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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Four Months In The Wilderness with the RED.

Afogel said:
Power - I'm also using a Gel/AGM batter in a pelican w/solar to charge red batteries - how many charges of red batteries are you getting, from what specific battery?
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If anyone is looking for a good company for solar power, I HIGHLY suggest talking to Barry Renz over at www.powerenz.com. He put together a great kit for me when I was still shooting with the HVX, which powered all my camera batteries, laptop, sat phone, etc. for several weeks in the jungle. He's capable of customizing a solar system to meet your needs. He provides the best solar equipment at the lowest price. Tell him I sent you. That's me, a few years back, in the video on his site ;)
 
ALASKA shooting conditions.

ALASKA shooting conditions.

Afogel said:
Spectacular stuff. All that experience, and the right tools - and clearly, some talent - show in that footage. Deeply GOOD stuff.

I am also a longtime stills shooter - mostly wilderness as well - now shooting red, mostly pretty remote, carrying gear in backpacks etc. If you have time to answer, thanks in advance....if not thanks for posting the footage and answers thus far!

Power - I'm also using a Gel/AGM batter in a pelican w/solar to charge red batteries - how many charges of red batteries are you getting, from what specific battery?

Your 3K (and 4K) footage is impressively clean and detailed - mind sharing your basic post and grading process?

Boot/Standby/Waiting/Power - are you leaving the cam on or booting when something shows in the general area?

Sticks - I've had poor luck with those Gitzo sticks in high winds, and have been using the Miller Sprinter CFII - with the related heavy backpack. Are you weighting them, or just dealing with less wind?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the real feedback, it's rare these days and not taken for granted!
I think still shooters can adapt quickly to the RED work flow and manual system as it reflects all our previous learning. I love the 4K stills I am pulling from the 24FPS, I get to choose the right frame and personality of a moving animal!

Post is very much like a still photographers workflow and grading is still using some simple Adobe/Apple labeling colors and stars. I quality grade first, than delete as many as possible. The hard problem is when only a couple seconds is good and you have a long 100FPS 2K 16:9 clip. All the initial editing is done from the proxy files. Than only the awesome clips and or project clips go through Red Cine and are labeled with captions and original file numbers to find the originals in the future.

POWER! You hit on the major topic of the great outdoors. Power is a constant conservation vs. ready to shoot. Last summer I missed well over 100 once in a lifetime wildlife clips as the camera shut down or was too long to boot up or a number of camera ready situations.

Short story, Northern Lynxs are rare to see and even rarer to film. I have viewed three in 30 years. Filmed one in 2007 with a HVX 200. Last year Karen and I spent three hours with a wild Lynx. I was set at 100FPS 2K 16"9 as it started to hunt near a Kettlepond. with 18% battery left the camera shut down. The lynx jumped across the water at several ducks in the pond. Karen snapped stills and I cried. I have not recovered to this day. I am proud of Karen though. See photo. That would have been an awesome high speed Red footage though. I have a velcro elastic strap on my battery now to avoid disconnecting.

I like the Gitzo and 100mm bowl with a 20Sb Sachtler system as it is fast in the field. The Alaska winds and environment of spongie tundra need the long spikes to settle the legs.The new gitzos have the lock tight legs and option for 6 inch spikes. I use the GT5540LS 6X carbon with 4 stages. That way I can be close to the ground. I like looking up at my subjects as compared to above. Therefore, spreading the legs to within inches from the ground gets you out of the wind and is better stabilizing on the Tundra.

I hope this is relevant to your thoughts and comments, and thanks again for the kind words!

PEACE,

Kennan
 
skotak said:
Hi Kennan,
Thanks for the feedback about the microphone.
I have to say that your footage from Alaska was one the RED turning points for me. Now I have RED one here on a table next to me and cannot wait to start shooting.

I was very impressed by your colors. They look very natural. Could you share with me your color work-flow?
Do you adjust each shot or do you have a favorite setting that works most of the time?

Thanks
Radim
Click to expand...

Radim,

Sorry about the delay, I am working on a film of Big Sur.

Nature and wildlife is very particular. There is way to much over worked stills and film in this subject. Almost to the point people are disappointed when they go out in nature and it is too subtle for them.

Each clip has elements of custom Red Cine work. But, I try to get as close to real as I remember the light. Sometimes I draw accent to the subject with contrasts not just from the contrast setting. I like the S-curve and temperature!

Next time you are shooting, take a moment and with one eye closed, measure the color of the scene. If your like most people you will keep open your strong eye which is warmer colored. Then try only your week eye or cool colored eye. Sometimes it helps to look through a telephoto lens to see the difference. With out this color difference we would have stability problems and perspective. This is one of my best ways to remember the light in particular landscapes or wildlife settings! Beleive me I am still learning everyday that is why I love the Red and the ART of photography-cine all the same now thanks to RED!!!

Peace,

Kennan Ward
 
Kennan, I appreciate your posts here. Keep them coming. What a great chance to learn something from a guy who is actually out there doing something.
 
Hi Kennan,

thanks for sharing this inspiring footage. My poor, not too old iMac 2.4Ghz had trouble playing some sections of that monster 860MB file. I watched it twice to be sure (and to be amazed twice), it was on the highly complex, lots in focus scene at 1:06 (bear chasing eagle). But the bear catching a fish and then another fish just bouncing off his head... truly amazing work.

I also noticed the relative softness and, perhaps, some color issues on my first time watching. This was before finding this thread and knowing this is a just a teaser... I'd have to agree with what was said before, I mostly noticed it because surrounding footage was just so amazingly crisp. If you cut it another way, nobody (but us) will notice. On the whole, though, simply amazing. Thank you.

Stuff like this makes my conviction to go get a Scarlet go up another percentage point. I'm now at 96% certain. Give or take.

I'll go watch your other work now.
 
So many of your images made me chuckle out loud. Thanks for sharing!

I love how the shot of the bears fighting tracks for focus. It brings you into the picture, bringing the audience there... it brings the danger home.

The bears standing up after making the eagle fly away is easily my favorite shot! Wow... Just when you think nothing else can happen their furs wave in the wind... magic. The way the eagle flaps its wings flying off frame bringing you back up to them, the little cub stands up, the song peaks... the wind... MAN! What a shot.
(and so many would have followed the eagle only to jerk back)

I especially loved the elk (?) standing on the slope. The colors, and all that detail on the grass and its fur... it is very special.

The goat that follows it too, though there was a bit too much detail if you know what I mean. ;)

That other elk with the immense antlers (I know they are not elk, but I have no clue of the correct name unfortunately) as he scratches himself... what a shot.

The wide of the yellow trees with the hill and the mountains is stunning.

I agree that the ramp on the jumping fox does takes something away from it as seen for the first time. However I loved the ramps, and would personally try it as a double take. Either way it is stunning. The red bushes make it special... it reminded me of Le Petit Prince in a great way. The way he bobs his head before jumping... and the ramp makes his snap so fun to watch!

The aerial of the bear is majestic! The light is gorgeous.

No need to mention the one of the river with the mountain in the back...

The Owl flying straight towards you with such a magnificent backdrop, and at the very last second he turns a little bit. I agree that the lack of a bit more motion blur makes the winds jitter a bit too much, however since it is so pronounced it might make a great shot to commercials or something of the sort... dunno... but I love it, that I know.

The bird and bear walking towards each other is also very special.

The timelapse of the night sky with the lights looks fantastic. It is a great candidate for Robert's de-noising service though, unfortunately, but well worth it if possible.

The shots that someone mentioned seemed to be of lesser quality would certainly cut into the rest without a problem IMO after some curves and sharpening.

I can't wait to see it graded on TV, Blue-Ray or hopefully projected.

Thanks for sharing!
 
Totally amazing footage, stunningly beautiful. Your admonishment to respect black bears and not take them for granted is so true. In the Eastern Appalachians black bears have been so over exposed to people that they have lost their natural shyness in many areas and seek them out looking for food. Very dangerous if not respected and treated as the wild creatures they are.
 
Hello Kennan,

Not sure if you remember me or not. I met you and your wife years and years ago at brooks. We all were on the bank below the falls and we had a bear pass so close to us. I use to live in Dillingham and spent a lot of time at brooks.

Anyway good to see the red out in alaska. Hope all is well

Greg Syverson
 
Four More Months in the Wilderness!

Four More Months in the Wilderness!

Roberto Lequeux said:
So many of your images made me chuckle out loud. Thanks for sharing!

I love how the shot of the bears fighting tracks for focus. It brings you into the picture, bringing the audience there... it brings the danger home.

The bears standing up after making the eagle fly away is easily my favorite shot! Wow... Just when you think nothing else can happen their furs wave in the wind... magic. The way the eagle flaps its wings flying off frame bringing you back up to them, the little cub stands up, the song peaks... the wind... MAN! What a shot.
(and so many would have followed the eagle only to jerk back)

I especially loved the elk (?) standing on the slope. The colors, and all that detail on the grass and its fur... it is very special.

The goat that follows it too, though there was a bit too much detail if you know what I mean. ;)

That other elk with the immense antlers (I know they are not elk, but I have no clue of the correct name unfortunately) as he scratches himself... what a shot.

The wide of the yellow trees with the hill and the mountains is stunning.

I agree that the ramp on the jumping fox does takes something away from it as seen for the first time. However I loved the ramps, and would personally try it as a double take. Either way it is stunning. The red bushes make it special... it reminded me of Le Petit Prince in a great way. The way he bobs his head before jumping... and the ramp makes his snap so fun to watch!

The aerial of the bear is majestic! The light is gorgeous.

No need to mention the one of the river with the mountain in the back...

The Owl flying straight towards you with such a magnificent backdrop, and at the very last second he turns a little bit. I agree that the lack of a bit more motion blur makes the winds jitter a bit too much, however since it is so pronounced it might make a great shot to commercials or something of the sort... dunno... but I love it, that I know.

The bird and bear walking towards each other is also very special.

The timelapse of the night sky with the lights looks fantastic. It is a great candidate for Robert's de-noising service though, unfortunately, but well worth it if possible.

The shots that someone mentioned seemed to be of lesser quality would certainly cut into the rest without a problem IMO after some curves and sharpening.

I can't wait to see it graded on TV, Blue-Ray or hopefully projected.

Thanks for sharing!
Click to expand...

Roberto,

Thanks for a real look and constructive feed back. It really helps. I am in the last three weeks of a Big Sur filming and can apply these suggestions to the next edit. I like the unpredictability of wildlife and nature. Just when you think you are going to close on a movement out of frame a bear will turn around and run into another bear. I plan to return for another four months in Alaska to clean up some of the things I fried last year. These real suggestions will be on my mind. Send me a PM !

I don't know if you looked at these longer versions? Maybe you should consume some toxins of sorts prior to evaluation!

Here are two links to trailers for the movies.
I put up our pilot episode to a film we are working on that focuses on the Big Sur area.
www.kennanward.com/shows/Migrations.html

http://www.kennanward.com/shows/Media/migrations.mov

You can click on the full episode link bellow to watch the 20 minute edit we cut together. It was just a rough edit, but shows some of our footage. Since we put this together, we have captured at least another 2 TB of footage in the area.

Also, here is the 25 minute teaser/pitch for the Alaska film.

www.kennanward.com/shows/Alyeska.html

http://www.kennanward.com/shows/Media/alyeska.mov


PEACE,

Kennan & Karen Ward
 
Tom said:
Kennan, I appreciate your posts here. Keep them coming. What a great chance to learn something from a guy who is actually out there doing something.
Click to expand...

Tom,

I love what you are doing with BEYOND TIME LAPSE!

Almost every day I chose to try some type of TL. Last week I turned the Red camera on 1 fps and left to go to a dinner with friends on a grey night. Despite myself, this weekend I saw the file and this neat cloud opened up and rays of warm sunlight illuminated the water of the ocean! I love when nature takes over and does a better job than me!

I see the luck in your work. You get it. I am amazed how many control freaks out there frustrated with Nature. I like the flo of Nature, sometimes boring sometimes too much to capture and on a few occasions downright scary!

Thanks for keeping it real!!

Here are some Big Sur mud slide photos from last week!

PEACE,

Kennan
 
Those snakes scare me. I nearly stepped on a rattler in February at Joshua Tree wearing only flip-flops... not too smart! In my peripheral vision I thought the snake was a log -- that's how big and thick this rattler was. I jumped like 5 feet in the air when it rattled.. hahaha. I mean, I nearly jumped out of my OWN skin.

Where are you shooting mostly this summer, Kennan? I will be spending about 2/3rds of the summer in the Sierras shooting. I'm so excited about it that I can't even explain it. I'm like a kid waiting for xmas morning. I should be heading up there in early June.
 
Gone Wild!

Gone Wild!

Tom,

You are doing awesome Time Lapse. The Sierra is a first LUV! You will do well especially as the afternoon heat rises into cloud formations. That is WILD!!

Besides Grizzlies, Lightning gives me concern. The launch of my still photography career was with a lightning strike Half Dome in Yosemite.
The Ansel Adams Gallery gave it credibility!

Tom, This may be my last thread before I am gone as I am back into the Wild this week and coming back in late September.

As Ansel Once said, paraphrased, Look beyond the obvious, seductive, and look for ART!. I hold this close to my camera today remembering the scene as he said it out in Leidig Meadow in Yosemite. Of course, we need to risk the conventional, BEND the Light, and be inventive! Hopefully we will throw out a lot of clips and stills! We also may be surprised as I was when I found lightning on a Kodachrome slide as I reviewed my work over a campfire in Yosemite, July 28th, 1980.

I look forward to seeing your surprises in the autumn!

PEACE,

Kennan & Karen Ward
 
Kennan Ward said:
Tom,

You are doing awesome Time Lapse. The Sierra is a first LUV! You will do well especially as the afternoon heat rises into cloud formations. That is WILD!!

Besides Grizzlies, Lightning gives me concern. The launch of my still photography career was with a lightning strike Half Dome in Yosemite.
The Ansel Adams Gallery gave it credibility!

Tom, This may be my last thread before I am gone as I am back into the Wild this week and coming back in late September.

As Ansel Once said, paraphrased, Look beyond the obvious, seductive, and look for ART!. I hold this close to my camera today remembering the scene as he said it out in Leidig Meadow in Yosemite. Of course, we need to risk the conventional, BEND the Light, and be inventive! Hopefully we will throw out a lot of clips and stills! We also may be surprised as I was when I found lightning on a Kodachrome slide as I reviewed my work over a campfire in Yosemite, July 28th, 1980.

I look forward to seeing your surprises in the autumn!

PEACE,

Kennan & Karen Ward
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OMG.

2m29lxv.gif
2m29lxv.gif
2m29lxv.gif


Probably the best post I have ever seen here.

Kennan... let's hook up in Sept/Oct somewhere in CA for some serious shooting!
 
I KNOW IT IS TOO LATE BUT WHAT IS THAT ?

Jannard said:
When we decided to do this project... we only hoped that someone would use a RED ONE to capture such images. Reels like this are what make our efforts completely worthwhile. While other companies may measure their success by how much profit they make, we measure ours by posts like these... thank you... so much.

Jim
Click to expand...



IT IS NOT Probably the best post I have ever seen here.

IT IS , THE POST OF THE YEAR
 
BASSAM MSSALATIE said:
I KNOW IT IS TOO LATE BUT WHAT IS THAT ?





IT IS NOT Probably the best post I have ever seen here.

IT IS , THE POST OF THE YEAR
Click to expand...

Well, I survived another 100 plus days by crawling out of the interior of Alaska! Maybe I'm getting old but it was a interesting season!!

Driest July on record caused the Grizzly bears to wander in search of Blueberries and a chain reaction all through the animal community. I am awed and humbled by the rapid changes in the environment! Karen and I were very lucky with unusual behavior of Lynx, Wolverine, Moose wallow, time lapse, Tundra Swans behavior, Nice Beaver Shots, ha, ha! and of course what we were hoping for Grizzly Bear Spring Cubs!! Not just two cubs but a trio of tiny spring cubs 4k!!!!!!

Karen and I are working hard to back up 14 terabytes of new work as we adjust to society! Personally we find our friends worried about more than survival! My first inclination is to get back to the wilderness but winter has descended and the wildlife has changed!

Thank you for all the emails, four months of unplugged and some 9317 emais to catch up to!!!!!

Keep watching, I will make a new teaser soon!!

LUV & Peace,

Kennan & Karen Ward
 
Welcome back Kennan & Karen!

Glad to hear it was another good season up north for you two. When you finish sorting through those 9,000+ emails give me and Pam a call. We'll look forward to hooking up with you two and hearing about your latest adventures :)

Peace braddah...
 
Welcome back, Kennan! Sounds like a great season of shooting!!!
 
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