I knew it was coming. My brother and I discussed it many years ago, and now it is here. Still photography is merging with video. Yeah, it's been around for a little while, but the quality/usability is almost a reality. I decided to buy a decent video camera (Canon Vixia HF S10) that gave me good HD quality to start learning the ropes. Why not use the Canon 5D MKII or new 7D? Although, I love the video quality of the 5D, there were too many compromises for my shooting style and equipment bag. I primarily shoot with a 1DS MK III, and the 5D is just too different of a body to fit into my work flow. I have always preferred the layout of the pro bodies and don't like digging through menus to get to my most used functions. Consumer video cameras are menu crazy, you say? Correct, but it is a small and relatively self contained system that doesn't force me to carry another big body with separate batteries etc. When I'm traveling, keeping the bag as light as possible is a big deal. Not easy with pro bodies and glass. The 3X expense over the Vixia is a bigger consideration, especially when it doesn't doesn't fit my shooting style. If the 1DS Mk4 comes out with decent video capabilities, that will be the perfect solution for me. In the meantime the Vixia is a good compromise for the time being in this fast developing climate.
With the convergence accelerating, I really wanted to start learning the language, techniques, and work flow of video. Thus far, I have found that many things translate directly over. Exposure, composition, and steadiness all apply. Processing, software, editing, story telling, etc. not so much. I know that clients will be wanting me to offer video services in the future, and I've already had to pass on a few jobs this year because of my ignorance, so here we go.
Last weekend, I shot some video of my friend and neighbor Ignacio sailing in the Long Beach area, and put together a quick video to music. View it on Vimeo here. It isn't going to win any awards, but I am happy with it as a first try. I have never shot any type of video before, which seems strange because video cameras have been cheap and readily available for so long. I even bought one for my wife a few years ago that I never even held up to my eye. I told her that video was her responsibility, and I stuck to to stills. Consequently, we have no home movies to speak of. My interest only started peaking last year when HD started becoming decent, and flash memory started putting tape out to pasture. I can now shoot about six hours of video at the highest quality without the hassle of tape. With a decent panning head that I put on top of my RRS ball head (with adapter) I am all set for my upcoming trip to Panama. Switching between a still and video camera is a bit of a challenge as I found out last weekend, but I am looking forward to the opportunity of adding a new dimension to my artistic endeavors.
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