Category Archives: education

Articles, education, Media Showcase, Science, Slowmo Samples

Solar Eclipse Slow Motion Recording?

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We have received quite a few messages about how to shoot the solar eclipse next Monday, August 21st 2017 in slow motion.  After all the more frames you capture, the more temporal detail that will be preserved but there is a threshold when diminishing returns from shooting high fps take a toll on image quality, dynamic range and color accuracy.

In short, the rule of shooting the total solar eclipse at high speed will be based on timing on one hand and detail retention on the other. We have found in our research that you really do not need more than 120fps in order to get a great solar corona snapshot with enough detail and variance.  24 and 30fps regular frame rates are also good and perfectly acceptable. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Articles, education, Media Showcase, Questions and Answers

Is Slow Motion In Movies a Passing Fad?

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Slow Motion In Movies

In a new column written by Dann Gire of the Daily Herald, Slow Motion is questioned as a passing moment in film history where it is overused and loses power and effect over time.  We agree that some movies rely so heavily in slow motion effects that it becomes a primary role in the movie.  Movies such as Sherlock Holmes and 300 1&2 take it above the regular mundane level and truly makes art out of the technique.

We feel that with the democratization of slow motion devices in consumer pockets with phones and now professional high-speed cameras are dropping in value while improving performance. We expect the slow motion trend of screen time will not diminish but increase for years to come as gear is now flooding the market with high frame rates. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

education, Hi Speed Phone Video, Media Showcase, Slowmo Samples

Slow Motion Video Watch July ’17!

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Slow Motion Video Watch

There have been some incredible slow motion videos produced as of late and we are starting a new feature here on HSC called Slow Motion Video Watch. It will periodically showcase slow motion examples that you should not miss.

While there will be posts by usual youtube stars, there will also be a mix of unknowns and just cool new slow motion footage from newcomers.  Some slow motion cameras that are just being tested out can produce some of the most creative clips and many are lost in the eternity of internet video lists. If you have some you would like to share, make them known on our contact page! → Continue Reading Full Post ←

education, Media Showcase, Science, Slowmo Samples

Hummingbird Science Hi Speed on Nat Geo!

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Hummingbird Science

The National Geographic Channel in conjunction with  Clark lab at US Riverside, Dudley lab at UC Berkeley,   have posted a video that shows the process of capturing hummingbirds in flight, feeding, and doing acrobatics all in glorious 4k at 2000fps.  It is probably the most scientifically worthy portrayal of hummingbirds in flight ever to be documented.

The intricacies of flight, hovering and coping with the environmental elements that hummingbirds have to fend off and how they accomplish it are now being deciphered with the help of 4k Phantom Flex cameras in great detail mainly shot by naturalist filmmaker Anand Varma.  This is all part of a recent National Geographic story on hummingbirds here! → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Articles, education, Firmware/Software, Media Showcase, Reviews, Slowmo Samples, software, tutorials

Fake Slow Motion Is It Worth It?

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Fake Slow Motion

There has been a lot of work put it developing software that can interpolate frames for video editing and compositing applications. Twixtor in the late 90’s was perhaps the first time the technology could make something worthwhile and really produce acceptable results in a computationally acceptable timeframe.

Today the most used algorithm is Adobe’s Optical Flow in Premiere or Time Warp in After Effects which use vector directional plus acceleration of pixel values to derive in between frame data to generate new frame information from the preceding frame as point A and the next frame as point B.  The results can do some wonders to really slow down things above the frame rate ceiling of the camera. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

education, Media Showcase, Slowmo Samples, tutorials

Slow Motion Videos of the Week!

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Slow Motion Videos of the Week

We have seen quite a lot of new slow motion footage inundate the Intertubes this week.  The amount and quality of the footage seem to have exploded recently with more and more cameras able to shoot at higher frame rates and at qualities that make it bearable to watch. Of course, there is also the occasional professional high speed camera shot i.e Phantom Flex 4k, which makes it the icing on the cake.

It is also time to get inspired by looking at the work of others to better your own shooting and gather new ideas or inspiration.  It is time to lay back and relax while you watch some extremely cool slow motion footage. And as always remember to be safe if you attempt any of the stunts or experiments shot.  Take Care! → Continue Reading Full Post ←