Travels to the Edge with Art Wolfe - PBS

Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital

01/18/2008 11:15:42 AM · #4

The first couple of episodes that I saw were definitely more "photography focused".
Unfortunately since then it has really turned more mainstream & he only throws in the odd tidbit about lighting every now & then.
Too bad... it had a LOT of potential.

It's still a cool show, with some spectacular views & wildlife - definitely a dream job - he travels to some extreme remote locations.

KarenNfld

01/18/2008 12:06:04 PM · #5

I stumbled across this show a couple of weeks ago while channel surfing (something I don't do very often). I am hooked. I tape all the shows now so I can watch them when I want to.

Tlemetry

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

01/18/2008 12:08:35 PM · #6

I recently discovered the edge shows in HD also. I watch them in the evenings when everyone goes to bed. (yay DVR)

Several things I have noticed...
One min he is hauling his equipment thru the jungle and the next its nowhere to be seen! yet he has it when he arrives. (off camera pack mule assistants I'm sure) His entourage must be huge! I would like to see more of the process of getting to location, how its planned and who he takes with him... (behind the scenes stuff)

Also, he hangs over the edge of a boat with his camera and long lens. Hand held with the boat waving in the water? AND he has no straps to it. I can't imagine getting to many good shots that way let alone the risk of loosing his images to the bottom of the ocean. Maybe its an empty demo to look like he is taking the shots.

I wish he would tell more about the equipment and his thought processes while shooting.
This last episode did tell a bit about the equipment. 1000mm 1.4 lens. NICE!
Its definately not a teaching show, more of a travel brocure in video.

I really love to see his macros of ice and lichen! Cool stuff!

KarenNfld

01/18/2008 12:15:11 PM · #7

You might find some of those shots on his website, not sure

//www.artwolfe.com/

Donna21

Fujifilm FinePix S9000

01/18/2008 12:42:55 PM · #8

My PBS station shows it irregularly. I did catch it once. And simliar to the hanging from a boat shot, he was hanging out of a helicopter w/ a very large lens (not as large as some of his, but still) to catch a stampede!

Growing up I had 2 or 3 Arte Wolfe Posters - I still have them somewhere.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

01/18/2008 12:48:23 PM · #9

Originally posted by Tlemetry:

Also, he hangs over the edge of a boat with his camera and long lens. Hand held with the boat waving in the water? AND he has no straps to it. I can't imagine getting to many good shots that way let alone the risk of loosing his images to the bottom of the ocean. Maybe its an empty demo to look like he is taking the shots.

It's hard to be filmed shooting and talking and still manage to shoot 'properly'. Your attention is split so much that it is difficult to do either well. I suspect he's faking/ playing when taking the shots, then either shoots some seriously then and there or uses similar shots from other parts of the trip that aren't filmed, more often than not.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/27/2008 02:43:40 AM · #10

On the "Create TV" channel tonight, there is a "Travels to the Edge" marathon. I've DVR'ed about six episodes so far.

It's my first time viewing the show and my first impression is very good. His photos are top quality. The show, itself, is awesome since it is broadcast in high-definition (HD).

Although he doesn't get technical with his Canon gear, he does explain some things. For example, he did an eight-hour exposure (for star trails) and showed how to paint some foreground trees with light. He often speaks of composition, contrast, and margins of daylight (before/after sunrise/sunset).

At first I though he was mainly a landscape photographer, but he is a very good nature/animal photog, as well as people/candid photog, too.

Does anyone know which tripod he uses? It's definitely a very versatile one. He uses some nice glass, too. From what looks like a 600mm telephoto, to other various white "L" lenses, to black "L" lenses. I did see him with a lens that had a gold ring around it (non-"L"), as opposed to the red ring of an "L" lens.

sailracer_98

Canon EOS-6D

01/27/2008 08:46:38 AM · #11

Originally posted by AperturePriority:

Does anyone know which tripod he uses? It's definitely a very versatile one. He uses some nice glass, too. From what looks like a 600mm telephoto, to other various white "L" lenses, to black "L" lenses. I did see him with a lens that had a gold ring around it (non-"L"), as opposed to the red ring of an "L" lens.

Check the link Gordon posted at the beginning of the thread. You can select the episode you want to know about and click on "Art's Bag" to find out what lenses he used on that trip.

I think this show is awesome. It blows away the other photographer/photography shows I have seen on PBS or Discovery lately. I think Art Wolfe is the reason- he seems to be totally without ego and a genuinely nice guy, a vibe I don't get from other photogs who have done shows. I hope he plans to make some more. I've seen all the episodes at least twice (except for Ethiopia which for some reason they haven't played) and am ready for more.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/27/2008 03:46:02 PM · #12

I visited the official site and didn't see an "Art's Bag" (or similar) link.

sailracer_98

Canon EOS-6D

01/27/2008 04:29:01 PM · #13

Did you get the right link? (Gordon's, not the OP): //www.usa.canon.com/dlc/travels/index.jsp

01/27/2008 04:41:36 PM · #14

Originally posted by sailracer_98:

Did you get the right link? (Gordon's, not the OP): //www.usa.canon.com/dlc/travels/index.jsp

That was the problem. I had gone to this site..."Travels to the Edge"

What's odd is that he carries a Tamrac backpack on the show, but this site shows a different bag. ;-)

Thanks!

Message edited by author 2008-01-27 16:47:38.

hyperfocal

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

01/27/2008 06:08:00 PM · #15

There was a marathon on my local PBS station this weekend, but not on their HD station. I have about ten episodes recorded in HD, great stuff. Although I'm a huge outdoor/nature photography fan, the best episode IMO so far has been the coverage of the annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Ganges river in India.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

01/27/2008 09:41:32 PM · #16

I was wondering which tripod Art uses, but the link on the site (Art's Bag) doesn't list it.

I agree with

hyperfocal, the Ganges River episode was very good for a nature photographer!

Message edited by author 2008-01-27 21:41:42.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

01/27/2008 09:56:15 PM · #17

Anyone who visits Seattle will want to stop by his new studio down by Safeco Field. It is pretty slick. He offer some classes there and from the few times I have met him there he is pretty appoachable and will tell you how he got a particular shot.

roba

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/27/2008 10:01:12 PM · #18

Originally posted by AperturePriority:

I was wondering which tripod Art uses, but the link on the site (Art's Bag) doesn't list it.

From everything i can find, he uses some relatively old gear. Either a Gitzo G1228, G1325, G1348, or G1548 (depending on location). And ofcourse an Arca Swiss ballhead.

roba

Canon EOS-5D Mark II