The Truth and Legend Podcast

Truth and Legend Productions

The Truth and Legend Podcast is a companion to the YouTube channel. We discuss wildlife photography and cinematography, experiences in the field, and the success or defeats growing our YouTube channel.

  1. 03/07/2025

    AI, Winter Driving to the Arctic and Commercial Shoots

    In this episode of the Truth and Legend podcast, hosts Michael Mauro and Brandon Day discuss various topics ranging from the challenges of managing equipment on set, personal health experiences, and the features of a new truck. They delve into the intricacies of filming in extreme Arctic conditions, innovative filming techniques using gimbals, and the opportunities for car testing in cold environments. The conversation also touches on the busy season in the Arctic and the unique challenges faced during shoots. In this conversation, Michael and Brandon discuss their experiences filming in Deadhorse, Alaska, and the challenges they faced during their expedition. They explore the unique environment of Deadhorse, the journey to the Arctic Ocean, and the wildlife encounters along the Dalton Highway. The duo also shares insights on planning an Alaskan expedition, innovative filming techniques, and the importance of audio quality in filmmaking. Their discussion highlights the beauty and challenges of remote filming locations, as well as the creative solutions they employed to overcome obstacles. In this conversation, Brandon and Michael discuss various aspects of filmmaking, including the importance of teamwork, the challenges of pricing in freelance work, and the balance between stills and video production. They emphasize the value of personal projects for creatives and explore the implications of AI in the creative industry, particularly regarding personal identity and safety.

    1h 25m
  2. 03/05/2025 · VIDEO

    Missed Moments, Moose Tales, and Gear Challenges: Truth and Legend Podcast Ep. 22

    Always Keep the Camera Rolling: Missed golden moments, like a heartfelt quote from an interviewee, underscore the importance of capturing everything. Preparation is Key: Cheat sheets for white balance and early venue arrival can save significant time and headaches on shoots. Gimbal Limitations: While versatile, gimbals like the Ronin can struggle in windy conditions, causing micro jitters in footage. The Power of the Red Camera: Shooting wildlife and documentaries with the Red delivers unparalleled quality but comes at the cost of managing large amounts of data. Mastering Event Photography: Adapting to challenging lighting conditions, such as neon-lit bowling alleys, requires precise gear setup and techniques. Wildlife Behavior Matters: Understanding the nuances of animal movement, like doll sheep during the rut, can lead to stunning shots. The Importance of Versatile Lenses: Lenses like the Sigma 60-600mm are invaluable for storytelling, allowing for a mix of wide and detailed shots. Balancing Personal and Corporate Work: Wildlife shoots are peaceful and fulfilling but often need to be supplemented by corporate or event projects to pay the bills. Exploring Future Education: Plans to develop wildlife photography and videography courses highlight the duo's commitment to sharing their knowledge. Evolving Tools of the Trade: AI advancements in tools like Photoshop offer new possibilities but challenge the authenticity of photography.

    1h 24m
  3. 04/09/2024

    Wild Focus: MooseMan Nature Photos Talks Wildlife Photography, Videography & More

    The conversation touches on the role of social media, particularly YouTube, in showcasing their work. They also discuss the challenges of capturing audio and video in the field. The conversation explores the elusiveness of moose and the fascination people have with them. The hosts discuss the process of creating content and telling stories about moose behavior. They also talk about the naming of individual bulls and the challenges of observing and understanding their behavior. The stages of a moose rut and the infatuation people have with moose are also discussed. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the mystery and complexity of moose. In this conversation, MooseMan and Michael Mauro discuss their experiences with bears and share their techniques for managing and organizing video files. They talk about the importance of naming and categorizing videos, as well as the different approaches they take. MooseMan prefers to organize his videos chronologically, while Michael uses dates and brief descriptions. They also discuss the size of their video libraries and the process of deleting unwanted footage. The conversation highlights the importance of memory and attention to detail when managing video files. They also discuss the coexistence of bears and moose in the wilderness and share humorous anecdotes. The conversation concludes with MooseMan and Michael expressing their gratitude and appreciation for their experiences and the opportunity to share their videos with others.

    1h 26m
  4. 04/02/2024

    Wild Focus: Mastering Nature Photography and Insights from Lee Hoy

    Lee also talks about the challenges and rewards of leading trips to Yellowstone National Park. In this part of the conversation, Lee Hoy discusses the highly admired workshop leader Lisa Langell and the challenges and rewards of being a tour guide. He also talks about the importance of diversifying and adapting in the workshop industry. Lee shares his thoughts on the demands of being a workshop leader and the value of hard work and honesty in photography. He emphasizes the importance of practice and learning from failure, as well as the benefits of shooting vertical and getting composition right. Finally, Lee discusses his process and philosophy behind his YouTube channel. In this conversation, Lee Hoy discusses the importance of field craft and composition in photography. He emphasizes the need to learn and master these skills to capture better images. Lee also talks about teaching photography techniques and his desire to help others improve their skills. He shares his experience with understanding the circadian rhythm of natural light and using tools like the live graduate neutral density filter. Lee expresses his passion for creating a photography show that is educational, entertaining, and inspirational. He believes in the value of authenticity and hard work in photography and encourages photographers to embrace their failures as opportunities for growth. Lee also discusses the rise of authentic content on YouTube and the potential for creating cinematic educational content.

    1h 27m
  5. 03/26/2024

    Wild Focus: Wildlife Cinematography Insights with Doug Gardner

    Doug emphasizes the importance of camera experience and problem-solving skills in filmmaking. He also discusses the diverse wildlife and habitats in South Carolina and the opportunities they provide for filming. Additionally, Doug talks about the use of drones and new probe lenses in his work and shares his experiences filming prothonotary warblers in nest cavities. The conversation covers various themes related to wildlife production and photography. The topics discussed include problem solving and pre-production work, creating a disturbance-free environment for wildlife filming, networking and building relationships in the industry, developing story ideas, marketing oneself as a story developer, the challenges and success of producing a TV show, balancing production quality and budget constraints, the potential of YouTube and online platforms, the future of wildlife production and workshops, and the challenges of filming in extreme conditions. Doug and Michael discuss their experiences with camera equipment and problem-solving techniques while filming in extreme conditions. They share stories of overcoming camera overheating issues and the creative solutions they devised to keep their equipment cool. They also discuss the potential impact of Nikon's acquisition of RED cameras and the future of the industry. Doug emphasizes the importance of teaching and sharing knowledge through his YouTube channel and workshops.

    1h 21m

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The Truth and Legend Podcast is a companion to the YouTube channel. We discuss wildlife photography and cinematography, experiences in the field, and the success or defeats growing our YouTube channel.