A DAY IN THE HELICOPTER

Well here it is folks! The official launch to my Equine Videography portfolio with my very first piece!

Now this is a bit different from the kind of video I will be specializing in for the Horse world (Documentaries and Promotional videos), but I knew that my trip up to Sundre, AB shooting the Wild Horse count video was going to be an experience to remember, so I just had to make the whole experience my first video in my portfolio. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day as the sky was as clear as it could be.

***𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼, 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗶𝗰𝗹𝘆.***

Going on about the day, I was shooting both videos simultaneously throughout the day constantly switching back and fourth between two different cameras. Everything was happening really fast so I had to pre-plan and act really quick to film both videos on the fly simultaneously. You will only see "some" of the footage of the wild horses in this one video.

Now because there was strict guidelines as for how much gear I was able to bring in the helicopter, I had to resort to using my action cam for shooting this video. I also was unable to have my action cam on my head (my original plan) for a first person perspective as there was just not enough space. However, the toughest sacrifice by far was not being able to use my tripod or monopod so this made it a real challenge in stabilizing not only myself but my lens when it came to the Wild Horse count video. So unfortunately I had to shoot it handheld - not ideal, but again you have to work within what you are allowed.

I underestimated just how much vibration happens in the helicopter and how difficult it is to stabilize your cameras while still having to stabilize and position yourself seated in a very tight space. It was tough, I had to limit how I used my cameras inside that cockpit while not getting in the pilot's way or obstructing his field of view.

The one thing that I would have liked to incorporate was the pilot speaking (or any of the other three members in the helicopter), but the sounds from the rotors and turbulence was just too strong and because we communicated through headsets, you can't make out the voices.

Click on the Preview (with the big play button) right at the top of this post to watch my video. Make sure you turn up your volume!!! Video is not even half as good without sound!

I hope you all Like it! 

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DEEP FREEZE WILD HORSE CAPTURES

This was a big project alright but it is complete...for this winter at least. I can't say that I will go shooting again in this specific area in -40C weather mainly because if you get stuck or stranded up in this area of Sundre, AB you are walking. Well I was incredibly fortunate to not have anything bad happen - huge sigh of relief.

I was on the road for 6:30am yesterday to arrive in Sundre AB Wild Horse Country for 9am. I went to my original spot where I've had luck spotting wild horses in the past but they were not there when I arrived so I drove off another road and not long after, out of nowhere was a complete herd right at the road eating. I wasn't expecting them to be there so I carefully parked, got out and thankfully I did not scare the herd away. It was just deadly cold so I had to work as fast as I could, there was no time for pretty shots.

Even being covered in thermal base layers from head to toe, several layers of sweaters, two jackets, a neck warmer and my winter hat, I lasted no more than 8 minutes at a time before I had to get back in the car to warm up for a 1-2 minutes. I was able to get three solid 8-9 minute sessions out in the cold before I nearly I just about got frostbite and had to hit the road. After each time going back out, I had reduced mobility because I warmed up for no more than a couple minutes in the car in case the herd was to leave. I knew I had to make the most out of every second that they were in my presence. It was one of those times where I just had to tough it out with the conditions to get the end result.

In my first time out, I did manage to go quite deep into the field and trekked through enormous amounts of snow, bushes, but I also had to remember just how cold it was and to not get too far from the car. I could literally feel my fingers and bones freeze as each second passed. Near the end my ability to operate my camera took a huge hit so I missed some shots that I was bummed for not getting.

The good news is that I was still able to get a few shots of one member dancing around but unfortunately my ability to operate my camera and track with it took a huge decline since I've been already out there for 6 or 7 minutes when this happened and I was getting quite frozen again haha.

I will say that it got quite challenging working and stabilizing my telephoto lens and it quickly got increasingly more difficult as time went on haha.

I will be back in the Spring of 2018 to get shots of these guys playing and galloping around.

The herd was mostly eating but at one point they did start playing and running around but it unfortunately was bad timing because I was in the car warming up. Just as I caught the final act of two members of the herd rearing up, I was grabbing my camera and was just seconds late of nailing that shot. Had I had full mobility in my hands, I would have gotten it. That would have been an incredible shot had I not been half frozen in the car.

The foal was the star of the show. He was oh so curious about my presence and I guarentee that he will win your heart after you see his photos. Hope you guys love these photos!

All photos can also be viewed on my website in the "Wild horse" section and also by clicking HERE.

All photos are also up for purchase in my online store.

SUMMER HEAT WILD HORSE CAPTURES

Headed out to Sundre, AB early this morning to photography wild horses. It turned out great! A lovely herd of four or five (including two foals) spent quite a bit of time around me so I was able to get some great photos. 

Click HERE to view all the photos.