Monday 21 February 2011

Beach Shoot

Last week three of us headed up to Mona Vale pool to shoot a model on the beach as the tide came in. A risky business, as it turned out because the quicker we worked, the faster the water rushed inshore. Gear used was mostly the Canon 5D MkII, 70-200mm lens, 24-70mm, 85mm f1.8, 580EXII Speedlights, tripods and wireless triggers.

'Angel' by Ian Caldwell
'Angel' by Ian Caldwell
'Angel' by Ian Caldwell
'Angel' by Ian Caldwell


Here are a few clips I shot and edited in Premiere Pro. Still images with kelines: Ian Caldwell, without keylines, Mike Clements
Music: Robert Plant of course. "Big Log".

Zoe by Mike Clements
Zoe by Mike Clements
Zoe by Mike Clements
Zoe by Mike Clements
Zoe by Mike Clements

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Upcoming HD DSLR Video Classes

DSLR Video
Learn how to shoot quality footage and edit like a pro
I've created a new DSLR course through Sydney University (CCE) entitled DSLR Video to run August 20/27 and Sept 03, 2011. Check out http://cce.usyd.edu.au/course/dvid for precise details.
This is essentially a beginners class for all those lucky people with digital cameras that have high definition (HD) video features. Almost everyone is aware of HD Video, but few actually use it for anything other than snapping the odd clip when nothing else seems to fit the situation. To compound the problem, video editing has always been a complex process because you're not dealing simply with a 'moment in time', you are dealing with seconds, minutes and even hours! Plus, of course, you get camera stability problems, sound issues, and then there's the complexity of editing the stuff into a watchable format.

Here's an example of the sort of instant video you can make using a free video editing app and music downloaded (legally!) off the Internet...



In this class we begin by showing you a number of useful shooting techniques for capturing great video, the best in-camera video settings required, how to handle the footage once it's downloaded to the computer and of course, how to put everything into place to make that all-important video epic.

Saturday 12 February 2011

Heritage Fleet Shipyard Revisited

On Feb 5th, the F8 Group went to the Sydney Heritage Shipyard for a shooting exercise - good choice of day - it turned out to the the hottest February day on record (42C). Our planned three to four-hour shooting session was curtailed by the heat. Spare a thought for the volunteers that work in the yard...
Study in texture. 'A wee bit 'o rust' by Glyn Patrick
Great DOF. Coal and Steamer, pic by Glyn Patrick
Cotton mooring ropes, pic by Glyn Patrick
The Lady Hopetoun, pic by Glyn Patrick
'Fire buckets', an eye-catching composition from Lucie Loane
Restoring a bit of history, pic by Lucie Loane
Detail. Old and new plates, John Oxley restoration, pic by Glyn Patrick
Lifeboat on the John Oxley by Fay Burdon
Excellent HDR of the John Oxley galley, by Fay Burdon
HDR machinery in shipyard by Fay Burdon
HDR by Fraser Burdon
Pic by Fraser Burdon
HDR pic by Fraser Burdon
So we managed to photograph our way through most of the exhibits. Well, they are not really 'exhibits' as most are still in the process of being renovated and/or restored to their former glories. The John Oxley is the mainstay as this towers over the rest of the dock but there are a couple of ferries, as well as a tug and numerous other small vessels under renovation. It's an amazingly interesting day out, especially for those into photography. Although there's no entrance fee, a donation to the heritage trust is appreciated simply because there's very little official funding to keep this piece of history alive.
By Mike Clements
By Mike Clements
Here's a short video I made from clips and stills shot at the shipyard and pieced together against a great piece of music from Robert Wyatt, a legendary muso from a band called Soft Machine. Enjoy...

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Model Shoot in Old Factory

Here are a bunch of great images shot by Mike Clements and Ian Caldwell in an old Sydney factory, Jan 23, 2011. Cameras used EOS 5D MkII, Canon speedlights + ring flash. I shot the clips and put the video together.
Picture by Mike Clements
Pic by Mike Clements
Pic by Mike Clements
Pic by Mike Clements
Mike Clements
Pic by Mike Clements
Pic by Mike Clements
Pic by Ian Caldwell
Pic by Ian Caldwell
Pic by Ian Caldwell
Pic by Ian Caldwell
Pic by Ian Caldwell
Pic by Ian Caldwell
Pic by Ian Caldwell