I'm Back!!
Subscribe to this feedThanks for dropping by. Here you will find my thoughts on shooting both DV and HDV and some meanderings on my film passion. Updated sporadically.
I'm Back! |
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| February 08, 2010 02:38 PM | Views:162 Favorited:0 Comments:2 |
| Filed Under: Personal | |
| Tags: Personal | |
The Pine Lake Films Web site is finally back, albeit a more slender version of its former self, after a hellish couple of months trying to deal
Finding a Voice |
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| October 18, 2008 09:36 AM | Views:371 Favorited:0 Comments:3 |
| Filed Under: narration Observations Personal Voiceover | |
| Tags: narration Story Voiceover | |
Putting a Dream on Hold |
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| April 30, 2008 04:24 PM | Views:635 Favorited:0 Comments:13 |
| Filed Under: Personal | |
| Tags: Updates | |
Life is full of compromises and I'm finding myself facing another one.Last November, I was let go from an 8-year graphic design job and decided to use that opportunity to change careers and try to go full time doing work with my camera.At first, there seemed to be great potential
Vienna Teng Video Shoot - Part One |
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| February 08, 2008 07:45 AM | Views:201 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Music Videos | |
| Tags: Updates | |
I got a call out of the blue in November from a director I'd known only from a film forum I frequent (dvxuser.com)
Vienna Teng Music Video |
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| January 17, 2008 05:06 AM | Views:180 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Music Videos | |
| Tags: Director of Photography | |
I teamed up with Mark Johnson and Tim Hyten of Fat Monster Films to shoot a music video for Vienna
Snow Motion with the IndiSlider |
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| January 17, 2008 04:58 AM | Views:638 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment | |
| Tags: IndiSlider | |
While on DVXUser recently, I came across a post by a user who mentioned a tool called the IndiSlider by Indifocus. I took a look on their site and couldn't really figure out what this thing was. I took a look at the some footage
Carlsbad Caverns - New Mexico |
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| January 17, 2008 04:57 AM | Views:142 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Observations | |
| Tags: Canon XHA1 Editing Footage Hints | |
My family and I went to New Mexico over the Christmas holidays and one place I really wanted to see was Carlsbad Caverns. Ansel Adams took a series of shots there many years ago and they haunted me. I knew I had to shoot this place
New Year's Eve in Seattle |
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| January 17, 2008 04:51 AM | Views:138 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment Personal | |
| Tags: Canon XHA1 Cinematography Editing Story | |
A friend of my daughter's came to town on New Year's eve so we took him sightseeing in Seattle. The weather was unusually cooperative so I decided to document our trip. I strapped on my Letus Extreme 35mm adapter to my Canon
Digital Therapy - Free Ain't What It Used To Be |
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| December 02, 2007 08:38 AM | Views:100 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Personal | |
| Tags: Updates | |
Over the years, I have spent countless hours sharing the knowledge I have gained working with my camera and studying film. The people on the receiving end are not the only beneficiaries, however, because I love being a teacher
Cinematographer for Hire |
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| November 12, 2007 04:03 PM | Views:161 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Personal | |
| Tags: Cinematography Collaboration Footage Letus Updates | |
Last Monday I got laid off from a job as a graphic designer I've had for nearly eight years. That stretch of time is almost unheard of these days because so many people are freelancing or just job hopping. I like stability. I like a certain degree of predictability in my life. My "real" job provided
Yellowstone |
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| September 14, 2007 11:06 AM | Views:98 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Observations Personal | |
| Tags: Cinematography Updates | |
I just got back from one of my most favorite places in the world - Yellowstone.I cannot adequately explain why this place means so much to me. Maybe it's the close proximity to wildlife afforded its visitors, maybe it's the
Canon XHA1 and Steadicam Merlin - the Perfect Match |
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| July 13, 2007 09:52 AM | Views:370 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment | |
| Tags: Canon XHA1 Merlin Steadicam | |
I just replaced my Glidecam setup with a Merlin and all I can say is wow.The attention to detail in everything from the packaging right down to the precision engineering of this device is inspiring. This is a company who cares about
Canon XHA1 - a review |
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| March 13, 2007 09:55 AM | Views:302 Favorited:0 Comments:1 |
| Filed Under: Equipment Observations | |
| Tags: Canon XHA1 | |
After shooting with an XLH1 for about nine months, I decided to sell it and buy an XHA1 instead. I can’t say I loved the attention I got when I went out with the XLH1. I spent a lot of time smiling and waving at people as they
Narration or Lack Thereof |
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| February 14, 2007 11:12 AM | Views:87 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Observations Personal Pine Lake Films | |
| Tags: Cinematography Editing Story | |
I've had a few people ask me why most of my films do not have narration. I suppose people are accustomed to this kind of presentation being paired with the spoken word. Here is an excerpt from my correspondance with one individual:I don't approach my filmmaking in a typical documentary or travelogue
Pine Lake Films DVD Released |
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| February 12, 2007 07:00 AM | Views:166 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Pine Lake Films | |
| Tags: DVD Footage | |
After months of bad weather, life, etc. getting in the way, I finally managed to release my DVD. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. There are nine short films covering three years of shooting on my Panasonic DVX100A. The disk
HD Stock Footage Now Available for Sale |
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| October 13, 2006 03:18 PM | Views:127 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Pine Lake Films | |
| Tags: Footage Stock Footage | |
I just signed up with a company called Revolution Stock Media and am beginning to sell some of my HD footage. What's there right now is mainly shots I took while in Yellowstone Park recently.I am going to be
DVD is Finally Coming... |
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| September 22, 2006 09:05 AM | Views:89 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Pine Lake Films | |
| Tags: Cinematography Footage | |
Because my M.O. is to jump from one project to the next and want to constantly move forward, I tend to be more enamored with new things rather than trying to organize what I have already created. My focus has been more on creating new films and experimenting with HD of late and I realized that I really
A Final Piece to the Film Look Puzzle |
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| August 01, 2006 11:11 PM | Views:223 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment | |
| Tags: 35mm Adapter Canon XL H1 DVD Footage Letus | |
There are many people who seem to be in search of the film look these days. For fun, Google the phrase and you will find thousands of results. Everything from elaborate post production processes to using 35mm adapters is well covered
Film Review - The Exorcism of Emily Rose |
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| June 20, 2006 10:07 AM | Views:92 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Film Review | |
| Tags: Cinematography Editing Story | |
It’s rare when I get excited enough to write about a film I have seen, particularly one that would seem to fall into a typical horror genre.Having seen actor Tom Wilkinson's powerful and understated performance in Todd Field’s “In
Planning A Grand Experience |
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| June 16, 2006 10:36 AM | Views:86 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Personal | |
| Tags: Collaboration Composer Updates | |
Lake City for a weekend shoot at Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks. For those of you not familiar with this area, the terrain is full of geological wonders and the whole atmosphere is otherworldly. It is a huge departure from
Perpetual Motion |
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| June 15, 2006 10:05 AM | Views:105 Favorited:0 Comments:1 |
| Filed Under: Observations | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD Footage Hints | |
I sometimes ponder the notion that nothing is ever completely still. There are things that are obvious to our eyes like rushing water, cars passing, people walking, etc. But when I shoot scenes that appear to be static, I later notice the tiniest
Big Yellow Moon |
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| June 12, 2006 01:17 PM | Views:102 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Observations | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD Updates | |
I was out shooting with Linda up by Snoqualmie Falls on Saturday and on the way home caught a glimpse of the rising moon. It was big and yellow and I had to slam on the brakes and get a couple of shots. Light was fading fast and I missed the magic hour so it was a challenge to really capture this
The Cottonwood Tree |
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| June 08, 2006 11:02 PM | Views:100 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment Observations | |
| Tags: Footage Hints | |
Here is a work in progress. This is the time of the year when cottonwood trees lose their cotton and it's a pretty cool sight, it looks like it's snowing. There's a cottonwood in our yard and it was shedding its skin the
Journey Into Spring |
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| June 06, 2006 10:31 AM | Views:102 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD Cinematography Hints | |
When I bought the Canon XLH1 camera I was eager to go to a few of my favorite spots to capture the beauty of nature in high definition. I was not disappointed. Although this piece is disparate in its imagery, it highlights the
Cloud Timelapse |
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| June 04, 2006 11:46 PM | Views:130 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment Observations | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD Footage Timelapse | |
Yes, timelapse shots are completely overdone. I agree. However, that's not going to stop me doing them because, to me, the world is always a fascinating place to study and no two timelapse shots are the same because
Lighting test with the XLH1 |
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| June 04, 2006 11:10 PM | Views:260 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment Observations | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD Hints Lighting | |
I was watching "21 Grams", a great film by the way, and was inspired to do some lighting tests and added a little Magic Bullet Bleach Bypass. I think it looks pretty good.500w softbox for keylight, 250w Lowel pro light for fill and another 250w Lowel for a backlight (need to better position
Water In Motion |
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| June 02, 2006 01:43 PM | Views:125 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD Footage | |
It rained here in Seattle for what seemed like an eternity which was frustrating for me because I had plans to go out and shoot at various locations. I decided to document the falling rain which has a beauty unto itself.
The
Comparing "Soft" Filters |
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| May 29, 2006 12:52 PM | Views:117 Favorited:0 Comments:1 |
| Filed Under: Equipment | |
| Tags: Filters Hints | |
Here's a comparison between Tiffen's much used Promist (the strength in this comparison is 1/4) and Schneider's Classic Soft filters (1/2 strength). These filters can help contribute to a more filmic look, taking some of the sharp edge off the original video. Of course you can create something
Should I Use Filters On My Camera? |
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| May 25, 2006 09:14 AM | Views:157 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment | |
| Tags: Filters Hints | |
I get asked this question a lot. Basically, it comes down to the major question of what you are going to be shooting. You could get all types of advice on filtration for optimal landscape shots but if that's not your focus then it's useless information. Some common filters include:
Helpful Hints For A Successful Shoot |
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| May 25, 2006 07:20 AM | Views:112 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment Observations | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD Cinematography Hints | |
Say this over and over in your mind before you shoot:Focus, aperture, shutter, frame rate (more important if you are shooting different rates), sound level, battery level.Check every one of these for every shot. Remember, you've got a lot going on trying to frame your subject, deal with
More Thoughts On Using The Canon XLH1 |
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| May 23, 2006 11:46 AM | Views:329 Favorited:0 Comments:1 |
| Filed Under: Equipment Observations | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD Cinematography Hints | |
I've been using the XLH1 for a number of weeks now and I've learned a lot about the camera by taking it out and shooting under various conditions. Having shot in standard definition (SD) up to this point, I'm finding new challenges shooting HD. None are overwhelming but if care is not taken while
In-Camera Black and White |
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| May 21, 2006 01:15 AM | Views:117 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD Footage | |
The Canon XLH1 is capable of shooting black and white footage as well as color. I prefer to shoot black and white in-camera as opposed to draining the color in post production. There's something much more organic about doing it this way. It makes me
More Canon XLH1 Tests at Discovery Park in Seattle |
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| May 21, 2006 01:03 AM | Views:134 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD Footage | |
My daughter and I headed off to Discovery Park after work last week and got lost not only on the way there but couldn't even find our way out of the park after our shooting expedition. My sense of direction is woeful and I couldn't find my way home to save my life. Well, actually I did find my way
Test Driving the Canon XLH1 |
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| May 21, 2006 12:53 AM | Views:130 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD | |
I took the kids to the zoo today and brought the Canon along. Here are some stills from the footage (keep in mind that these images are heavily compressed jpegs):
Anatomy of an HD Camera Purchase Decision |
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| May 05, 2006 11:40 PM | Views:126 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD | |
I wrote some words about what led me to decide on the new Canon XLH1 for future HD acquisition. You can read it here: Canon XLH1
Taking the HD Plunge - Canon XL H1 Review |
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| April 27, 2006 04:55 PM | Views:115 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Equipment Observations | |
| Tags: Canon XL H1 DVD | |
I finally bought a Canon XL H1 HDV camera instead of my original desire to own the Panasonic HVX200, which is like an HD version of the DVX I used for most of the films on this site. This is a partial review because I have only been shooting for less than an hour.
First off, the XL H1 delivers
Update, March 16 2006 |
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| March 16, 2006 09:02 AM | Views:77 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Personal | |
| Tags: Cinematography Updates | |
Okay, I haven't forgotten how to shoot. I'm taking a sabbatical from all of it right now. I will get back to shooting soon. I will be doing testing of some of the available 35mm adapters.
In the next month or so, I'm hoping to test Wayne Kinney's SG35 adapter and, hopefully, the new G35 when
DVD Update |
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| January 26, 2006 09:40 AM | Views:84 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Personal | |
| Tags: Updates | |
Unfortunately, I still do not have a release date for the DVD and, to be honest, it's not looking like it will be available for another few months.
Life has tapped me on the shoulder and instructed me to attend to other priorities. But fear not, it will be done and ready relatively soon. Watch
Some Thoughts on Cinematography |
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| October 24, 2005 11:10 PM | Views:133 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Observations | |
| Tags: Cinematography | |
People sometimes ask me who my favorite cinematographers are and I find it to be a difficult question to answer. It’s like being asked what kinds of music do I like, the answer is dynamic, never static. My understanding and appreciation of the medium of film is always changing and growing the more
The Director's Cut |
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| October 24, 2005 09:46 PM | Views:109 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Observations | |
| Tags: Cinematography Editing | |
Good editing is critical to the success of a film. By “success”, I don’t mean how much money it made at the box office. I’m talking about what makes the film work. No matter how talented the actors, how beautiful the soundtrack, how well composed the shots, it all falls flat if the timing of the cuts
DVD Update and Other Carrying Ons |
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| October 21, 2005 08:46 AM | Views:98 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Personal | |
| Tags: Updates | |
Linda and I are working on the Pine Lake Films DVD. I’m going to be reworking some of the scores with
Working with composer Glenn Scott Lacey |
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| October 20, 2005 08:33 AM | Views:112 Favorited:0 Comments:0 |
| Filed Under: Pine Lake Films | |
| Tags: Collaboration Composer | |
I just put the finishing touches to the film Snoqualmie. When I originally put it together, I was using library music but I recently worked
Sammamish, Washington,
United States
Specializations
Videographer/Cinematographer
Documentary
Landscape
Music Video
Nature
Short