Nadir image taken from the Detroit waterfront parking study I patented a drone-based process to create hourly photogrammetric maps, building a spatiotemporal dataset for training computer vision models to analyze urban parking behavior. This approach integrates colorimetry and was developed alongside Michigan city planners. Quantifly advertisement showcasing our novel concept Urban planning in America faces…

When our drone technology startup Quantifly was selected as one of six companies worldwide to participate in GENIUS NY, the world’s largest accelerator program for autonomous systems, we knew we were in for a transformative experience. What we didn’t expect was how deeply this journey would reshape our understanding of business, community, and economic development…

A tiny birthday gift becomes an exploration of miniature computing, GPIO programming, and the intersection of small-form-factor displays with AI-generated media. ShotCut, the open source NLE for Linux on a 1.65″ display! As a birthday gift for my documentary editor wife who loves miniature things, I embarked on an ambitious project: creating what might be…

Ever wonder what happens when you take a fresh-faced high school graduate and throw them into the deep end of military telecommunications? Turns out, you get a crash course in everything from RF theory to dodging simulated North Korean infiltrators while swatting mosquitoes in full MOPP gear. Welcome to my four-year adventure in the U.S.…

A detailed journey of building Nexus, a centralized Linux server that combines local AI models, extensive storage, and smart home capabilities into a unified system for automation and media management. The Foundation The future of home computing isn’t about having dozens of scattered devices—it’s about centralization, intelligence, and seamless integration. This realization led me to…

I designed and implemented a sophisticated remote editing system for Living Legend Productions, transforming their workflow from shipping hard drives to a fully redundant, enterprise-grade remote post-production pipeline. Custom furniture cabinet complete with UPS and fans When Living Legend’s founders Rob Cristiano and Andy Fortenbacher approached me during the pandemic, they were facing a critical…

A comprehensive technical workflow for creating historically plausible synthetic archival motion pictures using AI tools like Midjourney and Runway Gen-3, with meticulous attention to period-accurate artifacts and technical specifications. “Multicultural revolution” generated with Runway Gen 3 In an era where the line between authentic and synthetic media grows increasingly blurred, the ability to create convincing…

A deep dive into creating a portable x86-based video restoration system using the Hackboard 2.0 SBC, VaporSynth, and Windows 11 for on-the-go archival work. Hackboard 2.0 (center) with it’s aluminum chassis and a RPi 4 (left) for scale Ever dreamed of carrying a video restoration lab in your pocket? Neither had I, until I stumbled…

A DIY wireless monitor solution for gimbal-stabilized documentary filmmaking using a Raspberry Pi 4B, LineageOS, and DJI wireless transmission. When my wife embarked on directing a feature documentary using a gimbal-stabilized camera system, we faced a common challenge: how to monitor the footage without compromising the camera’s mobility. Traditional wired solutions weren’t viable – connecting…

A presidential motorcade in Dallas 1963 In collaboration with Williams Cole, we tested the ethical and security risks of using generative AI tools like Runway AI and MidJourney to create synthetic archival media, assessing how malicious actors or state adversaries might exploit this technology to fabricate historical events for propaganda. Artificial intelligence has reshaped how…

In the world of film restoration, sometimes the most innovative solutions come not from expensive proprietary software, but from the dedication and ingenuity of the open-source community. This was certainly the case when our team tackled the challenging restoration of Bruce Lee’s final film, “Game of Death.” The Challenge We were entrusted with a unique…

A custom helmet-mounted camera system that solved the challenges of professional POV filming through innovative power management and wireless control. Completed rig including the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera In an era when wireless earbuds were still science fiction and “hands-free” meant a clunky Bluetooth headset hanging off your ear, I found myself facing an interesting…

During the pandemic, I engineered a low-latency, high-resolution video monitoring solution for remote color grading using NDI, NOBE Display, OBS, and Twitch/Looper, achieving near Rec. 709 accuracy (ΔE < 3) over standard internet connections. When COVID-19 hit, colorists worldwide faced an existential crisis: how do you maintain the sacred client-colorist relationship when sharing the same…

A technical deep-dive into how color science and environmental design were used to recreate Tanzania’s iconic ocean-side restaurant “The Rock” in a Manhattan studio, complete with simulated sunlight, synchronized displays, and sensory illusions. When someone tells you they’re recreating an African restaurant in Manhattan, complete with ocean views, your first thought might be “That’s impossible.”…

A collaborative effort to develop an autonomous drone-based water sampling system for monitoring Lake Erie’s water quality, combining UAV technology with environmental science to combat agricultural runoff effects. A page from our concept presented at the Hack Lake Erie competition 2016 When you think about drones and water, your first thought might be “those two…

An innovative drone-based inspection system using a custom-balanced telephoto lens setup on a DJI Inspire 1 enables safer, more cost-effective structural assessments of towers and smokestacks compared to traditional cherry picker approaches. In 2016, while most drone operators were busy taking aerial selfies, I was solving a rather unique engineering challenge: how to get detailed…

This article examines the relationship between video noise and the cosmic microwave background radiation, revealing how remnants of the universe’s origins persist in modern imagery. Approximately ten seconds after the Big Bang birthed our reality, experts tell us that the universe was dominated by a single form of energy: the photon. This period, known as the…

This article explores how image calibration, color rendition, and human visual adaptation affect the perception of photographic evidence in a courtroom setting, questioning its objectivity. I had spent the majority of my time in late 2011 working on various documentary television shows as a director of photography with the intent to save up as much money as…

This piece examines the historical use of women as camera testing subjects, revealing how male directors often framed women as the focal point in early photography. Earlier this Spring when it was still brisk and Covid was ravaging New York City, my partner and I took periodic walks through Greenwood Cemetery near our home in…

This article delves into ‘JPEG Compressionism,’ using discrete cosine transform compression techniques to create pointillist-style renditions of images, showcasing the artful potential of image compression. Sony TX-10 point and shoot camera A collection of photos taken with various cameras at full magnification yields interesting results when recorded using internal JPEG compression. Although the discrete cosine…

This post explores how the open source spatiotemporal (QTGMC) combined with a machine learning-derived fixed neural net up-scaler (NNEDI3) outperforms traditional NLE algorithms, improving video restoration. I compare results, showing how filmmakers can achieve superior quality when reprocessing archival media using this novel method. Frame grab taken from an unprocessed interlaced archival video As a…

I conducted a qualitative test of the Sony FX line, Venice, ARRI, and Panasonic Varicam cameras, analyzing color, exposure, ISO, and sensor performance. The dataset is publicly available on my website for industry comparisons. After having the opportunity to share my camera test results for the Sony FX9, I realized just how useful a high…

I use tools like PaletteFM and DeepRemaster in Google Colab to colorize archival footage, improving results even on damaged clips. As a beta tester for PaletteFM, I’ve integrated this technique into my restoration work. Abstract: How effective are state-of-the-art AI-based colorization models? Results: AI-based colorization models are fast becoming successful and it’s only a matter…