Wedding Transitions at DVinfo.net

Gary Randall · April 27th, 2009, 03:25 PM

I am using Sony Vegas Platinum Pro to edit some weddings and I need some good transitions between shots. Can you tell me what transitions you use? Maybe give me a couple of good ones you have used. I have been using "Fade-to-Black"

Thanks
Gary

Jeff Harper · April 27th, 2009, 05:38 PM

I could be mistaken, but I think most of us use straight cuts and crossfades. For real time video you shouldn't use anything else period ever ever ever, but that is just me. If you're talking about a highlight video, etc, then the same applies, but you might try a couple of dissolves, but use VERY sparingly.

I use almost nothing but straight cuts with a few crossfades/dissolves. You should try using straight cuts as much as you can, though there are a lot of top pros that do use lots of dissolves. I personally mix it up. Occasionally you can use the Flash transition for dramatic effect, but you usually only want to use it once or twice.

Nothing says cheesy or amateur more than fancy transitions. Best place for page peels, etc is with photo montage, and even then I use them very sparingly.

Concentrate on getting the best footage. If two shots don't blend or cut together well than that means the two shots should not be placed together.

By the way, you will hear me complain from time to time about the lack of new transitions and effects from Vegas. That is because even though I rarely use them, I would like to see some new ones added. In several years of using Vegas they added nothing until now, and they added ONE transition and a bit of FX.

Dale Guthormsen · April 27th, 2009, 06:11 PM

Gary,

I totally second what Jeff passed on to you. I use straight cuts as much as posible, short cross fades and perhaps one or two disolves of flash!! I also shoot with the concept of straight cuts and when i do this i am far more careful about suject size and composition so that the cuts are uniform for the most part.

the Montage is a different story. Adding picture movement and transitions adds more interst and character to the montage as well as well selected wedding/love music. this last winter I got excaliber primarily for the scrapbook effects, this has saved a huge amount of time!!!

I love shooting weddings, everyone is so happy, and I am too until I hit the post room.

April 27th, 2009, 03:25 PM	#1
Gary Randall Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 150	Wedding Transitions I am using Sony Vegas Platinum Pro to edit some weddings and I need some good transitions between shots. Can you tell me what transitions you use? Maybe give me a couple of good ones you have used. I have been using "Fade-to-Black" Thanks Gary

April 27th, 2009, 06:11 PM	#3
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Gary, I totally second what Jeff passed on to you. I use straight cuts as much as posible, short cross fades and perhaps one or two disolves of flash!! I also shoot with the concept of straight cuts and when i do this i am far more careful about suject size and composition so that the cuts are uniform for the most part. the Montage is a different story. Adding picture movement and transitions adds more interst and character to the montage as well as well selected wedding/love music. this last winter I got excaliber primarily for the scrapbook effects, this has saved a huge amount of time!!! I love shooting weddings, everyone is so happy, and I am too until I hit the post room. __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

April 27th, 2009, 05:38 PM	#2
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	I could be mistaken, but I think most of us use straight cuts and crossfades. For real time video you shouldn't use anything else period ever ever ever, but that is just me. If you're talking about a highlight video, etc, then the same applies, but you might try a couple of dissolves, but use VERY sparingly. I use almost nothing but straight cuts with a few crossfades/dissolves. You should try using straight cuts as much as you can, though there are a lot of top pros that do use lots of dissolves. I personally mix it up. Occasionally you can use the Flash transition for dramatic effect, but you usually only want to use it once or twice. Nothing says cheesy or amateur more than fancy transitions. Best place for page peels, etc is with photo montage, and even then I use them very sparingly. Concentrate on getting the best footage. If two shots don't blend or cut together well than that means the two shots should not be placed together. By the way, you will hear me complain from time to time about the lack of new transitions and effects from Vegas. That is because even though I rarely use them, I would like to see some new ones added. In several years of using Vegas they added nothing until now, and they added ONE transition and a bit of FX.