Wildlife Cinematography Master Class

Doug Jensen · August 23rd, 2023, 09:16 AM

Speaking of my master class, I decided to put chapter 2 on YouTube a couple of weeks ago.

Bob Safay · August 31st, 2023, 08:21 AM

Doug, glad you liked the little video. When I was filming that bear at Cades Cove he was happily eating. All of a sudden, he decided to cross right in front of me. Bear school in Alaska taught me to look down and not to look aggressive so I just stayed still, kept my head down and let him walk by to greener pastures. I know what you mean about the heat in the south. I am heading out for a three-week road trip to Colorado. While there I will spend three days filming in Rocky Mountain Nation Park. And yes, I will be using all the tricks and settings I have learned in your Master Class, especially shooting at 23.97 with a shutter angle of 144 degrees. Again, thanks so much for putting this course together. As you know I have been shooting video since 1989 and I am always learning something new. Safe travels, Bob

Doug Jensen · September 1st, 2023, 04:33 PM

Bob, I wish you luck on your trip to Colorado and hope you have a lot of fun. It is a great time of year to be in the mountains.

I just spent 5 days on Cape Cod . . . . and didn't even bring a camera. My wife felt it was time for a true vacation, and I agreed. I'll make up for it when we get back to Florida in the Fall. :-)

Bob Safay · November 12th, 2023, 06:13 PM

Doug, I recently updated my video equipment and of course I had to look at several chapters of your Wildlife Cinematography course again. So, using you advise, these are the settings I'm using.

23.97P at 1/60, XF-AVC 422 10 bit, 3840x2160 Intra-frame, 240 Mbps. My question is, I have the ability of shooting at 410 Mbps. Should I stay with the 240 Mbps or go with the 410? Damn I am always learning something from watching your training videos. Bob

Doug Jensen · November 13th, 2023, 10:11 AM

Hi Bob, first of all, those first settings are exactly what I recommend. However, when it comes to compression, the difference between 240 Mbps and 410 Mbps might not be visible. Kind of like the difference between ProRes and ProResHQ. Obviously, one is less compressed than the other, but seeing a difference between the two is almost impossible in most instances. The only way to be really sure is to shoot some side-by-side tests, which will take some time and effort, and sitll might be inconclusive.

If file size is not a concern, then I'd choose 410Mbps becaus I usually prefer to choose the best available codec. But will it make a visual difference? Probably not. I think you are going to be good no matter which you choose.

Bob Safay · November 15th, 2023, 10:16 AM

Doug, I really could not see that much of a difference between 240 Mbps and 410 Mbps. I'll stick with 240 for now. Thanks for all your great advice. Bob

Doug Jensen · February 5th, 2024, 09:11 AM

Bob, millions of birds on Merritt Island now. Best I've seen it in years. Thought you might like to know.

Bob Safay · February 15th, 2024, 09:15 AM

Doug, sorry I missed it, I did make the Sand hill crane migration in northern Alabama. I will be going to Naples, FL area next week. BTW, I read your article on filming wildlife on Shutterstock. Congratulations on being one of five chosen to contribute to the article. Stay safe, Bob

August 23rd, 2023, 09:16 AM	#31
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,440	Re: Wildlife Cinematography Master Class Speaking of my master class, I decided to put chapter 2 on YouTube a couple of weeks ago. YouTube (Short URL) __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

August 31st, 2023, 08:21 AM	#32
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Wildlife Cinematography Master Class Doug, glad you liked the little video. When I was filming that bear at Cades Cove he was happily eating. All of a sudden, he decided to cross right in front of me. Bear school in Alaska taught me to look down and not to look aggressive so I just stayed still, kept my head down and let him walk by to greener pastures. I know what you mean about the heat in the south. I am heading out for a three-week road trip to Colorado. While there I will spend three days filming in Rocky Mountain Nation Park. And yes, I will be using all the tricks and settings I have learned in your Master Class, especially shooting at 23.97 with a shutter angle of 144 degrees. Again, thanks so much for putting this course together. As you know I have been shooting video since 1989 and I am always learning something new. Safe travels, Bob

September 1st, 2023, 04:33 PM	#33
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,440	Re: Wildlife Cinematography Master Class Bob, I wish you luck on your trip to Colorado and hope you have a lot of fun. It is a great time of year to be in the mountains. I just spent 5 days on Cape Cod . . . . and didn't even bring a camera. My wife felt it was time for a true vacation, and I agreed. I'll make up for it when we get back to Florida in the Fall. :-) __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

November 12th, 2023, 06:13 PM	#34
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Wildlife Cinematography Master Class Doug, I recently updated my video equipment and of course I had to look at several chapters of your Wildlife Cinematography course again. So, using you advise, these are the settings I'm using. 23.97P at 1/60, XF-AVC 422 10 bit, 3840x2160 Intra-frame, 240 Mbps. My question is, I have the ability of shooting at 410 Mbps. Should I stay with the 240 Mbps or go with the 410? Damn I am always learning something from watching your training videos. Bob

November 13th, 2023, 10:11 AM	#35
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,440	Re: Wildlife Cinematography Master Class Hi Bob, first of all, those first settings are exactly what I recommend. However, when it comes to compression, the difference between 240 Mbps and 410 Mbps might not be visible. Kind of like the difference between ProRes and ProResHQ. Obviously, one is less compressed than the other, but seeing a difference between the two is almost impossible in most instances. The only way to be really sure is to shoot some side-by-side tests, which will take some time and effort, and sitll might be inconclusive. If file size is not a concern, then I'd choose 410Mbps becaus I usually prefer to choose the best available codec. But will it make a visual difference? Probably not. I think you are going to be good no matter which you choose. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

November 15th, 2023, 10:16 AM	#36
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Wildlife Cinematography Master Class Doug, I really could not see that much of a difference between 240 Mbps and 410 Mbps. I'll stick with 240 for now. Thanks for all your great advice. Bob

February 5th, 2024, 09:11 AM	#37
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,440	Re: Wildlife Cinematography Master Class Bob, millions of birds on Merritt Island now. Best I've seen it in years. Thought you might like to know. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

February 15th, 2024, 09:15 AM	#38
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Wildlife Cinematography Master Class Doug, sorry I missed it, I did make the Sand hill crane migration in northern Alabama. I will be going to Naples, FL area next week. BTW, I read your article on filming wildlife on Shutterstock. Congratulations on being one of five chosen to contribute to the article. Stay safe, Bob