Whe do you use tripod at the weddings? If 1 cam shoot only do you still use tripod?

I use a tripod for everything save the Processional, Communion, Peace, and the Recessional.

I also don't use a tripod for Limo Arrivals.

For me, ceremonies are always shot from tripods.

Virtually all other aspects of a wedding shoot are managed with a monopod.

For me, I have one camera on tripod at all times, and the other on a tripod about 85% of the time, only going handheld for certian dances and special shots.

Ryan

I use 2 locked off cameras on tripods, but operate solely from monopod. I find it easier to adapt and move position that way.

It is best to have at least 2 cameramen if you can persuade the client to pay for them.

I like tripod material for the ceremony, toasts, and first dance. The rest of the material is off the tripod and on a camera stabilizer system as much as possible.

The reason I use a tripod is for steady, professional shots during those times.

Ben

Yes, use a tripod during the ceremony especially if it's one camera coverage.

I think one of the most important elements of good videography is taking care to avoid distracting the audience with bad camera work. Use whatever device or technique u can to "take away" the hand-held look. Hand-held (if it looks hand-held) = amature IMHO. We all have our preferences, use whatever works for you especially for not specialty shots that should be static/stationary. Tripod, Monopod, Stabilizer.

Also, I've noticed that many shoulder-mount folks seem to be allergic to tripods, but in my opinion, anyone can plop on a shoulder mount camera and shoot shaky video. Maybe it's just me but whenever I see shaky shoulder-mount coverage for a wedding, I think to myself, now there's lazy videography - anyone could do that... ANYone.

I think one of our goals should be for our customers to be thinking "I couldn't have done that."

I use both a full size and a small camera for weddings and I agree 100%-use a tripod or monopod or stabilizer for the ceremony. You can only hold a camera for a certain amount of time (short time) solid and steady.The only time I don't use a tripod for the ceremony is if I can't use it during the processional and when that happens I keep my tight shots to an absolute minimum. Nothing exaggerates camera shake like a zoomed into the nose tight shot. During the reception I generally use a tripod for the intros and toasts-after that I go handheld (shoulder held) for the cake cutting and dances BUT not always-it depends on the setup. Again when going without the support I try not to zoom at all but rather walk in to get a tighter shot if I need to.
Your camera support can be your best friend when the best man thinks he has to do a Tonight Show monolouge. :-(
Don

Both cameras are on tripods during the ceremony and speeches. One camera on tripod during the first dance.

All handheld during the preps.

Main cam on a tripod all throughout the ceremony, second cam roving for reactions.

Speeches, singing toasts during the reception all tripod mounted
bouquet garter toss, first dance, dancing - both handheld

Monopods for everything preceremony (2 cameras). Tripods during the ceremony (3 cameras - and I've routinely dismounted to capture things I couldn't get from the tripod). Monopods only for the reception (2 cameras).

I've yet to use a tripod at a wedding. Same with a mono pod. Everything is handheld, shoulder or handheld stabilized (funky little DIY jobs).

I've yet to use a tripod at a wedding. Same with a mono pod. Everything is handheld, shoulder or handheld stabilized (funky little DIY jobs).

I've yet to use a tripod at a wedding. Same with a mono pod. Everything is handheld, shoulder or handheld stabilized (funky little DIY jobs).

OK, I need help! First off, I'm no professional but I am video photographing my daughter's upcoming wedding (she is going to have a "Pro" do stills). I am on a budget, but have purchased a Sony HC1 for the wedding, which is going to be outdoors. Maybe it's my aging body, but those 1.5lb HDV camera's are a pain to keep steady for any length of time.

My "stabilization" budget is modest, plus the price of a LANC zoom controller. Beyond this event, I do mostly outdoor-nature photography with a Nikon D70 freehand.

Right now I am of the mind for three ways to go:

1) Monopod with stabilizer. I like the idea of the Bogen Neotek 685B or 3245 with a support arm like the mono-stabilizer from dolgin.net. Other options to the monopod include using a shoulder brace, gun-grip, or foot brace (like the Pro4 pod foot "pedal") with it.

For those of you who use monopods, which model(s) do you like and what if anything do you use to help stabilze your shots, and do you also use a ZOOM controller with your monopod? Plus of a monopod is that I can also use it with my Nikon.

2) A low-cost ($200) Steadytracker (steadytracker.com). One plus I like about this one is the ability to set it on something (like the ground) to act as a very short tripod.

For those of you who use a "stabilizer", which ones do you use (with an eye on the less expensive models). I have looked at the spiderbrace2 (for $70) but don't see that it's that stable -- i.e., hold both arms out braced in front of you and see if they are any less wigley than one arm out there.

2) A decent tripod that can be used like a monopod, for example the Pro4 Uni-loc tripods.

For those of you who use mainly tripods, what models are you using?

Thanks for any suggestions.

For tripods we currently use Davis Sanford ProVista models. They work really well for a $250 tripod.

For monopods we use the Varizoom StealthPod, which also works very well for a $100 monopod.

I've seen monopods for half that cost, but I can' tell you if they are any good or not.

Regarding getting a LANC controller and a 'steadicam' type device. If you are on a tight budget, neither of those are a necessity. We don't use either one of those at the weddings we shoot, and we shoot high-end weddings.

You can get great shots with a monopod and the learning curve for using one is almost nothing. Compare that to a 'steadicam' device. The learning curve is much higher, and I doubt you'd be really ready to make use of it to it's potential by the time of the wedding.

Those are my thoughts . . .

I think one of our goals should be for our customers to be thinking "I couldn't have done that."

Amen. Anyone who gets paid to shoot/produce even a single wedding video, who doesn't share that goal, does everyone in the industry a real disfavor.

For tripods we currently use Davis Sanford ProVista models. They work really well for a $250 tripod. For monopods we use the Varizoom StealthPod, which also works very well for a $100 monopod. I've seen monopods for half that cost, but I can' tell you if they are any good or not.

1) I see two varieties of DS ProVista tripods (at B&H Photo) either with a DS FM18 ($200) or FM12 Head ($150) -- I don't see anybody with just the ProVista legs. What heads do you use and how do they compare to say, the Manfrotto 801 head?

2) The $99 Varizoom Stealthpod looks EXACTLY like the Libec MP66V Monopod (list $59 which I've seen for as low as $43 on the net). Same quick-release head assembly, same min/max heights, same flip-locks as the Stealthpod.

While the Varizoom/Libec quick-release monopod head seems appealing at first, it would make more sense to have a QR mount that fit BOTH the monopod and the tripod. And I would think that a longer QR plate would be better (like the Bogen 3433PL or 501LONG QR plates) to center the camcorder's weight over the Tri/Mono-pods heads, especially when using wide-angle or telephoto lens?

We use the FM12 heads. We have 3 tripods. One is very smooth. The second is smooth once it's moving but can hiccup on start. The third isn't all that smooth. Bottom line, I would say the FM12 heads are inconsistent.

For us it's not a big deal. One of our 3 cameras goes unmanned in a wide shot, so it goes on the least smooth tripod.

Regarding the monopod, yes, there are cheaper models out there. I can't speak to their quality at all. It WOULD be much nicer to have a QR plate that fit BOTH the tripods and the monopods. When I bought the StealthPods I hadn't factored that in. Duh.

I remember the only wedding I shot, I was doing a 2 cam shoot, and had my brand new XL1s locked down on the tripod. The wedding was held in a backyard, and as I was circulating with the GL1, I noticed a 4 year old boy grab the tripod in both hands, and start shaking the snot out of it. Man I wanted to punt him over the fence!

So, I guess my answer would be, only use the tripod when you can have somebody on it. NEVER leave it unattended!

I had a similar situation that I believe I mentioned earlier. Leaving a camera unnatended is definitely a risk. Usually our 3rd camera is in a position that avoids issues with people, but unfortunately . . not always. d:-)

I shoot on a tripod which is on a dolly. I have done most of my weddings this way. Obviously, if I need to run and gun, I don't run people over with it, I'll just pull it off the pod.

I had a similar situation that I believe I mentioned earlier. Leaving a camera unnatended is definitely a risk. Usually our 3rd camera is in a position that avoids issues with people, but unfortunately . . not always. d:-)

Hey Travis, nice looking website. I was nosey and got some ideas from it.

Steven:
What part of the wedding do you shoot on your tripod/dolly?

Also, now I'm going to be nosey . . . what ideas did you get from my website? I like to know what works for people and what doesn't. d:-)

Steven:
What part of the wedding do you shoot on your tripod/dolly?

Also, now I'm going to be nosey . . . what ideas did you get from my website? I like to know what works for people and what doesn't. d:-)

I like the color you have with the pictures. I didn't dig too deep, I did check your prices etc. I applaud you for your front page with all the cut images and such, the last time I did that I cursed too loudly. hehe. Seriously, my complements.

Thanks. You're right, it's a pain to get the right snapshot for a video. I just redesigned my website like a week ago, so I'm glad to hear you liked the look. The old website fit the style of my advertising agency website (www.dreambigproductions.com), which just doesn't fit with weddings. I just got a compliment from a bride today too, so I guess I made the right move!

Now, back to you using a dolly during weddings. When exactly do you use the dolly for shots?

When exactly do you use the dolly for shots?

If I can, I'll use it the whole time from start to finish, I typically use multi camera so if I roam, I really like to use my dolly. I did well with my dolly purchase, It's a quickset heavy duty tripod, I picked it up for 10 dollars at a yard sale a videographer was having.

So do you just room around the back and the outside, or do you actually move a dolly around up by the B&G during the ceremony? I'm thinking of the weddings I've done I have a really hard time imagining moving a dolly around during the ceremony without being obtrusive.

Also, do you use the dolly just to move to a position to get a shot or are you shooting shots while moving the dolly?

Sorry for all the ?'s, it's just that the idea of using a dolly during a wedding is intriguing to me. d:-)

I picked up a used Bogen tripod dolly from B&H, and I'm hoping it will be usable for weddings.

So do you just room around the back and the outside, or do you actually move a dolly around up by the B&G during the ceremony? I'm thinking of the weddings I've done I have a really hard time imagining moving a dolly around during the ceremony without being obtrusive.

Also, do you use the dolly just to move to a position to get a shot or are you shooting shots while moving the dolly?

Sorry for all the ?'s, it's just that the idea of using a dolly during a wedding is intriguing to me. d:-)

Most of the time I've used the dolly, the Bride will come in the center back, or back side door. If that is the case, I will be in the back opposite face to catch her come through the door. Then what I would do is trail behind her after she clears me. Using the dolly has allowed me to really deal with moving around the back.

Nope, I don't come out of the back shadows so to speak, I don't use the dolly in the front of the ceremony.

The place a tripod really pays off other than the brides walk is, during the dance. I had a couple do a fast dance on me for thier dance. It was on a tile floor and I was able to spin opposite around them counter to thier spin. It really turned out neat.

That 10 bucks was the best I have ever speant. I've priced my dolly around 250.00 I was blessed to get it for so little.

It was on a tile floor and I was able to spin opposite around them counter to thier spin.

Do you ever have trouble with vibration, from the wheels rolling on less than smooth floors, when shooting something like that?

Wow. $10? That IS a steal.

Do you ever have trouble with vibration, from the wheels rolling on less than smooth floors, when shooting something like that?

I had a wedding on a carpet that was, umm........... these little squares. As soon as I walked in I felt it. Sortof like that little bathroom tile, only carpet. I just had to go slow. I just have to be aware of my floors and plan accordingly.

There's a guy on eBay selling dollies that go for under 50 bucks sometimes. I don't know if they're any good, but I did buy some other cheap stuff from him that's quite usable (lightstands, reflector and some other misc stuff). Got a really cheap softbox from him too, but I haven't tried using it yet.

What's his Ebay name?

I bought an equipment wagon from Harbor Freight that I thought I could use for a dolly. However, I think maybe the wheels have too little pressure and the traction is too all-terrain. The ride was a little too shaky for it to be usable. $100 down the drain.

I'll try to remember to look it up next time I sign on to eBay, and drop you an email Travis. If I forget, and don't get it to you in a few days, remind me, okay?

If anyone else wants that eBay name, just drop me an email. He does sell a lot of different items. It appears he buys boatloads of items manufactured in China, and from what I've seen thus far, it is usable stuff. He doesn't package it all that well for shipping though, so I won't buy anything super fragile from him.

If you forget, it's no big deal. A quick search on Ebay will give anyone lots of options for video equipment. Thanks, though!

Yeah, he wouldn't be hard to find. Be careful on eBay though. That really is a jungle just teaming with out-and-out crooks. I've had several major scam attempts on me in just the last week. One was an email link for a "Second Chance" offering, purely bogus, on an FX1 that I had bid on (somebody paid way more than I ever would). I would bet that spoof email was sent to several people who bid on the item, because I was pretty low on the final list of bidders, so I can imagine somebody got bilked for a few grand.

Yeah, be careful also if you get an email that says you have a message from a member. I had 2 this past week, and rather than click on the "Respond Now" button in the email (which took me to a "Ebay" login page), I went straight to Ebay and logged myself in. Whaddayaknow? I had ZERO messages. Scam.

I've made some great buys on eBay (some downright fantastic), but I am starting to get fed up with them. From what I've seen eBay basically ignores any problems it's users have. Ever try to write them? Good luck. Paypal is the same way. If you have a difficulty with something, you're basically on your own, or just plain SOL. I am real uncomfortable with Paypal having my banking and CC information. Not that I'm very likely to get taken in by a scammer (that doesn't worry me), but I don't trust Paypal to keep their site truly secure. Even if not for concerns about eBay and Paypal screwing things up on occasion, just the sheer volume of scam attempts is so way annoying. They should really put forth some REAL effort to put those crooks behind bars instead of sending you those fluffy form replies, that say wonderful things like "we've notified the proper authorities" and such, and clean the dang place up. I've reported listings to them, that we're clearly scams, and they just leave them there, and no doubt some poor hard working, honest guy gets robbed. It's like operating a flea-market and not bothering to hire security guards even when you have muggers lurking between every table!

I agree that the problem doesn't seem to be getting any better. It seems to be worsening. My wife was just recently scammed on a DVD burner purchase and another friend of mine was scammed out of his Xbox 360. He actually had the payment in his PayPal account, and just hadn't transferred it to his bank account yet. The charge, it turns out, came from a bogus card, and PayPal removed the funds from his account and THEN informed him. Thinking he had already received payment in a secure fashion, he had already shipped the Xbox.

He contacted PayPal on the matter, and they promptly cancelled his PayPal account. He couldn't believe it, and I can't either. I pretty much only sell via Ebay. But even that appears to be pretty risky now, even if you force people to go through PayPal.

When you purchase something on eBay, NEVER pay for it by allowing Paypal to withdraw from your bank account. I've never had a problem, because I simply won't do it, but I'm sure that if you get ripped off on a transaction where you paid that way, Paypal would never, ever return the funds. They go out of their way to try to make you think it's the "safest" way to pay for an item, and that's a crock of horse droppings. The only plausible reason for their rather strong urging is that THEY don't want to get stuck with chargebacks from credit cards when the customer gets ripped off (it must happen a lot for them to be so pushy about using bank withdrawals). Yes, it's the safest way to pay. Safest for Paypal that is.

I going to refrain from adding any more to this discussion because I don't want the thread to get any more off topic than it already is. d:-)

Yeah, you're right.

I had a wedding on a carpet that was, umm........... these little squares. As soon as I walked in I felt it. Sortof like that little bathroom tile, only carpet. I just had to go slow. I just have to be aware of my floors and plan accordingly.

I'm thinking that having a runner handy in the trunk might be a good idea. Probably wouldn't have worked for shooting that dance, but it might come in handy sometime.

I had a wedding on a carpet that was, umm........... these little squares. As soon as I walked in I felt it. Sortof like that little bathroom tile, only carpet. I just had to go slow. I just have to be aware of my floors and plan accordingly.

Did you try using OIS? I'm wondering if that would help, or would it hork more than help?

Did you try using OIS? I'm wondering if that would help, or would it hork more than help?

No I didn't try it, I didn't see the shake in post, only felt it on my rolls

First off, I'm no professional but I am video photographing my daughter's upcoming wedding

So...

You've never done this before, it's going to be a one camera shoot, and you're THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE????

I don't think the experienced wedding videographers on this board would be able to pull this off well. You're going to be busy with a thousand different family things (not the least of which is actually interacting with your daughter and being a part of the memory, and not just the recorder of her day).

At the very least I would rapidly train someone else to be the "primary" cameraman for the shoot, and relegate yourself to assisting with a second cam when time is available. I mean, who's going to record you walking your daughter down the aisle?

Oh, and I would definitely beg, borrow, or rent a second cam. When you're not running it, put it on a tripod for a safety shot.

Joe, I couldn't agree more. My brother-in-law got married last summer and, of course, it fell to me to handle the videography. I used 3 cameras for the ceremony, all stationary, and it turned out pretty good. BUT, I had 3 cameras and quite a bit of experience with wedding videography. The whole day was a major pain because I was constantly torn between wedding duties and videography duties.

The worst part is that we missed a lot of things . . . like the ring bearer falling asleep up front before he presented the rings . . . and the flower girl getting bored and mooning the audience repeatedly . . . and other things. My brother-in-law had literally no money, so he had no choice. To anyone with the money to make a choice, do yourself a favor and hire a professional. You only get one shot at that day, and doing it yourself should only be a last resort.

And like Joe said, as the father of the bride, you will have other responsibilities as well as a desire to just enjoy the experience.

My opinion.

I've married off 1 girl and 2 boys. The 1st (my daughter) I set up 2 cams for the ceremony and had a friend handle the reception-YUCK! of course this was 10 years ago but I learned my lesson. When boy#2 got married about 3 years ago I hired a good friend of mine who I knew shot and edited in a style similar to mine-he did a great job and frankly I felt just fine with paying his rate as I told him to treat me as he would any other client. When boy #1 got married a couple of months later (they didn't get maried in order of age) it was a very small immediate family only type wedding and I got the procession then set up on a tripod in the balconey of the church with cam 2 on the altar (this was done with the permission and by direction of the pastor of the church). It worked out OK nothing to shout about but decent.

IF and WHEN my dog ever gets married (I'm out of kids-just the dog and grandkids and I HOPE I'm not still doing this when THEY get married) I'll probably do the wedding myself. I don't think my dog would trust anyone else.

Don

this was 10 years ago
Don


They had video cameras back then? :}