In a world where we have been seeing an increased number of natural disasters, Nat Geo recounts one of the worst events on it’s 20th  Anniversary. This doc series, Hurricane Katrina – Race Against Time, is presented in 5 episodes exploring the events leading up to it, the tragedy itself, and the resulting repercussions.

Exec produced by Ryan Coogler and his production Company Proximity Media, with Academy Award & Emmy winning producers at Lightbox, this will air on Nat Geo, Disney+, and Hulu starting on July 27th.

As we come up to the anniversary of this event, it is timely as we have just seen another disaster in Texas and are starting to dissect how that may have happened.
I recommend you watch all of the series, to see the timeline and the way they have structured the recalling of the events.

Let’s direct our attention to the way that story is told.
It is historical, and the series recounts it in an engaging and digestible format.
Documentaries can have a narrative which present a perspective and is led by a team of filmmakers.

As you examine your own storytelling, there are lessons here. As engaged as you will be watching the series, make sure you take the time to look at it. In other words, how did they make this? Continue Reading »

Summertime and we are on the road again! Whether you are chilling or working, you have your tech with you, and want to make sure what you carry makes sense.

Here is what the first part featured, and you know there are always more useful items. Most products are now on sale on Amazon Prime!

BTW, these products are what I use in the real world so tried and tested.

Here are some of the additional things that can make your life easier while you move about!

*Plug Bug – USB-C hub from Twelve South

*Anker Travel Plug Adapter

*MOFT laptop stand

*Samsung T9 SSD

*Delkin Card Reader & Media Cards

*Peak Design Tech Pouch

*Personal Fan 

*BioFreeze

One of my main things to use is a USB-C Hub, and this one, the Plug Bug, has an added feature:
With a tracker built in, you can rest assured you’re not leaving this one behind in the hotel, or rental.
As I have more than twice.

I have even tracked it to make sure it’s packed in my luggage. Get the one with 4 USB-C ports.

Anker adapter for your international travels.
Compact, and covers all your outlet needs. And it has 2 USB-C ports and 2 USB-A ports/

Please note, this is NOT a voltage converter

If you are working on the trip, one of the best ways to keep your laptop at the right working level is the origami inspired MOFT laptop stand.
Packs flat and has a few configurations depending on your working preference.

I’m a fan of the standing desk option.
And if you are heading to the balcony or poolside, try their latest iPad/Tablet folding stand.
Super smart design, and again, folds light and flat

For the storage or transfer of media, the Samsung T9,

You can get a variety of capacities on the SSD all now on Amazon Prime day deals versions, plugged into a Belkin 4 USB-C hub is my go-to.

Honestly, since I use a camera with a CFExpress card, the Delkin card reader is always in the bag. With an SD and CFExpress card reader on one unit, it’s always in the bag.

I also depend on their line -up of media cards. Never had one fail, and most camera brands recommend these.

And what bag holds it all?
The Peak Design Tech Pouch of course.
A now Standard travel pouch, it has the dividers, pockets, cable slots and everything design element you want, in a small container.

2 small things that are very optional are a personal fan.

I picked this one up and in this warm summer it’s a life saver and takes up no room.
Yep, there is a very little sound from the motor, but the relief cancels any of that out. Truth be told, I spoke with a guard at Rockerfeller Center who was stationed on the plaza , so had a close relationship with heat. She swore by it, and now in my bag!
You can even hang it around your neck and have it pointing up towards your face and neck

And I now carry this product in the bag: Biofreeze. For pain relief, it works for me, especially after a long flight or carrying my camera bag all day.
Menthol, and not as intense as tiger balm, but does the trick for me. Roll on or massage in. And they have patches!

Be cool and safe out there! As more useful products come in, I’ll check em out and post em!

More camera gear coming soon!

Nat Geo dives back into the deep end with a search for Sharks Up Close With Bertie Gregory!

Look for it on Nat Geo on July 5th, and Disney + and Hulu the following day, 7/6

Now, of course, Mr Gregory is an outstanding wildlife director! By employing spotters, a team placing remote cameras, and his incredible DP, he searches for the elusive Great White Shark, while encountering a whole host of other under the sea creatures, and brings them to you up close, and personal!

Host, Bertie Gregory, diving at the sea bed amongst the reefscape. (credit: National Geographic/Dan Beecham)

But what about the camera people who are capturing the video OF Mr. Gregory? I am always trying to look behind the scenes and think about what it takes to get those incredible shots of the host and their creature interactions.

In that quest, I had the chance to catch up with Dan Beecham, the underwater cinematographer specializing in capturing the remarkable creatures whom Bertie depends on.
Dan has contributed to a host of high-profile productions, including National Geographic’s Hostile Planet, BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, Frozen Planet II, Mammals, and Planet Earth III, along with several projects for Disney+ and AppleTV+.

Host Bertie Gregory filming a ragged tooth shark underwater. (credit: National Geographic/Dan Beecham)

When you watch the video remember that this project was made without the use of a shark cage. For either person.
Yep, kinda unfettered up-close look at the some of the most dangerous and fascinating creatures under the sea.

In our conversation we covered a lot of subjects, including his statement: Sharks pre-date dinosaurs and trees.
Did NOT realize that.

Host, Bertie Gregory, filming a southern right whale mother underwater. (credit: National Geographic/Dan Beecham)

Dan’s experience and work has probably touched you all before, as he was DP on the famous Blue Planet II project, a massive achievement that revealed to us all the world as you may not know. For two years, he worked exclusively on the acclaimed 2017, spending over 500 days in the field and filming an extraordinary range of marine life—from nudibranchs to sperm whales—in more than 20 global locations.

He’s worked with Bertie on a few projects, and one thing he shared was that Bertie knows exactly what he wants to capture.
Of course, when you are in the moment, decisions on what to video come organically and quick.
This is part of where the skill sets that Dan brings to the project are in full force.
Remember, he also is not in a shark cage!

He shoots with no lighting or filters, depending on natures gifts. And the colorists in post production!

Yes, I wanted to know about the gear he shoots with:

Basically, a Red Raptor body, with a full frame sensor.
It does allow him to shoot 8k and crop down to 5K
His favorite lens is the Canon 11mm-24mm, being wide keeping him super close to the action and to Bertie.
For the underwater housing , first choice is Nauticam  or a Gates Housing

When asked what his greatest fear on shoots is, without hesitation, he declared – it was getting lost. When you are in the ocean, landmarks and position perception get challenged
Only happened once, but that was plenty.

As we are now celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws, had to ask how it influenced him. Or not.
He is too young to have seen it when it came out, although we he did finally see it, he was inspired. Still was afraid to get in the tub!

I think he’s gotten over that!

I woke up on July 26, 1971 figuring there would be some good birthday shenanigans.
I didn’t realize till later that one of my photographic heroes, Diane Arbus, had taken her own life on that day.
More on that later.

There is now a comprehensive exhibit of her work, including over 450 photographs, showing now at the Park Avenue Armory. Called Diane Arbus – Constellation

Here is a brief biography on her, and you will no doubt be familiar with some of her more famous works.

The layout here is unique, and encourages you to wander and explore and discover.

It’s not set up with specific areas of her work, like the series in a nudist colony, or her portraits in the park.
With photos displayed above your head and down near the floor, you will have a more active experience than in most shows.

There is a folded legend you are encouraged bring into the exhibit to give you the titles of specific images.
Although you can just wander, and trust me, you will.

The more famous of her photos seem to be at key eye levels, but you will see more as you cruise through the show.
This is the largest exhibition of her work, and I saw so many images that were unfamiliar to me.
Interestingly, when you first walk in it seems to go on forever, but the back wall is actually a mirror!

The baby picture above is Anderson Cooper. Diane Arbus was commissioned to make this by his mother Gloria Vanderbilt.

This exhibit was first seen in Arles, France at the annual Recontre  festival celebrating photography, and there are films that cover presentations that occurred there.
Neil Selkirk, who had worked with her prints for over 50 years, and Darius Himes, chief curator of photography for Christies give insight into her life work, and yes, her death.
They even brought out her cameras and discussed why she used each one.

Not long after her death, MOMA showed a retrospective of her work, and then one of the most famous books of photos, her Aperture Monograph was published, and has sold well over 500K copies, and is still in print.

My mom bought me the book when it came out in the 70’s and for the longest time it was a tough viewing. Once a year, I would bring it out and turn the beautifully printed pages, and go deep.
This was not the photographer who wanted to shock, she wanted you to see.
And perhaps understand and accept.

There was another major retrospective mounted in 2003 taking over a majority of the space at LACMA, and also had a companion book.

As for her death, can anyone really know why someone commits suicide?
In one of the videos, there is a Q&A section, which I encourage you to watch, commenting on this mystery.

When someone asks why she did it. Neil Selkirk said because she was a consummate artist, perhaps she accomplished what she set out to do. It was complete.

The Park Avenue Armory has most recently hosted AIPAD, and I encourage you to check into their upcoming events.
They always have excellent offering you won’t see anywhere else, housed in a beautiful historical venue

It’s that time!!

Whether is a local display, or a city rooftop viewpoint, you can get some amazing shots of the fireworks! Tips on the best ways to get the shots you’ll remember, below.

What is it about fireworks that draws us close, cause us to emit uncontrollable ooohs and ahhhhs, and brings a group experience unlike any other? That shared , almost primal feeling of amazement at seeing those colored explosives, bursting in air, and the crescendo of the finale, is an experience like no other.

Here are some tips on creating your own iconic images. And some more. Here too. 

Want the basics?
1. Shoot with a tripod or monopod
2. No Flash
3. ISO 100 is sufficient
4. Photograph peoples reactions too. You may want to get those ooohhs and ahhhhsss on record. Mass happy reactions! Remember-no flash!
5. Experiment with focal lengths for a new look at the same patterns.
6. Set your focus to infinity
7. Shutter speed should be set to “bulb” or shoot 1-4 secs. Experiment!
OR
Set your consumer camera to “Fireworks” mode and shoot away. You may not get the best , but you’ll have a memory.

Don’t forget about the festivities around the event, as you will be able to photograph the joy of people gathering for the special day. Continue Reading »