I'm digging into the video clips from Wings Over Houston and learning some things. Dividing my attention between still and video is always going to be conflicting, the habits one ingrains during 45 years as a still photographer don't just melt into the background. Switching from still to video isn't just a matter of bumping a button, it's a whole different mindset. Looks like I got some good clips, and the R5II video looks very good right out of the camera, but I need to work on my technique. The good news is, I know what I need to do, and I have most of the gear to do it with, it's just a matter of disciplining myself and recognizing my current shortcomings.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
I'm digging into the video clips from Wings Over Houston and learning some things. Dividing my attention between still and video is always going to be conflicting, the habits one ingrains during 45 years as a still photographer don't just melt into the background. Switching from still to video isn't just a matter of bumping a button, it's a whole different mindset. Looks like I got some good clips, and the R5II video looks very good right out of the camera, but I need to work on my technique. The good news is, I know what I need to do, and I have most of the gear to do it with, it's just a matter of disciplining myself and recognizing my current shortcomings....Show more →
Learning curve: One of the very reasons I have stayed away from video. I have great thoughts on cinematic shots, but learning the technique and then all of the new editing is just too daunting. This old dog has enough challenge with the old tricks, never mind the new!!!
I hear you Chas, it's been quite a journey over the past five or six years. I actually love it, and the technology has grown right along with my need for more video, but is a bit overwhelming at times. When one of my very good clients pulled me aside years ago and told me that he wanted me to be able to create cinematic work that matched my still work in feel, I knew that I was in for a ride. Glad that I jumped on though, so much of my work has a video component these days, I'd be leaving a lot of money on the table if I hadn't gotten up to speed.
Chas, please forgive me for not asking you how you faired in the recent storms. I hope you and yours escaped the worst. I love NC and spent a great deal of time in and around Asheville visiting my Uncle when he lived there. What North Carolinians have gone through is unthinkable.
Just had a private plane fly over my house at 100'. I drove over to the Charpin airport (private) to have a brief discussion. When I got there there were 4 guys standing under the wing. When I asked who was flying it the first one speaking up said no one. I was very calm until he said that and my attitude quickly changed. A second fellow pointed to a third who admitted he was flying. I calmed down and told him I love airplanes, but not when they are flying 100' over my house. I added I have over 100 acres you can fly as low as you want and I won't care. The problem is at 100' you don't have an escape when you have a failure when you are coming directly over a house. If you are over the dirt in the field, you can maybe land safely or at least survive the landing.
He became very apologetic, agreed it was wrong and unsafe then came over to shake my hand. We had a casual conversation then he and another invited me back to hang out sometime.
It is nice when people can have a respectful conversation.
It's amazing how an attitude or a tone can change the entire outcome of a situation like that. So many things in life could go differently if people would just think before bowing up and being a jerk.
Great work Zane! Oddly, we had fog Saturday morning early, but the jets really struggled all weekend to produce much vapor. The Viper demo got the most, the Blues tried, but didn't get much.
Interesting, I had a couple of other friends there and they said it was very hot, but yeah I haven't seen much in the way of vapor pics.
While at Reklaw I took some night shots.
Including some of the Comet Tsuchinsham-Atlas ( it was very dim, not visible to the naked eye, but it came out a little for the camera. )
My favorite is this one of the comet overhead while a scrum of kids dance around on the runway in the dark.
And I merged some photos of the glowing RC airplanes and the kids at play.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Cool Zane! It was warm, upper 80's but with a breeze, very tolerable.
My memories of living 60 years in Houston: Mosquitoes, humidity, hurricanes and traffic. (I didn't mention the heat because I still live in Texas and the heat is everywhere.)
Ray Swindle wrote:
My memories of living 60 years in Houston: Mosquitoes, humidity, hurricanes and traffic. (I didn't mention the heat because I still live in Texas and the heat is everywhere.)
I haven't had a shoot in Houston for a bit, I had forgotten just how bad the traffic is, just never ending miles of it.
Funny, when I made my plans for the airshow and when I arrived, several people echoed your sentiments about Houston Ray. My hotel was over by Hobby, a Marriott, the facility was nice but the area was pretty rough. Luckily they had 24 hour security in the parking lot, guess that kind of proves the point.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Funny, when I made my plans for the airshow and when I arrived, several people echoed your sentiments about Houston Ray. My hotel was over by Hobby, a Marriott, the facility was nice but the area was pretty rough. Luckily they had 24 hour security in the parking lot, guess that kind of proves the point.
Hobby is about 1.5 miles from where I grew up Jim. In fact, The Broadway/Park Place round-a-bout at I-45 was a couple of blocks from my home. I had the challenge of navigating that 6 street intersection under the interstate to walk to/from elementary, Jr. High and High school (think of the video game 'Frogger'). And back in those days there were no traffic lights, just yield signs (Okay, they were really stop signs, but when you had an opening you took it!). We use to count how many times someone blew their horns at us.
My little league baseball field was a couple of blocks behind the hotel. I use to ride my bike to/from the field at night when I was 10-12 years old. Gee, I wonder why I am so independent.
I am surprised you didn't elect to stay at a nicer place in the Clear Lake area. However, that area is slowly deteriorating now. People are moving south to League City and north of Galveston.
( Extreme crop )
