Month: May 2014

TrackX Review For Final Cut Pro / SliceX Review For Final Cut Pro

Gear, Multimedia, Tech stuff, Thoughts, Video

(Can you spot where an object was removed in the frame grab above? And no, I would never use this for a documentary project, but it could be useful otherwise!)

 

The creators of TrackX and SliceX recently sent me copies for review, and they seem like quite useful products. Developed by Mocha, the TrackX/SliceX combo of plugins for Final Cut Pro X offer some great effects without ever having to leave FCPX. The bundle runs $149 or $99 each. Normally, to achieve some of these tricks, you might have to open another program like After Effects, which also happens to require a subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud. With this TrackX review and SliceX review, you can learn a bit from my experience testing the two products out and see if they are right for you.

SliceX Review

First off, SliceX has a lot of features, which is nice. In the video below, you can see a little demo of the Object Remover function. In the first clip, try to see if you can notice anything missing. The removed object will return later in the clip.
 

 

SliceX tools include: Blur Shape Mask, Color Correct Shape Mask, Depth of Field Shape Mask, Object Remover, Pixelate Shape Mask, Shape Mask Layer, Skinfix Shape Mask, and Vignette Shape Mask.

The tools in this plugin are quite easy to use, as it only took me about two minutes to install the plugin and start removing objects with the Object Remover function. They probably aren’t going to be as robust as After Effects and other competing stand-alone visual effects programs, but they are still nice and worth the $99 price of SliceX. I’m pretty excited to use some of these tools in upcoming and current video projects. I had a great time learning how to use Slice X; review it for yourself though and let me know if you think it’s right for you.

(Below: The SliceX Official Tutorial)

 

TrackX Review

TrackX is pretty awesome and straight forward. I’ve been wanting to do this for some time, and now I have a simple plugin that lets me track text to a moving object in the frame. It’s great.

Another effect that I’ll mention in this TrackX review is that, using the same technology, you can track a video clip to the surface of a screen. Imagine you have a computer screen or an iPad in one of your clips, and you want to make it look like a certain clip is playing on that screen. TrackX makes it easy to add any clip onto that screen. See below for an example in a video provided by the TrackX creators:
 

All in all, I have to say that these plugins are a good deal at $149 as a bundle. They accomplish very targeted goals, which means that a more robust stand-alone program might be a better choice for general visual effects creation; however, for a couple of quick solutions, TrackX and SliceX work great for quickly elevating your productions to a high level.

Feeding the Homeless | Recent Work For NationSwell

Diversity, Multimedia, My work, Published work, Seattle

 

homeless-seattle-photograph

(Marvin Baker enjoys a hot meal at Seattle’s Outdoor Meal Site.)

 

I met some really cool people recently while contributing interviews and footage from Seattle for a short documentary film about the Food Recovery Network, produced and edited by NationSwell. The Food Recovery Network started as a project that took extra food from college campuses and fed that food to homeless populations. Now, the project has expanded to include restaurants, caterers, and dining halls, in an effort to further pursue the issue of hunger in the U.S.

See the short film below, which highlights the TASTE restaurant at the Seattle Art Museum and the local Seattle-area non-profit Operation Sack Lunch.

Read more on the NationSwell site.

 

Washington State Pot Bans | Recent Work For Reuters

My work, photojournalism, Published work, Seattle

(Tedd Wetherbee is pictured inside the planned location for The Gallery, his marijuana retail outlet in Gig Harbor, Washington May 7, 2014. Gig Harbor has enacted a six month emergency moratorium on retail marijuana, leaving Wetherbee in a difficult position.  REUTERS/David Ryder)

 

Local pot bans and temporary moratoria are throwing a wrench in some folks’ cannabis business plans. Here’s an excerpt from Eric Johnson’s story:

Tedd Wetherbee spent months, and at least $30,000, setting up his marijuana shop in the Puget Sound hamlet of Gig Harbor, and planned a grand opening once his Washington state retail license was issued in July.

Then, with no word of warning, the local city council voted unanimously last month to enact a 6-month emergency moratorium on pot businesses, citing concerns they could violate a buffer zone between marijuana sales and schools.

“I was just shocked. I’ve signed a 5-year lease here. I’ve got $6,000 worth of tile arriving next week,” said Wetherbee, standing in his unfinished shop, The Gallery. “It’s dead now.”

Have a look a the full story here at Yahoo News.

One Year After BSA Bans Gay Leaders | Recent Work For The New York Times

Diversity, My work, photojournalism, Published work, Seattle, Still photography

Today’s issue of The New York Times features a nice story by Kirk Johnson highlighting the Boy Scouts of America about a year after their historic vote to allow gay scouts while banning gay leaders. I contributed some photos here in Seattle, while the main character – a gay Eagle Scout who will be banned after he turns 18, was photographed by Drew Angerer in the DC area. My job in Seattle was to document Troop 98, whose gay leader was banned and whose sponsoring church was also banned after it refused to remove that leader, Geoff McGrath.

Pictures are below; thanks for looking. You can read the story online here.

 

Seattle Troop 98 members Adrian Benitez, right, and Angel Arvizu, second from right, joke around while they wait for their father, Kevin Reed, center, who adopted the boys with his husband, while he chats with the Rev. Dr. Monica K. Corsaro, left, after a troop meeting at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington on April 24, 2014. The Boy Scouts of America recently revoked the church’s charter and banned the troop’s leader, Geoff McGrath, because he is gay, and this meeting was the first to take place since the church’s charter was revoked.

 

Seattle Troop 98 member Jon Mimura stands for a portrait with the logo for the troop, which he designed, at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington on April 24, 2014. The Boy Scouts of America recently revoked the church’s charter and banned the troop’s leader, Geoff McGrath, because he is gay, which leaves an uncertain future for Troop 98.

 

From left, Seattle Troop 98 Assistant Scoutmasters Andrew Vose, Adrian Cowens, and Donovan O’Brien are pictured after a troop meeting at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington on April 24, 2014.

 

A rainbow illuminates the sky during a meeting of Seattle Boy Scout Troop 98 at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington on April 24, 2014.

 

Seattle Troop 98 members Adrian Benitez, left, and Angel Arvizu wait for their father, Kevin Reed, who has adopted the boys with his husband, while leaving a troop meeting at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington on April 24, 2014.

 

The Rev. Dr. Monica K. Corsaro stands for a portrait at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington on April 24, 2014.

 

Badges adorn the uniform of Seattle Troop 98 Assistant Scoutmaster Donovan O’Brien after a troop meeting at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington on April 24, 2014.

 

The Rev. Dr. Monica K. Corsaro, center, stands for a portrait with Seattle Troop 98 Assistant Scoutmasters Adrian Cowens, left, and Donovan O’Brien, right, at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington on April 24, 2014.

 

 

 

 

Robot Turtles board game | Recent work for The New York Times

Education, My work, photojournalism, Published work, Still photography, Tech stuff

“Dan Shapiro sold a company to Google and worked at Microsoft. His name is on nearly a dozen technology-related patents. But when it came time for his latest venture, Mr. Shapiro turned to technology to produce something decidedly low-tech: a board game for children. Technology, by all rights, should have killed old-fashioned games, which can never equal the eye-popping graphics, visceral action and immense online communities of today’s video games. Yet the opposite has occurred.” That’s an excerpt from the story that ran on A1 in today’s issue of The New York Times, by Nick Wingfield. Shapiro’s game is Robot Turtles and it’s designed to covertly teach kids basic computer programming skills. I hung out with Shapiro and his kids while they played the game.

This was a fun little assignment, with nice people. Have a look at one image that ran with the story and some outtakes below. Read the story here.

 

Dan Shapiro, center, plays Robot Turtles with his kids, both 5, at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014. Robot Turtles, created by Shapiro with help from his kids, is a board game designed to subtly teach players aged 3-8 basic computer programming skills.

 

Robot Turtles cards are pictured during game play at the home of Dan Shapiro in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

Dan Shapiro, left, plays Robot Turtles with his daughter at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

Dan Shapiro’s son, left, plays Robot Turtles with his dad and sister at their home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

A Robot Turtles board is pictured during game play at the Shapiro home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

Dan Shapiro, center, plays Robot Turtles with his kids at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

Dan Shapiro moves pieces on a Robot Turtles board during a game with his kids at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

Dan Shapiro, top, plays Robot Turtles with his kids at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

 

Seattle May Day Photos | Recent Work for Reuters

My work, photojournalism, Published work, Seattle, Still photography

A woman picks up a sign during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Araceli Jaime dances in a traditional Aztec costume during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

People march down Jackson Street during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A demonstrator, who accidentally tripped and fell, receives help from a friend during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Participants chant during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A spectator watches participants march during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Itzel Santiago (C) carries her daughter, Yaretzi, 3, during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A protestor marches during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Protestors march during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Protestors tussle with men dressed in costumes during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A counter protestor (C, white shirt) tackles an anti-capitalist protestor during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.

 

Protestors surround a motorist during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.

 

Police target protestors with pepper spray during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A protestor reacts to being hit by pepper spray and then treated with a milky liquid during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A protestor taunts a police officer during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Police yell during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A protestor gets treated with a milky substance after being hit by pepper spray during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.

 

Protestors add garbage, signs, and other fuel to a fire in the middle of an intersection during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least seven arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A flag is pictured near a fire in the middle of an intersection during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least seven arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

As a bonfire burns, police rush into an intersection and arrest a protestor during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least seven arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Police arrest a man during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

Police arrest a man during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Police arrest a man during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Police secure the street near a statue of Seattle icon Jimi Hendrix during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder