Videography

What happens when a non-vlogger takes a spin with Nikon’s new social media-focused Z 30 compact camera? 

You may have seen some of the hoopla over the Insta 360 Sphere. It's a 360-degree camera that mounts on two popular drones, the DJI Air 2S and its predecessor, the Air2. So, what is it exactly? 

When it comes to video work, while getting good visuals is obviously crucial, you also have to know how to record high-quality audio as well, or the final product will be dragged down. One of the most fundamental and crucial bits of knowledge you will need is how microphone polar response patterns work and which to choose for different situations.

The most user-friendly 360 camera has gotten a nice upgrade, and it paves the way for the future of 360 shooting. 

Many thought vlogging would be a brief trend, but it's safe to say that was not an accurate prediction. Many content creators weave in vlogs as a way of engaging their audience further and more regularly. However, shooting and editing vlogs can be highly time-consuming unless you know what you're doing. 

With a bracket and a new “Prism Mode,” users can make use of a wire-free viewfinder with a retro touch. 

If I’m honest, the EVF market isn’t too hot right now. There aren’t that many options. Zacuto most likely owns most of the market, but it still irks me that their flagship products don’t have an on/off switch. Instead, they’ll sell you a $150 cable to fix this.

Today, Sigma has announced the development of two new cinema lenses along with exciting news for those looking to build their kits piece by piece. 

The Fujifilm X-H2S is one of the most buzzworthy cameras of 2022, and for good reason. 

Social media sometimes feels like the devil incarnate. But if you're a photographer trying to harness social media for your business or your brand, then you have to play the smart game. For Instagram users, this will help you. 

I was sent this live production system that doesn’t require anything else to get you streaming six feeds of live camera action to your social video platforms, all at the same time. It’s an encoder, switcher, recorder, and monitor, all in one. You can even insert a SIM card to stream over your mobile network if your destination doesn't have a stable internet connection. 

Yololiv specializes in producing all-in-one devices that allow you to stream, record, and monitor video. The majority of its devices focus on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. Recently, the company announced its latest product, the YoloLiv Instream. This device allows you to record, monitor and stream directly to Instagram and TikTok with vertical video. 

Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to powering your video system. 

It might seem to be an easy transition for a photographer to become a filmmaker. At the core of each of these disciplines is storytelling. A photographer tells a story in a single instant captured at the decisive moment, while a filmmaker tells a story over a period of time, often incorporating elements such as editing and sound to help tell that story. 

Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin are close to solving another murder in the building, in a whodunnit that laughs at itself. 

Sony has recently released a lightweight, compact power zoom lens that is perfect for all types of creators regardless of whether you shoot stills or video. What's not to love? 

There are certainly a lot of similarities between photo and video, but there are also some fundamental differences you should be aware of to ensure you get the best results. If you are new to video and working on the fundamentals, check out this excellent tutorial that will show you how aperture works in video and how to properly adjust it to get your best results.  

Have you thought about buying a drone but hesitated because you don't know how to fly them? This is exactly what you need. 

Unless you're filming horror, shaky footage is almost always highly undesirable. Now, however, you have lots of ways you can create dynamic shots and keep the visuals steady, so which is the best one? 

A couple of weeks ago, Blackmagic Design released a firmware update for their popular Pocket Cinema Camera lineup, the BMPCC 4K, the BMPCC 6K, and the BMPCC 6K PRO variants. The update has a slew of useful updates to the interface and the camera's functioning, but the biggest feature was a hidden one: these cameras can now record gyro data to their Blackmagic raw files.  

The Australian company has updated their 19-inch display after five years, essentially bringing it in line with today’s tech. 

Instead of getting overwhelmed by the various ways to go about positioning your camera, frame composition, and then deciding what you're trying to say with your shot selection, this video breaks down the various elements that directors and directors of photography use to convey their intent.  

If you're looking at trying a new area of photography or videography, or are just getting started in the craft, there's no doubt that making the right decision on gear is a difficult one. As the number of options has surged, so has the number of voices. 

Yes, you read the headline correctly, and the results are out of this world. NanoAvionics mounted a GoPro Hero 7 to an improvised selfie stick and attached it to their MP42 microsatellite to record the footage.  

When it comes to videography and cinematography, the gimbal has risen to a staple of the craft, whether you're an amateur or a professional. However, if you don't own one or don't have one with you, there are plenty of substitutes that offer similar results. 

Modern cinematic productions have begun evolving yet again, this time replacing the green screen. Some of the most impressive films of recent years have used OLED screens and Unreal Engine. 

Insta360’s cameras have been using the same 360 sensor setup for about three years, and now, it’s getting a serious update. Will the quality make up for the bulk? 

There's no getting away from it, social media is both important and ever-changing. One way you can keep up and generate a bigger following is by creating short-form videos and this little camera is great for that. 

DJI’s Ronin 2 is hard to beat, but perhaps the latest option comes close? 

Great cinematography can elevate an average video far above its station, and conversely, poor cinematography can damage an otherwise great picture. In this video, Mark Bone goes through the six most important rules that he believes every cinematographer and Director of Photography ought to know. 

With a world full of options, why might you choose a cinema camera instead of opting for a mirrorless camera for video productions? 

There has been a wealth of smaller brands cropping up, looking to dethrone photography royalty. Meike is one of them and they targeted Canon's cinema lens set. So, are they far enough behind Canon to warrant an extra $15,000? 

High altitudes, snow, biting cold, and a lot of equipment. Some shoots are harder than others and this music video looked particularly grueling. Nevertheless, the Nikon Z 9 is well-equipped for such trials; see how it performs in a testing climate. 

For several years now, many of us have used Instagram as our primary outlet for sharing and viewing images. However, Instagram has made it clear that the platform is shifting its focus to video. If you haven’t been practicing capturing portraits on video, now might be a good time to start learning how to do so. 

The rise of alternative, affordable lenses has been sharp in the last few years, with many great lenses offered at a fraction of the price of their desirable counterparts. This lens takes on anamorphic lenses, but how good is it? 

At some point, we will all end up shooting in a boring conference room. It’s not always easy to get a good shot when the space isn’t made for it. So, these tips from Epic Light Media might just be the trick. 

Have you ever wondered what’s in the mind of a wedding filmmaker? How do bits of footage turn out to be a moving film that tells the couple’s story?

Premiere Pro templates are one of the few quick solutions that can help elevate your video production. Graphics, text, typography, and animations can help you illustrate your points far more effectively. Unfortunately, trying to get all of those elements into your video, especially if creating them from scratch in a software like After Effects, can be expensive or time-consuming.

Hopefully, these videos help readers de-stress, and maybe you’ll learn something new along the way. 

Maybe I need more coffee, or maybe these videos are just unintentional ASMR. Either way, it’s easy to fall asleep to certain YouTube videos. Just like before, whenever a relaxing camera related video appeared on my feed, I added it to this list.

The 24-70mm zoom range is versatile, and for many photographers and videographers, it's probably one of the best starting points when building out your lens collection for a new mount. 

Color grading is not only an important part of filmmaking, it's an entire career in itself. There's a lot to know, but getting the basics understood shouldn't be as daunting as it might be. In this video, get a color grading 101 from Film Riot. 

Using filters for any kind of photography and filmmaking has always been an extra process to consider. This new filter system from H&Y just might be the most innovative one to date.  

For the last couple of months, Patrick and I have been moving into our new homes in Puerto Rico and building out personal studios in each. Let me show you what I've built.  

360 video has opened up tons of new creative opportunities for filmmakers even when they're not shooting in 360 mode. The apps included with new cameras such as Insta360's ONE X2 can reframe and cut video into compelling 2D footage, and new modes that incorporate AI are creating possibilities that were previously unheard of. 

I think it is fair to say that streaming is complex, especially if you want to go beyond “Instagram live from a selfie camera.” Adding several angles, multiple cameras, and overlays is complex, and you would need quite a lot of gear for that. Well, say goodbye to that. RecNGo is a simple app that makes streaming affordable and accessible.  

Cameras grow in complexity year on year and it can be difficult to use any body to its maximum potential. In this video, Caleb Pike takes you through 10 tricks for filmmakers to get more out of their Sony camera. 

Aputure’s new flexible LED panels may be the best in class. Intellytech and Westcott will have some serious competition. How do they all stack up? 

The Nikon Z-series has a highly impressive firmware update coming, particularly for the Z9. Version 2.0 turns Z9 into a videography and sports photography titan, and if you have any interest in using it for either of those (or a great many other uses), you're going to want to check this out. 

I came into photography after being a newspaper videographer for several years. I thought that my video skills would transfer cleanly into photography, and while in some ways that were the case, in more ways, it was not. Here's a video that breaks down exactly why that is. 

Continuous, LED lights have become stronger and more affordable over the past decade, to the point where they're challenging a lot of strobes. The new Amaran LED might just top them all, however. 

Camera carts can be an expensive tool on set, and Inovativ are at the top of the bunch. Hopefully, these ideas can get more out of your cart for less.