Video editing – Bald eagles super slow motion

Photographer:  Christian Sasse
Editor:  Mark Horner
Primary Camera:   Chronos 1.4 high-speed camera at 1,057 frames per second
Secondary cameras: Nikon D5 (24-70mm,  300mm lenses),  iPhone 6s Plus
Software: Premiere Pro CC (2018)

This video editing project features dramatic bald eagle footage from Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

I had a blast editing it!

Here are three reasons why.

ASPECT RATIO

For starters,  the 5:4 aspect ratio of the original clips does not fit inside a 16:9 frame.  So,  I got to decide how best to recompose each scene. This meant I got to do a lot of key framing, as well.

Side by side comparison showing original 5 by 4 aspect ratio and 16 by 9 aspect ratio. Each image is the same still frame taken from video used in this video editing project.
Click image for higher resolution view.
COLOR

The color in the original footage is quite flat.  But there’s good news. A lot of great information is baked into those Chronos files, allowing for robust color correction and grading.

Side by side images showing original frame of video prior to color work on left side, and color corrected and color graded frame on right. Each image is the same still frame taken from video used in this video editing project.
Click image for higher resolution view.
EVEN SLOWER MOTION

The slow motion files recorded by the Chronos camera play back at 60 frames per second.  I changed the  interpretation  of these files to 30 frames per second without any loss in quality.

WAIT…THERE’S MORE!

Interested in learning more about the story within this video editing project?

See my interview below with photographers Christian Sasse and Jack Molan.  It streamed live on YouTube on February 25, 2018.