Fion, what a beautiful video!! This just proves that being in the right place at the right time is so important in photography. That baby bear is so cute. I've been telling my family and friends that they have to see your video, and I've been directing them to it. Everyone has been so amazed and love it!

I noticed that from 1:12 to 1:25, the video was slightly out of focus and I think that part could have been cut out without loosing any impact in the overall video.

In the beginning of the video when you were showing the still shots, I wasn't sure what I was looking at. It would have helped if you would have added some text to tell what we were seeing and why it was important to the video.

Over all, an amaizing video!! WELL DONE!!

Dick

  Posted: 03/15/2020 18:47:30

Please read my first comment on Dick's video BEFORE you read my comments on your entry this month just so you know my point of reference for my comments. Thanks.   Posted: 03/18/2020 09:22:37

This is a thrilling capture of something I have only read about and seen a few photos about. I think the video is superb and while my comments may sound a bit negative, please be assured they are not. I'm commenting on the little difference between an amazing video and one that could be simply off the charts outstanding. I'm speaking from the point of view of a nature photographer and a photo judge who was worked international competitions. This is a good video.
I watched this 3 times often backing up to review a scene several times and I took notes throughout. Most of the photographer is excellent.

As a film maker you not only have to get the great shot of the still photographer but also the lead up and the follow through. This is a tougher job.

Now my thoughts.

The photography is SO GOOD that you do not need the fake spotlight black screen for the title. Put the title on and real photo. There are so many good photos the shots of mounds of snow aren't necessary, choose one with the trees. show the best photos and win the hearts of the audience. You have the photos to pick from. During the opening stills there are some rumble sounds, like motors (?) that don't add to the story,can you edit those out? Since I don't know what is making the sounds they distract me and I'm having too much fun to be distracted. The introductry stills really set the stage all those scenes make me feel like I was there. The treads on the snow tractor, the photo gear---this is magic stuff. You have one video clip of the mother bear sitting up that starts with her back being overexposed and then adjusts to correct exposure. May I suggest editing out the overexposed part. You photos have made me fall in love with the bear. Don't show me something negative about her. Let me enjoy the fantasy. The interaction between mom and cub just pulls on the heart strings. She is so tender and you caught perfect moments. When Mom with her cub next to her turns to face the camera is a WOW moment. There is protection of her cub and an implied warning to stay away. It is tender, yet chilling. The scene at 3:09 is simply pure magic. Near the end you use a number of vertical images. This is my personal opinion---but I don't like them. My reason is that you leave too much blank screen. I feel they would be better as horizontals. But that is my opinion. If this was a still photo show they are fine, but in video I don't like them. I'd really love to hear your opinion on this. At the very end you have two photos of the aurora. one with just the aurora and one with a building and the aurora. I would make the last shot the one of just the aurora, show the building first.

I would really love to hear your thoughts on my comments. I would like to better understand how and what you were thinking.

This is really an excellent video, I'm picking at very little things. I want you to understand not of this is negative. The show was amazing.



By the way. I love the rodeo video as well. There was such drama. The photos and music were a great match and I felt connected. But that is another story.   Posted: 03/18/2020 10:07:13

Please allow me to add an additional thought. As a still photographer I watch several video showing how the movie 1917 was made. I did this to study camera angles and techniques. I watched these videos several times each. As I write the critiques for this group I thought maybe some of you could used some of these techniques yourselves.

This forum is about making our photography grow and I thought this was a good learning tool. If I'm off base, please forgive me. Enjoy the videos and best of luck in your future film making efforts. I have really enjoyed my visit.

There are two video links provided.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypvd2LJCJHg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMBnvz-dEXw   Posted: 03/18/2020 12:13:59

Lovely pictures and video Fion, for sure makes me want to go visit!   Posted: 03/20/2020 21:35:40

Larry Treadwell wrote the following on my video and asked that I share it with the group:

I just stumbled upon this group and I'm fascinated. I would like to offer a few observations if I may. I would ask that you this preamble with the other group members so I don't haveto type it over and over for each video. Thanks.

This may well end up being a long comment but I want you to understand my point of view before I begin.


I consider myself to be a hardworking nature and wildlife photographer. I spend a great deal of time researching my subjects before I venture into the field. Recently while on a shoot I was approached by a videographer who asked if he could photograph me at work. Over the course of the day he worked much harder than I did. He was relentless in his efforts, when I took a break he was still gathering clips. He wired me for sound, forced untrained me to think out loud and led me with questions. Since then he has made two videos of me at work. I have the utmost appreciation for him and his craft. I think the video required much more work than me captured that one special shot. Video required that one shot and so much more.


.   Posted: 03/23/2020 14:21:38

By the way, I watched the two videos that Larry Treadwell suggested, and found them very interesting. Not sure that the techniques talked about in those videos would be anything that we would want to try, but it is worth watching. Maybe it will give us some ideas.

.   Posted: 03/23/2020 15:13:30

Fion,
Beautiful video!
1. Precious wildlife and aurora footages
2. Challenge and adventure the difficult weather environment condition
3. Various kinds of transitions used to attract audience
4. Very smart way to capture videos for the most exciting moments instead of still images   Posted: 03/25/2020 16:34:38

Hi Fion.
Watched your video of the Polar Bear family and amazing aurora dancing. As already peter mentioned they are rare opportunities and often encountered many challenges. I loved the way the Polar Bear family was reacting to the human contact, even though from a distance. looks like they were posing for you guys. Instead of lot of stills of the Polar Bear family, I would rather prefer a lot of video footage. I am sure the opportunities are very limited during those events. Probably you could use some head mounted Go Pro for shooting this amazing animals while shooting your still images. That way probably you could have more video footages at the same time. I am planning some of this trip and planning to get the most out of the, limited whatever exposure we might have. Loved your video and they are amazing. Congrats again. Cheers.   Posted: 03/26/2020 12:38:07

Hi Fion,
I was just skimming through groups to see what was out there when I stumbled across your video. I am scheduled to go to Churchill in November (fingers crossed that the pandemic doesn't interfere) so I just had to watch and be blown away! You caught such amazing moments of tenderness between mother and baby. Even the professional promotional materials I have seen do not compare to the impact of your video. Wonderful!   Posted: 04/20/2020 11:09:06