AndyMan 7 #1 March 8, 2004 I've got an offer from the local video consession to do some tandem video work when the DZ is busy. I'd like to do it, it'd be nice to finally get SOME cash back... at least to pay for my wife's jumping! I don't have a still, so I'll need to get one. Unless my finances change very quickly, I most definately can not afford any of the current digital SLR's, so I'll probably just buy a cheap 35mm Rebel and go with that. The video consession doesn't care if I go digital or film. So, here's my question. I'm pretty good at shooting video. I'm nailing most of my exits, have a good idea of framing, and have shown half decent flying skills. What's going to be different when I strap on a still? What kind of skills will I be missing? Learning to shoot with a 35MM seems like it could be expensive, with developing costs included. What kind of learning curve should I expect, and what troubles will I have in developing a product worth selling? _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #2 March 8, 2004 The biggest problem shooting film and then giving it to the customers is you never see it. So you are up against the wall as to what your stuff is turning out like. Framing is critical in getting the money shot of the passenger under the TM, so I am a big fan of ringsights for photography. I talked a very, very good freeflyer at my DZ into getting a ringsight for his digital still cam, and he is really digging it. Shoot of a bunch of film, have it developed and scanned right to disc at the processor. Check out your results and repeat the good stuff. Welcome. It's a good gig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #3 March 8, 2004 ***What's going to be different when I strap on a still? --------------------------------------------- Your biggest hurdle, provided your video skills are sufficient, is going to be remembering to take the stills, and remembering not to take them all at once. You want to get a couple right off of the step, but after that, wait until you have something nice to look at. The flip side is that if nothing nice is happening, eventaully you have to start shooting anyway, because the skydive is ending soon. Also keep in mind if you want to take any pics on landing, you'll need to to reserve a frame or two for that. Duce had a pretty good idea for getting a handle on your skills. You will need to shoot a couple rolls on your own, just to see how they are turning out. His idea for having them developed, and put on CD is a good one, but if money is tight, you can do a develop only for around $3 a roll, and you can judge proximity and framing from the negatives (if you are jumping a Rebel, the exposure should not be a problem). A good trick would be to jump with tandems who are either not getting video, or just getting video (no stills). This way you can try to sell them the video after the fact, or get their contact info, and sell them some stills or a set of prints at a discount, after you have viewed them. It might not pay the rent, but it will defray the cost of learning to operate a shutter. Be sure to check with the video consession regarding selling, after selling, or discounted pricing to make sure they are cool with what you are doing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #4 March 9, 2004 QuoteLearning to shoot with a 35MM seems like it could be expensive, with developing costs included. Getting only the negatives developed is significantly cheaper than having them printed. I -think- that negatives can be scanned on a normal flatbed, not the best quality there, but it should give you an idea of how you're progressing. - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #5 March 9, 2004 QuoteI -think- that negatives can be scanned on a normal flatbed, Only if you have a film scanner attachment for the flatbed. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #6 March 9, 2004 How do you mount the flash on the helmet while limiting it's availability to inadvertant breakage?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XDV 0 #7 March 9, 2004 I post some picture of my old set up at http://www.dropzone.com/forum/Skydiving_Disciplines_C3/Photography_and_Video_F7/Which_Speedlite_Flash_to_use__P907709/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
