lumix luminary meeting

Sarasota, Florida.

Two days.

Intense! But, fun!

We had the Lumix Luminary gathering over the last couple days where we get together and share ideas, techniques and new information about the Lumix cameras and their capabilities. They were long days but very productive. We broke into teams and created some videos together. Video not being my number one priority in my business I learned a lot. Saw quite a few ways to add some value for my stills clients through using video and some new ideas that were introduced.

lumix video shoot

Here we are working on the beach. I’m getting the audio ready for the shoot and Armed with an FZ 1000 on one shoulder and a GH4 on the other. Image capture with the new Lumix G7 f8.0 200 ISO 1/640 sec It was shot by Dan using Tom’s G7 and 14-140 lens. He imported into his phone and messed with it using Snapseed. Added an HDR Scape layer and a Drama layer then used the Vertical Perspective under Transform and may have adjusted tone a bit..
(I’ll be sharing some work and features shortly from the G7. Pretty powerful camera!)

Sometimes as photographers running a one-man show our world can become a little insulated. Having an intense couple days with colleagues working and sharing ideas can be a great infusion of energy. Even if you can’t get together with a group like this I highly recommend at least getting together with a couple photographers and go out and shoot together for a couple hours. Then have a cup of coffee or an adult beverage or two. The relationships that you build doing things like this are wonderful!

Yours in Creative Photography,      Bob

old west video

The scene looks like it was taken from the pages of a Louis L’Amour novel.

A Western set awaits as the Arizona PPA put on it’s annual ‘Fall Fest’ and you just might want to put this on your calendar. AZPPA board member Bruce Roscoe has put together an event you won’t want to miss. He has contacts with lots of actors from Westerns who have period costumes to go with the setting at Canyon Creek Ranch in Black Canyon City, Arizona.

Bruce asked me to get together with some of the actors to give you a preview of what’s in store. With the trusty Lumix GH4 in hand and a video fluid head atop my tripod we endeavored to give you a taste of the event.

Promo for AZPPA ‘Fall Fest’ video shot with the GH4 and edited in Adobe Premiere Pro
Check out the video and if you’d like more information you can ride on over to the AZPPA web site link for more information pardner…
I will be one of about 5 instructors that will be on hand to share ideas about shooting, lighting, posing on this all day event. There will be lighting equipment from FJ Westcott to try out and work with.
Looks like it’s gonna’ be a blast!
Yours in Creative Photography,      Bob
PS – Watching the video will be your first step and you’ll be one of the first to see what’s coming. Sign up early as this will surely sell out.
PPS – The beginning part of the video was accomplished by using the Time Lapse feature in the camera. Camera was hand held with an image being made every 2 seconds as we drove down the road.

stairway to heaven

Sometimes inspiration comes from different places…

Seeing what the Wilson sisters have done with the classic Led Zeppelin anthem Stairway to Heaven makes me want to create something special. Watch this video all the way through. It brought tears to my eyes…

Led Zeppelin Stairway to Heaven performed at the Kennedy Center with songwriter Robert Plant in the audience.
I’m not sure what I want to create… but the itch is there! How about you?
Yours in creative Photography,       Bob

new slideshow

In speaking I try to give people an idea of the kind of photography I do. I want to show them a lot of images but not have them become bored by the presentation… I personally hate long shows. Being the maker sometimes it is hard to decide whether it’s too long, too short, too quick etc. I’m looking for some feedback Thanks!

I used ProShow Web It was pretty quick to select the type of show style I wanted. Uploaded images. Uploaded music. (I have permission from Eric Miller of Eric Miller World Music to use his wonderful rhythms. If you want to learn how you can use Eric’s music get in touch with him direct or give ma call) I wasn’t happy with all the transitions in the show as built. Went in and tweaked the ones I didn’t like… Please ignore that I have the same photo in two times. I’ll fix that after I get more feedback from you.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob

musician salute

Humble.

And, extremely talented.

His name is Alan Ames.

He shared with me that he was pleasantly surprised that he was able to play along with the ‘A’ team of musicians assembled on the stage at Sound Bites Grill. I had enjoyed Alan’s playing before, he’s already on the SBG ‘Wall of Fame’ but I heard lots more. When I asked band leader Eric Miller about the additional sounds I was hearing he told me that Alan had built his own instrument. It’s called a Violyra. (I’ll check with Alan on the spelling of this) Instead of the violin’s traditional four strings Alan added two extra strings in the bass range with a different body design. His creation is so original the Musical Instruments Museum in Phoenix has commissioned him to make another for display in the museum. A true honor indeed.

Here’s a quick sample of some of the sounds Alan creates with his Violyra…

alan ames plyng violyra instrumentStill frame pulled from 4K video captured by the Lumix GH4.

alan ames instrument photograph

The sounds Alan can make from this instrument are extremely varied. He said he has fused the old techniques of instrument building with the new technology and this allows him to create an incredible range of sounds from traditional violin to cello and more…

Pretty amazing the new technology available in musical instruments and cameras. It’s a great time to be a creative. What are you experimenting with??

Yours in Creative Photography,      Bob