Visual Storytelling

Throwing our heads around in slow motion

Posted on September 30, 2009 by admin

This is some test footage of the slow-motion function of the new Canon 7D in its function to record 60 frames per second. Basically, the footage you see here is the same footage is played back at 3 different speeds.

The first batch (normal color) is real-time, but drops 6 out of every 10 frames to be real-time; it looks strobe-like.

The second batch (bluish color) is showing every frame, played back at 40% speed, which is 100% playback speed of the fast recording (I know that isn’t explained fully, but you’re smart).

The third batch (reddish sepia) is the second footage (the “true” frame-accurate footage) played back at 50% speed, so it’s a bit choppy, but helps the slow motion be better appreciated.

Can anyone think of any cool ideas of things to film in slow motion? I want to film some horses running, or at least some trampoline jumping.

I am obsessed with bending time, and here’s the other half of the equation that I spent a bit of time working on today with the new 7D: speeding time up.

These were made using a cheap intervalometer that I bought from Hong Kong on ebay, which took a photo every few seconds for a few hours. I just framed the shot, locked off the tripod, focused the image, and let it do its thing for an hour or two.

After the photos are captured I bring them into Adobe After Effects, create a digital flipbook with the stills playing back consecutively, and export to my HD.

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You Need An Editor. Dot-com.

Posted on September 28, 2009 by admin

Vigilantism should not be mixed with proofreading, but it happens. This photo was taken at a certain dollar store in Provo, Utah. You’ll notice that the incorrect “your” was changed to the correct “you’re” by a marker-wielding maven.

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Letter to Canon RE: video mode in the new Canon 500D (aka Rebel T1i)

Posted on June 11, 2009 by admin

Dear Canon Technical Support:

I have such a deep level of frustration and disappointment with the automatic video abilities of this otherwise beautiful camera that I have to ask:

Is there any plan to update the firmware on this little entry-level camera so that it supports manual controls in video mode? The 5Dmk2 set the precedent in a lot of ways, including the care that Canon gives to its customers’ feedback.

In my opinion, to have a DSLR that doesn’t allow manual controls for still photos would be heresy. Why is the video different?

There is no reason to cripple the video mode in this camera, other than to limit the product and draw customers to the higher-end 5Dmk2 and the XH-A1 cameras. Go ahead and do that. Panasonic, Sony, Olympus and Nikon will add manual controls to get your customers and guess what? They’ll succeed! Stay competitive, Canon, and please give us manual controls during video recording! And give it to us on the 60D when it ships!

Please tell me, are there plans to update the video mode on this 500D via firmware? If Canon’s policy is to limit this camera’s functionality, please let me know so I know to stop waiting and just go buy a Panasonic GH1.

Response from Canon (11 June 09) – emphasis added

Thank you for writing to us. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you with your Rebel T1i. We are sorry to hear that you are disappointed with the video capabilities.

Unfortunately there are no firmware updates that will help with video capturing. If you can reply to this e-mail with the exact issue that is occurring with the camera, we may be able to assist you.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your Rebel T1i.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Update: My reply to Canon (11 June 09)

The exact issue is that the automatic controls in video mode are useless. Canon fixed that in the 5D mk ii, but I don’t think that the T1i delivers as advertised without such controls. Can I make an official request for manual video controls? Let us control the fundamentals of the cameras we buy, please!

Update: Response from Canon (12 June 09)

Thank you for writing to us with your feedback. I am sorry to hear of the difficulties you have experienced with manual video controls on your EOS Digital Rebel T1i.

I have forwarded your comments to Canon USA through our Customer Feedback process. This process allows us to capture important feedback from our valued customers. As we constantly strive to improve our products and services, your comments are vital to our continued success.

For important product updates, including available drivers and product notifications, please visit Canon’s Web site at www.usa.canon.com/consumer.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your Canon Rebel T1i.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

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Summer of timelapses

Posted on May 31, 2009 by admin

These are some timelapses I’ve been shooting recently in Utah state. Canon 40D.

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750 MPH

Posted on April 26, 2009 by admin

10x speed footage, driving south on I-15 on Friday. Apparently, even at that speed the drivers in Utah were passing us.

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Maternal Multiplicity

Posted on March 4, 2009 by admin

Jill and Dylan in action.

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Photos with Ric Estrada, comic artist

Posted on January 26, 2009 by admin

In another assignment for Mormon Artist, I had a portrait photo session with Ric Estrada, Cuban-born Latter-day Saint, illustrator, storyboarder and former DC Comics artist.

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Excellent Irish indie cinema

Posted on January 22, 2009 by admin

So it’s been out for over two years, and I’d read about it all over in the meanwhile, but I finally saw the Irish film “Once” (2006) and want to comment on it.

My favorite review of the film recognizes the MPAA’s apparent vendetta against independent and foreign films (which would logically take revenue from the Hollywood film industry that the MPAA literally represents). Michael Phillips writes:

For reasons they’ll have to go to hell for someday, the Motion Picture Association of America ratings board gave “Once” an R, for a handful of swear words. Ignore that. And enjoy the film.

(If you can’t ignore the cuss words, I recommend ClearPlay!)

This film may be the most emotionally satisfying movie I have ever seen. It’s not the best movie, it doesn’t have the very best music (though its music is difficult to forget and very very good), it certainly doesn’t have the best photography or acting (though both are just fine), but it is so emotionally honest that it made an enormous impact on me.

The actors take their emotions out of their heart and just lay them out on the table in front of you. Their performances seem to encourage audiences to sing, and let their own emotions be purged of pain and baggage that had long since been forgotten as necessary, constant burdens. Liberating, sincere to its core, and based on the amazing talent of a handful of musicians, it’s what I want to see more of.

It also is inspiring to me as a poor student who has great ideas for musical cinema. This movie was made on a budget of under $200,000. It was shot on a couple of Sony Z1 series cameras, using a tiny crew (that involved cast members), over the course of 17 days. Basically no lighting setups, one crane used in two shots, and a lot of emotional performance.

To put things in perspective, my own humble little 18-minute “Love is a Dance” (2007) was filmed partly on Sony V1Us, which are more expensive than the ones “Once” was shot on. With a dozen film festival awards and nominations (mostly for music), this film strongly demonstrates that story and content are what drive the worth of the movie. Production costs can’t compensate for a lack of talent on screen.

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Presidential Inauguration freestyle walking: the Flagpole

Posted on January 21, 2009 by admin

There’s a difficult move called the Flagpole, taught to me by my father when I was a lad. He doesn’t freestyle walk, but he taught me this move. I dedicate this video to The United States of America, on this inspiring day of President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

Truck Stoppin’ (Freestyle Walking in Rural Idaho) from Garrett Wesley Gibbons on Vimeo.

(Reposted from How To Freestyle Walk.blogspot.com)

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Mormon Artist magazine shoots

Posted on January 15, 2009 by admin

Today I took pictures of Christopher Clark (theater director), and Brandon Sanderson (fantasy novelist) and John Telford (photographer) for some upcoming issues of Mormon Artist. Here are a few selections. More can be found on flickr. Enjoy!

Update: One of my photos ended up on the cover!