If you’re in the pro videography or photography world, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve by now heard the buzz surrounding the soon to be released Canon EOS 5D Mark II. This STILL camera DSLR has the capability to shoot in 1080p HD at quality levels that rival (or surpass) HD camcorders multiple times it’s price. Naturally, there’s a lot of talk now about the blending of the two media. The question that a lot of event professionals are asking is: “will clients no longer need to hire both a videographer and a photographer for their events. With a camera like this, your photographer can now be your videographer, or vice versa.” I think the answer to this question is simple. Absolutely not. IMHO, here’s why:
- It’s the talent, not the tools: for clients looking to hire a pro videographer or photographer for their event, unless they are very price conscious, they’re going to be looking for someone who is skilled at the craft for which they are hiring. Just because a still camera can shoot HD don’t make a photographer a videographer. Likewise, putting an HD-capable DSLR camera in the hands of videographer won’t magically make them able to become amazing photographers. For those professionals out there who do shoot both video and photos, they’re already doing it, and using the tools best suited for each when appropriate.
- Wrong Focus (no pun intended): I don’t think dedicated professionals are going to want to be dividing their time at any given event between shooting stills then video. Come on, can you really picture someone like Denis Reggie, Joe Buissink, Me Ra Koh, etc., going through the day shooting amazing stills then saying, “Okay, hold up, gotta switch to HD mode.” Of course not. They’re going to focus on doing what they do best.
- Video/Photo Hybrids Already Exist: there are already studios out there that offer both photo and video. We don’t need a new camera to make that happen. In the cases where they do offer both, they send out a person for each role.
SET YOURSELF APART
Whenever technology news like this is released, it’s very easy for related professionals to get jittery. To be clear, I think it’s absolutely imperative to stay abreast of changing technologies, and when it makes good business sense to do so, make the necessary technology investments (or rent until it makes sense to buy). But, regardless, you must, must, must set yourself apart. All of your competitors have access to the same equipment you do. So, it makes no sense to use THAT as a selling tool, (i.e. “Hey, we shoot in HD! We’re rad!”) Those professionals who are able to create a style of their own, who are able to create a you-nique brand, who work to make their work and their business stand out, those are the ones who will continue to thrive. If you do that, you never need to worry about new technology. In short, the people who should really be scared are Canon’s competitors, for now there is a new and exciting technology giving us filmmakers better choices.
THE FILM THAT ROCKED AN INDUSTRY
Famed commercial and editorial photographer Vincent LaForet was given access to this camera for 72 hours. (I had the pleasure of interviewing Vincent a few months back for F-Stop Beyond. Check it out.) Click here to see the video he shot with this camera. It has totally rocked both the photography and videography worlds. When you see it, you’ll know why. Watch it, and be amazed.
