Fusion - Visual Artistry

[RobyMD]

I'm sure it's obvious by now. I want to see video and photography blend. I just listened to episode 67 of FStop Beyond. Wow. The vision he had for "fusion" is exactly what I saw back in May or so of last year. I tried to produce it but was unsuccessful with the camera \ camcorder combo.

Anyway I thought it was funny towards the end of the interview Curt or Ron mentioned how the videographer community was rejecting the "fusion" and how photographer where embracing it. But I just saw a post in this forum not long ago mentioning photographers not embracing it but videographers where instead.

Hmmmm what does it all mean. I'm still saving my pennies to get the 5DMKII or 1dMKIIIn (wishing hard here) but in the mean time I want to really see where you guys that are embracing the melding of the two worlds are. I'd also like to here from those that say it's all a bunch of crap.

Robert Evans
http://www.engagingfilms.com/
The Bebbs
http://www.fusionisnow.com/

[KimHurt]

I watched the videos and I think it looks fantastic! I work with a videographer right now and it sounds like his dream come true.

[RobyMD]

I'm excited about the possibilities. I don't think that excitement is shared by most.

[micajoy]

I'm an amateur photographer and professional video producer and I've worked on numerous cable and broadcast tv shows...Though I obviously can't speak for the whole community, my initial reaction (and I expect many other tv professionals) is not exactly excitement...I would liken it to the feeling professional photographers get when a new mom buys a DSLR and thinks she is going to take professional pictures because of it. Television production is every bit as complex as still photography (and even more so when you add additional camera coverage and larger crews).

I thought the fusionisnow trailer was great, but I noticed someone was shooting with a Canon XL video camera - how much of that video was from the Mark II? I'm definitely not saying great video can't be produced on this new camera, and I'm definitely not saying photographers shouldn't embrace it...Just giving you some perspective from how us grumpy old tv folk might feel....

[RobyMD]

I hear you. It seems like there are pros from both camps that hate the idea of the merging. By no means do I \ would I take the skill, learning, and attention to producing a quality piece lightly.

I think this is simply the next evolution on event photography \ video. Just as PJ and digital is here, I think (hope) fusion will embraced by brides and grooms. The cool thing about it is we can help shape what is becomes.

According to Curt in the interview 90% of the trailer was shot with the 5DMKII.

I think I'm still stuck with one major question. How will the future be consumed. I can't see it yet.

[LoungeLizard]

As personal friends of Jen and Steve Bebb, I can tell you that they are NOT promoting the use of any particular piece of equipment - it just happens that they shot this stuff with a 5D MkII. They are promoting the fusion of different media - stills, video, audio, etc.

They will also be the first to tell you that it is not easy. Shooting a good video (and producing it) is MUCH tougher than stills and requires a completely different mindset. They have told me that it takes a while to transition from one to the other.

It is an interesting concept - but it is NOT new. Heck, even some of my clients make their own "fusion" shows for display at weddings combining family photos, video, and old 8mm films.

It's all about giving the client a complete way to remember their day - and sometimes stills don't do it all.

[HotHolly]

You've been looking for that something new for a while. I can hear it in your posts. Ive been wanting to combine my painting with my photography and so far havent. Not sure how to get the technical stuff to work out - like getting globs of paint to adhere to photographs. I admire your ambition. It kinda lights a flame under my butt to go ahead and mess up a big print with paint and see what happens.

[ldelacruz]

[QUOTE=RobyMD;839715] I'm still saving my pennies to get the 5DMKII or 1dMKIIIn (wishing hard here) but in the mean time I want to really see where you guys that are embracing the melding of the two worlds are. I'd also like to here from those that say it's all a bunch of crap.QUOTE]

Why don't you just get a decent Canon HD Video camera and an adapter to use your Canon lenses? You can get a pretty good setup for under $1500 and not be so limited as you would with the 5D MKII.

[RobyMD]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

You've been looking for that something new for a while. I can hear it in your posts. Ive been wanting to combine my painting with my photography and so far havent. Not sure how to get the technical stuff to work out - like getting globs of paint to adhere to photographs. I admire your ambition. It kinda lights a flame under my butt to go ahead and mess up a big print with paint and see what happens.

I got a chance to see Ky Signature and how he added paint to some images. It looked really nice. I think it adds a certain prestige to the finish product.

I do want to tweak what I shoot and what I deliver to the client. I've been grabbing snippets of the ceremony and certain parts of the wedding with a digital recorder to add to the slide show. I haven't figured out the best solution for that yet. The audio doesn't sound great yet.

I've been working on something more than stills for a while and this new push of fusion I almost feel like if I don't do it now, I'll be left behind (fear of loss).

[RobyMD]

[QUOTE=ldelacruz;841684]

Originally Posted by RobyMD

I'm still saving my pennies to get the 5DMKII or 1dMKIIIn (wishing hard here) but in the mean time I want to really see where you guys that are embracing the melding of the two worlds are. I'd also like to here from those that say it's all a bunch of crap.QUOTE]

Why don't you just get a decent Canon HD Video camera and an adapter to use your Canon lenses? You can get a pretty good setup for under $1500 and not be so limited as you would with the 5D MKII.

I've tried the video camera \ still setup a few times but didn't like the setup. I'm normally shoot with a 2nd photog and a 2nd camera.

I added a 3rd camera to the mix, oh my what a pain in the butt. The camcorder went to sleep because I was only grabbing clips every once in a while, so I had to wait for it to wake up. And it's wasn't DSLR startup fast which meant waiting and waiting.

I brought my wife as a 3rd shooter and gave her a DSLR and a camcorder also. That worked out better but tweaking is needed for the final product.

All that said, a Canon HV20\30 would probably do the trick for the 2nd or 3rd but I don't know if that would be the best setup for the way I shoot.

But I'm open to suggestions still. If anyone else has had success going between the 2 please let me know the tricks of the trade (hint hint PJ newspaper guys/gals).

wow i'm long winded tonight....

[ldelacruz]

[QUOTE=RobyMD;841712]

Originally Posted by ldelacruz

I've tried the video camera \ still setup a few times but didn't like the setup. I'm normally shoot with a 2nd photog and a 2nd camera.

I added a 3rd camera to the mix, oh my what a pain in the butt. The camcorder went to sleep because I was only grabbing clips every once in a while, so I had to wait for it to wake up. And it's wasn't DSLR startup fast which meant waiting and waiting.

I brought my wife as a 3rd shooter and gave her a DSLR and a camcorder also. That worked out better but tweaking is needed for the final product.

All that said, a Canon HV20\30 would probably do the trick for the 2nd or 3rd but I don't know if that would be the best setup for the way I shoot.

But I'm open to suggestions still. If anyone else has had success going between the 2 please let me know the tricks of the trade (hint hint PJ newspaper guys/gals).

wow i'm long winded tonight....

You can only do video with the 5D MKII in live mode so the start up time is not going to be as fast as you think. Plus it takes some time to trick the 5D into the aperture and ISO you want because the camera sets everything automatically so getting ready for a shot could take 2 or 3 minutes.

[RobyMD]

Good point. Maybe my dreams will be crushed when I finally get my hands on one. Although shooting in live mode on AV or TV shouldn't be a huge problem outside of battery usage. Right.

Maybe I'm completely disillusioned.

I agree with Jesus, the 5dMKII may not be the solution it simply got me even more excited about the possibilities. Don't tell the Canon guys but I'm considering picking up a d90 so I can play with the technology. Shhhhhhh

[ldelacruz]

Just keep in mind that the 5D MKII is very limited in the manual settings as far as video is concerned. Imagine trying to shoot a wedding in program or auto mode where the camera selects everything for you. In video mode the camera sets all the settings for you and if you want to manipulate them you have to take a few minutes to prepare, if the camera goes to sleep the settings you just set up are gone.

The video quality is amazing but you can't just pick it up, turn it on and start shooting. You can but it would probably not be the look you are going for.

Wait till we start talking about the audio? It is also lacking even with an external mic.

[RobyMD]

I've heard complaints of humming \ noise, and about the audio getting out of sync. If you are using it how are you dealing with it?

[ldelacruz]

Originally Posted by RobyMD

I've heard complaints of humming \ noise, and about the audio getting out of sync. If you are using it how are you dealing with it?

I don't use it anymore. I bought a cheap $500 Canon HD video camera with manual settings, auto focus, IS, optical zoom, external mic jack, headphone jack etc.

There is a good reason most of the 5D MKII videos you see out there are short clips with fast changing scenes and background music.

Did you know you will most likely not be able to play back your HD video on your PC computer? My Mac plays it with no problem but PC's currently have a hard time playing it back smoothly.