in this issue
Capture the Moment
Using a Videographer to Document Your Special Day
Still photography will always be a timeless and elegant way to capture the special moments of your wedding day, but in order to actually hear a touching toast or re-live your first dance as a married couple, you need a wedding video. Now more than ever, technology has given videographers the tools to create beautiful and completely customizable wedding videos quickly and affordably.
Like every aspect of your wedding, there are many things to consider when selecting a videographer,. First, you have to be comfortable with their rates and packages. A videographer can offer everything from a simple documentary-style video, to a heavily edited and stylized montage of highlights. Be sure to select someone who can provide the type of video you want at a price you can afford. If you will be receiving an edited video of highlights, be sure to approve the musical selections. If you have particular music in mind, be sure
that the videographer is comfortable with those selections.
Since wedding receptions are often quite dark in photographic terms, it is important they have quality gear that will perform well in low light conditions. Providing the videographer is using a relatively modern professional-grade camera, they should not need additional lighting (that will most likely annoy you and your guests). They should also have a high-quality wireless microphone to be sure your vows can be clearly heard in the video.
The single most important element in your decision should be the videographer's demo DVD. It's the best way to get an idea of their particular style and delivery. If you have the time, it's always a good idea to acquire a few DVDs from different videographers to compare looks and styles.
Wedding videos have come a long way thanks to the digital video. Cameras are more light-sensitive, editing is faster, and DVDs allow viewers to conveniently navigate through a crystal clear final product. But it doesn’t stop there. Technology is moving faster than ever and the digital video industry continues to change and improve.
One recent development is the introduction of high-definition digital video, or HDV. HDV cameras have given videographers an affordable way to shoot in super-sharp high definition. If you have ever watched "Hi-Def" television, than you've experienced the clarity and vibrancy first-hand. It is important, however, to remember that the average person does not have the ability to view a high-definition final product (which requires a high-definition television set and a high-definition DVD player). For that reason, most videographers
continue to deliver their final product on an old-fashioned, non-high-definition DVD. Still, shooting in HDV allows the videographer to keep a high-definition backup of your wedding on tape, should you acquire the ability to view a high-definition DVD. Although the market is in a transitional stage between regular DV and HDV, eventually HDV will likely become the new standard for wedding videos around the world.
Another recent trend in wedding videos is the incorporation of the Internet. Connection speeds have increased such that the average person has the ability to view video content online. Certain videographers take advantage of this and offer to post a "web-version" of their wedding video online. To ensure playability, the "web-version" is usually shorter than the full length video, but it is still a great way to share the video with distant friends and
relatives. With the quality of professionals and technology available today, you will glad you captured your wedding day on video.
Jonathan Downs works under Melissa Sherman Photography and can be contacted at jonathandowns@gmail.com or www.melissasherman.com.