Hello.
Over the years I've had a lot of friends, and even some clients, ask me when I was going to make the switch to video. I usually replied with a stubborn "NEVER"!
But this Recent Video shot by Ami Vitale, an accomplished stills photographer, using the new Nikon DSLR D300S has left me wondering if there can really be a future for someone like me in the video world.
Let me first say that the video is stunning. Ami is a wonderful image maker and her composition and work with the video function are lovely. The Nikon D300S seems to be very capable of producing some very high quality video, whether it is better than the 5D MII is up to someone else to judge. I've had my MII's for more than half a year now and I've never even attempted to use the video function, which leads me to wonder...
Obviously Ami is sponsored by Nikon and they put up some big money to produce this 5m22s video. Not only did Ami most likely spend a few weeks shooting in India, some of the video was staged and the content that Ami produced was masterfully edited. Without being an expert in video, I can't even begin to imagine how many hours all that content took to review, edit and sync to music; can any videographers leave comments with just a hint or how long that might take, assuming you are already a master with software like Final Cut?
The point is that it is true, highly motivated, highly skilled photographers can make great video when they have the resources behind them and people to assist; especially for the very timely editing process. But is video really the future of our industry? Are magazines printed on paper really doomed?
While I don't really know the answers to any of the questions I've posed in this blog, all I can say is that I'm happily moving in the opposite direction. I'm shooting more film than ever before and producing more Black and White fine art and I have 3 gallery shows lined up for next year already. I think there is still a lot of power and emotion in the still image; and while the masters who came before us documented much, I still think there is a place for me to carve out a unique niche for myself.
And while I stand strongly behind my personal opinion, please don't assume that I take anything away from the wonderful video that Ami shot. She produced a video that was visually stunning; a cracking effort and a clear example of what is possible with resources at hand.
LINK to Ami's Video
--
Ryan Pyle
Photographer
ryan@ryanpyle.com
Website: www.ryanpyle.com
Archive: http://archive.ryanpyle.com
_______________________________________
Monday, August 17, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Hi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog while researching about the Nikon D300S.
After watching Ami Vitale's video I decided to get the camera.
The video really struck me because I love and am moved by the content of her video. I also studied Intercultural Studies in college and I have a great love of traveling and experiencing different cultures.
Being a videographer, I also love the shallow depth of field look.
But buying the 35mm adapters and attaching it to a video camera can make it very big and bulky and difficult to carry around when traveling.
So the DSLR with video capability is a very attractive option for me.
I would love to get the Canon 5D Mark2, but I have already invested in Nikon lenses so I went with the Nikon D300S.
It's interesting to read your blog and your perspective as a photographer.
It looks the trend is a merging of video and photography.
Who knows what the future holds in store but it's exciting and nerve racking at the same time. Technology moves so fast.
My wallet can't keep up.
John
vegiwrap@yahoo.com