ColorBurst Video

The Neuroscience of Illusion

2009-06-28T01:11:00.000-05:00

I don't know if it's an original quote, but George Lucas once said The secret to film is that it's an illusion. And it's certainly the truth. At ColorBurst Video, we are big fans of magic and know a few tricks of sleight-of-hand that we've practiced in addition to the special effects. That's why a recent article on Wired.com caught my attention and I wanted to share it with you. It features incites from Teller of Penn and Teller, along with some video clips of their magic act.

For Teller (that's his full legal name), magic is more than entertainment. He wants his tricks to reveal the everyday fraud of perception so that people become aware of the tension between what is and what seems to be. Our brains don't see everything—the world is too big, too full of stimuli. So the brain takes shortcuts, constructing a picture of reality with relatively simple algorithms for what things are supposed to look like. Magicians capitalize on those rules. Every time you perform a magic trick, you're engaging in experimental psychology, Teller says. If the audience asks, How the hell did he do that? then the experiment was successful. I've exploited the efficiencies of your mind.

See the full article on the Neuroscience of Illusion at Wired.com.

Back to the Future in Typography

2009-06-23T13:45:00.002-05:00

If you haven't heard of your favorite movie scenes being redone in typography, then you need to see this one first. There are a lot of these now. I believe that the first one was done with a Pulp Fiction scene. But this version done with Back to the Future is a classic.

And Now Presenting... MANAMANA - Original 1969 Version

2009-06-17T12:06:00.000-05:00

Ah, a classic.

Source: Google Video

Capturing Lightning in Action

2009-06-12T16:57:00.001-05:00

~ Fun EZ Photography ~
Originally uploaded by ViaMoi

There have been a lot of wild and active thunderstorms in the last few weeks here in the midwest. I'm interested in methods for catching a lightning bolt on film (er, disk). I think about it every time I see a nice bright flash. I stumbled upon this shot and link and I thought I'd share.

With my last lightning upload, many commented on my speed and reaction time. It's a lot easier than that and I hope you can grab a few like this one after reading below.

Scary Mary Poppins

2009-05-30T19:18:00.001-05:00

Editing is everything. If you don't believe this, you've got to see one of Disney's most beloved children's stories recut as a trailer for a horror movie. This is a true masterpiece of editing and the proper choices of sound effect and music score --all in just over one minute and six seconds.

Epson Stylus Pro 7880 ColorBurst Edition

2009-05-28T21:38:00.002-05:00

Here's a pretty nice photo printer that by Epson. Sometimes for certain projects that go beyond the standard 8.5" x 11", you need a Large-Format Color Inkjet Printer. This unit has you covered. It's fast and has full photo quality.

Epson Stylus Pro 7880 ColorBurst Edition

Here at ColorBurst Video, we recommend Epson. Check it out on Amazon.com!

Camera Trick Challenge

2009-05-20T23:34:00.005-05:00

I love a good magic trick, don't you?

It's clearly a viral video, but they aren't lying when they warn you at the beginning that it hasn't been edited in any way. The answer to how this one was done has already been posted in the comments and video responses on YouTube. But I urge you to watch the short video all the way through (1:43) and see if you can't reason out how it was done. It's not that hard, but it is very clever on their part. Good luck, and let me know what you think!

YouTube Remixed

2009-03-14T23:27:00.002-05:00

If you dig a bit, you'll find that lots of musicians of every skill level post clips of themselves online. The video and audio quality varies all over the map and that's okay. But imagine if some genius takes as many of the clips as they can find and puts them together into one overdubbed sampled funk-jam that is as beautiful to listen to as it is fascinating to watch. Well, if your imagination is like mine, you probably wouldn't have reached this far. Watch as Kutiman mixes YouTube, and not just for one little song but seven! When you see genius like this, be sure to smile. Who comes up with this?

Note: If you follow me everywhere, I'm cross-posting this in at least one more spot.

Did Your Television Stop Working?

2009-02-19T00:11:00.003-06:00

Did you pick up a new T.V. by now? As of today, all non-digital broadcast television signals have stopped. You've probably gotten sick of hearing about it by now. But if you woke up this morning and were surprised to learn that your screen is blank, then it's time to pick up either a new box or a converter. You can learn more at DTV Answers.com.

Don't have one yet? Get a digital television as soon as possible.

Time-Lapse

2009-02-02T23:41:00.002-06:00

The use of time-lapse photography has been around for over a century and creates a truly eye-catching effect as the characters on the screen go through normal motions at speeds unachievable at human speed --or animal speed as the case may be.

According to Wikipedia:

Time-lapse photography is a cinematography technique whereby each film frame is captured at a rate much slower than it will be played back. When replayed at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster and thus lapsing.

But most people make the incorrect assumption that you need to have an important or interesting subject --such as a growing plant or a building in construction-- to really make a stunning use of this technique. But simple and everyday moments can be captured in shots and become a treasured moment that is meaninful and fun to watch.

I could watch this all day. Certainly, the music adds something as well, but the video by itself is interesting. Also see this baby eating a strawberry which is cute, but needs some music too.

How Do I Make Time-Lapse Videos?

This is what you may be asking yourself right now. The good news is that there are many resources available and you most likely already have the tools that you'd need. Here are just a few:

Instructables.com - From Photograph to Stencil

2009-01-31T21:38:00.002-06:00

This one is great. Using included tools within Photoshop, you can quickly take just about any picture and turn it into a stencil you can then paint repeatedly. Turn a Photograph into a Stencil.

ColorBurst Video Store: Camcorders, Digital Cameras, Digital SLRs

2008-12-20T16:22:00.001-06:00

Just at the last minute for Christmas shopping, we wanted to try out something new with a link to an online store co-branded with ColorBurst Video and Amazon.com.

Shop through these links or any of the other ads on this page and you are helping to support this blog. You are also getting high quality products through a trusted online retailer. Go check out the new ColorBurst Video Store.

Working for Free?

2008-12-08T11:13:00.001-06:00

Nobody likes the idea of working as a photographer for free. But perhaps it may give you something that you don't have that you really do want. Read Strobist: Four Reasons to Consider Working for Free.

George Lucas in Love-- All Over Again

2008-12-08T01:46:00.004-06:00

I've mentioned it before, but George Lucas in Love is one of those short but epic masterpieces of comedy gold that bears mentioning again. If you haven't seen it in a while (or at all) enjoy.

I ran into this again recently on Shamus Young's blog, where even he admits that it has been linked to hell and back, but sometimes you have to resurrect those old simple favorites. Shamus also links to his own 2006 script treatment of what Star Wars would have likely looked like had it come out in this decade rather than the '70s. The main point being that movie executives would take the script and try and 'sexy' it up a bit to make it the smash blockbuster that they really want. It's worth four and a half laughs.

It's arguable by some that the Star Wars films severely changed the movie industry and created the "blockbuster-or-bust" attitude prevalent today. Thereby making Shamus' joke all the more cyclical --and profound.

Happy Accident Opens Door to Higher-Resolution Cameras

2008-12-02T09:59:00.001-06:00

They won't be available in time for Christmas this year, but check out this photo gallery and story about how an accident could mean cheaper, higher-resolution cameras coming from a lab at UCLA.

A Bubble Level For Your DSLR - CrunchGear.com

2008-11-24T13:48:00.001-06:00

Most tripods I've seen have a level on them of some sort. But when you are untethered from your rig, wouldn't it be better to have one attached directly to your digital camera? Check out the pics on CrunchGear.

Photoshop for Photographers Seminar Tour

2008-09-29T11:26:00.001-05:00

Today we are "Photoshop for Photographers" tour in St Louis. Ben Wilmore is the presenter to about 240 PS enthusiasts.

Remember that, not only do most Photoshop techniques work well in After Effects. But also you can use PS to tweak your video!

More later.

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PS World - All good things must....

2008-09-06T19:03:00.001-05:00

Photoshop World 2008 has now ended and I am about to board the plane for home. More later.

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PS World - Saturday

2008-09-06T13:35:00.003-05:00

I am sitting in Copango's "Power of Color" enthralled by the fantastic images projected on the 30-foot screens around the room.

As usual, each hour has seven different learning opportunities to choose from. At 1pm, I'll join Scott Kelby for his "7-Point System.". "Mastering Color Curves" is my choice for the 2pm session. Then it's off to the airport for home and family.

If you are into imaging in any way, this is the place to be.

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Nice Editing - Video (Metacafe.com)

2008-09-05T19:40:00.001-05:00

This is a good quick demonstration of what is possible and a reminder that what you see is not always the truth.

Nice Editing - More amazing video clips are a click away.

PS World - Friday Late Afternoon

2008-09-05T17:06:00.003-05:00

Outside, the Vegas temperature has 3-digits, but inside the Mandallay Bay convention center Photoshop World is cool and very busy.

Amazing is the term that comes to mind as I sit in the 2nd of 3 of Harlan's session on Photoshop for video. These sessions alone were worth the trip for me.

Another pass through vendor exhibits enlarged the blisters on my feet and revealed several "cool tools" I missed yesterday. (For instance, for the price of a 'basic transportation' used car, you can own a laser that etches any image you could print into wood, leather, plastic, whatever.....)

I'm off to the next of Harlan's sessions.

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PS World - Friday Morning

2008-09-05T11:35:00.002-05:00

Each time slot this morning has at least 7 different sessions to choose from. I picked David Ziser's How to Flash, an Extended Video session, and one on Color Correction.

I'll keep you posted on this afternoon's choices.

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PS World Update

2008-09-04T20:35:00.001-05:00

Late Thursday...

Vendor exhibits: Nikon was showing a broad line of cameras and lenses, .and Epson showcased some gorgeous large printers. Drobo was there with an interesting harddrive storage technology. And I wore a hole in my shoes cruising the booths of maybe another 60 or more vendors. B and H even provided discounts to attendees.

A full slate of evening sessions are now in full swing; Deke McClelland's tutorial on output sharpening being one of the moe popular.

More later.

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Photoshop World

2008-09-04T16:10:00.001-05:00

This is being sent via blackberry direct from the floor of Photoshop World so it will be brief.

A highly creative opening featured Scott Kelby piloting the Starship Luminousity, plus expected announcements by Adobe of Creative Suite 4.... errr.... CS Next later this month. Faster and more integrated were the buzzwords.

This afternoon, miles of vendor exhibits are sure to tax my tootsies.

..More from Mandallay Bay in (hot) Las Vegas later.... Jim

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In A World With No Don LaFontaine…

2008-09-03T20:52:00.000-05:00

You most likely wouldn't recognize this man's name or face. However, it's possible that with modern movie advertising, he has one of the most recognized VOICES in the world. Dan LaFontaine was the voice-over guy for almost every movie trailer I've ever seen in my entire life. He has a powerful deep voice with a unique character. On Tuesday of this week he died due to complications and illness. The movie trailers will never be the same.

Don LaFontaine Passes Away