A Hand Forced!

Well, I knew it was going to happen, because I planned on it happening. What I didn't plan for was how soon I would end up doing it.

What the heck are you talking about...right? Well, when I decided to get serious about editing and shooting film, I started with the purchase of a new HDV camera. Given the fact I already had a 17" Macbook Pro, I had a decent computer that was editing things just fine. What I didn't foresee was the lack of compatibility and the downright ridiculous strain that high def footage can put on a computer.

So, my hand is now forced due to these issues. I have spent the last few days trying to edit on my current setup and have been unable to do so without going nuts. On average, of every 10 minutes of time at the computer I am waiting on it for 3-4 minutes of that time. OH YEAH....FRUSTRATING. No more....not for me! Here comes Mac Pro to the rescue.

With the upcoming release of Mac's new operating system "Snow Leopard," I am getting the jump and moving to what some consider the ultimate computer on the market....The 8-core Mac Pro.....

THE MAC PRO WITH SIDE PANEL

REMOVED TO SHOW IT'S POWER

The 8-core Mac Pro is an unbelievable machine. With a top processor of nearly 3Ghz on 8 cores and the potential load of 32Gb of ram, this machine will FLY!!! No more waiting. To top it off, you can get a couple of superdrives to duplicate DVD's, run more monitors than a man could afford and access 5 independent hard drives without going external....each bay holding a potential of 1 terabyte of storage space. Needless to say this machine is built for editing and creative design!!!!

FINAL CUT STUDIO 2

The other purchase on it's way soon is Final Cut Studio. Unarguably this is one (if not the best) editing suite on the market. This will do everything I could ever think of and some things I probably don't know even exist. The new version (Studio 3) will most likely premier following the release of the new operating system.

In short, I can't wait to get the new gear as it will greatly increase my productivity. I currently have footage sitting on standby waiting for that magical moment. I also have a short film nearly done, but it is currently on hold due to some compatibility issues. Hopefully I will have something completed sooner than later.

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of new technology,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Owner/Operator

Flybum Media Productions

Vacation Gets A Bit Buggy!

Last week my family and I headed for the Marblehead area of Ohio (sits right on Lake Erie) for a little rest and relaxation. The muckleheads (what locals call a large chironomid that swarms in June) were out in full force and quite the nuisance!

However, after we were there for a couple of days, that magical moment happened and the bugs I always love to see decided to show themselves. It was the return of the largest species of Mayflies found in the USA.....The Hexagenia limbata.

Many people will mistake the male duns as a seperate family or genus as there are distinct differences. However, after careful study, you will find that despite the size difference and color differences, these are the same family, genus, and species....just male and female.

Hexagenia limbata male dun

Two Hexagenia limbata female dun's

A Female Hex Emerges from Dun Shuck and

Becomes a Sexually Mature Spinner

My Son Displays a Collection of the Best

Species of Mayflies in the USA!

As much as I would like to have more time and one more lens for shooting high quality bugs shots, I just don't. I do however have a good friend in John Miller, one of our staff guides who does. His shots are mind blowing for those who can appreciate bugs.

Below is just one of his shots that I have on file. Although the photo has my watermark on it for protection purposes, John Miller took this photo. I simply display it here for you to enjoy. My pictures work, his photos impress.

Check out the Detail on this Bug!

Well, that is all for now. Soon we will be into summer and the bugs we love to see every spring and early summer will give way to the ants and hoppers of summer.

Until next time, tight lines and good shooting.....

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Owner/Operator

Flybum Media Productions

Shooting Bronze Is Golden!

A few days ago, we embarked on a "Fish & Film" road trip. The first stop was a few hours of hitting lake run Smallmouth in Pennsylvania. The short time we had was well worth the stop, and some film was captured in the process.

I will be working over this footage in the next few days and may have some extra footage to share. Check back often to see what I come up with.

Below is some photos of the day.....

PATRICK ROBINSON WITH AN AVERAGE FISH.

A NICE SMALLIE HITS A SENYO TUBE

MY COMRADE IN FLY ANGLING BUST MONSTER BRONZE!

After our time on smallmouth we headed to Central Pennsylvania for trout...more on this later.

Until then, good shooting!

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Owner/Operator

Flybum Media Productions

A Day of Testing

I can now say that I have a day under my belt with all the new gear. As you know from previous entries, recently I acquired a new Canon HDV camera. In the weeks following that acquisition, I have been getting the additional pieces and parts necessary to shoot some quality pieces in the future. Well, with the future coming this weekend, I only had this past weekend to get out and test the new gear.

Along with the gear getting tested, so did my patience :) On Saturday I decided to get out and and take the kids with me.....yes, all four of them. I figured there would be no better way, no more difficult a situation, than to wire your kids for sound (which they can definitely produce) and go look for some wildlife....hoping all the while that they wouldn't scare it all away :)

Well as the blessing of God would have it, we found a plethora of wildlife on the trail on this gorgeous day.

I have a short film here, but please understand this.....this is a straight forward kind of test film. I just wanted to get some footage with the new gear, check to see how the mics work, get an idea of the quality it would produce in fully automatic mode. This is a no frills, no color corrected, no special anything kind of piece. I also didn't add any background sound in order to allow the straight sounds of nature to shine through. So, what I am saying is that this isn't a piece to be judged by :) This is simply a piece of test footage that I am sharing with those interested. It was truly a great time on the trail with my kids! A day they will most definitely remember!

Until next time, good shooting....

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Owner/Operator

Flybum Media Productions