It took me 10 years to become a visual artist...

Well it looks like we are going to make it to 2009, and we are soon headed out to ring in the New Year with some close friends in a very low key fashion. Today, I've thought a lot about the past year and the challenges and excitement that 2008 brought.

But I haven't just been thinking about the year in review. I've been thinking more about the past decade. Earlier today, a photographer commented "Congratulations on becoming a videographer:) on my Facebook page." I wasn't sure whether it was snide or funny, but the fact is that it really made me think about the challenges we, as photographers, have faced for the past decade and what we had to do to grow both financially and personally to survive, or better yet, succeed.

In the year 1999 I was just a photographer. It was simple. I owned 3 Hasselblad's and several lenses. I had Canon F1's and lenses to boot. I had a small darkroom and a small studio. It was all so easy in retrospect. All I had to do was take pictures and send the work to a lab to be printed. If I had something I really wanted to focus on, I could work in my darkroom and hone some special work and that was the extent of my job or profession. Yet to the outsider it seemed so mysterious and exciting and intriguing.

In 2000 I purchased a 6 megapixel digital camera with one ISO of 80 and no LCD. It was the Kodak 460. At the time, the going price for a new one was $30 grand. I had taken a leap of faith in a new direction. Many top pros at the time made fun of us saying that digital wasn't art and that it would never become mainstream. That is a day I'll always remember...

By 2008 I have become a graphic designer, a color expert, a master print artist, a Flash developer, a retouch artist, a Photoshop guru, a sound editor, a master book maker, and the list goes on an on. Now, it looks like we are now in deep with motion picture as well with these new inventions of hybrid video and still cameras, and 2009 is sure to be a rebirth of photography that will go in directions that I never could have imagined in 1999. Do I have a choice not to adopt these changes? Yes, I guess I do. 

But, seems to me that choosing not to change would be a shame. My dad, who was my business partner at the time at the age of 60, was right on board when I was ready to purchase my first digital camera. Did he think I was crazy? Probably... But that didn't stop him from adopting digital, and I learned by example that you have to evolve or your a sitting duck. You either lead or you live in the past, and I have followed that example every step of the way.

So, if I must have a title in 2009, I guess I would prefer the term Visual Artist over photographer, videographer, cinematographer, graphic designer, Flash developer, retouch artist, etc... It is better this way as it is short and sweet, and this way when people ask me "what do you do for a living" I won't have to draw a blank or be labeled for better or for worse. I simply create visual works of art, sometimes with motion, sometimes photographic, sometimes in print, and sometimes on screen. 

See you all in the New Year.. All the best to you and yours!

5D Mark II Final Cut Pro Codec and Workflow

I just got through running some tests through Final Cut Pro working with the 5D Mark II and various codecs, etc... Initially my workflow wasn't working out as I found that the footage wouldn't play through without being jumpy, and then when I exported, lets just say, it didn't look pretty. With a little time spent, I have managed to work out my workflow and wanted to share in case others come up against this while trying to work with this stunning 1080p footage.

I switched my settings over to AppleProRes422 30p and the problem was solved. The footage ran smoothly on my 8 core Mac Pro with a mere 2 gigs of RAM. However, I did just upgrade to 10 gigs yesterday as I have been meaning to for some time and just needed something like this to push me over the edge.

However, when I exported to quicktime and then tried to convert to H.264. It simply wouldn't do it on my Quad G5 Tower running plenty of RAM or my 8 Core. Quicktime pro, for some reason, crashed every time. But, it was an easy fix to just open Final Cut Pro again and Export using quicktime conversion. This worked perfectly and I am proud to say that the footage looks pristine.

Just wanted to give a heads up to those that my be having any trouble with their 5D Mark II footage being jumpy in FCP. Apple ProRes422 is the answer and converting to H.264 for the web right from within FCP.

This workflow is fantastic!

WPPI Plus Class February 12th and 13th

Here is what WPPI has to say about Plus Classes....
"Taking part in one of the 2009 WPPI PLUS Classes is like riding alongside Lance Armstrong for two days, decorating your home with Martha Stewart guiding the way, interning with Bill Gates or penning a science-fiction novel with Stephen King. They are among the very best at their crafts."

I have to admit, those are pretty strong statements, and Jennifer and I are honored giving our third plus class in four years. Plus classes are compelling. We spend two straight days sharing the most honest and in depth information we possibly can to help photographers reach their potential.

This year our plus class, titled "The Luxury Edge, is angled at being more than educational, but to be motivational as well. We are going to be giving a no holds barred approach to experiencing growth in your business even during times as tough as these. Our plan is to give students the tools they need to live the dream and soar to the top. From camera and lighting techniques to cutting edge motion picture documentaries to business skills, we are excited to share this time with 20 photographers that are seeking to enhance their skills while having a great time.

There are a few slots still available, but time is running out. So log in at WPPI's website and book a Plus class with one of 10 amazing artists.

Canon 5D Mark II

Well... As many of you know, I took a long break from blogging to work on some reinventing. Over the past few months we have innovated new products and services, and made great strides with a focus on quality that is evident in everything we do from our private online web presentations for clients to our new line of custom books, to our motion picture offerings for companies and private usage, we have been evolving in incredible ways.

Many of you also know, I've been working in motion picture here and there and have spoken widely about it at programs in the past and how I felt that photography and video would soon merge.

Well it has, and the entire word of photography and motion pictures is literally about to change. I got my first Canon 5D Mark II a few days ago and I can't remember a time when I have been so excited to get a new camera. At first glimpse, the camera is smaller than the professional flagship cameras that I normally would use. But inside is an entirely new way of looking at our profession that will undoubtedly change and shape our industries for years to come.

Having worked closely with other HDV cameras over the past couple of years, I can honestly say that this camera blows the doors off of traditional HDV cameras in terms of image quality in virtually every situation. Combine pristine color and sharpness and a full frame chip with prime 1.2 glass, and you have a motion picture camera that has impeccable low light capabilities, but also renders depth of field that motion picture experts dream of.

I am certainly glad I took the time to learn Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack, Color and the rest of the Apple suite of motion picture software over the past few years as it is now clear that this will be a major portion of the direction of our company in years to come.

Audio on the camera is strong, but there are some lacks in control in this first generation hybrid in terms of on camera mixing. This came as no surprise, but my sound tests working with Sennheiser booms, and lav mics show that there are still incredible capabilities and I look forward two ironing out the details.

My one wish for motion is that you could focus while looking through the viewfinder as it would be more natural and comfortable to be able to do so. I understand the limitations of why that isn't available, but am in hopes that will come in the future. You also must manually focus the camera. However, that I don't mind as with practice I see that you can use your insticts and work well with manual focus and motion picture.

As far as still photography goes on this 21 Megapixel hybrid, expect the best. I am finding files out of the 5D Mark II to be the sharpest and most colorful I have ever captured. Even at high ISO's of 6400 and 3200, the quality of file is remarkbly cleaner and stronger than any camera I have ever used.

Many will wonder what direction our careers will go with this new technology at our fingertips. That I can't answer, but to say that like always, we will be following our hearts and working towards being the best we can be. In these uncertain times, unlimited opportunities are upon us, and we are so excited to be in the middle of this incredible innovation.