8 minute read
Audio-visual news
Tauranga AV Salon
This year’s salon was even more successful than last year’s. There were 124 entries from 55 entrants in 10 countries, with 15 more entries than last year. It was good to see a higher number of New Zealand entrants, some of whom were new to international competition. With the increase in numbers, judging took two full days.
This year, the judging team comprised Alistair McAuslan APSNZ AV-AAPS (Coordinator), Paul Byrne FPSNZ ARPS AFIAP, Elizabeth Carruthers FPSNZ AFIAP, Trish McAuslan APSNZ EFIAP/b FAPS AV-AAPS, Matt Leamy LPSNZ, Dave Riddleston and Bruce Burgess FPSNZ.
Congratulations to the successful New Zealand entrants:
Lynette Vallely APSNZ from Whanganui who won the World of Nature category
Yan (Anne) Yuan LPSNZ from Christchurch who won the Novice Award
MERIT
Bob McCree FPSNZ Gail Stent FPSNZ Helen McLeod FPSNZ GPSA ARPS Sue Riach APSNZ ARPS AFIAP
ACCEPTANCE
Sheryl Williams APSNZ (2) Bob McCree FPSNZ Kevin Chong Yan (Anne) Yuan LPSNZ Jo Curtis APSNZ Lynette Vallely APSNZ Sue Riach APSNZ ARPS AFIAP Jennifer Dowling LPSNZ John Smart APSNZ (2) Leo Kwon
From a Judge’s Viewpoint
During the salon, I made notes about what to avoid when creating an AV, with some suggestions about how to solve some problems. In some instances, this only applied to one or two AVs, but in other cases, the problem appeared in several audiovisuals. Some authors had a problem with image size. It was most noticeable when the image size kept changing, from landscape orientation, to portrait orientation, to a square image. When taking your photos for an audio-visual, make a real effort to take everything in landscape orientation, as that is what we use on a data projector or TV screen. If you have a number of images in portrait format that you want to use, consider the possibility of placing a low opacity slide in the background; this way, the viewers are not suddenly shown a large black area on the screen. You could experiment by showing one image on one side of the screen and then moving to the next image on the other side. The aim is to move seamlessly from one image to the next, without pulling attention to the black background or different image sizes.
It is important to post-process all the images you use in the AV. There were several instances of dust spots, especially in the sky, which needed to be removed. While we know they are only small imperfections, once noticed, they have an impact
much greater than their size. It is important to remember that most of our judges are experienced still image judges; some were or still are on the Honours Board and are very much attuned to image quality. While the storytelling qualities of the AV are most important, image quality still plays an important part.
At one point, the judges were discussing some very good audio-visuals. Which one did they consider was the best? The images were excellent, well taken and appropriate. Each AV told an interesting story and told it well. This only left the audio track. Some AVs had a very simple audio track, such as a single piece of appropriate music. One was more complex.
Another problem we encountered was our ability to hear the audio track. Sometimes this was because the background music was too loud and therefore partly drowned out any spoken words. Sometimes it was because the volume of the audio track had been turned down too low. This may have happened during the compilation of the track, or it may have occurred when the audio track was mixed with the rest of the audio-visual. If the volume is quite low, one of the operators will try to increase the volume so we can hear it. If the volume is increased too much, the quality is downgraded as we begin to hear scratches and sound distortion. If you have an option, err on the side of the whole soundtrack being a little too loud, as it is possible to turn the volume down without spoiling the quality of the soundtrack.
Just a point here. Before the competition, the technical team will listen to all the AVs and note where to set the audio level for each one. This is set when the AV starts playing and won’t be adjusted again.
COMPETITIONS
Jack Sprosen Memorial Trophy Competition (JSMT)
This is the PSNZ national competition for audiovisuals. Usually, this is judged in October/November, so there is still plenty of time to create an AV. The rules are available on the PSNZ website: https:// photography.org.nz. Look under Salons and Galleries > Affiliated National Competitions > Jack Sprosen Audio-Visual Competition.
The Irish Photographic Federation 2nd Open Photo Harmony AV Competition
Photo Harmony is somewhat like a ‘slideshow’ of still images on a theme set to music. Video is not allowed and the use of text is discouraged. It doesn’t require a story with a specific beginning, middle and ending. The aim is to construct a sequence so that images progress harmoniously in terms of colour, tone and graphic design and that they harmonise with the chosen sound. Entries close on 24 September. If you are interested in entering, please contact me for the full details.
AV Makers of South Africa 2021 Theme Competition
This is a free audio-visual competition judged by AV workers from different parts of the world. Gail Stent, Bruce Burgess and Trish McAuslan have worked as judges for this competition in recent years. The theme for this year is “Yes”. Entries close on 31 October 2021. If you are interested in knowing more about it, please contact me for their brochure at mcauslansav@gmail.com
Audio-Visual News
Preparing to Record your Narration
The last issue of CameraTalk included information about preparing the script for your story.
The next step is to work out how you will record your script. You may want to try out the simplest way first to get a feel for it, but eventually, you may want to spend some money and buy a piece of equipment that will give you a quality recording.
A very simple way is to record directly into an audio processing app like Audacity, which is free. The software will likely pick up other noises, such as the computer running, and the quality may not be the greatest. However, it is one way to get started.
A step up for some people is to use a voice recorder on a smartphone. I have an iPhone and use the app Voice Record Pro to record a simple voiceover successfully. I am sure there are other equally useful apps for other smartphones. A friend set his phone recording and then put it down among some pillows on the sofa. The voice-over he recorded this way was quite acceptable.
The next step would be to consider a lavier mic (a lapel mic ̶ those little ones you see clipped to a shirt or neckline on a dress. Check that it will plug into your smartphone. I had to buy a special adapter to attach to my iPhone. The one I use is a Rode Smartlav and I find it is very versatile. I can set myself up in a quiet room, with the script on a tablet or laptop, attach the lav mic, set the recording app going, and then talk away. The lav mic can also be given to someone else who you would like to record.
The next option is a small handheld recorder which has its own mic. One of the most popular brands is a Zoom recorder, such as the H1n Handy Recorder. We bought one in Japan many years ago and it still works well. This device can be set to record sound in mono or stereo, and it can be set to give preference to one direction or to record all-around sound. It is very popular for recording interviews and meetings. The advantage over the lav mic is that the mic and recorder are in one piece of equipment that is small enough to carry in your pocket. You can set it down in the middle of a group or on the other side of the room and the only thing you have to do is to start it and stop it. You don’t have to be there while it is recording. You can take it to your “recording studio” and set it up for single person recording.
You can buy much more complicated and expensive equipment, but this is a good starting point. Two websites have a lot of valuable information. They are actually about podcasting, but what you are doing when you record a voice-over is so similar that the information is relevant to both activities.
Check out https://www.thepodcasthost.com and https://www.podcastinsights.com.
The Whanganui Salon: Now Open for Entries!
The Salon is open to all photographers living in New Zealand, with entries closing on 24 August. You can enter four images in each of the three categories:
1. HUMANITY AND THE NATURAL WORLD
2. THE WORKS OF HUMANKIND
3. LIVING IN A CHANGING WORLD
The overall Salon Winner will receive the very first Vonnie Cave Medal, which recognises the outstanding contributions the late Vonnie Cave MNZM Hon FPSNZ FPSNZ made to photography in Whanganui and nationally over her lifetime.
The Salon Winner will also receive a $1000 redeemable voucher from our lead sponsor, Progear Photographic, while the Category Winners will receive gifts donated by Wellington Photographic
You can read more about the Salon and access the entry form here:
http://www.whanganuicameraclub.org.nz/ whanganui-salon-2021.html
