One Vs. Two Cameras
Two camera shoots are becoming more and more popular. With sites like youtube allowing you to upload your video and the ubiquity of mobile media devices allowing you to carry and share your videos with others, video quality has become more of a necessity. When I first started shooting, only higher end weddings had two video shooters. Now when I meet with couples, the first question they ask me is if I offer a second shooter. Hiring me to shoot solo is fine. Hiring me plus another shooter is better.
Stacy and Mark’s wedding was shot with one camera:
Jennifer and Ronny’s wedding was shot with two cameras:
Camcorders vs. HDSLRs
This past year I started shooting with HDSLRs on wedding shoots. For some shoots however, I still use a traditional professional HD camcorder. Each type of camera has its own strength and I want to differentiate between the two so that you have a clear idea of what type of video I am producing for you. If you have a preference for either, please let me know ahead of time and I will make sure to use that type of camera for your wedding. Each has a specific look and a different workflow. Depending on which one I use, it will effect how the video is shot and how long it will take me to produce.
Professional HD Camcorders
I use Panasonic HD Camcorders. Everybody knows what a camcorder looks like. It has a fixed lens attached to a larger body and has XLR inputs that allow you to use professional microphones. The benefit of using a traditional camcorder is that they record both video and audio and these cameras have been specifically designed for live event coverage.
Professional HD Camcorders are great for run and gun type of videography. Aside from composing the shot, setting the levels. and making sure all the settings are correct, there isn’t a lot of set up. Specifically for weddings, they are best suited for longer events (ceremonies that are longer than 30 minutes, longer speeches, etc) and/or events that are more random or not planned to the minute.
Jen and Ian’s was wedding shot on a Panasonic professional HD Camcorder.
HDSLRs
I use Canon HDSLR cameras. SLR cameras have traditionally been limited to still photography but with the introduction of Nikon and Canon’s HDSLRs, there has been a revolution of sorts in videography. Using an HDSLR gives me, the videographer, all the benefits of still photography. HDSLRs work better than traditional camcorders in low light, have bigger more sensitive sensors, and have interchangeable lenses. Much like a still photographer, I am able to produce an image that has a shallower depth of field using an HDSLR. These cameras are also smaller and more subtle, so you and your guests won’t feel like you are being followed around by a videographer.
HDSLR cameras work well for weddings that are planned and scheduled to the minute and are better suited for shorter ceremonies. There is more set up involved with HDSLR cameras because they require separate devices to record audio. Also because of the shallower depth of field, more planning is required and less flexibility involved. Shooting with an HDSLR might require a second shooter as well because of the specifics of the camera. I recommend HDSLR more for organized weddings because they allow me more time to plan ahead and set up. To put it simply, HDSLR cameras create stunning images but the workflow is more complicated.
Candace and Matt’s wedding was shot with Canon HDSLRs.
Sound
Sound is an important and often overlooked aspect of film in general and weddings specifically. The best wedding footage shot on the most amazing camera is worthless unless you can hear the bride and groom exchanging their vows.
When shooting with a professional HD camcorder I use a camera mounted shotgun mic, a lavalier, and possibly a sound recorder to plug into a PA system/DJ booth for backup. It is a very simple set up because camcorders are designed to capture both video and audio and have xlr inputs for professional microphones. The audio and video are recorded together and don’t require syncing later.
HDSLRs require dual system sound recording where the video and audio are recorded on different devices. I use redundant system of audio capture to make sure that every word is recorded. For the wedding ceremony this includes a lavalier mic for the groom and if possible (I strongly recommend) for whomever is presiding over the ceremony. For the both the ceremony and reception I use various sound recorders that can be plugged into the sound system or be placed on the podium or speaker. Later in post production, the audio and video files have to be synced.
For more information about audio and cameras, feel free to contact me to set up a meeting.
The Film Look
After seeing sample wedding clips, a lot of brides ask me about certain videos that have the “film look.” Specifically they are interested in the grainy tinted aesthetic that is generally associated with old 16mm or 8mm film. I shoot everything on video but there are techniques I use in post to make video look like film.
Here is a sample of video that has been processed to look like film.