Without gimbal

I was trying to video my children coming down a ski slope the other day. First, they came down so fast and with their helmet and goggle, I didn't even know it was them until they were very close to where I stood. So I made them go up for another run.

Then when I tried to follow them with my camera on gimbal, it failed miserably.

I made them do another run for me and I removed the camera from the gimbal and shot handheld. I'd never shot without stabilization since I had the gimbal. But it seems that is the only way to shoot fast action scene where you have to follow the subject.

Video looks good, although the snow and sky look a bit... brown??? Maybe that was your intent in terms of grading for overcast weather, but I think I would have gone the other way and made it cooler than that.

I don't know which gimbal you used. Some have a "sport" mode that allows for faster tracking. I am like 95% sure that my Zhiyun Weebill S has a sports mode. I am 100% sure that I have no idea how to use it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I tend to over-complicate things to the point where I just end up NOT doing it, so in this case I would possibly look at something like a shoulder rig or taking a monopod along, as I am fairly certain that when they were designing the monopod, using it in sports situations was one of the main goals.

Of course, I have never tried to use a monopod at a ski resort, so this might be a laughable suggestion. Sorry.

I would say though that a lens with a power zoom feature would be excellent for something like this.

If I have time to think through all the angles and run a dozen practice I am sure I will do a better job. But the reality is, I only do it once in a blue moon, I was on a slope where I was exposing myself to the danger of being run over by other skiers and I was freezing from the cold temperature and chilling wind. (That may have an effect on the battery of the gimbal, I suspect.) I had to take off my gloves to control the camera.

I am pretty convinced that the handheld approach may be the most effective providing that the camera has a decent IBIS, it will do the job.

DMKAlex wrote:

If I have time to think through all the angles and run a dozen practice I am sure I will do a better job. But the reality is, I only do it once in a blue moon, I was on a slope where I was exposing myself to the danger of being run over by other skiers and I was freezing from the cold temperature and chilling wind. (That may have an effect on the battery of the gimbal, I suspect.) I had to take off my gloves to control the camera.

I am pretty convinced that the handheld approach may be the most effective providing that the camera has a decent IBIS, it will do the job.

Yup.

But if you were really zoomed in, it might be a challenge.

But again, I think you did a perfectly good job considering the circumstances.

I'm a big fan of handheld footage. To my eye, it adds a "you-are-there" vibe to the production. It's used a lot in scripted cop shows on TV.

If you watch NFL football, they always have a guy at the end zone with a huge, weighted gimbal strapped to his chest. Apparently, they're easier to "steer" than a motorized gimbal.

One comment about the posted video - the shot at :25 - :30 has too much sky and not enough foreground. Some of the skiers legs are cut off.

Nice job on capturing the kids.