My first 'Living' Picture

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Coined a 'Fixel' by Flixel Photos Inc.  As you can see, its essentially a moving picture where the creator can decide what part to allow to 'move' based on the original video.  This took all of 5 minutes to make - including the 10 second shoot using the software for the first time.

It's on sale right now for $14.99 (which they say is 92.5% off original price).  I'm definitely going to have some fun with this.

Cinetics Axis360 Motorized Pan Tilt Slide on Kickstarter

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The hugely successful Cinetics company which brought us the original CineSkates Camera Dolly Wheels is at it again on Kickstarter.  They now have a complete solution for budding time-lapse photographers and cinematographers to do it all.

Check out their kickstarter campaign.

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Travel Video Monopod

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Since I travel quite a bit, I want something lighter, and more compact than the venerable Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 monopod and head.  (Ideally something that will fit in an international carry-on.)  So I came across the Benro Carbon Fiber Video Monopod with Fluid Head over at Aliexpress, which basically is a storefront for most all made-in-China items.

Cheesycam seems to like it for travel.

The other option is to get the Manfrotto Pro 701 Fluid Video Mini Head with just a Benro video monopod.  People seem to think its better than the Benro version, and I see no reason to doubt that.

I'll post an update after I select one.  Please comment below if you have any suggestions.

Isn't Wireless Tethering an Oxymoron?

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It is but I want to do it.

Eye-Fi Pro Cards allow wireless transfer and upload of images and videos.

I shoot a lot of photos and videos every month so I'm always on the lookout for tools that will help me with my workflow to get out the video reviews shot and posted.  I'm also thinking about a more suitable view for my unboxing and first look videos and decided that a combination of Point of View along with a secondary angle is the best way to go.

I have been using Eye-Fi Wireless SD Cards to get the photos and videos automatically transferred online (as backup).  The main limitation is that I have limited control over what it does, and that the Eye-Fi does not help me during the shoot (other than some sort of estimated geo-tagging).  For me its use is more about sharing, transferring images/video after the shoot.  Eye-Fi does not help me start, stop, press shutter button, focus, etc. but it was never meant to.

So to handle the POV section I plan to have a Canon EOS Rebel T5i on a boompole from up top so I need a remote solution to frame and focus while I'm doing my thing.  Sure, the articulated screen definitely helps, but an iPad or laptop screen with control would be better.  Yes, I can tether, but a portable iPad would be so much easier!  So I think I've found some reasonable ways to do this.

I'm looking at two different solutions:

  1. CamRanger Remote for Nikon & Canon DSLR Cameras
  2. HyperDrive iUSB PortCamera
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Panasonic GH3 in Film Making

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Looking forward to weather sealing, 72Mbps encoding, rugged pro-style body, and 3.5mm microphone and headphone jacks!

It's announced, tested, but not out yet...