Back Focus and Basketball

Here's a tip for all you camera guys who work underneath a basket for basketball games like I do. It's all about your back focus. After I white balance (usually on the white top of a Gatorade container at the end of each bench) I'll assume my position underneath the basket and do a full push in across the floor to the basket at the other end. I'll then focus and pull out completely to set my back focus. Once I do this most anything I shoot will be in focus no matter how far I zoom in or out after that. It really works well and takes the worry out of continually having to worry about my focus.

Video Taped Make It With Wool Fashion Show

I just got a nice letter from my client of the Make It With Wool convention that was held here in Reno at the JA Nugget last month. I video taped their fashion show on Sat, Jan 22nd and I must say I was very impressed with the work they had all done. She said "Thank you so much for your videography done at the Make It With Wool Style Show. It was a pleasure working with you. I'm very pleased with the quality of the DVD". It was a fun shoot, we used 3 cameras (2 - Sony S270U-HDV's and a robotic fixed on the MC at the podium) and a Tri-Caster switching system. Everything worked flawlessly and we burned the DVD on site to hand to her after the show. We added some graphics (Title Slide) on the front and back ends. That Tri-caster system is so compact and easy to setup that I'm thinking about purchasing their HD version. We were able to set everything up on a small cocktail table in a matter of minutes and after we got a house audio feed we were set to go. It's a studio in a suit case, I'll never got back to fly packs. I also love these Sony S270u's because they have the color view finders, a great asset for sure. The bottom line is that everything worked according to plan and the client was happy. Another good days work by Nagel Video Services.

Last Night's Basket Ball Game

Last night I worked the Douglas vs Reno basketball game (Reno got killed) for Gustin Sports Productions. It's a lot of fun hanging out under the basket with the cheerleaders and band at my back. We were using JVC DV500's. Nice cameras, they're light and easy to use. It was the second time I worked wearing my new bifocal contact lenses. They're taking a while for me to get use to them. I like the fact that I don't have to wear my glasses anymore but they get pretty dried out by half time. The game went quickly, I got all the action shots we needed and it was technically probably one of the best games we've done all season. Only a few more to go and then we're off to Las Vegas for the state championships later this month.

Nagel Video Services Now Blogging!

Hello Friends I'm now blogging so look for updates on my latest video adventures here in Reno, Tahoe, and Sacramento. I'm off to do a basketball game at Reno High tonight so I'm sure you'll hear about it tomorrow. Cheers!