Hybridism-what is your strategy?

[Bamboopictures]

Any one here ever get requests to do both photo and videos for the same event shoot?
Is it even possible ? Would you end up with more photos or videos? Are grabs from videos usable for print?
What is the best lighting strategy for hybrid jobs?

 

[JacePhoto]

Yes I do get such requests. But usually from clients who want video first. Clients who wants print usually stick to prints. That's why for my equipment choices, it's always cameras that can capture images first followed by videos. So my choices are cameras like Nikon cameras, (Canon 5D, Sony a7r) that can produce pictures first. Usually for the shoot, it would be between the video breaks that the stills are shot. As a client/ editor, image capture from video image are unusable in print formats. Images from m4/3 video cameras like GH series or from Sony handycam IMHO are not 'usable'. If used for printing, I wld limit it to A5 size max. Just my two cents.

 

[Bamboopictures]

Yes I do get such requests. But usually from clients who want video first. Clients who wants print usually stick to prints. That's why for my equipment choices, it's always cameras that can capture images first followed by videos. So my choices are cameras like Nikon cameras, (Canon 5D, Sony a7r) that can produce pictures first. Usually for the shoot, it would be between the video breaks that the stills are shot. As a client/ editor, image capture from video image are unusable in print formats. Images from m4/3 video cameras like GH series or from Sony handycam IMHO are not 'usable'. If used for printing, I wld limit it to A5 size max. Just my two cents.

Thanks for sharing! Seems workable if client expectation can be managed beforehand. Do you use the same camera for both stills and video to the media event or do you bring separate sets?

 

[JacePhoto]

I use the same camera. Previously was using D800. Now D3300 w your recommended Sony PJ 660EV. (My type of client) can accept 1920 x 1080 HD.

Personally in terms of picture quality D3300 is barely acceptable, but am choosing it because of lightweight (D800 is a heavy weight killer). In terms of video quality, i don't see a difference.

Ideally, i would like to use Sony a7r. However personally i think it doesn't badly in terms of noise (for stills).

 

[JacePhoto]

Actually to express some more of my own 'views'.

This can be good as a 'product extension'. If you are already an accomplished photographer and videographer, and can offer an 'upgrade' to the client'. Rather than the client paying for 2 person, you may be able to charge 150% more of your usual rate. The cons is the probably the stress and maybe industry condemnation? The pros is you probably can have more ownership and control over the production. How many a times do the photographer/ videographer step into your scene, etc.

Also on the lighting.... I try to use a fast lens and shoot in natural lighting. The only light modifier is a reflector. As a OMO, travel light, hit hard, retreat quick is the way to go?

Nowadays client's budget are limited, so the way to turn around is 'speed' (IMHO).

 

[kandinsky]

Timely post. Been thinking about this, have had a couple of requests too.

How I've seen hybrid photography defined by some is that the final delivered product is looks like a slideshow of stills with video clips inserted. Have to say it doesn't really appeal to me, and the limited examples I've seen tend to look 'cheap' and somewhat dated in feel. This approach seems to be stills-priority, and video clips are grabbed where appropriate/possible, so they're not really shooting to edit a highlight video, but individual standalone clips that will be inserted in a stills slideshow. I think I'd personally prefer a video-priority approach, with stills for stuff which don't really benefit from being in videos (group photos, etc)?

I guess it really depends on what the client really wants. I imagine while some actually want a set of stills for printing, in addition to a video, others may actually just be interested in a 'hybrid product' as defined above.

Anyway, first thoughts are that we'll definitely need to communicate clearly that covering an event with both stills & video deliverables as a single shooter means that the overall product will be a combination of both. E.g., 50% stills + 50% video (or whatever ratio client would prefer) = Final Product (100%). It's a bit obvious, but I suspect clients may tend to expect 100% stills + 100% video = Final Product (200%).

E.g., For a 2-hour event, if I might normally give you a X min highlight video, in a 50/50 hybrid situation, I may only be able to give you 1/2X min highlight video, as the other moments will be represented in stills instead.

It would probably also be helpful to work out beforehand if the client has moments which they definitely want in stills and which in video.

 

[XsenseX]

Shoot with 4K cameras like (GH4, AX100, A7s) ...
Shoot on tripod at 90% of the time ...

Most prob, you will be able to get very good image grabs from the 4k video.

I'm not sure if anyone wants to go into this hybrid service.

 

[Sgdevilzz]

Shoot with 4K cameras like (GH4, AX100, A7s) ...
Shoot on tripod at 90% of the time ...

Most prob, you will be able to get very good image grabs from the 4k video.

I'm not sure if anyone wants to go into this hybrid service.

It's good if there's 4k video but be mindful about the motion blur. You won't get sharp images even with 4k video if your video shutter speed is 1/50 or 180.0d

 

[Bamboopictures]

Thanks for sharing. Do photographers generally do some editing their image before handing over or is it acceptable to charge a lower rate but deliver the photo files "as is"?

 

[XsenseX]

It's good if there's 4k video but be mindful about the motion blur. You won't get sharp images even with 4k video if your video shutter speed is 1/50 or 180.0d

Yeah. For sure. That's why must shoot on tripod as much as possible. Or over the shoulder supported.

Panning must do quick pans. No slow panning shots cause will have motion blur. So your screen grabs are all from the zero movement shots.

And bamboo, event shots might not need editing if its very budget projects. Weddings, if u want to throw wholesale, u will sure kena complains.

 

[kandinsky]

Yeah, a photog at an event (where I was hired to shoot video) simply passed the client his memory cards immediately after the shoot for transfer to a laptop. Have to say I envied the guy, his job was complete the moment he stepped out of the venue, while I still had a good 20 gigs of footage to ingest/edit. ;p

 

[JacePhoto]

Yeah, a photog at an event (where I was hired to shoot video) simply passed the client his memory cards immediately after the shoot for transfer to a laptop. Have to say I envied the guy, his job was complete the moment he stepped out of the venue, while I still had a good 20 gigs of footage to ingest/edit. ;p

Can mean only two things. Damn good or damn cheap.

I know of a friend as an event photographer for 20 years straight. When I saw his pics, it was without the need to edit. He calibrates his camera so well, the OOC jpegs are already good for print.

On the other hand, I know one who uses the top range gears of $20k cannot even compose his shots right. I even faint when he tells me he charges wedding couples $6 k for a job and shoots only once or twice a month. My jaws dropped.

I hope the photographer you saw was the first type. Haha

 

[Bamboopictures]

Timely post. Been thinking about this, have had a couple of requests too.

How I've seen hybrid photography defined by some is that the final delivered product is looks like a slideshow of stills with video clips inserted.

Thanks for qualifying the term. Actually, I was thinking of looser definition where a clients wants stills for prints/web and a separate video but expects the videographer to provide both. Haha.

Most slideshows could definitely with some videos but on rare occasions, I will propose kenburns style slideshows when asked to produce a video. There's something nostalgic about black and white photographs.

Looking forward to playing with 4K still grabs. May be that could be the answer!

 

[kandinsky]

Thanks for qualifying the term. Actually, I was thinking of looser definition where a clients wants stills for prints/web and a separate video but expects the videographer to provide both. Haha.

Ah, I see... Yeah, similar to how I would personally define it too.

Saw this article mentioning how some people have basically made their own dual camera rigs:

http://45surfer.wordpress.com/

The article also mentioned a NYT photographer using what was effectively two DSLRs on top of another back in 2011. I guess it works if one doesn't need really on-camera audio for diegetic sound, e.g., for footage set to music, VOs. Mounting two cameras sounds silly when most of us are trying to shave weight off our rigs, but perhaps less crazy since we have a lot more lightweight options with fairly good IQ/AF these days, like the GM1, GX7.

Found the actual article about:
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/13/shooting-twice-at-once/

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While the GH3 supports some form of simultaneous shooting, I've never explored it much.
Just took a peek at the GH4 manual, looks similar.

 

[Bamboopictures]

Wow! Thanks for the links! Great resource and inspiration for hybrid shooters who needs to do both photography and videography. The GH4 holds some promise for this purpose. Wonder what the A7s would add to the mix. I think shooting with flash would be tricky for hybrid cameras.

 

[Sgdevilzz]

That's a pretty hardcore rig there. If you have the strength to carry that! In my opinion it still limits the still image's side. There is less creativity being shot there. Alternatively you could mount a Gopro and do interval still shooting. Some distortion correction in post.

All that said it's very tedious. Personally i'll just hire a junior photographer if the budget is low.

 

[Bamboopictures]

There is less creativity being shot there. Alternatively you could mount a Gopro and do interval still shooting.

Good suggestion! I think the camera-on-camera rig can yield acceptable composition but focusing could be a problem. Maybe the new Lytro Illum (https://www.lytro.com/#) will provide some leeway in focusing after the fact. The pulling focus on still images certainly makes for an interesting slideshow as well!

 

[JacePhoto]

I tested the a7r on a recent road trip. I think i am happy with the lightweight and clear (video) solution with high megapixel pictures.