Video

Video

The reaction I get these days when I tell people I do video…”You do video?!”  Yes, I do video.  It’s ironic that most people think of me as a still photographer these days when video is actually how this all got started.  So for those that may have forgotten that I do video, here’s a reminder.

Wedding Selfie

I don’t think I’ve shared this.  I remember posting an image of this incident, but never the full video.  If you pay close attention at about 45 seconds you can see the quad level out (it’s so very subtle) and that was my fatal mistake because it didn’t clear the hill and I still had legal room to climb.  Once the forest starts to appear in the shot it’s not long before it happens, but I end this video before that point.  It won’t take much imagination to figure out what happens next.  A shout-out to my brother and son for heading off after it.  After all that, I still got the shot!

Nerves

I wonder when I’ll get past the nervous feeling I get when I’m flying over water.  Still, it makes for some awesome footage.

Bark Bark

I haven’t been incredibly creative for a while.  This, however, may be my favorite commercial in a while that  I created.  That’s my dog Waldo – well, it’s at least his voice in the commercial.

Running

I’ve posted all my images from the Battlefield Half Marathon last weekend on my gallery site, but I really wanted to get to the video that I shot that day, too.  There’s some awesome scenery in the surrounding county here.  Enjoy…

Freedom

For all those who fought for my freedom I simply say “Thank you.”  Enjoy this moving piece performed by the John Handley High School band and choir.  It was originally written to honor the first responders during the 9/11 attack, but it applies here, as well.

Do Something With It

When I started shooting (both video and stills) I would just shoot anything and everything.  I had no vision and real purpose for what I was shooting.  I shot because, well, I could.  I see so many people these days shooting video and stills and I always wonder what they do with it.  My philosophy these days is “why shoot if you’re not going to do anything with it.”  It doesn’t have to be posted on a social media site.  It doesn’t have to be on broadcast TV.  It could simply be shared with friends around the kitchen counter, but do something with it, otherwise it was pointless to shoot it in the first place.  IMHO.

I choose to share mine online.  My original intent for purchasing an aerial camera was to shoot cyclocross racing.  So here’s a first look at a couple of cross races I’ve shot this season.  I actually plan on putting together a piece for the Psycho Cross race – a sort of promo of sorts.  Order a print of the featured image here.

Cross Season

Who thought I would ever be looking forward to cross season as much as I am this year?  Cyclocross season, that is.  I’ve shot cycling now for several years and am always looking for new ways to differentiate myself from other shooters.  A definite difference, IMO, is the fact that I shoot both still and video.  I’m leaning more toward the still side these days, but I produce both and I have a great time doing it.  I certainly created a buzz when I shot an aerial video in Page County earlier this year and plan to do more like it.  But what’s crazy to me is that when I look at a new piece of gear these days I find myself thinking “wow, that would be awesome for cross season.”  So, I may never race during cross season, but at least I’m out there supporting it.  That’s a start, right?  Can’t wait to put the new iPhone 6 through it’s paces this Sunday at the annual Winchester Applecross race.

Granted, this is a video of my dog, but think of all the amazing race footage I can get with it!

Subtle Movement

We all know that the clouds are moving, but it’s incredibly subtle movement.  At least to the naked eye.  I was driving home this afternoon and that cloud formation was just screaming for me to grab my camera.  I shot some video with the aerial camera, but I’ll have to play with the stabilization a bit before I post it (if I post it).  I didn’t really stabilize this one (as you might be able to tell) because the algorithm was getting confused by all the cloud movement – there’s no real reference point.

Campus

It’s sometimes difficult for some folks to make it back to their alma mater to visit.  Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes.  I graduated 21 years ago this year and JMU is such a different school (physically – I won’t get into the politics of all that’s been in the news lately).  I know I enjoyed my time there and hopefully this video will spark some memories if you’re also an alumnus.  Before I did the video of Handley I actually had this one started, but I didn’t have enough footage yet.  I’ve finally collected enough footage – enjoy.

Madison, James Madison
We’ll Be Forever True
Our Loyalty Will Always Be To JMU
While Friends Remain Within Our Hearts
And Knowledge Guides Our Way
James Madison Will Lead Us On
To Conquer Each New Day

Annie Lisle

I’ve posted “One-A-Day” since January 1 and have yet to actually post a video.  It’s about time I did.  I’ve been collecting plenty of video footage over the past couple weeks with this new drone and had an idea to create some school videos for various local high schools and universities.  What better school to start with than the school that both my kids and my wife attended – John Handley High School.  And what better music to accompany than the alma mater. I wonder how many people really know the origin of this tune.  The original lyrics don’t really paint a pretty picture, but I’ll leave that up to you to research.

You may know it as “the ubiquitous alma mater song used by almost every school in the universe.”  – +oldwhtman

I looked all over for this song and all I could really find was the Kellerman’s Anthem from Dirty Dancing.  Or a university glee club singing their own lyrics.  Thank goodness for YouTube!  And thank you +oldwhtman for allowing me to use your performance of it.