This video can also be watched in HD format on Vimeo.

Have a good one,

Anna

Their wedding was filmed in HD, which you can watch here, on Vimeo.

Max and Inna- best wishes to the both of you, and thanks again for inviting us to be a part of your wedding!

Anna

Here is a video clip of how one best man ruins a wedding.  I hope this dosen’t happen to any of you.  Take a look.  (Warning: the quality is bad, but this should only remind you to hire a professional to do your video.)

Please help me understand why he grabbed her legs after he fell over?  If it was me, I don’t know if I would laugh or cry?  How would you take it?

Anna

As a wedding videographer I aim to capture all the memories of your wedding day in motion while keeping a low profile.  I’ve been asked how we get the “up close and personal” shots without really getting in anyone’s way.  The fact is that in the released video it looks like we are in the middle of all the action and excitement.

Two Secrets.  One- It’s all about being creative.  Sometimes we do have to get up close and personal with our cameras, but we do it so quickly and effortlessly that you might even forget we are there.  After all, who would want a wedding video with the videographer  filming  from one place for an hour? (I’m sorry to those who ended up with video in such fashion)  We aim to pass along the excitement of the day to the viewers.  This one is a great example.

The second secret is capturing impeccable audio.  We use devices such as wireless mics to capture the richness of the human voice making it stunning when shown in the video.  It gives you a movie feel, almost as if you are at the altar with the couple.  Even whispers can be heard!

What are your thoughts?  Have you had a bad or good experience with this?  We would love to hear your stories…

Igor

If you are planning to shoot a wedding video, and your only prior experience with using a video camera is the footage you shot at your three year old’s birthday party, then here’s a chance to quickly and easily learn the how to optimize your video camera so you’ll get great results.

1. The on/off setting

If you don’t know how to turn your camera on then its useless. Different cameras place their on/off power buttons in different places on the camera. Check to see if your camera’s power is on by looking in the viewfinder to see the Power icon. Note: Don’t forget to remove the lens cap.

2. Menu settings

There are some important camera functions adjusted/set before you videotape the wedding. You will find them through the Menu button on your camera. These functions and their optimal settings include:

Time/date – Off

No matter how professionally you shoot the wedding, if you leave the time/date function on you will look like an amateur.

Focus – Auto

Exposure – Auto

White Balance - Auto

Change these settings to” Manual” only when lighting conditions or picture composition are out of the norm.

(e.g. adjust for exposure: heavily back-lit subjects making them look like they’re in a Witness Protection program; adjust for focus: competing objects in foreground that make your camera continually roll focus back and forth with nauseating results…like looking through your grandfather’s bifocals.

Gain level – 0

Increase gain level only when light levels are low. You should be aware that increasing gain levels will affect the quality of your videotape. However, so does darkness. Increasing gain level may be your only choice in this situation.

Record mode/speed – SP (Standard Play)

Your camera may have additional record modes/speeds including: EP (Extended Play), LP (Long Play) and SLP (Super Long Play) These record modes are designed to extend the record time you have on your videotape. If you find that the wedding is running longer than expected and you do not have additional videotape, changing the record speed to EP, LP or SLP will give you more record time on the tape. You should be aware that using these slower modes will result in some loss of quality.

3. Battery Insertion

Become familiar with camera battery insertion well before the wedding. Trying to figure this out in a dimly-lit church during the wedding ceremony may end up being disastrous.

Be mindful of how much batter power you have left by noting the battery level display in the viewfinder.

4. Zoom function

Zoom controls on a video camera usually include buttons or slide control marked W (wide) and T (telephoto). You should become familiar with the sensitivity of these controls. This is similar to becoming familiar with the sensitivity of the brakes on a new car.

5. Microphone input jacks

If your camera has a mic input jack, you will be able to plug in an external microphone which will enhance the quality of your audio while giving you more range and flexibility with your camera.

6. Headphone input jack

Plug a headphone set into this jack so that you can check the quality and level of audio you are receiving into the camera while recording or during playback.

7. Videotape insertion

This is something you should know well before coming to the church. Different cameras require specific tape insertion methods. You can damage your camera if you improperly insert the videotape cassette. If you are unsure, take your camera and videotape to a video camera dealer that can help you with this matter.

8. Tripod

Even though is not a function found on the camera, a tripod is an essential adjunct to proper camera operation. Correctly extending and locking the tripod legs, attaching the camera to the tripod quick-release plate and operating the pan/tilt locks and handle are tasks and skills that must be mastered before attempting to shoot the wedding.

9. View finder or flip out monitor

Older cameras have viewfinders which are used to help you see what you are shooting/videotaping. You can adjust the focus of the viewfinder for your vision by using the diopter which is a small wheel attached to the viewfinder.

Newer camera models usually include a flip-out screen monitor which functions like the viewfinder but with an easier-to-see display. Although more convenient for viewing, the flip-out screen requires more battery power. So if you find yourself running low on battery power, close the flip-out screen and use the viewfinder. (Both will not work at the same time. You must use one or the other.)

Viewfinders and flip-out screens also provide a readout of the status of several camera functions such as Record, Pause, Stop, record speed, battery power level and videotape used and/or remaining. Think of these displays like the gauges on you car dashboard.

10. Record

Just because your camera may be turned on doesn’t mean that you are capturing any video. You must push the Record button if you want to have something to playback to the bridal couple later. Once you push the record button, your viewfinder should display a red REC or red dot indicator, which verifies that the camera is recording.

Another indication that you are recording will be a running time code display, also in your viewfinder/flip-out screen.

Just remember, fear and anxiety come from not being prepared. By taking the time to optimize your video camera functions and settings will help you to be relaxed, confident and looking forward to capturing a once-in-a-lifetime event that the bride and groom will treasure forever.

If your wedding video consists only of raw footage shot by friends and relatives because your budget had no room for professional videography services, don’t despair. You can still have a beautifully edited video by doing it yourself or hiring a video editor.

Filed Under General, Post-production | Source: HowtoWeddingVideo.com

In either case you can save substantial time and money by first organizing the footage yourself with the help of a secret tool called “logging.” Logging is a process whereby you review/playback the footage and write down or “log” the starting and stopping times, per the time code, of your preferred shots.

You can make your own log sheets simply by taking blank pieces of paper (8 1/2 x 11) and drawing grids containing rows and columns. At the top of the page you can have rows and columns in which you insert basic information about the program you are editing.

For example, you will want rows for the name of the wedding, the date, the name of the cameraperson, and the videotape cassette number. This is important if the footage comes from more than one camera that used more than one tape. This way you will know who shot the footage and which videotape cassette your are logging. Don’t forget to have a place where you can number your log sheets (e.g. Page ___ of ___). This helps to keep you from getting lost when you have multiple log sheets/pages.

Now add about twenty-five rows, divided into four columns. Head the columns as follows: “Action” “Start” “Stop” “Comments”.

As you play back the tapes, write down the specific action you are viewing (e.g., “entrance of first bridesmaid,” or “mother of bride being escorted to seat,” etc.) Write down the time code when the action starts and then write down the time code when the action stops.

Most newer digital cameras place an automatic time code on your footage. (The time code isn’t really “on” your footage, but is a part of the playback display.)

However, if you’re using VHS or another analog format, before viewing the footage, be sure to reset the video player’s counter to 00:00:00 for each tape before you begin logging.

You will also rate or “comment” on each one of your log entries according to its suitability (e.g., “don’t use,” “must use,” “so-so,” “really bad”), or any other notes that you wish to remember about a particular shot.

Once the logging is complete, and you have selected all the shots you want to use, you will have a blueprint for editing the video. This “blueprint” will have the added benefit of substantially reducing the time you or an editor spends in the editing suite. Since most professional editors charge by the hour, this can result in significant cost savings.

Video editing is the process of building a video program, shot by shot, by electronically cutting and splicing the raw footage, in order to tell a story in the most seamless, compelling and entertaining way. Editing allows you to keep the good and dump the bad, thereby creating a finished product that is more than the sum of its parts.

Picture the footage as a very long chain. The footage, like a chain, is made up of individual shots or “links”. You select and assemble the shots or “links” together to tell your story.

Video editing is a very creative and exhilarating process. However, you might want to resist the temptation to channel Steven Spielberg, by getting carried away with effects like too much slow motion, or using every wipe and dissolve in you editing program’s arsenal. Remember… this is about the bride and groom and not about you and your burgeoning editing talents.

Whether you decide to edit the footage yourself or hire a professional editor, using the secret tool, “logging” will put you well on your way toward having a beautifully edited wedding video that you will treasure forever.

Olivia Romero is an independent video producer with over 15 years experience writing, producing, directing and editing. Olivia and her partner, Tony Jones, teach couples how to save money by producing their own professional-looking wedding video. It’s easy and fun! To learn more, visit Wedding Video Secrets.