Wild Orphans Photography and Videography:
The photography and video of the Wild Orphans project has gone through as many
changes and evolutions as the baby elephants themselves. Launching the project's first
phase in 1999 I was still entrenched in the use of film cameras for all the still photography.
The nature of the low lighting condition forced me to experiment with a variety of
Kodak and Fuji films. WO was to be the last fully-film based still project I did. During that
initial phase Nikon cameras and lenses were my core equipment, and Canon video, the
GL1s initially, made up the motion cameras.
The photography and video of the Wild Orphans project has gone through as many
changes and evolutions as the baby elephants themselves. Launching the project's first
phase in 1999 I was still entrenched in the use of film cameras for all the still photography.
The nature of the low lighting condition forced me to experiment with a variety of
Kodak and Fuji films. WO was to be the last fully-film based still project I did. During that
initial phase Nikon cameras and lenses were my core equipment, and Canon video, the
GL1s initially, made up the motion cameras.
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| Link to more about the book |
| Link to more about Gerry Ellis |
From the outset I was trying to say something distinctive about how I viewed
elephants and humans, and I felt intimacy brought about by use of superwide lenses
was the only vehicle to convey my meaning. This was the first time I had worked on
any project so intensely and exclusively with superwides, both still and video was done
with super wide lenses. On the still side I worked primarily with a 14mm f/2.8 and
17-35mm f/2.8. The Canon Gl1 was fitted with a superwide threaded ancillary lens,
rendering a view comparable to 20mm.
For the second phase I will start with a similar assembly: Canon 1D Mark IV bodies, with
a 14mm f/2.8, a 16-35mm f/2.8, an 85mm f/1.2, a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS; longer lenses only
when required. The Canon affords me a unique opportunity to but create stills of
superior quality and film HD video with the same camera - an opportunity I am
extremely excited to explore. You can the experiment on my blog and via sponsor Pro
Photo's website (see below).
Like the initial project I will also be using flash on virtually all images. This was one of the
most valuable creative elements used. It dramatically increased the quality and
usability of many photographs created in the hot contrasty equatorial sun.
As I modify my equipment selection I will post the updates here and details on my blog
for discussion - Small Planet Perambulations.
elephants and humans, and I felt intimacy brought about by use of superwide lenses
was the only vehicle to convey my meaning. This was the first time I had worked on
any project so intensely and exclusively with superwides, both still and video was done
with super wide lenses. On the still side I worked primarily with a 14mm f/2.8 and
17-35mm f/2.8. The Canon Gl1 was fitted with a superwide threaded ancillary lens,
rendering a view comparable to 20mm.
For the second phase I will start with a similar assembly: Canon 1D Mark IV bodies, with
a 14mm f/2.8, a 16-35mm f/2.8, an 85mm f/1.2, a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS; longer lenses only
when required. The Canon affords me a unique opportunity to but create stills of
superior quality and film HD video with the same camera - an opportunity I am
extremely excited to explore. You can the experiment on my blog and via sponsor Pro
Photo's website (see below).
Like the initial project I will also be using flash on virtually all images. This was one of the
most valuable creative elements used. It dramatically increased the quality and
usability of many photographs created in the hot contrasty equatorial sun.
As I modify my equipment selection I will post the updates here and details on my blog
for discussion - Small Planet Perambulations.
| Link to more about sponsor |
Over the past several years Pro Photo Supply of Portland, Oregon has been generously
and graceously supportive of my professional projects and the non-profit I founded,
GLOBIO. In addition to technical and equipment support, the time and energy of
their entire staff has been greatly appreciated - with special thanks going to Jon
Combs and all he has help me accomplish.
and graceously supportive of my professional projects and the non-profit I founded,
GLOBIO. In addition to technical and equipment support, the time and energy of
their entire staff has been greatly appreciated - with special thanks going to Jon
Combs and all he has help me accomplish.