Photography

Relaunching Our Page

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 11:10:48 +0800

It's been a while since my last post but I have not forgotten. With recent projects and planning, time has been very tight in the last few weeks. Anyhow, I have managed to relaunch our Standard Photography KGY facebook page. In this page we have posted some of our recent and not so recent work for you all. Please pay a visit if you can and if you like click on the "like" to show your appreciation. In the second of half of the year, Standard Photography KGY has a lot of new projects coming up and hopefully we will have a chance to post our work in our page for your appreciation. Thanks for supporting this blog and our facebook page.

Check it out! http://www.facebook.com/SPKGY

Shooting Ironman with 5D Mark II

Sun, 13 May 2012 00:09:08 +0800

Canon EOS 5D Mark II and EOS 7D Digital SLR Cameras of Choice for Stunts and Action Work on Set of "Marvel's The Avengers"

1920 x 1080 HD Recording And 24p Frame Rate Enable Gripping Point-Of-View Shots for Theatrical Filmmaking

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., May 9, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce that its EOS 5D Mark II and 7D Digital SLR cameras have been used on the set of Marvel's latest movie, "Marvel's The Avengers," to capture thrilling point-of-view (POV) action shots that can be seamlessly intercut with footage from the film's principal 35mm and digital cinematography cameras to heighten the film's visual impact. "Marvel's The Avengers" shows an epic confrontation between nightmarish super villains attacking the Earth and the super-heroic team of Iron Man, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye, and Black Widow. Directed by Joss Whedon, the film is the latest and most extraordinary Marvel Studios Super Hero movie to date.

With intense action and visual effects captured by the Canon cameras, "Marvel's The Avengers" required close-quarter action work with unrepeatable stunts. "The 5D Mark II and the 7D digital SLR cameras produce excellent, cinema-worthy images. They are great for shooting additional angles that give film editors more options for creating powerfully immersive and kaleidoscopic views of action scenes," explained the film's cinematographer, Seamus McGarvey.

On the set of "Marvel's The Avengers," McGarvey and his crew used five Canon 5D Mark II cameras and two 7D models. Using multiple cameras limited the need to re-shoot complex action scenes, and the affordability and compact size of the cameras enabled the crew to obtain ample coverage by strategically angling them from various vantage points throughout the set. "The cameras' small size was a major advantage to us. We were able to place them in tight locations that were really close to the big stunts, which would be too risky to do with bigger cameras that would require an operator and two assistants," McGarvey said. He was able to slide one of the Canon cameras into a sewer grating, while placing another under a pile of debris for a key shot of a car hurtling toward the lens, flipping through the air on fire.

"We are thrilled that the EOS 5D Mark II and 7D Digital SLR cameras were called to action on the set of 'Marvel's The Avengers.' We designed these cameras with versatility and flexibility in mind, and their ability to record beautiful 1920 x 1080 HD video, coupled with their compact size, make them an ideal fit for filmmakers looking to capture tight action shots," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

Compact, lightweight, and compatible with Canon's wide selection of EF Series lenses, the Canon 5D Mark II and EOS 7D digital SLR cameras are equipped with large Canon CMOS sensors and Canon DIGIC 4 image processors that enable them to record exceptional full 1920 x 1080 HD video at the user-selectable frame rate of 24p (23.976 fps), which is the standard for today's high-end filmmaking. Additionally, the cameras' low-light capabilities were of major importance on the set of "Marvel's the Avengers," as many of the film's scenes were shot at night.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $45.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2011† and is one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2012. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

About the Movie

Marvel Studios presents "Marvel's The Avengers"-the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsg†rd and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, directed by Joss Whedon, from a story by Zak Penn and Joss Whedon with screenplay by Joss Whedon, "Marvel's The Avengers" is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series "The Avengers," first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when "Marvel's The Avengers" assemble in summer 2012.

"Marvel's The Avengers" is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures. The film is being produced by Marvel Studios' President Kevin Feige and executive produced by Alan Fine, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Louis D'Esposito, Patricia Whitcher, Victoria Alonso and Jeremy Latcham. The film releases May 4, 2012, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Gitzo 3360 Hands-On Review

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:24:57 +0800

SPECS

(Courtesy of B&H)

The Gitzo GB3360 Series 3 Aluminum Boompole features 6 sections, is lightweight and handles a load capacity of up to 4.40lb (2kg); making it well suited for mounting microphones and shock-mounts in the field or indoors. The GB3360's G-Lock system provides fast and reliable locking on all 6 sections. The 1.2mm thick aluminum material is lightweight and features a brushed finish.

6 locking sections

Gitzo G-Lock locking mechanism

Lightweight brushed aluminum finish

Maximum load capacity of 4.40lb (2kg)

So what are boom poles doing in stills photography? Well as you can see in the images provided. It is often used by celebrity portrait photographer, Annie Leibovitz. Is it essential? No... but if you in intend to use the Softlighter II often like Leibovitz and myself you will probably find the Softlighter useless without it.

You see the Softlighter II is a great lightshaper. It fits all categories of my "Must Have" list. Great quality of light, easy to to setup, and unlike great lightshaping tools from Profoto, the Softlighter is greatly affordable (I now own five of them).

You see the softlighter is based on the theory that the closer the source of the light, the softer the light will become upon hitting hte subject. The only thing that is different is, due to the construction of the Softlighter, as you pull out from the subject, the light falloff is very dramatic. In Photography, this may be a great thing. Often, photographers spend a lot of time controlling light, and with the Softlighter, it gives you just that. But back to the Gitzo Gb3360, well this is where the GB3360 finds its place. Because of the fact that you are always using the softlighter up close to the subject. A light stand may not do the trick in many occasions. This is where a boom may be handy. A boom would also allow you to reposition the Softlighter at a quick and efficient pace.

Often booms are something Photographers don't want to spend too much money on. Afterall, it has no resell value, and it doesn't have any great significant impact on your lighting, that is until now with the Softlighter. I must admit, I first bought a Cheapo boom, and I can tell you that not only was it a waste of money and time, but I have no use for it do to the quality and weakness in strength of these inexpensive boom poles. I have now put the boom pole aways in hopes that someday I will find it useful for a shoot which only allows me to work with strobes.

The thing with the GB3360 is that it is quite strong and durable. I am attaching a EX600 Godox head onto the boom (which weighs around 3 lbs) and a 36" Softlighter Umbrella (I am sure although the 60" Softlighter may make things for your assistant more uncomfortable but the GB3360 will still be able to sustain), and yet I do not feel that it is giving any pressure to the boom pole. It's not the lightest boom pole I must say, but it's definitely not heavy.

OVERALL

I would definitely recommend this product to anyone that is considering to use the Softlighter as a Key source in their photography. In fact, I think you cannot do without a boom or an arm extension of some sort if you use the Softlighter. Price wise this is not cheap, but for its quality I find it reasonable. I purchased the product at Zhao Xiang Guan (HK, TST) for $1700.

PROS

Strong Durable

6 Sections Allow greater sturdiness, and also a stronger boom

Very far reach (12 Feet/366cm)

CONS

Not the lightest boom pole (especially if you have tried carbon fibre)

If you are using heavier equipment like (2X" Beauty Dishes) you may need something even stronger

Pricey

Welcome & Congratulations!

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:01:17 +0800

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