Author Archive

Widget for Cameras: ioShutter

July 10th, 2012 | Widgets | 1 comment

Back in the days of yore, we all carried metal cable releases with us. If you were locked down on a tripod and needed to either trip the shutter without touching the camera or hold the shutter open for a long time, this was your tool of choice. One end had a plunger or bulb [...]

Widget for Video: Cineskates

December 31st, 2011 | Video | No comments

This looks like a really cool solution to creating high quality video movements – much more flexibility than traditional dollies or tracks. embedded by Embedded Videovimeo Direkt Cineskates systems start at around $300, which includes the skates, tripod, head and a carrying bag. Of course, before employing a system like this, you have to ask [...]

Shopping for Widgets

November 28th, 2011 | Widgets | No comments

By definitions, we photographers (of the still, moving or hybrid kind) love our widgets. From big expensive widgets (like the newly announced Canon EOS C300) down through little things (like the Glif we highlighted here a while ago), we fall in love with the tools that help us tell stories better. But, we’re also notoriously [...]

Widget for Mobile: The Wingstand

November 14th, 2011 | Mobile, Widgets | No comments

I love elegant, efficient and functional design and, this week, we hit them all beautifully. I came across the Wingstand as a Kickstarter project a few months ago. If you’re not familiar with Kickstarter.com, you should be. If you have an idea you can post it online and seek pledges to make it come true. [...]

Widget for Stuff: The Grid-It

October 31st, 2011 | Widgets | No comments

Stuff. We have a lot of … stuff. And much of that stuff is small and tends to get tangled up. FireWire cables, USB cables, audio cables, power cables … and then there’s all the stuff we have to connect with them. Is your bag just a mess of stuff? Yeah, mine has been, too. [...]

Widget for Cameras: The Black Rapid RS-7 Strap

October 10th, 2011 | Widgets | 2 comments

With every new camera you purchase you’re going to get a camera strap. It’ll be functional, maybe moderately stylish – but is it the best one for you? For more than 20 years, I’ve swapped out the factory straps for aftermarket ones, usually Domke Gripper Straps. Reader Roxanne Evans, though, sent me some info on [...]

Widget for iPhone Users: The Gymbl

September 26th, 2011 | Mobile, Video, Widgets | No comments

There are some days that I worry about the spelling ability of our society. The word gimbal, for instance, came into my lexicon when I first watched Apollo 13 but now Youbiq is marketing something called … a Gymbl. Which seems a few letters off, to me, but take a look. embedded by Embedded VideoYouTube [...]

Widget for Transmitting: The Eye-Fi

September 12th, 2011 | Widgets | No comments

For many years I’ve wanted to pick up a wireless transmitter for my DSLR cameras. Not that I set up a lot of remotes, but because it would make my life a whole lot easier in the classroom. Currently, I tether my cameras when we’re doing a demonstration, but that gets pretty limited. The wireless [...]

Learning Video: Simplifying Multi Cam Edits

September 5th, 2011 | Video | No comments

It’s the standard interview set-up these days: A main camera up front, a second off to the side for cutaways. Maybe a third to show some more environment. But then you have to get all of those clips synched up in your NLE and that can be a hassle. If only you had more eyes [...]

Learning Audio: Fixing Levels

August 29th, 2011 | Audio, Mobile | No comments

Ever been out recording audio and suddenly notice your subject moved closer or further away from your mic? Or you weren’t paying attention and moved that mic? Yeah, me too. Here’s a solution for you: The Conversations Network’s Levelator. embedded by Embedded VideoYouTube Direkt You can use it on Mac, Windows or Linux machine and [...]