Monday, March 16, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Foto Friday
In this age of Digital SLR and crystal clear HD video that almost looks better than real life, these are the photos that appealed to me this morning.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A Light List
Here is a little list of lighting tips for shooting video inside and out. (Thanks to AdvanceHD.com for the help with this one.)
1. Inside-Make sure there are no huge windows behind the subject when you are shooting. Natural light from windows is great, but make sure they are behind you, not the person or people you are shooting.
2. Inside-Even when you have light from the windows, turn on the lights in the room. The more light the better. What may seem like too much light for you eyes will be perfect for the camera.
3. Inside-Now you're thinking you are going shopping for a light that mounts on top of your video camera (in TV we call them "sun guns"). Its probably not necessary, you would have to spend a lot of money to get one that actually threw enough light to make a difference.
4. Inside-If you are planning on creating a masterpiece movie of you're family's annual talent contest, you may consider purchasing a small light kit, for a few hundred dollars. With a little practice you, too, could have Oscar worthy lighting.
5. Outside Daytime-The biggest light source in movie making is up in the sky, take advantage of it. Just like windows, you would prefer not to have the sun behind your subject. And just like still photography, you want to avoid having it directly in their eyes.
6. Outside Nighttime-Its dark! Its going to be difficult to find enough light to make a good shot. Look for the brightest place to shoot, and do your best. Think of this as an artistic opportunity.
7. Some cameras have a "nightshot" switch, which gives you a funky, military looking shot that reminds me of CNN footage during the Gulf War. It can work for certain circumstances, like getting a cool shot of your kids sleeping without waking them up with bright light.
8. One more thing. The less light you have, the more stable your shot needs to be. If you must shoot in low light, hold the camera steady, refrain from zooming and choose to slowly walk in to get a closer shot. The fewer camera moves the better in dark conditions.
Now go out there and find the light, people.
1. Inside-Make sure there are no huge windows behind the subject when you are shooting. Natural light from windows is great, but make sure they are behind you, not the person or people you are shooting.
2. Inside-Even when you have light from the windows, turn on the lights in the room. The more light the better. What may seem like too much light for you eyes will be perfect for the camera.
3. Inside-Now you're thinking you are going shopping for a light that mounts on top of your video camera (in TV we call them "sun guns"). Its probably not necessary, you would have to spend a lot of money to get one that actually threw enough light to make a difference.
4. Inside-If you are planning on creating a masterpiece movie of you're family's annual talent contest, you may consider purchasing a small light kit, for a few hundred dollars. With a little practice you, too, could have Oscar worthy lighting.
5. Outside Daytime-The biggest light source in movie making is up in the sky, take advantage of it. Just like windows, you would prefer not to have the sun behind your subject. And just like still photography, you want to avoid having it directly in their eyes.
6. Outside Nighttime-Its dark! Its going to be difficult to find enough light to make a good shot. Look for the brightest place to shoot, and do your best. Think of this as an artistic opportunity.
7. Some cameras have a "nightshot" switch, which gives you a funky, military looking shot that reminds me of CNN footage during the Gulf War. It can work for certain circumstances, like getting a cool shot of your kids sleeping without waking them up with bright light.
8. One more thing. The less light you have, the more stable your shot needs to be. If you must shoot in low light, hold the camera steady, refrain from zooming and choose to slowly walk in to get a closer shot. The fewer camera moves the better in dark conditions.
Now go out there and find the light, people.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Movie Monday
Okay, let me set this one up for you. My husband and I have been watching an HBO mini-series from 1998 called "From the Earth to the Moon". (Its pretty good. Executive produced and narrated by Tom Hanks. Look it up.) Anyway, most of the drama takes place at Kennedy Space Center, which brought to mind all the times we have been there. Most recently, just over a year ago, we finally had the good fortune to witness a shuttle launch.
We flew to Orlando, Florida on Wednesday, February 6th. By the time we picked up our rental car, found our rental condo, and set up the rental pack 'n' play, it was after midnight. We got up at 4:30am, put three tired kids in the car, picked up breakfast (and coffee!) at McDonald's and drove 2.5 hours to Cape Kennedy.
Here's what happened next...
We flew to Orlando, Florida on Wednesday, February 6th. By the time we picked up our rental car, found our rental condo, and set up the rental pack 'n' play, it was after midnight. We got up at 4:30am, put three tired kids in the car, picked up breakfast (and coffee!) at McDonald's and drove 2.5 hours to Cape Kennedy.
Here's what happened next...
We were exhausted, it was 30 degrees Celsius and up until the last minute, we weren't even sure they were going to launch. After hours of waiting, and watching from far away, was it worth it? Absolutely!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
An Electric List
Our power just went out for about 10 minutes. It was truly disturbing.
Here is a list of things you cannot do when you have no electricity.
Here is a list of things you cannot do when you have no electricity.
- cook dinner (although I was considering digging out the camp stove to cook the spaghetti)
- play Wii (WHAT???)
- listen to the radio (for news about why the power is out...duh)
- use the phone (if the only phones in your house are cordless, ironically, they need to be plugged in)
- use a bathroom that does not have a window in it (hard to hold the flashlight)
- laundry or dishes or vacuum, or any sort of cleaning, really (who needs an excuse?)
- open the fridge (my Mom always said...)
- blog, or go on facebook, or check your email, or online shop....AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!
Fortunately for my children, who were completely baffled by the lack of power, you can still play a fully charged Nintendo DS. Disaster averted.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Movie Monday
"Exploring The Glass Floor"
Starring: The Toth Brothers and The Calgary Tower
Exterior Camera: Paul Toth
Interior Camera: Shawna Toth
Music: The Polyjesters
Editing: Small Wonder
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