Michael's View

Keying on the right color...

Chroma-Key or green screen technology is a studio technology that has been around for awhile and is constantly improving. When I got my MAC, I was fascinated that iMovie had the ability to do chroma-key or green screen. As quickly as I was enamored, I was just as quickly dissatisfied with this program due to its lack of control and functions.

Good quality video requires good quality software. Period! Making decisions based on the computer platform (MAC), software capabilities, and business plan, I settled on Final Cut Pro. Now started the up-hill battle, the learning curve. 

Chroma-key lighting has to be precise. If your artist is too close to the screen, backwash, will create a corona, that will be difficult if not impossible to key out.

Your project will need to be layered. By that, I mean, that your background picture or video needs to be the bottom layer. Your "keyed" artist needs to be the next. By using the chroma-key tool, adjust the bandwidth, saturation, illumination to remove the bulk of the interference from your background. Use the thin edge and smoothing tools to "round out" the effects and enhance your artist.

Although this is a quick overview, by a lot of practice and tons of mistakes you will be able to put together videos similar to the one that I produced for ActiveRain's own Anthea Click from Fresh Perspectives Home Staging...

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...


© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Friday's Fotos - Rain drops on a rose...

There is something about a nice gentle rain that soothes the soul. The air has been cleaned, and the lighting conditions are just perfect to capture photo ops such as the water droplets on this rose. Kinda puts you in your right mind doesn't it?

Join, Friday's Fotos... The end of the week foto group...

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Photo blogging is more than taking pictures...

Most folks who know me, know that I love photography. That being said, is it any wonder that I would join William Johnson's ActiveRain Photo Blogger Group?...

Photo blogging takes on another dimension when one couples all the segments of video, photography and of course, paid for, royalty free music. In this video for the Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce, I sped the video segments up 500% to create high speed action to augment the music.

The one second pictures, were added to show a blend of people and places.

Motion text created in Motion3 adds another dimension of intensity to the movie. Many of these same techniques can be created with Sony Vegas for those PC users...

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

(not so) Wordless Wednesday ~ Having a distorted point of view...

Ever met one of those folks that are really weird? You know the ones I'm talking about.  The ones that have that mentality where they seem to live in a world of grays. Most folks say that they have a distorted point of view...

To the photographer, having a distorted point of view of the world is considered art. While walking through the "Arcades" section of downtown Nashville, TN the other day, I got fascinated by the distortions of the buildings reflected in the windows.

Does this mean that I am sick and demented? I hope not! Sometimes having a distorted point of view is not all that bad...

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

I can remember falling in love with the Disney characters Chip & Dale when I was a kid. However; as cute they may be in on the silver screen, in the back yard they can be very destructive.

Having created a backyard natural area with the water features and plants, the setting was a perfect invitation for critters of all types. And yes, the chips, thinking that this was prime real estate in which to raise a fam, moved in - lock, stock and barrel.

While cute to see at first, cuteness soon wore away when I discovered that they were gnawing holes in the underground pump lines. And, who wudda thunk that they would chew holes in the pond liner? Gr-r-r-r! Several hundred dollars and much aggravation later, the decision was made. Cute or not, the chipper relocation program had to commence.

Humane, small animal traps can be purchased rather inexpensively from many on-line retailers. Once an animal is trapped, they will be frightened. During the trip to their new home, cover the cage with a towel or blanket. This gives them security and comfort during the ride to their new home.

As always, wear leather gloves when handling cages that contain wild animals. Many have rabies, and wild animals big or small bite when frightened. 

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Monday Morning Motivator & Some Points to Ponder...

" If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. "

~ Bruce Lee ~

Today, I will leave my comfort zone. I will make the choice to push past my self imposed limits. Today, I will begin the climb to reach that next plateau. The vistas that await me there surely have to be breathtaking... 

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Which is the Right Camera Lens for You?

Yesterday, Judi Barrett posted an interesting question - what was the right camera lens for her needs? The answer, it depends.

Glass for SLR's or DSLR's can get expensive. The cost of the lens will be directly related to the size, MM focal length, and the f-stop rating. The lower the f-stop, the better the optics, hence, higher price.

What do you want to do? Should be the determining factor. Will you be mainly shooting close ups? Out-door scenes? Wildlife? Buildings? Sports? Night scenes? Once you have determined your primary use, then select a lens that will fit your price range and need.

There are many "shot-gun" lenses on the market. By shotgun, I am referring to a wide range of focal lengths. Avoid getting too wide a range. The wider the range, the more distortion you will experience. I generally try to stay within  100-150 mm range if possible. Additionally, if the lens has a shoe mount, it will be heavy.

Low light or night shots will need a tripod period! You just cannot hold the camera still that long. Even the best photographer can only hold the camera still for 1/8th of a second with out getting a blurred shot. A good tripod is a must.

Action shots depend upon speed. Good lighting is essential. While the size (MM) of the glass will get those close-ups, the fast action of the shutter will prevent blur. I have gotten excellent shots sports shots using a 300MM f-4.5 lens.

Auto/Manual focus. Today's world has left many novices in the auto focus world. Save for wildlife or fast action shots, I use manual focus. Manual focus lenses will work on most DSLR's. Auto focus lenses will be more expensive.

Pawn shops and used camera shops next to colleges or universities are excellent places to purchase good used lenses at a fraction of the price. Use CASH! Money TALKS! Determine what you want to pay and lay the money down. You will be surprised how many times you can walk out with a good deal.

This is only a short guide that I hope will help you make some decisions. Nothing is worse than spending a lot of money for a lens that just sets in your camera bag gathering dust.
© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

(not so) Speechless Sunday ~ Downtown Franklin, TN

Yesterday was one of those "Picture Perfect" afternoons to visit downtown Franklin, TN. Nice warm autumn afternoon temps and plenty of sunlight brought out folks out by the droves. Looks like I was not the only person out to cop a few rays and enjoy the afternoon.

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com

Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Photo journalism takes on many shapes. Sometimes it is working behind the shutter of a DSLR, other times it is working behind the shutter of a video camera.

I am currently working working on a project commemorating the life of a local businessman and Rotarian. Although I never met the man, I feel that I have come to know him through the hearts and memories of his family and friends. 

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Yesterday, ActiveRain member Richard Weisser wrote a post about the beauty of everyday nature. His eloquent words prompted me to go through some of my old photos. Photos that capture what often goes by unnoticed. Scenes that we far to often do not see or take for granted...

Join Friday's Fotos

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...