Shot 100% on the new HERO3® camera from GoPro.com.
The Wi-Fi enabled HERO3: Black Edition is the most advanced GoPro, ever. No expense was spared during its development, resulting in a GoPro that is 30% smaller, 25% lighter & 2X more powerful than previous models. New resolutions and frame-rates include 4Kp 15, 2.7kp 30, 1080p 60, 1440p 48, 960p 100, 720p 120 and 12MP burst photo capture at 30 fps. Yes, for real.
Sit back and enjoy the HERO3: Black Edition in all its glory. #GoPro
As you might be able to tell, I have been busy working on a video project for a CVB in the Atlanta area. Doing this work has made me start to notice other, fresh ideas for online video content to promote convention and visitor bureaus. Notes from the YouTube channel below. Enjoy!
Travel to Atlanta, where intrigue awaits, when Special Agents Ryan Ryan (Chris Whitley) and Tara Knox (Mary Kraft) are contracted for a special mission. Join their whirlwind journey to investigate why Atlanta is such a popular destination for meetings and events. “ATL Files”: Destination Atlanta Video Trailer is produced by Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit www.atlfiles.com and www.atlanta.net for more information on Atlanta.
On any given day, taking a walk down the streets, alleyways, fairways and beaches of Charleston leads to a symphony found in only one place.
Charleston, South Carolina voted for the second consecutive year, “Top City in the United States” in the Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards.
Wonderful video for the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Enjoy!
I’m sure these guys aren’t the best out there, but these Freestyle ‘Slackliners’ or ‘Trickliners’ certainly entertained the crowd at the OutDoor Show in Friedrichshafen, Germany last week.
Camera: Sony NEX-5D
Edit & Colour: Final Cut Pro X & Magic Bullet Looks
Music: “/\/\” by BL▲CK † CEILING (soundcloud.com/danocean)
From Wikipedia:
Freestyle slacklining (a.k.a. “rodeo slacklining”) is the art and practice of cultivating balance on a piece of rope or webbing draped slack between two anchor points, typically about 15 to 30 feet long and a couple feet off the ground in the center. This type of very “slack” slackline provides a wide array of opportunities for both swinging and static maneuvers. A freestyle slackline has no tension in it, while both traditional slacklines and tightropes are tensioned. This slackness in the rope or webbing allows it to swing at large amplitudes and adds a different dynamic. This form of slacklining first came into popularity in 1999, through a group of students from Colby College, in Waterville ME. It was first written about on a website called the “Vultures Peak Center for Freestyle and Rodeo Slackline Research” in 2004. The article “Old Revolution – New Recognition – 3-10-04″ describes these early developments in detail.
Philip Bloom testing the new Sony NEX-FS100
I currently do all of my production work with the Panasonic AG-AF100 and the Canon 5D mark II and love the quality of both cameras and the footage they both produce. I prefer using the AF100 for all of my interviews because of the great native features found in a video camera as compared to a DSLR. Simple things like the XLR plugs and quick and easy manual controls makes all the difference in a quick interview set up (not to mention the one man run and gun shooting technique). For the $4,500 price tag, I believe the Panasonic AG-AF100 to be a superb video camera. However, I am not sure that it is fair to compare this camera to something like the F3 or such standards as ARRI or RED. And, it is hard to compare this video system to something like Canon 5D mark II. The quality of the 5D footage is superior (in my opinion) due to the full-frame sensor. The difficulty I have experienced in using a DSLR as a video camera is, again, based on the lack of basic features found on a video camera.
My overall take on the Panasonic AG-AF100 is that it is a great mid price point video camera. It gives you greater depth of field, allows an operator the ability to use incredible lenses, and costs so much less than the cameras it is often compared to. If you are comfortable with the 5D, this camera will probably fall short on image quality, but its ease of use will be a blessing. If money is no object, I would probably recommend looking at the F3, FS100, ARRI or RED. But, as the owner of a small video production company, like myself, this is a great camera for online video production. This camera, paired with the Olympus f/2.0 lenses has allowed me to create a far superior product than my old Panasonic AG-HMC150. While I love this camera, and it works great for event videography, it does not give you any shallow depth of field or honest manual settings.
Camera technology is advancing dramatically ever year. Know your production needs and seek the best camera in your price range. All these new cameras offer better production quality for a much smaller price tag … and I will not complain about that one bit.
My true passion in life is photography. While no one will ever surpasses Ansel Adams — photographic perfection — digital artists are starting to inspire me with their use of our new technology, exceptional photojournalism, and all without the use of exaggerated editing in post. In my most recent research for a new camera, I uncovered the new world of HDSLR video production. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought about shooting professional videos with a DSLR camera. Hundreds and thousands of people are using their Canon 5D Mark II or Panasonic GH2 daily to produce gorgeous videos. Although, none better than Philip Bloom and Vincent Laforet.
Vincent Laforet is a remarkable director of photography and photojournalist — recognized by everyone from the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival to the Pulitzer Prize. His blog — blog.vincentlaforet.com — is by far one of the best resources on the web for shooting and production tips. Whenever I have a professional question, I reference it first.
Philip Bloom is a visual genius creating perfect examples of artistic online videos without over-producing his work. He can make a small sample project with a new camera a true work of art. On top of this, like all good creatives, Philip continues to craftily explore new ways to use HDSLR videography to produce forward-thinking product. His blog — PhilipBloom.net — has become my visual inspiration.
My favorite video of his is entitled “A day at the races.” This is a video I can literally watch over and over again for inspiration in my work. It is beautiful.
My second favorite video, Philip’s mom preparing a meal for them in the kitchen — “Home Cooking.” Wonderfully shot, and so simple in execution.
Most recently he posted a video entitled “A Room With A View: A year of timelapses from hotel rooms!” Again, a simple collection of experimental footage, shot over the course of a year, made into a great online video.
2010 Vimeo Festival + Awards
I make it no secret that Vimeo.com is my favorite video sharing site on the web. I spend hours a day watching new videos, listening to music and learning new shooting techniques, all on one website. Unlike Youtube, a majority of these videos are professionally produced or shot by true video enthusiasts.
Last year, Vimeo hosted the first-ever 2010 Vimeo Festival + Awards in New York City. The award winners were recently posted on the site and I have enjoyed watching all those honored. Amazing work in some very cool categories. Below is the documentary that took home best overall video. It’s worth a coffee break.
