Site Archive
Olloclip expands iPhone field of viewWritten by David Tames on March 3, 2013
Filed Under Documentary, Featured, Gadgets and Devices, Mobile devices, Reviews, Tools, Video Production
The iPhone lens does not have a very wide angle of view. There are times I can’t step back to frame the shot I want. There are other times I want to shoot close, but the iPhone does not have a macro capability. What to do? There’s... Continue Reading...
iPhone camera support accessoriesWritten by David Tames on March 2, 2013
Filed Under Documentary, Featured, Gadgets and Devices, Mobile devices, Sound, Tools, Video Production
The iPhone can double as a small and versatile video camera. Given the small size and the fact you probably have it with you all of the time, this opens up a lot of creative options. Sometimes holding the phone in you hand is not... Continue Reading...
FiLMiC Pro transforms iPhone into sweet and respectable video cameraWritten by David Tames on February 23, 2013
Filed Under Camera, Documentary, Featured, Filmmaking, Mobile devices, Tools, Video on the Web, Video Production
The iPhone is capable of producing surprising good video and as a result, quite a few documentary makers are using their iPhones as their go-to B camera and in some cases even as their primary camera. In order to get the best video... Continue Reading...
Basic Documentary Video Starter Kit (consumer level gear)Written by David Tames on February 23, 2013
Filed Under Camera, Documentary, Featured, Tools, Video
You do not need fancy gear to start making documentaries, you can start out with almost any basic consumer HD camcorder as long as it has both a microphone input and headphone output. Working with external microphones and being able... Continue Reading...
Four under $300 audio recorders for double-system soundWritten by David Tames on June 18, 2010
Filed Under Media Technology, Sound, Tools, Video Production
With the rising tide of small cameras shooting spectacular HD video suitable for documentary work, along with D-SLRs like the Canon 5D Mark II and the Canon 7D whose images rival much more expensive (and heavy) cameras, I’ve... Continue Reading...
Thoughts on video on the web and HTML5Written by David Tames on June 3, 2010
Filed Under Media Technology, New Media, Sound, Tools, Video on the Web, Web
If your web site has video on it, I believe the time has come to take into consideration viewers using mobile devices if you’ve not done it already. The desktop is no longer the only platform for viewing video, and Flash, long... Continue Reading...
Transcriva 2Written by David Tames on January 13, 2010
Filed Under Documentary, Filmmaking, Reviews, Tools
Back in August of 2005 I wrote a post, Transcriva makes transcribing (almost) fun, in which I reviewed the first version of Transcriva from Bartas Technologies, a delightful Macintosh application I’ve been using since then for... Continue Reading...
A one-case lighting kit ready for travelWritten by David Tames on January 8, 2010
Filed Under Documentary, Filmmaking, Lighting, Sticky, Tools
I’m often asked by students, “what’s a good light kit for starting out” and I find it a very hard question to answer, because it really depends on what you want to do. There really is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all... Continue Reading...
Long lasting power pack for the M-Audio Microtrack (and other USB powered devices too)Written by David Tames on July 17, 2009
Filed Under Documentary, Sound, Tools
The original Microtrack 24/96 and the current Microtrack II from M-Audio are nice little audio recorders, I like having a small recorder in my backpack ready for anything. I love the fact it has balanced TRS inputs so I can use it... Continue Reading...
Practical Sound Recording and Editing Techniques For Better VideoWritten by David Tames on August 15, 2008
Filed Under Documentary, Events & Screenings, Sound, Tools, Video Production
Here are some resources associated with my session, “Practical Sound Recording and Editing Techniques For Better Video” recently given at the 4th Annual New Media Expo held in Las Vegas. Presentation Slides Here’s... Continue Reading...
