Blue Planet Photography

For a couple years now, but recently in just the past several months, the pressure for still photographers to enter into video production has been increasing in step with the addition of high definition video capability to digital SLR bodies like the Canon 5D. A big question for still photographers is, “Should I get into video production now?” While a competent still photographer has the basic technical and artistic skills to transition to video, it’s not just a matter of turning on the video feature and shooting away. Transitioning (or adding) video production to your repertoire is a costly endeavor (remember, you can’t shoot video with strobes) requiring expensive new lighting equipment, movement dollies, tracks, stabilization, gimbles, platforms, etc. and a large crew. Video (quality video) is not something you can do by yourself or with a single assistant. For reference, read recent issues of PDN Magazine for overviews of video production and comments about the pitfalls, costs, and pressure from clients to shoot video in conjunction with a stills shoot (for the same rate even). It’s going to be a bit of a messy transition period until the industry gets this bastard child sorted out. Vincent LeForet & Chase Jarvis are the well-knowns (or most prominent in the video-sphere) jumping full force into the video genre, but they’ve got the cash, notoriety, and resources to do it relatively painlessly (I’m sure they might have some words to say about that, but compared to the rest of us I think that assessment is accurate). The still photography industry is entering another trying time while it’s still trying to deal with the flood of digital technology, ease of entry into the market by anyone, pricing issues, over-supply and under-demand, etc.

Anyway, take a look at this video showing how Canon 5D’s are used to create second unit driving plates for the TV series 24. Very interesting behind the scenes kind of stuff:

Shooting Driving Plates for 24 from Stargate Studios on Vimeo.

Rob Haggart, over at aphotoeditor.com, has posted a nice list of commonly-used terms in the photography industry. The post is targeted to ad agency buyers, but if you’re a photographer starting out or if you aren’t quite sure what the difference is between unlimited use and a buyout or corporate versus promotional, check it out. The terminology and its meaning is the same whether you’re a buyer or a photographer (not “seller). And, it’s a lot easier for Rob to type it all out over on his site than it is for me to do it here (ha ha).

Some other resources that are very helpful when it comes to the terminology and its proper use in the photography business:

Websites:
www.useplus.com/ Picture Licensing Universal System
www.updig.org Universal Photographic Digital Imaging Guidelines

Books:
ASMP Professional Business Practices in Photography, 7th ed.
John Harrington’s Best Business Practices for Photographers, 2nd ed.