SLR HD Video Basics: Set the scene, get the message across

This is the first in a series of how-to lesson that I'll be posting on shooting HD videos with your digital SLR. Today's topic: Set the scene, get the message across.

There are several reason why this scene (a promo for the SLR HD video workshops that we'll be offering here in Croton-on-Hudson, NY) works:

- We knew the location and envisioned the end result in our mind's eye. In real estate, location is everything. When shooting videos, a cool location sure does help.

– Low contrast setting. We timed the shoot so that we and the waterfall (from the Croton Dam) were both in the shade. Shooting in a low-contrast is much easier than shooing in bright sunlight. In fact, high contrast can be a killer in video - as well as in photography.

- Interesting and not distracting background. The flowing water adds some interest to the scene.

– A slightly out-of-focus background, created by setting my 24-105mm lens to the 105mm setting.

- Filling the frame with the subject... "the name of the game is to fill the frame."

- Shooting at eye level so the viewer could relate to the subjects... "see eye to eye."

- The "talent" (if I may use that word) had energy. They kept the message short and sweet - and fun.

- The sound is well balanced. The sound of the waterfall in the background is not overpowering.

If you are into shooting HD videos with your SLR camera, or want to get into it, and have a question, post it here.

Explore the light,
Rick
P.S. Don't miss the video.

The Making of a Picture: Waiting Room

Most professional fashion, portrait and glamor photographers (as well as other types of creative photographers) go through several stages or steps in the image-making process.

First, they get a vision or an idea in their mind's eye.

Second, they find a location and a model for the shoot - choosing the most appropriate setting and the best model.

Third, they execute their ideas in-camera, carefully selecting the camera angle and the position of the model - paying careful attention to the balance of the scene.

Fourth, they expertly choose the right lens, camera settings, and accessories that will capture the scene - keeping in mind the effects that they want to apply in the digital darkroom.

Finally, they post process their work in Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture, etc.

I went through those steps in the making of this picture, my current favorite HDR image, which I entitle, "Waiting Room."

One of the important elements in this pictures was the sunlight. I wanted to shoot on a sunny day to capture those light patterns on the floor. As far as composition goes, I framed the upper part of the model's body within the frame on the rear wall. Including the ceiling fan in the frame was a must. To get the entire room in focus, I set my Canon 24-105mm lens on the 24mm setting, set the aperture at f/11 and focused 1/3 into the scene.

It is an HDR image that I created from a series of three bracketed pictures processed in Photomatix. The cool texture and color effect was added in Topaz Adjust - a plug-in that works magic on an image. Try the Spicify filter and Portrait Drama in Topaz Adjust - two of my favorites effects. Portrait Drama was used here.

I added the frame with onOneSoftware's PhotoFrame 4.

Interested in this print? Click here.

I am thinking of producing a book or 1-hour, how-to DVD on HDR, Photomatix and Topaz Adjust. Any interest out there?

Explor the Light,
Rick
P.S. You can get a discount on Photomatix and onOneSoftware here.

Don't Tell Me What You Think, Tell Me What You Feel

I just sent this picture to my good friend and former RIT professor, Dr. Dick Zakia, who is updating his book, Perception and Imaging – Photography, A New Way of Seeing. I asked Dick why he likes this picture. His response, I feel, can benefit all of us. Here goes.

Dear Rick:

I am reminded of a comment my friend Ralph Steiner would often make when critiquing work, "Don't tell me what you think. Tell me what your FEEL."

What I feel is paramount and it is a deep haunting feeling, a mysterious questioning as to what is going on. Who are these people who are deep in thought,what are they thinking? Your photograph is both haunting and mysterious.

At another level, I like the colors, the dress,the masks, the black hands, jewelry – everything works together to convey mystery and questioning. And the aging background certainly adds to the strangeness and ambiguity. Then, of course, there is the symbolism of the mask.

In a word again, it haunts me. It is also a good gestalt in that you need not add or take anything away from the photo to improve it. It is!

Happiness,
Dick
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The story behind the picture. I was participating in a workshop in Venice during Carnavale and noticed these people standing in a square. I asked them to move against the wall and posed them in the manner you see here.

A good exercise: try to convey a feeling in a photograph.

Explore the Light,
Rick

Snow Leopard Information

What? You were expecting info on Apple's new Snow Leopard? Well, there's a ton of info on the Web about the latest and greatest OS from Apple, I really can't add anything more.

However, with Snow Leopard on my mind, I thought I'd go through my files and find a snow leopard image and share some info. Here goes:

• Shot at the Bronx Zoo, behind a fence. I used my 100-400mm zoom set at 400mm and f/6. I held the lens close to the fence and tried not to get any of the fence wires in the frame. The wide aperture and long lens setting blurred the wires, making them disappear. The wide aperture also blurred the background.

• I waited to catch the yawn. Patience is very important in animal photography.

• I followed the animal around until it had some natural catch light in the eyes. Catch light is important in animal photography. You can also add catch light with a flash.

• I set my exposure compensation (while in the Av mode) to - 1/3 so as not to blow out the highlights.

• I created the drop shadow in Photoshop using Layer Styles. The black line around the image was created by selecting the entire image and then by going to Edit > Stroke in Photoshop.

Enough about my snow leopard. I'm off to upgrade to Snow Leopard!

Explore the Light,
Rick

Consider This: Colors are what we see, not what we should see

The image you see here is one of my favorite color images. I love the red interior of the vintage car. It’s an HRD image. I created it by combining six images (Canon 5D Mark II/15mm lens) using Photomaix, and then by applying Topaz Adjust. You’ll find information on HDR (and discounts) on the Plug-in Experience.

Speaking of that red in my photograph, would you call it: rose red, tomato red, bright red, faded red, vibrant red, deep red, red/orange, bold red, cranberry, apple red, or maybe something else?

My point: we all perceive color differently – and refer to colors by different names. We also see colors differently under different lighting conditions. Other factors that effect how we see color include: stress, being tired – and drinking coffee, Coke, beer and wine. Age, too, affects how we see color.

No surprise. After all, as Ralph Evans said, “Colors are what we see, not what we should see.” That is why calibrating your monitor and printer is of the utmost importance. I do it twice a month. I also calibrate my projector before I give a presentation – because the room light changes from location to location. My calibration device: the ColorMunkie.

One of my good friends, Dr. Richard Zakia, author of Perception and Imaging – Photography, A New Way of Seeing, is an expert on color (among many other aspects of photography). In his highly informative and delightfully entertaining book, Dr. Z offers in-depth insight into how and why we see and perceive colors. If you are a nut about color, I suggest you check out his book. Even if you are not a nut about color, I know you’ll learn a ton from his book.

For now, here are some quotes that accompany his chapter on color. Think about each quote. Its meaning will become clear.

“A color cannot exist without an environment.” Edward Land

“Combinations of colors judged offensive a few years ago are in style now.” Roger Remington

“Color, as the most relative meaning in art, has numerous faces and appearances.” Joseph Albers.

“Imagine a piano having 75,000 different sounds.” This is the situation of painters.” Salvador Dali

Dr. Z includes his own quotes:

“Color, like sound and taste, is purely a subjective experience.”

“Red colors tend to increase tension; white, blue and green tend to release tension.”

If color management is driving you nuts, keep this quote in mind: “Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.” – Monet.

See, you are not alone. Like all creative photographers/artists, color is important to you.