September 22, 2013

TheaterYou production of Aktrisa

An amazing production by a local amateur theater.  Duo of actors in a 3-part play.  Performed without a hitch.  I feel privileged to have an opportunity to capture it.
Technically it was a challenge.  Low light, multiple cameras (Nikon D600 and Canon HF S200) which required matching color and sensitivity.

What worked:
  • Limiting video AGC on Canon HFS200 to 10db, sometimes even to 6 or 3db.  Zebra pattern helps a lot! I wish Nikon D600 had it.
  • Nikkor 24-85 proved to be a good video lens! AF was almost silent.  Used it at 35mm, F5.6 for wide shots.
  • Sonya did a good job operating D600 - I used a lot of her slow pans instead of my close shots - I do have a tendency to rush - need to slow it down.
  • Sony Vegas 12 Pro multi-track editing proved to be very efficient.  Loved it!
  • Sony Vegas 12 Pro color-matching plugin is awesome!
Made no difference or worse:
  • Connecting recorder to video camera offered no tangible benefits.  I set the camera audio level manually.  That of the recorder was on auto.  I still used sound file from the recorder.  Video camera track was adequate.
  • Setting DSLR and camcorder sensitivity to the same level was tough.  I had D600 ISO on 1600 to avoid high noise.  It proved to be too much although histogram of a shot I took seemed to be adequate.  I wish zebra was there on Nikon.
  • DSLR was set on constant AF with face recognition.  Worked OK although on few occasions focus was on a wrong person.  Call it operator error.
  • My efforts to set custom white balance on both HF S200 and D600 failed.  the Scene light had so many colors the balance on D600 and HFS200 never matched.  Next time I will just set it to one Kelvin value.
  • Overall I am not happy with D600 footage.  To prepare I read these reviews and was concerned about noise and moire.  Yet the resulting footage lacks...dynamic range.  I see blobs of colors with not enough details (when compared to HF S200!) in either highlights or shadows.  This makes no sense.  At all.  Oh and I forgot to reset picture style to totally neutral - I think I had it on Standard, but the effect could not be that bad!

September 20, 2013

September 10, 2013

Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder - PCIe Capture Card for 3G-SDI and HDMI

Originally submitted at Adorama

Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder - PCIe Capture Card for 3G-SDI and HDMI

Good bang for the buck
By AVS from Campbell, CA on 9/10/2013


4out of 5
Pros: Smooth Instalation, Video Quality, Price
Cons: Not Plug-n-play For Hdmi
Primary use: Business
Computer Platform: PC
Installation went smoothly with no hickups. I use it with HDMI for live HD streaming with UStream Producer. You really need to understandthe format of the signal coming in and set it manually in the software preferences. Oh and it defaults to SDI! There is no plug-and-play in this respect. E.g. my DSLR outputs 1080i and I need to set it in preferences to see the picture. If I change DSLR to 720p, corresponding change has to be made as well.
I intend to investigate its use for recording.

September 9, 2013

Photobooth. Where Do I Start?

My college reunion is coming.  Again.  So I thought I need to come up with something different this time.  How about automating picture taking as much as possible?  Photobooth seems to be popular, so why not? The good thing is that the event is in the park and I own a 10'x10' shelter (with walls!) ,which, I made sure, comes in neutral white, so it can be used as a light tent.  So, here is the  plan:
  • DSLR shoots tethered into laptop running Lightroom.  My thinking it will be triggered remotely.  Not sure the standard Nikon IR trigger will work in the sun.
  • A wired SB800 plays role of a CLS master triggering flashes mounted in the shelter.  Looks like two flashes firing in the upper front will be enough to create nice light.  Two more flashes will be firing into the back wall to create a high key background.  I am now thinking about mounting CLS master into a beauty dish for a better catchlight.
  • Lightroom applies development preset upon import.  I intend to offer customers live view on a big monitor
  • Given a non-profit nature of the event, I intend to charge for printing only.  Post event online delivery will be free.
This past weekend I tested the light with MK's help.  Now I need to develop the Lightroom preset, test printing and decide on pricing of prints!
Oh!  And here are the articles I read about the photobooth:

Also need props:
  • paper moustache, 
  • tiara, crown, hat
  • boa
  • oversized glasses
  • boxer gloves
Things to bring:
  • shelter,including canvas roof and walls
  • 4 slave flashes, 1 master
  • extra batteries
  • battery chargers
  • umbrella adapters
  • 1 stand for master flash
  • TTL cord
  • camera
  • tripod
  • AC adapter for camera
  • usb cable
  • laptop
  • laptop power supply
  • laptop mouse
  • laptop hood
  • 24" monitor
  • monitor hood
  • 1 stand for monitor
  • clamps to hold monitor
  • HDMI cable
  • printer
  • usb cable
  • photo paper
  • extra ink
  • gaffer tape
  • table
  • UPS
  • generator
  • props
  • business cards
  • knife, scissors

September 6, 2013

Carolyn and Her Car. And Sonya.

My friend Carolyn is proud of her car.
And asked me to take few pictures.  This is I did with not so little help from Sonya.
Allegedly the car received more pampering than its gorgeous owner.
The shoot had to be done in the middle of the day.  Sonya pointed to a nice location which worked really well.