Dancing girls.
Canon 5DMKII, Olympus 50mm
Easter is coming and that means another weekend of track bike shenanigans. Some people call them ‘fixies’, others ‘wanker bikes’. Those people are wrong and jealous of our fast-spinning legs.
Last year I covered the event, re-named Ressurection this year in a number of web videos. One of which proving quite popular with 50K hits. So although it involves a load of work for no pay, I’ll probably do another one or two this year.
So if you’re in Auckland or can make it up to Auckland for Easter weekend and ride a bike with no gears or free-wheel, or are just bi(ke)-curious come along to the event. Details here: http://www.sjforums.net/index.php?showtopic=6183
Props to those on the organising committee!
Last years videos:
Minidrome: http://vimeo.com/11043405
Criterium: http://vimeo.com/17519331
Trick Comp: http://vimeo.com/12046417
Oh Joy! My Olympus OM2 turned up today with a whole bunch of lenses including a nice Zuiko 24mm f2.8.
This particular camera body is an OM2 SP which stands for Spot Program and means I have to read the instruction manual to work it out. Luckily the previous owner kept all the instruction manuals and some sweet old brochures. It even came with the original receipt from 1986 when old Ned traded in his OM2 for the SP model for $590. Proabably quite a chunk 25 years ago. It also came with a flash and really cool flash adaptor/ handle thing.
I just have to run a roll of film through it to check all is as it should be then it’s off to shoot some film! Pity it costs more than a Best Of Madonna CD to get film developed these days…
New gear! I realised I had too much money tied up in my 7D and Tamron 17-50mm which could only be used for that camera. It’s also a bit of a luxury to have as a B camera. So goodbye 7D, we had some good times. I loved you and you were my first.
So with the money, I was able to purchase a sprightly little 60D which has pretty much the same video functions, an identical picture as the 7D and is half the price, but in a smaller package and without the cursed overheating issue.
I also was able to buy the holy grail of Canon lenses, the 70-200mm f2.8 IS. Pretty much every pro Canon photographer in the world owns this lens. I had previously rented one and loved it but never had the money to buy. The newer version retails for over $4000 NZ!! But I found a well used 5 year old one on TradeMe. It bears many battle scars, probably from years of weddings and events. Or maybe a war zone? But anyway it’s mine now and I love it.
This video I shot back in may last year, and then took 6 months to get round to the edit. Was a really hectic shoot, as I raced in the event and filmed it at the same time. You might notice in the first GoPro footage me being late for the rolling start and having to catch up with the pack.
The race was covered by two GoPros leant to me by Red Bull NZ, one on my helmet and one taped to the brake bridge on the rear of my bike. Also 2 fixed positions: a Canon 5D MKII with a rented 70-200mm operated by Tracie d’Ath (That was the first time she had operated for me and has since become my go-to camera assistant). Also a Canon 7D by the split tree section.
I think I came 7th. You can see me crossing the line on a black pursuit frame wearing a white t-shirt with a camera on my head.
In the past 3 1/2 months I’ve finished off a few projects, completed my diploma in advanced post production, learnt to surf, developed a love for plums and turned 30.
Here is the video for my friend’s band, Let Me Go Drone for their song Bilateral Amputee. I’m pretty pleased how it turned out. I was trying to use some techniques that I hadn’t tried before, namely green screen and compositing. I used to think green screens were evil, now I just have a fearful respect for them.
Mostly shot on my Canon 5DMKII using Olympus Zuiko primes, apart from the first tracking shot, shot on the 7D.
The video was shot in the dunes of Bethals Lake in West Auckland, New Zealand. The last shots on the beach were shot at Maori Bay, Muriwai, which has a thriving gannet colony if you’re ever out that way… and find that sort of thing interesting. Personally I hate birds.
Woop Woop! This was my entry into a competition to produce an ident for Select Live on C4. I found out on friday that it won first place, bagging me 3 Big Day Out tickets and 600 clams, plus A C4 HAT!
Thanks to my actors Patrick Kelly and my friend Anthony’s girlfriend who’s name I have forgotten for really looking deep into their souls in preparation for their portrayals, they will both be joining me at BDO.
The idents will be playing during Select Live on C4 all this week, before the shows last ever episode on Friday. C4 itself will be re-branded as ‘Four’ in the new year, so good timing there.
A little piccy of the music video I shot for Auckland band, ‘Let Me Go Drone’ today. Nice work, muchachos.
Just playing around with some ideas for a couple of music videos I’m shooting for my graduation piece from Natcoll Design School. I have one locked down to shoot next weekend and hope to shoot three in total by the end of January.
