How to Uncover the Film Director in You

Yes, it's an old cliché, but with digital photography today, still and motion photography is easier and more accessible than ever.

My first experience with a video camera was with a VHS analog back in the '80s. The camera was the size of a toolbox and managing one of these behemoths could replace a workout at the gym. These cameras were expensive back then, but now we have many more choices. For the home user, prices can range anywhere from about $200 to several thousand, depending on how many extra features you want. Just remember, the more features you have, the bigger the manual.

Our old VHS tapes had already begun to show their age. We are gradually converting our old family videos to DVD format, to preserve those precious memories. Eventually we bought an analog Palmcorder. It is now outdated. It took beautiful movies on small VHSc tapes. With a large full color playback/viewing window with sound and many other bells and whistles. But alas, without a special capture card in my PC, I couldn't get my video content into my computer to digitize it. Isn't it funny how one gadget can end up obsolete so quickly?

DV (digital video) cameras on the other hand connect directly to your PC or Mac for instant downloading and/or archiving. Most of them connect to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, or by firewire on your computer. Some can even connect wirelessly. You can edit and compile your home videos like a pro with the camera's bundled software. Suddenly, we all think we're Spielberg. We now have a Sony Handycam DV camera that fits comfortably in my hand. It comes complete with nightshot, backlight sensor and image stabilization. It also allows for extra light attachments, and it can take still photos if you don't have time to switch to your still camera.

Many digital still cameras have a digital movie mode, including sound and/or annotation controls. So there is no need to lug around two different cameras on your next safari. Just be sure to bring plenty of batteries and as much digital film (flash memory cards) as you can pack.

I truly enjoy taking still photos. My Cannon Rebel digital SLR and I are joined at the hip. I've been able to take some amazing shots with this camera. I first used one of these Rebels while working for a newspaper. I was hooked. So one year for my birthday, my husband surprised me with one! I've had it a couple of years now, and Cannon has upgraded them a few times over. But it continues to take excellent photographs. I'm not in any hurry to replace it, but I wouldn't turn down a new one either! It quickly replaced my tiny 2 megapixel digital camera, which was great while it lasted. But now I just use it with a waterproof diving bag for when we go snorkeling!

Thanks to our grandson, Adrian, I've had to learn to hop from still to movie mode at blazing speed. Small children can be as unpredictable as a wild pony, and every moment is a tremendous photo op. I've shamelessly filled up my hard drive with mini movies and music videos. Setting the movies to music is just part of the fun.

I floundered around with cutting, pasting, blending and transitioning with the movie editing software that comes with both Windows and Apple operating systems. I wonder. Do they call the process "timeline" because it takes so much time to put together? I tried some other programs as well, and found myself with a nervous twitch and double vision. I was desperate. So online I went.

My quest led me to www.muvee.com. I downloaded a demo of their movie editing software called, MuVee autoProducer. I can't say enough about this amazing program. You just transfer your film clips from a DV or digital camera and load it onto a PC, add some music, pick one of multitude of professional-looking styles, type in beginning and end credits, and the software does the rest. Needless to say, it didn't take me long to purchase the full program.

Video styles run the gamut from "Over-The-Top Music Video" to "Chaplinesque". No, it's not the most high-end video editing software out there. But for quick video making, it's got my vote.

My kids see me coming with the camera and they say, "Uh oh, Mom's making videos again." But when they see themselves starring in their own music video, they can't tear themselves away. There are many other programs out there in every price range. It also depends on your comfort level with some of these video editing programs. Some have a serious learning curve, but the results will astound you.

Let me suggest that you start out with some sort of plan or script. Shooting clips of young children, who are always on the move, need no script. However, teens and adults take a little more direction. Good lighting is essential for quality video clips. M-o-t-i-o-n. Try to encourage lots of movement by your "stars".

Remember the old home movies when you were growing up? Half the time Uncle Bob just stood there and pointed at something and smiled, while cousin Debbie sat on the grass covering her face. Yes, that's nostalgic, but it's also boring.

I've found that since a lot of music is based on a 4 to 8-count rhythm, your actors should keep this in mind when they mime a speech, a dance sequence or reaction. The software syncs the music to the action in the film clips seamlessly. Most importantly, have fun with it! It's a great hobby that will also preserve memories for a lifetime. There is no limit to what you can do and you are only limited by your imagination. Whether it's your child's soccer game, or a walk on the beach, the more you digitize your memories, you'll find that you won't be leaving home without your digital cameras.

You can burn your final movies to CDRs, DVDs, and VCD format, which can be played on many DVD players. If you are planning to create a "time capsule", what better way to validate your family's history than with an actual movie on DVD? You don't have to be a rocket scientist to make a video, but you can pretend!

Finally, some considerations you may want to look for in a digital camera are:

Features - How many bells and whistles are you looking for? Are those features important enough to add to the cost of outfitting your digital darkroom?

Price - Consider your budget, or future accessory budget for the uses you have in mind.

Hobby or Vocation - Will this be a hobby camera, or one to enhance your vocational aspirations

Zoom factor - On board zoom features are a consideration, but do not rule out bundled hardware. Ignore the digital zoom. This will only enhance your frustration level. Digital zoom helps you zoom in closer to your subject artificially, and output results are extremely disappointing.

Manual vs. Auto focus - If you can get it, manual focus gives the photographer greater freedom when auto focus is just not enough. Slight learning curve with very satisfying results.

Built-in vs. external flash - Digital still cameras today most likely have built-in flash, but Digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex - like with film) cameras offer add-on capabilities.

Add-on Lenses & Filters - Digital SLR still cameras have threads to add on extra lenses and filters, like regular film SLRs. These can run anywhere from about $15 for filters to several hundred or thousands of dollars.

Digital film/Storage - I could spend a whole article on this subject. But if you have a certain type of digital film (memory card) from another camera that you'd like to grandfather in to your new camera, you might consider this. Some cameras have only one type available, while others may take two or more types of memory.

Movie clips for still - High-end digital cameras may not have this feature. If moving clips, with or without sound, are important to you, I'd suggest purchasing a separate digital movie camera.

Format choices for still - Depending on your experience level, this consideration may or may not be important to you. The typical choices are .TIF, .JPG, .RAW, and among these, they are specified in either megapixel, or file size. Raw is usually a file type that offers flexibility for the professional photographer, using programs for image manipulation, like Adobe Photoshop.

Aperture, Orientation, Shutter, White Balance, Presets, etc. - Well, this opens a whole bag of worms. I highly recommend speaking to professionals, or at least experienced photographers for assistance with some of these extras. If you are not familiar or comfortable with these features, and you just want preset point and shoot options, there are plenty of cameras out there that will do a great job.

Digital movie cameras - When it comes down to the basics for these cameras, first consider your budget. Then consider your patience and needs. Image stabilization is important, and I personally love the nightshot capabilities of my digi movie cam.

Size and portability - A whole range of sizes comes into play here. You may end up with larger cameras with heavy hitter features for calculated pro shots. While handheld point and shoots make your vacation photography much more convenient. Nothing can make vacation photography more of a hassle than carrying around huge camera cases and worrying about getting them ruined or stolen.

Lag time between shots - One of the main reasons I went to a digital SLR was that there is virtually NO lag time. Some point and shoots are now stepping up to the plate and reducing lag time. Manufacturers are finally listening to us!

Other things to consider are battery and charging types, warranties, transfer to computer methods, LCD and menus and more. Read everything you can get your hands on. Buy some magazines and go online to help you with your decision. Speak to actual users and find out what their likes and dislikes are. It all boils down to what you truly want, and how much cheese you're willing to fork out.