Videography

Videography and photography share a foundation — light, composition, optics — but moving images have their own demands around motion, audio, frame rate, and narrative pacing. This section is built for photographers who shoot video or want to start, covering the transition from stills to motion: the gear decisions, the technical differences, and the storytelling skills that make video work compelling rather than just competent.

A Case for Digitizing Your Old VHS Tapes

There is an entire generation of memories currently trapped in VHS and unless we act to rescue them, these may continue to languish there. Years of video footage are stuck in these old tape formats that are usually relegated to a bookshelf somewhere in the house or stored in a box in the basement.

This Film Was Shot on an iPhone, but That's Not What Made It Impressive

Every once in a while an article pops up claiming a cool looking video or an image was shot on an iPhone. Often this becomes a stage for arguments between Apple and non-Apple fans. I decided to look at this film with a different mindset and hopefully you will appreciate it too from a filmmaking standpoint. 

Winners of the Second Annual AirVuz Drone Video Awards Announced

Just a few years back, AirVuz (air-views), a very popular place to share drone videos, has started their own Annual Drone Video Awards. With over $10,000 dollars in prizes, the winners of their second annual festival were announced yesterday.

 

Ten Great Cameras That Shoot 1080p for Less Than $300

With the endless hype surrounding the amazing features of every new camera, it’s easy to forget that there are plenty of incredible tools available for those on a tight budget. Cinematographer Caleb Pike has put together a list of 10 cameras that are great for video but cost less than $300. 

Why the Canon EOS RP Sucks for Video

As an avid Canon user I tend to ignore the constant stream of hate for Canon across the Internet but this just doesn't make any sense. How can you leave these features out regardless of the price? 

Tips for Shooting Vertical Video as a Pro

With most website traffic overwhelmingly coming from smartphones, a client is going to ask for portrait content sooner or later. How can you avoid the major pitfalls? 

Sony a6400: Perhaps the Best Camera Under $1,000

I've gotten to play with the Sony a6400 for the last couple of days and although it's not exactly what I'm looking for, it still may be the best camera for sale currently under $1,000.  

Getting Started With Bird Videography: A Three-Part Series

Bird photography is a lot of fun, but once video gets into the mix it can be really confusing on how to do it right. Tim Boyer shares three educational videos containing many tips that will get you off on the right foot. 

Comparing the Blackmagic Design Pocket With a RED Cinema Camera

Last year, Blackmagic Design released their much-anticipated Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, a beast of a machine that offers a rather stunning amount of resolution and features all packed into one tiny unit. How does it stack up against a professional cinema camera that’s worth 10 times as much? 

How to Shoot Light Trails Motion Time-Lapse

Capturing light trails is a way of making your night shots more dynamic. By using the same technique with proper gear, you can create your own time-lapse videos with light trails.  

Ten Easy Ways to Improve Your YouTube Videos

In today's competitive marketplace, successful photographers are finding themselves creating more and more content that isn't strictly photo based. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook are reaching more and more people with video content. In today's article, I outline 10 simple tips you can use to polish your video content. 

How to Dolly Zoom Without a Dolly or a Zoom Lens

The "dolly zoom" or "zolly" was made famous by Hitchcock in the movie "Vertigo" and since then has been used in countless Hollywood movies. Just a few years ago, this move was almost impossible to pull off but with today's new gear, almost anyone can do it.  

Important Filmmaking Advice From David Fincher

Have you talked to experienced filmmakers? It's like attending a miniature film school where you can almost get a degree. Here are a few solid tips from David Fincher himself that you can apply to to small productions you may be in charge of. 

When Gear Matters

It is widely acknowledged that necessity is the mother of invention. DIY and jury-rigged lighting setups are all the rage these days. The phrase "gear doesn't matter" has become a mantra.

Basic Tips for Every Beginning Filmmaker

Everyone starts somewhere, and the world of video and filmmaking is no different. Whether your aspirations are to get a YouTube channel off the ground or to break into full-length feature films, starting off on the right foot when you're a total beginner is easier than you may think. 

This Incredible New York City Time-Lapse May Be the Best I've Seen

Anyone who has ever been to New York City remembers their first impression, amazement, and awe. Photographer Michael Shainblum credits this feeling as one of the main reasons he got into photography in the first place. You will be glad he did when you check out this amazing three-minute tribute to the city that never sleeps. 

Moza Air 2 Review: Balance and Setup Guide

If you are on the fence about choosing a gimbal then the Moza Air 2 is worth a serious look. Not only is it more affordable than its rival, the DJI Ronin S, but it also has some different features that may interest you.

$25,000 for a Wedding? It's Easier Than You Think!

The market is saturated — true. Competition is driving prices into the ground — sure. But it can be done: generating more income through wedding photography can be achieved. The question is, are you up for the challenge?  

Save Nearly $1,200 on Nikon's New Z6 Filmmaker Kit

Nikon has just announced that it's putting together a neat little package that contains everything an aspiring videographer needs to enter the pro market. And discounts on gear aren't the only things on offer. 

Eight Ways to Use Your Gimbal for Cinematic Shots

Got a gimbal for Christmas? I didn't, but I'm not bitter about it at all. In fact, I'm so happy for you that I thought I'd share this video by The Slanted Lens to help you on your way to getting some smooth, cinematic shots. 

Five Mistakes Photographers Make When They Move Into Video

More and more photographers are starting to also add video work to their services, and while there are certainly some similarities between the two, it's important to understand the differences and unique requirements of video. This great video will show you five of the most common mistakes photographers make when they first undertake video work. 

Storyboarding: Too Useful and Too Easy Not to Do

Filmmaking requires a lot of forethought and discipline to stay organized. For those of us interested in recording our toes dipping into the proverbial water, it's a good idea to learn to storyboard. In this video, photographer Iz Harris breaks down her simple process for those new to the concept.  

Unlocking the Memories in 8mm Tapes

Nothing beats the thrill of discovery — especially if that discovery involves a long-lost tape of your 80s era wedding, for example.  You may have photographs of the beautiful venue, the ruffled bridal dress, the white balloon arches… but a video can make your memories of that day come alive in a whole new way.

Netflix Releases 'Tales by Light' Season Three

Netflix recently released the newest season of its photography-centered TV show "Tales by Light." 

"Tales by Light" is a documentary and reality show based on photographers' work around the world. The National Geographic and Canon joint venture focuses on photographers who attempt to tell a compelling story through their travels and images.

Fstoppers Reviews Zhiyun-Tech WEEBILL LAB Gimbal: Imperfect but Brilliant

Most gimbals that have been released in the last few years have had a similar design and aesthetic. For the most part, they've had a long handle where the batteries go in and the gimbal head on top. Recently, Zhiyun-Tech released their latest gimbal and I believe this will have quite the impact on the gimbal industry as a whole. 

 

How to Mix Frame Rates in Video

When beginning to work with video, many new learners will struggle with choosing the correct frame rate for their projects. In this quick, but information-packed video, Gerald Undone guides us visually through what the different frame rates look like and gives suggestions on how to mix them. 

How to Get Epic Product Footage on a Budget

With product photography and videography, capturing the details is very important. You don't need a ton of space to capture some amazing video clips of various products; see how you can get epic clips right in your home! 

Simple DJI Ronin Hack To Speed Up Your Balancing

If you are searching for a way to capture smoother video footage and to make your videos look more cinematic, then a gimbal will definitely help you, provided you have it set up and balanced correctly. In this article, you will discover a simple hack to get your DJI Ronin S setup and balanced fast. 

The More Cameras Change, the More the Basics Stay the Same

The more things change, the more they stay the same. 

I am a commercial photographer. I make my living by generating the individual frames that represent brands in the marketplace. My job is to tell complete stories, full of character detail and emotion, within a single shot.

Jordan Manley Artistically Films ‘A Skier's Journey’

If you're anything like me then you know there's nothing better than watching adventure films when you're not outside yourself. Not only does this make us more excited to get after our next outing, but it inspires motivation and new ideas for ways to document our adventures.

The Argument Against Photographers Offering Video Services: Part 2

In the first article in this series, I discussed themes that would affect freelance photographers most: mixed-message branding, teaming up for video, and the opportunity cost. This second piece focuses on some of the issues that hit us photographers where it hurts most: profitability of video services, client satisfaction, and the sheer embarrassment of moving to the dark side! 

Why We Love Wide Screens

Have you ever wondered why the back of your DSLR has a wide screen on it, or why your monitor at home has a landscape-orientated format? I always thought this was scientifically proven to be the best and most powerful way to watch motion on a screen, but this video shows us how wide screens became the standard. 

The Basics of How to Shoot Video to Make More Money

As photographers, it is often incredibly simple to just stay in your safe lane and stick to photos. I know people that have been photographing for years and never once touched the video function on their DSLR. They are intimidated by it.