Tales of Wonder and Woe: UWOL #6

Dave Robinson · November 3rd, 2007, 01:30 PM

When I've tried shooting stars (mind the pun) in the past it's never worked properly. Where as generating a star field using something like 3dS max is soooo much easier. Very simple to do, and also if you know a bit about particle generation you can do what I did for my college course work which was to show a huge star field and then zoom in on one star so you could see the reaction occuring on it's surface.

Massive render time but definitely worth it. I'll try and dig out the final clip.

Marco Wagner · November 3rd, 2007, 06:50 PM

I'd be very interested in that and anything to help shoot in the dark.

Mat Thompson · November 3rd, 2007, 07:01 PM

I think creating it in max is missing the point a bit Dave. But I'd be interested in having a look at the work!

Brian McKay · November 4th, 2007, 12:37 PM

For those that have never seen the Northern Lights. The pic was taken right after the sun had set you can still see some of the orange glow on the horizon. If you look at the stars in the background you can see that the shutter had to be open for a number of seconds to capture the image.....I only wish it was video.

Brian

Mat Thompson · November 4th, 2007, 02:06 PM

mmmm.....nice image!

Kevin Railsback · November 4th, 2007, 02:28 PM

This is a shot of the Northern Lights off my deck in Iowa.
They were bright enough to be seen by the naked eye but this exposure was like 20 seconds at a high ISO to capture them on my Nikon D70.

To actually see them in person though is truly a spiritual experience!

David Gemmell · November 4th, 2007, 03:15 PM

Hi Brian & Kevin,

These are beautiful images!

Yes Brian, it would be absolutely wonderful to watch such a sight on video - if someone knew how to do it?

I still have no idea what to film. Hope things are going better for you both.

Mat Thompson · November 4th, 2007, 03:43 PM

Hey Kevin....waaay cool. I'm very jealous and I'm going to look at a map as to where Iowa is....! Wasn't aware you'd be far enough north for that funny business.

Bryce Comer · November 4th, 2007, 03:51 PM

I think Meryem only got it half right when she said we would need to push our gear to the limit for this one. I've been wondering around the Aussie bush these last 2 nights in the dark, & my ears are getting tired! They must be compensating for what i can't see!! :)

Bryce

Steven Gotz · November 4th, 2007, 04:38 PM

I realized that fireworks would probably be too common. How would you like to see dancing Christmas Lights instead?

There are about 10 million lights at Disney MGM Studios starting on the 12th. Yes, I think you might like seeing that instead of fireworks.

What do you think?

In the meantime I am going to see Chubby Checker tonight, so I will try to get some interesting night time shots. There is a spot at Epcot where there are lights in the cement pathway from fiber optic cable. The kids love it, as do many adults. If I can capture someone having fun with the lights, that could end up being my clip for this one.

Yes, night time is easy in my neighborhood. Disney lights up the buildings, the sky, and everything around.

Daniel Ross · November 4th, 2007, 04:51 PM

I have been casually surfing for general information on the contest and I just can't find any. I've viewed a number of old entries, though, so I have some idea.

But what are the rules, really?

People talk of "stories", but is that required? Is that the focus?

It's clearly, basically, wannabe-discovery-channel with a focus on animal planet (to toss out a few trademarks), but I'm thinking a bit outside the box on this.

Must there be animals? Can it be people instead?

I assume, obviously, narrative filmmaking and traditional character driven documentaries are out, but would the "view" of civilization work? Should it just be natural things? From the above post this sounds ok.

Etc.

I also have a tendency to get into some complex editing/FX, but I'll try to stay away from that here. If it simply enhances a shot, would that be ok? Or is this all in camera?
I also have a few post-FX in mind to pick up footage at night, so I'll assume that's allowed as long as it's in the spirit of capturing reality.

Seems like a fun challenge and I'm interested in getting involved.

Thanks.

If there's a link you can point me to, that's just fine, but I have yet to find any general explanation in a link.

Trond Saetre · November 4th, 2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Ross

But what are the rules, really?

Here are the rules:
http://www.uwolchallenge.com/contestrules.htm

Daniel Ross · November 4th, 2007, 05:10 PM

Thanks for the link, Trond.

Any more specific info on the "story", required focus, etc.? Or is this just something that has developed as a result of patterns in the entires?

Kevin Railsback · November 4th, 2007, 07:14 PM

Hey Daniel,

There need not be a story if you choose not to have one. Heck, look at most of my stuff. :)

In the last challenge, I remember one shot in particular. A red deer breathing in the early morning light with his breath coming out in clouds of steam.

The rest of the film could have been about pickles after that. :)

You're free to make whatever you feel like making for your interpretation of the theme.

Take Ruth H. for example. For the theme "Recreation" She interpreted it as " Wreak Creation" and her film was about destroying the environment.

I think the most important thing most people will tell you is to get out there and film something. Your feedback thread will give you an idea if you're on the mark or not.

Mat Thompson · November 4th, 2007, 07:25 PM

Daniel, firstly this is the challenge definition.

"The "Under Water, Over Land" (UWOL) Challenge provides a unique opportunity for documentarians, planet Earth-lovers, tree-huggers,extreme sports enthusiasts, bird-watchers, sea-dwellers, and all aspiring outdoor film makers to join a community of like minded people, swap stories, learn skills, win prizes and maybe get an exclusive place in the winners circle. "

You talk of story. Any film worth its viewing time will carry you on a journey, whether its an animal planet documentary or films like Microcosmos which although they don't have a narrative take you on a visual journey. This interpretation is entirely up to you. Take a look at the difference in the range of entries in previous challenges and you will see just this.

That said this isn't DVC and we are not about to start making pure narrative stories with actors and sets and such but it is open to quite a wide interpretation and although for me its about shooting wildlife and the beauty of the natural world one of nice things with uwol is peoples varying interpretations.

*Edit......Damn you Kevin....you did it again ;-) ! *Goes off to improve his typing speed!

November 3rd, 2007, 06:50 PM	#32
Marco Wagner Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saint Cloud, Florida Posts: 1,043	I'd be very interested in that and anything to help shoot in the dark. __________________ www.facebook.com/projectspecto

November 3rd, 2007, 07:01 PM	#33
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	I think creating it in max is missing the point a bit Dave. But I'd be interested in having a look at the work! Last edited by Mat Thompson; November 4th, 2007 at 02:05 PM.

November 4th, 2007, 12:37 PM	#34
Brian McKay Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Canada Posts: 289	For those that have never seen the Northern Lights. The pic was taken right after the sun had set you can still see some of the orange glow on the horizon. If you look at the stars in the background you can see that the shutter had to be open for a number of seconds to capture the image.....I only wish it was video. Brian Attached Thumbnails

November 4th, 2007, 02:28 PM	#36
Kevin Railsback Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 1,544	This is a shot of the Northern Lights off my deck in Iowa. They were bright enough to be seen by the naked eye but this exposure was like 20 seconds at a high ISO to capture them on my Nikon D70. To actually see them in person though is truly a spiritual experience! Attached Thumbnails __________________ --==Kevin==-- http:naturephotostudios.com.com

November 4th, 2007, 04:38 PM	#40
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	I realized that fireworks would probably be too common. How would you like to see dancing Christmas Lights instead? There are about 10 million lights at Disney MGM Studios starting on the 12th. Yes, I think you might like seeing that instead of fireworks. What do you think? In the meantime I am going to see Chubby Checker tonight, so I will try to get some interesting night time shots. There is a spot at Epcot where there are lights in the cement pathway from fiber optic cable. The kids love it, as do many adults. If I can capture someone having fun with the lights, that could end up being my clip for this one. Yes, night time is easy in my neighborhood. Disney lights up the buildings, the sky, and everything around. __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

November 3rd, 2007, 01:30 PM	#31
Dave Robinson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Conwy, Wales Posts: 208	When I've tried shooting stars (mind the pun) in the past it's never worked properly. Where as generating a star field using something like 3dS max is soooo much easier. Very simple to do, and also if you know a bit about particle generation you can do what I did for my college course work which was to show a huge star field and then zoom in on one star so you could see the reaction occuring on it's surface. Massive render time but definitely worth it. I'll try and dig out the final clip.

November 4th, 2007, 02:06 PM	#35
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	mmmm.....nice image!

November 4th, 2007, 03:15 PM	#37
David Gemmell Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bendigo, Australia Posts: 234	Hi Brian & Kevin, These are beautiful images! Yes Brian, it would be absolutely wonderful to watch such a sight on video - if someone knew how to do it? I still have no idea what to film. Hope things are going better for you both.

November 4th, 2007, 03:43 PM	#38
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Hey Kevin....waaay cool. I'm very jealous and I'm going to look at a map as to where Iowa is....! Wasn't aware you'd be far enough north for that funny business.

November 4th, 2007, 03:51 PM	#39
Bryce Comer Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rossland, British Columbia Posts: 1,024	I think Meryem only got it half right when she said we would need to push our gear to the limit for this one. I've been wondering around the Aussie bush these last 2 nights in the dark, & my ears are getting tired! They must be compensating for what i can't see!! :) Bryce

November 4th, 2007, 04:51 PM	#41
Daniel Ross Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Marin & Davis, CA, USA Posts: 418	I have been casually surfing for general information on the contest and I just can't find any. I've viewed a number of old entries, though, so I have some idea. But what are the rules, really? People talk of "stories", but is that required? Is that the focus? It's clearly, basically, wannabe-discovery-channel with a focus on animal planet (to toss out a few trademarks), but I'm thinking a bit outside the box on this. Must there be animals? Can it be people instead? I assume, obviously, narrative filmmaking and traditional character driven documentaries are out, but would the "view" of civilization work? Should it just be natural things? From the above post this sounds ok. Etc. I also have a tendency to get into some complex editing/FX, but I'll try to stay away from that here. If it simply enhances a shot, would that be ok? Or is this all in camera? I also have a few post-FX in mind to pick up footage at night, so I'll assume that's allowed as long as it's in the spirit of capturing reality. Seems like a fun challenge and I'm interested in getting involved. Thanks. If there's a link you can point me to, that's just fine, but I have yet to find any general explanation in a link.

November 4th, 2007, 05:10 PM	#43
Daniel Ross Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Marin & Davis, CA, USA Posts: 418	Thanks for the link, Trond. Any more specific info on the "story", required focus, etc.? Or is this just something that has developed as a result of patterns in the entires?

November 4th, 2007, 07:14 PM	#44
Kevin Railsback Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 1,544	Hey Daniel, There need not be a story if you choose not to have one. Heck, look at most of my stuff. :) In the last challenge, I remember one shot in particular. A red deer breathing in the early morning light with his breath coming out in clouds of steam. The rest of the film could have been about pickles after that. :) You're free to make whatever you feel like making for your interpretation of the theme. Take Ruth H. for example. For the theme "Recreation" She interpreted it as " Wreak Creation" and her film was about destroying the environment. I think the most important thing most people will tell you is to get out there and film something. Your feedback thread will give you an idea if you're on the mark or not. __________________ --==Kevin==-- http:naturephotostudios.com.com

November 4th, 2007, 07:25 PM	#45
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Daniel, firstly this is the challenge definition. "The "Under Water, Over Land" (UWOL) Challenge provides a unique opportunity for documentarians, planet Earth-lovers, tree-huggers,extreme sports enthusiasts, bird-watchers, sea-dwellers, and all aspiring outdoor film makers to join a community of like minded people, swap stories, learn skills, win prizes and maybe get an exclusive place in the winners circle. " You talk of story. Any film worth its viewing time will carry you on a journey, whether its an animal planet documentary or films like Microcosmos which although they don't have a narrative take you on a visual journey. This interpretation is entirely up to you. Take a look at the difference in the range of entries in previous challenges and you will see just this. That said this isn't DVC and we are not about to start making pure narrative stories with actors and sets and such but it is open to quite a wide interpretation and although for me its about shooting wildlife and the beauty of the natural world one of nice things with uwol is peoples varying interpretations. Edit......Damn you Kevin....you did it again ;-) ! Goes off to improve his typing speed!