You've got to be kidding me.

Let me get this straight - you didn't like this video because A.) the sunrises weren't shown in real time, B.) You didn't like the lens flare (news flash - you get lens flare when you shoot towards the sun!!!) and C.) You think he should have used classical music, because the soundtrack "had a negative feel to it?"

Your comments come off not only rude but make you seem as if you don't understand the purpose of this video.

I guess there's always that one person who just doesn't get it, and thus must hate it. Too bad.

My comments are nothing near rude. It's called constructive criticism. Professionals appreciate that sort of thing. "Comments" aren't only meant to include praise. I simply commented on the video based on my knowledge of video production and catering to an audience.

"You get lens flare when you shoot towards the sun." Yes, I'm very aware of that. And smart cinematographers, like myself, never shoot towards the sun. It's the professional way.

I completely understand the purpose of the video. I just don't think the creator understands the final product he is distributing. He understands the concept of hard work and planning but not how to watch a video through the audience's eyes. To him, this video is a compilation of his personal daily experience. The viewer, who is naturally distant, relys on the presentation of the video to place them at the scene. This could have been done more effectively, and still can in most ways be done more effectively through a re-edit. No work is perfect.

The music does not have to be classical, but it does have to have a sort of calming tone to it. In saying "negative," I am referencing the hard rock vocals as well as the off-beat drumming and slasher film-esq keyboard in the background. This prevented me from connecting to it emotionally, as I was subconsciously reminded of an action/horror movie, not a peaceful sunrise.

There's always one person who can point out flaws in a video. There's always one person who continuously strives to improve their work and create more and more unique and effective pieces.

I provided constructive criticism to the creator of this video and all you have done is attack my comment, without merit. I see my comments to be worth more to this page.

bill, i really appreciate your criticism. i think not shying away and actually listening to criticism is a very good way to improve in not only film but also life.

i like your comment about the lens flare, but when we set out to do this video, the only "goals" that we had were to get up every day shoot the sun, not reflections of the sun, which would, no doubt, be very artistic, but we wanted the sun and we wanted the simple beauty of the sun to be shown in a way that would make people stop and pause if only for the 2 minutes they watch this video.

so naturally us deciding to shoot the sun is going to produce flares, but honestly i like them a lot. i guess that's why, like you said, no project will ever be perfect, but that is why criticism is NEEDED for improvement.

the few times in my life that i have woken up to see the sunrise, i am always amazed at how beautiful the actual rising of the sun is. so really this project was a reflection of my experiences, which, at least the way i see it, is the way art should be and most of the time is. no matter what you do, make films, write books, paint, etc. i think we do it through the lens of OUR life experiences and how we have been impacted throughout life, regardless of what that is by.

in my opinion i think taking the viewer into consideration is sometimes a necessary practice but the way i want to approach my "film career" is from the point of view where i tell stories on the basis of things that i don't understand. what i mean is that there are a lot of things in my life that i have no explanation for, example, the sunrises, therefore i will use what i have a passion for, film, and tell that story. just like someone will do with a painting or even someone who just enjoys working with people and is a secretary or loves to teach.

ultimately i want to do what i do because i have a passion for it, and not for the opinions of the "viewers", i mean i never could have imagined that this video would have like 11k views, which is awesome, don't get me wrong, but overall i'm just a kid originally from chicago who loves to mess around with a camera, that's it.

sorry this is so long, but i wanted you to know, that i really, really do appreciate your comments. what it means is that you remind me of my roommates, who are awesome, because as i work on projects i know that they will give me honest feedback, which is just as important as being told that the project was awesome.

so thank you, i appreciate it.

all the best

jj

amen son.

I'm glad you appreciate my comments and hope they will help you improve your work in the future. I have already learned from you and have catching up to do in terms of dedication like this. You have a great outlook on life and it's great that you are sharing that with others.

There is a way to incorporate both my concept of audience and your motivation for completing something on your own terms. The slightest change in pace, tone, or visuals can help you touch more people or a different group of people, which in turn would be more rewarding for you. You don't necessarily have to change your original vision to accomplish this. Keep that in mind next time you are editing or planning out a sequence. Because in the end, if this video was done solely for yourself, you wouldn't have posted it on vimeo.

If you ever want my take on another video share the link with me.

oh be quiet already

Too many people on vimeo just throw compliments around left and right. People are afraid to actually critique videos. I'm not going to go around and write the same comment of praise like everyone else. When I make a video, I want to know the truth. Most of the people that post praise also have some flaws in mind, but they hold back from mentioning them. This in turn is a wasted opportunity for the filmmaker to be made aware of something he might be prevented from seeing, due to being too close to the project. As a filmmaker, after reading 5 comments of "this is awesome, wow," the rest just lose the effect and the comments end up being fluff that serves no purpose.

No one has any right to attack me from being honest and from posting my take on video production techniques. Critiques help people become more professional. You can never stop learning when it comes to filmmaking. I'm certainly not here to bring JJ down or take any credit away from him.

I get where you're coming from with the constructive criticism, and I'm all for it. I am a firm believer in that, and respect when people tear my work apart. Only most of your comments weren't constructive. It was more like, your opinion.

Criticism and opinion are the same thing.

thanks for watching!

it's a sony ex-1

it's "Phos Hilaron (Hail Gladdening Light)" by David Crowder Band

thanks for watching

it's "Phos Hilaron (Hail Gladdening Light)" by David Crowder Band

thanks for watching

Indeed, I was hating the lens flare. You don't need to follow up every comment with "it's just my opinion." Stand up for what you like and for what you feel could be done better. I don't understand why I have quotes on my name. I have more of a video identity than you do on this site.

You're definitely wrong there. With that comment, you expect people's work to be PERFECT before they can comment. In the context of the rock band contest, my video is awesome. Outside of that context it might not seem that way to someone who wasn't involved with it. A video with plastic instruments isn't meant to be as effective as a normal music video. And we could have done a lot more if we weren't limited by the rules. No work is perfect. And although you feel that my video isn't awesome, I still include more production value and incorporate better editing techniques than some others do. This means there is someone out there that can benefit from my knowledge.

Even aside from experience, someone with 0 video production experience can critique a video. It is the average viewer that we make videos/films for, so their opinion is just as good.

I watch videos/films a lot more carefully and attentively than others and I pay more attention to lighting than story. My observations can prove valuable to someone.

Although you have not completed anything near a video with a high production value or one with intricate planning based on your vimeo profile, I welcome your comments on my video. They have more of a place there than here.

That's a fair proposition. The camera I own, the Canon 7d picks up on colors very well so I think it is a great sunrise camera. I would have to pick up a few filters first, polarizer and uv. I might do a shorter version for now. I think it would be a great summer project but winter in NJ is a horrible time for something like this. My plan would involve covering the summer atmosphere and beach goers as well as the sunrise. I think the beauty of it has to do with more than the sky.

For now though, reference this. I saw some great clouds the morning of 10/23 and I captured that day's sunrise this way (filmed and edited in a day):
vimeo.com/7226731

I didn't have nearly enough material to do what I wanted to with editing. But I did accomplish the mood I was going for with the music, and this is a good example of the shots I would incorporate in a longer sunrise display. The shot from the car is similar to one that JJ used. I'll send you the link when I get a few more done.

thomas, thanks for your comment but i disagree. there is a lot of power behind the sun. classical music would flat out be cheesy and it's been done before, this is why i chose the song..

"Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν) is an ancient Christian hymn originally written in New Testament Greek. Often referred to by its Latin title Lumen Hilare it has been translated into English as 'Hail Gladdening Light' or 'O Gladsome/Joyous Light'. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still being used today. The hymn is featured in the vespers of the Byzantine liturgy used by the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions, as well as being included in some modern Anglican and Lutheran liturgies."

"The song is first recorded by an unknown author in the Apostolic Constitutions which was written in the late 3rd or early 4th Century A.D. It is found in a collection of songs to be sung in the morning, in the evening, before meals, and at candle lighting."

ancient greek...sunlight. beauty.