fotoman150

I have been given an assignment to take massive numbers low res jpgs of trees, shrubs and other things for a total of about 5000 images. The customer says he wants to imbed them into the code of his website for better SEO. Never mind if that will work or not. I need help figuring out the best way to go about this

He wants a certain number of each subject. They have to be in focus and properly exposed but the composition doesn’t matter that much.

I have a camera that shoots 8 1/2 frames per second at 8 mp. It will take 40 jpgs before the buffer gets full and I have to wait. He wants to reduce the file size on his own.

My other camera shoots about 6 fps at 21mp.

Also I have a Canon XA50 video camera.
(Manual PDF attached)

The goal here is to have each picture look a little different but similar so I have to shoot in burst mode while the camera moves across the shrub or tree so that each shot is different.

Figuring out how to count each category of subjects and know when I have the right amount of each type of subject is one challenge.

Capturing pictures quickly is the other challenge.

I looked at the video camera manual and to take a still you press the screen where is says “still” or whatever. But I want to capture stills at a super high rate.

Can I set the frame rate on the video camera really high and then grab large quantities of stills using a software program?

I am aware that the file size of the video stills will be relatively small. I think that’s ok because he will reduce them further.

Otherwise I’m limited to 8fps and wait for the buffer to clear.

Any suggestions?

Attached file:
(Download)

CO

You'll need to have the camera in both continuous shooting mode and continuous autofocus. You'll probably have overlapping from photo from photo. It sounds like it's going to be a mess. I would use that technique when panning subjects that are in motion.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

As well as continuous shutter release you'll have to keep the shutter speed high since the camera will be moving as you shoot.

User ID

Maybe you need to rent something. I use a 60fps Lumix G9 that has a seemingly bottomless buffer. If I reduce it to lower rez it will shoot til the battery runs out. (Dual cards if that worries you ...)

It’s possible that something from the GH series does even better. I happen to know Lumix but I don’t mean to push the one brand. Talk to Lens Rentals and they will set you up right regardless of brand.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...I have been given an assignment..." Is this your employer?
If so you will likely lose your copyright to all images done under hire...

Unless you negotiate a "Contract" for this work before accepting the assignment.

"Any suggestions?" fotoman150 you have the cart WAY before the horse here...
Why are you stressing over how to capture images?

My very sincere suggestion is formalize a contract to submit for this work.
Be certain you have the skill and knowledge to achieve all that is enumerate in your contract.

Also clarify the ownership and usage of YOUR imagery...
Specify a time limit... a distribution limit... etc.
If you client walks away from your bid, it may be entirely in your best interest.

A brief look at the caliber of your portfolio leaves me with the impression that you have a good command of your kit. Please do not take on an assignment that you do not have the current expertise to accomplish... This never ends well... https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2021/2/12/859048-47_4223_8ab3_9030aa8e42e1.jpeg

However if the client is your employer?
Good luck... this is meant in all sincerity..

BebuLamar

Actually I think the frame rate is irrelevant because although you have 5000 pictures to take you just can't put the camera on continuous and fire away. Do you think you need to do any PP?

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Contractual issues really wont matter much because these will be throw away images.

I would say shoot in jpg format and select a small image size and basic quality. This will reduce the burden on your buffer and everyone's work flow. Have a couple of memory cards and spare batteries available.

I fully agree with auto everything settings.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Here is what I would do, depending on your camera's capabilities.
IF you have interval shooting as an option, I would program it to shoot automatically in continuous focus mode. I would make sure that you have enough light to shoot at a shutter speed of at least 1/800 for the next suggestion, you can also up your ISO to get there. If you need additional light, you will need continuous LED as a flash will be pretty difficult for 5,000 pictures. I would use a small fan to gently blow the leaves so they show some minor movement. The fast shutter speed will freeze the motion but will give you a little different picture each time. I would not use 1/8000 as every shot will be nearly identical and from what I interpret your assignment to be, you want a slight difference between each shot.

If you do not have interval shooting, get an intervalometer for your camera and program that for your shots. Either way, buffer should not be an issue as once this is set up, you will not need to do anything and you can set the time between shots at a second or two to deal with buffering. You definitely need a tripod however. You can move it slightly every 100 pictures or so.

Here is my math. Double check it however.
5000 shots/3600 (#/seconds per hour) = 1.38 shot per second. Add 2 seconds between shots = 10,000 seconds. seconds/3600 = 2.7 hours plus 1 hour for your shots = 3.77 hours total. I think this is right. Please pick this apart. Make sure your card is large enough for 5,000 shots, and your battery will last long enough.

Hope this is helpful.

One question, why do you need 5,000 shots?

User ID

Agreed a contract is all about nothing. There’s no real value to the images, just the job of delivering them. Therefor you would want to be paid well up front, and then entirely let go of the product.

But I would strenuously disagree about “auto everything”. Creating sequences of images that will be intentionally all very similar, you’ll need to use a non varying exposure throughout each sequence to assure uniformity. Can’t predict whether focus breathing is an issue but avoiding AF will avoid that variable as well.

fotoman150

I think I will keep the aperture at like f11 so focus is not an issue. Otherwise the camera may constantly seek focus.

fotoman150

Yes I’m outside in the partly cloudy sky. Plenty of light so shutter speeds are very high. Going to set the camera on Program and keep checking the exposure settings.

fotoman150

No post processing. The idea is to put it in burst and fire away as I move. Each photo will be slightly different. They will not be displayed, only embedded in website code. Visible to google only

fotoman150

fotoman150

So far what I’ve been doing is using a 4 gig card so I can tell how many I’ve shot because he wants just so many shrubs and so many trees etc. I raised the ISO as high as it goes because who cares about noise if they’re not going to be displayed. Shooting in Program mode, high burst auto focus and just pan and fire away.

What is interval shooting?

BebuLamar

Oh you mean of same subject, same framing? I would rent if I have to a camera with deep buffer. Reduce size of image to save buffer. Shoot in manual with a few test shot first to check exposure, focusing etc.. The shoot in continuous (you can rent a camera that won't get the buffer filled especially in jpeg small). Monitor the light. If it changes stop shooting and readjust exposure.