"A Drummer's Treasure" - How Would You Tell Your Story?

by Skip Cohen

When I share some of these videos from Panasonic, it's not just to demonstrate the incredible quality and features of the LUMIX line, but also to help you with ideas on how to tell your own story.  

This video, "A Drummer's Treasure," was posted on the LUMIX channel on YouTube a month ago. It's got a great script, beautiful music, and outstanding cinematography. It also demonstrated the capability of the full-frame S1H. But I also love how the story's told, as the narrator talks to the drum.

​This is storytelling at its best. It led me to think about the elements that might go into a photographer talking about a favorite image or, more generally, why they became an artist.

The text that goes along with the video tells the backstory:

Shot in Apple ProRes RAW using an early version of FW 2.1, “A Drummer’s Treasure” tells the story of musician restoring a vintage drum set. Portrayed as a visual journey narrating his passion towards the craft of bringing life back to the old and forgotten musical instrument.

Shot and Directed by cinematographer and filmmaker Sherif Mokbel, using the 24-70mm f/2.8 and the 50mm f/1.4 LUMIX S Pro lenses. The scenes were mostly captured in a dark setting to deliver a low key mood, exhibiting the S1H’s Dual ISO feature ability to handle low light situation without compromising the dynamic range.

​One other reason it hit home is a backstory of my own.

When I was a kid, my Dad and I collected musical instruments. We'd then refurbish them and give my grandmother the challenge of writing to the manufacturer for any original sale information. Dad and I would talk about each instrument and speculate who had originally owned it, played it, and the level of musician they were.

One of my favorites was the string valve cornet captured with a LUMIX G9 and the LUMIX G Vario 14-140mm f3.5-5.6 lens.  It was shot at f4.0 @ 1/4 sec, ISO 200 at 24mm.

We had instruments we carried out of antique stores with pieces in shopping bags over the years, but this gem even had the original case. So, when watching "A Drummer's Treasure," it took me right back to my days with my Dad.


If you haven't checked out Panasonic's lineup recently, it's time! Click on any of the thumbnails below for more information about S1H and the two lenses used in the video.

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LUMIX S PRO 24-70mm F2.8 L-Mount Interchangeable Lens for LUMIX S Series Full-Frame Digital Cameras

LUMIX S1H Digital Mirrorless Camera with 24.2MP Full Frame Sensor and Dual Native ISO, 6K/24p Recording Capability, V-Log/V-Gamut, and Multi-Aspect Recording

LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 L-Mount Lens, LEICA Certified