Callie 0 #1 June 9, 2006 Hi there, Im may have needed to post this query in photography but was wondering if anyone can give me some good tips/advice on filming swooping. Im planning to get some great footage of canopy pilots/competitors and would love any tips from those who have managed to acquire this skill or have learnt from those who have? I have a broadcast quality camcorder and a tripod as my starting blocks... Id be very gratefull for any tricks of the trade Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peej 0 #2 June 9, 2006 And those pilots really appreciate your efforts so far! I have some suggestions that i can make, and some footage that i can show you that i shot at nationals last year, but we can chat about that tomorrow. In the mean time i'd be interested to read what replies and advice you get. from those with more experience. I think Saskia, Dragon 2 on here has done some filming, it might be worth shooting her a PM. Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Callie 0 #3 June 9, 2006 Lekker lekker! Thanx Peej Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #4 June 9, 2006 What I usually do: No wide angle No tripod Stand at +/- 30m/100ft or further from the course with as clear a view as I can get (sun, spectators, judges, course markers etc, I like the outside of a carve best although that's also the most dangerous place to stand) Stand at least 30m away from the gates, depending on the winds and the competitors you may want to be a lot further out For debrief video you may want to at the level of the gates instead of further out however Start filming before they hit their turn Try and keep the whole canopy + jumper filling up as much of the frame as you can, so zoom slowly (this takes some practice) A tripod is useless if you want to film the entire swoop, if you need it because of a heavy camera, I think you might be better off shooting something else (I loved the VX2100). Otherwise all you can decently get is parts of the swoop. Also, every now and then you may need to duck (never step aside! get low), a tripod might get hit. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Callie 0 #5 June 9, 2006 Great thanks, The filming Ive been doing has been handheld (I have a small / light camera) and I have been getting the whole swoop and ducking on a few occasions The slow zoom and steady shot are definately somethings I must work on. Thanx for the tips Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites scottswoops 0 #6 June 9, 2006 I have to agree with the no wide angle/no tripod advice. In addition, I would hold the camera away from you, as if you were firing a pistol. I find that I get a really steady shot that way. Point the camera in the right direction and you should be fine, a little practice and you'll have it dialed in. Whenever I try you use the viewfinder, my shots are a little unsteady and I always screw things up with the zoom. I also find that I like the inside of the carve as opposed to the outside. I adds an illusion of speed (canopy goes from being far away to being right over you and then far away again, if that makes any sense). Keep yourself low so you don't get decapitated! Keeping the camera at 3/4 arms length will also increase situational awareness. People tend to get fixated on the camera guy/girl and the last thing you need is a camera permanently embedded in your skull. Good luck! "Try not! Do, or do not.... there is no try." --Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites eUrNiCc 0 #7 June 12, 2006 Does anyone here have any experience with a Steadycam? They've been getting slowly cheaper and I think that they would make for some really nice shots from a moving platform.Egad, A BASE life defiles a bad age. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Swooopa-x 0 #8 June 14, 2006 hey guys , nice advice and as someone who really stands to benefit from this thread i really appreciate all the input - Thanx alotPeople dont care how much you know until they know how much you care. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Callie 0 #9 June 14, 2006 Thanks all so much for some great tips. The 'firing a pistol' method has already shown a big improvement...Im getting a much steadier shot. Oh and thanx to the canopy pilots who are giving me the material to work with! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites scottswoops 0 #10 June 15, 2006 Glad I could help "Try not! Do, or do not.... there is no try." --Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
scottswoops 0 #6 June 9, 2006 I have to agree with the no wide angle/no tripod advice. In addition, I would hold the camera away from you, as if you were firing a pistol. I find that I get a really steady shot that way. Point the camera in the right direction and you should be fine, a little practice and you'll have it dialed in. Whenever I try you use the viewfinder, my shots are a little unsteady and I always screw things up with the zoom. I also find that I like the inside of the carve as opposed to the outside. I adds an illusion of speed (canopy goes from being far away to being right over you and then far away again, if that makes any sense). Keep yourself low so you don't get decapitated! Keeping the camera at 3/4 arms length will also increase situational awareness. People tend to get fixated on the camera guy/girl and the last thing you need is a camera permanently embedded in your skull. Good luck! "Try not! Do, or do not.... there is no try." --Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eUrNiCc 0 #7 June 12, 2006 Does anyone here have any experience with a Steadycam? They've been getting slowly cheaper and I think that they would make for some really nice shots from a moving platform.Egad, A BASE life defiles a bad age. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swooopa-x 0 #8 June 14, 2006 hey guys , nice advice and as someone who really stands to benefit from this thread i really appreciate all the input - Thanx alotPeople dont care how much you know until they know how much you care. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Callie 0 #9 June 14, 2006 Thanks all so much for some great tips. The 'firing a pistol' method has already shown a big improvement...Im getting a much steadier shot. Oh and thanx to the canopy pilots who are giving me the material to work with! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites scottswoops 0 #10 June 15, 2006 Glad I could help "Try not! Do, or do not.... there is no try." --Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
scottswoops 0 #10 June 15, 2006 Glad I could help "Try not! Do, or do not.... there is no try." --Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
