Camerawork and gender at DVinfo.net

Adrian Tan · September 30th, 2014, 05:49 PM

Random musing... I doubt I could look at a piece of footage and correctly guess whether it was shot by a man or a woman more than 50% of the time. But I do think it's possible that camerawork could give clues as to the gender of the operator.

After all, I think camera work often suggests something about the personality or thinking of the operator; and I also believe that, in a very general statistical way, there are differences between male and female personality/thinking.

To put this on a more pragmatic level -- the female videographers I work with don't shoot like I do. The pace is calmer, the framing more relaxed, the details they focus on different. Whereas when I shoot, the anxiety shows through in the shots, and the compositions tend to be intense, directed -- I like it to be obvious that I'm looking at x or looking at y. Now, very likely, most of that has little to do with gender and more to do with individual personality. But I guess I often wonder if there is some sort of gender component at the back of it.

That said, you definitely can't judge a book by its cover. I've more than once experienced a rough, sweaty, tradesman-like male videographer producing subtle, delicate, "feminine" footage.

By the way, here's an earlier, related topic:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/wedding-...room-prep.html

Leon Bailey · September 30th, 2014, 06:23 PM

Wedding wise, I can definitely tell. Like you said, the details they focus on. Females, especially with weddings tend to have a more keen eye on the details.

Chris Harding · September 30th, 2014, 06:39 PM

I think we tend to be more technical and concentrate on getting the shot "correctly" whilst a woman would concentrate on the beauty of the shot with little or no concern about technical issues.

In real life since the wedding is more about the bride than the groom and let's face it who watches it the most...the bride!! Maybe we need to focus more on what a woman sees thru the viewfinder rather than technical issues.

Over here I'm finding more and more photogs are women but video still appears to be a male domain...maybe that's why a bride is more fussy about having photos as a priority??

Chris

Roger Gunkel · October 1st, 2014, 01:48 PM

Myself and Claire both shoot solo photos and video and although we use the same basic style for consistency, there are definite differences with Claire's footage. She works at a steadier pace than me, being a little more stable overall. She will always make sure the tripod is steady and level, whereas I will often grab a quick handheld shot to avoid missing the moment.

She also sees more detail than I do and lingers longer on those shots. Claire as a woman, always gets much more relaxed shots of the Bride's preps, as the girls are very comfortable with her and include her in the pre wedding girl talk.

Roger

September 30th, 2014, 05:49 PM	#1
Adrian Tan Trustee Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,149	Camerawork and gender Random musing... I doubt I could look at a piece of footage and correctly guess whether it was shot by a man or a woman more than 50% of the time. But I do think it's possible that camerawork could give clues as to the gender of the operator. After all, I think camera work often suggests something about the personality or thinking of the operator; and I also believe that, in a very general statistical way, there are differences between male and female personality/thinking. To put this on a more pragmatic level -- the female videographers I work with don't shoot like I do. The pace is calmer, the framing more relaxed, the details they focus on different. Whereas when I shoot, the anxiety shows through in the shots, and the compositions tend to be intense, directed -- I like it to be obvious that I'm looking at x or looking at y. Now, very likely, most of that has little to do with gender and more to do with individual personality. But I guess I often wonder if there is some sort of gender component at the back of it. That said, you definitely can't judge a book by its cover. I've more than once experienced a rough, sweaty, tradesman-like male videographer producing subtle, delicate, "feminine" footage. By the way, here's an earlier, related topic: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/wedding-...room-prep.html

September 30th, 2014, 06:23 PM	#2
Leon Bailey Regular Crew Join Date: May 2013 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 126	Re: Camerawork and gender Wedding wise, I can definitely tell. Like you said, the details they focus on. Females, especially with weddings tend to have a more keen eye on the details.

September 30th, 2014, 06:39 PM	#3
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Camerawork and gender I think we tend to be more technical and concentrate on getting the shot "correctly" whilst a woman would concentrate on the beauty of the shot with little or no concern about technical issues. In real life since the wedding is more about the bride than the groom and let's face it who watches it the most...the bride!! Maybe we need to focus more on what a woman sees thru the viewfinder rather than technical issues. Over here I'm finding more and more photogs are women but video still appears to be a male domain...maybe that's why a bride is more fussy about having photos as a priority?? Chris

October 1st, 2014, 01:48 PM	#4
Roger Gunkel Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: LIncolnshire, UK Posts: 2,213	Re: Camerawork and gender Myself and Claire both shoot solo photos and video and although we use the same basic style for consistency, there are definite differences with Claire's footage. She works at a steadier pace than me, being a little more stable overall. She will always make sure the tripod is steady and level, whereas I will often grab a quick handheld shot to avoid missing the moment. She also sees more detail than I do and lingers longer on those shots. Claire as a woman, always gets much more relaxed shots of the Bride's preps, as the girls are very comfortable with her and include her in the pre wedding girl talk. Roger