I've been brought in as the Gaffer* for a short film based on the DC character Static Shock. We're still in pre-production and look to be shooting in April. A few weeks ago the director and I started looking into the possibility of shooting this project in a cinemascope, 2.35:1, aspect ratio.
Most HD cameras record video in a 16:9 aspect ratio (as are most new TVs and monitors) such as this one:
An anamorphic lens uses optics to squeeze a wider-angle image onto a piece of film or a digital sensor. Once you have the image captured you can either stretch it in your editing software (like I did) or you can project it using another anamorphic lens - thus stretching it back out optically. Here is a test with the directors new Panasonic AG-LA7200 anamorphic lens:
As you can see we now get the wider 2.35:1 aspect ratio without losing any vertical resolution or cropping. We also get those mega-sweet anamorphic lens flares that shoot horizontally across the frame.
"But wait!" You say. "There are awesome horizontal lens flares in the "Pilot Light" video as well!"
Yes, but those were added in by our visual effects supervisor and took 48 hours of hand-tracking for that 3 minute video. Now we can just do them in camera!
*I'm also talking to the director about DP'ing - we'll see what happens.
Also: hey r/photography - mcarneybsa
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Quick Trip to Lafayette
I went up to Lafayette last week to meet with Jacklyn and Jarad about their wedding photos and while I was there I got to stay with some friends I haven't seen in a while.
Firstly, my good friend Kevin is moving to Los Angeles in about 2 days from now to start his career path towards becoming a world-renowned Director of Photography.
So if any viewers out there in the LA region have a job that needs to be filled - hit him up.
Best of Luck Kevin, and remember, Orange on Teal = Summer Blockbuster!
Next up, I hung out with Andy quite a bit. I do have to say one of the best things about Andy (aside from his personality, open couch, and a bunch of other stuff) is that he's got a bunch of fun toys and is willing to let me mess with them. So this weekend I took a 1d mk3, 100mm IS macro, and 24mm f/1.4 out for a spin in the woods. Here are the results:
One more thing about the 100mm IS Macro - the IS is killer when shooting video. Don't believe me? The video below was shot with the 100mm hand held (with a viewfinder). The only issue I have is when you start to pan it lags, but just once, before it recognizes you aren't just shaking.
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| This, this is Kevin and his "Hey guys I might switch to Canon" face. |
So if any viewers out there in the LA region have a job that needs to be filled - hit him up.
Best of Luck Kevin, and remember, Orange on Teal = Summer Blockbuster!
 |
| Triathalete? Check. Photographer? Check. Ph.D.? Sooo close... |
Next up, I hung out with Andy quite a bit. I do have to say one of the best things about Andy (aside from his personality, open couch, and a bunch of other stuff) is that he's got a bunch of fun toys and is willing to let me mess with them. So this weekend I took a 1d mk3, 100mm IS macro, and 24mm f/1.4 out for a spin in the woods. Here are the results:
[Click images to view larger]
 |
| Self Portrait. Hand held, f/1.4, 4lbs of camera - not easy or comfortable for that matter. |
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| Seriously, the 24/1.4 was made to be shot wide open, its not worth the price tag for anyother use. |
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| I think I have fallen in love with the 100mm IS macro. |
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| No, seriously, its sharp, its a great focal length for macro as well as portraits (Kevin's pic - look at his eye!) |
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| It's ridiculously sharp. |
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| Did I mention IS, because it has 4 stops of it... |
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| Oh and it's price tag won't break the bank clocking in at just under a grand before tax/shipping. |
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| Because who doesn't want to get closer to this guy...? |
One more thing about the 100mm IS Macro - the IS is killer when shooting video. Don't believe me? The video below was shot with the 100mm hand held (with a viewfinder). The only issue I have is when you start to pan it lags, but just once, before it recognizes you aren't just shaking.
Canon 100mm L IS Macro Handheld Test from Michael Carney Media on Vimeo.
a quick 2 shot test of handholding (with viewfinder) the Canon 100mm L IS Macro lens on my 60D. I think I've found a new object to drool over....
Monday, May 23, 2011
Lighting Test
I was at Robert's the other day and picked up a few new things - notably a Canon 430EXII speedlight and an Interfit Strobies 15"x15" Foldable Softbox.
A few pros, A few cons.
Pros:
So here are some comparison shots between a few different light modifiers. The light used was the Canon 430EXII set at 1/4 power with the 14mm wide angle diffuser in place. The light source (flash) was kept at the same distance from the objects and roughly the same height. The camera was set at ISO 100, f/8, 1/125 for each shot.
Outcome? The Interfit Strobie Softbox did quite well - least amount of light loss and nice soft, yet directional shadows. I think I'll keep it, even if it is a bit difficult to fold back up.
A few pros, A few cons.
Pros:
- The Canon 430EXII, despite what Andy says, is a pretty easy flash to work with and I think is even easier to use than my Nikon SB600 was.
- The Interfit Strobie softbox was about 1/3 the cost of a Lastolite kit of the same size/features
- The Canon 430EXII doesn't have a PC sync option - but I've already figured out a workaround for that
- The Interfit Strobie softbox doesn't have an internal baffle, but there are small loops for one, so that should be easy to add if I want
So here are some comparison shots between a few different light modifiers. The light used was the Canon 430EXII set at 1/4 power with the 14mm wide angle diffuser in place. The light source (flash) was kept at the same distance from the objects and roughly the same height. The camera was set at ISO 100, f/8, 1/125 for each shot.
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| Bare (with wide angle diffuser) |
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| Shoot-Through Umbrella (32") |
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| Lumiquest ProMax Mini Softbox (5x7") |
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| Interfit Strobie 15x15" softbox |
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Its not you its me...
I'm sorry, but we can't do this any more.
That's right. I've decided to make a major change. I've thought about switching to Canon before, but I stuck with Nikon. As time has progressed so have both companies, but one way beyond the other. I find myself doing more and more video work and projects. Nikon hasn't been able to keep up with the competition and I've outgrown the limitations of my Nikon's video.
As I write this, I'm in the process of making the transition. I'm selling my Nikon equipment on Ebay. Right now I'm only selling a few lenses. At this point I can't afford to outright by the new Canon equipment. I'm first selling a few lenses in order to pay for a Canon 60D and 18-135 IS kit lens. Now, I normally frown upon kit lenses, however this will be the only zoom I am getting (to start with) and will be very useful as a simple walk-around lens.
Once I get the 60D and lens I will sell my remaining equipment. In replacement I am getting a Canon 60D, 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6, 24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4, and 135mm f/2.0 (yeah, that's a 135/2 baby!). This will cover all of my needs for the time. Then I can begin to build my collection back up.
One of the major reasons I've decided to do this is thinking into the future. Canon, like Nikon, makes excellent still cameras. I will be losing very, very little functionality by making this switch. However I will be gaining much needed versatility as a video camera. Manual exposure, manual audio levels, swivel screen, variable frame rates - all things my Nikon can't do. Now, as Dr. Brown would say, back to the future - it is inevitable that Canon, with their decades of video experience, that they will within the next 2 years produce an APS-C sized sensor in a video camera with an interchangeable EOS lens mount.
I mean, we get along great, we've been together for 4 years now, but well... Its just that lately you haven't been living up to my expectations. Its not for a lack of trying, but it just isn't cutting it. You do a great job at lots of things, but just not the things I need right now. It's not you, its me.
I hope we can still be friends. I think we can still hang out together, I mean we know a lot of the same people and I still think you're lots of fun, but i've found another.
That's right. I've decided to make a major change. I've thought about switching to Canon before, but I stuck with Nikon. As time has progressed so have both companies, but one way beyond the other. I find myself doing more and more video work and projects. Nikon hasn't been able to keep up with the competition and I've outgrown the limitations of my Nikon's video.
As I write this, I'm in the process of making the transition. I'm selling my Nikon equipment on Ebay. Right now I'm only selling a few lenses. At this point I can't afford to outright by the new Canon equipment. I'm first selling a few lenses in order to pay for a Canon 60D and 18-135 IS kit lens. Now, I normally frown upon kit lenses, however this will be the only zoom I am getting (to start with) and will be very useful as a simple walk-around lens.
Once I get the 60D and lens I will sell my remaining equipment. In replacement I am getting a Canon 60D, 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6, 24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4, and 135mm f/2.0 (yeah, that's a 135/2 baby!). This will cover all of my needs for the time. Then I can begin to build my collection back up.
One of the major reasons I've decided to do this is thinking into the future. Canon, like Nikon, makes excellent still cameras. I will be losing very, very little functionality by making this switch. However I will be gaining much needed versatility as a video camera. Manual exposure, manual audio levels, swivel screen, variable frame rates - all things my Nikon can't do. Now, as Dr. Brown would say, back to the future - it is inevitable that Canon, with their decades of video experience, that they will within the next 2 years produce an APS-C sized sensor in a video camera with an interchangeable EOS lens mount.
With all of these factors in mind, I have made the decision to switch to Canon. Like it or Love it, I'm doing it.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Post Process Practice
I shot a portrait of a Purdue prof and his grad students today. The image straight from the camera wasn't so hot, but I knew that. What I was hoping to be a large, windowless classroom turned into a small office with no shades for the only window! The only option I really had was to throw around as many photons as I could muster in hopes to get a long enough shutter speed to show some movement. 1/1.3s f/22 ISO 200 later...
So I took it into photoshop knowing I was going to have to do more than the usual to make this image worth something (or at least close to being worth something). About 20 adjustment layers and much dodging, burning, smearing and blurring later...
So my question to you, dear readers, is was it worth the 90 minutes of photoshop work, did I take it too far, or was it doomed from the start?
So I took it into photoshop knowing I was going to have to do more than the usual to make this image worth something (or at least close to being worth something). About 20 adjustment layers and much dodging, burning, smearing and blurring later...
So my question to you, dear readers, is was it worth the 90 minutes of photoshop work, did I take it too far, or was it doomed from the start?
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
I'm glad I'm young(er)
'Cause that means I don't have to shoot film/tapes. I just spent twenty-five minutes dicking around with final cut pro and a JVC BR-HD50 firewire tape deck trying to log and capture footage from this weekend's shoot of "Clutter."
I enjoyed the aesthetic of shooting Tri-X in my BW film photography class last semester (I especially like the highlights!). But I hated getting told what to shoot each week with a deadline. Granted, that's what I do for a living, but this was supposed to be fine art - my perceptions of my world. Instead I had to shoot assignments like "Show me maximum depth of field" or "Show me you know how to change your shutter speed."
With Convergence and the introduction of more digital systems (like Panasonic's P2 system and the RED) Logging and capturing (much less developing!) tapes and film is almost becoming a thing of the past.
Film will always be around, but damn it Purdue Film and Video Studies, we aren't shooting "Film" anyway, we might as well switch to fully digital systems and save ourselves hours of keyboard-head banging swearing in the DLC.
/rant
I enjoyed the aesthetic of shooting Tri-X in my BW film photography class last semester (I especially like the highlights!). But I hated getting told what to shoot each week with a deadline. Granted, that's what I do for a living, but this was supposed to be fine art - my perceptions of my world. Instead I had to shoot assignments like "Show me maximum depth of field" or "Show me you know how to change your shutter speed."
With Convergence and the introduction of more digital systems (like Panasonic's P2 system and the RED) Logging and capturing (much less developing!) tapes and film is almost becoming a thing of the past.
Film will always be around, but damn it Purdue Film and Video Studies, we aren't shooting "Film" anyway, we might as well switch to fully digital systems and save ourselves hours of keyboard-head banging swearing in the DLC.
/rant
Sunday, April 11, 2010
I'm convinced
I got to play with an iPad today. Even though it was for a few brief moments, it was pretty much awesome. Version 2, here I come!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Adobe, I think I love you.
Holy crap. Content Aware Fill in the (hopefully soon to come) Photoshop CS5. This is absolutely freaky.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Transportation
Well not too much has happened this month
I bought a new camera (D300s)
I bought a new lens (17-55 f/2.8)
I bought a car (Oldsmobile Intrigue)
I need a job :/
Okay, so I guess I have done some stuff this month. I started 2010 off well with a portrait session with Courtney and some save the date photos with Jimmy and Thea.
I made a quick multi-media segment with the D300s during the Purdue Outing Club Adventure Race. (Click the link to watch it in 720p HD!)
And this last Saturday participated in a Strobist meet-up in Indianapolis (again with Courtney). Yeah, that's a P-51 Mustang ;D
And this evening I'm off to a Women's Basketball game.
Man, I wish I could get paid for this stuff!!!
First Impressions: D300s, 17-55, MKE400
D300s - coming from a D300 there isn't much of a change. Bonuses: center selector button and dedicated Live View make things a bit quicker. Quiet shutter mode - definitely works, but makes 3 clicks per shot instead of the standard 2. Video quality is amazing! rolling shutter is not as big of a problem as I expected and it handles the audio quite well.
MKE400 - Much smaller than I imagined, fits in my palm with no problems. I like that I can choose between super-cardioid and lobar pick-up patterns (lobar works great for sit-down interviews) and the cord is just long enough to reach the D300s input jack without too many problems.
17-55mm f/2.8 - I'm so glad I chose to go with this instead of a third party lens. Everything about it from build quality to IQ is amazing. Thanks Laurie for working with me on the sale and thanks Joe McNally for selling it (yeah, I've got Joe McNally's lens - gaff tape and all!).
I bought a new camera (D300s)
I bought a new lens (17-55 f/2.8)
I bought a car (Oldsmobile Intrigue)
I need a job :/
Okay, so I guess I have done some stuff this month. I started 2010 off well with a portrait session with Courtney and some save the date photos with Jimmy and Thea.
I made a quick multi-media segment with the D300s during the Purdue Outing Club Adventure Race. (Click the link to watch it in 720p HD!)
POCAR 2010 from Michael Carney on Vimeo.
And this last Saturday participated in a Strobist meet-up in Indianapolis (again with Courtney). Yeah, that's a P-51 Mustang ;D
And this evening I'm off to a Women's Basketball game.
Man, I wish I could get paid for this stuff!!!
First Impressions: D300s, 17-55, MKE400
D300s - coming from a D300 there isn't much of a change. Bonuses: center selector button and dedicated Live View make things a bit quicker. Quiet shutter mode - definitely works, but makes 3 clicks per shot instead of the standard 2. Video quality is amazing! rolling shutter is not as big of a problem as I expected and it handles the audio quite well.
MKE400 - Much smaller than I imagined, fits in my palm with no problems. I like that I can choose between super-cardioid and lobar pick-up patterns (lobar works great for sit-down interviews) and the cord is just long enough to reach the D300s input jack without too many problems.
17-55mm f/2.8 - I'm so glad I chose to go with this instead of a third party lens. Everything about it from build quality to IQ is amazing. Thanks Laurie for working with me on the sale and thanks Joe McNally for selling it (yeah, I've got Joe McNally's lens - gaff tape and all!).
Thursday, June 11, 2009
New Website!
well after a long weekend working on it, its finally done.
Michael Carney Photography
check it out, let me know what you think (I know its a weird address, but its free - eventually i'll get my own domain).
Michael Carney Photography
check it out, let me know what you think (I know its a weird address, but its free - eventually i'll get my own domain).
Sunday, April 26, 2009
New Technology
I just got turned onto animoto.com by Moose's blog - this could easily become a more common occurance on the blog!
(don't worry, you've seen all these pics already)
(don't worry, you've seen all these pics already)
Friday, November 28, 2008
Dissapointment
Well, Nikon, it seems the rumors have some validity, but IMO this is unacceptable. Not only are you way behind the times (see canon's 1Ds MkIII alpha centauri prime omega niner...) but from what has been leaked I am not impressed.
24.5 Mega Pixels compared to the D3's 12.3
5FPS compared to the D3's 8
7fps @10MP crop mode compared to the D3's 11fps @5MP
ISO 100-1600 with LO1 to HI2 settings compared to D3's 200-6400 with LO1 and HI1
Most of the other aspects are the same as the D3.
Overall I don't feel that an "upgrade" of this magnitude has been worth the hype/wait. Nikon, I am disappointed, but like with most bad news, there is usually a silver lining. That's right folks, the D3 will be dropping slightly in price bringing me ever closer to owning one...
UPDATE: The day has come. Nikon has officially released the D3x body. The specs are true. This release has caused a great stir in the photographic community, and sparked many conversations - including a few here at the Purdue Exponent.
All in all, Nikon has produced a great tool. and like all tools, there are certain ones for certain jobs for certain people. I don't plan on owning a Thermwood CNC router, so my hand chisels and carving knives will work just fine. I don't need 24.5MP (I'm having enough photo storage issues as it is), so 12.3 will work for me for quite a while. The D3x is a great tool for studio photographers as it should be. However Personally I will take the faster frame rates and higher ISO capabilities of the D3 for my wildlife and PJ work.
24.5 Mega Pixels compared to the D3's 12.3
5FPS compared to the D3's 8
7fps @10MP crop mode compared to the D3's 11fps @5MP
ISO 100-1600 with LO1 to HI2 settings compared to D3's 200-6400 with LO1 and HI1
Most of the other aspects are the same as the D3.
Overall I don't feel that an "upgrade" of this magnitude has been worth the hype/wait. Nikon, I am disappointed, but like with most bad news, there is usually a silver lining. That's right folks, the D3 will be dropping slightly in price bringing me ever closer to owning one...
UPDATE: The day has come. Nikon has officially released the D3x body. The specs are true. This release has caused a great stir in the photographic community, and sparked many conversations - including a few here at the Purdue Exponent.
All in all, Nikon has produced a great tool. and like all tools, there are certain ones for certain jobs for certain people. I don't plan on owning a Thermwood CNC router, so my hand chisels and carving knives will work just fine. I don't need 24.5MP (I'm having enough photo storage issues as it is), so 12.3 will work for me for quite a while. The D3x is a great tool for studio photographers as it should be. However Personally I will take the faster frame rates and higher ISO capabilities of the D3 for my wildlife and PJ work.
Monday, September 8, 2008
well shit. (take 2)
If you have been reading my blog for the last several months you know that I have not had a good summer for technology. Well, as one of my good friends put it, "When it Rains, it Pours." As it is currently doing outside my window right now...
My desktop just went out on me, and of course, the shutter on my camera may be going soon as well.
update: I got my computer back on. maybe this won't be such a freakin' circus frenzy.
My desktop just went out on me, and of course, the shutter on my camera may be going soon as well.
update: I got my computer back on. maybe this won't be such a freakin' circus frenzy.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
My weekend project is to try and set up some web-hosting through my Purdue student website so that I can upload flash galleries to this blog. So if you see explosions, meltdowns, or general wackiness over the next few days - don't worry until about tuesday - after that, please call or email me to make sure I A) am still alive and/or B) know about the problem. thanks
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
ZOMG! ROXXORZ!
yeah, so due to sooooo many recent leaks of rumors about a new camera from Nikon, they went ahead and released it. Welcome, the D90.
Designed for the Advanced Amateur, and tested by Professionals (mainly the Seattle based Chase Jarvis) this camera is looking to be pretty freakin' sweet. If you've ever talked to me in the last year or so about new Nikon cameras, you know that I'm impressed by the D3 and D300 (in fact I would probably kill for either), and I strongly - I mean strongly dislike the D40(x) and D60. This is different
This is the D90.
Designed for the Advanced Amateur, and tested by Professionals (mainly the Seattle based Chase Jarvis) this camera is looking to be pretty freakin' sweet. If you've ever talked to me in the last year or so about new Nikon cameras, you know that I'm impressed by the D3 and D300 (in fact I would probably kill for either), and I strongly - I mean strongly dislike the D40(x) and D60. This is different
This is the D90.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Quite possibly the best
...lens I have ever shot with: the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4
Yeah, f/1.4. This is where the men are separated from the boys
Not only is it built like a beast, ridiculously fast, and sexy looking (what prime lens isnt though, right?) but its sharp as hell, has almost zero CA, ghosting, or flaring, and it can be yours for the low, low cost of a cool grand - or just work for a student-run newspaper that lets you borrow thousands of dollars of equipment on a whim. Seriously, I checked out the 85mm, an 80-200mm f/2.8, and a D1h with naught but the stroke of a pen.
back to the good stuff:
and with that, I'm off to bed. My two original assignments were 12 hours apart today. I picked up a third assignment in between. Shot a couple of exposures between those shoots and going to my second job for an unexpected 3 hours today.
Peace.
Yeah, f/1.4. This is where the men are separated from the boys
Not only is it built like a beast, ridiculously fast, and sexy looking (what prime lens isnt though, right?) but its sharp as hell, has almost zero CA, ghosting, or flaring, and it can be yours for the low, low cost of a cool grand - or just work for a student-run newspaper that lets you borrow thousands of dollars of equipment on a whim. Seriously, I checked out the 85mm, an 80-200mm f/2.8, and a D1h with naught but the stroke of a pen.
back to the good stuff:
and with that, I'm off to bed. My two original assignments were 12 hours apart today. I picked up a third assignment in between. Shot a couple of exposures between those shoots and going to my second job for an unexpected 3 hours today.
Peace.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
No, it's pronounced "Fronkensteen."
IT LIVES!!!!!!
I went to Roberts today to get my camera looked at and as I checked it before I left the house - it worked!
The Culprit: apparently it had gone through enough humidity changes between the cabins and outdoors that enough condensation built up to temporarily short the circuitry for two weeks... ouch.
also: Frau Blücher!
I went to Roberts today to get my camera looked at and as I checked it before I left the house - it worked!
The Culprit: apparently it had gone through enough humidity changes between the cabins and outdoors that enough condensation built up to temporarily short the circuitry for two weeks... ouch.
also: Frau Blücher!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves
well just to add insult to injury, fate has decided to have everything possible go wrong for me in the last week.
As some of you may know, I lost my wallet last weekend. The day after that happened I got a call informing me my wallet was found and to call this number. I called it, was put through to central dispatch who then forwarded me to the sheriff's dept. who then forwarded me to the Bloomington PD who then told me they don't have it (and as of Friday still don't have it). Also when I called the sheriff's department back to figure out what went wrong, I was informed that they "Don't do that" when I explained what had happened.
Next up: My camera got fried. Yeah. I know. This is ridiculous. I plugged the camera into the computer to save my pictures onto my external hdd. When I turned the camera on it didn't recognize that it was connected to a computer and told me no memory card was present. Also, the battery symbol is flashing. I unplugged the camera and the LCD screen on the back doesn't work. yeah. its going back to nikon this week hopefully.
There was something else that pissed me off earlier this week, but I guess it wasn't that bad since I can't remember it anymore.
However, there is a silver lining in the clouds: If the camera is completely broken/will cost more to repair than the camera did, I've decided its time to upgrade.
As some of you may know, I lost my wallet last weekend. The day after that happened I got a call informing me my wallet was found and to call this number. I called it, was put through to central dispatch who then forwarded me to the sheriff's dept. who then forwarded me to the Bloomington PD who then told me they don't have it (and as of Friday still don't have it). Also when I called the sheriff's department back to figure out what went wrong, I was informed that they "Don't do that" when I explained what had happened.
Next up: My camera got fried. Yeah. I know. This is ridiculous. I plugged the camera into the computer to save my pictures onto my external hdd. When I turned the camera on it didn't recognize that it was connected to a computer and told me no memory card was present. Also, the battery symbol is flashing. I unplugged the camera and the LCD screen on the back doesn't work. yeah. its going back to nikon this week hopefully.
There was something else that pissed me off earlier this week, but I guess it wasn't that bad since I can't remember it anymore.
However, there is a silver lining in the clouds: If the camera is completely broken/will cost more to repair than the camera did, I've decided its time to upgrade.
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