News from Here & There

My lousy way of getting it done is better than your great way of not doing it.
- Terry Rossio

Shooting Outside
Canon Live Learning and StillMotion has a short video that gives advice on shooting outside on a sunny day (not that those of us in New England have to worry about those..)  It shows the effect of shutter vs aperture priority, and also the use of a neutral density filter. Nice little introduction for those who haven't really played with aperture and shutter much. The audio is clear, but seems rather trebly; I assume that's because of the little lapel mic he seems to be using.

introduction to shooting outside from stillmotion on Vimeo.



Jag35 Monitor X
Jag35 is coming out with an LCD "screen viewing aid" which provides a shade with magnification. It will fit most 3" screens including the Canon 5Dmk2, 7D, 60D and Nikon D7000. Price $150, available in November.
Jag35: Monitor X



The Groucho Walk
I was listening to a discussion of Roy Blount's new book Hail, Hail, Euphoria!: Presenting the Marx Brothers in Duck Soup, the Greatest War Movie Ever Madeand one Google search lead to another and it was funny to find this explanation of the "Groucho Walk" for Steadicam operation:
If you need to walk and film at the same time and don't have access to a truck or any kind of stabilizer. Walk like Groucho Marx. The exaggerated walk helps steady the shot.
Painless Technology: The Groucho Walk
Cinematographer Billy Williams mentions being advised to walk that way when he first started shooting hand-held: WebOfStories: Billy Williams / Cinematographer




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