Videographer Guide
"Review the Work"

Wedding Video

Your wedding video is a precious lifetime memory. Artisitc video will present itself in many forms during your wedding videography previews. There are many choices, topics and evaluations to consider before booking. To help, below is a guide, suggestions and videographer questions to ask during your search. Be better prepared in making an informed decision. Know before asking.

Plan

Depending upon the season vendors and venues book early. This may also work to your advantage as value fluctuates with season. Devote the same time to smaller details and avoid stress later on by having not to settle for less. Your choice among videographers narrows as your date approaches. Call upon recognition of a prospective videographer and check their schedule. Request a meeting to see who will be working for you and sample their work. Do not hesitate to ask videographer questions during your review. You will learn more about your videographer by asking questions and get to know the person better.

Video package list

If a package is offered, request a break down. Ask what may not be included, travel time, distance, weekend vs. weekday, additional hours, overtime, videographer substitute, cancellation policy, who owns the original footage and elements, how much time do I have should I want to make a revision, if the originals at a future time were to be remounted for a re-edit may I have the EDL (edit decision list ), and about copy protection?

Beyond the style of the videographers work, the type of equipment contributes to the overall image quality and sets limits as to what can and cannot be accomplished. Follow videographer guide.

Video Format SD or HD video

Standard Definition video or SD video. Many videographers use DV and format variants to produce high quality documentaries, television shows, industrials and wedding videos. The DV cameras are good performers along with their brethren SD Betacam. Many television programs you have viewed over the years included content produced entirely by or in part of these formats. Networks and their affiliates have rules regarding percentage of format inclusion within a program. SD is a interlaced format which was later updated by adding progressive recording. The quality of conversion from interlace SD to progressive SD varies upon the videographers tools and or know how. When done properly the conversion result looks good. When deciding on a videographer the style and content of their work should be first choice over format.

HI Definition video or HD video. There is a trend to move to HD. The migration path varies depending upon the videographers set up. HD video looks very good on large panel monitors. These same monitors display SD video well. The advantage of going with HD is the image recorded to DVD will look better than if recorded from SD. HD video to Blu Ray is very good. If you decide to have your wedding video on demand via internet webcast for friends and family to view in the comfort of their home, HD video is a better choice as it will display larger and clearer on their home computer panel or flat panel TV.

Video Camera

A very subjective topic. I will start with a good accessory of the camera. The tripod. Steadfast and smooth this three legged accessory knows its place under the camera. Necessary in many situations. Handling the camera off tripod, the use of a Steadicam, Glidecam and the like will do much to stabilize the image. Even the use of a monopod is helpful. Videographers also go freehand with a bit of help from electronic image stabilization to deliver some remarkable shots, and they maintain agility moving around for the right perspective and moment. Mounting the camera on a tripod allows for set ups where the videographer can rack focus (focus, defocus of subjects) thereby shifting attention artfully, a pleasing live transition. A camera light will help fill in shadows and illuminate for good facial tone. The mechanisms used contribute to captured content of added value for your wedding video.

Some cameras have a built in wavefrom monitor and vectorscope. The waveform monitor displays the live value of lighted objects before the lens as interpreted by the image sensor and related electronics of the camera. The waveform is helpful in setting camera controls to deal with a broad range of light. Having camera control of gamma, knee, and black stretch, a more pleasing realistic image is created. Without the controls some scenes may suffer highlight washout and lack of detail in the blacks, yielding an overall contrasty image. Some videographers may adjust aperture to compensate and rebuild as best as possible during the edit. Although the controls exist in some camera models it may not always be possible to have the luxury of time to manually adjust for each scene while shooting a live event. Some cameras have built in scene files where presets may be stored and are readily selectable.

If multiple cameras are to be used they should be matched to avoid a jarring switch between cameras. If the cameras are of similar type and known to output a similar image then they should be color balanced under the same lighting to each other.

Sound

Having the right microphones on location makes a big difference. Wireless microphones are a major advantage for videographers to have the freedom to move about without tethered wires. Quality varies between wireless microphones. The frequency of the transmitter should be in a band that is not shared with local municipal services. It is likely the videographer had thought of this before their purchase. The wireless microphones should have multiple frequencies to choose from to avoid interference from other wireless sets in use. The wireless microphones should have a good range between transmitter and receiver to prevent drop outs or loss of sound do to signal loss. Better wireless sets use a diversity arrangement to prevent drop outs while moving about. The sound quality of the wireless microphones should be rich in tone with good bottom bass and midrange rather then an overall narrow range which sounds less desirable. The pickup pattern of the microphone should be ample to hear bride, groom, officiant and musicians. A windscreen should be present on all microphones. It's a good practice to have extra tie clips and windscreens on location. Transmitters for a hand held microphones are always a good item to have on location for interviews.

Video Editing

Viewing the work of the videographer will reveal their level of skill in wedding videography. Observe their technique in camera handling and choices made in editing. Feel the tempo of flow. Are the cuts timed right? If a transition is used does it serve a purpose or there because they can. Is the video clean and natural. If not, does the look contribute pleasing esthetic value? Do you believe the choices made are the best? Do you want your story told in similar fashion?

How is the sound? Are the voices clear and natural. Is the voice level well above any background sound? If music is added is it balanced well under audio or does it conflict? Does the music level rise and fall to punctuate? Does the music transition to follow the action or mood as a necessary choice?

There are many editing and graphic manipulation software products available. Having the right software is helpful. Its proper use is delightful.

Review many samples. You will find the right videographer on our island.

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