Vic Noseworthy
Forum Replies Created
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Hey, Daniel.
Thanks for your input. Since my original post, I have been reading and experimenting. I do now realize that capturing a quality image requires solid knowledge of all aspects of traditional photography (i.e. aperture, ISO, etc.). I am shooting with a 50mm 1.4, so I figure that has not been my problem. Personally, I think my dissatisfaction does stem from an expectation that the camera will do more than it actually does, in terms of giving the proper exposure, etc. Your point about this is well taken. I think I’ve come to understand that, while it is possible to get great images with the T3i, it’s vital to get it right from the start, as there is so little latitude in post. I think that could be my problem. Also, I have been shooting in the factory settings, and now realize I should be shooting not in ‘Standard’ setting, but rather in ‘Neutral’.
Also, I’ve read that most (or at least many) lenses have ‘best’ apertures (typically in the middle of the range of apertures, I believe). I expect my video quality to improve in the coming months.
Another problem that I believe is huge: I shoot wedding videos, and the delivery format is typically DVD. I absolutely hate that final stage of compressing for DVD! I find the biggest drop in picture quality happens there. I wish brides/couples wanted another format instead of DVD.
Finally, I would mention that, to improve the quality of the video captured on my Vixia camcorders (which I absolutely love, by the way) I recently purchased an external monitor. It has zebras, false color, and a couple of other features that should be a big help (not to mention the larger screen).
So, all in all, I’m getting there. Having said all of this, I suspect one other issue is me! I am (like most in this business, perhaps) a bit of a perfectionist. I knit-pick my work, while “laypersons” (i.e. family & friends) say, “Go on, b’y, you’re nuts! It looks great!” But, I know it could be better. (And, I expect it will be!)
Oh, and, I just thought of one other comment you made: your point about color balance. That, I know, is critical as well (and not always easy to get right, especially in a run and gun situation like weddings!). For broadcast work, and in a studio setting, I’m sure much attention must be paid to this aspect.
All in all, though, as I said, I believe I am getting there. I just get a little frustrated, because my favourite part of the process is post-production. I really enjoy putting the whole story together.
If only I was using better codecs! Perhaps with my next camera purchase…
Thanks, again, Daniel.
Vic -
Hey, Eric.
Thanks very much for your response and expertise. I wondered why I hadn’t received a response to my question. I didn’t realize that daisy-chaining was all that old a concept. Ha, sure, I’m just getting into it. My system is old, but it works great. Personally, I don’t find that the technology is the bottleneck in my workflow; rather, the bottleneck is my head, in terms of edit decisions. So, my old technology is fine.
I think it’s easy to get swept up in the latest and greatest hardware. But, maybe that’s just me.
I’d gone ahead and looked up elsewhere how to daisy-chain drives. I set them up as per instructions, and it seemed to work just fine; however, your assertion that daisy-chained drives can unmount themselves is something I experienced soon after I hooked things up. I re-configured my settings so that all my captured footage sits on the closest (and largest) drive, and purchased clips and audio files are on drives further down the chain; so, all seems good again (i.e. no dismounting drives!). And. my workflow is improved.
I like the idea of daisy-chaining, simply for the ease of access to all the files I’ve accumulated. I used to disconnect and re-connect drives as I needed them, and it was getting a bit crazy.
I was surprised at your comment that not many use Firewire anymore. I guess it’s USB3 now? Or, perhaps, wireless? Or RAID drives?
In any case, as I mentioned, I like my current system, old as it may be. It works great (and, as stated, I’m the bottleneck!).
Anyways, your response has been very helpful in my realizing my experience (in drives dismounting by themselves) is “normal”. Makes me realize I’m not so dumb after all. :^)
Thank you again!
Vic -
Hi, Dave:
Just wanted to say thank so much for your help! I downloaded the app and now my render files are being stored on the external drive, as they should be. Problem solved.
You’re awesome!
Vic -
Hi, Jon.
Just wanted to follow up. I did as instructed, and the problem is solved! My render files now are stored on the external drive, where they should be. Honestly, you guys are awesome! I don’t know what I’d do without knowledgeable people like you to help out!
Thanks so very much!
Vic -
Hi, Ty:
Thank you so much for your offer! I just took a look at the software you mentioned, the RX3. It’s rather a hefty price, at $349. I’ve been spending like crazy lately, on both hardware and software. Comes a time when I have to work with what I have.
The recent wedding posed a challenge for me, to say the least! I didn’t realize it was a ‘nightmare’ scenario (for even an expert audio guy). Makes me feel not so stunned after all. :^)
This video production world seems to be a game of chasing technology, for sure. I’m using a MacBook Pro, which I purchased in 2008, and since I am running FCE4, I’ve (by necessity) stayed with Mac OS 10.5.8. I know I must sound like a dinosaur.
(I’ve read about nightmare scenarios of others, who upgraded to Snow Leopard, i.e. 10.5.6, and their FCE4 stopped working). The thing is, my set-up works fine. In fact, I love it! And, as you likely are aware of, once you upgrade one aspect of your workflow… well, it’s a slippery slope! Or, should I say, a $$$lippery slope!
For now, I will likely have to stick with the gear/software I have, and work around issues as they arise. I don’t expect (or hope!) I’ll encounter the waterfall issue too, too often. If I do, I’ll work to get my mics closer.
Thanks, again, for your kind offer! For now, I suspect the bride/groom likely won’t know the difference. In actuality, the audio is not awful. No trouble to hear the vows, as I had a mic tucked into the groom’s pocket. Just has so much annoying background noise for us “perfectionists”! ;^)
Until next time…
All the best,
Vic -
Thanks, Stephen. I appreciate your expertise. I really know little about audio.
All the best,
Vic -
As I mentioned, I’ve not done anything for broadcast. Only the web, and for DVD.
At least, now, I know why the time code starts at one hour. :^)
Always learning!
Thanks,
Vic -
Thanks, Shane. I’m completely unfamiliar with time code. I didn’t realize that. I did manage to figure it out, and I now have the HH:MM:SS:FF that I wanted. Though, I did have to manually set the start time for the sequence at 00:00:00:00. For some reason, the default gave me sequences that start with 01:00:00:00
Not sure why. I’m pretty new to FCP7, coming from FCE4.
Many, more complicated settings in FCP7.
Thanks again.
Vic -
Thanks for your input, Michael. I have never altered the color space settings in my projects, and am new to the whole idea. As I mentioned, I’ve not done any broadcast work as of yet. I would like to see improvement in my final DVDs, though. It seems that, right up until I take that last step of burning a DVD, my videos look great. But, much is lost in going to DVD. I’m guessing the conversion to mpeg2 is the culprit. Bear in mind, my original footage is shot with either a Canon Vixia (HFM400) or a DSLR (Canon T3i). So, the color space I’m starting out with is not great. And, then there’s the codec of the AVCHD format.
FYI: I truly don’t see much difference between the Vixia cameras and the T3i, in terms of quality. I have the same issue with the final DVD image quality using video from both these cameras.
As for my next attempt at improving the quality, I believe I will go ahead and give the color space adjustment a shot. I find my DVD image to be rather contrasty, so an adjustment in color space seems warranted.
Anyways, thanks again for your input. -
Hey, Thank You so much, Jon. You’re very helpful!
I hope I can figure out how to use it! :^)
I will check it out this afternoon and hopefully get my Render files going to the proper drive.
Again, I so appreciate your help!