HD vs SD

About my HD and SD question, which would you choose if you had the choice?

Beth 5-21-08
--------------------------------------

If I had the choice I'd choose the new Red One camera that offers 4000 lines of resolution, actually.

I offer both and most of my clients are perfectly happy with SD video at a cheaper price. If I was making the decision, SD and HD would not be an issue. The issue would be who knows their job the best. Technology does not make the artist, skill does and video is an artistic medium.

Here is something to judge any sales pitch on from a videographer, if the majority of their sales pitch is about the technology they use, then they probably aren't a very good videographer. Expensive toys and and pitches about how much work it will take to edit your video are the signs of someone who really doesn't know what they are doing or lack something in skills. I have found, not always but much of the time, those who run out and buy the latest gadgets and brag about their technology usually are poor videographers. Anyone can buy the new technology, anyone with enough money. It's the artists though that make the beautiful pictures that cause your breath to catch in your throat.

Go with the videographer who's work, not technology, impresses you the most!

Good luck!

Brian Peterson

Concept Video

I have seen this on many of the flyers I have looked at from video companies, what is a concept video?

Jordan
-----------------------------------------

I think I'll let WEVA International's Creative Excellence Awards entry description answer that:
Concept Video Production is defined as a single, stand-alone video featuring or profiling an honoree(s) living or deceased that is primarily intended to creatively entertain or inform the honoree(s). The production may include photos and video and. The Concept Video includes video invitations, theme videos, biographical videos etc. The production may be fantasy or reality based.

Concept videos can be a lot of fun. I have seen them where the entire bridal party did the end skit of Grease where Travolta and Newton-John ran around on the fairground. I have seen comedy skits based on the bride and groom meeting on the set of the Bachelorette's. They can also be used in Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. One I saw last year was a Bat Mitzvah comedy skit that lampooned My Sweet 16 from MTV. They are usually fun, entertaining, often funny videos that show off the personalities of who they are about.

I know BridalFilms.net is waiting on Furla Vision to send in their gold winning CEA entrant from last year to be streamed on this page. So check back there in a week to see an excellent example of a concept video!

Brian Peterson

High Definition Video vs Standard Definition

What do we have in today's mailbag:
My fiance and I have narrowed down our choice of vieographers to 2. One of them offers high definition and the other uses what he calls sd cameras. The high definition video guy says we need what he offers and that competitor is charging too much for his sd videos.

Which should we choose?

Beth 5-21-08
-----------------------------------------------

Good question Beth!

First of all SD stands for standard definition which for decades has been 720x480 lines of resolution. Your standard "square" television screen. Since HD came out standard resolution screens and video have taken on the SD moniker.

As to your main question. First of all if the HD videographer is attacking his competitions price and quality over selling based on his own merrits I'd go find another videographer to talk to. Bad mouthing the competition, to make a sale, is just bad judgment and shows a lack of character. I personally wouldn't hire him.

As to HD vs SD; which videographer's work do you like the most? HD is just a tool, there are many bad HD videos out there now and their are many bad SD videos, HD cameras are like a painter's brush, they are the tool, not the art. So I would base my decision on the end result, which videographer's work do you like the best, which one do you believe will give you the most enjoyable experience to work with? Price has nothing to do with it except if it fits inside your budget.

Some videographes will argue that you are "future" proofing your wedding film if you go with HD today. I would argue this point. The standard camera that videographers use today is 720 lines of resolution. This is not the full resolution that HD can truly deliver which is 1080. But there is a ground movement from several botique manufacturers out there to start pushing cameras and screens that are 4000 lines of resolution. The technology is in place and these small companies are determined to take our viewing experience further, in 10 years 1080 may be considered the has-been. Get what you like today, not what you think you need tomorrow, you will be most happy with what you like.

This is Exciting!

Hello everyone and thank you for reading. I look forward to helping you with any questions you may have about wedding video production! I have been a professional videographer since 1994 and within the wedding industry since 1989 so I have seen it all so to speak and can answer any question you hit me with about wedding video production. So please feel free to post your questions in the comments section.

I'll also be from time to time posting little tidbits that I find interesting, videos I find on YouTube or general information I think you might enjoy.

Feel free to post your first questions!