Evansology 113 – Use video to add value
Here’s a picture of the bracket I use that I made out of spare parts:
A similar bracket can be found at B & H at this link. Or if you want your Flip mounted off camera, you can use a Gorilla Pod.
If you want to check out Animoto, you can use the code “rodevans” to get an extra 30 days free with your 1 year paid membership.
Wow Rod! You never cease to amaze me! That is one awesome idea! I love it! Where do you find the time to do all of this?
Rod, thanks so much, it’s a really cool idea.
you know, i like your hotshoe better than b&h’s.
so where did you get your spare part…
)
been a follower of your work. you an amazing
person, photographer and biz man.
wishing you the very best.
-j
Hey Rod. Great idea! If you mount the video camera on your hot shoe, do you have to hardwire your camera or do you have another method of transmission?
When you have another device on your hotshoe..you can use the gorilla pod for those times..hook the gorilla pod to your tripod or somewhere handy..or as you mentioned you could use the cord to your trigger instead of mounting it to your tripod.. mount the trigger to the tripod with velcro..that would be the easiest.
I made it from parts from a small video light bracket..
http://www.ptps.com/order/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=6069 this is a link to the ringlight..
I love it!
Thanks for sharing Rod. I’ve been using my Flip mounted to a Stroboframe. That way you keep the hot shoe available for a pocket wizard, etc. and you can easily change to vertical format while continuing to capture video.
RIck that is an awesome idea..I think i will try that out also..I have an old one laying around here somewhere.
thanks for the tip!!
That is such an amazing idea. I have been wondering how to remember to take video while I am in a shoot and never seem to want to miss the shot by switching my camera to video mode. How would you set off your strobes if you are using your hotshoe for the video camera? At the moment, I have pocket wizards taking up that space.
Look at Rick’s comment..I’ve been using my Flip mounted to a Stroboframe
well that’s one way to destroy the art of film, by taking the “lazy mans” route just so you can make some more money. if your clients are going to pay for video, why not just get a cheap 7D and have an assistant (or even tripod setup) to get the shots? at least you’d have a semi-quality product. that’s no different than a filmmaker attaching a point and shoot to their camera in full auto mode set to take an exposure every few seconds and billing it as “video + photo”. how lifeless and artless that product would be….
even better….collaborate with a local talented filmmaker to do a fusion shoot with you on your shoots. there are some INCREDIBLE photographers out there that are taking that route and their end products are mind-blowing and the clients are loving it.
Aaron,
This is not film making, and I am not pretending it is. I wish I were a film maker. I have incredible respect for that craft. All I am doing is using 3-5 second behind the scene clips to add some interest to the slideshow. My clients really like it.
I wish I could have a real filmmaker with me on every shoot, but they command a premium price (and rightfully so). In certain situations and for certain clients, it’s a possibility, but for a slideshow for my average senior client, it’s not an option. A client who wants fantastic video of their photo session (or wedding) will hire a filmmaker.
-Rod
Aaron- The idea behind Rod’s tutorial is to capture short clips of video to mix with a slide presentation. Are you familiar with Animoto? http://www.animoto.com
We’re not trying to imitate the work of filmmakers. We’re just adding a little motion and sound to the presentation of images. The clients love the presentations with or without the video clips mixed in.
Our wedding clients that want professional video will hire a videographer in addition to our photography services.
Are you a local filmmaker? (Sioux Falls, SD area) If so, I would like to see your work. Clients that want video usually ask us for referrals.
Rod,
This is a great idea that I intend to implement IMMEDIATELY! Thank you for sharing. I have been using video in my slideshows also: http://vimeo.com/7777582 But your way is far easier than switching back and forth between video and still on my 5d.
Aaron… if we had Liebovitz budget we would. Give Rod a break and don’t hate… appreciate.
I loved this idea so after a bot of thought, I’ve made a bracket from a hotshoe spirit level (perspex block type) which I drilled through and glued in a cut-off Hama mini tripod. This cost me next to nothing. It looks fine and has enough flexibility in the stumpy, cut-off legs to adjust the video camera angle a wee bit.
Thanks for sharing this great idea. I use animoto for clients and can’t wait to try adding video clips.
Of course, it only works if you keep the camera landsape and I tend to shoot portrait so it will take a bit of thought while shooting…
GENIUS! As soon as I saw it I jumped to the “where does my trigger go” then I remembered something I had seen a while ago…. A straight bracket that can fix to the tripod mount and put the video off to the side… check it out below, under $10!
http://www.adorama.com/Reviews/pwr/product-reviews/Flash-Lighting/Adorama/p/FABS-Adorama-Straight-Bracket-for-Small-35mm-and-Digital-Cameras.html
another option to give you landscape/portrait coverage would be this, two hotshoe’s so you can pick which one you want
$15
http://www.adorama.com/SVAS.html?searchinfo=Light+Accessory+Bracket
Awesome idea Rod! I love the idea of using video with the photos. Certainly something to play with.
Rod,
What do you do when you are about to take a vertical shot? I saw in your slideshow that there is some video before a vertical shot. Do you take a clip of video first, then flip your camera to be vertical?
Also, I have the same ring light as you, but the Flip blows out the images to where it is way too bright. Did you edit the footage a little to darken the ring light shots?
Thanks for the inspiration!
Shannon