Quick Hit Monday: I’m Still Working Hard In Cabo; Video Camera Shooting Stills & Painting With Light

Good Morning Everybody,

Are we back in good Ol’ KY yet – well… not yet. We decided to extend our stay here in Cabo thru Wednesday, grab the “red eye” back home and throw ourselves into the Holiday rush on Thursday – Ahhh… what a wonderful thought.

And even though we are spending a few more days down in the land of sun and fun, I want you to know that I am not shirking my blogging duties. Just know that I make myself completely oblivious to so much happening around me just to get the posts up each day for our dear DPT readers.  It’s a sacrifice but each of you guys and girls are worth it  ;~)

HOT OFF THE PRESSES !!! – The last two major door prize winners from my Digital WakeUp Call Tour will be announced this coming Wednesday!  Want to know what those two lucky people are going to win – here is the link to the list of prizes worth over $7000.  You may be one lucky photogs if you attended my DWUC tour and are selected as one of the two winners.  Be sure to check back Wednesday to see if you won!!!

Hey gang, it’s kind of an easy read today so let’s get right to Quick Hit Monday – here we go.

TIME Magazine Cover Shot With Video Camera

That’s right, TIME magazine's recent issue, “Goodbye To The Decade From Hell,” [link], the cover image of the baby crying was shot with the super sophisticated RED video camera. Be sure to check out the behind the scenes video of the shoot too – it’s part of the link above.

Time claims it was the first magazine to use video to shoot a “still” cover shot.  PDN says otherwise – here is the link to their article sighting several more instances of a video camera being used to shoot the cover shot.

Folks, here is the thing for me.  So many photogs aren’t even interested with the digital capabilities of the new DSLRs on the market. That sense of complacency may just lead videographers to “eating our lunch” one day.

Sure, the fancy, dancy RED One video camera is sophisticated and expensive. It caused quite a stir at the NAB convention – people were lined up just to get into the RED booth!!!

I don’t want to make this an entire post about the RED One camera, but the specs on the camera are very fascinating to read – 12 meg capture at 12 bit RAW makes it a force to be reckoned with.  Here is the link to the RED Digital Cinema site right here – check it out – very interesting reading.

Now Some Real World Insights Into The New DSLRs With Video

Hot on the heels of the last article, I want to point you towards a very informative post I found over at DPReview right here entitled, “A Beginner’s Guide To HD Video.”  It’s listed as a beginner's guide but the info is more that most of us know about the technology, especially those of us new to video.

Topics include depth of field and exposure, video resolutions, capture formats, and lots more.  Like I said, it says beginner’s guide but its a great resource for anyone owning or wanting to own one of the new video equipped DSLR’s on the market.  It’s an easy, worthwhile read.

Painting With Light – Basic Tools Of The Trade

Many of you have read my posts on my mini Z-ray and the fun we’ve been having painting with light on my wedding images recently [link]. Hey, I just a small fish in the very big “painting with light” pond. 

DIYPhotography.net has a great post on the subject right here.  The post includes lot’s of examples and videos on the subject. Don’t forget to check out the comments section too – lots more info and examples on the subject.

But what do you need to pull if off?  Well, back to DIYPhotography.net for yet another post right here, entitled, “Painting With Light – The Tools Of The Trade.”  This post is unique because of the range of light sources discussed and the lighting effect produced by each lighting tool. Lots more great examples, too.

Be fore-warned, if you start following these links you will be spending about a week killing time, feeling like a kid in the candy store – not such a bad thing either.  Have fun with this one.

Hey gang, on that note, I’m out of here.  I’m going to try to post another Technique Tuesday tomorrow . I plan to share the beach shoot I’ve been talking about. I just hope we don’t have any major problems with upload speed again.  It should be a good one – see ya’ then!  Adios, -David

"All You Need Is Love"

"All You Need Is Love" 
©David A. Ziser

Here is a really fun image from this past weekend's wedding. Near the end of the evening, I asked four of the wedding party members to volunteer for this shot.  I gave each of them a small LED flash-light. I picked up these inexpensive flash lights at Micro Center for a buck each.  Each person traced out the letter during the 5 second time exposure.  I queued my assistant to flash them with my Quantum at the end of the exposure. Just a fun shot that I believe the couple will really enjoy.  Camera specs; Canon 5D Mark II fitted with 24-105mm IS lens at 35mm, F22 @ 5 seconds, ISO 1250. Enjoy!  -David

"You Gotta Have Heart"

"You Gotta Have Heart"
© David A. Ziser

This image is a real "blast from the past." With all the light painting articles today though, I thought is was an appropriate post. This image was made in 1980 - almost 28 years ago, but I still remember taking it. It was a 4th of July wedding and the couple wanted me to capture the spirit of the day in a photograph. Heck, they even brought the "sparklers." That's all I needed.

We found a safe place in the parking lot away from cars so no sparks would fall where they could do harm. I had the couple rehearse the motion of making the heart shape a few times till we all thought it looked good. We were ready, I had my Hasselblad cable release attached and fitted with an 80mm lens positioned on a tripod and ready to go.

The game plan was to light the sparklers, have the couple start the heart at the bottom, tracing up and coming together in the middle pointing the sparklers down, and kissing at the end. At that moment, my assistant fired the flash manually and I released the cable release - presto! we had it. Camera specs; Hasselblad fitted with 80mm Distagon lens, F8 @ "bulb" exposure, Kodak Vericolor 400 film. Enjoy! -David

More Inspirational Photographers

Check out the article and images of celebrity photographer Douglas Kirkland right here. I have been following his work since I was a kid just getting started. His images are always a wonderful display with eye-catching composition and color for portrait photography. Give a peek to his images right here.

Another photographer to check out is Linda Rutenberg right here. She created the entire series of images at night. As for lighting foliage at night, Rutenberg says, “Essentially, there are three different types of lighting: Some of it is done by moonlight with very long exposures, and some of the shots are done with existing light in the garden—not using the light they’re providing, but the falloff from the light. But most of the lighting in the book is done with pocket flashlights.” More "outside the box" thinking - check out Linda's images right here.

Way "Outside The Box" Thinking - Very Cool Light Painting

So, how are they doing this? It's utterly fascinating. I originally spotted this story over at Phottle.com right here. After poking around the net a bit more, I found many more of Lichtfakor's video's over on You-Tube. If you have a few minutes over the weekend, check them out. There's got to be an idea in there somewhere for us photographers.

Hey everybody, that's about it for this week. On Monday, I'm running an article entitled, "How Many Pixels To Make A Face?" It's all about the camera resolution, so see you next week with tutorials, discussions, and more great news you can't live without. Have a great weekend and I'll see you next week. --David

An Speaking of Sports and Light Painting

You have got to check out David Blacks' site - here is the link. Not only is he an exceptional photographer, so don't miss any of his links as you cruise his site. He shows a tremendous amount of outstanding sports photography. But, David's site doesn't stop there.

He has perfected the art of Light Painting and has produced a wonderful series of images with his light painting technique - check out his Light Painting images here. Wait, there is more. He has even posted a step by step guide as to how he does it right here. The Strobist had a very good post on the subject in a similarly related context last week right here. Hey folks, David's site is a great Monday morning find - enjoy!

Ben Willmore Discusses “Painting with Light”

Ben Willmore, one of the top Photoshop Guru's out there has an interesting video discussing how he "paints with light" on some of his images. Painting with light involves the photographer adding supplemental illumination to various parts of the scene to enhance the final result. The camera must be on a tripod and the exposure fairly long - like 30 seconds. During the exposure, the photographer moves through the scene adding light to the areas that need it. We used to do this quite a bit in our wedding photography when we wanted to photograph the whole ballroom before guests came in. The combination of digital photography and Photoshop make the technique less necessary for us these days, but it's still nice to have it in our creative arsenal. Ben's tools are a bit different - give his video a quick peek right here. You can also check out Ben's latest site - Where's Ben? - right here.