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07/01/2017 11:12:25 AM · #1 |
Donggang, a photo essay I posted earlier this year, recreated as a short video. Work in progress as I become familiar with iMovie. I’ve enjoyed the process but it’s time for a break before returning with fresh eyes. Seems like a good time to share it with DPC. Critique or suggestions are welcome.
DONGGANG video
Enjoy! |
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07/01/2017 12:05:49 PM · #2 |
| Minute 1:19-1:45 was fascinating and just plain visually mesmerizing for me...there was a great flow in that bit. I re-watched just that part several times. I know, not much on suggestion, I've never even tried combining video and still, but now I kind of do. It's inspiring. |
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07/01/2017 11:39:02 PM · #3 |
Henry I watched this again, perhaps 5 times more now after you posted it and each time I get immersed in it in a different way. What I like the best here is the pace - you got the rhythm so well adjusted between stills and video and the mind flows with it and reads the story.
The detailed stills punctuate so well the story and that's what I meant by reading; coming back to a sentence just read.
Great beginning and smashing end.
I love the extra sounds that the videos bring (did you reduce the noise a little?)
There is always a clear expression in your photography and a sort of diffidence with which you approach your subject.
Sp
Message edited by author 2017-07-02 00:20:00. |
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07/02/2017 01:29:51 AM · #4 |
Henry, it's very smooth and nearly seamless. Stills and movie have equal and complementary roles. All the tonal values are balanced and harmonious, clip-to-clip, and start to finish.
The opening clip of the water by the stem of a fishing boat is perhaps not quite pulling its weight but I can't articulate why, it just felt slightly detached from what followed. Perhaps the transition at the end of that establishing clip should be a cross fade into the following title slide, to avoid the minor step that's now present at that point.
The still at 1:04 is my favourite image in the whole work. That's a beauty! Superb composition around the triangle, and with the two iconic shapes of the conical hat and the tuna tail, well it's just a perfect photograph. Everyone with a camera - and isn't that everyone now - would profit from giving that photograph an extended appreciation.
Maybe (not sure about this at all) the music volume could drop just a bit each time you introduce an ambient clip? Just to even out the total weight of audio being offered during the film clip sections. But I'm thinking just a very small, close to imperceptible, drop in music volume: something that the viewer won't consciously notice.
I'm always richer from engaging with your work. Thank you. |
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07/02/2017 06:36:18 AM · #5 |
Beautiful stuff, Henry. I remember your essay very well. I especially liked this image. It may be used in the transition from the opening clip, to address a point  ubique raised.
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07/02/2017 08:03:56 AM · #6 |
Trying something like this has been on my mind a while. It grew out of the ongoing photo essay exercise. So I thank everybody who has contributed to this side challenge over the past few years.
Rachel and Mariuca, Thanks for the second looks and encouraging comments. I did lower the volume of the video clips. I think as much as 40% on some. I wanted ambient sounds that were not harsh or all consuming. I also reduced contrast on a few video clips for tonal balance.
Paul, you have given me much to think about… not just on this project but photography in general. I do like the image at 1:04 but not sure about the diagonal rope through the hat. When out and about, with the camera, my mind is on capturing photographs. I rarely shoot video so my inventory is very low. I’ll have another look at the opening clip and maybe shoot more video next time we visit this place.
Mita, I do love the photo you mentioned from my photo essay. I had it in the video until the last minute. For some reason it wasn’t working for me. I had it placed third from the end. Like you said, towards the beginning might work. I have many images like this that I find difficult to include. |
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07/02/2017 12:37:38 PM · #7 |
I agree with Paul about his favorite photo. Some photos are an essay in themselves, and that is one.
I like the ambient noise of the clips, but it is still out of balance with the music. I suggest lowering the ambient noise further and/or increasing the volume of the music. Not dramatically, but more than you have.
I liked the introductory clip of the water against the boat. |
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07/29/2017 06:29:54 AM · #8 |
| Its really looking like a visual treat! |
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07/29/2017 11:05:24 AM · #9 |
I watched it without the volume because I was curious and was in a room where people were watching TV. So I'm commenting just on that aspect.
Regarding what ubique said about the opening video -- it was intriguing, but I think it just went a little too long. It was fun discovering what it was, seeing the patterns, "oh, it's a boat", but after that I lost the interest and started wondering more about the boat. Would it have worked to start with that and then pan out to the boat to set the scene a little more for going into the fishing aspect? Would just shortening it and fading it like Paul suggests work better?
I ran out of time on the photos. Some of the photos were so foreign to me and I wanted more time for my eye to really wander around and see it. Some photos were fine at the pace. But those with more content seemed to want more time. It was like someone was hurrying me through the market before I saw everything I wanted to see. (this might have been better if I was listening to the music. But I really wasn't ready to move on...)
I liked the balance on the video and photos. Many times I get more interested in one over the other. But when the video ended, making me wanting more, the next photo sucked me in. Nicely done.
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07/29/2017 11:08:21 AM · #10 |
| Fascinating and very cool, some gorgeous stills that I am envious of - the overhead shot of the tuna carcasses, the men backlit by ice fog, the carts with the tuna tails sticking out - looks like an airport. I do think the opening vid sequence was a little too long, maybe try cutting it down a little? |
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