Making
films with HD DSLR cameras: Highlights of a special LIVA panel
discussion held
on May 11, 2010 in Long Island, NY By
Judah S. Harris HD
DSLR cameras are an exciting new tool for photographers and
videographers. As
with so many technical or professional tools, there's usually some
learning
curve involved - not to mention a mental adjustment of our thinking and
creative style. (Remember how we responded when digital photography
first
arrived on the scene? There were “yeas and nays,” and a range of
opinions in the middle.) I attended a LIVA event (that's the Long Island Videographers Association and they meet monthly at the LI Marriott in Uniondale) on a Tuesday evening in May that was completely devoted to HD DSLR cameras and decided that I'd share a brief, but hopefully helpful, summary with my videographer and photographer friends, so they can partake in some of what was covered. A lot of us want to know a lot more about these digital still cameras that can shoot video in addition to stills and that offer video footage that is different, and even more preferred in some ways, than traditional video camera footage. Even though I'm a writer, in addition to being a photographer and involved in film projects, I'm not a big note taker, but I did so at this event in order to remember names, products, and HD DSLR camera tips that were shared by the panelists and certain audience members. I hope to use this new information and am glad to pass it along to others. Photographers and videographers become better at their craft when they share information. The same is true with other fields. Let’s leave secretiveness for the cola manufactures or other products where ingredients and techniques need to be highly safeguarded and where competition is ruthless (but don't dare bid on a job I'm bidding on!). LIVA
meets monthly and this evening started with some networking time, a
chance to
buy raffle tickets for some nice door prizes (I didn't win, but the
money - a
modest $10 in my case - supports LIVA activities), and then the program
began
shortly before 8:00 with a panel discussion - three videographers and a
Canon
representative. Canon has a few models that offer serious HD video: 1D,
5D, and
7D, and
the lower priced T2i. This
was a chance to hear from people who are actually using the gear and
also to
see their individual setups, plus a number of companies brought some of
their
products to show off to the 80 or so attendees. In addition to Canon,
the
other
corporate
sponsor
of the evening was Switronix.
They make a shoulder
bracket
that lets you support the HD DSLR and also see the viewing screen and
viewfinder properly. Regular video camera brackets are more geared, it
seems,
for the video cameras that have a side flip-out LCD screen. The still
cameras
have their screens right in back, as you know, so the bracket has to
allow
proper viewing. This company also makes a bright 30-watt light that
mounts on
the camera or on the setup. It offers three hours of light, can be
dimmed
(diffused too) and takes two hours to charge. Switronix also makes
batteries
and an almost essential remote on/off switch that lets you power your
camera
closer to where your hands are, since your setup of brackets and
supports used
to shoot with HD DSLRs will require repositioning. You're not simply
holding a
camera in your hands as you would when shooting stills. Canon's rep mentioned that videographers can now also be included in their CPS program (a professional program for purchasers of Canon equipment) and mentioned their Cinema Caravan tour which will offer "workshops for EOS storytellers" in multiple cities this July and August. NYC's turn is July 7th and 8th (www.usa.canon.com/cinemacaravan). There
were a number of nice phrases that were presented during the evening
and I'll
share some in this report. One presenter said that video and photo
professionals should keep in mind that wedding couples "don't need a
photographer, they need a storyteller." This attitude influences the
coverage and the use of the HD DSLR or video cameras, tools that can be
used
deftly to tell the story of a special event. Later
in the evening, the term "event cinema" was mentioned by another
presenter. It’s great to discover new ways to describe our services –
more
creatively and with more specificity, perhaps. A fellow in the printing
and
design business once told me, after looking at my work, "You're not a
photographer." I said "Sure I am," but he responded again,
"No, you're not" and went on to explain that regular photographers
take pictures but that I don't just take regular pictures: "You're not
a
photographer, you're an artist," he maintained. In the event world,
photographers and videographers are too often viewed as "hired help,"
an event necessity, owners of these big power tools, but not the
artists we
truly are when we do our craft properly, beautifully, and with full
force. Some
of the fault rests in our not properly educating our clients. But
there's also
a lot of mediocrity out there that dilutes the esteem that we as
photographers
and videographers should have attached to our work. During the three
hour
program, there were a number of impressive clips shown that conveyed
effectively the capabilities of the HD DSLR cameras and related
accessories and
that impressed the audience with the "artistry" of the shooters.
Event cinema is a nice term, but there’s yet room for others. One
of those clips was by digital videographer Ray Roman, and showed an
event
promoting an author and her book. The clip captured scenes of the prep
for the
event - food, decorations, and the like - and also the author herself,
pages
from her book, with lots of detail shots and quick cuts, moving shots,
and
shallow focus, which is a leading trait (capability) of the HD DSLRs
and their lenses. Ray will teach
a
workshop in NY and NJ, sponsored by LIVA and
NJVA
respectively
(7/13
and
7/14
-
$99
members
and
$149
non-members).
It
will
include
a
simulated
wedding
shoot followed by a
live edit
walk-through from the same footage shot in the morning. It's limited to
20
people and titled "A Day with Ray." If you have the right name, it's
a whole lot easier to use these punchy workshop titles (A Week with
Zeek? A
Year with...?) The
panelists, as mentioned, shared their gear and their personal approach
to using
an HD DSLR. Ray Estrada of Timeless Films NY said that he uses Russian
lenses
on his Canon camera, the Helios brand that he finds affordably on eBay,
and
stressed that he always prefers stabilizing the camera with a tripod or
monopod, but can use handheld when he must. He showed a clip of a
Tribeca
wedding: vimeo.com/6821781 Anthony
Quintano from Hackensack NJ, another panelist, who does occasional
weddings but
has more interest these days in commercials and viral videos, with a
social
media emphasis, showed his Jag35 support that holds the camera, a
focusing
wheel, and lights or mic as needed. During the break I went up to ask
him some
questions, take a look, and hold the camera setup. He has coordinated
multi-camera shoots. See his work at www.quintanomedia.com One
of the questions or concerns addressed by the panelists was the audio
quality
on these cameras. Most, including Paul from Canon, advised recording
audio
separately from the DSLR. John Hyland, another panelist, said the audio
on the
cameras he uses was OK, but agreed that external audio would be a
better
choice. He uses Roland's Edirol audio recording products (the Edirol
R-09
digital recorder, for instance, retails at approximately $350), while
some of
the others use Zoom's H4n recorder. PluralEyes was mentioned as good
software
to use to sync audio and video clips. A lot of event films, have
significant
portions that are image with a music track, maybe ambient sounds, and
in those
portions syncing won't be needed. But at some point we do want to hear
the
people speak, so it's smart to be familiar with options that will make
the
editing easier. While
the discussion of the evening was centered on how HD DSLR users shoot
with
these cameras, another interesting component mentioned was how the
people
being
filmed might react to them. One panelist found people more relaxed with
these
cameras than with regular video cameras. The HD DSLRs look like a still
camera,
not a larger, more imposing video camera, so people tend to be less
self
conscious about the camera being pointed in their direction and won't
turn away
so readily or feel compelled to say something into the camera such as:
"Renee... Ira and I are so thrilled we’re here… you look absolutely
gorgeous! This has got ot be the most beautiful wedding we've been to
(this
evening, that is)." Another panelist related that guests sometimes
think they’re
being photographed with a still camera and start posing in groups. LIVA
President Joseph Palma read a monologue
he wrote which reflected on the "mixed" feelings he has about this
breed of cameras. He has found that the need for more precision at
times forces
him to slow down and be more "in tune" with his shots. The camera
size also makes it a lot easier to walk around the dance floor. Usually,
if you're going to be doing any walking or extensive movement, you'll
want to
consider various stabilization options. A Steadicam system for event
videography can cost you a few thousands dollars, but renting is always
an
option. Or, try Glidecam products for some cheaper options ($400-$600
for
cameras weighing 3 to 10 pounds) that will give your footage the
smoothness it
needs in certain moving shots. Keep the camera aperture set at F11,
advised one
Glidecam user in the room, to maintain good focus. For
tracking shots, try a slider that enables the camera, mounted on a
wheeled or
ball bearing base to ride along a strip of track of a few feet or
longer
length. The track can be placed horizontally or vertically, and online
tutorials remind image-makers to place objects in the foreground to
heighten
the sense of movement and depth. One LIVA member present for the
program had
brought his DP Slider which was mounted to a tripod, and shared a quick
tour of
the product with the audience (a 28" strip runs about $650). Additional facts and advice proffered during the program included:
There are ample video clips shot with HD DSLR cameras online to watch. Canon has its own 7D channel on Vimeo, so check out the selection, including Ray Roman's "Short Wedding Film" which opens with a humorous moment, a human mistake (other people may get it wrong, but we photographers and videographers would never forget the bride’s name). Head on over to Roy’s blog to see some other clips that will inspire, or Canon's website to view cinematic shorts, with some behind-the-scenes clips that offer movie making know-how. But most importantly, stop at some point watching other people’s work and get out to try your own stuff. Buy - or at least rent - an HD DSLR and create something to impress your colleagues and your clients. Judah S.
Harris is a photographer, filmmaker, speaker and writer. His
photography has
appeared in museum exhibits, on the Op-Ed Pages of the NY Times, on the
covers
of more than 40 novels, and in advertising all over the world. He
offers email marketing consulting services for visual artists and other
small businesses wanting to develop an email newsletter or program for
online promotions. Sign up
for his
own email newsletter to stay up to date on new projects and marketing
ideas.
www.judahsharris.com www.judahsharris.com/prints www.judahsharris.com/visualmarketing |
