instead of a Professional Video Camera?
Reducing the Jello Effect From Rolling Shutter
If you shoot video on any of the current Nikon or Canon DSLR's you will encounter something called "rolling shutter." Rolling shutter is related to CMOS sensors like those found on the Canon 5D MK II, the Nikon D3s, etc.. Since not all parts of the image are recorded at the same time, fast moving objects or a fast moving camera can cause distortion. The two main visual symptoms of rolling shutter are skew and wobble. How can you reduce the impact of rolling shutter? 1. Shoot at slower shutter speeds. The motion blur associated with slower … [Read more...] about Reducing the Jello Effect From Rolling Shutter
Why Nikon as Video Cam Doesn’t Stand Up to Canon as Video Cam
I love Nikon camera bodies and lenses. This is not a post that is intended to imply Nikon is a bad company, their cameras suck or that the Nikon user base is full of losers. It's not - really. This is a post describing why Canon DSLRs have the lead in the fusion space. Comparing the video from a D3s to a Canon 1DMKIV, serious video/filmmaker types (and those who aspire to be serious like me) prefer the Canon. Since I am often asked why I prefer Canon for video, I thought I'd answer the question in a post. If someone from Nikon wants to rebut … [Read more...] about Why Nikon as Video Cam Doesn’t Stand Up to Canon as Video Cam
Primer for Still to Video Shooters Part 4
EDITORS NOTE: Guest Post by To see Part 1 in this series, go to : https://photofocus.com/2009/11/16/primer-for-still-to-video-shooters-part-1/ To see Part 2 in this series, go to : https://photofocus.com/2009/11/17/primer-for-still-to-video-shooters-part-2/ To see Part 2 in this series, go to: https://photofocus.com/2009/11/18/primer-for-still-to-video-shooters-part-3/ Editing Your Project Now that you have your footage "in the can," it's time to do the editing. I won't go into any details regarding editing systems. There are too many. … [Read more...] about Primer for Still to Video Shooters Part 4
Primer for Still to Video Shooters Part 3
EDITOR'S NOTE: Guest Post by To see Part 1 in this series, go to : https://photofocus.com/2009/11/16/primer-for-still-to-video-shooters-part-1/ To see Part 2 in this series, go to : https://photofocus.com/2009/11/17/primer-for-still-to-video-shooters-part-2/ In parts I and II of this series, we covered framing and image capture. In this part, Ill offer a few tips on lighting and audio. Note: this is not meant to be an exhaustive discourse on how to light for a set. You may have heard about three-point lighting. This will not get into that. … [Read more...] about Primer for Still to Video Shooters Part 3
Primer for Still to Video Shooters Part 2
EDITOR'S NOTE: Guest Post by To see Part 1 in this series, go to : https://photofocus.com/2009/11/16/primer-for-still-to-video-shooters-part-1/ In this installment, well cover some more shooting tips for getting good video footage for interviews. Mistakes and Retakesit is okay if the subject makes a mistake, garbles his/her words, or for some other reason, wants to repeat something said. Let the camera roll a few seconds before repeating, then have the subject repeat what was said. Cutaways & B-rollafter conducting the interview, … [Read more...] about Primer for Still to Video Shooters Part 2
Primer for Still to Video Shooters Part 1
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a series of guest posts by my friend, . Ron is an international award-winning video producer, speaker, and video business coach. For the second consecutive year he was named to the Event DV Top 25 event videographers in the industry, and he and his wife are authors of the Peachpit Press book, Refocus: Cutting-Edge Strategies to Evolve Your Video Business. Ron writes about visual arts, social media, and creative inspiration on his blog bladeronner.com. The filmmaking bug is alive and well in the photography community. … [Read more...] about Primer for Still to Video Shooters Part 1
Canon 7D Video Example
I spent some time with my friend Dane Sanders helping him with a workshop down in Newport Beach, CA a few weeks ago. On a totally spur of the moment basis, with no planning, not much gear and no idea what I was doing, I decided to make a little video of the experience so that others might get just a taste of what it was like to hang out with Dane. The result is this video. I shot it on a Canon EOS 7D with a Canon EF 50mm f1.4 lens mounted on a Red Rock Micro Event. I also used a Zacuto Z-Finder and a Lightpanels MicroPro LED light. I forgot my … [Read more...] about Canon 7D Video Example
Learn 5D Mark II Canon Cinematography with Philip Bloom – Mini Review
EDITOR'S NOTE: I am in San Francisco at the Reframe conference where Philip is a speaker. I plan on interviewing him for both the podcast and the blog. So look for more from this talented fellow soon. Few video shooters have made as big an impact on the hybrid/convergence market as Philip Bloom. Bloom is a UK-based shooter who is known for using 35mm lenses on traditional video cameras. But in the year that shooting HD video on a hybrid DSLR has been a reality, Bloom has also become known for his use of a Canon 5D MK II to make stunning … [Read more...] about Learn 5D Mark II Canon Cinematography with Philip Bloom – Mini Review
