Hot video topic: Using new SLRs for HD video

I've had the pleasure of working with two very skilled director/cinematographers/producers from LA over the last 3 years. Teaming-up with our marketing team at Ergotron, and a local Twin city actor, we have produced some very fun product commercials (see left side of TesterGuy videos).

In our last film the guys from LA recommended they shoot the whole commercial on a new Canon 7D SLR. As many of you know, the new SLRs now have HD video capability and the Canon 1080p! The canon SLR's extremely sensitive capture system combined with some sophisticated lens action makes for some cinema-like footage. Check out our new Ergotron LX LCD Arm commercial which is completely shot on the Canon 7D SLR.

SLR videos are the rage, and for good reason (capability and affordability compared to high-end video camera), check out these great SLR video blogs/articles.
http://vimeo.com/6759220
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0909/09090105canoneos7d.asp
http://photofocus.com/2009/10/19/learn-5d-mark-ii-canon-cinematography-with-philip-bloom-mini-review/ (mostly addresses Canon 5D MK II, but relevant for 7D)

Creative ramblings on Social Media

Photo at left is of Blackhills bison in S. Dakota. I enjoyed the trip as much as our kids!

As consumers, we still need to ask a question of social-media... is the content organic/authentic/accurate/what I need? Subtle yet persuasive distortions are difficult to detect in what is heralded as "your pure stream of truth". Many bloggers ran out of fresh meaningful content and also were influenced by monetize options. Tweets, although tiny and brief, sometimes lack integrity.

I've also noticed, people who have FB sites/groups and tweet now are web content creators and this neophyte audience is getting targeted by savvy marketing machines. The marketing snake oil says to the new web content makers "You can reach more customers if you do/use this" and the B to B or B to C.... or even niche or mass market categories often go unaddressed and misapplied.

Perhaps the prospect-pie isn't growing for some... but rather, the pie is shifting in how it finds information.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog on Social Media, the challenge is to not get bogged down while making use of the benefits.

A couple positives in this new trend: Many marketing groups that have embraced twitter, blogs and are active out in web-communities are reaching their audiences at a fraction of the cost of years past. The $8,000 4C ad for a 1 page ad, for one month, in a decent trade magazine is looking like yesterday's excesses. Inexpensive home-made youtube videos are becoming as influential as the big-coin professional video content.

Digital Slide Shows: Nikon Coolpix S1000PJ

In my generation, many remember the old slide-shows Mom and Dad and Uncle Harry projected on the wall. This manner of showing photos is alive and well in the digital world thanks to Nikon and other manufacturers of micro-projectors. What's unique in this example is that the micro-projecter is integrated into the digital camera.

See Popular Mechanics article

Sounds like a great addition for the family, but also it offers an improved workflow in some digital photography and design settings. If you have several people needing to review a set of images a micro-projector could be the answer... especially if a large display is not around.

A walk in nature increases one's memory

Have you read about the new study that shows a walk in nature can increase your short-term memory by 20%.

Here is the study (I haven't read it fully yet... but I saw it linked from a couple web sites and psych blogs). http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121570660/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

Here is a psych blog introduction to the findings.

Personally, I find most any exposure to natural settings of trees, mountains, fields, heck... even a marsh area, can be invigorating for my mind, memory and general creative energy. So if your latest design/creative project is stagnant and your mind is slow....get outside!

Pic is from one of my family camping adventures into remote Northern MN. It was 19° F in the AM and rose to 70° F by noon... yes, our short-term memory was very sharp.

Create your own stock images

One of the great benefits of today's digital cameras is their affordability. For only $110 one can purchase a very capable Nikon or Canon camera that has 8+megapixels, huge playback screens, custom white-balance, exposure controls, macro-lens options and other manual over-rides. This is the price and feature range of the old Pentax K-1000 in the late 80's... plus the ability to process one's own images right in their home/computer at no cost. With this accessibility most anyone can create great pics, especially the thrifty graphic designer. With a little trial and error one can learn to create great abstract images from common objects that work great in brochures and flyers.



The photos show the results of my macro lens (extreme close-up focal length) option of my 2 year old Canon A600. Above photo captures coffee in my cup. At left, a 1.5" tall figurine.

Apple's iMovie is amazing!

I've been a user of iMovie for years but now my kids are cranking things out too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx_8zZY41o0

The fact my kids can record video (via the iMac's built-in camera), add audio clips, make transitions, crop, edit and build a full video story shows the easy-access and power of this brilliant software. There are many neat PC apps out there... but Apple seems to consistently and creatively lead the way.... and with FREE software (when you buy an Apple).

One word of caution, use the old iMovie HD version (you can still download it from Apple), the 08 version that shipped this last year with the Apple OS has less features and is geared towards quick and less sophisticated productions (Google this topic for the details). iMovie 09's reviews are more promising. Interesting, the NY Time's Tech personal tech writer, David Pogue uses iMovie and produces his own video segments.

Pink, flowers and Men

To the men out there.... don't be afraid to use florals and traditionally feminine colors/themes in your graphic designs and paintings. I know it can be a bit uncomfortable having ones' creative output referred to as... shall we say, masculine-challenged. Good design and beauty should win over our subjective perspectives, besides my hunch is more females appreciate good design then men, so why not play to your audience.

To the females out there... vice-versa.

Photo: This is a close-up of a water color painting I completed back in the 90's

Take advantage of changes

Photo: My Mom holding my Dad's hand as he recovers from surgery.

This photo summarizes a principle in creativity that I adhere to, it is this, I create because I enjoy it... but also, so as to interject or confirm a good (hint: "good" as in Aquinas, Plato and Aristotle) in life. My Dad's recent bout with cancer was difficult... but it is in how we handle these challenges that defines life. We can be lazy and get beaten down... OR rather choose to transcend the negative aspects by drawing attention to the good.

It may seem trivial but converting confusion and negative experiences into positive elements is life-giving and often documenting these negative occasions in art or photography can help us all reflect on the good in them. This touching photo captures the love and devotion my parents have shared for over 50 years; central in the image is the wedding ring and its sign of commitment.

Incomplete messages may grab your...

Have you ever jumped into the middle of a TV program or movie and found yourself trying to figure out what is happening in the show.... and enjoying this puzzle? Now apply this common experience to a consumer looking at magazine ads, ad copy or a graphic design. If the message or lead-in is incomplete or purposefully offbeat does the audience (the prospective consumer) engage in an effort to solve the riddle in order to make sense of the unique juxtaposition? Perhaps a precious moment of intrigue sets a hard-stop in their memory bank... and a concept is sold.

Photo is a close-up view of coffee on a lazy Saturday AM.

Ingenious flexible folding-boat

Check out this folding 12-foot rowboat we take all over Minnesota. It's perfect for running rivers since the flexible sides absorb blows from partially submerged boulders in rivers. Because it is virtually unsinkable (it has built-in flotation modules), has a flat stable bottom, and is easy to row... it is very safe for kids. http://www.porta-bote.com/

Spending time with friends and loved ones in the outdoors is one of the highlights for my family. We are avid campers and hikers... and we like to fish and explore remote wilderness areas. Vast, wide-open pristine wilderness seems to refresh my mind and recharge my creative battery.

Photo is of our campsite near Two Harbors, MN.

A Rosey Outlook: Web 2.0

Blogs, flicker, youtube, twitter, social-media, pod-casts.... innovation in technology enables creativity across social and marketing mediums. In the for-profit entities, the challenge is to remain involved enough to understand the new tools and yet removed enough to not run-in-place over the latest craze and get bogged down. Keeping the low-hanging fruit the main focus, while being open to new opportunities and marketing avenues requires priorities and much discussion. Ditto on Web 3.0, web 4.0 and so on.

Photo is of a freshly picked rose from my wife's garden.