Feelers (ooh err), video workshops

[SimonMW]

Just putting some feelers out about what people would think about a video workshop being run to help people with video making skills as related to kayaking?

I have been thinking about running something before, as in the past I have usually focussed on professionals. In recent years though I have had more requests from people who are just general camera users.

A bit about my background. I have been a cameraman, editor, and video producer for around 16 years. I am experienced using cameras right from the consumer end of the spectrum right through to high end formats such as HDCAM, XDCAM etc. I am also a member of the Sony Independent Certified Experts team, giving advice and workshops to working professionals on how to get the best from their cameras (though I am not sponsored by nor am I directly affiliated with Sony. The emphasis is on the word "Independent").

I have made stuff from the very bad to the very good. And according to IMDB I was once a motorcycle stuntman (though I do not directly remember doing this myself! Concussion?)

Anyway, in short, would such a workshop be something that would interest anyone? And if it does, what sort of content would you like it to contain?

[Poke]

It might be worth getting in touch with the organisers of one of the boating festivals... Many offer coaching courses, and I know that previous Pyranha Fests have had photography workshops alongside the boating coaching.

That way you can offer the session, gauge popularity, and take it from there (and also get in some boating/partying to boot :-)

[callum s]

It might be worth getting in touch with the organisers of one of the boating festivals... Many offer coaching courses, and I know that previous Pyranha Fests have had photography workshops alongside the boating coaching.

That way you can offer the session, gauge popularity, and take it from there (and also get in some boating/partying to boot :-)

Lots of interesting and kayak related subject matter happening around you to practice with as well.

[garya]

Yes It would be of interest.

Would it be possible to look at two different strands.

1) Boating videos for holidays and trips.
2) Use of video for coaching or live events

I have started using video when coaching andf it has been a great help to students and myself as a review and analysis tool, but I am sure I could do things better.

Gary Archer

[SimonMW]

Although there would be a clear need to tailor things to suit the types of gear people would take on the river, I was thinking along the following lines. Some of it would need to be indoors, purely because of explaining things and making demonstration easier.

- Understanding what your camera is doing in straightforward terms (important to lead onto the next parts).
- Taking control of your camera to get the picture that *you* want, and understanding manual control.
- Working to your cameras strengths, and techniques for mitigating its limitations.
- The picture is everything. Understanding that the type of camera that you own is last on the list of things that makes a good picture and video. In other words, even if you only have a phone camera you can still make good video.
- Shooting for the edit, and understanding what this really means.

I have a lot more in mind, but that stuff would be some for starters. Ideally I would run it over two days with a maximum ratio of 8:1. Although it might realistically have to be one day covering the core stuff.

In an ideal world I'd go through the core stuff on the first day, then on the second people would put together a short sequence.