A Quick Take on Drone Photography

Paul Borrud's video recapping a surf trip off of Indonesia has been making the rounds on social media today and for good reason. The footage is incredible and surreal enough to make almost anyone envious. While I certainly fall into that category, and as breathtaking as the scenic backdrop is, I came away from the video with a much different appreciation.

The way the video was shot represents a significant shift in the way action sports have been captured in the past year or two. I wrote earlier about GoPro and how quality video can be shot by much smaller, more maneuverable cameras. This, in conjunction with the rise of commercially available drones, has really opened the door for new unique aerial perspectives.

The little drones have many key advantages over using a helicopter to accomplish the same goals. Namely, of course, is price. Renting a helicopter would cost many thousands of dollars per hour, whereas, beyond the initial purchase, the drove is relatively inexpensive and can be transported much more easily. Furthermore, as far as capturing the action, it is substantially more maneuverable, can fly into tighter spaces and doesn't drown everything in the near vicinity with debilitating rotor wash (notice that the water remains crystal clear as it flys overhead).

To continue this point, check out this outrageously entertaining angle of a fireworks display. It  serves as a perfect example of what is capable when you take out the risk of injury and drastically lower the investment in equipment.

Net Neutrality: Legislation Actually Worth Following

Enter John Oliver. The Brit comedian started his career as a long-time corespondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. An undisputed fan favorite, Oliver was tapped to take the helm of The Daily Show last year when Jon Stewart took the summer off to direct a feature film. Eventually, like many before him, Oliver left Comedy Central to pursue further aspirations. Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and Ed helms are all notable alums who launched successful careers following their stint on The Daily Show. 

HBO teamed up with John Oliver to create Last Week Tonight. Focused on political and cultural satire, Last Week Tonight is similar in principle to what Oliver was doing so well at Comedy Central. While it took a few weeks for Oliver to find a certain level of comfort in his new role, he and his writers wasted no time in creating excellent content.

This brings us to Net Neutrality. On a very basic level, Net Neutrality is the idea that all content on the internet can exist on the same level playing field. An important point that Oliver brings up in his bit is that this principle allows small businesses and start ups to have a fighting chance against much larger and well-established companies. They have the same access to consumers and their content has the same ability to influence as businesses with substantially larger budgets. 

The proposed legislation, and what the major internet/telecom companies are lobbying for, would charge companies for the speed to which their information is accessible. Major companies would need to shell out major fees to make their content easily accessible, and thus more appealing to consumers. Small business with much smaller budgets might not be able to afford this, and thus, their content is more easily lost in the trillions of pages of the internet. 

This chart features Netflix's customer streaming performance. You may notice a dip and coincidental spike related to Comcast that is not nearly as dramatic with other providers. Netflix signed a paid peering agreement with the cable company in, you guessed it, February.

This is a substantially important issue which could result in major changes to the way businesses operate for years to come. For a more in-depth look, listen to John Oliver's explanation below. 

A Bespoke Automobile: The Singer 911

Anyone who is interested in cars and their manufacturers will eventually develop a unique taste of their own. Brands will suit their style or fail to connect based on performance, image, quality, etc. I am no different. Having grown up driving two Buick LaSebres, I have sworn that I will never own or drive another one. I not entirely sold on Lexus, and I think that Mercedes are entirely too flashy. I also don't particularly care for Porsches.

That said, there are exceptions to every rule. Case in point: a California based company called Singer produces a modern adaption of a classic Porsche 911. And I absolutely adore it. The folks at Top Gear featured it last year and they do a good job of painting a picture that explains where it fits in with the 911 lineage and why it is unlike anything else on the market.

Now to the proverbial elephant in the room. Base prices start around $350,000. $350,000!! And that is on the low-end of the spectrum. I understand it's a modern adaption and has carbon fiber body panels, updated suspension, etc. But the simple fact is, with that price range, it's in the same league as many other brand-new supercars. Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Maserati; I'm sure that you've heard of them.

On a personal note, and not particuarly helping its case, the $300k mark also puts it right up next to this:

The new Aston Martin Vanquish. And frankly, in the fictional world where I could spend that much on a car, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't take the Aston. The Singer is beautiful and is absolutely something I would enjoy having in my garage, but it doesn't hold a candle to the beauty, passion and performance of the Vanquish.

If you're interested in a bit more detail, Chris Harris from /DRIVE took a tour of the Singer factory and spoke with many of the design leads about its development and production.

Surfing Waimea River. Yes, River.

Nestled in the comment section of this video is a raging debate amongst users with, supposedly, doctorates in environmental studies, coastal geography and whatever topic their keyboard-fueled opinions spew from. Some see this as a majorly destructive spectacle put on by locals for a few laughs, while others claim it eases pressure on growing bodies of water near the beach.

Admittedly, I know shockingly little about the coastal estuaries of Kauai and how this may or may not affect their natural habitat. What I can appreciate is this: this is amazingly entertaining to watch.

Passion + Innovation = ?

Mighty Car Mods is a popular series that features two Australian friends who build and restore cars in their spare time. Their work features Do-It-Yourself (DIY) videos, performance builds and themed projects like the one showcased below. US viewers may find their vehicles largely unfamiliar because the market is so different from what we see here in America, and because a large part of their style is influenced by neighboring Japan.

What I think has driven the popularity of the series is a) their charismatic personalities and b) the undisputed passion that they have for cars. Furthermore, they are absolutely not afraid to think outside the box and create something that would have many people scratching their heads. Take a look:

On the subject of passion, it should be noted that the duo use music that they themselves have created and produced. It is my understanding that both of their professional careers are actually within that industry and what lead them to being introduced years ago.

Their side project has developed into an incredible platform to showcase their talents seems to be beneficial to both careers. It was just announced that Moog was taped by Audi to make a track for one of their recently released promotional videos touting the new A3.

Savile Row: Britain's Silk Road

     This is somewhat of a sequel to a previous post about the components of a perfect suit. Savile Row is arguably one of the most well-known roads in Britain, if not all of Europe. Located in central London, the road is steeped in centuries of tradition and style. Customers from all over the world travel  to visit the bespoke tailors and take advantage of their absolutely uncompromising standards of style.

     As you will see there is a certain amount of competition and rivalry between the tailors, each with their own idiosyncrasies and pedigree. The competition seems friendly though, and it's fantastic to see them all come together for the general interest of the Row. The emergence of a competing business on the Row is not uncommon to them, but the nature of the competing product is. Abercrombie and Fitch could very arguably be the antithesis of the image the bespoke tailors represent and how they envision Savile Row. I think that heritage and history go a long way towards cementing one's credibility in today's world, so I do feel compassion for these small shops in the face of a global corporate giant. While Abercrombie and Fitch may not last on Savile Row, you can be certain bespoke tailoring will live and breathe for years to come.

Part 2   Part 3   Part 4   Part 5   Part 6   Part 7

BASE Jumping the Tallest Building in the World

     Pretty incredible story about two BASE jumpers who set their sights on the virgin jump off of the Burj Dubai while it was still under construction. Not only were these two men meticulous and thorough with their planning but they were also creative and patient with their execution.

     Notice how the jumpers swing their arms back towards their feet during the jump, a tactic called tracking. Tracking alters their body position, and thus, the airflow as they fall towards the ground. It allows jumpers to cover more distance horizontally and "track" away from objects. The Burj Dubai steadily grows wider at its base, making tracking a necessary component of the jump in order to adequately separate themselves and their canopies from any hazards during the deployment of their main chutes.

A Tribute to a Driving Legend

     Jenson Button and his McLaren team won this past weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix. His victory was overshadowed by Sebastian Vettel's six place finish, a finish that rewarded him with a historic third consecutive Formula One World Championship. The only man who challenged Vettel for the crown was the Spaniard Fernando Alonso, driving for Ferrari. The two were in close enough proximity during the entire race that the championship would be awarded as a direct result of their finish. This made for a hair-raising race as they battled back and forth, up and down the grid. In the end Alonso finished second, finishing just three points behind Vettel in the championship.

     The race was spectacular, and ever more so because it was the Brazilian Grand Prix. Brazil has produced an extraordinary caliber of drivers over the years and none more so than Ayrton Senna. Before his life was taken during a high speed crash while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, Senna was defined for hair-raising driving much like what was seen this past weekend at his home Grand Prix. While he only won three world championships, and others might make a statistical argument that others were better, there seems to be some sort of magic about Senna's driving that leads many to believe that he was the greatest of all time.

     If you enjoyed Top Gear's expose on Ayrton Senna, you might want to check out the 2010 documentary Senna, which offers a much more thorough look into the incredible man and his achievements.

Contrary to Popular Belief, The NHL Did Something Productive Recently

     Despite the fact that negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA have gone nowhere recently, it does appear that for at least one NHL team, the love of the game lives on. It's feel-good stories like this that make fans like me realize that there is a much bigger picture than not being able to watch hockey during the winter and being subjected the reality TV show that is the NBA. Lots of times during our lives we will lose perspective of what really matters and I think that it all starts with the love of the game and making a difference for a younger generation. A thank you to the Nashville Predators organization for making a difference in these kid's lives and for reminding the rest of us that hockey is about so much more than hating Gary Bettman

TED Talks: Listen, Learn.....Then Lead

     For those of you who are not familiar with TED Talks, they are an insightful series of speakers who present on a variety of topics that are meant to be inspiring and stimulating. I've included my favorite one below, conducted by Stanley McCrystal, a former four-star general in the United States military and previous Commander of the International Security Assistance Force and of all U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

     McCrystal was the unfortunate subject of a well publicized fall from grace. A 2010 Rolling Stone article revealed off color remarks made by McCrystal's staff that criticized the Obama administration, high ranking national security officials and Vice President Joe Biden. Despite never being directly quoted, McCrystal immediately tendered his resignation, which was then accepted by President Obama.

     Despite this, I think McCrystal was an incredible leader and did an extraordinary job as the leader of U.S. and Allied forces in Afghanistan. He is also credited with being extremely influential within the Special Operations community for the way he pushed to expand their capabilities and increase their utilization, something that was misunderstood for many years. Following his departure from the military McCrystal went to Yale University where he taught a graduate seminar on modern leadership. There is no question that he has a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding effective leadership. Tune in to see what he has to say:

Genius Advertising: JetBlue's "Don't Take it in the Air" Campaign

In his journal on August 5th, 1851, Henry David Thoreau wrote "The question is not what you look at, but what you see". This sentiment can be used to interpret literally anything and everything in the world we live in. Perspective is the key difference between any two people in a given situation. It can also have quite a motivating effect on people based on how they see things. Our very country was founded on principles that differed from England due to how each side saw things. 

I love this marketing campaign because it's all about perspective; it perfectly illustrates the idiosyncrasies that come with flying commercially. While many of us patiently put up with these frustrating situations when flying, JetBlue has very cleverly used their unappealing nature to promote their airline and convey to the consumer that this issues won't present themselves to you on their flights. 

It's all in the perspective of the individual. The advertisement is simple, enjoyable, even funny (at the expense of the unassuming participants). I appreciate the use of unknowing participants in commercials like this because their reactions are not scripted and very accurately highlight the issues that the average person would also identify. The same type of tactic can be used to convey a positive reaction, such as in recent Febreeze marketing campaigns.  Check out these three examples and appreciate JetBlue's creativity:

Amazing Street Performers: Dub FX

Every now and then I run into someone who is inspiring because they have found what they truly enjoy and are incredibly skilled at whatever that is. In this case a relatively unassuming street performer has constructed music that makes me believe that true musicians are not a dying breed; an industry drowning in a sea of auto-tune and seemingly incoherent lyrics.

Dub FX is a musician that has gained popularity on the internet for his incredible street performances across Europe. He constructs the melodies, backgrounds, and harmonies of his music using his voice and a clever recording device that allows him to loop recordings. His approach to music and his passion are both unparalleled to anything I've seen before.

Split of a Second: Wingsuit Flying Short Film

     BASE jumpers who use wingsuits are undeniably incredibly entertaining to watch. The suit, which very closely mimics a flying squirrel, gives humans the most realistic sensation of flight. Daredevils have begun to use them for what they call 'Wingsuit Proximity Flying'. As the name suggests, they travel all over the world to locations that allow them to fly as closely as possible to a terrain feature without actually hitting it. It makes for some pretty incredible footage and a hair raising sensation. Check it out:

Genius Advirtising: Nissan Altima Easy Fill Tire Alert

     Love this commercial. I love how Nissan took everyday scenarios, wove them into a skit, and then  used them to illustrate the technology they're marketing. It makes the whole 30 second package feel applicable and useful to the consumer. The beauty of it all comes from how inappropriate/potentially devastating the scenarios could have been to the actor without the little nudge he receives before he steps over the line. Take a look:

     Now lets address the elephant in the room. How pathetic is it that Nissan is actually paying money to market a system that beeps to let you know when your tires are full? Has our society really come to this? Are we seriously that lazy? Anyone with at least a somewhat decent understanding of how an automobile works should be able to read a tire and figure out what the optimal PSI is for their vehicle. Almost any gas station in the world will sell you a tire gauge and all you have to do is press it down onto the valve and, voila! It tells you what PSI your tire is at. Simply add or let out air to properly adjust. The entire process from start to finish takes approximately 3 minutes. This little beep gizmo must save people an entire minute of precious time. You must either a) have a serious reoccurring issue with leaking tire pressure (and havnt figured out how to fix it on your own) or b) must be incredibly hurried to the point where those 60 seconds are going to be make it or break it on your journey. 

     While I think the actual device the advertisement is marketing is stupid, the commercial still works. It's still enjoyable to watch and as a result, it reflects positively on Nissan. While it doesn't necessarily make me want to go buy a Nissan Altima outright, it does make me appreciate Nissan for this effort.  At the very least it separates Nissan from other competitors, enough so that I specifically remembered their advertisement and chose to write about it days after I first saw it. In a world of terribly boring commercials, thats all you can ask for. Well done Nissan. 

Truth In 24: Audi's Dominance At The 24 Hours Of Le Mans

     For anyone who is a motor racing fan, this documentary will completely captivate you. Many people recognize Audi luxury automobiles on the roads in America but fail to appreciate that Audi is an international brand with a strong legacy rooted in racing. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is, in my opinion, the greatest racing event ever created. Part of 'The Triple Crown' of motorsport, alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a tradition steeped in history and prestige. The cars that race here are full throttle thoroughbreds; marvels of engineering and design. Many of the design features of modern cars, windshield wipers, headlights, aero dynamic packages, owe themselves to this very race. 

     See for yourself the drama and excitement that unfolds as the German Audi team battles the French automaker Peugeot for bragging rights in racings ultimate conquest:

Companies That Get It: Forsake Shoes

     You have to love these guys. Two incredibly motivated young adults who are quite literately wandering off the beaten path as they search to jumpstart their own footwear company. While many of their peers and classmates are learning the ins and outs of the corporate world, Sam and Jake have boldly turned their passions into a very unique, if not potentially successful, business proposal.

     The Kickstarter program is a great way for startup companies to gain a foothold in whichever market they are targeting. By allowing donations of any amount, contributors are met with unique rewards (dinner, a pair of sneakers, a thank you note, etc) set forth by the creators, allowing for a more personal bond and a sense that you're contribution actually means something. In today's world of social media and online sharing, campaigns like this can very easily go viral and quickly achieve the support/funding they desire to make their dreams a reality.

     Easy you say? Not at all. Relatively few companies can successfully pull off effective marketing campaigns due to a variety of reasons. That said, you would be hard pressed to say that the Forsake team isn't creative or entertaining with their promos. While I am admittedly a huge skydiving fan, I think anyone can see how their unique twist on an 'elevator pitch' clearly shows their creativity and commitment to achieving their success. To add to that, their videos don't lack substance, they aren't boring. They very accurately showcase exactly how the shoes should be utilized, who they will appeal to, and give a glimpse into the motivated personalities of their creators. Simply put, Forsake is a company that you want to find success. 

     This is Forsake's second attempt at using Kickstarter to launch their footwear line and with over $30,000 pledged in only the first day, it seems as though their ambitions will soon be fulfilled. To be honest, I don't find it that surprising. Their footwear perfectly fills a void in the market they are targeting. Hiking boots and other forms of outdoor footwear are notoriously ugly or 'un-cool'. Their products seem to be the best of both worlds; they resemble popular styles worn by the target demographic but maintain the necessary protection and functionality that their natural environment requires.

     Help these guys out by making their dream a reality. Head over to their Kickstarter page now to help donate or buy a pair! Every little bit counts!

A Box Within A Box

     With art, much like politics, you must be able to say a lot without saying very much. You may recognize some of these iconic photographs, and while they are undeniably brilliant, it is the portraits of their creators that I enjoy most about this photo. In essence, this photo has completely shifted the focus away from some of the most moving photography of the last century and created an entirely new perspective. Check it out:

Companies That Get It: Ford Introduces the 2013 Fusion

     My God this car is good looking. With the goal of "creating a midsized car with groundbreaking design and jaw-dropping fuel economy", the 2013 Ford Fusion stands head and shoulders above all other competitors (perhaps with the new VW Passat being the only exception to the rule) in its class.

     The centerpiece of its brilliant new body centers around the Aston Martin inspired grill. Aston Martin was sold in 2007 to a number of investors but Ford kept roughly a 15% stake in the company, allowing it to draw inspiration and style from the brand. It seems like their commitment has paid off.

     Beyond its stunning lines, the 2013 Fusion is still a very practical and affordable mid sized sedan. It will appeal to a wide customer base for a number of reasons. Three four-cylinder petrol engine platforms are available, one naturally aspirated and two turbocharged.  They offer a respectable 170, 179 and 237 horsepower, respectively. The 1.6L EcoBoost engine driving the 179 bhp model comes with automatic start/stop and will achieve 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

     In June of 2009 Ford was granted a $5.9 billion loan from the government to help develop and implement electric car technology. The loan came in handy when Chrysler and GM had to file for bankruptcy that same year and take bailout money from the government. Interestingly enough, it is Ford, not GM or Chrysler that now owes money to the government to pay them back. Money aside, Ford gained an advantage over the other manufacturers in developing hybrid and EV technology for its cars. The 2013 Fusion will be the first Fusion with an all electric option, and boasts two hybrid engines as well.

     As a result, the Fusion's environmentally friendly options will satisfy even the most extreme Greenpeace activists and Wall Street occupiers. The hybrid model is set to still produce 185 bhp while being capable of 47 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway. In comparison, the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid, is able to only achieve 43 mpg city and 39 mpg highway.
   
     Either to claim a title or to satisfy the polar bears and icecaps, the electric Ford Fusion Energi plug-in model was aimed to be the most fuel efficient car in the world. It is projected to be capable of more that 100 MPGe (a mile per gallon equivalency metric for electric vehicles). If this is the case, it will have outperformed the Chevy Volt by 8 MPGe and the well known Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid model by 13 MPGe.

     While any car enthusiast will tell you that FWD is far from being their preferred drivetrain, it is undeniable that FWD is practical. Most people, if not everyone buying the 2013 Fusion, will not be looking to tune or drive the car competitively. In that case, FWD makes the most sense to the everyday consumer. Thankfully, AWD is an option, although only for the 2.0L EcoBoost equipped models. Another huge benefit of the car is that you can choose to fit it with a standard transmission, something drivers from an older generation will certainly appreciate.

     In sum, while the 2013 Ford Fusion is undeniably practical and affordable, I simply cannot get over how good looking it is. While its appeal is twentyfold, its striking body and beautiful face are all that I'm interested in. I want one, and I wanted it 5 years ago. It's very satisfying to see Ford produce a model like this and leaves no doubt that this year, Ford gets it.

The Essence of Style - The Perfect Suit

     I stumbled across this BBC documentary not too long ago and really enjoyed it. If you're at all interested in style (no matter how much or how little), you will enjoy this film. The host brings us along as he traces the roots of the modern suit that so many of us wear everyday, and at times struggles to come to terms with some twenty-first century interpretations of its style. Wether you're really tuned into fashion or just looking to nail an upcoming interview, there's something for everyone in this film.

Enjoy!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Companies That Get It: GoPro

     GoPro video cameras are the current standard for personal recording devices and for good reason. They exploded onto the market a couple of years ago and since then have simply left every other competitor swimming in their wake. The cameras have become to go-to for action sports and motor industry film crews looking to capture their footage from every conceivable angle.

     Their marketing strategy works for a couple of reasons, the most important of which centers around the versatility of the cameras. Small and compact, but offering high definition capabilities at a reasonable price, these cameras filled a void in the market that I find hard to believe still existed.

     In essence, GoPro has created a product that can market itself. Extreme sport athletes find it incredibly beneficial to be able to mount multiple cameras on themselves, allowing them to film their breathtaking feats from a litany of angles and never before seen perspectives. GoPro itself seems to have a dedicated and talented editing department who are able to turn the enormous volume of footage their cameras capture into stunning advertisements. Take a look:

     As I mentioned above, the small and compact size is incredibly beneficial to GoPro's appeal. No larger than some cell phones, they are infinitely versatile and present minimal intrusion (read: safety hazard) when performing the most dangerous of stunts. As displayed below, the camera and mounting hardware is beautifully simple and a number of different mounting devices exist for both terrestrial and underwater pursuits.

     Taking a leaf out of Apple's marketing genius, GoPro has recently announced the GoPro HERO3 Black Edition. The new camera is the latest in high definition and includes wi-fi capabilities, presumably so the user can transmit his or her shots to a computer. While the camera itself is relatively the same, the Black Edition tag certainly makes the new version seem appealing or at least collectable to a similar customer base as those who ran to the nearest mall when the iPhone became available in white.

     While GoPro has managed to dominate the market on the home front, another company has been able to make leaps and bounds in a land many miles away. The presence of personal recording devices is becoming more and more common on todays battleground. Soldiers have begun to attach devices to their helmets or gear, either out of personal desire or operational necessity. While there is no doubt that some may use GoPro cameras for this purpose, GoPro's present a new problem to men whose job is to stay undetected. Their (relatively) large face can make for an awkward profile and the silver case and hardware can hardly be considered camouflage.

     The Contour HD has been widely embraced by operators who are looking to have the same capabilities as race car drivers and motocross racers, while maintaining tactical efficiency. The camera itself is black and has a significantly smaller profile, allowing for the operator to keep a streamlined and low-profile appearance. The introduction of the Ops-Core FAST Ballistic Helmet and its rail system have made attaching Contour HD cameras incredibly easy. The side rail system allows for the cameras to easily attach and give an accurate first person view point.

     Military efficiency aside, GoPro represents a company who have successfully marketed their product to a consumer base and have uniquely allowed those consumers to provide the company with the very best possible advertisements. I'm excited to see what this company has lined up in the next few years because, simply, they get it.