Archive for the Video Category
Check my Facebook site for newest documentary shots and a video clip
Posted in Photography, Travel, Video on May 14, 2012 by William HooksFirst still shots for my documentary from the high desert, southern CA
Posted in Photography, Photojournalism, Travel, Video on May 11, 2012 by William HooksMet up with the featured rock climbers of the piece this afternoon and set up my part of camp in Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree NP, CA. They are from Alaska (Kye Klamser) and New Mexico (Adam Funaro) and work part-time at the Nomad Ventures climbing shop outside the park, where we got together for the first time today.
Follow my documentary by finding me on Facebook if you wish, as it takes form over the next several weeks.
My crew’s enroute and we plan to begin video shoot at 0930 tomorrow, after the stills unit heads out early to do timelapse/ HDR/ panoramics centered around sunrise.
Final crew rehearsal today for JTNP climbing documentary
Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Photography, Travel, Video on May 9, 2012 by William HooksWe complete our preparations as a group this evening, and head to the desert Friday. The crew numbers approximately 10, in 2 units (video, stills) and 2 combined teams. Still to be determined: who brings which wine coolers- and malt liqour empties to be used as props…..
Weather forecast is for standard spring conditions for the high desert, we’ll see how much wind but the blimps will handle that if needed. Now to resume my joke research, for the campfires- wait! Michelle Bachmann just declared dual US-Swiss citizenship, I should be able to come up with something good from that ————–
In the beautiful San Francisco bay area, vacationing…
Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Photography, Travel, Video on May 5, 2012 by William HooksThe drive was fun. I’m finishing some documents needed to instruct the participating climbers in next week’s project and those needed before the last crew rehearsal next Wednesday. The weather’s spectacular here, I always love to return and with luck I’ll someday come back here to stay.
I almost finished that gallon jug of Arizona lemon iced tea from last week, and find that you can only eat so many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in one day…. but I feel fine and may take in a film this evening.
Tomorrow will be very busy recording videos of my mother, describing memories of the family and her life as she approaches her 80th birthday on 29 June. She asked specifically to eat at Red Lobster by saying, “do you have Red Lobster money?”
I’ve been climbing for the past week in southern CA
Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Photojournalism, Travel, Video on May 1, 2012 by William HooksNext Friday, I head north to go home to the SF bay area for 2 days and visit family. Planning to shoot a series of legacy videos featuring interviews of my mother, for my personal archives It will be so good to return there after too long, and to take a break from the LA area for a few days before the week we shoot the Joshua Tree NP project.
For lighting the interviews I will be using daylight-balanced compact fluorescents in 3 units, including a softbox and silver umbrellas (see my equipment list page).
Now to plan some stops along I-5 for good eating…..
Tentative choice for documentary title
Posted in Music, Photography, Travel, Video on April 16, 2012 by William HooksI’ve been pondering what to name my documentary and the first choice I’ve had is THE RIDDLE OF MONZONITE….(monzonite is the kind of quartzite rock that comprises most of Joshua Tree’s climbing routes).
Progress continues to be good toward the projected 11-13 May shoot. I’m enjoying the task of selecting shot types and researching material to be used in finalizing the voiceovers I will do for the piece. Later in the process, I will either compose or select music for the soundtrack.
Documentary shoot dates in Joshua Tree National Park, CA
Posted in Photography, Photojournalism, Travel, Video on April 12, 2012 by William HooksThe shoot will be over the 11-13 May 2012 weekend in the main park. The crew continues preparations and rehearsals, our next meeting will be in a week.
I’m going to start working on a title for the piece as it keeps evolving, and we’re enjoying the ride……
Second crew meeting completed for JTNP climbing documentary today
Posted in Photography, Reviews, Travel, Video on April 8, 2012 by William HooksI really appreciated the long battery life provided by my Nikon EN-EL3e batteries for use in the 5″ Marshall HDMI monitors assigned to 2 of the video cameras for this shoot. I find that 5″ monitors are an excellent blend of visibility for several reviewers, image quality, feature set with peaking and false color filters as well as flip-image (very useful on the jib/minicrane cam), and reasonable pricing.
The sound quality from the Rode NTG-2 shotguns has been excellent. These are highly recommended for EFP projects in particular, working very well whether on booms or blimps. Cost-effective solution for a wide variety of uses, including dramatic pieces as well as sports, interviews and other recording related to documentary style.
With a crew of about 11, and 2-4 climbers, the project is progressing very well. We’ll be refining some technical issues next Wednesday at another crew meeting, involving both Units ( audiovideo and stills).
Some of the Canon camera users on this team are wishing they had built-in intervalometers for timelapse work- as we Nikonians have!
Crew meeting for upcoming documentary, Joshua Tree National Park
Posted in Photography, Travel, Video on April 4, 2012 by William HooksOur first meeting will be tomorrow evening, with assignments to Unit 1 (audiovideo) and Unit 2 (MOS video, stills) and
planning for a projected weekend shoot between mid-April and mid-May 2012. We will use HD-DSLR’s and a Go Pro Hero HD wearable camera for the climbers.
The subject will be rock climbing- the sport, the exploration of its predominant ‘sterotypical’ image with the public, its risks and demographics.
As a longtime climber, I’ve wanted to create this piece for several years. It will be distributed on DVD and on the web and is planned as a noncommercial project.
ENG setup for ANSWER Event, 3/26/12
Posted in Photojournalism, Reviews, Video on March 27, 2012 by William HooksI used the RedRock Micro Event rig with a Nikon D5100, a Marshall 5″ HDMI monitor, 24-70mm f/2.8 Nikkor, and the Rode NTG-2 shotgun microphone. The mic output was relayed directly to the camera, via an XLR-3mm plug converter.The RRM follow-focus was also used. My SanDisc 16GB Extreme Pro (class 10) card was more than sufficient.
Due to the late afternoon timing with excellent ambient lighting, no artificial lights were needed.
Because of the Nikon EN-EL3e add-on battery pack, I was able to use the monitor for several hours with no concern for power. I often find that the 24-70 is a very good compromise for a single lens doing interviews and B-roll in average light, with f/2.8 available and utiliarian zoom range on either FX or DX cameras. The fact that it’s parfocal is a bonus, if zooming is to be done. I usually like to set focus at the long end of a zoom, observing that this procedure tends to yield the best overall results.
For sound levels, I pre-tested the NTG-2 with the D5100 set to medium and high sensitivity and found that as usual, the +2 (medium) setting was best while monitoring with headphones and the Zoom H4N DAR.
ENG was straightforward with the D5100 for several reasons: first, it’s a very light camera for a full HD-DSLR and is easy to use on a light rig for hours at a time. Second, the main video controls can be accessed with only the right hand- allowing constant support of the rig from the left hand. In particular, placement of the video ON/OFF button is such that I can simply hold the camera and toggle without any shifting of position. Third, aperture can be adjusted while in LiveView- unlike with the D7000. Although I appreciate the dual cards and improved build quality of that camera, this is a significant advantage of the D5100 for video.
William Hooks
maximpactphotography 