We’ve all been there. The shooter sets up fires off a frame, it comes in and you roll over to the focus window to check sharpness, and it ain’t even close. Back and forth you go checking again and again until something works, or you reconcile yourself to the fact that the lens is a dog, or diffraction is a factor, or yada, yada. We all know that precise sharpness in MFDB land is quite frankly, a bitch to obtain and hold, and finally someone of note has offered up more than the usual after shoot barroom theory.
So with that said: Techs, put on your reading glasses. These two articles for your digestion are from Joseph Holmes, a noted landscape photographer and color scientist(at least in my book, check out his site for his working spaces and other tech stuff). Let me say that they are long, detailed and comprehensive, but stick with it as there are many things to glean from such an effort and I applaud Mr. Holmes for the effort and sharing of this information.
Also of note is that Irident Digital’s Excellent Raw Developer is mentioned as one of his favorite Raw Converters. While I think C1 4.7 is producing some very sweet files, it’s always good to have another recipe for file conversion and many people swear by RD.
news-medformatprecision.html
news-sharpmediumformat.html
Today my equipment is being rented as a prop for a commercial in which they are mocking a fashion shoot. Got the job from a prop stylist friend and I get to sit here while they shoot around my set cart (pictured above). In a time where gigs are hard to find, this takes the cake!
5 extra credit points to whomever can name the studio in which we are shooting?
For all our gun nut fans out there. Here is a set photo of a gun we are shooting today. Enjoy.
This is actually from several months ago, but I’m finally getting around to putting it up. The rig is from Eran at 5 Leg Digital, a great setup if you ever need something for a location. The photographer is actually above and behind me on a stone wall. We spent about 10 hours on location that day, from sunup to sundown, getting this damn thing in every possible lighting. Thank god the ranger station let us recharge our batteries in their office.
I don’t know how many of you have ever dealt with Fotocare out here in NYC, but I have to say that their one of my favorite resources on the East Coast. They pretty much will do whatever it takes to help you out–I had an Epson 3800 delivered DOA last year to a client, and when the thing spat out a plastic gear, I called Fotocare and they sent over a new one right away. No “Here’s the Epson Service Center Address” BS, in thirty minutes, the problem was solved. Same for the digital and rental departments, if you need it, they can get it and won’t give you the high pressure sales crap you can run into at some places. The digital department deals in Leaf, Hassy and Sinar, and the other day I saw an Alpa sitting on a camera stand. (Alpa is the Ferrari of the new breed of Arch/Shift cameras– although I do love my Cambo, it’s more like a Toyota.) When I’m not on set, I always make time to check out my vendors wherever I’m at to see what’s new and generally stay visible so that they know who I am. Comes in really handy when you’re in a bind.
So, the other day I was in getting gear for a high-end client when I came across this capture cart they now have in the rental department. It is one cool tricked out pony, from the swing out Eizo, to the Wiebetech Raid. You get something on the order of: tower, two Eizos, UPS, Wiebetech, Wacom a cute little proof printer and roller cart with table for, get this: 700.00/day. By the time you piece together something like this, you’d be upwards of $1000.00 and still not have that cohesive of a package. I’ve not had the chance to use it on set, but it’s a pretty attractive option that I will keep in mind for future jobs.
Oh, and if you’re at the rental counter, tell Fred I said hi.
Fotocare
Foto Care Ltd., 136 W. 21st Street, NY, NY 10011
212.741.2990
Made an impromptu modification to an H1 on set this week. Shooter wanted a WLF so we robbed one from an RZ and got artistic with the gaffer tape. Even was able to attach the PocketWizard to the hood and the camera was very stable. Was using AutoFocus on the User Button and the photographer was able to shoot low to the ground without getting the common H1 Low Level Neck Kink. A 503 style WLF would probably work even better but we used what we had on hand
What to do when you’ve got a big CEO shoot with multiple sets and no time to spare?
Simple…double up buttercup.
(Stay tuned for more upcoming shots of Eric I. featuring beaches and bikinis.)
This one comes literally from the set cart as I shot it with the camera on the laptop, here on the beach in San Jose de Cabo. Enjoy!
Arrived in CA last night into SJC. Drove through Cupertino and prayed in the direction of Mecca (aka Apple Corporate Offices on One Infinite Loop). Next day took the scenic route with Art Director, Stylist, and Nauseous, Car Sick Model. Check into hotel and find I have the best view in the world which I find quite fitting for me
Went out for dinner and drinks at Puerto Allegre and a beer at Delirium in The Mission.
