Comments on: Polarizing Filters: Powerful Filmmaking Tools

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:05:43 +0000

Having shot a DSLR for about 7 years I feel confident in my shooting skills. The new aspect of video is another matter. I am overwhelmed with the amount of information and don’t even know where to start or what equipment to buy.

Maybe you could make a list of “must haves” for the novice to get you up and running in the right direction. This could be any number of things from lighting, external mics or some type of grip that makes smooth handling. Being a total novice maybe you could make a list with a short explanation of each item. If I am going to get started making some movies with this thing I want to be on my way with some decent gear and direction. Price isn’t the biggest consideration, I am more Interested in the nessecities for making some quality video.

Mostly I am looking to make some fun videos of motorcycles and automobiles set to music.
The genre isn’t all that important, more of the quality of the video and audio. Although setting it to music may share much
of the sound.

Thanks for putting this info out there. It’s just difficult getting started where this is maybe more
Advanced info then I am ready for.

By: Filip Laureys

Filip Laureys — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:27:58 +0000

Shane, when you come down to Australia, definitely let me know. The least I can do is treat you a dinner, or take you to the Great Ocean Road… since your work and tutorials have been helping so many aspiring film makers.

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 06:24:40 +0000

Filip Laureys, These are the comments that keep me crakin’. I cannot thank you enough for your kind words and support. I want to come to Australia soon.

By: Filip Laureys

Filip Laureys — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 10:45:33 +0000

Thank you Shane,
I really admire that you take the time to make these tutorials. It really makes a difference and helps aspiring film makers incredibly. I have been trying to learn cinematography for a couple of years now. I shot some non profit commercials back in the Czech Republic and got a scholarship for a film school in Australia… but after a while I got slightly disillusioned, because most of the teaching staff don’t really care, their passion has somehow faded.

That is why I wanted to say a big Thank you, because seeing your passion for the craft and how you find the time to give back to the community, this is incredible… It gives a hope to kids like me, that even without being born into a film production family (that is how most people become film makers, where I come from) you can still learn cinematography.

I’m sorry for writing such a long reply, what mean is: simply thanks, if possible keep it up and if you ever need someone to shadow you, or know about anyone in Australia, who could use an assistant, I would be most grateful.

By: Shane

Shane — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 23:41:50 +0000

Jose Burgos, these are the comments that inspire all of us at the HurlBlog. Thank you for the kind words and will pass this onto Lydia

By: Jose Burgos

Jose Burgos — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 11:29:40 +0000

Hello Shane,

I just want to thank you for all the information you give to all of us… this post blows my mind. I friend of mine told me about your blog..since then I try to read it every day and I always learn many things. Thanks so much again and God bless your wife for giving you this wonderful idea. Keep it coming and greetings from Lima-Peru

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 04:00:41 +0000

Michael Gaskell, first off, thank you so much for your wonderful words. I used vintage Zeiss Panavision Ultra Primes. 1963 lens technology. Love the creamy look.

By: Don

Don — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:11:07 +0000

Shane thanks for the reply.

Where in the stack would you place a Grad?

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:37:29 +0000

Don. You if you are using a polarizer and ND you want to put the Pola first then ND. If you are using diffusion you want to use diffusion first then ND. Thanks for the comment and support.

By: Don

Don — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:04:05 +0000

Shane,
Great series on filters.

I have, what i hope is not, a stupid question. Should filters be stacked in any certain order, if you are using multiples.

By: Michael Gaskell

Michael Gaskell — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 04:05:11 +0000

Shane, such a great post. I was curious what lens setup and cam you used for the greatest game ever played. The skin tones seamed very creamy so I would suspect Leica or Optimos. Any direction would be appreciated. You’re such a great voice for the filmmaking community!

By: Shane

Shane — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 16:46:38 +0000

Jendra Jarnagin, you are very welcome my friend. I am glad you found it useful.

By: Jendra Jarnagin

Jendra Jarnagin — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 05:08:05 +0000

I often use a pola to cut haze especially for landscapes.

I didn’t know that about skin tones! I never really thought about it before or ever heard anyone else talk about it! Thanks for the post that turned out way more informative than I expected, being a veteran!

By: David Eger

David Eger — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:35:45 +0000

Shane,
Great article on Polarizing filters. I have always loved how they can cut window reflection as well as deepen skies. I shoot a lot with a skeleton crew, and by skeleton I mean I may have 2 other people with me if I am lucky so I don’t always have the means to control the light as much when I am shooting outside. That said I can see in your example why you are not a fan of dialing out the skin reflection in shots like that but what about when you have much harsher reflection from a more contrasty situation? Sometimes a bounce does not cut it enough to even thing out as much as I would want but what about in tandem with the Polarizer?
Thanks
-D

By: Shane

Shane — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 23:10:33 +0000

Barry van Varik, you are very welcome. Part two coming in hot on Wednesday

By: Barry van Varik

Barry van Varik — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 16:44:09 +0000

Thank you for sharing this very useful information. The practical examples are especially helpful!
Really appreciate it.

Cheers,
Barry

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:22:31 +0000

Ansel, I would love that, thank you for making the connection.

By: Ansel

Ansel — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 04:10:46 +0000

Sounds great. Thanks Shane.

I’ll send that through to him.

Looking forward to seeing what we can work out.

By: Required Viewing: Polarizing Filters via Shane Hurlbut » Cineblur

Required Viewing: Polarizing Filters via Shane Hurlbut » Cineblur — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:21:52 +0000

[...] ShareHave you ever wondered what exactly a polarizing filter does and how it effects your footage? Here is a great article by Shane and his team describing the many uses for pola filters. He includes examples and tests [...]

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:17:28 +0000

Ansel, that is great news. Please have your brother reach out to lydia@hurlbutvisuals.com. She deals with all sponsorship and will send your brother our presentation. It has a lot of unique perks, Skype calls to the class, lighting workshops, etc. Look forward to us connecting.