Secrets of Video for Photographers comes to Portland Oregon

Secrets of video for photographers is coming to Portland for two events that takes away the mystery of video production and replaces it with solid information.  More than just tech talk, Lee White also goes over ideas on how to increase revenue streams and creative strategies.

The evening seminar is two hours jammed packed with need to know info!

When: Friday, April 8, 2011
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm, doors open at 6:30pm
Where: Newspace Center for Photography
1632 S.E. 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214
Cost: General $10, ASMP members & Students $5
Register Now!

All attendees will receive free SmartSound music and SonicFire music editing software .

Taking the step from stills to video can be a challenging one. You will have to learn how to deal with motion and sound, tell the visual story in a different way. There is new equipment to master. Post-production can be much more involved and time consuming. The explosion of interest in video both by clients and photographers in the last couple of years has opened new creative avenues for photographers. More photographers are being asked to create video content so are facing new challenges in estimating, production and post-production. Come and learn about the latest tools and techniques needed to create video. Learn how to better estimate the time and costs involved and how you need to approach video differently than stills while using your photographic talents to your advantage.

Lee White’s evening lecture presentation and videos will go over the steps photographers need to know in creating video without tearing their hair out.

During the evening Lee will discuss:
• How photographers can get new clients
• The latest in tools that make video production easier
• The all-important planning stage and what new concepts and costs photographers need to think about
• The importance of post-production
• HDSLR vs Camcorder in video production
• How photographers can apply their present skills to video

The latest equipment and software by sponsors Apple, Manfrotto, Panasonic, Zeiss,  Sennheiser, Beachtek. Red Giant Software, SmartSound, G-Technology, Indisystems, Chimera and Casio will be at the event for photographers to see.

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Secrets of Video for Photographers workshop

This fast paced all-day workshop is not to be missed.

When: Saturday, April 9, 2011
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Where: Andy Batt’s Studio
2021 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Cost: General $150; ASMP members & Students $100 – Lunch included
Register Now!

All attendees will receive free SmartSound music and SonicFire music editing software .

Photography and video are coming together. In the last couple of years, the idea of photographers producing video has exploded and photographers now must gear up and learn the language of video. As advertisers and magazines turn to video on the web, cable and mobile devices to get out their message, there are more opportunities than ever for you to do video in tandem with your photography to capture new clients and sell video services to existing clients.

Producing video creates fundamental changes to your workflow. It requires new tools and techniques to take the step from photography to video. You need to learn what the new technologies mean to you from a photographer’s point of view. This is why Lee White, a professional photographer and educator, has created an intensive all day workshop to help guide you into video. This hands-on workshop will go in depth about each step of video production so you can start producing your own video and avoid some of the most dangerous pitfalls.

In the morning, Lee White will go over the fundamentals of video production and direct a plan for a shoot for the afternoon. In the afternoon, we will shoot, and edit and color grade the video.

The Saturday subjects will include:
• The importance of workflow including recording formats and how to use them to your advantage
• Estimating and planning combined photography and video shoots with forms for estimating video production
• Understanding the lighting, filming and sound techniques needed for video
• Hands on experience with camera, lighting and sound equipment
• Editing and color grading demonstrations
• Common issues in directing talent and a chance to direct yourself
• The importance of post-production

The latest equipment and software by sponsors Apple, Manfrotto, Panasonic, Zeiss,  Sennheiser, Beachtek. Red Giant Software, SmartSound, G-Technology, Indisystems and Casio will be at the event for photographers to see in action.

Lecture and workshop are sponsored by Pro Photo Supply and ASMP Oregon.

Control Audio with BEACHTEK DXA-SLR

As a professional photographer shooting video for a variety of client needs I don’t always have the budget to include a sound person as crew on every shoot I do.  Beachtek has provided me a solution to controlling my audio.

The Beachtek DXA-SLR audio adapter replaces the DXA-5D I enjoyed using last year to adapt and control professional audio gear for use with my video capable DSLR. It is small and can be attached to a camera body via the 1/4-20 stud and also accepts a 1/4-20 thread for mounting on a tripod or other support.

Beachtek DXA-SLR

Image courtesy of Beachtek

Hint: It can save major time during shooting and editing if the audio and video is synced.  Although there is very good audio/video-syncing software you still have to keep the audio and video files coordinated or you can have a major mess.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks to recording good sound with any of the present day DSLRs is the lack of XLR professional audio connectors and in some cases audio level (trim) controls.  The Beachtek DXA-SLR handles both of these issues allowing you to record synced sound right in the camera.   It has a right and left channel XLR input connector with individual level controls, which allows for inputs from one or two sources using the industry standard balanced and shielded audio cables used with professional microphones.  The adapter can also supply the 49v power needed by condenser microphones drawing the power from the standard 9V battery used to power the adapter itself.  Adding to the professional capabilities is the line or microphone switch for each of the XLR channels.  Each of the two channels has a good and peak level indictor.  The DXA-SLR adapter also has a stereo mini plug input for devices like the Sennheiser EW100 Wireless kits I often use when a boomed microphone is impractical.

The DXA-SLR has a switch, which turns on and off the Automatic Gain Control disabler, which when on keeps the AGC in cameras, like the 7D in check.  Automatic Gain Control can create wild swings in audio levels, which causes major problems with your recorded audio.

There is a headphone mini jack with a volume control to listen to what you are recording and playback from the camera.  For playback you do need to hook up the camera playback via the two RCA inputs on the DXA-SLR.  There is also a high or low gain setting for the preamplifiers in the adapter.

Take a look at the diagram below to get a better idea of all the controls the DXA-SLR has for your audio needs.

Beachtek DXA-SLR controls

Image courtesy of Beachtek