Your Video Expert Blog

Adobe to Unveil New Tools in the XS6 - Creative Suite 6 at NAB 2012 Next Week

Adobe has announced that NAB 2012 - held in La Vegas, Nevada next week - will see a premiere of their latest media post-production suite of applications...CS6 - Creative Suite 6

"The suite features significant updates to familiar tools including powerful new versions of Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Audition®, Adobe Story, Adobe Media Encoder and Adobe Photoshop®". 

Adobe will be releasing two brand new tools - as part of CS6 "Adobe SpeedGrade™ CS6 for professional color grading, and Adobe Prelude™ CS6, an elegant solution for the process of ingest, logging and transcoding, essential tasks in a modern file-based work flow."

Of specific interest to us video producers - here are the changes to expect in the new Suite "for advanced video editing, Premiere Pro CS6 incorporates a new user interface, trimming and OpenCL support in the new turbo-charged Mercury Playback Engine. After Effects CS6 is the biggest release in a decade, with huge performance gains and powerful 3D features."

Shine On, Videographer: Lighting Buyer's Guide

Videomaker magazine on-line has a helpful on-line article that provides a good foundation for video lighting.  This 3-page article reviews the types of light kits to consider along with a variety of video lighting accessories.

And as a bonus there is a one-page PDF document you can download which lists the video lighting manufacturers and the types of lighting gear they provide: Filament, LED, Fluorescent, Arc, or Halogen.

 You can read the Videomaker article here: Shine On, Videographer: Lighting Buyer's Guide

 

Do It Yourself Inexpensive Camera Slider

I saw this recently and am in the process of creating one myself - I thought some of my readers may also enjoy creating their own very affordable camera 'slider'.  This is essentially a camera mount that is used to move fluidly across a shot in a scene...instead of panning left or right, where the camera pivots - the slider provides a shot where the perspective moves through or across the subject.

It can be quite beautiful and dramatic, and we are seeing more and more of these shots in contemporary videos. This is especially true when HDSLRs are being used. In fact the video tutorial is titled DSLR SLider, but you could use this for most any smaller (and lighter) video camera as well.

Thanks to Peter Wiren of Sweden for sharing this idea with us all - you will find Peter via his website here:  http://www.peterwiren.se/

Gifts for the Video Producer - Cameras & Gadgets - Free Webinar Recording

This past Tuesday I shared my recommendations for some great video cameras and gadgets for the video producer. 

I shared nine video cameras (between $79 and $1,200), 25 accessories, some services, and a books that would make great gifts for the upcoming holidays (or anytime).

With Murphy's Law in full action -- the recording of the session was corrupt (live recording from PC to external HDD), meaning I could only find it on my external Hard Drive but not do anything with it

The next morning I received email messages from folks who had asked were anxious to view the recording as they could not attend live due to schedule conflicts.

So - I went about presenting the session a second time, this time using a different recording method, and it worked great.

And this time I split the session into two segments to make it more convenient for folks to find what they're seeking:
1. cameras
2. gadgets, etc.

The two recordings along with a booklet - which has a listing of the recommendations and internet links to each item - are available now.

You'll find these resources on this page: Your Video Expert - Gifts for Video Producers Webinar

Free Online Webinar Cameras & Gadgets for Video Producers

If you know a family member or friend who videotapes youth sports, family vacations or other travels, please share with them my free web-seminar. Tomorrow evening I am presenting a one-hour on-line session where I share my favorite video tools & gadgets.

I am presenting several cameras (in the $150 - $1,500 range) and a bunch of cool accessories for folks using video cameras, whether you shoot home videos or for business. Click the link below to sign-up (& pass  along to your friends, please)

If you can't join me live- there will be a free recording. And not to worry, this is NOT a sales gimmick or pyramid scheme - just a free session to share the info available at my new business - Your Video Expert. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/864285546

iPhone 4S Accessory and Tip for the Video Shooting Phone User

There has been quite an interesting conversation that the video Side by Side Comparison between Canon 5D Mk II and Apple iPhone 4S posted by Robino Films has inspired.

Two of the questions that came out of the posting have to do with set-up or use of the iPhone 4S in the video.  I found these two items of great value to any reader who has an iPhone 4S and wishes to shoot video. 

Tripod Attachment

There are several after market gadgets available to help you connect your iPhone to a tripod. I found that stabilizing your iPhone is critical to coming away with video that is even half-way decent. This is obvious to long-time videographers, but is even more critical using a small, hand-held camera phone.  

The tripod attachment (and the one I just ordered) used by Robino Jones is the 'Glif: iPhone 4/4S Tripod Mount & Stand' by Studio Neat.  This is available at many camera stores as well as on Amazon.com*  It should be noted that the Glif Tripod Mount works on a 'bare' iPhone 4/4S - it cannot be in a case (which is a bummer for me, I love my Otter Box Defender)

Locked Exposure & Focus

One of the things Mr. Robino did for this comparison is that he locked the exposure and focus on the iPhone 4S to prevent drifting and searching.  This technique is not readily apparent in the phone's menu or in Apple documentation.

Vimeo user Lawrence Marshall shared how to lock the AE (Auto-Exposure) and Focus - this is apparently avaialble to both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, once you upgrade to the newer iOS 5: "Press and hold on the image to lock AE and Focus. This is a new feature of iOS 5."

If you'd like some more conversation on this issue, consider this online article by Wired Magazine: Phone 4S 1080p Video Is Great, But Can’t Beat a DSLR
 

*The asterisk  signifies an affiliate link whereby Chet Davis receives a small percentage of the sale, for referring customers to the product or service. 

"I do not nor will I recommend or serve as an affiliate for any goods or services I do not find of sound quality or worthy of your consideration.  My reputation and relationship with my clients & colleagues is more important than a small profit to me"  Chet Davis

iPhone 4S: Great Potential for Videos

Apple computers announced new products this week at their offices in Cupertino, California - among the announcements is a new model of the iPhone... the iPhone 4S. Though some are disappointing that the company did not introduce the iPhone 5, there are some features that video minded folks may find interesting.

Final Cut Pro X Free Trial

Apple announced an updated version of their Final Cut Pro X with some software changes, and the option for customers to try a free 30-day trial of the video editing software.

The 10.1 update is the first for the revamped Final Cut Pro video editing software by Apple.  The release of Final Cut Pro earlier this year brought a hail-storm of protest from users of the previous FCP versions. The new software was markedly different and one of the big complaints was that projects from the previous versions of FCP could not be loaded (and finished) in the new version of Final Cut Pro X.