Directive Studios Blogs

With superior control and handling, you can now point your camera in any direction. We use this to handle our DSLRs for both video and photography when using a tripod. It's micrometer tension allows you to make easy, fast, and precise adjustments that you might need for your perfect shot. This very durable, solid aircraft aluminum and stainless steal device can hold up to 50 pounds! We highly recommend this if you are looking for something to give you complete control of your angles and leveling your camera is going to need! 

This Transceiver Radio Slave for canon is a combination of both a transmitter and receiver. This PocketWizard has High-Speed Sync Technology provides an auto flash with camera's shutter speed up to 1/8000th of a second. It's channel 1 and 2 settings come programed, however you can adjust to any 20 ControlTL channels for TTl photography. The FlexTT5 is also ideal for manual flash photography where you can also pick between 32 standard channels. Slide this piece of equipment right onto your camera's hot shoe for easy access.  B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/605720-REG/PocketWizard_801_150_FlexTT5_Transceiver_Radio_Slave.html

Sometimes the best way to execute the shot you want is to not touch the camera at all. The Shutterboss Timer Remote allows us to do just that. With a 3 pin connection for canons, the wired remote can be set for either a number of shots or unlimited shots with delays and intervals. This allows you to control taking the photo without touching the camera, and prevent the camera from shaking. The timer is highly suggested for those Time-Lapse recordings and night shooting.  B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/840098-REG/Vello_rc_c2ii_Shutterboss_Version_II_Timer.html

The Canon 580 flash is a great addition to our lighting inventory. The 360 degree swivel head allows us to get any lighting angle we need on a subject. With a metal hot shoe you can adapt the flash right on top of your camera. The more consistent color and enhanced controls help our cameras achieve the best quality photos. By making sure our camera has the best lighting, the flash exposure lock that targets our subject helps us do just that. B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801246827-USE/canon_1946b002_speedlite_580ex_ii.html

We’re excited to have two Panasonic Lumix GH4s in the studio for our videos. One of our only concerns we have about these cameras is that our clients will look at the size of these without knowing what they are capable of. Awesome quality and color packed into such a small body!  B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1028453-REG/panasonic_dmc_gh4kbody_lumix_dmc_gh4_mirrorless_micro.html

A new addition to our lens inventory! Looking forward to work a little more with this 35-100mm Lens. So far very satisfied. We're setting this on our second GH4 to get a nice close up while it's at the same distance away from our talent as our 12-35mm Lens. We will see how much more we can do with it in the near future! B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892457-REG/Panasonic_h_hs35100_35_100mm_f_2_8_Lumix_G.html

  I followed CheesyCams advice about these converters and using the NP-F Batteries instead of V-Mount Batteries and it works like a dream AND I saved a bunch of money. We used the Wasabi Batteries listed below. CheesyCam is the Bomb! http://www.cheesycam.com  I purchased this to power our F&V K4000S LED Studio Panel | 3-Light Kit. This converter brings our cost down to roughly $150 per light for the 2 NP-F Batteries and the Converter instead of the $350-$400 V-Mount Batteries. We would of needed three of them to power all three light panels. First here is the link to CheesyCam's post and video about this: http://cheesycam.com/v-mount-adapter-for-sony-l-series-np-f-batteries/ I purchased the following: 3x Wasabi Power Battery (2-Pack) and Chargerhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FQ0RB92/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 3x Wasabi Power Battery Chargerhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043WZY0W/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 3x NP-F Battery to V-Mount Battery Converter Adapterhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E0CEDIE/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 BONUS: My son Dillon found this at radio shack and it made it so all 6 charges could plug in to 1 strip for $20! http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11115445...

I recently received my ColorChecker Passport. After doing a few shoots with it I can tell you it's amazing. Setting the profile for my camera in different lighting situations to get the perfect color calibration for my camera is awesome. It so simple to use too. I use it primarily with LightRoom. Make sure you download the DNG Profile Manager so you can manage and rename the profiles you created. So you don't have to hunt for it like I did, it's located here: DNG Profile Manager X-Rite Product Description: ColorChecker Passport is a powerful 'capture to edit' color solution for any photographer looking for more accurate, consistent color and creative flexibility. And when you combine ColorChecker Passport with Adobe® Imaging solutions you'll gain even greater benefits. ColorChecker Passport combines three photographic targets into one pocket size protective, self-standing case that adjusts to any scene. Together with the included camera calibration...

This is the best ball head I have ever seen or used. I'm a really big fan of Really Right Stuff. I have their ballhead, tripod, L-Bracket and a few more pieces.  It's so solid and can handle 50lbs which means I can use my rails with full camera, follow focus, mic etc without worrying about stressing it out. It's not a video head for sure and I rarely use it for video unless it's a still shot for a testimonial or something. Manufactures Site: http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=BH-55-LR&type=3&eq=&desc=BH-55-LR%3a-Full-sized-ballhead-with-LR&key=it  

I purchased this clamp to use with my BlackRapid RS-4 Classic Camera Strap so I could very quickly connect it to my Really Right Stuff BGE11-L: L-Plate for BG-E11 Grip (5DMk3).  Manufacturers Link: http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=B2-FAB-F&type=0&eq=&desc=B2-FAB-F-38mm-clamp-with-flat-back&key=it Here's a few pics of it:  

This L-Plate/Bracket from Really Right stuff let's me very quickly mount the camera on my Really Right Stuff BH-55 LR Full-sized ballhead. The nice thing is that you can quickly flip the camera for vertical shots and the center of the lens stays is the exact same spot. I leave this on my camera most of the time. I use a battery grip so, if you don't you will want the other version. One thing to know, the after market battery grips do not fit this plate properly, I had to purchase a real Canon battery grip for it to work. If you have any questions just let me know in the comments below. Manufactures Site: Really Right Stuff Here's some pics:

I consider these studio only lights. I really wish I just invested in led lights early on. They do work great though, but to me they are not portable at all.  EDIT: I have since purchased more portable LED Lights and I take it back, I am happy I invested in these first and they are great for the studio.  These have 9 Bulbs and create some great light. We have 4 of them, mainly so we can light the background well and two for the subject and we use a smaller 5 bulb version for hair light etc. You can read more about them at Impacts Website:http://www.impactstudiolighting.com/detail?sku=699030

Devin and I are going to the Mojave Desert again for the 23rd and 24th of April. We plan on doing a nighttime time-lapse of the milky way (amongst other things). To make up for last year when I FAILED, you can see a frame from last years video above. I'm breaking out some fun stuff like our Kessler Slider and the Kesller Crane Oracle Motion Controller) to get some interesting shots. We've been planning it for 2 months BUT I found out yesterday that we'll be right in the middle of a meteor shower! I didn't plan this so I think this is one of those times where the "stars aligned" and I got lucky. Now if we just have some clear nights! (knock on wood). You can read more about it here: http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide BTW I think we are going to shoot a little video of our adventure, we'll see.

The ORACLE Control System is the core of our elektraDRIVE line of products. Almost two years in development, we set out to make the ultimate multi-function controller for our line of electronic products. The ORACLE Control System is interchangeable between multiple products, like our REVOLUTION Pan / Tilt System, elektraDRIVE motor pods for the CineSlider & Pocket Dolly, and other products to be released in the future.