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Field Photo / Video /Audio Capture Rig |
| This setup was used to film (photo and HD video) the Nutall's Woodpecker nest (Desktop Backgrounds and Audio / Photo Gallery) and the Great Horned Owl's nest. Lights were used (HID and LED) to fill shadows for the video. The video camera is a Sony HDR FX-1000 with a 1.6x Century Optics teleconverter. Still images were obtained with a Nikon D-300 with a 400mm f2.8 lens with a 1.4x teleconverter on a Wimberly Gimble. Audio is brought to the video camera by a Telinga Stereo DAT Parabolic system (below). |
| This combination allows mobility for off-road field audio recording using the Telinga system to record via the Sony audio recorder. In this case the Nikon sports a 70-200mm f2.8 zoom with a 1.4 teleconverter for stills between audio recording takes. Addition of a GPS tagging system to the Nikon allows site documentation of the audio recordings. Note the audio recorder remote in the left hand - the remote's wire is thread through the headphone cable and hangs at waist high while walking. |
| In this application (Teal Pond, Modoc National Wildlife Refuge) the audio is brought directly into the video cam. Usually audio is ported through the Sony PCM D-50 digital audio recorder (on mic tripod) and a cable is used to move the mic away from the video cam to eliminate operator noise (i.e. breathing) and provide an archive audio recording of the entire field outing. |
© 2010 - 2011 ShareTheRoad Productions
| So how does one get all of that equipment from the car to the nest? How 'bout using a baby jogger (or two)? It's amazing what these devices will carry. Note the portable stool in the undercairrage. Best source for these little gems are yuppie garage sales ($20 for the one above). Remove the wheels and the joggers ride in the bike rack (for fully loaded expeditions). |
| A shooting platform above the auto adds flexibility for those great shots from the road side. Here a Yakima MegaWarrior rack was fitted with a floor of expansion metal. Tripods are secured to the rack beneath the floor. Two people can easily shoot from a floor elevation of six feet. Sitting on stools sets the lens elevation at nine feet. Caution must be exercised and a waiver is required for guests. |
| A local craniac enjoys the view. Shooting in wetlands is complicated by vegetation along the roadside. This perch allows a 360 degree view of the wet meadows and ponds along Desmond Road in the Cosumnes River Preserve. |
The platform in action during
an outing at the Sacramento
National Wildlife Refuge. The
ranger and I had an interesting
discussion about whether or
not I was "out of my car" as
pedestrians are not allowed on
the auto route. When he saw
that I had climbed through the
sunroof he decided that I hadn't
"really" broken any rules. The
photo was taken by Leslie (last
name withheld to avoid
prosecution) who was visiting
the refuge with her husband,
Terry.
an outing at the Sacramento
National Wildlife Refuge. The
ranger and I had an interesting
discussion about whether or
not I was "out of my car" as
pedestrians are not allowed on
the auto route. When he saw
that I had climbed through the
sunroof he decided that I hadn't
"really" broken any rules. The
photo was taken by Leslie (last
name withheld to avoid
prosecution) who was visiting
the refuge with her husband,
Terry.
Fog Launch was captured from the platform.