Bruno Aveillan DP -- Glass

lxjordanxl

lxjordanxl

Active member
I've been studying Bruno Aveillan's videos lately and he uses a really neat trick by placing what looks like a piece of glass, or some kind of filter in front of the camera. I did some digging and someone mentioned that it could be a Cokin P217 Filter. Any ideas on what specifically he is using? I feel like this can't be any ordinary peiece of glass... Here is a reference video with his technique in use:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zTtpFmgBmTI
 

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You can see a glass edge along the bottom of several shots... And some shots looks like they were done with the old technique of smearing vaseline on a glass filter, except for the area of the main subject... Aveillan is a magician!
 
I believe it's a mix of weird glass and split field diopters. I did a documentary in China where I was inspired by his work. Took two split fields with me, but alas, he has the convenience of more time than I, and I barely had time to take them out of their pouches.
 
So anyone solve this case of the mystery glass? I'd love to know if anyone has tried this technique... :)

Here is another screen shot: image_1360884260561951.jpg
 
I'd guess he's using some bits of the irregular glass used for stained glass windows, which will bend the light like the bottom a glass while having relatively clear areas... or as I said above, shooting through clear glass smeared with vaseline (a quite common technique many years ago, to create softening effects...)
 
Aveillan's work is superb, & he's likely mixing up a few techniques.

We used to shoot somewhat similar fashion stills using CD covers angeled in front of the lens.
 
Wow, just noticed something else too...if you watch the video, when they move the camera the top portion is actually magnified....weird.
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
I believe it's a mix of weird glass and split field diopters.
Click to expand...

Still going to stick with my original answer I gave you four days ago, and say that many of the shots are split field diopters and the others are strange assortment of glass.

You should really go out and experiment more than spend very long periods of time trying to figure out exactly what he used. I think you'd learn more that way and have much more fun.
 
I'm sure BnH has them along with any other big photography retailer.

I use 138mm round split fields for work in motion picture stuff. They go in the 138 retainer of a professional MB. The are the same thing as the link above. I just gave that example because it looked like the one you screen captured.
 
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