Canon ran this ad in the March issue of PDN, with photos and video links from my recent assignment shooting with F-16 fighter pilots at the Buckley Air Force base in Aurora, Colorado. I used Canon’s 5D Mark II and 1D Mark IV camera to capture HD video footage and stills; these lightweight cameras have revolutionized the possibilities for video! Click here to see exclusive footage from my fighter pilot trailer.
I’m excited to announce that I have recently joined the SanDisk Extreme Team. I am thrilled to be representing SanDisk and their outstanding line of CompactFlash cards. Please look for me on the SanDisk Extreme Team Facebook page, for updates on my future collaborations with them.
Here is a behind-the-scenes look at my first full-fledged film project, which I am shooting this winter on the disabled Iraq war veteran Heath Calhoun. Calhoun lost both of his legs above the knees in a grenade blast. This winter, with the world-class ski coaching of Challenge Aspen, he became the first wounded veteran to make the Paralympics in downhill ski racing as a sit-skier. The film follows Calhoun through a powerful self-actualization of finding freedom and a new perspective on life.
This 10-minute film will premiere at Colorado’s 5 Point Film Festival on Sunday, May 2 and will be hosted on Adobe’s website, among other venues. Using Canon’s cutting-edge lenses and DSLR bodies like the 1D Mark IV and 5D MarK II, I can create a truly cinematic look with an ultra-portable camera rig that I can ski and hike with.
I have been fortunate to have many generous equipment companies step forward to support this project. I used Red Rock Micro’s video rigs, which provide smooth follow-focus and steady handling, and mounted Marshall Electronic’s 7-inch field monitors on top to ensure crisp focus and exposure. I also relied on Zoom Audio’s amazingly light and rich H4n field audio recorders and LitePanels’ ultra-portable 1X1 Bi-Color and Bi-Focus LED lights. When I needed stronger lights, I used Hensel USA’s high-power tungsten lights.
And holding all of our shoot together was a vast array of Manfrotto 535 carbon tripods and 503HDV video heads, Hi-Hats, LCD Mini Balls Heads, Nano Clamps, Magic Arms, as well as Gitzo carbon fiber boom poles. I tried the new GlideTrack for the first time, and was thrilled with the smooth pans and slides I could achieve with just a few seconds of setup time.
We wouldn’t have been able to lug this amount of equipment onto the ski slopes with our trusty Think Tank Photo bags. The Speed Racer beltpack was great for managing a large array of camera gear and we used the Multimedia Wire Up 20 bag with our field audio equipment for quick and easy use on the fly.
Also instrumental to the project was ace cinematographer Kent Harvey, who mentored me and my assistants through the project. Kent guided us through both the technical and the storytelling leaps from shooting stills to making a documentary. I am lucky to have such a talented friend!
Now the creative process of editing begins! I am currently editing the project with the talented Denver editor Dave Wruck, using Adobe Premiere Pro to bring the entire film to life. Please check back in late April for an update on where to view the finished film! I will also blog again next month about how we made the film, with details on sound capture, unique lens use, editing tricks, etc.
I have an exciting list of workshops and lectures for photographers of all levels coming up this summer and fall, please see below for details!
I will be teaching two weekend photo workshops for Canon in Boulder, CO and Moab, UT. My workshop on “Action Sports Photography” will be held in Boulder on June 5-6. This intensive workshop is geared toward active photographers looking to step up to the next level. Students will photograph real athlete-models on location; I will also provide detailed classroom instruction and image reviews. You will have the chance to shoot trail runners in action in one of the open air parks and rock climbers on Sunday. This two-day field workshop will explore the creative and technical skills needed in both editorial and commercial shooting styles. I will share my secrets for making your images stand out, including lighting, camera angles, and techniques to capture action shots and environmental portraits.
My Moab workshop, “Arches National Park and Spectacular Cowboys”, will held on October 2-3. This action-packed workshop in the heart of Utah’s canyon country. On Saturday we will explore the magnificent landscapes of Arches National Park, finding unique ways to capture the sandstone monoliths. On Sunday we will shoot action scenes and environmental portraits with authentic cowboys and horses. I will provide detailed classroom instruction before each shoot, and will share his secrets to capturing the elusive “dramatic moment.” The magnificent Red Cliffs Lodge is our base for the weekend, with a multimedia classroom, a vineyard, restaurant, and cabins alongside the Colorado River.
These workshops are sponsored by Canon Digital Learning Center; you can go to their website to register and to find out more information.
LECTURE SERIES
I have several multimedia presentations scheduled this year, generously sponsored by Canon. At each of these talks, I will share stories, photos and films from my recent assignments, from exploring rare ice caves to documenting the dangerous lives of underground coal miners. I will present my secrets to capturing the elusive “dramatic moment” and to earning a living in the world of freelance photography. I will also share stories from my latest assignment, flying with F-16 fighter pilots.
-Sunday, April 18 at the Photographic Federation of Long Island in Brentwood, NY.
-Thursday, May 13 at Pro Photo Supply in Portland, OR
-Tuesday, June 8 at the New England Chapter of the ASMP in Boston, MA. Check out these venues’ websites for more information.
And just a quick reminder, the PhotoPlus Expo is on October 28-30. I will be speaking for Canon, Sandisk and Adobe on DSLR video, SpeedLite techniques, and Lightroom workflows. Check back this fall for the complete schedule!
