Quality time spent in a pilot gig
Today I was finally able to spend a full session in the gig with Caradon crew. It was a really great experience, plus I was able to get some of the shots I wanted.
This weather was rather dull, but had the potential to make visuals a lot more atmospheric. The Tamar bridge is quite a spectacle when you look up from below. Water drops fall constantly from the beams above, creating a very dramatic atmosphere. I think the director may use the sound and visuals we recorded to help portray this.
I shot this at 50fps and at a high shutter speed to enable the possability of slowing it down in post to enhanced the effect.
Being fixed in one position, I had 5d mk ii with a 24mm and a 1d mk iv with a 70-200mm which allowed me to cover all areas.
Super shallow depth of field from the 24 prime. I focused at the rower's full reach in order to throw out the background when he pulled away.
You can seen the fog in this image, which makes it ideal as it's a real contrast from the sunny scilly isles.
I liked this scene as it shows the buildings including the gig club (far left) that live in the shadow of the Tamar bridge. I liked how the red in the Union Jack are replicated in the ores.
As I got to spend longer in the gig this time I was able to get some really intimate shots of the rowers faces. When I filmed these, they were rowing flat out and had been for some time hence the expression on their faces.
I was trying to film James (in red) and his expression to show how hard they train, but I feel the guy in the background is going to draw your attention away as he look like he's having a really bad time.
After being in the gig you can really feel the tention in you stomach muscles after being tense the whole time in order to stay stable while filming. It really was a privaledge being alowed to film with them, as for them it harder with the extra weight, but they almost liked it as they said it makes them train harder.
It's always nice being able to film without being rushed unlike the time before. I can consentrate on getting the shot right and can film each bit for longer to make sure I get everything.