Photo Fusion: A Wedding Photographers Guide to Mixing Digital Photography and Video

A full-color reference-and-DVD package covers shooting and editing a successful multimedia project
With the introduction of dSLRs with high definition video functionality, a new world of multimedia capture has been opened to digital photographers. This book shows you how to embrace the exciting new option of photo fusion, by incorporating digital video content with your photography.
The author duo guides you through creating seamless multimedia presentations that maximize both still-frame and video photography functions on your dSLR. From the setting up and shooting, to downloading, editing and presenting a multimedia project, this book clearly explains how to move beyond stills into the exciting world of multimedia creation. Encourages you to embrace the exciting possibilities of photo fusion in the field of wedding photography Explains how to incorporate digital video content with photography Walks you through all of the necessary steps for shooting and editing a memorable multimedia creation Details every aspect involved in setting up, shooting, downloading, editing, and presenting a multimedia project Features more than 200 color images and an indispensible DVD of inspiring examples
Packed with more than 200 stunning images and featuring a 45-minute DVD, Photo Fusion presents you with inspiration and instruction so you can create your own multimedia projects.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
Top Ten Photo-Fusion Tips
Amazon-exclusive content from author Jennifer Bebb 1. You Are a Still Photographer, Not a Videographer
If the moment warrants a still image, make a still image. Your primary focus is making still images and your video coverage is designed to augment your stills. 2. Shoot More Video than You Need
A still image is all about a single moment. Video, on the other hand must be edited to showcase the perfect moment. Leave lead time before and after the clip you want to use, and record more video than you think you will need. You can always leave the extra clips on the cutting room floor. 3. Be a Ruthless Editor
Remember that you are a photographer first – the audio and video you are recording is designed to flesh out the story told by your stills, not overwhelm it. If the video doesn’t look great, don’t use it. 4. Practice, Practice, Practice
Take the time to get to know all the gear you are going to use while making Fusion. Test out everything, ahead of time, on friends, neighbors or your pet. Practice using a tripod, monopod, and other stabilizers. A wedding day is not the time to learn your gear. 5. Remember the Gift of Speech
Your clients are giving and receiving the gift of words they may never hear again. Record them with respect and care, and use those words in your final edit. This is a gift that grows in value over time. 5. Record More Audio than You Need
Your portable audio recorder will run up to 8 hours, so use that to record audio separate from your video clips. It is the audio that ties Fusion together, so record lots and edit out what you don’t need. 6. Be Prepared for Anything
Make a plan for the day, but be ready to change on a moment’s notice. That’s the nature of a wedding day – it’s unpredictable. Plan for everything you can, and stay cool when things go wrong. 7. Shoot Your Video with the Eye of a Photographer
If you are using a HDSLR, you know how to make great still images with it. Making video is similar – use your knowledge of light and composition to make your video and stills blend together cohesively. Take advantage of your ability to see the world in you own unique way. 8. Stabilize Your Footage
You might be able to make great still images at a slow shutter speed while hand holding your camera. Video is different – because you are recording more than a split second, it is challenging to hold steady. Wherever you can, stabilize your footage, especially during the ceremony and the speeches. 9. The Details Matter
As you do more and more Fusion, remember the details and nuances of a wedding day, will benefit from video as well. Make your still images first, then record some video of the details. Your attention to detail is important to your client. 10. Shoot for the Edit
The more you get right in camera, the less work you will have after the fact. This is particularly true with video footage. Shoot with your edit in mind – if you know you want a transition clip of the bride’s dress going on, shoot it in both stills and video. Having a sense of what you want your final piece to look like will help you choose when to record video and when to make stills.
Photos from Author Jennifer Bebb (Click to enlarge)
This is image was made while the bride was having her dress done up. She had moved towards the window in an effort to cool down (it was a hot day) in the breeze. The wind caught the sheer curtains and blew one between the camera and the bride, and this is the result. Specs:
Camera: 5D
ISO: 160
Aperture: 2.8
Shutter: 1/60
Exp. Comp: +0.7
This image was made in and Art Gallery in New York City. The gallery was between exhibits so we had the opportunity to work in spaces that are normally closed to photographers. This was a large, bare room, but we loved the warmth of the ambient and the patterns on the floor and walls. We used a chair that was in the space and had her sit on the floor. We wanted the bride to be the focus of the image, so we needed to add some light to her face. We used a small video light to ensure that she was well lit, and kept our shutter speed low to ensure the warmth of the ambient light was present in the scene. Specs:
Camera: 5D
ISO: 1250
Aperture: 4.0
Shutter: 1/30
Exp. Comp: 0.0
This image was made in bright sun on a beach in Mexico. We decided to take advantage of the sunlight and use it to our advantage. We simply had them embrace at the water’s edge, turning her eyes to our lens while asking him to hold her tight. With the aperture set at 2.8 and the compression of the 135mm lens, we knew that the background would be completely out of focus while she would be the obvious focus of the image. Specs:
Camera: 5D MKII
Lens: 135mm
ISO: 100
Aperture: 2.8
Shutter: 1/4000
Exp. Comp: -0.3