[quote=SSam]
suntouched wrote:
I can't address the video capabilities but ask me in a few months because I fully intend to get more involved in video. /quote]
I got 'into' video a few years ago and was shocked on how important "other things" (than good quality video shots) are. I purchased two or three books about video and the least expensive of all of them was the most informative for me. The title is: "Shoot Video that Doesn't Suck". It is written by Steve Stockman. Have fun expanding your 'story telling' using video. PS I don't get a commission for book sales. ;-)
I can't address the video capabilities but ask me ... (
show quote)
Yes, that is a helpful tome.
Probably the most important thing to remember about video is that you ARE telling stories, and stories take some planning and structure. I can always tell when someone just turned on the camera without having a point. My mind wanders in about 20 seconds...
AUDIO is hugely important to video. Those of us who've created videos for years understand that at least 60% of the message a video communicates is transmitted through the sound track. The sound provides more context and meaning than the images.
If you're doing any sort of formal video for others to watch:
Have a point!
Outline it.
Script it.
Storyboard it. (Plan the scene sequences.)
Edit the script and storyboard, ruthlessly.
Narrate voice-overs, if there is explanatory narration over some scenes.
Record. (Stage, light, rehearse, direct... to varying degrees according to the program material)
Edit visuals to fit the sound.
Edit sounds to fit the visuals.
Add sound effects and music.
Vary the pace of the show to suit the content.
It is a process... Every part of that process seems to have accompanying technology. Fortunately, MOST of that technology is either in the camera or an outboard audio recorder and your computer and software.
Don't overlook the power of still photos, scanned and panned and zoomed as Ken Burns does in his videos for PBS.
Don't overlook the power of music (properly LICENSED, of course). Synchronizing visual changes to the beat of music is one of the best ways to maintain interest. It can be tricky, but it is quite mesmerizing.
I know way too many still photographers who think there is something either difficult, or evil, or scary, or strange, about video. There isn't! It just takes more thought and time to do well.