Taking Good Photos / Videos

[Snowlover]

I took videos on my camera of the guys doing really steep hill climbs Saturday. When I played them back, the hills seemed flat too.

[Ford428CJ]

I took videos on my camera of the guys doing really steep hill climbs Saturday. When I played them back, the hills seemed flat too.


That's when you need to stand on top of the hill or down on the flats zoomed out and down LOL. But that doesn't do any justice, you got to be there to admire it in real!!!!

[Movin]

Hey Ben..
can you move this to its own thread? How to make pics and videos look like what you saw..while shooting and editing ?

[Ford428CJ]

I think this thread falls in the General Snowmobiling myself. I could be wrong!!!! LOL I don't like it when there are too many Categories for stuff and it colluders up the forum I think....... I find this Forum to be just fine....... JMHO

[Snowlover]

Here are a couple of the videos:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/th_MarchFun028.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/?action=view&current=MarchFun028.flv)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/th_MarchFun029.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/?action=view&current=MarchFun029.flv)

[Movin]

Your first frame is level, the second when moved out is out of level and makes the hill look less mean! I do the same..I wouldn't mind so much if it looked steeper! Ford428 you mentioned shooting from on top toward bottom or vise-versa?

[foxyrmk]

I have always filmed from either the bottom or even halfway up the hill, that way I get them coming from the bottom/middle/ to the top. But I have found that filming a steep hill, well..... you have to be there to see it. Good Luck, and keep them coming. :)

[Snowlover]

In these particular hill climbs, I had climbed up a less steep hill and stopped at a somewhat level spot to the side so as to not get in the way. I was standing up on my snowmobile. One of the problems is that this is not a high quality video camera. It is just my digital camera that happens to take short movie clips. When doing videos, I can't zoom in or out. The other problem is that it was a very sunny day so you can't see what the heck you are filming on the LCD screen. If I ever get another digital camera I would make sure it has a viewfinder. As it was, I could only point the camera at where I thought it would film the snowmobile.

But you are right foxyrmk, it is never the same as being there!

[Ford428CJ]

Here is a Pic for ya!!!!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f193/ford428cj/DSC00158.jpg

[foxyrmk]

I bring my camera and my dv camcorder, it's small enough to put in the handlebar pouch, but I'm going to start packing it in my backpack to keep it from bouncing around.

That's a cool picture of a steep hill, where's that?? do tell:)

[Snowlover]

That is cool...where is that?

I think the key is that you have the guys standing in the fore ground to give dimension to the hill.

[Ford428CJ]

YA, you can say its steep!!! That is Ash Creek Butte near Deer MT. Medicine Lake area (west side so to speak) I'll Post more pics for ya.....

[Ford428CJ]

Here is a pic as we where leaving and heading back to Deer MT to go home!!!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f193/ford428cj/DSC00164.jpg

Here is one that Randy Hartman was Hymarking @ Ash Creek. I work with these guys that are in the pictures LOL. And if you are asking, yes Randy is related to Hartman Inc (His parents own it). They make go fast goodies for Yamaha's.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f193/ford428cj/randyhymarkDSC05689.jpg

[foxyrmk]

WOW!!!!! Love the pics. I have been by Deer MT from rafting trips. I'm going to have to put this down as a place to go next year. Thanks!!

[Ford428CJ]

Here is Stump Hill @ Deer MT on the way to Ash Creek Butte.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f193/ford428cj/DSC00150_edited.jpg

[ben]

All the pics and videos are pretty cool. Thanks everyone for sharing.

Ben

[Oregongirl]

Nice to see you back online Ben! You've just been lurking......

These are great pictures! It's the only thing getting me through this season.......

[Mt_Man]

Great pix...

Couple tips for all of you...being a photographer myself.

First of all with snowy conditions you need to make sure the white balance it set right, most cameras have an adjustment for this. Usually you have to set if a bit higher than normal to make the snow appear the way it should, otherwise it may look dark or gray. Secondly as has been stated, play around with some different angles when taking the shot. Thats the good thing about digital cameras, you can take lots of pictures. Sometimes the perfect picture doesnt alway come out on the first shot. With the hill climbs try to find a point where you can capture the entire run. Mid mountain usually seem to be the best. Make sure though that you keep your camara level with the starting ground....not level with the actual hill. This tends to make the hill appear smaller than it actually is. Other things you may look into are UV filters. They help in blocking out some the the UV ray and make for a much better quality picture.

Hope this helps some

[Snowlover]

Thanks for the tips. I will have to give that a try...

[ben]

Couple tips for all of you...being a photographer myself.


What kind of camera do you use? I bought a Canon 40D a couple of months ago, but have not really done a whole lot with it. The pictures I have taken are mostly inside family type shots, with a varying amount of success. I bought this model for the 6+ FPS ability, thinking I would like to use it for action shots of various sporting events.

Ben

[ben]

Nice to see you back online Ben! You've just been lurking......


Thanks - Been super busy, but have been lurking.

Ben

[Movin]

I don't like packing the big camera and all the lenses..I play rough sometimes! Helmet cams are the way to go for me but not right now..I have been trying for better pics with my cell phone LOL. It is real sensitive to lighting and digital view finders don't work in the sun!

[Ford428CJ]

I just pack a small camera with me. Nothing "BIG" and same with the guys I ride with. I might bring my 8mm camcorder with me.........HUUUMMMM

[foxyrmk]

I'm pretty much the only one that brings the camera's and camcorder. Then I hand them out to everyone. I'm even going out afterwork today to purchase an replacement, one broke. I'm trying to get them to take pictures of me, but they don't seem to get the hint. LOL....
What I like about the camcorder that I can take pictures from it.

[Movin]

Are camcorders fairly tough? I mean do they store well while riding without damage, handle humidity ok..some are used with helmet cams I think..seems I saw that somewhere?

[Mt_Man]

I have a canon A650IS that I use for taking these kind of pictures. Its the best quality powershot that canon makes. At 12.1mp it takes great pictues. Its very small also so I can pack it in my pack very easily. With all the manual capiblities it has, its very adjustable. This is esspecially benifical for me. The other thing I like is that fact that you can buy different filters for it...including the UV filter. It also has the capiblity of taking very nice video also. The length all depends on your memory card. I think the biggest ones are close to 50-60 minutes. I usually try to pack multiple memory cards so that I know I can take alot of pictures and or video.


Here is a link to some of my pictures I have taken with this camera.

http://community.webshots.com/user/jkrasnow

Keep in mind that this includes both my good and not so good pictures... :)

[Movin]

You are shooting great pictures! That last comment is a good point..shooting lots of pictures Makes your best ones better. A bigger chip for my cell phone ! I will look at the Cannon next time I'm in the store.

[foxyrmk]

My camcorder is a Canon ZR100 it's old, but it's small enough for any of my storage areas. On my edgde I put it in the windshield bag, now it's in the handlebar bag, but I'm thinking of moving it to my backpack. to keep it from bouncing around and banging on the bar too. I haven't any problems with it fogging up, do need to carry spare batteries.

I think Canon is a good brand, haven't had any problems with them. Hey MT_Man loved the pictures, some of those are fabulous looking.

[Mt_Man]

Thank you all for the comments on my photos. I try to take pride in my photos. I really like to share my work and have feedback on it. Nowadays there are many different companies that have smaller cameras. Though from my research I found the canon to be on of the best values. Not to say that other brands like nikon dont make good cameras, Im just paritial to canon... :)

[Movin]

That A650IS is a really good camera. Lenses, 12 mp, and good carry size. I wish the viewfinder was a little bigger. I forgot to look, is there a regular viewfinder for sunny outdoor work?

[Mt_Man]

Not sure what you mean by regular viewfinder...it has the flip open screen on the back and the basic eye hole or whatever they are called. Ive never had problems with it in the brighter conditions.

[Movin]

I have to check that one out again.. I find digital viewfinders hard to see in the sunlight, but old fashioned eye holes work fine..That would help me to level the picture before I take it.

[Snowlover]

I gave it another shot yesterday and got this video. I shot it from the top of the hill and crouched down....it is somewhat better. The video is one of the guys who rode with us yesterday and it was his birthday. Following him is his young son....

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/th_MarchFun059.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/?action=view&current=MarchFun059.flv)

[Batz]

Here is a pic as we where leaving and heading back to Deer MT to go home!!!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f193/ford428cj/DSC00164.jpg

Here is one that Randy Hartman was Hymarking @ Ash Creek. I work with these guys that are in the pictures LOL. And if you are asking, yes Randy is related to Hartman Inc (His parents own it). They make go fast goodies for Yamaha's.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f193/ford428cj/randyhymarkDSC05689.jpg


Ford428cj,

What kind of sled is Randy riding now days ? I would have to guess a turbo something....

[Movin]

More cell phone pics..I did two rides..long day! One was snowmobiling, the other was quad. Lots of sun! Batz..Ford428cj said Randy is running a supercharger! He also left this really cool link..
http://www.hartmaninc.com/fotos/2008catalog/hartmaninc_2008_catalog_lorez.pdf[attachment=224][attachment=225][attachment=226][attachment=227][attachment=228]

[Mt_Man]

I gave it another shot yesterday and got this video. I shot it from the top of the hill and crouched down....it is somewhat better. The video is one of the guys who rode with us yesterday and it was his birthday. Following him is his young son....

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/th_MarchFun059.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/?action=view&current=MarchFun059.flv)



Snowlover...I have to say this is much better. Really able to see the perspective of the hill much better... thanks for sharing :)

[Snowlover]

Snowlover...I have to say this is much better. Really able to see the perspective of the hill much better... thanks for sharing :)


Thanks....this hill wasn't as steep as the ones I took the week before but this video is a better representation of the actual steepness than last weeks. Thanks for the advice!!

[Ford428CJ]

Here is a pic as we where leaving and heading back to Deer MT to go home!!!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f193/ford428cj/DSC00164.jpg

Here is one that Randy Hartman was Hymarking @ Ash Creek. I work with these guys that are in the pictures LOL. And if you are asking, yes Randy is related to Hartman Inc (His parents own it). They make go fast goodies for Yamaha's.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f193/ford428cj/randyhymarkDSC05689.jpg


Ford428cj,

What kind of sled is Randy riding now days ? I would have to guess a turbo something....


He is running a newer Yamaha sled (4 stroke) with a supercharger and NOS on it!!! He is one hell of a snowmobiler. Very calm, cool and collective guy. He is the same way @ work........

[Batz]

Here is a pic as we where leaving and heading back to Deer MT to go home!!!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f193/ford428cj/DSC00164.jpg

Here is one that Randy Hartman was Hymarking @ Ash Creek. I work with these guys that are in the pictures LOL. And if you are asking, yes Randy is related to Hartman Inc (His parents own it). They make go fast goodies for Yamaha's.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f193/ford428cj/randyhymarkDSC05689.jpg


Ford428cj,

What kind of sled is Randy riding now days ? I would have to guess a turbo something....


He is running a newer Yamaha sled (4 stroke) with a supercharger and NOS on it!!! He is one hell of a snowmobiler. Very calm, cool and collective guy. He is the same way @ work........


And I'll bet you could eat off of any part of his sled......I've always admired his rides.

[Ford428CJ]

And I'll bet you could eat off of any part of his sled......I've always admired his rides.


Randy does have nice stuff and he does keep it real clean in there! You can eat off it......Thats for sure!

[Snowlover]

I like this video....

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/th_AprilNoHostRide024.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/?action=view&current=AprilNoHostRide024.flv)

[Snowlover]

Here are some great photos that I didn't take from last weekend.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/IMG_3011.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/IMG_3055.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/SnowloverMT/IMG_3023.jpg