Beginner very amateur video as a guest at a wedding

[KIPAX]

I was guest at a wedding on Sunday and was encouraged to take my new toy the Sony AX53 .. So this is very much from a guest POV .. There was an official video lady there and I kept out of her way (of course) so couldnt get any of the best angles which was fine.. I was learning on the spot... Weddings are a long day and i get fidgity so this gave me somehting to do

Its all hand held and the stabalisation wasnt too bad.. inside for meal dull lighting and first dance bad lighting i think it managed OK seeing as these where its supposed worse bits but i am happy

had to rip out all the music for youtube

I know I ahve a lot to learn but for a first attempt learn as you go i was reasonably happy.. kept one dodgy shaky bit in as the best man was funny so kept that in

was impressed wiht the wedding photogrpaher as well.. again kept well out of his way thats why hes on the video

View: https://youtu.be/xX2Ks1SSEKc?si=wjaYG0uWu9l1dsQt

 

[ancient_mariner]

I think you were heroic to shoot so much video. It does show a happily informal side of the wedding.

 

[droj]

Great job!

 

[realspeed]

KIPAX​

you know I hated that ax53 but apart from that maybe i can give a few little pointerssIif i may .

Yes looks ok but why oh why not leave in the original sound???? that is part of making a video.

With that camera one is encouraged to use the sony microphone in their hotshoe with the electronic contact built in. And to be honest it is not the best microphone, I had one. That damn flappy cover drove me nuts. which needed removing, even a self made cover would be better out of a bit of plastic.

If your spending around £1000 for a camcorder get a decent microphone that does stereo and /or directional all in one. I have had/got several microphones so sound quality makes all the difference. below are two of the smaller makes which do the job BUT still not the best have come across

Left is the sennheiser MKE400 and on the Right the Panasonic WD-MBS10



one is directional and the other stereo/directioal. look cloely and see the problem (they both work by the way). Did you spot it? they both have audio cables fixed into them. damage a cable and no mike. also the sound is a bit on the "tinny" side as are all small microphones.
Now most would point you towards Rode microphones but they have the same issue. So I did a lot of research believe me. Yes I found he ideal one with AZDEN SMX.30 V. Ok a lot larger but boy what a difference. OK cost around £250 but well worth it
link

Google Search

Ok it is a bit of a lump and gets noticed but so does one shoved in a face by interviewers . did you notice the detachable Audio cable mentioned or the battereis and easily accessible while on the camera?

Hope you don't mind my comments its just what i have learn't over 12 years of making videos

OneI did of tree cutting next door . not so mucy the video but listen to he sound, you won't get much better that this

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-63EXbCOw4

 

[KIPAX]

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you know I hated that ax53 but apart from that maybe i can give a few little pointersIif i may .

Of course thats why we are here mate

Yes looks ok but why oh why not leave in the original sound???? that is part of making a video.

Plain and simple.. there was a musician there.. girl with guitar playing all day.. one commercial song aftre another... youtube wouldnt have let me publish.. same with first dance.. i really wanted to keep it in I think it spoils it .. but what could i do

Ok it is a bit of a lump and gets noticed but so does one shoved in a face by interviewers . did you notice the detachable Audio cable mentioned or the battereis and easily accessible while on the camera?

As mentioned in the past i didnt want to go overboard with accessories.. I want to be as UN noticable as possible .. also that was a one off the wedding... i dont get to many haha... 99% of what I do will be sports and sound wont be thta important.. if it does start to erk me then i am straight back to this thread to see what i can do but its not that bad for my simple needs

Hope you don't mind my comments its just waht i have learn't over 12 years of making videos

of course.. like i say., whats the point of me posting unless i want replies

I have to say thouhg i went for the cony ax53 because it doesnt stand out as much as the panasonic.. i want to stay amatuer looking.. if i add too much it gets a bit pro look.. I have added a rubber eyecup and stepup ring+ uv filter as that open end was a worry for much dust rain

all in all i am pretty happy with the choice but obviously strive to do the best i can

 

[realspeed]

Fair enough and you did well then, I didn't know about the music but suprised about youtube banning as it was original live not played on a commercial platform ie disc.
As soon as one brings out a camcorder you get noticed, the one I have now it the third I have owned.
as for size of mine

noy much bigger than yours I suspect with a battery attached, yhe battery it is under mine.

 

[Sangoma]

I think it will be one of their most viewed memories of the occasion.

You have managed to captured the spirit and atmosphere in a way that makes the viewer feel they were there.

It doesn't look like a beginners attempt, nor does it look like a "technically perfect" unwatchable sterile result that many "experts" produce, just a great natural balance, very nice to watch.

 

[KIPAX]

I think it will be one of their most viewed memories of the occasion.

You have managed to captured the spirit and atmosphere in a way that makes the viewer feel they were there.

It doesn't look like a beginners attempt, nor does it look like a "technically perfect" unwatchable sterile result that many "experts" produce, just a great natural balance, very nice to watch.

cheers they do love it... i am looking forward to the official one.. see if any candids in there.. probably helped that i knew 90% of the people so knew who to get mostly she had a dslr on a tripod and for everything else used her phone... for £1k fee i expected more than a phone.. But matters not if great video i suppose :?)

 

[KIPAX]

noy much bigger than yours I suspect with a battery attached, yhe battery it is under mine.

yeagh but the one you originaly pointed me to on another thread looked like a pro camera and a lot bigger... i originally aftre much reaearch had the bigger panasonic and the smaller sony

 

[Sangoma]

cheers they do love it... i am looking forward to the official one.. see if any candids in there.. probably helped that i knew 90% of the people so knew who to get mostly she had a dslr on a tripod and for everything else used her phone... for £1k fee i expected more than a phone.. But matters not if great video i suppose :?)

No, I don't think what it is taken with matters, it's the result that counts, and that depends more on the person behind the camera
You got it right, will be nice if the "official" person did too

 

[realspeed]

yeagh but the one you originaly pointed me to on another thread looked like a pro camera and a lot bigger... i originally aftre much reaearch had the bigger panasonic and the smaller sony

It is the same one the Panasonic HC-X1500 without the hood. before I had the Sonx ax53 and before that the Panasonic HC-X900m . These are the only ones I have had.
watching your video all I noticed was panning and zoom. Try keeping it steady while walking, not to easy

 

[f/1.2]

cheers they do love it... i am looking forward to the official one.. see if any candids in there.. probably helped that i knew 90% of the people so knew who to get mostly she had a dslr on a tripod and for everything else used her phone... for £1k fee i expected more than a phone.. But matters not if great video i suppose :?)

1k is ridiculously cheap for wedding video.

Most even those charging 4k use a phone for certain parts as it’s useful for reels.

 

[Adam-G]

I'm surprised with the prevalence of Reels/TikTok and other vertical content platforms that more wedding videographers aren't getting on the Open Gate bandwagon. I'm not a pro videographer but whenever I'm shooting video for musician friends I always use Open Gate so I can send a social media friendly vertical from the same set of footage.

 

[f/1.2]

I'm surprised with the prevalence of Reels/TikTok and other vertical content platforms that more wedding videographers aren't getting on the Open Gate bandwagon. I'm not a pro videographer but whenever I'm shooting video for musician friends I always use Open Gate so I can send a social media friendly vertical from the same set of footage.

Couples often expect reels to be available same day or the day after the wedding that’s why many find it simpler to just use their phone.

 

[Annet]

You're a hero for filming this video! I agree with the point above: a lot of people prefer reels or smartshow 3d slideshows with photos over actual full screen videos, but what you did is amazing!

 

[realspeed]

May look odd but what a difference in camcorder support for £10. so much better than a grip under the camcorder. Now has the ideal hand positions. one hand throughthe camera side strap and the other on the extn grip


I used a double tripod cross bar 8" long normally used for holding 2 items. this clears the screen extended
An old grip I had kicking around and cut down one end as it was an extendable one that was crap.

but something like this new is only £6.50

Pardon our interruption...

and the double bar is only £4.00 and from my odds and ends box one of these

 

[realspeed]

You're a hero for filming this video! I agree with the point above: a lot of people prefer reels or smartshow 3d slideshows with photos over actual full screen videos, but what you did is amazing!

back in 1972 when I got married only a few had a movie tape recorder, all wedding photos were mainly just stills, not only that one had to wait for the paid professional photographe several weeks while the photos were being developed. One may have got rushed samples to choose from but not the proper photos.Today everyone expect results instantly irrespective of quality.

That wedding video is an excellent example of a camcorder over some cameraphone and the editing that went with it. I don't think you would get anything as good after editing from a cameraphone.
For reasons given the original sound was removed from the youtube version, but hopefully the original sound is still therfe for private viewing.

Kipak and I both have our own idea and any hints/tips are useful if not implicated upon. For example a rolling intro heading makes it look more professional what the video is about. Not hard to do in Adobe premier Elements editing suit. Not that I have done it that often or even posted on youtube
How nice it would be as a present to the bride and groom with the wedding date names and places as a pre video intro. I did do one for private viewing of the Queens Jubilee street party for those that attended. adding different colours to the heading took ages.
Just one idea that I was thinking of

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[KIPAX]

May look odd but what a difference in camcorder support for £10. so much better than a grip under the camcorder. Now has the ideal hand positions. one hand throughthe camera side strap and the other on the extn grip

I have a large gorrilla pod and saw a video that using it to walk wiht camcorder will make it more smooth.. siummilar to what your doing

As I say there was an official video so really i wanted to be quick and give them somehting to view while they wait... they still havent got official BTW .... I know how to add an intro i just rushed ... I should have done bride and dad walking in in slow motion now i look back. theres a few things i could do to make even better but like i say..wanted to get it to them pronto really so it suffered slightly .

if there wasnt an official one i would have done loads more and mad eit more pro and made them wait a couple more days

 

[Pound Coin]

YouTube is renowned for behaving like that, even if you have rights for the music. They assume the content creator doesn’t have the right to use the music. We use a different platform, like Vimeo, which assumes the content creator knows what they are doing, rights-wise.

 

[realspeed]

I have a large gorrilla pod and saw a video that using it to walk wiht camcorder will make it more smooth.. siummilar to what your doing

As I say there was an official video so really i wanted to be quick and give them somehting to view while they wait... they still havent got official BTW .... I know how to add an intro i just rushed ... I should have done bride and dad walking in in slow motion now i look back. theres a few things i could do to make even better but like i say..wanted to get it to them pronto really so it suffered slightly .

if there wasnt an official one i would have done loads more and mad eit more pro and made them wait a couple more days

At least you have found out what you could have done to make it better, so good on you. Just a thought, can you get that camcorde to continuously record on one SD card and on the other in section as you posted. I can't rememer if it can do that or not.
Me always trying something out I bought 2x 256GB memory cards although the manual says use 128 GB cards. What actually happens with a 256GB card on my camcorder it auto recorders on one card 1x 128GB then goes on again like a part 2 recording another 128GB on the same card, So in actual fact your getting the same as 4x 128GB cards but onyu using 2 SD cards.
so with a second battery attached to the camcorder the run time is doubled, depending on heat dispersion within the camcorder. Aother reason why I went for the Panasonic HC-X1500 as it has a built in fan so no worries about overheating and shutting down