Jason Dorday is a freelance editorial and commercial photographer based in Auckland, New Zealand. He has been a member of the Advertising & Illustrative Photographers Association since 2001
I covered aspects of the Rena oil spill Last Thursday 13th October. In between pictures I shot some quick video. I was only set up to shoot pictures on that day but the video does give an idea of what the spill did to Papamoa beach on the worst day of it last week.
I couldn’t beleive it when I got the top of the sand dunes where the crowds are looking at the mess. I had to edit quite a few seconds out of the clip-swearing and cursing.
I dont often do that when I turn up to shoot a news event, bit close to home perhaps…
I need to shoot some upcoming commercial video projects with ultra shallow depth of field- only a little bit in focus. So I have started testing a few things out on my kids.
You need two things really. Fast lenses and ND filters, or a filter box in front of the lens unit. ( I dont like filter boxes- I think they add weight to the camera rig and get in the way but more on that later)
So the lenses have ND filters on them which is kind of like sunglasses for the camera. Combined with some post production to the clip and you can get some mean depth of field and texture…
All my clips are shot on HD. You can full screen the video by pressing the arrow button.
Way back in 1999 I had a photographic exhibition sponsored by a Manukau City Council arts Grant. It featured portraits of returned service men. They ranged in age from 22 up to 101, with a variety of military service from the French Foreign Legion to RAF Bomber Command.
I am in the early stages of producing a sequel to the exhibition that will be a film documentary. I would like to interview several veterans, look at pictures from their services, and tell their story on HD DLSR video.
I remember when I photographed the subjects for the exhibition I also took notes from them for picture captions. When they told me their story I thought it would have been great to capture that on film. I will be shooting second unit stuff like the clip below to go with the documentary.
This is an experimental clip and I wanted to test out a few techniques on ANZAC day. One is using handheld cameras without steady-cam to create a cinematic urgency. Its used commonly in TV production. At 40seconds where I was following the subject filming with a 90 mm lens handheld is a good example. With the camera rolling at 24 FPS the clip has a physical feel to it of sorts.
Its an exciting long-term project and one that I will be posting regular updates on.
Currently in production is a commercial clip for the Manukau Youth Orchestra, with their debut performance of Beethoven’s fifth symphony at the Mangere Arts Center.
The Manukau Youth Orchestra has been around since the early 1970′s and is currently run by Joseph Allan, the musical director. The concert provided some stunning footage shot on fast prime lenses locked down on a Manfrotto tripod.
The final clip will be ready for viewing in the next week.
Video editorials shot for Unlimited magazine. Part of the Influencers magazine feature for 2011, featuring three entrepreneurs. Greg Cross, John Boys, and Geoff Witcher.
Features in the Aug/Sept issue of Unlimited magazine, out next week.
One bedroom apartment for sale. Stone Masons Cottage in Falcon Street, Parnell. Auckland, New Zealand. 16th May 2011
Contact Sharon O’Brien m: 021 440 996 for more details.
Video production jason Dorday.
