High-Resolution Inspires Make Up Revolution
I’ve become HD-obsessed. I refuse to watch anything on television unless it’s at full 1080 resolution. I’ve also recently purchased a digital camera which shoots HD movies and have become so enamored with all the detail it captures, that can barely care what it is that I am shooting. (So much so, my hard drive is petitioning for an upgrade).
The flip side to seeing everything in crisp resolution is that you see, well, everything… especially the flaws. I’ve heard stories about famous actresses who cannot be cast because their bad acne now shows up clear as day on everyone’s living rooms due to the HD Revolution.
Naturally, there is a line of make up to capitalize on this new reality and try to remedy it…
Sheri and I first came to know of this while walking in Soho the other week and saw a really interesting ad featuring simple, black Futura on mylar saying “ARE YOU READY” and a giant mirror:
It was provocative and we stopped. For whatever unfortunate reason (fear of vandalism? appealing to 8-foot-tall glamazons? just plain idiocy?), this poster was hung way too high to see yourself, as I’m sure the designer hadn’t planned it to be…
Luckily, I had a (non-HD) camera on hand and snapped some photos, thinking it interesting simply due to the bad placement of the ad. But a visit to the site proved to be far more interesting.
The site is very simple: one short video, links to buy the products, and a cool interactive grid of women which allows you to zoom in and see their skin up-close. But it was the well-produced video featuring women walking around NY, speaking about not wanting to be caught looking anything other than flawless that seems a bit odd to me. I wasn’t sure if I agreed with the premise of “you never know when someone is going to take your picture, and where it will end up.” Especially in HD.
Sad, but true… these days you never really do know where your image might end up. I’m not even sure about the ethics of it, too — but that’s another matter completely.
That brings me to the product itself. I really wonder if it’s really effective at all. It seems suspect that this make up will solve all the flaws for everyone. In the right hands, no doubt, yet I’m sure a talented make up artist can do wonders with “lo-res” make up, too.
Whether or not this works, I think it’s a brilliant idea. The marketing angle is brilliant, even if the ad’s viewing angle wasn’t.
Has anyone out there tried this out? I’d love to hear if it’s any different than regular make up.
Can you recommened a digital camera that shoots HD movies?
By: Stitch on June 24, 2009 at 7:44 am
Apparently Ellen’s old roommate, Eunice has tried it as Katie just pointed out that she’s Eunice B, prop stylist, age 28 on the home page.
Ellen, what’s the 411 on that?
By: sheri on June 25, 2009 at 11:01 am
Can I recommend a camera? Absolutely!
I fully recommend the Nikon D5000. However, this is all a very transitional technology with a lot of compromises.
A few things to keep in mind:
- All point & shoot cameras do not shoot HD. You’ll need to get an dSLR, meaning it’s big & bulky. Mostly, you look like a tourist.
- At this point in time, all dSLRs do not focus automatically in movie mode. This will change, but for now accept that all your movies will require a careful eye, and a careful hand.
- They are bad at capturing motion, and have a weird “jelly effect” when you shake them too much while filming.
- Most of these cameras are limited in the file size/ time they can capture. All Nikons can only capture a maximum of 5 minutes.
- Your computer will need to be able to handle a lot more in the way of storage and processing power. HD simply means MORE, and require gobs of memory.
At this time, there’s only a handful of dSLRs which can shoot video:
Nikon:
D90 ( $$$ the world’s first)
D5000 ($$, an updated version which has a flip out screen)
Canon:
T1i Rebel ($)
5D Mk II ($$$$$$$)
Some of these shoot HD (720p), some shoot full HD (1080p). There’s frame rates to consider, too… but that’s a whole other ball of wax.
Pentax just joined the game, and everyone is awaiting the forthcoming Lumix GH1. By the wintertime, everyone will offer full HD, and most likely will have solved the focus issue.
But… I am totally loving my Nikon D5000. For me, I have accepted all the limitations, and find them to be assets rather than liabilities. The shallow depth of field that a dSLR gives is well worth the hassle of manually focusing.
My opinion is that HD dSLRs are going to radically change indie films. They are incredibly affordable option for capturing amazing footage, esecially in low light.
Hope that answered your question!
By: Marc on July 2, 2009 at 10:22 am