Field Journal Tours with Darryl Saffer
Wildlife Filmmaking
Sarasota, Florida and Pagosa Springs, Colorado
For natural history filmmakers, 4K is a huge leap in image quality, but even HD cameras can produce remarkable results.. My preferences right now are the Sony FDR-AX100 and RX 10 mk 3 & 4. They are excellent cameras at an affordable price. They shoot decent home movies and good travel videos out of the box and the RX 10 is a great still camera as well.
But all these cameras have a secret: they are capable professional cameras with the right accessories and with the training to unlock their full capabilities. Higher up the economic scale are the Sony A7rv and A1.
Join award-winning wildlife filmmaker Darryl Saffer for an instructional adventure in beautiful Sarasota, Florida or Pagosa Springs, Colorado. These personalized tours are limited to only two participants. In Florida, the group will begin each morning at the new Audubon Nature Center at the Celery Fields, a world class birding site. Other locations will include Myakka Park, the Carlton Reserve and of course the beach.
In Colorado, we'll explore the San Juan National Forest, frequented by majestic elk and mule deer as well as unique birds and other mountain critters.
We will cover basic camera setup and controls. How to make a “professional” image, and what is that anyway?
Approaching wildlife and ethical film-making.
Animals in motion and birds in flight.
From the instructor:
Please note that this is NOT an editing workshop but there will be some helpful tips along the way!
To transfer and save your footage, a fast laptop with an external hard drive and card reader are recommended for multi-day tours.
I still call it footage even though we do not measure our film in feet any longer. We can still use the verb film as we are capturing images. The principles are basically the same whether I am holding an analogue camera that uses film/tape or a digital camera that stores on memory cards. I don’t think digitizing an event has the same ring as filming it.
Check out the videos at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6LBsmXBAqweRJJ_ESlzDaw
They are shot primarily 4K.
The daily fee is $ 750.00 USD per person.
For more information or to request a registration form, email me at earthcare@aol.com or call and leave a message at 941-228-7288.
Field Journal Camera Recommendation
Please contact Darryl for recent camera models!
All major camera makers make good 4K cameras.
Darryl's personal camera is a Sony RX 10 mk4. It is the best all in one camera available. The lens is a Zeiss 24 to 600 mm equivalent that shoots macros at both ends of the zoom range. It is dust and moisture resistant. The Rode VideoMic Pro Plus or NTG produces excellent audio.
A sturdy tripod with fluid video head can be a stabilizing asset.
Other options include a long shotgun mic such as a Rode NTG 3 and a rain cover.
Camera bags and backpacks have a range of functionality as well.
The folks at B&H (http://bhphotovideo.com/) are very helpful and have competitive prices. (I do not receive any compensation for products I suggest.)
About Darryl:
Darryl Saffer is a filmmaker/composer and was the audio/video producer for Mind Magic Productions (RMC Interactive). There, he composed the soundtrack and edited the video (live action and animation) for the Jane Goodall environmental adventure CD-ROM Jubilee’s Journey. Darryl studied and taught classical composition with the goal of composing film music. He became so interested in the process of filmmaking the he began shooting his own films of his favorite subject - nature.
His camera has focused on such diverse subjects as orcas off the coast of Vancouver Island, public housing in Florida and cosmic theory. Darryl documented a botanical expedition in the cloud forest of Venezuela, produced the CD-ROM Tales Of Titans - The Amorphophallus titanum in North America and his film, Myakka River State Park is part of the permanent exhibit at the South Florida Museum. Working with filmmaker Diane Mason, the team produced Condemned, a film which exposed conditions at the Janie Poe housing complex. Darryl is the filmmaker for the Wild Orchid Man films with Stig Dalström and has traveled from Machu Picchu to Churchill, Manitoba and Tasmania, Australia to tell the stories of these exotic plants and their ecosystems. Saffer was seen on cable and on YouTube on the Education Channel’s award-winning program Florida Field Journal and is now editing The Field Journal in Colorado. He has produced footage for Earth Touch and Aquavision stock houses and recently completed a sale to National Geographic. His photographs are available at https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/darrylsaffer
Field Journal Tours in Florida are within the physical capabilities of most adults in good health. Colorado is a high altitude location and can range from 7,000 to 11,000 ft. The ability to walk for 3 miles is an indicator of the level of fitness needed for the most extreme hikes but outings can be tailored to accommodate most levels of fitness. Special conditions will be noted if they apply to specific locations. By signing up for the workshop you certify that you do not have any disabilities which would put you or anyone else at risk. The tour leader will have authority to decide whether a attendee will be allowed to participate.
Attendees are responsible for their own lodging, transportation, park entrance fees and meals. Bring snacks and water.
Dress appropriately for field trips. Try to be a part of your surroundings. Wear boots/shoes that you have walked in for miles.
You assume responsibility for your own health and safety. The Field Journal, Sarasota County, Audubon, National Forest Service and Darryl Saffer are not liable for any accidents or other misfortune. You will be in wild areas so be vigilant. At no time is alcohol or smoking permitted during instructional periods. Extended warranty and loss insurance on your equipment is highly recommended.
Be considerate to those around you. This is not just a photography workshop! Remember that half of good footage is audio. The number of participants is kept small to capture the best possible sound with the image.
Filming wildlife is always a roll of the dice; however, by being with an experienced photographer and filmmaker the odds are greatly improved!
Wildlife Filmmaking
Sarasota, Florida and Pagosa Springs, Colorado
For natural history filmmakers, 4K is a huge leap in image quality, but even HD cameras can produce remarkable results.. My preferences right now are the Sony FDR-AX100 and RX 10 mk 3 & 4. They are excellent cameras at an affordable price. They shoot decent home movies and good travel videos out of the box and the RX 10 is a great still camera as well.
But all these cameras have a secret: they are capable professional cameras with the right accessories and with the training to unlock their full capabilities. Higher up the economic scale are the Sony A7rv and A1.
Join award-winning wildlife filmmaker Darryl Saffer for an instructional adventure in beautiful Sarasota, Florida or Pagosa Springs, Colorado. These personalized tours are limited to only two participants. In Florida, the group will begin each morning at the new Audubon Nature Center at the Celery Fields, a world class birding site. Other locations will include Myakka Park, the Carlton Reserve and of course the beach.
In Colorado, we'll explore the San Juan National Forest, frequented by majestic elk and mule deer as well as unique birds and other mountain critters.
We will cover basic camera setup and controls. How to make a “professional” image, and what is that anyway?
Approaching wildlife and ethical film-making.
Animals in motion and birds in flight.
From the instructor:
Please note that this is NOT an editing workshop but there will be some helpful tips along the way!
To transfer and save your footage, a fast laptop with an external hard drive and card reader are recommended for multi-day tours.
I still call it footage even though we do not measure our film in feet any longer. We can still use the verb film as we are capturing images. The principles are basically the same whether I am holding an analogue camera that uses film/tape or a digital camera that stores on memory cards. I don’t think digitizing an event has the same ring as filming it.
Check out the videos at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6LBsmXBAqweRJJ_ESlzDaw
They are shot primarily 4K.
The daily fee is $ 750.00 USD per person.
For more information or to request a registration form, email me at earthcare@aol.com or call and leave a message at 941-228-7288.
Field Journal Camera Recommendation
Please contact Darryl for recent camera models!
All major camera makers make good 4K cameras.
Darryl's personal camera is a Sony RX 10 mk4. It is the best all in one camera available. The lens is a Zeiss 24 to 600 mm equivalent that shoots macros at both ends of the zoom range. It is dust and moisture resistant. The Rode VideoMic Pro Plus or NTG produces excellent audio.
A sturdy tripod with fluid video head can be a stabilizing asset.
Other options include a long shotgun mic such as a Rode NTG 3 and a rain cover.
Camera bags and backpacks have a range of functionality as well.
The folks at B&H (http://bhphotovideo.com/) are very helpful and have competitive prices. (I do not receive any compensation for products I suggest.)
About Darryl:
Darryl Saffer is a filmmaker/composer and was the audio/video producer for Mind Magic Productions (RMC Interactive). There, he composed the soundtrack and edited the video (live action and animation) for the Jane Goodall environmental adventure CD-ROM Jubilee’s Journey. Darryl studied and taught classical composition with the goal of composing film music. He became so interested in the process of filmmaking the he began shooting his own films of his favorite subject - nature.
His camera has focused on such diverse subjects as orcas off the coast of Vancouver Island, public housing in Florida and cosmic theory. Darryl documented a botanical expedition in the cloud forest of Venezuela, produced the CD-ROM Tales Of Titans - The Amorphophallus titanum in North America and his film, Myakka River State Park is part of the permanent exhibit at the South Florida Museum. Working with filmmaker Diane Mason, the team produced Condemned, a film which exposed conditions at the Janie Poe housing complex. Darryl is the filmmaker for the Wild Orchid Man films with Stig Dalström and has traveled from Machu Picchu to Churchill, Manitoba and Tasmania, Australia to tell the stories of these exotic plants and their ecosystems. Saffer was seen on cable and on YouTube on the Education Channel’s award-winning program Florida Field Journal and is now editing The Field Journal in Colorado. He has produced footage for Earth Touch and Aquavision stock houses and recently completed a sale to National Geographic. His photographs are available at https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/darrylsaffer
Field Journal Tours in Florida are within the physical capabilities of most adults in good health. Colorado is a high altitude location and can range from 7,000 to 11,000 ft. The ability to walk for 3 miles is an indicator of the level of fitness needed for the most extreme hikes but outings can be tailored to accommodate most levels of fitness. Special conditions will be noted if they apply to specific locations. By signing up for the workshop you certify that you do not have any disabilities which would put you or anyone else at risk. The tour leader will have authority to decide whether a attendee will be allowed to participate.
Attendees are responsible for their own lodging, transportation, park entrance fees and meals. Bring snacks and water.
Dress appropriately for field trips. Try to be a part of your surroundings. Wear boots/shoes that you have walked in for miles.
You assume responsibility for your own health and safety. The Field Journal, Sarasota County, Audubon, National Forest Service and Darryl Saffer are not liable for any accidents or other misfortune. You will be in wild areas so be vigilant. At no time is alcohol or smoking permitted during instructional periods. Extended warranty and loss insurance on your equipment is highly recommended.
Be considerate to those around you. This is not just a photography workshop! Remember that half of good footage is audio. The number of participants is kept small to capture the best possible sound with the image.
Filming wildlife is always a roll of the dice; however, by being with an experienced photographer and filmmaker the odds are greatly improved!