I have been asked by a family member to do some video shooting of their wedding. At minimum I'd be shooting the ceremony, maybe just on a tripod.
The thing is, I know nothing about video, I've always been a straight shooter (har har).
Is there a book or something that will bring me up to speed on "how to shoot video for photographers"? I'm mostly interested (at least to start) in the technical aspects... I really don't understand it at all.
I'd probably be shooting with a Sony A7CR, but could also do some with a A7RV.
I'll bite on this one, since you received no replies.
And I'll try to make it as simple as I can to get you started shooting.
Set your frame rate for either 24 fps or 30 fps. I'd shoot in 1080.
Set your f/stop as desired.
Double your shutter speed to the closest number (1/48 or 1/60). It not absolutely critical, but it helps.
Then use your ISO to adjust exposure. If shooting outdoors, you may need an ND filter to get your exposure where you need it.
When I shot a lot of weddings, and trained people to shoot video with me from scratch, I re-assured them that if you can see the scene, and the counter is going, you're recording.
Don't forget SOUND! It's SO important to get good audio. An inexpensive wireless mic system would be quite useful for vows. Put the mic on the groom, and your receiver on the camera.
In-camera microphones are not good for a ceremony. You can get by with them for the reception/dancing, but an inexpensive shotgun mic is ideal.
These days, iPhones do fantastic jobs shooting video, and are almost fool-proof (except for the audio, which you still need to pay attention to). A lot of people use a camera 'rig' for an iPhone and can add a mic and accessories to get it balanced and easier to handle.
Your camera is very capable for video. S-LOG, you'll have plenty of latitude in post. Adding to what Skippy said, what I've learned is:
- Know the Venue: Go early and see the layout, how the aisle, seating, lighting are, that way you have an idea where and when to position, especially during important parts like the vows, etc.
- Know the key moments: Obviously, walking up the isle, vows, etc.
- Stability: If you have a gimbal, use it, if not rent one.. makes a world of difference in the end product.
- Candid Moments: I always try to capture candid moments before the main event and after, such as the meal and whatever event comes after. Compiling these with a nice song makes the entire video a great experience. Makes the couple laugh and have good memories about the wedding, so make sure to capture any funny stuff
A couple of pointers from someone who was in your exact spot this last Friday...Oct 3.
We all want to talk about how great our AF is...once the party is up at the "altar" and you are on the tripod focus once, check it and if it's good switch to MF.
Especially if you got focus peaking. I was shooting with a Z5II and 70-200 f2.8 S and this worked out great and was easy as pie. I let the camera decide on all the settings except 4K and 24P. My couple were family friends and basically just wanted the audio.
The person in charge of the mic's and speakers let me tap my Olympus recorder into his mixer. So this too worked out great. I doubt I use this audio since the speakers were so good and the Z5II seems to have picked up their vows and everything great. Nice to have back ups though.
Good luck...unless it is truly just get what you can, I second the other guy...let them hire someone.
Just say no. You will be investing hundreds of hours in learning how to shoot and in post processing for no compensation. If anything goes wrong for any reason you will be blamed. I have done portraits of women and when asked about their wedding photography there were many that still had bitter memories of the photographer not performing and this was a decade or two later.
Consider buying and practicing with a gimbal, like the RS3/RS4, beforehand, and using AF tracking. Will be your best friend for smooth video. Videographers love doing all kinds of stuff that involves panning and rotating smoothly. Get control of your light color balance cuz it won't be so easy to adjust in post. Bring LOTS of memory and batteries, and consider maybe one constant, relatively portable white balance adjustable video light (with or without a portable modifier) that can be battery operated for a few hours. A lot can be done with one controllable light and a smooth gimbal.
That's just the video part. I wouldn't have any guidance for audio.
Making great video is painful, and best avoided, if possible. Nobody wants to see 120 minutes of uninterupted wedding video, especially from a static tripod recording, or even the whole ceremony. Once you get the capture, editing is the secret sauce to creating a story out of all the raw takes. It takes the right mindset to go there, and I certainly do not have it. A fast computer is also extremely helpful.
