When the Black Panther hit the screen, the world felt mesmerised. With a suit on and claws out, the superhero stole hearts. "Wakanda Forever" became the beginning of a legendary tale.
That's the magic created by videography, a skill that's a 'marvel' in itself (pun intended).
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You have worked as a photographer and are no longer a stranger to the camera. But do you have the same confidence when it comes to creating videos? This blog clarifies all these questions and more. The end goal is to help you transition from photography to videography.
Anyone can be a videographer. Is it the most challenging task in the world? No. If a person wants to be a videographer, they can be one. I know a friend who started as a photographer in his college days. His initial work fetched him brand advertisements and more. But later, clients began demanding videos too. He upgraded his skills to videography and now provides photography and videography services. Needless to say, he's a hot business topic whenever our mutual friends have a reunion.
What matters is the level of expertise. Videography is a skill measured not by how long you have worked in the field but by how well you have done the job.
The digitalised world is advancing to its next phase of higher technology. Videography has caught the attention of everyone and everything. A considerable demand hovers over the skill that can be life-enhancing.
Let's learn the best tips to transition from photography to videography.
Tips to transition from photography to videography
Here's a list of tips about what you need to understand about videography and how it works.
Understand the Concept of Videography
Begin with knowing camera movements, subject motion, and frames to understand videography. You may have the best camera for videography, but you can use it to its full potential only if you know how to. These are some of the most essential concepts in creating a great video. As a beginner, you should practice these concepts and how they can add a distinctive look to your videos. For instance, learn how frames per second enhance or degrade the quality of your video. Avoid dull and static videos. You can be more creative when you start working using these concepts.
Know How to Work with Your Equipment Well
You know your camera well since you have been working as a photographer. But, you have only explored its capabilities in photography. When it comes to videography, a camera can click open a whole wide world. Understand how to shoot each footage and how you set it to capture the essence of the subject. Practice how you move the focus from one topic to the next without disrupting the shot. You don't want a blurry mess. You want clear shots, which can happen only if you practice.
Study how the motions of your camera work. You can use those ideas to shoot a creative and professional video. You can learn directional ideas from TV shows and movies. Watch how they use various motions. Notice the zooming-in or panning-out scenes. Observe the motions that give the audience a clear picture.
Editing Skills in Making a Video
Videography and editing go hand-in-hand. There's a reason why movies and TV shows go through such extensive lengths to edit their videos. Editing completes the process of videography and makes the captured shots more intriguing. It analyses which shot comes after which to build a sensible story for the audience to follow. That's the power of editing in videography; it adds life to the videos.
You understand the basic tips to transition from photography to videography. So, how can you create great videos once you step in? Let's discuss this matter in depth in the next section.
How to Create Great Videos?
Videography is a huge field that needs careful studying. If you want to try it, practising every day is the first thing you need to remember. Although there are many things you need to learn about it, there are some tips that every beginner or pro goes by. Here is a list of the best tips you can follow to be a brilliant videographer:
Aperture Fixation
As a photographer, you must have learned that a wide aperture gives a better picture. A wider aperture means showcasing more creativity with shallow depth. Sometimes, things won't work the same way when shooting a video. A wider aperture may be discarding the beauty rather than enhancing it. That's because you use manual focus rather than autofocus when you create videos. Using a wide aperture while focusing can be a challenging task. Capturing the subject's beauty can be more difficult when you have a shallow depth of field. Moreover, concentrating on moving objects with a wide aperture is a mountainous task. This is especially true when the arena is wide open with an extensive region to capture.
Creating Sequences in a Videography
Photography is easy. You have the subject, click a few frames, and get the desired results. You and the subject are in a standstill position. Videography includes movement at all times. To make a neat video, you will have to shoot sequences. It includes perspectives to give the audience a significant idea of the scenes. Most times, you will recreate the same scene many times from various angles. So, the audience can get a complete picture of what's going on. You need to find at least 3 angles that can aid the transition from one scene to the next. Learn the different styles of videography.
Do Your Research Well
Every project begins with thorough research. What you need to do is know what you want to shoot. Understand the idea or concept you wish to present to the people. Look for online and offline resources to understand the topic. Avoid presenting misinformation. Gathering more information will also give you a better story. If it's an interview, you need to know:
- the person you are talking to
- the subjects you want to bring up
- and how you can construct a conversation that will be valuable to the audience.
Planned Shoots
Pre-planning what you want to create is the best way to ready what you want to shoot. Whether it's a commercial, a short film, a saga, or a music video, approach the project with a clean slate. This helps in coming up with brand new ideas. The production value of your video depends on how unique and exciting your ideas are. You can draw or illustrate the scenes you plan to project in your videos. You can plan the sequences which will form the story. Visualise in your mind how you want your video to look. Plan the footage shots as per what you desire. Your vision can be your guiding factor if you want an awesome videography experience. Add details like:
- the time you want to shoot
- the weather you want to capture
- the place you want to show,
- the equipment you want to use must be pre-planned.
Present a Story Through Your Videos
One of the vital roles you will have to perform as a videographer is that of a storyteller. Most of the time, a videographer loses the audience because of the lack of a story. What you want your audience to feel is some connectivity that will keep them curious and engaged. When you present spin a story around thesubject, it generates curiosity in the viewer. You can add to the drama by adding lights and other elements.
Emotion is another integral part of storytelling. You must capture the emotional essence so the viewer can relate to it. Add a pinch of conflict to make the viewer wonder about the sequences. Finally, sum it up with a solution to bring the entire piece together. Every storytelling has these basic elements: the introduction, the conflict, and the resolution. You must decide how you present these elements in the most unique and intriguing manner. Learn more about crafting stories to present your ideas in an interesting manner.
So, you know now what can help you become a master of videography.
It's easy to talk about transitioning from photography to videography. But, acting on it needs planning.
You can make your videos better by using certain tools. Enhance your videography skills with the best editing software.
Top 3 videography software in 2022
The biggest concern for any videographer is:
which software they should use to give their videos a professional look.
Don't worry, we have assembled the top 3 videography software after extensive research. Each software has features that provide an attention-grabbing pro look to videos. Let's go through the list!
1. OpenShot
Agreeable points:
- Easy interface
- Open source software
- Excellent user forum
Disagreeable points:
- Too many setup layers
- Software lags at times
First, this video editing platform is free for everyone. You can download it without paying a penny on your Mac, Linux, or Windows system.
- The top features of OpenShot include:
- Easy drag and drop with desktop integration
- Supports image and audio in various formats
- Curve-based keyframe animations
- Countless tracks and layers
- 3D titles and effects
Along with these features, OpenShot provides standard video-editing features. It has resizing, scaling, trimming, snapping, rotation, cropping, and more. It also boasts features like audio mixing, frame-stepping, credit-scrolling, time-mapping, and real-time previews.
Imagine getting all these features for free! No, go beyond imagining. Download OpenShot and get first-hand experience for free. You can test your skills, hone them, and try videography before you invest in paid video editors.
2. Adobe Premiere Pro
Agreeable points:
- Multicam editing
- Controls are finely-tuned
- Connected to Adobe Suite
- Motion tracking
- Unique professional effects
Disagreeable points:
- Needs a powerful system to run the software
- It's not free
Nothing screams more professional for videographers than the Adobe Premiere Pro. It has a nonlinear editing interface. This software gives you the best features to push your videos to the next level. Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the favourite video-editing programs for several professionals. YouTubers, Instagrammers, and even filmmakers use this software for a rich video experience.
The best feature of Adobe Premiere Pro is its clean, intuitive, and flexible interface. Enjoy editing your videos by undocking and dragging windows. Move panels wherever you want. What does this mean? It means you get to work on a customised workplane to adjust style and effects according to your needs.
Moreover, the software has impressive audio-video syncing tools. In a single click you can ambient the music. So, whenever there's a dialogue in the video, you can duck the noise in a click.
Another fascinating feature of Adobe Premiere Pro is the control of the color scheme. You can correct the exposure, colours, and tone of the video. It has a far more powerful setting than any most available software.
Other key features include:
- Exceptional effects and transitions
- Spectacular reframing
- Video upscaling
- Adobe Stock integration
- AI-driven colour matching
- Integrated with other Adobe software like Audition, After-effects, and Photoshop.
The downside is that the software is not available for free users. You will have to get a paid subscription to unleash your videography editing skills. But it's worth it considering that it has a vast variety of features that are above and beyond free apps.
Another important factor: Premiere Pro needs a powerful system/computer to run.
If you have a robust computer and are open to paid editing tools, you can experience the best of Adobe Premiere Pro.
3. Wondershare Filmora X
Agreeable points:
- Motion tracking
- Fast rendering
- Unlimited transitions and effects
- Cost-effective
Disagreeable points:
- Unfriendly interface
- Lacks fine-tuning
We have mentioned a free software and a paid platform. Wondershare Filmora X stands right between the two. It's a paid software but in an affordable range. The software is one of the trendiest tools for YouTubers and Instagram influencers.
Wondershare Filmora X offers a vast limit of video tutorials, guides, and explainers. Any user can learn how to use the software in the best ways possible.
Here are some other features of Filmora X:
- Trim
- Colour correction
- Rotate
- Green screen
- Amazing effects and transitions
The only downside of this software is that the tools are not tuned well. This means you cannot add certain super-advanced and complex effects or elements.
Another disadvantage is that Filmora X takes more than 16GB of RAM. This causes lagging while playing or editing the video.
Other than these minor complexities, Filmora X is an easy editor in an affordable range.
4. DaVinci Resolve 18
Agreeable points:
- World's first software with editing, visual effects, motion graphics, colour correction, and audio in a single tool.
- Super fast interface.
- Professional HD transitions and effects
Disagreeable points:
- Not cost-effective
- Needs a strong system
DaVinci Resolve is the world's only video-editing tool that combines various functions like:
- Visual effects
- Editing
- Colour correction
- Audio post production
- Motion graphics
In other words, it's like having a production studio on your computer.
The software has a super smooth interface. It lets you work fast without switching from one app to another.
Create professional videos using high-quality effects and transitions. Render videos and elevate your videography skills.
The downside? It's not the most affordable option. Plus, like Adobe Premiere Pro, you will need a strong computer to run the operations.
Talking about money, how much the transition from photography to videography can cost? The section below may help you get an answer to this question.
How much does the videography to photography transition cost?
Videography is a technical field. The filming and the editing process need you to invest well. The average cost for a bachelor's degree in this arena can cost you anywhere from $8000 to $30,000 per year. It can go even higher based on how established the organisation is. The University of California offers a 4-year course in videography that costs $12,686 per year.
What's the affordable option?
The affordable option would be to try online learning. Social learning and e-learning platforms help you learn videography skills. Learn at your pace without burning a hole in your pocket. You can try these options if you don't want to spend much on learning videography skills. It doesn't matter where you are learning the skills. What matters is that you are learning the skill.
Additional costs
- A tripod may cost anywhere from $70 to $190
- Paid editing software may cost $50 to $800 based on the level of editing you are looking for.
- Microphones, voice recorders, lighting equipment, bags and cases to carry your device may cost anywhere from $200 to $3000.
But, consider this an investment for life since it can help you shape your career much better.
You know now that videography is no longer limited as a measure of art. The videography business has seen a growth in demand in various marketing industries. It is evolving into an enormous field of opportunities, and it's no surprise everyone wants to be a part of it. But, you will need to invest your time and effort as the competition rises with time.
At KoolStories, you will find both the opportunity to learn and the exposure you need. It is a micro learning app that connects you to experts and like-minded learners. You can join the app for free. Learn at your own pace and get affordable micro-learning courses. You can also have one-on-one sessions with professionals. Try it today and decide for yourself!
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