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.

Bird Banding in the Peruvian Amazon: New YouTube Docuseries

Ever wonder what it’s like to do bird research in the Amazon jungle? 

This YouTube short series offers a glimpse into what it is like to be a biologist in the Amazonian jungles of Peru. Follow each team of biologists as they describe what their day-to-day work looks like in a remote jungle. Learn how to join the team yourself and how to get started.

The Best Single Lens for Travel Filmmaking: 24-70mm

I love prime lenses—they’re always my preference—but I had to travel across Spain recently to make a documentary film and was traveling light. I had to pick my lenses carefully, so I chose the 24-70mm as my main lens. I quickly discovered it was the perfect travel lens. 

Affordable Cinema-Style Lenses That Can Help Create Beautiful Visuals

If you're looking at getting into filmmaking or just want to make your videos look cinematic, a lot may hinge on the lens choice, and that can be tricky to resolve. In this video, take a look at a range of lenses that could take your videos to the next level. 

3 Gimbal Upgrades I Wish I Made Months Ago

For any videographer, getting your equipment setup just right is key to achieving smoother workflows and better-quality shots. Recently, I upgraded my gimbal setup with a few accessories that have made a significant impact on both my shooting experience and footage quality. Looking back, I wish I had invested in these upgrades much sooner.

 

How Good Is the New Insta360 Ace Pro 2 Action Camera?

If you're in the market for a new action camera for your behind-the-scenes work, or you know, actual action, the new Insta360 might be worth a look. So, in this video, see what it's capable of. 

Mobile Creators Rejoice: Lexar’s Go Portable SSD Can Save You Money

If you’re creating content on your iPhone, Apple’s storage pricing can make it very difficult to justify using storage-heavy workflows like ProRes. Lexar’s Go Portable SSD, however, is specially designed to be the perfect external storage pairing for iPhones and other USB-C mobile devices. 

What It’s Like to Use an iPod Nano as an Everyday Camcorder

Five years ago, I suggested that Apple get into the dedicated camera game again by turning its long-neglected (and now officially dead) iPod touch into a sweet connected camera. It didn't happen, but apparently there are some folks who appreciate iPod cameras just the way they are. 

Tips and Tricks for Discreetly Vlogging in Public

Vlogging is often fraught with peril. Whether that's overcoming your own shyness, or overcoming people on the street uncomfortable with someone overcoming their shyness in a vlog, there are techniques and gear to help minimize issues. 

The Advice Film Director Stanley Kubrick Left to All Photographers

You may not have been aware that film director Stanley Kubrick was also a professional photographer, having shot assignments for magazines before he ever made any of his award-winning movies. So what did his photographer’s eye bring to his movies, and what can we learn from his creative process? 

How Tripods Can Elevate Your Filmmaking

A tripod might seem basic, but its simplicity is its strength. In an age where drones, gimbals, and cranes dominate, it’s easy to forget the power of keeping your camera still. The composition becomes the star, allowing you to focus on framing and detail. Sometimes, the camera doesn’t need to move to make an impact. 

What the Flip Happened to Flip Video Cameras?

If you're a child of the 'aughts, you've probably seen a Flip Video camera at least once in your life. Before cellphone videos were a thing, these bad boys ruled the amateur video circuit with their ease of use and novel design that incorporated a literal flipping USB port on the side. But what happened to these once ubiquitous cameras? 

ProGrade Launches More Affordable CFexpress Type A Cards

ProGrade Digital makes a wide range of memory cards, targeting their products at the professional market. While their Iridium line of CFexpress Type A cards have already shown fantastic performance in my hands-on review, the combination of their blazing speed and larger capacities left them with a higher MSRP (although still at a good price per GB, to be clear).

A Photographer's Transition into the World of Video Production

Entering the world of photography can be challenging enough. The world of video can feel even more daunting! For someone who has solely focused on photography 100% from day one, taking on the challenge of video is a whole new world. Here are the things I learned from creating my video for my work as a photographer without video experience. 

Review: Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI – A Game-Changer for Smartphone Filmmakers

As a passionate landscape photographer, I often emphasize that a phone will never fully replace a professional camera. However, in an age where social media dominates and more photos and videos are being captured on personal phones than ever before, it's important to acknowledge the innovations enabling phone users to capture incredible footage and photos.

Making Movies With a $9 Video Camera

A while back, I tested Amazon's cheapest non-kid camera, a $20 piece of junk that was sold under various scammy names on the online retailer's site. Lowering the bar in ways I didn't think was possible, one filmmaker has decided to challenge himself by using the cheapest camera on the site to make a short film, and this time, it is actually a kids' camera. 

Must-Watch Films of 2024

Love movies? This awesome video highlights three exceptional films from the first half of 2024. 

4 Essential Video Accessories for Creators on a Budget

It's easier than ever to get started with video, thanks to the great video capabilities of most cameras (and even phones!), but having the right accessories can make a huge difference. Here are some essential accessories every videographer should consider adding to their kit. 

Save 95% and get $3,700+ in Video Products

Fstoppers has partnered with 5DayDeal to offer the best video bundle deal of 2024. Included are education, software, and tools from a wide of variety leaders in the industry that will help take your work to the next level. The product list is incredible this year.

New iPhone App for Amazing Time-lapses in 4K

Have you ever taken a time-lapse with your phone and been... underwhelmed? They can look choppy, gritty, and far from the professional-quality videos you can produce using a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Well, a solution may, quite literally, be in hand. 

Why Hollywood Chooses High-End Cinema Cameras

In the professional world, achieving exceptional image quality is paramount. While budget-friendly cinema cameras boast impressive specifications, Hollywood consistently opts for high-end options like the ARRI Alexa 35. This raises the question: why is there such a significant investment in these top-tier cameras? 

Essential Skills for Bridging the Gap Between Photography and Videography

In today's landscape, the demand for video content has skyrocketed, creating new opportunities for photographers. The ability to capture motion and tell stories through video is no longer just a desirable skill, but rather an essential one for photographers looking to expand their services and reach. 

A Guide to Capturing Cinematic, Moody Footage

If you, like me, enjoy a moody aesthetic in your cinematography or videos, there are few YouTubers who have mastered the look more than Aidin Robbins. In this video for Adorama, he breaks down how you can do it too. 

All Apple Everything: Shooting and Editing Video with Full Apple Workflow

As an experienced photographer, I have spent a career focusing on mostly still images, not paying much attention to video. With the help of the Apple ecosystem, I have found an accessible way to say yes to the question, "Do you shoot video?". This article discusses the quality and convenience of an all-Apple workflow, which begins with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

Hands On: Insta360’s Ace Pro

Insta360 has gone traditional. The Ace Pro is a feature-packed action camera that doesn’t rock the boat. 

With a new sensor and removable battery, the Ace Pro is surely set to become Insta360’s flagship vlogging and lifestyle camera. The action camera market has some fierce competition, though, and it needs to stand apart from the rest.

Here Are the Less Talked About Features of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3

It seems like the whole world (or at least the photographic world) is buzzing about the new Osmo Pocket 3 from drone maker DJI. It's a portable, full featured kit for video makers, YouTube creatives, and even regular consumers who want to easily capture high quality 4K video with a gimbal mounted camera. 

This Is a YouTube Game-Changer

You spend a lot of time storyboarding, filming, editing, grading, sound designing, and polishing your next viral video before uploading it to YouTube. But how do you know if it will be good, great, or even flop? Well, it seems there's a game-changing tool on its way, and it's coming directly from YouTube. 

The Art of Real-Time: How Visual Effects Revolutionize Sports Broadcasting

If you have watched sports long enough, you know that the quality and novelty of the broadcasts has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, with an explosion of live visual effects. This fun video pulls back the curtain and takes a look at just what goes into all of that.