Wednesday, May 06, 2009

FILMING IN THE FALKLANDS


Being blown over by the wind seems a novel concept until it actually happens to you. This was a first for me as I was unceremoniously dumped on my right shoulder, trying to protect a $200 000 camera and a bag full of primes.

We had winds gusting to 70 mph on Steeple Jason island while trying to film the fledging of Black browed albatross chicks. The only camera we had was a Phantom HD, and used this for 30p as well as the obvious high speed that the unit can produce.

LAKE OF STARS


I've been on Lake Malawi for ten days, filming the cichlids that have colonised the lake so efficiently. These little fish have developed very visual interactions with each other, both for territory defense as well as breeding activity.
They've adapted into every little niche beneath the surface, edging out other fish species and making Lake Malawi their own. I've been busy shooting mouth-brooding, and trying to capture the antics around the big sand spawning bowers.

THINKING QUICKLY


Getting into the swing of filming cheetah chasing down prey is kind of difficult. It takes practice, and even if you've done it before, you need to get back into the system. It doesn't help to get excited, you'll only screw up the shot, anticipation is crucial, and even when you get it right, keeping the animal in frame relies a lot on chance.

This is when I wish I'd had a Phantom...