The Basics: Creating a Holiday Home Video

When it comes to shooting holiday video, many of us simply hit the ‘record’ button and shoot whatever is in front of us. Maybe we ask people to say something; they offer an awkward smile and a wave and we’re off to the next unsuspecting family member. This year, take a few basic tips and let them transform your home video from amateur to extraordinary!

Beat the Crowds: If possible, take a few moments to video the surroundings before guests arrive. Zoom in on the decorations; shoot video of the tree, the presents or a cherished family photograph. If you have holiday lights or decorations outside the house, shoot some video of the front of the house as well as any snow or frost in the area. During the editing process (and editing is easier than you think), you can use these moments at the beginning of the video or as part of a transition.

Capture the Kitchen: Everyone knows that most of the real action happens in the kitchen! Capturing the conversations of family members reminiscing about holidays past, cooking together and enjoying one another’s company can make for a very personal and memorable holiday video. Try to stay back a bit—zoom in if possible—but keep your physical distance. You don’t want to intrude or hinder the natural flow of the conversation with your presence.

Get Some Support: This is one of those times when a tripod is an invaluable tool. Not only will it help you keep your shots steady, it can also become a fixture in a room—people will get used to it after awhile and you can capture more natural interactions. In fact, you can leave your camera running in one location for a bit; you’d be amazed at some of the unscripted gems you’ll record. Just keep an eye on your recording time! We have a number of high quality tripod options—just consider it an early Christmas present!

The Fun Interview Corner: Consider creating a small studio in the corner of a room to have friends and relatives share stories and sentiments on video. Offer lead-in questions such as, “What do you love most about the holidays?”, “What is your favorite holiday tradition?”, or “What is your funniest holiday memory?” Consider using an attractive chair and a small table with a family photo as shooting location. Also, pay attention to lighting—you don’t want your subject to appear harsh or washed out. Experiment with existing lighting and consider adding a small fill light if necessary.

Editing with Ease: If you’re new to video editing, get ready for a fun adventure! Don’t feel that you have to be proficient immediately. Instead, enjoy learning the basics—you’d be amazed at the quality of projects you can create with even the most basic software programs. Here are just a few programs for you to consider (please note we are not endorsing these choices, only sharing with you the most highly rated options):

· Adobe Lightroom

· Adobe Premiere Elements 9

· Apple Aperture

· Apple iMovie ‘11

· Corel Digital Studio 2010

· Cyberlink PowerDirector 8 Deluxe

· Windows Live Movie Maker 2011

Short Clips for Sharing: You can create short clips to share on Facebook, YouTube and on your personal blog. It’s a great way to connect with distant loved ones who were unable to attend.

The Perfect Gift: Once your video project is complete, send copies to everyone on your family gift list. Your storytelling skills will be warmly appreciated and your project will likely be one of the most valued and personal gifts your family has ever received.

The ABCs of HD Video on Your DSLR Camera

What a difference a decade makes!

In the last ten years, we’ve seen a mass exodus of photographers leaving film cameras for the many benefits digital technology has provided. The industry continues to progress, offering us a dizzying array of new features, accessories and ways of better leveraging the equipment we currently own. One of the most significant advancements is the ability to have a DSLR camera capable of shooting high quality video in low light conditions. This advancement opens doors in a variety of personal and professional applications.

To illustrate just how far we’ve come, the recent season finale of the television show House was shot entirely using the Canon 5D Mark II! The show’s director Greg Yaitanes states that he believes this is ‘the future,’ and we’re inclined to agree.

If you’re considering a new DSLR camera, here are a few reasons why you might consider getting one that has HD Video Capability:

Combination Convenience: Many people find they need to carry both a still camera and a video camera when they travel for vacation, special events or even attending simple functions such as a birthday party or anniversary bash. Having this combination allows us to consolidate the amount of equipment we need to care for and carry, and this benefit alone warrants serious consideration.

Depth of Field Benefits: Today’s DSLR cameras have an advantage over many of today’s current video cameras in that DSLR lenses have a greater DOF (depth of field) control than comparable video camera lenses. This is particularly beneficial for those instances where the photographer needs to convey a certain sense of distance or expansive space. Professionally shot films leverage a shallow depth of field, making the foreground sharp while keeping the background blurred. The HD DSLR cameras currently available provide greater flexibility and control over the DOF due to the ability to change lenses for different scenarios.

Using What You Already Own: One of the wonderful benefits of DSLR cameras is the ability to use lenses you already own on a new model DSLR body. If you’re considering a new HD DSLR camera, you may very well be able to use your existing lenses, which will allow you to further expand your options when experimenting with video.

More Potential Work for Working Photographers: Whether you make a part-time or full-time living as a professional photographer, the ability to shoot HD video opens countless new doors for you and your clients. Wedding photographers can now incorporate video clips of key moments in the ceremony and reception, commercial photographers can now assist with web-based promotion videos and related content, and school photographers can offer videos for schools looking to promote special events or looking for community support for fundraisers.

It’s important to note that learning to shoot high-quality video will take some time and experimentation—and learning to edit video is an additional skill you will need to study-- but it has never been a better time to consider this exciting new frontier. The technology that exists today would have cost tens of thousands of dollars just a few years ago. If you’re looking for a new way to expand your client offerings, this may be the perfect fit for you.