Directive Studios Blogs

The Kessler Pocket Jib PRO has been designed for a greater weight capacity when larger cameras and rigs are being used. With its heavy duty arms, the PJ PRO can handle up to 50 lbs. in any length configuration. This is perfect for RED's, ALEXA's or any other rig weighing up to 50 lbs. (We recommend the regular Pocket Jib for cameras under 20 lbs.) The Kessler Pocket Jib PRO is the ultimate compact, portable jib. Not only is this jib fully collapsible for easy transport, but you can also mount the Kessler Pocket Dolly™ or CineSlider™ to it, turning it into a virtual "all-in-one" production tool, offering both a jib and mini-dolly in one unit. The PJ PRO has a telescopic dual rail arm design that has a maximum reach of five feet, fully extended, which is approximately 6" less than our KC-8 crane. The end of the crane arm...

This bag has been the answer to my dreams, its the maximum size a carry on can be for domestic flights and it protects my gear. This bag is a little expensive, around $400, but it's worth it. Check out the thinkTANK website for more information: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-security-v2-roller-camera-bag.aspx  

I picked this bag up at a local camera store in Boston called Broomfield Camera Co. I did have an issue about 8 months after I got it with the plastic coming through the handle. I had good luck with both Tenba and Broomfield. I called and spoke with Tenba, they would honor their warranty and replace it right away. However,... I think we called Broomfield about the receipt or something for proof of purchase. They offered to handle the return for me. At first I thought, oh man get the middle guy in the middle and it will take forever for me to get a new bag. I did it anyway, and it was super fast. The availability of the bag was even an issue, but Broomfield got it done. I love them and will stop in again when in Boston! When I was there they were very helpful and knowledgable. I...

I really love this lens for portraits and I love the image stabilization for video.  Man it's heavy though. It's very sharp and exactly what you would expect from Canon L-Series Glass.  Available at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680103-USA/Canon_2751B002_EF_70_200mm_f_2_8L_IS.html

I chose this lens as my first wide angle for everything from videos, group photos, night sky and landscape shots and more. It's also great in low light with it's f/2.8. Digital Picture Review:http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-16-35mm-f-2.8-L-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

The Canon 5D Mark III is awesome. I mainly purchased it because it has a full size sensor. The Canon 7D had a cropped sensor but I still love it and it's my second camera now on a shoot. There were various other enhancements that made the upgrade worth it to me. Still has the rolling shutter though. :(

We have just finished setting up our studio so we can shoot company videos. I've been asked by a few clients to outline what it takes to have one internally so you can build your own videos regularly and professionally. We are shooting everything from instructional videos, demo videos, educational marketing videos and more. I'll be updating this post as I get the gear section banged out.    

I use this lens a lot. If I leave with only 1 lens, this one is usually it. It's tack sharp and what you would expect from Canon's L-Series Lenses. It's great for videos and stills. The only thing that bummed me out was a short time after I purchased it, they announced the series II version. If they added Image Stabilization I would have considered it. Without it, it's not enough of an upgrade for the money. The Series II version is also a lot more expensive. If you're on a budget, I would not hesitate picking one up on ebay used.  Digital Picture Review: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-2.8-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Besides my original film cameras, the 7D was my second professional DSLR Camera and my first Canon Camera. My first DSLR Camera was a Nikon. The Nikon was broken and I hadn't had a camera for about 2 years.  The way I got back into it was kinda typical of how I do a lot of things; myself.  You see, I needed to get a company music video shot for an upcoming industry event.  Long time friend and client Joseph Stillman from Lapaloma Films had given me a quote, it was very very  reasonable, we just didn't have the budget. So I decided to take the money I did have budgeted and buy my own camera that was able to shoot HD Video. I ended up with the Canon EOS 7D. I remember going to Best Buy and getting it, I remember the 45 mins I spent pacing with my wife...

Welcome to my new website. This is my personal site. I plan to write mostly about photography and filmmaking and to use this as a place where I can blog personally about anything I want. If you want to peer into the "Directive" half of my brain and read my companies blog you can visit it here: http://www.directive.com/blog.html. I really want to document my journey into photography and filmmaking. I've learned a lot and might be able to help some folks, and I have so much to learn, maybe people will help me. It's also a great way for me to remember what I've learned, by sharing it. I also plan to display my work on this site in a portfolio as well as make prints available for commercial use. My images are free for personal use. Enjoy. Thanks for coming by, I'd love hearing from you, drop me a message anytime by...