Go Pro Hero 2 tests : how not to successfully follow a cat running around !

I used a clip/ mount that I received with the Pico Dolly which I will review shortly, along with a sort of handlebar that I had with a stabiliser kit...handy stuff, off I go with miss Vegas on a lovely evening...Below is the comp of the "highlights" of my walk/run with miss Vegas, hasn't been speeded up at all, would you believe, that's how she walks ! If you click on the vid, it will bring you to its bigger version on Youtube, I dont know how to make video players bigger on blogger (will "google" that some day) but that window is ridiculously small !

It is tricky to compose the video when you are running, and the fact that I didn't choose the fish eye option didn't help at all but lovely colours, great focus and no shaky shots considering how frantic the "walk" was ! 
I borrowed this Go Pro, I own a Bullet HD action camera, which is shaped like a big bullet and comes with a whole lot of mounting bits as standard, on paper, being HD and cheaper and with all this accessories, it looked like a better deal, a few years ago, but it turned out the image quality, particularly the colours (hello magenta on a sunny day, where does this come from ?) and the accuracy of the exposure are appalling. That said, I dont think Go pro is perfect either and should stop its game changing just yet, quite tricky to mount sometimes, I think its design could be improved, quite an annoying menu interface too, especially if you're in a hurry.


www.sylviephotography.com

Recent shoot @ Sylvie Photography

I received the honour of doing a little lady's first photoshoot recently and  was delighted to spend a few hours with this absolute cutie with extraordinary eyes !
It was the first portraiture session I did with video lights and it was an absolute delight : while it was pouring rain outside, we still managed to get either a studio look or a sunny day effect and at no point did we disturb the missus with an annoying and blinding flash. Hey, you might get more motion blur around the hands and tiny legs than if  using flash but isn't it cute to capture how much these little ones can move so fast ?? The gear becomes less intrusive and noticeable. Ever noticed your baby / sitter starring with marvel at these flashing lights when you try really hard to get them to look at the camera ? :-D


www.sylviephotography.com

Comparing a large spectrum of video recording devices...

As I've done all my tests and edited everything, I just realise I forgot mobile phones...which means this is Chapter 1 of my video tests I guess.
OK the idea started when thinking that I always wonder which of my cameras deliver the best solution for 1 specific condition, whether it's all about the video, or I need a good sound too but the visual has to be pretty good, whether it's a potentially dark place or a fast moving scene...
Anyway for most of these occasions, I would choose the still camera that I use most, Canon 5D MkII, and I might have an additional mic that records completely separately and sync the 2 in post, easy peasy.
There are occasion when the restrictive recording time, lack of auto focus and the limited lifespan of the single battery make this camera not the right choice and that's where a camcorder is the way to go.

To do these tests I also used the Canon Lexia HF S10 which is about the same age as the 5DMkII, still pretty decent consumer camera, the Zoom Q3 HD which strength is by far the audio quality, the GoPro Hero2, which is an amazingly packed little bit of engineering I have to say, its a bit tricky to get around all the options in the settings but wow, what a comprehensive little thing, and on its contrary, the very easy record on/off pocket camcorder Panasonic HX DC1 which I bought for its great gun shape and the flexible screen, nice to have around for capturing quickly all these great moments of your life, but so limited quality wise.
Below is the quick comp of all videos, and then I have the comparison screenscrabs as well, which are pretty short on the actual video to make an opinion. Do click on the video to open it up on youtube, there's so many details we're missing (like how the camera handles movement..and whether Jasper's nose is pink or nearly white !). Music by Pascal Sallou, aka Scoual. All on his own !

Just a note as well on the settings used : Canon 5D Mk II was at 1080 25p, HX DC1 at 1080 60i, Q3 HD at 1080 30, Lexia HFS10 at 1080 30p, and Go pro Hero2 at 1080 30p.
All recording devices cater for a specific need/situation. Despite the annoying weird auto white balance on the Go Pro, I found it pretty impressive, especially compared to the "Bullet HD" action camera I got a couple of years ago, the Lexia is surprisingly flat (there are plenty of colour / filter options to choose) but I actually think it's even better to choose that way to be able to play with different gradings in post. No detail is washed out. My favorite tool though remains the 5D for the full control and creative flexibility ! So what's your favorite video recording tool from your kit ?

Series of textures

Looking at the beauty in everyday things, how the light hits it, how their incredible textures come across...

 

 

New behind-the-scene videos

I've been blessed, I've had a lot of fun in the last few months, a lot of varied shoots in which that I've assisted versatile Trevor Hart who can handle it all, Dublin Bus madness, Supervalu Andalucian heat, Guinness night shoot, Bank of Ireland lifestyle shoot, and a Euro special Meteor roaming campaign ! Here are a few recent ones where I had a chance to shoot quick behind the scenes videos on the go and on the run ! The details and stories behind each of them can be found on Trevor's blog...enjoy !

These were mostly shot with Fujifilm X10 (occasionally Canon G11)...and editing in FCP7. Music : Danosongs, Garageband, Jarabe de Palo...
Coming soon, a series of videos I did for a potterer, very different ball game from shooting people, quite exciting and challenging !




www.sylviephotography.com