Amazing opportunity = lots to learn

[videovillageidiot]

An amazing opportunity has come up and it will involve photography…actually, that will be our main focus! You can sneak ahead to the short video to learn what it is or read my whiny plea for help first…

Please bear with me because I have so much to learn in a very short amount of time…my new camcorder (e.g. recommended shooting format for Canon’s HF R400 to edit in PRE11…60p?, MP4?), shooting DSLR video, long exposures at night and other things – like timelapse. Cheryl, you have been so helpful with slider stuff and I know I have more questions for you on that!

I already have a list of some shots I want to get, but I would love suggestions – like subjects and/or creative methods of shooting. There will be soooooo much to shoot and very little time so I want to plan ahead where possible…of course I know there will be many unexpected photo ops and I’m looking forward to those, too!

THANKS in advance! I wish I could take you all with me!!

Now here’s the video…

[Steve Grisetti]

I think this is a great start, Sherrin! I'm excited to follow your trip!

[momoffduty]

AAAHHHHHH!!!!! What an offer!!!!! Great job on the video introducing the trip.

I've seen tons of Iceland videos on Vimeo. Here is one to get you started for inspiration. Read the video page for more info. 17 days & 4000 miles of touring Iceland sleeping in a rental car. If there is an area in the video you would like to see, just pm the editor & most on Vimeo are glad to help. (Almost as friendly as this place.)

[BuddyB]

Too cool on both videos, excellent work. Cheryl after watching that, with 91+ temps in Nashville, I may have to put on my Parka, brrr .
PS: When we're young the boys are hot and the girls are cold, as we get older the girls are hot and the boys are cold..hmm

[momoffduty]

PS: When we're young the boys are hot and the girls are cold, as we get older the girls are hot and the boys are cold..hmm

That is one theory. My husband never gets cold, but he does have extra insulation.

Okay, I called my daughter and told her all about the trip and asked her where is she taking me??? She said no trip. I said, but it is my art.

So Sherrin, have fun and don't worry about getting all the shots. This is a great trip so enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

[videovillageidiot]

I think this is a great start, Sherrin! I'm excited to follow your trip!

Thanks Steve. It will be very short - not nearly as long as your trip to Germany...and there won't be any cute puppies either. I am hoping to see the beautiful and unique Icelandic horses, though.
Can I ask you a technical question? The HF R400 shoots in AVCHD 60p - do you recommend that or should i go with MP4? I have PRE11 for editing.

AAAHHHHHH!!!!! What an offer!!!!! Great job on the video introducing the trip.

Thank you Cheryl, I had fun making the video - I hope to shoot some fun stuff over there (not sure what yet, but i'll keep my eyes open - and ANY IDEAS ARE WELCOME!!). I actually found and bookmarked that same video on vimeo right after we decided to go...told my son about it and he'd already seen it too. It's beautiful and I recognize Gullfoss or, Golden Falls, (the spectacular waterfall at about 2:42) from my son's photos and video that he took on his first trip 3 years ago. I wish I had the gear this guy had - is that a powered slider? And it's nice to know I'm not the only one who sleeps in the rental car for the sake of their art

Sorry it's a no go on a trip from your daughter...if you e-mail me your photo i can take you along - like Flat Stanley. We have a little Garfield that has been on trips since our first time out west. It's been fun to shoot photos in the same spot over the years - My son has grown, but Garfield stays the same (maybe a little scruffy looking). Garfield has really been around - even on my son's solo trips (to humor me, bless his heart).

Too cool on both videos, excellent work. Cheryl after watching that, with 91+ temps in Nashville, I may have to put on my Parka, brrr .

Thanks Buddy! It's been really hot here, too...high 80's and low 90's. I've been checking the weather over there and it looks like highs are around 7 - 10 degrees C - that's the mid 40's - 50 F...my blood needs to thicken before i go. I may need to hang out in the frozen food section of my local grocery store to get used to those temps!

Thanks for the kind words everyone - I'm very excited. If anyone has tips or ideas, fire away and I'll probably be asking questions right until the plane departs.

[Steve Grisetti]

>Can I ask you a technical question? The HF R400 shoots in AVCHD 60p - do you recommend that or should i go with MP4? I have PRE11 for editing.

That's up to you. Premiere Elements 11 can edit AVCHD 60p. Though I prefer to work in 60i, since it's a less intensive format to edit and the end results (on DVD, in my case) aren't really distinguishable from 60p.

But it's up to you.

[Dave McElderry]

I shoot in AVCHD 60i and edit it natively in PrEl 11 with excellent results. PrEl 11 likes it and it's a pleasure to work with.

[Chuck Engels]

I would agree with Dave, shoot in 60p

[Dave McElderry]

I would agree with Dave, shoot in 60p

I didn't say shoot in 60p.
I was actually just agreeing with Steve. But I just checked - for the HF R400 it looks like 60p is the only choice (for highest bit rate.)

[Chuck Engels]

Ooops, my mistake, thought you said 60p. Now that I read it again I see it says 60i. Anyway, I would shoot in the best available format/quality and convert to another format later if necessary.

[videovillageidiot]

Thanks all on the 60p info. Looks like that's what I'll be shooting.

Stay tuned...i know i have more questions.

[_Paz_]

Grand! When do you go?

Oh, I shoot 1080 60p and have no problems in Pre El 11.

[videovillageidiot]

Grand! When do you go?

Oh, I shoot 1080 60p and have no problems in Pre El 11.

Paz...thanks for the info!

Getting down to the last week before I go and I still have to figure out how to pack all my camera gear AND plenty of warm clothes - actually layers, since who really knows what it will be like, right? Spent 4 hours at REI on Friday after I realized my ancient hiking boots just don't fit (they always seemed loose and when I tried them last week I felt really insecure just trying to walk up a little dirt hill). Saturday was spent at Gander Mountain still searching for boots, then on to a mall in a search for luggage...

And i'm starting a blog!!! Not sure if there's much internet access over there so I may just write stuff and post it when I get back - or maybe post nothing Not sure I'll have anything interesting to say (though my former neighbor assures me she will read it). Still, Steve's blog is quite a tough act to follow!!!

[momoffduty]

Sherrin, check out episode 1 Destination Uncharted from the weather channel. Fire & Ice.

http://www.weather.com/weather-films/sh ... /ep01.html