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Naesje_Nordic_Wildlife_UWOLLongForm 09
3 Attachment(s)
My concept for the Long Form UWOL 09 will be to show you how a wildlife photographer experience to be out in the wild, trying to get stunning and amazing pictures.
The main actor in this piece will be Ole Arne, which some of you might have seen in the Norwegian Wood piece for the DVC/UWOL Charity Challenge. I have titled my project Nordic Wildlife for now, but I might change the title during the shooting/editing periode. In this first piece we are at the North-Western part of Norway (not far from Geir Inge!), doing som shoots of the amazing White Tailed Eagle and the Goshawk. Ole Arne has dreamed about getting some photos of raptors for a long time and I believe this stay touched him almost to tears when a huge White Tailed Eagle did a touch down just 10 meters from the blind! To get a amazing shoot of a eagle touch down in front of a Goshawk is very rare I believe!? To sit in a blind has cons and pros. The main problem is that your view angle is very narrow. Almost impossible to get control of what's happening on the side and behind you. The raptors often sits on hights or in tree tops for hours just watching out for danger before they approach. So even if there's nothing to hear or view, keep total silence is essential to success. And when thing first start to happend everything is happening on the same time. It's like you struggleing with a bottle of chetchup, first nothing, then nothing and suddenly everything at once! When the bird has landed, being patient and don't move too much with your lens is essential. My rule of thumb is: move when the bird moves. Hold when the bird stop and watching. Doing it this way you'll extend the time the bird stay on the bait many times! I learned a lot from this first trip. I have to do more planning, do much, much more cut-in clip, particularly of Ole Arne in various situations. More landscape (wide) shoots etc, etc. Various close-ups of preparing gear etc, can be shoot afterwards, but I think it's essential to do as much as possible on location, where you have the same surroundings, light etc Another thing is do Ole Arne's dialog credible. I've found that if I write a script for him to talk from, it doesn't be as good as if he is allowed to speak more freely. So for now I let him speak a lot about his experiences and trying to edit the best part for the film. Recommende version is located at Vimeo in HD: Nordic Wildlife Part 1 on Vimeo If you want a smaller version with underlying text in english (428x240), which can be found here: http://www.video-film.no/snutter/UWO...OLLongForm.mov 57MB of size (please right-click and download before viewing) I would like comments of how you're able to read this text and it's size and apperance? Appriciate any comments to this first entry! Enjoy! Pictures show some screen grabs from the film |
Hallo Per Johan
You have here some exselent, cut and I realy look forword to this film. I shold meybe wait to the finich film. But you get me wonder how in eart you get so close.Is it in a cabin or a tent ? Denne burde du prøvd som forprocekt hos NRK se (exstern prod) All Best VJV. |
I am really impressed. Your shots are so sharp and detailed. The scene with the goshawk and the eagle flying into the foreground is amazing.
I am looking forward to see twenty minutes or more of this high standard. Finn-Erik |
Per Johan,
You spend enough time in the field you will certainly see amazing things!! some of them are once in a life time!! the Gos and the eagle is a perfect example!!! To be set up and record it with the camera makes it even more fantastic as you can share the moment with others!!! Looking forward to seeing the completed version. |
Per Johan
I say this with some embarassment and humility, but the images you have shown, shared and created and your methods have inspired me (and I know others), and led me to try and emulate. I stand in awe of what you can do, and hope someday to be able to have learned enough to reach the same levels with my own subjects. I will await to see your project's end result, and I know I will study it carefully to learn as I can. Chris ps. I already own the same crane because of your suggestions. <g> |
Superb, can't fault it in any way.
Goshawks are very difficult to film in any country I've ever been to, not just yours Per Johan! Looking forward to the rest of it. Steve |
Hi PJ.
I like your idea of making your friend, Ole Arne, the main character in your film. Well, that is together with the birds and great nature of course :) You have a lot of work ahead to make this film, but with your experience from filming muskox at Dovre in freezing cold, I think you are prepared :) Two questions: 1) Close to me you say about your location. May I ask exactly where? 2) Those clear and beatuful coloured clips. May I ask you for the preset? Wish you best of luck. Geir Inge |
Hello Per:
This is a marvel take on how you have chosen to present your film. The combination of both your filming talent and Ole's camera work is unbeatable. You have incorporated effective transitions and the sub titles are very legible. I noticed a few miss-spellings which I would be happy to review your text and offer corrections if you would like. Your English is near-perfect! Nicely done Per! All of the details (native tongue and subtitles, transitions, incorporating film and stills, etc) are adding up to a powerful film. Cat |
This film really provides an interesting way to approach the subject. And blends things really well. Great shots of scenery, some really good shots of the birds - capturing a lot of what they are like, and also the human element with Ole Arne. It provides a good balance.
I can only assume knowledge (about wildlife and the local habitats) combined with patience are an absolute must for this kind of work. But it makes for great footage. I have much to learn yet. There is no way most of us can compete on visuals. These really are awesome shots. But I'm inspired to learn more so I can get the most out of the 8-bit SD equipment I have. I look forward to seeing more, and how this develops as a story. Also, thanks for the subtitles - I'd be lost without them, they were quite easy to read, and follow along. |
Per, very well done. My hands got cold just watching. I also picked up on a few spelling errors. And, I think you need to keep the transcription on the screen longer, there were a few times it cut off before I got to read it all. I know the final will be a winner. Bob
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Wonderful, Per. As in your owl and capercaillie work, you have a knack of getting into these birds' eyes, which draws the viewer into the scene. Doing the same with Ole was a good stroke. I look forward to the rest.
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Thanks for comments to my entry!
Vidar: This shoots was made from a hide (fotoskjul) at Nordmøre on the West-Coast of Norway. The bait was a roe-deer and a crow. Even wild birds prefer free meals when possible so to get this close and you're not have plenty of time, this is the way to do it! Finn-Erik: My current set-up is Canon XL-H1 and I shoot 1080i50 HDV. I found the original viewfinder to be difficult to get good focus, especially in winter and cold weather. Therefore I use mainly a FU-1000 black/white viewfinder, much better with nice peak function. This is in fact a small CRT-monitor. Can't value it enough for my work! Dale: You asked once about my set-up for the H1 camcorder, see below for details. Chris: I'm very humble of your kind words! Unfortunately I haven't used my crane as much as I should, but I have plans for it in my current long-form. Steve: Thanks, I think there was some luck to get the footage we get. It's not an everyday event. Geir Inge: I've send you an email. See below for the preset. Cat: Thanks very much for your offer. I'll think about it. In fact I have been thinking about asking for someone who want to do some collaboration regarding to do the narrating for the film. Anybody wants to help me out? Andrew: In fact I'm working in 8-bit myself, HDV and SD is both 8-bit systems. There's not much difference between those two formats except frame size. But please arrest me if I'm wrong! HDV - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia DV - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bob: I will notice the transcription duration, but I'm thinking of doing narrating in the finished film. See my answer to Cat above. Steve: Thanks, my aim is to get footage of wild birds/mammals which is not so often seen. Like doing real close close-ups. My advantage is having huge focal lenghts to work with! I want to share some of my technical settings: My wildlife preset for Canon XL-H1: GAM - CINE1 KNE - MIDDLE BLK - PRESS PED - 0 SET - 0 SHP - +2 HDF - MIDDLE DHV - 0 COR - 0 NR1 - OFF NR2 - OFF CMX - +1 CGN - +2 CHP - 0 RGN - 0 GGN - 0 BGN - 0 RGM - 0 RBM - 0 GRM - 0 GBM - 0 BRM - 0 BGM - 0 Ambient sound: I almost always use external microphones for ambient sound. I have 2 each of Sennheiser ME-67 shotguns, feeding them with +48V phantom power from the camcorder. When I use them in pair in somehow uncontrolled areas, I always record with two different levels, one high and one low. In that way I can switch in post the soundtrack with best levels of ambient sound. IMPORTANT always monitor ambient sound recording wearing a pair of headphones! Viewfinder (VF): FU-1000 black/white viewfinder, this is a CRT VF which I find superior to the original VF shipped with the H1. Batteries: I have 5 each of BP-970G, 7,4V 7200mAh batteries. Even when I feed microphones and the FU-1000 viewfinder (which consume more power than the original VF) I can continuous record for at least 2 hours on each battery. Tripod: I mostly use a huge Miller Arrow HD tripod system in all situations. This is rock steady under most conditions and gives you really vanilla smooth pans and tilts. But it's rather heavy, weight 20 lbs (10 kg). Heavy load on my shoulders on hikes in the mountains! Transport gear: I usually use a back-pack for storing the equipment for all my trips. This is a huge back-pack (110 liter) with lots of spare rooms and pockets. When hiking I put the Miller tripod on my chest hanging in elastic straps fastened to the harness of the back-pack. This way I got some counterweight in front, makes it "easy" to carry, if 40-50 lbs (20-25 kg) is easy to carry for a couple of hours! Last but not least: I found it very important to use a stripe of black tape to cover all leds and lights on my gear/camcorder (where possible turn of light by the menu). Well, hopefully this can be of usefull information. There's no secret with what I'm doing, but you need a huge amount of patience to get good recordings of wild birds and mammals. Feel free to ask, any additional questions! |
Hey Per,
Well it certainly looks like you have got your story all down pat, & the footage that you have so far must have you feeling fantastic with so much more time to get even more. If you continue to get footage of this calibre, & with the story you have told us so far, this will end up a brilliant piece of work. I can't wait to see it! You mentioned about doing some narrating for the final piece. Are you looking at having the level of Ole's voice low so as you can just hear it, and have the narrators voice telling people what he is saying like an interpreter? I'm sure you will find someone more than willing to help you out with the narration, & there are a few here that have wonderful voices, & do their narration as well as any, but personally i love the sound of your accent. It just goes with the beautiful footage you keep showing us from Norway. Regards, Bryce |
Hi PJ.
Just want to pop in and say thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. It really shows what a great guy you are. Your preset is almost similar to one I use :) The difference was I had Color Gain (CGN) set to zero (0). Now I will try out your preset :) Regards Geir Inge |
Well with a theme like this I guess we’re all in for a real treat with beautiful footage and plenty of lessons about filming and photographing birds in the wild - from both of you. Sounds really great Per and Ole and look forward to learning a lot more from the professionals!!!
Ole is easy to listen to and his narration is interesting, judging by your easy-to-read translation. In response to your question - the font in the translation is clear and the size just right. I am glad you made the black background to the text transparent so we didn’t lose the picture entirely. (Incidentally I watched the smaller version that you provided because I couldn’t get your Vimeo video to play. I am glad I did because having the translation definitely made it more enjoyable.) Your sound is very clear as usual and wow - you even got the goshawk sneezing!!! Amazing. One thing I found a bit distracting is the presentation of Ole’s photographs in this video. The photographs are not the same aspect ratio as your 16:9 screen and you zoom them in straight. This causes the tops and bottoms to be cut off as they zoom in but leaves white at the sides. (In your ‘Norwegian Wood’ video you changed the aspect ratio and rotation of each picture which added variety and made the magnification and aspect ratio difference less noticeable. I also really liked the couple of variations you threw in showing Ole’s camera screen in that video.) One final suggestion. It may be a good idea to explain things like scattered light to the uninformed viewer and why it is difficult to take photographs in scattered light. Ole could also describe how he got such magnificent photographs despite this problem - or would that be giving away too many trade secrets? :) Look forward to the next episode Per and Ole. |
Hei Per Johan!
As always you have great projects and the results are stunning. From what you write here, I'm sure this project will keep up to your standards as well. I look forward to follow your project and to see the finished video. Good luck! |
superb footage as always, i will be very interested to see how the long form plays out for you, it's not always easy to come up with ways to stretch your formidable cinematography skills...
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As usual Per, some fantastic footage and the audio was lovely too. I like wildlife films where there is human element connected to it, so am looking forward to seeing more of you and your photographers trips.
Just as a matter of interest, what editing software do you use and which codec to compress your images? They are fantastically clean and crisp. |
You are right there is no secret - just hard work, patience, time, and strength. After carrying all that gear, you deserve to get the wonderful video that you have shared with us.
I do not expect to get the same results with the 20x lens on my Canon XH-A1, but I am curious about the magnification you are getting with those huge focal lengths. I look forward to the seeing more of your video. |
Per,
I thought I had responded to your wonderful post sharing some of your mechanics and methods. I immediately put in your preset as "Per". My first shots with it were just about exactly what I was looking for! The added presets the xl2 does not have has kind of baffeled me. Now I get shots much more like my xl2 which I really like. Thank you ever so much for sharing with the group and anyone else fortunate enough to glean from your experience. I am really looking forward to seeing your project emerge. As always, your work inspires me to work harder on my own!! |
Hey Per
Your footage is always SO clean and technically well shot and this is bang on as usual and with some rare and stunning species. It is intimate and detailed and really takes you there, especially with Ole as your front man. It makes you feel like you are along for the ride and what a ride it will be I'm sure. What I do think however is from a film making perspective I don't think this is pushing your boundaries. Its a safe story that you know only too well and is based around your technical prowess which we all know you have only too well :-) ! I think it is very hard to critique your foootage it is always so strong, that said I would like to have seen this footage mixed in with some flight shots, or more behaviour based footage. Your editing and story telling is getting stronger and stronger and I think this will make a broadcast standard piece. I just can't help thinking you need to find more of a angle to your work...I think you'd then have the complete package! I can't wait to see the next installment! |
Per Johan,
Sorry about your difficulties with the capercaillie. Footage of you and Ole-Arne in the field will be very interesting. Actually, the scene with the phone call about the eagle in UWOL 7 is one of my all time favorites. Best of luck to you both. |
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I was thinking about your disappointing trip and I really felt for you. But based on your premise above I would say that while the subject did not appear, it was nevertheless a very real and typical experience and I am glad that you have not tossed it out altogether. Sometimes even with the best research and best made plans we still have to wait upon things that are very much outside our control and it should be included as a true representation of what goes into attempting to capture those stunning and amazing pictures. Knowing you I have no doubt that you will find something equally interesting and beautiful to include as a substitute. |
Wonderful work, both stills and video.
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. Geir Inge: Did you try out the settings and how do you like it? Quote:
I'm working on a script where I will make up some scenes of Ole Arne working in post with his pictures. This will cover (hopefully) how he's planning and doing his shooting and how he's working in PS (PhotoShop) to make the shoots more beautiful. . Trond: Thanks for your kind comment, sorry that you're out of the long-form. Good luck with your #13 entry! . Meryem: Thanks for your kind comment! In fact I'm wondering the same question myself :) But then I think about rule #11 :) . Quote:
I will make up a better explanation how I do this post production, when I have some more time to write and upload it at this forum? . Annie: Thanks for your kind comment! I shoot with the Canon XLH1 allowing me to use external 35mm lenses. Beside the original 20x HD lens, I use a 70-200mm and a 300mm mostly, gives me a focal length up to 2100mm ++ :) |
Dale: Thanks for your comments! And that you liked my H1 settings! The default color setting on both XL2 and H1 is a bit dull. I also found that when colors seems brilliant in FCP, after exporting to a QT-file, colors seems to degrade a bit. Especially when viewed on a PC. I've therefore started to do some color correction and adjusting of contrast in the timeline before exporting. But I'm still experimenting. Will write some of my findings later on.
. Mat: Thanks so much for your suggestions! I'm definitive thinking about making some more challenging scenes of raptors flights! This summer I'm planning to do some more flight-footage of the White Tailed Eagle, I'm also have some plans for the Golden Eagle as well. Time will show!! . Mike: Thanks so much, glad you liked the "Eagle has landed"-episode! In fact after I've cooled down and got a couple of good nights sleep in my bed, life feels much better! And this is what I like about shooting wildlife, you NEVER know what you get or not get! Very facinating! . Quote:
. Michael: Thanks so much for your kind comment! |
Nordic Wildlife Part 2
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Finally I got my second entry of the long-form-uwol uploaded.
Here's link to the film at Vimeo: Nordic Wildlife Part 2 on Vimeo and link at uwolchallenge.com: http://www.uwolchallenge.com/longfor...OLLongForm.mp4 My plan in the second part, was to show you some spectacular action and scenery from something we're calling "the spring most beautiful adventure!" - well, things don't came out as planned and I've tried to show you some of it in this film. My aim and intention for the final film is still "under construction" as 5 months already gone and I realize that I maybe in some kind of a hurry to get the footage I want! Anyway, I would like your comments to this one - me as the talking head - the search for the mating game - the edit/cut - sound/audio - etc... . Picture: a young capercaillie at the moor - photo by: Ole Arne Schlytter |
Per.... as the only other "talking head" I woud have to say yours was better in all respects (plus you have more hair, though our beards match pretty well). In fact you should consider "popping in" now and then during your final fim to make a point or illustrate something.
I would be interested to know your sound capture technique because it was very good. Oh, and also...Was the "whisper" in the blind ADR or real time capture? This was fascinating standing alone.... a fun 5 minute piece in the "making of"...bravo. Another lesson. The editing was well done. The audio was excellent though the clownish music started too early before the sped up sequence with Arne setting up the blind. Good choice of music all the way through. The edit of inside the tent and outside as it was zipped up was very nice and seamless. All your edits were seamless. Your editing skills are enviable. Well done. No ... awesomely done..and this was JUSTa submisson point....I will look forward to the next one.... Chris Swanberg |
Hey Per
Well, I can somewhat appreciate your frustrations. I attempted to see some Caper's in Scotland in April. In Scotland these really are very rare birds and I only did two mornings, but I too missed this elusive character. Ahhh well, maybe one day! I think your editing is great on this and you know this is something I've critiqued you on before. Your even adding touching of comedy into the sequence which was great and really broke things up, especially with the use of the speeded up footage! Nice cut entering the hide too! The shooting is all of the usual high quality. Although when the talking head at 2:38 needs to be better framed with the top of the head towards the top of frame. As I said I'm previous post I think any film maker/photographer/wildlife watcher will find this approach fascinating. However I'm not sure that would still follow for a wider audience. That said, if within this you have 'Per Johan' level wildlife sequences (which I know you will) and the story becomes more subject focussed at these points then I can see it having wider appeal. - I guess I'm struggling to understand the whole film together because I've not read any written planning. If you have anything written, be sure to post it!! |
Hi Per,
Good to see you in front of the lens. I think you have managed to produce an excellent chapter in your story, despite the capercaille being thin on the ground. Continuity and the feeling of anticipation came over well, might have been added to perhaps with a little timelapse maybe showing the shadows of the morning sun coming up over the hide? Good work! One day I will come back to Norway and experience it in the summer!! |
Chris: Thanks a lot for your kind comments.
Yes, it's seem that we are the only one, standing on both side of the camera! Actually, I didn't have so much footage this time, so it was essential for me to do it this way. On the other hand I'm glad I did, because this was a good experience and I'm thinking of using myself more in the finished film. For sound capture I use a wireless Sennheiser ew100 G2, when I do the talking head stuff. In fact I also use it for doing the narrating. I found that it's much more easy for me to talk if I can walk freely holding the manuscript. I record to my camcorder and then capture as regular footage in to the Mac. The wisper in the blind was in fact ADR. I used my tiny Canon HV-10 for most of the "behind the scenes" footage this time. And the microphone is not of any good. You can hear it in some of the sequences where Ole Arne is talking. So I have to figure out a way of doing better sound recording when using the HV-10, because it don't have any external microphone connection! Mat: Thanks a lot for your comment. I always appreciate your comment, because you are giving me some new ideas how to improve my stuff. Please keep on doing it! I have been rethinking my script several times now. But I think I have made up my mind how to make this into a more worth seeing piece (for non-wildlife viewers too!). Hopefully I can present more in the next round. Rob: Thanks for your comment and suggestions. I will think about doing some more timelaps. In fact I'm time-lapsing some stuff for uwol-13, stay tuned! Please give me a note if you planning to come to Norway. If possible we could meet and have a chat! |
Per,
Your submission made me smile a lot. Despite your frustration it had a very light hearted feel to it which worked very well. As usual shot very nicely and it had a good pace to it. It was great that you got the pay off shot of the bird at the end. Made the piece. Looking forward to more adventures. |
Hello Per,
Good shooting, as usual. I especially enjoyed your footage of Ole Arne this time. He is just what you expect a wildlife photographer to be. I was a little confused, however as after he put up the blind, you were the one in it, or did I miss a transition somewhere? It's a shame you missed the Capercaillie. I hope you got some of the other birds that were singing right in the area. They may be small, but for your international audience they would be very interesting. |
Mihali: Thanks a lot for you kind comments. Even the endless hours of waiting in the blind I had the glimpse in my eyes. Glad you saw it!
Steve: Thanks so much for your comments. I had to do the switch between me and Ole Arne because I haven't done the "inside the hide" scenes with Ole Arne yet. We are going to do this later in the project. Hopefully I will get time for some small birds too. But I have realised that I maybe in some lack of time to get all the footage I want. Right now I'm rewriting my script a bit - only time will show how this comes out in the end! |
Hi Per,
As usual, another great piece from you. Sounds like your story is starting to take shape. I really like the way you have put together an interesting story with so little footage of your quarry. You really built things up to the point where you finally got some footage of your bird. The light hearted feel to this was really nice to watch, even though i would imagine (and as you said yourself) you were very frustrated after so much time spent for so little footage. I loved the footage from inside the blind as i think it adds so much to the story, showing what you go through to get the footage you get. Not sure if it was a problem with the encoding for the vimeo clip, but it looked like the audio was out of sinc at one point. I really look forward to seeing more when you finally get the footage in the can! Regards, Bryce |
The country you explore reminds me of the Sierra Nevada mountains where I live. You really know how to capture the wilderness beautifully, I need to take some lessons from you. As always you produced a fun and visually pleasing film. I thought the lighting you used in the blind was great and the shots of the photographer hiking were inspiring and made me want to go out and shoot some hiking scenes for my movie based on your camera angles.
Great job |
Hi Per:
You never cease to entertain the viewer, even in times of epic frustration! This was light hearted and fun, even though we can somewhat sympathize with your pain (I don't think many of us spend the time and effort in the wild as you do)! I think you are becoming quite skillful and creative in your transitions. All the very best to you and Ola the next stint of filming. You both are masters at what you do. I hope your subjects will be more cooperative this next time. Per, this was still a fun film to watch! Your efforts show! Cat |
Hi Per.
You maid me laugh with this one :) I'm sure you will come up with something great in the end, you always do. Sitting there waiting for the mating game that never happened, and then you made a story of it, after all. Thats great film making my friend. Can't wait to see your part 3. Geir Inge |
Nordic Wildlife Round 3
Ok, here is my entry for round 3 of the LF Challenge.
As I said, this round is first of all to keep me in to the challenge. I haven´t got shot any aimed for the LF for the last 2 months and therefore this entry is most of all showing what kind of gear I´m using. I´m also telling you about my experiences to get good wildlife footage. The next couple of month will therefore be very important getting enough footage to complete this challenge! Link to the film on Vimeo: UWOL Long Form 09 - Part 3 on Vimeo Enjoy! |
Hi PJ.
Thank you for sharing your experience the way you do. I feel privileged because I'm so lucky I have had the chance to meet you in person, and see you in action. Both at Runde island and Kvamsoy island. I think you are a perfectionist and that's why your videos are so great. I know you are spending a lot of time in the wilderness to get exactly the right shot, and I think it pays back. In this video you show us your technics and how you work in the field, great stuff my friend. Looking forward to your next video :) All the best. Geir Inge |
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