Translating Photography To Video
For the last few years I’ve been working with video projects when time or the opportunity arises. In the last year or so there have been opportunities to take on professional video projects which has been amazing. A lot of the technical theory translates from photography from video, but the exciting part is learning the things that don’t.
I’ve always loved the process of telling a story with a single still or a series of stills. There are details that provoke emotion on so many levels. There’s also an ambiguity that leaves room for interpretation on the part of the viewer. The subject and composition, the coloring, the contrast in the image, and the setting all play their part in the story.
With video those parts exist, but there are things that I quickly learned take some experimenting with to get used to. Once you’ve had the chance to get some of the basics down, you can go just about anywhere with it.
As I’ve mentioned before, Sunny Daze Photography is based out of The Wormhole Studio. Working with my two business partners who happen to be audio and video producers, we’ve found that our different skill sets have made the photo to video transition, as well as the audio to video translation, a lot easier.
It’s an interesting combination that has fast tracked us to doing professional video projects in a matter of months. Of course if you’re reading this, you’re aware of my obsession with light and using it creatively no matter what the subject or medium is.
I also have Conor, who is not only a precocious-wonder-boy-genius when it comes to sorting out the technicalities of new equipment (I’m pretty sure he reads the manual of every piece of gear we own cover to cover, for fun), but is also a successful music producer and sound designer that sets very high standards, not only for himself, but for those he works with. Cary on the other hand, brings his experience as a writer and story teller and Director. His experience as a songwriter and producer gives him the inherent aptitude to highlight the details on the timeline to bring the story to life and evoke an emotional response.
You mix the combined skill-sets with our insatiable creative curiosity and it starts to come together really fast.
Another thing that me and the boys learned quickly was how important the audio behind the video is. I’ve seen some really beautiful video clips accompanied with harsh, reflective, tinny audio from the camera mic or a handheld recorder of some sort distract terribly from what would otherwise be great video. Having two audio guys that understand what acoustic reflection is, how to capture and treat high quality audio (noise removal, mixing, mastering etc), and how to compose and score is priceless. I can’t emphasize enough how much and how often video is compromised by poor audio quality. Imagine seeing your favorite movie with no music tying scenes together while the actors voices sound like they’re in a concrete jail cell. It’s not pretty!
While I’m new to the video world, just having the understanding of the basic components has ignited my imagination for what’s possible. These videos are three of our projects we’ve collaborated on recently. With each new project we learn something new that makes the next one better.
If you’re a photographer looking to learn video feel free to hit me in the comments. For technical education we often hit up Cary’s brother Curtis who has an amazing youtube channel that explains a lot of the finer points of video through tutorials and equipment reviews. You can visit him here: https: //www.youtube.com/user/curtisjudd
For Audio and Video Production please visit www.wormholeproductionsgroup.com