I am a hobbyist, however more and more I am enjoying the process of shooting and editing. I have never thought myself good enough to take this up for a living, lately I would love to have a go.

This is a same day edit of my daughter's birthday party on the weekend. My first shots with the Glidecam HD 4000. A great device to stabilise the video - tough on arms and back after a while.

Camera is a Canon 5D Mark ii
Sennheiser MKE 400 external microhone (note I set manual levels a little high - didn't expect the kids to be so noisy)
Glidecam HD4000
Sigma EF DG 17 - 35mm F2.8-4.0
Canon EF 25 - 105mm L F4-5.7 USM IS
Canon EF iii 70 - 300mm F4-5.7 USM

Edited in Avid Media Composer 4.05 and glassy 3D text from Autodest Softimage.

All footage right out of the camera. I didn't think it needed any enhancement being such a bright day. Could have done with the Fader ND I have on order - one more week to wait sadly.

Still struggling with focus - first go with Glidecam in a run and gun shoot - neglected to keep the hyperfocal distance indicated on my wide-angle. At times in close indoor environment this is difficult

Comments critisisms welcome.

Sophia's 9th Birthday on Vimeo

With regards

Jeff

Hi Jeff, where are you from? I thought I heard the occasional Australian accent. I'm from Geelong living in California.

Anyway, its tough to get feedback on personal videos on most of these forums. Everyone wants to do the next "test" or they want to talk about this festival and that contest. I think what I love about the 5D/7D is that you can get such great results while using it for family events. I have the best home videos in my neighborhood and I'm totally OK with that.

I enjoyed your video. I especially liked your glidecam shots. Focus is always a challenge in HD, especially with these camera's, I thought you did a good job. Your audio needs help, however, having said that I rarely even attempt recording audio. I don't have the equipment and the audio on the 7D sucks. So your light-years ahead of me on that.

I hope you don't mind but here are a few videos that I shot. I thought as a family guy you might appreciate them. Because kids move around so much its always a challenge to get good shots. You can leave remarks on the vimeo page if you like or here. Thanks for sharing.

BIRTHDAY on Vimeo

SPRING IN MONTANA on Vimeo