I have always been enamored with the look of film. I love the grain, the shadows, the colors or the lack thereof. I have this certain distaste for the garish, “sitcom” look of video. It’s not snooty, just a personal preference.

That is why we take great pains in achieving a filmic quality in the weddings we do. I’m sure by now you’ve noticed that rich saturated colors that abound in the videos. Or perhaps the color grading of select footage - sepia tones, desaturated, cross processed etc. All intentional and evocative of a mood we’re trying to set.

The camera motion is also one aspect we’ve perfected. Sweeping and gliding when necessary, static when the shot calls for it.

Perhaps the final frontier of the film look we are trying to conquer would be Depth of Field. Or simply, the area of an image which remains in focus while the rest is out. This helps the film maker guide the eyes of the viewer to specific elements in the composition.

This is very hard because a video camera lens has certain physical limitations in narrowing its DOF.
The solution? Use photgraphic lenses!

It was fun scouring the small photo shops in Hidalgo to look for the discontinued Canon line of FD lenses. They were very cheap actually, ranging from php2,500 - 5,000. I was able to obtain a 35mm f2, 50mm f1.4, 100mm f2.8 and a 500mm f8.

Ok enough of the numbers, here’s a screen grab from footage taken with a 50mm. Beautiful eh? (bride and shot!)

Here’s their onsite video … Dearly and Rommel

As a disclaimer though, I must stress that technique and style always should go hand in hand with the narrative. A clear story is necessary to make a compelling video (and to avoid the trap in manufacturing pure eye candy). Content, after all, is king

Share This