Interesting use for video on new DSLRs....

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

01/13/2010 10:52:25 AM · #1

During Imaging USA this weekend, I went to a seminar given by wedding photog Yervant. He was showing how he is using the video feature on DSLRs to capture what he called "secs" - a second with in a moment. Essentially what he was saying is that he will set up 2 dslrs on video mode (16gb cards in each) and then place them in placed where it would be hard for him to get - like behind the alter or something.

Then he was showing that you can open video files in photoshop cs3/cs4, and scrub through them frame by frame. He would then use that to find a single frame that captured the moment (or the second of the moment) the best.

A lot of the images contained subtle things that can't be recreated or just occur to quickly to capture with a camera unless you knew it was coming.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

01/13/2010 11:16:02 AM · #2

A lot of photojournalists have been using hi definition video cameras in a similar manner for some time now. That way capturing the critical moment is not a maybe thing. Using it for a wedding is a good application of the idea.

acg83

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

01/13/2010 11:22:40 AM · #3

Obviously the resolution is limited with this technique and I'd imagine there's still an element of luck in getting the action nicely framed in order to limit the amount of cropping required etc.

[edit for English]

Message edited by author 2010-01-13 11:24:03.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/13/2010 11:32:08 AM · #4

He was saying he gets acceptable quality prints up to 11x17 with it. I think thats what he said at least.

It works great for static things, like a ceremony, where you know that hte couple is going to be a primary spot for the bulk of the wedding and you cna frame it up based on that. Like for my wedding, I would have put it off to the left of the alter looking over the priests shoulder sort of (but inconspicuously) and one in front of the little side area where my wife and I were seated during parts of the wedding.

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

01/14/2010 01:21:27 PM · #5

isnt the resolution of the video 1920x1080?

That's 2 megapixels... I wouldn't call a 11x17 print from a 2mp file acceptable.

As good as Yervant is, i think that's what we can call 'poetic license'.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

01/14/2010 01:25:21 PM · #6

The professional tool for this is Red One //www.red.com/

Mephisto

Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

01/14/2010 01:39:45 PM · #7

Is that still photography...?

eta: Discuss! ;-)

Message edited by author 2010-01-14 13:40:14.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/14/2010 02:12:37 PM · #8

Sure it's still photography, just not "still photography." ;-)

I think the only difference between video and burst mode is the number and size of the frames captured -- a matter of degree and not principle.

jdannels

Nikon D300s

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

01/14/2010 02:18:06 PM · #9

I have thought of shooting video and pulling a frame out for DPC challenge. I haven't really tried the whole thing out though. Does anyone know if each frame carries exif data?

01/14/2010 02:22:09 PM · #10

I may be wrong about 11x17, I don't recall. I dont have a dslr with video, so I'm not able to try it.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/14/2010 02:44:34 PM · #11

Originally posted by jdannels:

Does anyone know if each frame carries exif data?

I rather doubt it, but haven't experimented with DSLR video -- why don't you shoot a short clip and let us know?

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

01/14/2010 02:59:03 PM · #12

From a quick google search, it doesn't have embedded exif, but a seaprate file that contains the exif data that accompanies the video file.

BJokerud

Nikon D3s

01/14/2010 03:33:29 PM · #13

How would that go along with the ruleset?

01/14/2010 03:36:13 PM · #14

I mean it does follow within the rules...its a single frame captured with a digital camera...and it does have exif data associated with it...just not embedded in it?

01/14/2010 03:44:35 PM · #15

From Yervant's blog:

SecS with Yervant

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/14/2010 03:48:06 PM · #16

Before anyone tries this with a challenge entry I would strongly suggest submitting a ticket with a test image and explanation so we (SC) can discuss whether/how this technique would/could work with the existing rules. It may be that it would make the validation too complex or insufficiently reliable to be practical (or it may be fine) -- we can't know until we check some actual files and talk it over.

jdannels

Nikon D300s

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

01/14/2010 03:48:44 PM · #17

trying to see if it has exif. At first glance I would say no, but I don't think I am loading it right, I am not sure how to edit video frame by frame. Tried to drag the AVI into CS4 but just got the opening frame, and that had no data attached under file info. Maybe someone else will have better luck.

ETA: Someone with rudimentary video editing skills could find out I think.

Message edited by author 2010-01-14 15:49:53.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/14/2010 03:53:53 PM · #18

The link to the blog a couple of posts ago has step-by-step instructions for editing a single frame, but doesn't discuss EXIF data.

scarbrd

Leica M10

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

01/14/2010 04:00:08 PM · #19

For the love of all that is holy, please do not allow video grabs in challenges, even if it contains exif data.

BJokerud

Nikon D3s

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

01/14/2010 04:08:02 PM · #20

You suck at photoshop? I think this video shows you something like that. Warning, the humour is... lame... haha...

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/14/2010 04:14:47 PM · #21

Originally posted by scarbrd:

For the love of all that is holy, please do not allow video grabs in challenges, even if it contains exif data.

So, should we also eliminate frames from 7fps burst-mode shots as well? I think some cameras will even keep shooting continuously as long as you hold down the shutter (and there's room in memory).

Not necessarily disagreeing with you, but just pointing out that there's really only a difference of degree between the two modes.

01/14/2010 04:30:27 PM · #22

Originally posted by jdannels:

You mingt need cs4 extended, but under Window - Panels - ANIMATION

01/14/2010 04:30:57 PM · #23

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by scarbrd:
For the love of all that is holy, please do not allow video grabs in challenges, even if it contains exif data.

So, should we also eliminate frames from 7fps burst-mode shots as well? I think some cameras will even keep shooting continuously as long as you hold down the shutter (and there's room in memory).

Not necessarily disagreeing with you, but just pointing out that there's really only a difference of degree between the two modes.

Like Yervant has on its blog, its just 30fps instead of 7fps burst mode.