The Reluctant Blogger

'Here today. Gone tomorrow. Rain doesn't last forever'. This is a short video I made by experimenting with a Canon EOS 7D. It was shot within the space of 2 hours, and mainly concentrated on focusing techniques. https://vimeo.com/82570588 Due to lack of experience, many of the shots that were taken were not smooth. Difficulties arose in focusing from one object to another. However, over a short period of time, the focusing became easier and relatively smooth transitions could be made.   The footage was not colour graded or changed in any way because - even though some of the shots are a little on the dark side - the video was then able to retain a natural look. I also like the soft edges that the camera was able to achieve, and found that turning the contrast up would  sharpen that effect. Rain and raindrops are perhaps difficult to capture because they are so small and fragile, but what was most interesting was the abilities of not only the camera, ...

Nordicana - a live celebration of Scandinavian crime thriller fiction and film. Whether you are a fan of crime fiction, danish pastries, Scandi dramas or even Swedish meatballs, there is something for everyone at this extraordinary event. Nordicana is held in the UK up to two or three times a year, and is hosted by NordicNoir (which is a sub-label of Arrow Films ). It was held at the Truman Brewery , which was a spacious warehouse and not at all cramped - even though the event received around 3000 visitors over the two days . Nordicana 2014 lived up to all of it's expectations. As much as we love British and American crime drama, there’s just something special about a Scandinavian series. An extra something. Perhaps it’s the culture, perhaps it’s the moody landscapes, perhaps it’s the unrelenting darkness. Perhaps it’s even the language. - http://thekillingtimestv.wordpress.com/ Nordicana had much to offer: premieres for new TV series and films, discussion ...

Music Videos are perhaps the most experimental ways of testing a variety of filming techniques, from small short narratives to psychodelic patterns, allowing the maker to find new ways of portraying and relaying images to the audience. This music video, by the popular band Coldplay, is from their most recent single called 'Midnight' - which is directed by Mary Wigman. It is an unusual and unique piece of work, as well as interesting, both in the way the video is complitated but also in the approach. The music accompanying the video is truly haunting, but at the same time undoubtedly beautiful. The lyrics are as follows:    In the darkness before the dawn In the swirling of this storm When I'm rolling with the punches And hope is gone Leave a light, a light on. Millions of miles from home In the swirling, swimming on, When I'm rolling with the thunder But bleed from thorns Leave a light, a light on. In the darkness before the dawn, In the darkness...