Using Zacuto’s EVF as part of my Documentary Rig
By Duy Linh Tu I am currently shooting Close to Home, a feature-length documentary about HIV in the southern United States (www.closetohomefilm.com). As a part of the production process, we’ve been posting some behind-the-scenes stills online, and Dan Chung noticed that I was using the Zacuto EVF. So, here’s how the device works as...
Short doc from the London riots – shot on the Canon 5DmkII by Progress film
By Matthew Hopkins When shooter/editors Josh Thompson and Liam White found themselves absorbed in the 24 hour news coverage of the escalating trouble in London last month, the lure of the action proved too much. The Progress Film Company is based in Brighton and predominantly shoots using DSLRs for commercial, music and corporate work. But...
BIRTV 2011 – Ruige monitor features HD-SDI and HDMI input/output and cross convert
By Dan Chung and Sarah Li Ruige were demonstrating their latest HDMI monitors at BIRTV. They feature the remote magnification switch that they previously showed as a prototype at NAB 2011. The monitors also had improved full screen viewing when used with the 5DmkII in record mode. They also showed a new 4.8inch monitor which...
Choosing your lens – which stills lenses for video?
By Matt Allard Lenses should be the most important part of your kit. Camera bodies come and go, but good glass can be used for a lifetime. Testament to this is that 20- to 30-year-old lenses can still look fantastic on your camera. Over time they have been refined – auto focus and stabilization may...
Zacuto launch EVF Gorilla plate bracket for DSLRs
I’ve been using the Zacuto EVF for a while now and find it to be a very welcome addition to my regular shooting kit with the Canon 5DmkII. Originally I had it mounted on top of the camera with the supplied hotshoe adapter but very quickly found this to be an inconvienient location because there...
A photographer moving to video – David Paul Carr talks about his experiences
The cult of Ifa is at the heart of the voodoo tradition, both in West Africa and the diaspora. This short film, made while working on a photo reportage in Benin, offers a rare glimpse into the world of the “babalawo”, the initiate and priest of Ifa. Because I have been going back to the...
HDSLR training in the UK – second London workshop date announced
By Dan Chung Many thanks to all those who came to my ‘HDDSLR in the real world’ training workshop at Jacobs Pro lounge in London last week. One unexpected pleasure was to have some top Associated Press and Bloomberg news photographers along as participants. Also a big thank you to Nick Millen of Canon UK...
The perils of subtitling and translation in Video – Jonah Kessel on his latest 5DMkII project
China based DSLR News shooter Jonah Kessel discusses the issues he faced with language and translation on his latest DSLR video shorts The Fate of Old Beijing: CH. 1 – A Disappearing World from Jonah Kessel on Vimeo. Working in foreign countries journalists encounter many problems with language barriers. However, video journalists face even more...
Dan Chung HDDSLR masterclass on June 8th at Jacobs Pro Lounge in London
I’m back in London this month for a workshop at the Jacobs Pro lounge, helping photographers and videographers improve the way they shoot real world events. There are only eight places available as we want to be sure everyone gets some hands on tuition – so please book quickly if you want to come. I’ll cover...
‘Nashville: Up From Prostitution’ – an assignment for NPR filmed on 5DMkII
By Stephen Alvarez ‘Nashville: Up From Prostitution’ came about because I was looking for a story to tell that would be very different from the photo essays I normally shoot for National Geographic. I wanted a human-based, in-depth story; something that I couldn’t tell through photographs alone. I’d learned about the Magdalene Program for prostitutes...
Interesting examples of real events shot on 5DMkII
I’ve had some submissions lately from shooters getting into DSLR video which I wanted to share. First up is a piece by freelance videographer Andrew Winchell. He’s been following the blog for a while now and says he is fascinated by cinematic journalism. He recently visited Pleasant Grove, Alabama, one of the areas hardest hit...
What’s in a name – do I call myself a photojournalist, videographer or documentary film maker?
By Jonah Kessel Jonah M. Kessel Showreel 2011: China, Tibet, Nepal, India, The Philippines from Jonah Kessel on Vimeo. Like so many DSLR shooters around the world, I’m a convert. I come from a still photography background but as my career and technology have advanced I’ve been transported (gladly) into the video journalism world. While...
