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 11:45:54

Here in the United States, in Las Vegas there is a hotel known as the Bellagio that has a "Dancing Waters" light show nightly. This video very much reminds me of the night I saw that show.

You did quite well handling the exposures and the basic composition was well suited to the scene. I was worried in the beginning about the excessive amounts of water but the lights flashing on the water at the end validated the need for the amount of water. The lead in photos at the beginning worked well to set the stage. I really like the one with the moon in the upper left. I am wondering if the shots with the building where the lights were stationed would have been better at the end of the sequence rather than starting with those, moving to different structures and back to the building. I'd would like to know your opinion and reasoning for your order. Not a critique, I'm just trying to understand how this is done. I like the inclusion of the occasional boat sailing by this adds to the scene and creates interest---this is a nice touch. I read your comments and noted that this was hand held. That is the only part I really don't like. As a photographer I lug my tripod everywhere, to me it is as important as my camera. I like steady sharp photos. While I have not done any videos (just not my thing) I enjoy them. I have used my Iphone for photos and carry a little portable tripod (about 6 inches high) in my camera bag. I generally mount my phone, especially at night. May I ask your reasoning for hand holding the camera for this video. Is there a technique or style you were trying to create? Again, I'm just trying to understand.

I enjoyed the show, especially seeing a part of the world I will most likely never visit. You video made it appealing enough that I would like to visit.   Posted: 03/18/2020 12:05:41

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 12:13:19

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 14:48:37

Hello Kamal,

I enjoyed your video very much. It looked like you had a fun that night watching the Laser light show and the dancing waters.

Technically I thought the video would have been better if you had a tripod, but I realize that is not always possible. I noticed that the video was moving up and down, almost as if you were on a dock or a boat that was moving in the water. In that case a tripod wouldn't help, you would have needed a gimbal. The ISO worked well with the black of the night and the dancing waters and lights. I wish you would have zoomed in on the dancing waters for a short portion of the video, I think that would have added interest.

I thought it was a well done video.

Dick   Posted: 03/23/2020 15:09:56

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 15:14:09

Kamal,
Yes, I enjoyed your Laser show video!
1. At the beginning same scene day & night transition smoothly to bring audience to the show
2. Cross Dissolve transition effect used in between clips
3. I agree with Dick's suggestions to use gimbal to avoid shaky while you are on boat   Posted: 03/25/2020 16:35:10

What a show!.

Thanks for showing and that is the hotel I would like to travel in the near future. Maybe after all the virus is gone :)

Fion   Posted: 04/11/2020 17:40:02