For those who wish to share video, audio, text and/or photo files with me, please send them to my Dropbox if you have access to this feature.
My Dropbox has been added today
Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Music, Photography, Photojournalism, Science Fiction, Studio Portraiture, Travel, Video on June 8, 2013 by William HooksSouthern CA USA- Local Climate Change Issues
Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Photography, Photojournalism, Video on May 30, 2013 by William HooksSouthern CA USA- Local Climate Change Issues
This link is to a recent video I created which documented a visit to US Congresswoman Judy Chu’s office in Pasadena, CA during which Organizing for Action (OFA) interviewed her representative. We established a calendar for planning future collaboration with Judy in making climate change more prominent as a regional media issue,and formulating effective ways of mitigating its future impact here.
My current ENG/interview shoulder rig setup
Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Photojournalism, Reviews, Video on May 20, 2013 by William Hooks
I use the Red Rock Micro Event rig, and add some components which work well for me: the microphone will vary (in this case,Rode Stereo Videomic Pro), with my general preference being a Rode NTG-2 shotgun if there’s significant ambient noise. LED lighting such as this 6 AA panel design with built-in barn doors allows a lightweight , fairly focused daylight balanced source. For headphones, I might add either extremely light mini-phones or a full set of Rockfish noise-cancelling HP’s.
At the rear is the recently added Hoodman Custom Finder Baseplate and 3″ loupe. There’s a RRM lens ring on this 85mm f/1.8 Nikkor, connected to a follow focus; a Fader is used to control aperture in bright light, as well as flare reduction with a matte box.
To don the uniform once again….. STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS
Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Science Fiction on May 17, 2013 by William HooksThe DS9 Command uniform is ready. Tomorrow afternoon I re-enter the Undiscovered Country, relishing the adventure- and hoping for a free popcorn.
Review: Hoodman Custom Finder Baseplate
Posted in Photography, Photojournalism, Reviews, Studio Portraiture, Travel, Video on May 6, 2013 by William HooksI found this baseplate for $99 (no tax) last weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center, while attending a Big Photo Show. The Hoodman rep was at the Samys section and I was intrigued by the prospect of using a compact, lightweight ‘rail’ to add or remove my 3″ Hoodman loupe to a DSLR monitor. This would make use in bright sunlight much easier.
After a short demo I decided to buy it, and I assembled it this afternoon (see images). The box has excellent schematic images showing the location and names of all of the parts. This is a modular design with 3 components: the onboard 1/8″ hex Allen wrench, the rail which accepts the loupe, and the baseplate which attaches to the camera base.
I’m pleased with the very lightweight of this unit, its build quality, and the ease of attachment and removal of the loupe assembly. The fit to the 3″ Nikon D600 monitor is excellent. Controls are positive and smooth. And it’s in Nikon colors- the main set screw is gold….[sorry, non-Nikonians]. I can easily reach the LiveView and other camera controls, because none of the baseplate extends over them.
This unit also adjusts for a 3.2″ monitor such as the D4, and all hex screws are of the same caliber so that the entire apparatus can be completely adjusted in the field with no additional tools.
SUMMARY: I highly recommend this item for DSLR videographers and still photographers, especially if you do a lot of field work and/or do not use a matte box. You won’t notice it until you need it.
baseplate (L), rail (R)
baseplate from below
attacheing the baseplate to the grip for Nikon D600
The bracket also fits 3.2″ loupes
microadjustments to fit the 3″ loupe to the bracket
the lower left portion of the vertical adjustment rail contains the 1/8″ hex wrench
no interference with battery swapout from Nikon grip
lateral view of complete assembly on tripod, with D600
closeup of main setscrew to adjust rail (gold) and QR plate from baseplate to tripod mount
Arca-Swiss compatible (Acratech) tripod quick-release plate attached
Kupo hardware: excellent for AV grip use
Posted in Photography, Reviews, Studio Portraiture, Video on April 5, 2013 by William HooksI’m beginning to use Kupo’s line of grip equipment alongside my Matthews gear and have been impressed- it’s very good quality, at a price considerably lower than Matthews’s lineup, and easily available in the southern CA area. I get mine from Samys Camera.
My 40″ extension arm and grip head w hex stud have been helpful for interview setups, instructional videos and studio stills; they make it easy to rig a light, microphone, flag, scrim or reflector with freedom of movement and great stability. I like that the grip head on the extension arm is permanently attached and will not rotate. They attach to any standard light stand.
At the same time, I can reserve the boom/jib for mounting a B or C camera.
Dedicated to my ailing piano instructor in northern CA, Larry Gehringer:
Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Music, Science Fiction on March 28, 2013 by William HooksMUSIC
Ex Astris, Scientia
From the stars, knowledge
But of all the loves in my story
You were the one truest love
That which taught me the meaning of ourselves
And the universe
In the Undiscovered Country
Tempus Fugit
Time is fleeting
But you are timeless
And when my time is done
I will be grateful
For the greatest honor of knowing you so well
Semper Fidelis
Always, together-
Never will we part
For you are my sustenance, my faith, and my soul
William Hooks
