Wedding videography with a DSLR
If you have attended a wedding recently with video coverage, you may have noticed that instead of a regular video camera, the videographer was using the same camera as the photographer. No he was not trying to horn in on the photographer’s business (at least we hope not). He was shooting video, high quality HD video. Initially added on to digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLR) as an add-on, the video capabilities of these devices has been embraced by not only wedding videographers, but other filmmakers including those doing TV shows and documentaries, and in some cases Hollywood productions.
In most cases the cameras used are the Canon EOS 7D and 5DMKII although other models are also found. Why would we use a camera that is not specifically designed for video over one that is. The answer is image quality. DSLRs have much larger image sensors than video camcorders (at least those that wedding videographers can afford). This results in a much more film-like image due to the shallower depth of field. DLSRs are also more sensitive to light which allows us to get a cleaner image in dim lighting conditions. Another plus is interchangeable lenses. While many camcorders also have this feature, they tend to be big and bulky, not what we prefer shooting with. In fact a DSLR is smaller and lighter than the camcorders that we do use. As it looks just like the cameras that the photographer and guests have, it helps us blend in better.
But the main advantage is, as I mentioned, image quality. None of the HD cameras that are commonly used in wedding and event videography are quite as good, close perhaps, but the DSLR still has an advantage. As an example, several noted videographers recently created the concept film City Of Lakes in India using Canon DSLRs.
We have just started using a Canon 7D in our work. While we still use our camcorders, the 7D brings a new dimension to our work. It is also interesting that when I pulled the camera out of the bag at a wedding we were filming a couple of weeks ago, the bride knew all about using a DSLR for video. The word is getting around!
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Quoted in Sorenson Media Press Release
We were quoted by Sorenson Media this week in their press release for the Wedding and Event Videographers Association Expo. Sorenson Squeeze is a video encoder that we use for all of our web and iPod video.
Whenever I do a wedding, I put a trailer on my Web site and traffic increases. Its very important for trailers to look good, said wedding videographer Alan Robinson, owner of Bonnie Blink Productions in West Chester, Penn. I use Sorenson Squeeze to create top quality Flash video for my Web site. Several colleagues have commented on how good my Web video looks and I recommend Sorenson Squeeze to them.
Here is the link:
Wedding and Event Videographers Capture Top Quality Encoding, Workflow Solutions from Sorenson Media
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Technical Posts Moved
We have moved our technical postings to a new blog. The link is:
http://alansvideotech.blogspot.com
We have done this to keep the Bonnie Blink Productions blog oriented towards our clients. Technical readers can still access these posts at the new site, and any links to the old blog posts will be automatically redirected.
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Audio tips presentation at the November GPVA meeting
I was asked to make a short presentation on indoor wedding videography techniques at the November meeting of the Greater Philadelphia Videographers Association. I chose as my subject, reception audio tips. The presentation was well received and numerous question were asked by the members. I have posted my notes (more extensive then the talk) here. Also included are tips for ceremony audio. While these will be most beneficial to videographers, they are also informative to clients who would like a good understanding of how we work with audio.
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Announcing Wide Screen High Definition Services
We are pleased to announce that we are now taping all weddings using high definition equipment. What this means for our clients is that our videos will now be in a wide screen format, for today’s high definition televisions.
In addition our Deluxe and Ultimate package clients will also receive a high definition Blu-Ray compatible copy of their Wedding Highlights. And with the Ultimate Package, you will get the entire package on Blu-Ray disk (along with standard DVDs).
We will still offer non-widescreen services on request, as well as Blu-Ray as an add on to the Basic Package.
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For the groom – Wearing a microphone
Most videographers outfit the groom with either a wireless microphone or a digital recorder before the wedding ceremony, so we have a clear recording of the vows.
We usually place a small clip-on microphone on the groom’s lapel. This picks up audio from both the bride and groom. Why do we only mic the groom? There are two reasons, Since the bride and groom are facing each other during the vows, the bride’s voice will usually be as loud and clear as the groom. The second is appearance. While a small dark colored microphone is almost invisible on the groom’s tux, it is quite noticeable on the bride’s dress. In addition, it is connected to a wireless transmitter or digital recorder. We can easily hide these in an inside pocket, or on the groom’s belt. It isn’t so easy to hide such a device on a wedding gown.
In most cases, we put the microphone on right before the ceremony, and remove it afterwards. It is important not to turn it off or touch any of the controls as this could cause us not to be able to record your wedding vows. Remember that once the ceremony has started, we can’t come over and fix anything.
The microphone is sensitive enough that you only need to talk in a normal tone of voice. As long as you speak loud enough to be heard by your guests, we will get a good recording.
Use of extra microphones is one reason to have a professional do your wedding video. We have the equipment and experience to allow the entire ceremony to sound great.
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