Archive | October, 2009

Chase Jarvis TECH: Strobed Photo Sequences

By on October 27, 2009

Of all the behind the scenes stuff we’ve showed in recent vids, the one techie thing that far-and-away led to the most questions from readers was the part in this video where I’m photographing X Games uber-skiers Simon Dumont, Colby James West, TJ Shiller, Peter Olenick, and Nick Heine in New Zealand using strobes at 8 frames per second. That’s right, all that stuff for the SanDisk campaign you remember reading about earlier. Rail slides and 100 foot airs. 8 frames per second. Strobed.

I know why you had questions.

To be honest, I too didn’t think it was possible to shoot any pack at 8 fps for 40 or so frames straight, covering more than 100 feet of distance without frying something or something whimpering out. …Which is why I tested the concept a number of ways before the shoot. The above video briefly chronicles those tests, the actual shoot, and the cool results.

More images, 2 lighting diagrams, a full gear list, and a couple more tech points after the jump…[click the 'continue reading' link below]

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Using this idea, we got results like this:

From the diagram below, you’ll see that we’ve got one Broncolor Scoro A4s pack run off a Honda 3k generator. I’ve moved the heads so they’re each front-lighting the rider. My VALs (voice activated light-stands…ie humans! – thx McNally for that term…) are in place and are pointing the Broncolor Unilite heads with Par reflectors at the subject (sorta like shooting a machine gun). The first of the two heads picks up the rider from takeoff to about mid-flight. The second head picks up the riders from about midway thru flight to landing, some 100 feet down the hill.

The other lighting diagram I sketched (below) outlines similar stuff to the one above. We’ve again got the Broncolor Scoro A4s pack, two heads with VALs, but this time we’re running one of my time-tested “sandwich” techniques… a light on each side of the subject. Here, it’s Simon.

And that gave me results like this:

Unreal, eh? We actually had to remove about 8 frames during the making of this composite since there was so much overlap…

For you techie’s, here’s a gear list:
Nikon D3
Nikkor 14-24mm lens
Nikkor 24-70mm lens
Broncolor Scoro A4s pack
Broncolor Unilite heads
Broncolor Par Reflector
SanDisk Extreme Pro card 32GB
Pocket Wizards
Aperture (to process)
Photoshop (to make layered file)
Honda 3.0k generator

Here’s a link to B&H; if you want to buy stuff.

What to do if this sort of equipment is outta your budget? Try renting stuff. Experiment. Use some of that birthday money from your mom and teach yourself how to use this stuff. And here’s a secret: try pickup after 3 on Friday. Rent for Saturday. Most places are closed on Sunday, return gear Monday. 3 days for the price of 1. Don’t tell them I told you.

And some tech details:
_Camera set to its maximum sync at 250th of a second (fastest base sync speed for camera)
_Camera set to its highest frame rate – this case 8fps
_Camera on a tripod (for ease in compositing frames later in post production…)
_Broncolor pack output scaled to about 60% or less of full power to keep up with 8fps. Your results must vary. But you should know this is an absolutely incredible statistic. A 3200 watt-second pack at 60% (roughly 2000 w/s) at 8fps for 40 frames or more until my camera buffer was filled.
_Remember from this vid, and the vid I did last friday it’s the super short flash duration that’s really stopping the action – not the shutter.
_For more on the shutter/flash duration thing, check out the kissing cousin to this vid here, the Chase Jarvis TECH: High Speed Photography vid.
_We’re using Photoshop to create the layered file…shooting on a tripod, laying each frame of the jump on top of the other and masking away the unwanted parts of each frame to reveal just the rider on the background…

Lastly, hope this has been informative. I hadn’t intended to do a video on this, but there were so many questions about it–plus I truly didn’t think this was possible–so I just had to put something together. Lemme know what you think.
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Chase Jarvis CURRENT: SanDisk Q&A FollowUp

By on October 23, 2009

I’ve been on the road almost non-stop since we shot the SanDisk campaign in NZ last month, but I’d promised that there was a bit more followup to come as we wrap up post production back at the studio. In this vid, for example (in the spirit of the oldie-but-still-relevant Chase Jarvis CURRENT: 32 Questions vid) I jam through a selection of about 30 questions I’d been asked via the online channels, from creative direction to shoot concept to tech specs to gear.

And a heads up. At your request, I’ll be sprinkling in just couple more vids from NZ in the next couple weeks–at least a TECH about lighting and another RAW.

Lastly, lemme know what you think of this loose Q&A; video format. If it sucks, tell me. If it you’re able to tolerate me yammering on, I could streamline this video work on my end of things (add it to my podcast too), answer a heck of a lot more questions than I’m currently able to via email, and it would add a layer of discourse that’s currently not there. Feedback please.

Wanna Free Trip To Visit Us In Seattle?

By on October 19, 2009

First, a huge thanks to those of you who have sent me photos of yourselves with my new book “The Best Camera Is The One That’s With You”. It’s been fun and inspiring and great to see the book in far-off places like Japan and Paris. Lots of new faces and some familiar ones.

But more than that, you’ve got me fired up. I just stumbled across this link on my book’s Amazon.com page (directly beneath the image of the book) that allows you to “share your own customer images”. What? This could be fun. I’d love to see more of these images, and I’d love a place for you to see them…so call me crazy, but I thought we’d pull together a little game.

First, here’s what you can win:
Every week from now till the end of the year (11 weeks) I’ll pick my favorite photo of someone with my book, and I’ll send that person a signed, limited edition print from the book. I’d love to see images of you with the book in fun, far off places or on your couch, in the Sarhara Desert, or heck, at the Apple store (on sale there too!). Think garden gnome. Anything fun/interesting. And then, at some point during the game, I’ll pick one entry that’s the most interesting or fun and I’ll fly that person–all expenses paid, airfare, hotel, & meals–from anywhere in the world, to spend a day with us at the studio in Seattle. We’ll do lunch. And probably some other fun stuff too. “Winners” announced via Twitter and Facebook.

Second, here’s how you play:

[UPDATE: the rules below outline that you must post to both Amazon and Facebook. For those of you that can only post to FB because you're not an Amazon customer, don't sweat it. But keep two things in mind. 1) Don't think of this as a crazy "competition" I'll be looking at both places to find people to send prints to... If you can't post to Amazon, I'll understand and 2) this is as much as possible about having some fun over at Amazon.com... so keep that in mind. If you can post there, please do... now back to your regular programming...]

1. Buy the book if you can or want. (Amazon. B&N.;)
2. Take a photo of yourself with your The Best Camera book (or a borrowed book if you can’t swing one), or just the book if you’re shy but extra points for people in there, and make it fun, interesting, creative, or simple.
3. Upload that image to my Amazon.com “share your own customer images” link.
4. ‘Become a fan’ on my Facebook fan page. And under the “wall” tab in the ‘what’s on your mind’ window atop the page, write your name WHERE YOU’RE FROM and a url if you’d like. Click on the ‘add photos’ icon.

[Click 'continue reading' link below.]
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5. Based on geographic location, fun factor, interest level or anything else that catches my eye, I’ll select one “signed print” winner every week from now till the end of the year and I’ll announce that weekly winner on my Facebook fan page and via my Twitter.
6. And at some point during this whole mess, I’ll host one person to come visit us in Seattle – all expenses paid.

It’s that easy. And remember ANY CAMERA. It’s not about the camera – it’s about the fun pictures of you and my art book.

Enter as many times as you like. Entries should start immediately – the week has already begun.

As an aside, I’ve received tweets that the book has sold out from several places, but generally speaking…
_You can find the book online at Amazon, B&N;, and Borders.
_You can find the book at your local bookstore.
_You can find the book at most Apple retail stores (stoked! how sweet/lucky is that!)
_And of course, if you don’t find the book at a place you want to see it, request it. That always does the author some good.

And if you’re liking what you’re reading, I would always appreciate a rate/review of the book on Amazon. Thanks.

Please have fun with this. Spread the word. I’ll love to see you getting clever with this little book (and clever with Amazon – has anybody ever done this?)

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[btw, if you're at all worried about what places like Amazon and Facebook can do with your images, then read the fine print. Would they ever use a quirky image of you with my book to "advertise" Facebook? God I'd hope so, but I'd bet my shooting finger that it would never happen in a million years. My hope is that you're not bothered by those things given the context...these are supposed to be fun snapshots of you with a quirky book ;) ]

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Clean Your Room and Do the Dishes

By on October 16, 2009

Is it just me, or are we all a bit more creative when we have some distance between ourselves and our chaos?

Living life – be it adventure, struggle, conflict or resolution – gives us the bedrock of artistic inspiration. But if you’re anything like me, actualizing that inspiration requires moments of calm.

Case in point: Just sitting here working my ass off in the studio, 10pm on a Friday night…the last few weeks have been a doozie. Crazy schedule, travel, media, Best Camera, assignments, work, deluge, family, not enough hours. Needing. Inspiration. Struggling. To come up with. Some creative inspiration for an upcoming project. Kept indulging, pushing. Longer hours. Nothing. Creatively parched.

So I went to my old college habit. The grown-up version of cleaning your room during finals before you begin to study…[click 'continue reading' link below]
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I temporarily dug outta my life’s clutter. I cleaned out my inbox, cleared off my desktop, returned some voicemails, I made lists. It gave me a moment. A breath. I went for a walk in the rain, carefree for the first time in weeks. And sipped a glass of wine.

And it happened. 2 hours of calm is all it took, and whammo. Best ideas I’ve had in weeks.

It’s often hard to see the forest through the trees, but the next time you’re struggling creatively, go clean your room and do the dishes. Pay your bills and then take a walk. Get some distance from your mayhem, even if it’s for an hour. I’ll bet you 10 bucks you’ll be better off–and more creative–because of it.

Have a great weekend. I know I will.
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Best Business Practices For Photographers, by John Harrington

By on October 11, 2009

If chapter titles like…

_Working with Reps, Assistants, Employees, and Contractors: The Pitfalls and Benefits, or
_Transitioning to Freelance, or
_Licensing Your Work, or
_Setting Your Photographer’s Fees, or
_Releases: Model, Property, and Others

..don’t get you to buy this book, perhaps my assessment of the book will:

I think Best Business Practices for Photographers, Second Edition is essential reading for anyone even thinking about licensing an image, starting a business in photography, or dreaming of taking their photo game “pro”.

Long time photographer, author, and blogger John Harrington today delivers his 2nd edition of this book in epic detail. The thought of creating this book makes my head explode because it’s so loaded with details, facts, and examples. It’s dry reading – but a lot of this stuff mission critical, or at least sets the stage for your understanding. John is a vocal advocate of photographer’s rights. And while things in our industry are on the move, John’s got a smart, conservative, and worthwhile voice for dotting your business i’s and crossing your business t’s. We should be thankful that he’s done the work to assemble a strong reference guide. Consider thanking him and informing yourself by spending the $23 on Best Business Practices for Photographers, Second Edition right now.

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Happy Friday: Some New Music + Fresh Visuals

By on October 9, 2009

If you’re a regular here, you’ll know exactly want I mean when I say please enjoy some new SFEAD vids here on this lovely Friday, skip the next paragraph and head straight to the music.

If you’ve not been around for a while then you should know I’m passionate about music. And you’ll want to know (or be reminded) that SFEAD stands for Song For Eating And Drinking, a project I created with my pal Michael Hebb, where we invite world class musicians to a huge dinner table in a remarkable setting, we feed them well, we encourage them to sing songs to one another, and then we record these songs–video, stills, and audio–to share them with you and the rest of the world online. It’s about music, art, food and new media. See the most intimate side of some of your favorite musicians from huge bands like Pearl Jam and The Dandy Warhols and discover new music from emerging bands like Head Like a Kite, Blue Scholars, The Dutchess & The Duke and dozens more.

These tracks are from a recent SFEAD evening… above is from emerging artist the Pica Beats. Catch my stills from the recent evening, visit the SFEAD site, or after the jump catch 3 videos…Steve Turner from Mudhoney, John Roderick from The Long Winters, and Peter Holmstrom from The Dandy Warhols playing his side project Pete International Airport with Jason Adams [click the 'continue reading' link below...]

Related Posts:
[Brand New Songs For Eating and Drinking!]
[Songs for Eating and Drinking on the Boob Tube]
[Songs for Eating and Drinking #2.0 - Hip Hop]
[Songs for Eating and Drinking - Arthur & Yu]
[Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, Songs For Eating And Drinking]
[The official Songs for Eating and Drinking site]
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More Moving Magazines, This by Alexx Henry For Outside

By on October 5, 2009

As more and more of us photogs co-mingle our still capture with motion capture, we’re going to be seeing increasingly co-mingled media outlets increasingly more excited to increase their co-mingling of media.

You get my point.

Looks like Outside is along for the ride now, thus adding another solid print title to the short list of those that are doing more interesting things–either out of desperation or innovation–which is still up for debate. This cool vid from photographer Alexx Henry is his second such project if I’m not mistaken. He’s got an “imagine the future…” sort of blog post that accompanies the vid here on his blog. Nice moves, Alexx.

Which brings me to my favorite thing about this sort of new media: in my experience (and I’ve heard here from Alexx’s and many other friends out there too) the media outlets are actually interested in collaborating with their artists once again, rather than dictating to them as seemed to be the norm in the few years past…. That’s a key word, collaboration. I think it yields far more interesting results. Hope this is more than a trend.

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