Back from the Galapagos

For the past month, I’ve been bouncing around the islands of Galapagos helping teach University of North Carolina students during their multimedia documentary class. Last year’s class produced a beautiful website, www.andamanrising.org, and this year’s students will undoubtedly have created an even more impressive site: www.livinggalapagos.org. (Note: the livinggalapagos.org site is scheduled to launch in mid-august)

So whenever I had a free moment, I took a few of my own photos along the way. Most impressive were the huge marine iguanas and the sea lions, which, btw, are quite stinky. I’d have to say the most fun was snorkeling with the giant sea turtles, sea lions and even sharks. The sea lions were so engaging and seemed to enjoy swimming with the humans as much as we were enjoying them.

I tried to pack light for the trip (much lighter than if I were on assignment). I took only one body, the 5D Mark II, and the 24-105 f/4, 70-200 f/2.8, 300 f/4 and 1/4 tele. I did shoot a little video along the way and hope to post it soon. But until then, enjoy a little slide show from the trip.

Quito and the Galapagos Islands – Images by David Stephenson

Is the 5D Mark II a 30 fps still camera?

So are you dreaming of shooting sports at 30 frames per second at 1/4000th shutter speeds? Well now you can with the Canon 5D Mark II and the updated firmware 1.1.0 which allows for manual exposure control in video mode. The tough part will be finding the balance between using a high enough shutter speed to freeze the action and trying to keep your video smooth which is accomplished at the slower shutter speeds. But what if you don’t care about the video and only want to frame grab? Might be good cases for that. Like maybe the backswing of a golfer? Tennis? Baseball (at the plate)?

What else might this be good for? You can’t count on the auto focus tracking a subject while shooting in video mode, so I wouldn’t expect football, soccer or basketball to work well.

Ah, but it’s cheating, you say? I say no. It’s using a tool. If a Mark III could shoot 30 frames per second, I’m betting no one would complain.

I shot a little test video of my pigeons being released in my backyard using two 5D Mark II’s shot at slow and fast shutter speeds. Hopefully you can see the difference in the video quality: The higher shutter speed producing jumpy, flickery video and the slower shutter speed providing a smoother look.

Canon 5D Mark II frame grabs at high shutter speeds from David Stephenson on Vimeo.

You can download the frame grabs to see the difference up close. They were captured in Final Cut Pro.

Immersion Wrap Up

It was, officially speaking, a bad-ass week.

I just got home from six days of the 2009 Multimedia Immersion and NPPA Convergence held in Las Vegas. It was exhausting, exhilarating, inspirational and humbling.

We coached 45 students from around the country on how to produce multimedia storytelling. We used gear from our sponsors, Canon, Think Tank Photo and Roberts Imaging, and along the way we tried to instruct and inspire the students so they could go home and spread the multimedia goodness to their friends and coworkers.

And we ate a lot of noodles.

At some point, all of the handouts that the coaches provided will be available as downloads on the Multimedia Immersion website. I made up a tip sheet for the 5D Mark II, as more than 15 of the students used that as their only video camera. And on Thursday at the NPPA Convergence, I gave a presentation on Photoblogging geared to the beginners. Both of those can be dowloaded from my blog.

Make sure to check in with the Immersion website to see when the participant’s videos are posted – there is some bad-ass work in there!

Canon 5D Mark II tip sheet

I prepared this document ahead of the 2009 NPPA Multimedia Immersion program held in Las Vegas in June.

In it you will find tips and do’s and don’ts based on my experience with the Canon 5D Mark II. It is current with the most recent firmware upgrade, 1.1.0.

Included is:

Pros/Cons of the camera

Exposure control

Working with Audio

Focusing

Accessories

Shooting workflow

Final Cut Pro workflow and export settings

Photo Blogging 101

I gave a presentation on photo blogging at the NPPA Convergence 09 in Las Vegas in June. I am posting a pdf of that keynote here, along with a list of links and resources that I mentioned in the talk.

An outline of the presentation includes:

A discussion of what a photo blog is or can be.

Questions to ask yourself if you are thinking about a photo blog

CMS – Content Management Systems

Wordpress.com vs. Wordpress.org: Whats the diff?

Installing Wordpress

Finding good themes for photo blogs or photo portfolio sites, both free and premium

How you won’t make money, and how you can make money

Wordpress plugins, themes, SEO

Download the PDF

I refer to the following in the presentation:

Blogs/Sites:

project dateline
Jonathan Palmer
bellcoveclub
Scott Strazzante
heraldleaderphoto
mophojo
ishootiphone
Strobist
Noah Devereaux
Daniel Houghton
Denverpost.com: Captured
Boston.com: Big Picture
msnbc Photo Blog
Steve McCurry
Zach Brake

Other resources and themes:

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/04/29/ultimate-guide-to-using-wordpress-for-a-portfolio/
http://www.wordpress.com
http://www.wordpress.org
http://www.blogger.com
Multimediashooter.com video tutorial on installing Wordpress

Free themes
http://webrevolutionary.com/sharpfolio/
http://redworks.sk/wp-themes/linquist/
http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/monotone
http://demo.wordspop.com/fotofolio/
http://labs.paulicio.us/viewport/

Premium themes
http://frozr.com/photopro/
http://graphpaperpress.com/
http://www.studiopress.com

Testing the manual exposure controls for Canon 5D Mark II firmware update

Canon released a major firmware update 1.1.0 for the 5D Mark II on June 1, 2009, which will finally allow users to have manual exposure control while recording video.

I tested out the new controls and have found them to be easy to use and very functional. One interesting surprise is the increase in available shutter speeds. Previously, the camera limited shutter speeds from 1/30th to 1/125th. Now, shutter speeds up to 1/4000th can be used in manual exposure mode. It’s unclear where the shutter speeds will top out when in one of the automatic modes since you can’t see your exposure settings in those modes.

To use the manual exposure while recording video, you must have the camera set in Manual (hello Mr. Obvious). I use the top control dial to change the shutter speed and the rear control wheel to change my aperture. You can see your exposure changes on the LCD screen and you can see your shutter speed, aperture and ISO settings as well.

If you have your ISO set to AUTO, though, then the camera reverts back to a kind of automatic exposure setting even if you are in Manual exposure mode. What happens is this: if you are setting your aperture and shutter speed and you have ISO set to auto, then the camera automatically adjusts the ISO up and down to give you a correct exposure. This will not allow you to over- or under-expose your image until you max out the range of the ISO. And you won’t be able to use exposure compensation, either. So I would advise NOT using the ISO AUTO setting while in manual exposure mode – kind of defeats the purpose.

Here are some other tips I have found to be true with this firmware update:

• If you use the shutter or aperture priority modes, the camera will go into a modified auto exposure mode – you won’t really be giving priority to the shutter speed or aperture. It appears that it reverts to the old way of auto-exposing but it’s hard to verify that.
• If you set the ISO to “AUTO” and are in manual exposure mode, you can see the ISO numbers on the LCD by pressing the AE lock button (asterisk) or tapping the shutter button. By default, it appears that the display will show ISO AUTO until you press one of those buttons.
• When using manual exposure mode, AE lock and exposure compensation cannot be set (’cause, well, your manual settings are doing that for you).
• If you set the ISO to “AUTO” when shooting movies in manual exposure mode it is possible to set the aperture and shutter speed and the ISO will adjust for the exposure. So this amounts to having combo Aperture/Shutter Priority mode.
• When ISO is set to “AUTO” the range will be 100-6400 even if the ISO expansion is set.
• When manually setting the ISO and enabling ISO expansion range will include H1 (ISO 12800).
• Shutter speed range will be 1/30 – 1/4000 sec.  The faster the shutter speed the less smooth the subjects movement will appear to be.
• If “screen setting” is set to “stills display” or “exposure simulation” manual exposure for the movie mode will not be possible.

Canon releases firmware update for 5D Mark II allowing manual exposure in Video recording

Canon has now released their firmware update which will finally allow users of their 5D Mark II camera to have manual exposure control when recording video.

Includes a function to enable the manual exposure setting when shooting movies.

*When shooting movies in manual (M) mode, the shutter speed *1, the lens aperture value *2, and the ISO speed *3 can be freely set to allow a greater flexibility.

Notes:
*1 Shutter speed range: 1/30 sec. to 1/4000 sec.
*2 Lens aperture range: Maximum to minimum aperture value of the lens used
*3 ISO speed range:
Auto: ISO 100 to 6400 set automatically
Manual: ISO 100 to 6400, H1

That’s fantastic news for most of us who have had to master the art of trickery and MacGyverism to get the camera to expose the way we want it to.

I’ll be sure to report back after using it.

Firmware upgrade will add manual exposure to 5D Mark II video

I received an email from our Canon rep, Mary Mannix, delivering the much-needed good news that the Canon 5D Mark II will finally be given manual exposure controls for it’s video mode via a firmware upgrade coming in “early June”.

With the popular request for manual exposure control within video for the EOS 5D Mark II, Canon U.S.A. Inc. will be releasing a free firmware upgrade in early June. The upgrade will enable users to have manual exposure controls while shooting video, including ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. The manual exposure control in video on the EOS 5D Mark II is expected to make a huge impact with photographers. –Mary

Here’s the link to the press release. I’ll be sure to review it here shortly after it’s debut.

Q & A: The Canon 5D Mark II

I recently had a few questions about the Canon 5D Mark II from Ethan Magoc, who plans to upgrade his camera body this summer.

“I’m going to be photo editor at a small college newspaper in the fall and would like to develop a better multimedia presence on the Web. I’m looking at upgrading bodies this summer and the 5d Mark II is the front-runner at this point. Since I already have some experience as a videographer, the HD video feature intrigued me.” – Ethan

Q: Obviously there are the concerns about the lack of manual control, but have you found that to be a major hindrance?

A: I have found it to be a minor hindrance. I think that the attitude you bring to the table will determine how positively or negatively you react to the camera. If you are willing to adapt, learn, compensate and accept the camera for what it is, you’ll be fine. I have found that the disadvantages of the camera are outweighed by the advantages for my circumstances. While the camera will help you shoot video much like you shoot still photos, you absolutely have to work differently. You have to anticipate and plan more than ever and you have to get used to sometimes tricking the camera to get it to do what you want.

Q: What is your main audio set up? I saw that you use a Sennheiser MKE 400. Would you recommend that?

A: I really have come to appreciate the Sennheiser MKE 400 as a catch-all mic. If that’s all you can afford, I’d start with that. Some folks have reported some hissing, but I have not experienced that. I have heard white noise when the room is very quiet and the auto gain control in the camera has pumped up and is listening for something. I blame the AGC for that, not the mic. An alternative is the Rode video mic.

Next I would add some kind of wireless mic to your kit. While I use the Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 series, you might want to look into the Sony UWP v-series as it has an option for headphone monitoring. The Canon 5D Mark II does not allow for monitoring of the audio – one of the major complaints about the video side of the camera. Beachtek has just recently added to their line a box specifically for the Mark II. It compensates for all of the issues that the camera has regarding audio. It allows for xlr inputs, sound level control, and it disables the auto gain control built into the camera.

All of this costs money and adding all of these could easily cost more than $1000. But starting with the $200 MKE 400 is a good beginning. It will work well in most situations unless your audio source is far away. You will have to perform interviews relatively closely. All of the audio in the Road to Recovery video was recorded completely with the MKE 400. The audio in the Lessons in Life and Basketball video was all recorded on wireless.

Q: How does your post process work? I’m also looking at upgrading from my PC laptop to some sort of Mac editing system. What do you use? What seems to be the minimum setup for editing the 5d’s .MOV files?

A: I have a two-year old MacBook Pro 1.33 Ghz Intel Core Duo. Most of my video from the 5D Mark II has been edited on this machine. If you are buying new, just make sure you are buying the most current machine you can. I’m really not sure if a MacBook could handle it. Perhaps you could take a CF card to an Apple Store and try it out. I’d recommend buying a new MacBook Pro. I’ve listed my system and software versions here. Absolutely make sure your software is up to date (FCP, OS 10.5.x).

I don’t want to undervalue the process of transcoding your video before you begin editing it. While that’s not something I do regularly, it comes highly recommended if you have time.

Q: I shoot a lot of sports videos. I watched your piece on Coach Sallee and liked some of the game shots. Have you tested video much while shooting sports?

A: I would not recommend this camera for shooting sports action. You essentially have NO auto focus, and follow focus is not practical given the way the lenses focus. The LCD monitor is a bit awkward, too. I have shot a bit of horses and basketball, but I always had to pre-focus and/or shoot wide. It’s certainly possible to shoot some feature pieces on an athlete, but don’t count on it for game coverage.

Q: Any lens recommendations? Especially for wide angle and general use purposes. My current line up includes a 70-200 f4, 300 f4 and a 50 1.8, plus an EF-S wide angle for a Rebel that wouldn’t fit on the 5d. Did you get the 24-105 to go with it?

A: Those lenses will work great on that camera (minus the Rebel lens). I highly recommend the 24-105 f/4 IS. I use it all the time now and so far do not miss the f/2.8 of my 16-35 f/2.8. The IS on the 24-105 is a huge help when hand-holding the camera. The unbelievable quality at the high ISO range helps out the lack of the wide f/2.8 aperture. What you may miss with the f/4 lenses is the shallow depth of field which is one of the key factors in creating the cinematic look of the 5D Mark II.

Q: My tripod is on its last legs, so to speak, so would you recommend your Gitzo setup?

A: So far I love my Gitzo tripod. With one exception: It’s price. I bought a Gitzo GT2540LLVL carbon fiber leveling tripod and put a Gitzo 2180 fluid head on it. That’s a $1000 investment. I last bought a tripod 25 years ago. If this one lasts that long, then it will end up being a good buy. I highly recommend buying a tripod with some kind of leveling head. It’s great for quick setup.

A couple of other accessories I have added:

• A Glidecam 2000 HD steady cam.
• A camera and lens plate system from Really Right Stuff that allows me to quickly switch between the tripod and the steady cam.
• A set of Neutral density filters to help cut down the light (and open up the aperature) in bright light.

The General

The General from David Stephenson on Vimeo.

The day after it was officially announced that I would be “voluntarily laid off” at the Lexington Herald-Leader, I received an email from Craig Duff, a multimedia director at Time.com. The timing seemed more than coincidental. My primary profession post-Herald-Leader would be that of photojournalism advisor/coach/cheerleader/pot-washer at the Kentucky Kernel. But to keep my shooting appetite whetted, I plan to ramp up the freelance and work on some selected projects that have been rattling around in my head for some time.

On my to do list among many other things: Start networking the national news outlets – the ones I’ve worked for in the past, and a whole slew of others – to let them know I’m available and looking for some shooting and multimedia work. So imagine my delight at seeing an email from a multimedia director from Time.com. Craig had seen the Turtle Man video that Amy Wilson and I had produced and wanted to talk about it. At the end of his email, he mentioned a possible interest in a piece previewing the Kentucky Derby. Doubly odd about his timing was the fact that I had that very day posted the Keeneland Blossoms video which previewed the spring meet and Keeneland Race Track.

After a brief discussion with Craig, I decided I would attempt a video based on the outcome of the Blue Grass Stakes race at Keeneland. So I spent the day at Keeneland focusing on the favorites. Naturally, they didn’t win. An underdog named General Quarters, owned and trained by Tom McCarthy, won the Blue Grass Stakes and was headed for the Kentucky Derby.

After the race, I made contact with Tom’s son and asked if I could come back for an interview in a couple of days. Three days later, Amy and I were at the stall of General Quarters on the backside of Churchill Downs. We shot Mr. McCarthy working through his regiment with the General, which took about four hours. The horse wasn’t ready to go out to the track that day, so I came back a few days later to shoot the General on the track.

Amy did a great job of writing – as usual. Our goal, whenever we work on a piece together, is to be as complete as we can in the time we have. While our videos tend to be a bit unconventional, I like them for that. As I’ve become more and more accustomed to working with the 5DMKII, I’m realizing why I like it so much. It is allowing me to “see” much the same way I looked at things when shooting stills.

Only now, the photos move.

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Some technical stuff about the video:

All shot with the Canon 5D Mark II

70-200 f/2.8 with 1.4 teleconverter

24-105 f/4

300 f/2.8

Interview mic was Sennheiser wireless lav

Ambient sound from the track and bath was recorded with the Sennheiser MKE 400

Gitzo carbon fiber tripod with Gitzo 2180 fluid head

Glidecam 2000 HD steady cam

Really Right Stuff plates allowed quick switching between tripod and steady cam

Neutral density filter

Edited in Final Cut Pro

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