Artful Camera | Analog And Digital Photography And Filmmaking

Episode 21 with guest Federick van Johnson on the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Featuring: Frederick van Johnson - Photographer, Host of This Week in Photography (TWiP) Frederick van Johnson, an accomplished photographer, marketing expert, and host of the popular This Week in Photography (TWiP) podcast graciously sits down (via Skype) and talks with me in this episode of the Digital Convergence podcast. Frederick and I discuss the challenges today's photographers have in marketing their work and services. To help photographers market their services, Frederick is launching a new company: MediaBytes.com. Other topics include things to consider before taking on a career in photography. Are your skills ready? And what about taking on video? Do you want to end up being a multimedia-ographer creating multimedia-ocrity? Or do you want to produce competent work? How? What do you need to master? Frederick a

Episode #20 of the Digital Convergence podcast features Philip Hodgetts of Big Brains for Rent and Intelligent Assistance. Philip Hodgetts indeed has a big brain that everyone in the film, video, and content production industry needs to give ear to. He started one of the earliest podcasts for the industry which has evolved to become Creative Planet's Digital Production Buzz - now hosted by Larry Jordan. As technologist, editor, industry pundit, podcasting veteran and specialist in new distribution systems, Philip Hodgetts has 25 years experience in production and post, more than 10 of them in the digital realm. He is a recognized authority on the changing nature of the digital landscape and has an enviable record of accurately predicting the implication of changing technology over the last decade. In this episode of the Digital Convergence podcast, Philip shares how he wants to over-turn the television industry. He also weighs in on the lingering H.264 licensing controversy. We talk about the ever evolving bu

Episode 19 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Guest: Rodney Charters, ASC - Cinematographer, DP for FOX series 24 Rodney Charters, ASC, is a familiar name to DSLR video shooters. Rodney brings a reasoned approach to the new technology - embracing the potential and acknowledging the weaknesses. Rodney Charters is the DP behind the popular Award winning Fox series "24" starring Kiefer Sutherland. About 6 years ago Rodney was invited by to become an member of the American Society of Cinematographers. Being able to add those prestigious 3 letters "ASC" to your name is quite an honor - and it was one that is well-deserved by Rodney who is indeed a master artist and craftsman with film and sensors. In this episode of the Digital Convergence podcast, Rodney opens up with his insider take on film education, 3D technology, DSLR video, and the business of the film industry and episodic television. His cand

Episode 18 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Featuring: Philip Bloom, Director of Photography, Cinematographer, Director, Editor, DSLR Video Pioneer No other name is more synonymous with DSLR video than Philip Bloom - a London, UK-based director of photography,  cinematographer, director and editor with over 20 years of experience. He embraced and popularized the use of 35mm adapters to achieve a filmic look with video. On the heels of that innovation, came the new video capable DSLR. Philip received his first Canon 5D Mark II in May of 2009. After spending several weeks learning how to use the 5D Mark II, he began shooting almost exclusively DSLR video for both commercial and personal projects. He chronicled in great detail his experiences with DSLR video on his website and blog www.philipbloom.net. On June 1, 2010, after just a little under 3 years of existence, his website surpassed 10 millio

Episode 17 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Featuring: Israel Hyman - Izzy Video This episode features Israel "Izzy" Hyman - the creator and producer of the video how-to podcast IzzyVideo.com. This is how Izzy describes himself: "I am obsessed with video. To me, it’s an incredible art form. It has the visuals of photography, but when you add audio and physical movement, it takes the art form to a whole new level. While video seems complex at first, it isn’t. I have devoted the last several years to showing others how easy video is. It’s not the ‘black art’ that people sometimes pretend it is. Developing skills with video is as easy as learning the principles and then practicing them." Izzy's obsession with video comes through loud and clear in our conversation. It's clear that Izzy loves to teach and share what he has learned. We discuss gear a bit, including the Canon 5D Mark II that he recent

Episode 16 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Featuring: Shane Hurlbut, ASC In a recent conversation with Gale Tattersall, DP for Fox's House MD, Gale mentioned Shane Hurlbut - along with Rodney Charters and Philip Bloom - as one of the pioneers of using the Canon 5D Mark II in cinema. That's quite an honor to be recognized as a member of the triumvirate of video DSLR pioneers. In recognition of Shane's pioneering work with the Canon 5D Mark II, Canon inducted Shane as one of the first cinematographers into their Explorers of Light program. Shane's long list of accomplishments include working with director Rob Cohen on the feature films The Guardian, The Rat Pack and The Skulls. A partial list of other feature films that credit Shane as the cinematographer or director of photography include Into the Blue, Drumline, Swing Vote, The Greatest Game Ever Played, and Terminator Salvation. He has also

Episode 15 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Gale Tattersall is an accomplished cinematographer and photographer who has worked in commercial, feature film, and episodic television. Gale is the Director of Photography for FOX Network's House MD - a show where he brings a distinctive, cinematic look. In the last few weeks, the Twitter-verse, video and photography discussion forums and blogs have been abuzz about the use of video DSLR cameras for filming the season finale of the Emmy award winning show House MD. Gale discusses the reasons why they chose to use video DSLR's to shoot the season finale and his experience and impression of using these cameras. Also, in this episode, Gale talks about the challenges of filming episodic television - sticking to traditional shooting schedule while more producers are seeking a cinematic style of filming. He talks about how the show House MD is shot normall

Episode 14 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Art Howard identifies himself as a photographer. But he is much more than that. Art is an award winning cinematographer. Art shares a number of tips for photographers using the Canon 5D Mark II for video. According to his bio on DPExperience.com: "For 30 years, two time Emmy award winning photographer and producer Art Howard has helped viewers experience life through images from both poles, 49 states and 30 countries. His shooting experience started with 16 mm film cameras through 3/4 U-matic and up through HDCAM and DSLR. Art is firm believer in the combined power of sight and sound and shoots with both strong images and equally strong sound in mind. Taking the viewer to places like the Gulf war in Kuwait, -30 degree conditions in the Arctic, or the ocean floor 3000 feet below the surface he pushes constantly for new ways to tell the story. In 2000,

Episode 13 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Within every Hollywood film is a love story. Our guest for this episode of the Digital Convergence podcast is a filmmaker who has pioneered the development of the wedding concept film: Kevin Shahinian of Pacific Pictures. Kevin has a talent for making a documented event look as if it had been scripted, staged, and produced by a Hollywood movie studio. Viewing Kevin's work on the Pacific Pictures Vimeo channel, you can readily see that Kevin is a master of producing concept films in a number of different genres. His productions range from Bollywood comedy / musicals to intense thrillers (with a happy ending of course!). Recently, Kevin undertook the ambitious challenge of merging a wedding concept film with documenting the actual wedding event. Teaming up with an amazing and talented film crew - including Patrick Moreau (Stillmotion), Joe Simon (Joe Si

Episode 12 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Juan Pons joins the Digital Convergence podcast in episode number 12. According to his bio: "Juan is a wildlife photographer who lives in North Carolina. Juan lives and breathes photography and travels around the country making images, teaching and leading photo workshops. Juan's favorite destination is Yellowstone in winter." He co-hosts the Digital Photo Experience podcast with Rick Sammon. Juan and I talk about the rapid pace of change in photography and video, resistance to change versus embracing change. Juan discusses new skills that still photographers need to learn and master in order to shoot DSLR video. Juan talks about his interest in time-lapse photography, too. Juans enthusiasm and passion for photography and video will have you wanting to get your camera outside and enjoy your art!  

Episode 11 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Jay Burlage is an architect turned HDR and time-lapse filmmaker and innovator. Jay discusses adapting a Meade telescope mount into a GigaPan-clone nicked-named the "MiLapse" for automating panning while shooting time-lapse. He discusses his involvement with Timescapes.org and Openmoco.org. Our discussion gets really geeky with Jay discussing time-based tone mapping for HDR video and developments in the openmoco project. Amazing stuff! Jay also talks about a special PBS project where he is a principle time-lapse photographer. From time to time, Jay's cat makes an occasional appearance. Caution: time-lapse may be habit forming. 16x9 Cinema is not responsible for any problems resulting from time-lapse addiction. Our longest episode yet at over 1 hour, 18 minutes. Well worth the listen!  

Episode 10 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Rick Sammon - dubbed by HDR photographer Trey Ratcliff as "one of the godfathers of the photographic industry" - joins the Digital Convergence podcast to talk about his latest projects. He talks about taking the plunge into video using his Canon 5D Mark II and 7D on an upcoming trip to China. Rick discusses some of the challenges that still photographers must adapt to as they transition to video - including camera stabilization and getting good sound. Rick talks about his new iPhone 24/7 Photo Buffet and future plans to support the iPad. We talk HDR basics - including shooting tips and post-production tips using Photomatix and Topaz Adjust. Rick talks about his passion for photographing people. He shares many of his memorable one-liners and tips. Talking with Rick was inspiring and fun.  

Episode 9 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The guest for this episode is Dennis Wood, founder and CEO of Cinevate. Dennis talks about how a need to fulfill an artistic vision - the filmic look - for his personal video projects led to the development of the Brevis35 DOF adapter. From that humble beginning, Cinevate has grown in a few short years into a leading designer and manufacturer of great filmmaking gear designed to help cinematographers achieve their unique vision. Cinevate designs and manufactures a brevy of products engineered with latest in material and fabrication technology - including the Atlas series of linear tracking systems, dollies, follow focus systems, DSLR rigs, grip parts, and rail systems. Dennis takes time to talk about Cinevate's new DSLR viewfinder - the Cyclops. Also, he shares tantilizing bits of information about exciting future products. Unfortunately, I was unable

Episode 8 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.  The guest for this episode is Eric Kessler, founder and CEO of Kessler Crane. Eric talks about how and why he founded Kessler Crane - manufacturer of jibs, dollies, sliders, and cranes for videographers and filmmakers. He relates how hyrid DSLR cameras have made a huge impact on Kessler Crane's product lineup and development. He shares exciting details of their new Oracle electronic motor control system married with the CineSlider. At the time of recording this podcast (February 25, 2010), Philip Bloom was beta testing Kessler Crane's Oracle system and the CineSlider. We take a few moments to speculate on the future of controllers, time-lapse photography and motion control. This episode is a long one - almost 50 minutes in length! But the time flies by as Eric enthuses on everything motion control and hybrid DSLRs.  

Episode 7 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The guest for this week's episode is Ron Dawson of Dare Dreamer Media. Ron is a filmmaker, author, blogger, business coach, social media marketing expert, and podcaster. He appeared in Cast 5 "The Epic Wedding" of Zacuto's FilmFellas video series. Ron, and his wife Tasra, are authors of the book "Refocus: Cutting-Edge Strategies to Evolve Your Film Business." Ron hosts the FStop Beyond and Crossing the 180 podcasts. In this episode, Ron was very gracious in taking a few minutes to talk with me. He talks about his love for filmmaking and photography for a good cause. He talks about how the Canon 5D Mark II has rekindled his love for filmmaking and was used in his recent work for a Pictage video series. Ron talks enthusiastically about his wife Tasra's Teen Identity project. Ron - who is very prolific in his work - opens up and candidly discusses balanci

Episode 6 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Richard Harrington and Robbie Carman, are two of four of the co-authors of the new book from Peachpit: From Still to Motion.  According to Peachpit: "With the addition of high definition video capabilities to the latest batch of DSLR cameras, photographers have a convenient and familiar tool to fully embrace the new world of video. But video is very different than photography, with new challenges and technology to master.  Here to guide them on all aspects of video—from preproduction to post—are four veterans of film, video, and photography.  Not only do the authors create video projects seen around the world, they speak the language of photography fluently and will ease the reader’s transition from still to motion. Within the book, readers will learn how to plan their shoots, what gear they'll need, how to properly light for motion, how to achieve pro

Episode 5 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Michael James is a very talented visual artist and photographer who has pioneered the use of HDRI (High Dynamic Range Imaging) to create stunning architectural and real estate photography for his clients. Michael talks about how he developed his unique workflow in producing HDR images at a time when there was very little information available about the process. He talks about his fascinating work with time-lapse HDR video. He shares a wealth of tips and ideas photographers and filmmakers will be salivating to use. He shares his thoughts on the future of HDR filmmaking and our conversation wanders over to the potential of the Red Scarlet and Epic for HDR video. Michael works with a wide range of equipment (Sigma, Nikon, Canon) and software. I really enjoyed talking to Michael. He truly is the Hitchhiker's Guide to HDRI.

Episode 4 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Joe Simon, of Joe Simon Films and Joe Simon Wedding Films, has been a successful filmmaker for over a decade. His wedding film productions look like Hollywood feature films. Joe graciously took a few minutes from his busy schedule to talk with me about his work. He talks about how the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and 7D have affected his filmmaking. He discusses hardware, workflow, and the art of story telling. Joe is an amazing filmmaker. This episode was a real treat to produce. Joe is one to watch and follow as hybrid DSLR filmmaking continues to evolve.  

Episode 3 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and videographer based in the Atlanta, Georgia, USA, area.  In episode 3, I talk with Trammell Hudson, creator of the Magic Lantern firmware update for the Canon 5D Mark II. Magic Lantern addresses some serious firmware limitations and turns your 5D Mark II into a 5D Mark "Free." Trammell talks about the features of Magic Lantern, exciting developments he currently working on for the next firmware update, and his thoughts on the art and craft of fimmaking. Trammell is a rare genius whose software prowess has helped users of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II push the camera into a more manageable video tool. But wait! There's more! Magic Lantern is not only for videographers, but has features that benefit still photographers. Trammell discusses those features, too.  

Episode 2 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema with host Carl Olson - a visual artist, photographer, and videographer based in the Atlanta, Georgia, USA, area.  In episode 2, I talk to Bruce Sharpe, founder and CEO of Singular Software - the source of the amazing application PluralEyes. PluralEyes saves hours in post-production for multi-camera edits, dual-system audio or multi-take workflows such as music videos. It automatically synchronizes all your audio and video clips without the need for timecode, clappers or any special preparation. In this episode, Bruce talks about the origin of PluralEyes, offers some helpful tips for hybrid DSLR videographers, and reveals exciting news on how you can be the next James Cameron with a pair of hybrid DSLR cameras.