The Blog
Wedding Video Myth: One Camera is Enough
August 19, 2011
Sticking with my recent wedding video myth-busting theme, I was reminded of the importance of multiple cameras as I watched a recent film we just delivered. In this segment of the film, Marianna’s sister sings a song she wrote for the couple.
Watch their entire full length film HERE
As you can see, the reactions are just as important as the action itself. With one camera, the instant reactions would have been impossible to cover, making this a very different film.
The myths:
One Camera is Enough
Many wedding videographers shoot with only one camera. If they offer a second camera, it is often un-manned. As you can see in the example above, multiple manned cameras are necessary to get the action and the reaction, be it during the vows, a speech, or a toast. Recently, I watched a clip from a videographer who posted online. He was complaining about guests getting in the way with their point and shoot cameras. His unmanned second camera in the back of the church was blocked by a guest, so he missed the kiss and other important moments. With one camera, this is very likely to happen again and again. A human being must be in control over the camera because with so many snap-happy guests, it is almost guaranteed that a locked off, unmanned shot will be blocked. You can’t get that back.
More than One Camera is Obtrusive
Some videographers will tell you that fewer cameras are less obtrusive, but the fact is, the more cameras you have, the less those cameras have to move. Two or three cameras at a ceremony, for example, can get two or three angles at the same time, without having to move. One person with one camera has to run around to get all those angles, and can never shoot more than one angle at a time. This means that precious moments and emotional reactions are gone forever.
Speaking of ‘obtrusive’, I can’t gloss over the fact that being unobtrusive has a lot to do with how wedding cinematographers handle themselves. One video guy with a video light on top of his camera moving around the dance floor with a big tripod on wheels is ten times more obtrusive than three stealthy cinematographers dressed like guests and blending in. While the number of cameras is important, it is just as important to understand how your filmmaker operates.
Here are other examples of how important it is to have more than one camera:
Holly and Bill
Mallory and Will
Rini and Wayne
Tags: HD Weddings - Philadelphia Wedding Video - Wedding and Event Production News
COMMENTS
Philip: (08.19.11-4:04pm) Dave,
I agree almost completely with what you said about multiple cameras and multiple shooters. I disagree a little with the concept that if all the cameras are manned you don't run the risk of a snap happy guest blocking a shot. I've shot a processional more than once where I was unobtrusively sitting inside a pew off the center aisle. Right when the bride enters and is in my sweet spot for the best footage aunt Betty hops out with her point and shoot to take a pic. I'm on a manned camera and she still ruined my shot. This has happened more than once. You can't dart into the aisle...you just have to roll with it. I think I saw the clip you referenced with the unmanned cam where a guests arm blocked the first kiss. Had that camera been manned would the operator have really been able to lean out and still get a usable the shot before the kiss was over. The kiss was quick and even if that camera was manned my guess is they would have still have it blocked by the guest. Of course if it was a manned camera then it is also entirely possible it may have been positioned in a little better location to not run the chance of being blocked by a guest so your point is valid in that situation.
Great post and I like you series about cinematographers. Other than that little quibble your write up is spot on in every way.
Keep up the education of the masses.
photographer pro: (08.25.11-4:26am) ha! if only my little sister read this before hiring her wedding videographer. he made sure to sell himself but when the time came to shoot he only brought himsel and no second shooter. the video was dull and one dimensional. videographers should tak lessons from you!
