Blueish glow

The eerie glow of smartphones in the audience. The Glenn Gould Studio, Oct 6th.

First impressions from using the 5D2 for video

I've had 2 occasions to use the Canon 5D2 for shooting videos and although I'm an inveterate reader of photographic magazines and textbooks, there's nothing like just going ahead with shooting and learning. Both occasions had stationary subjects and not the run-and-go situations that I would have preferred.

First off, here is my gear, as basic and as inexpensive as it can get for quality audio and manageable video: 5D2, Zacuto Z-Finder Jr, Azden shotgun mike, Rotolight, Azden WMPRO wireless, Manfrotto 190 tripod with a fluid head.

I had 5 key concerns with using a DSLR for video. I am addressing them below. See my blog on Sept 17th:

http://elementalview.blogspot.com/2010/08/future-of-photojournalisticreportage.html

Concern #1: Auto-focus, or lack thereof. It wasn't really addressed here as subject was stationary although when the camera had to be pointed in another direction, it wasn't difficult to manually focus by knowing the focusing twist direction on the lens. Maintaining a 5.6 opening allowed for a deeper depth of field allowing for focusing mistakes. Still, if I had to shoot a bride coming down the aisle towards the camera, I'd prefer the soon-to-be-released Panasonic  GH2 or the current GH1. Doesn't work for me.

Concern #2: Audio control. The  latest firmware update for the 5D2 enables manual audio control. Still, I'd prefer a graphic readout with flashing lights going up and down. Doesn't work for me.

Concern #3: Exposure control. I kept it simple. Maintain an aperture of f4 or f5.6, 1/60 sec shutter speed,  auto ISO. Use the exposure compensation to vary the exposure. Works for me.

Concern #4: Form Factor. In a few years, I think we will look back on the use of DSLRs to shoot video as an experiment that we should have known as being unworkable.  The form and shape of a DSLR is just not suitable for shooting video. The just-released Sony NEX VG10 is the logical step in this evolution. Keep the the videocamera shape and functions but incorporate an APS-C sensor. 

The 5D2 with the battery grip (2 batteries) , 24-105f4 IS, audio receiver, Rotolight, plus the 430 EX flash is just too heavy as a package. My favourite  (and very portable)  Manfrotto 190 is inadequate to handle this setup.The DSLR form definitely doesn't work for me.

Concern #5: Motion JPEG capture. No comment yet.

Other observations:

The limit of 12 minutes for continuous shooting time is not suitable for speeches. At 4 gigs per 12 minutes, my 80 gigs will take me to 4 hrs of continuous shooting.

2 5D2 batteries is good for approximately 80 gigs of video.


Conclusion:
The video that I produced at 1980x1080p, 30fps, looks amazing. (You'll just have to take my word for it for now. I'll be uploading it later). I admire people who are able to produce amazing videos with a DSLR but I can't do it for paying gigs where retakes and reshoots are not available options. For personal, "artsy" projects, yes, I'll use it.
Photo equipment  should be such that their operation and use becomes intuitive, an extension of one's brain/hands. I can see myself using a Sony VG10-type of camera for shooting videos: big sensor, workable continuous auto-focus, ideal form factor.

A parade of little coffins

A Canadian-born friend and I were discussing the merits of the health care system in Canada. For all it's purported shortcomings and supposedly decline,  it remains a gem of a system, the envy of most other countries. A Canadian child, regardless of any health issues at birth and onwards, has  excellent prognosis. My friend asked me what the situation is like for children in the Philippines.

I have this recurring mental vignette of a small procession of people, coming from any of the 4 corners, heading towards one of the 3 churches in town; more often than not, the preferred destination was the Catholic Church (on the way to the cemetery). On the shoulders of a few in the procession would be a small wooden coffin, sometimes painted in colours, often just plain white. I witnessed these processions, mornings and/or evenings, as regular and predictable in recurrence as the Hail Mary comes after the Lord's Prayer on the rosary. Inevitability, not sadness, would be stamped on the faces of the mourners.

Life is not kind in a poor country, more so for the most vulnerable: children. The brutal reality is that the weak die and the fittest (and the lucky few who have access to timely intervention) survive. If a child survives the first 5 years...
Unfair, yes. Real, yes.

Nothing has changed since then.

In praise of the CBC

If there's one thing in this world that would inspire me to go out and see the rest of Canada, it would be Song Quest 2010 on CBC Radio 2. Song Quest 2010 asks listeners to nominate the roads (and by extension, the regions) that they want to be celebrated in song. An artist from each of the 13 provinces and territories will create a song for the most awe-inspiring stretch of road from each province/territory. 

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/songquest/

I doubt if any of us have enough moments in our lifetimes to take in the soul and beauty of this great country. The closest that I can get to personally explore all of this Canada is by listening to Bob Makowitz, Tom Power, Kelly Catreras (spelling?), Rich Terfry, et al, plus the listeners who call in and/or write (passionately) on their thoughts on their favourite roads. 

The Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, the Dempster Highway in the Yukon, Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto, the Louis Riel Trail in Saskatchewan, St. Catherine Street in Montreal, to mention a few, are places I would like to experience. 

I can hardly wait for the release of  the songs created by the 13 artists!

Fun portraits

Portraits taken for the Awards Night for a  bank and credit union group. It was a night to celebrate and recognize their outstanding employees. It was also a night to ham it up a bit. Super fun bunch...it was a privilege to have been asked to do this gig. Sheraton Airport Hotel, Sept 28th.