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bolt
2008 March 28th, 14:09
Hello all -

I've spent days going through posts in here, and it is an outstanding resource.

I'm a storm chaser with several years of video work under my belt. This is the first year I'll be using HD in the field (when I say 'in the field' that's literal ... I'm usually standing in a field in Kansas somewhere). Anyway, I'm wondering if any of you have done much with the HV20 in a low light environment created by weather conditions - and some of the more sticky settings that I need to pay attention to on this particular camera. But mainly I am looking for artistic input on possibilities to transform simple news type footage into something much more.

Typically, a true chase scenario is very hectic - most tornadoes are brief, which forces the photographer to be in a rush to set the camera. Very little time for framing and setting up a shot. Because of the wide latitudes in most storm conditions, especially when tornadoes are involved, I'm thinking that I'll shoot in combined 24p/cine mode and then do a little post work for sharpening, color, and contrast. I'm thinking I can still render in 30p for upload to news services if/when necessary.

I'm really wanting to take more of an artistic route this year as far as editing for the internet is concerned. I've always shot for news purposes, but I would really like to capture the incredible emotion that is usually involved in these events. Anyway ... any suggestions are appreciated for achieving a moving and satisfying result. I would kind of like to tell a story of how a destructive day transpires out there. Usually they start off very nice, and few people are aware of what is coming. I'm just sure there is a way to artistically interpret this scenario, but I'm in search of vision.

veg
2008 March 28th, 15:23
Well, as a cameraman, I would suggest that in your situation SOUND is going to be everything, distant thunder, people on the move and atmospheric static. Get a good mic and mixer.
I'm sure other people here are better qualified to advise.
veg

tcindie
2008 March 28th, 16:36
If you're shooting in cinemode you should make use of the 'cellphone trick (http://dvxuser.com/jason/hv20/)' to get manual control over the exposure while ensuring your shutter speed is locked at 1/48.