"DSLR Video On Assignment with Dan Chung" *REVIEW*

 

A little over a year ago, in the early stages of the "DSLR Revolution," The F-Stop Academy, a London based training company for filmmakers run by 20 year industry veteran Den Lennie, established themselves as one of the early resources for DSLR training with their release of the video, "Learn Canon 5D Mark II Cinematography with Philip Bloom"   

Following up on the success of the first DVD they quickly produced a follow up DVD for the Canon 7D when it was released, as well as releasing a DVD educating stills shooters, by “Epic Advertising Photographer” Drew Gardner, later that year.   

By following award winning photojournalist Dan Chung while on assignment covering the Hindu festival Thaipusam that takes place yearly at the Batu Caves north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, F-Stop’s latest DSLR training video, “DSLR Video On Assignment with Dan Chung,” takes a slightly different approach than previous releases.   

Dan has been shooting video for the last 4 years but has over 15 years of experience working internationally as a staff photographer at Reuters and the Guardian covering some of the biggest events of the last decade.   

Similar to the other releases from The F-Stop Academy, the first half of “DSLR Video On Assignment” takes you through the HD-DSLR fundamentals, but with the unique perspective of the field photojournalist.  Because of the more “run-and-gun” documentary style of the photojournalist, Dan provides many tips and trick to make life easier in the field enabling you to focus on the story rather than fumbling with tools that delay or hinder your work.    

Having worked in the industry as a news and sports photojournalist myself,  I can say that Dan covers all the essentials for anyone that wants to shoot documentary style video with these cameras.  That’s the real benefit of this training over some of the others by F-Stop.  If you are a documentary style stills shooter, or are just making the switch from standard video cameras to HD-DSLRs for documentary work, this course provides you with very practical advice, specific to that genre of shooting, on top of the basic instruction for shooting video.  

Chapter 8 of the DVD is where this video really takes off and is very unique in it’s approach to training.  Dan takes the viewer inside his process of preparing for and executing an assignment in the field.  Even as someone who has shot thousands of assignments, I find it a real treat to watch another professional offer a glimpse inside his process in the field.  As a photojournalist, after your initial training in the early stages of your career, it’s rare to have an opportunity to work along side other shooters in the field, in a manner that enables you to really learn what they are doing to have success.  

Dan not only breaks down the situations and requirements unique to DSLRs on this assignment, he also walks you through his process for scouting in advance of the shoot,  and provides a very intimate look at his process for capturing the story on the day of the assignment.  While Dan is extremely focused on capturing the shots needed, he stops all along the way to guide you through his thought process, explaining all the choices he makes.  

At the conclusion of the training you get to watch the final product of all Dan’s work.  Stunning images captured to tell a wonderful story and you were along for the entire process.  It is quite a treat.  

Without hesitation I recommend this training video to anyone who shoots or desires to shoot documentary style DSLR Video, or even someone simply interested in following a pro in the field as he crafts his story.  

For a limited time you can save 60% off the list price of the video by ordering your copy from the F-Stop Store for $96.52. 

For more information about the video featured in this article or to check out any other of F-Stop Academy’s training visit www.thefstopstore.com

Check out the trailer below. 

Comments

[Nikon D7000 Price]

The price of D7000 with body only at $1,200 is considered quite steep and there’s not much improvement as compared to the D90.

I will still stick with my D90 for sometime.