Photography News | Issue 45 | absolutephoto.com
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Technique
Pro focus
What’s all the fuss about? More and more pros are shooting
video as well as stills. The latest issue of Professional Photo looks into this with the first in a new series telling you all you need to know to get filming
Words by Roger Payne
The EOS 5D Mark II has a lot to answer for. When Canon added the ability to capture Full HD video to a full-frame DSLR it created ripples in the world of photography that have gone on to become a tidal wave. Nowadays, you can’t buy a camera without learning what video specs it offers, not to mention read about how professional photographers who have switched to shooting both stills and video are making tidy profits as a result. So where does that leave you? Well, the good news is you’re not behind the times just yet. There are plenty of pros shooting both stills and video, but there are also plenty who aren’t, so opportunities are still there for the taking. And in its next six issues Professional Photo will be giving you a comprehensive grounding in the whys, whats and hows of shooting movies to make sure you’re ready. Why bother with video? Every now and again, something comes along that fundamentally changes the way you do your job. Before DSLRs shooting video became a thing, the biggest seismic change in our arena came when digital trampled all over film’s neatly tended borders. Video should be seen in a similar way. Your clients aren’t daft; they know that cameras can be used to make movies and will ask if you can shoot them. If you don’t, they’ll
ask someone else. But don’t look at this as a threat, see it instead as an opportunity. Adding an extra skill set to your business is a good thing – it should add pounds to your bottom line. And the good news is, you already possess many of the skills to make it happen. If you know how to compose a good still image, you know how to frame a good shot for a video. If you know how depth-of-field works, you can pick your subject out from a background in a movie, and if you know how important light is in every image you take, you can successfully light amovie scene. Yes, many of your skills are transferable – you just need to add a few more to start filming. It’s never been easier to start shooting high-quality movies. Pretty much every DSLR and CSC can capture Full HD, and some have the added quality of 4K footage (four times the size of Full HD). You do need some extra gear to start creating credible video content, but it doesn’t have to involve a new camera. That said, if you do fancy using video as an excuse to upgrade your kit, it’s a good reason. Want to know more? You can find out more, including plenty of advice on the various bits of gear available, aswell as the basics of video exposure and planning in issue 133 of Professional Photo , which is out now.
Images Before you shoot your first video, do your homework with Professional Photo ’s new series on filming with your DSLR or CSC.
Professional Photo
This article first appeared in issue 133 of Professional Photo , on sale now. It’s packed with inspiring images and tips for aspiring pros and those already making a living. absolutephoto.com
You’ll findmore insight in the latest Professional Photo – the UK’s best magazine for full-time and aspiring pro photographers
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