Popular MultureStarting out in multimedia
Photo:
Starting equipment:
- iPhone/Android: Free and easy. Instagram, Flickr, Camera + and Twitter are great, free editing tools.
- Canon T3i/4i: T3i - $600/$700 T4i - $900/$1300 - Advantages: RAW file capability. Larger file sizes (18MP sensor = 5200x3500 pixels). HD movie modes. 5fps continuous shooting.
- Nikon D7000/D5100: D5100 - $500/$900 D7000 - $900/$1500
- ILCs: Samsung NX 210 - $600 20MP sensor. 18-55mm lens. 8 fps capture. WiFi compatible. Shoots in RAW mode.
Starting editing software:
- iPhoto: Free
- Adobe Lightroom: $79
- Photoshop: $699/buy $199/upgrade
Continuing education:
- Lynda tutorials - Free on YouTube and paid on Lynda.com
YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/lynda - YT channel usually gives you one lesson for free. For example, one course offered on Lynda.com is “Fashion Portrait Retouching.” The entire course is 4:30 long, and contains 7 chapters, ith 5-10 lessons per chapter. Here’s one lesson from a larger course that’s offered on Lynda: How to improve composition in Photoshop
Paid subscription - $25/mo. or $250/annually
- BH Photo/Video on YouTube is an excellent resource for camera and equipment reviews. http://www.youtube.com/user/BHPhotoVideoProAudio
- Learn photography at ICP: Offer classes in a wide range of subjects - Lighting, Portraiture, Travel, Personal Vision, Fashion/Editorial/Commercial, Documentary/Journalism, and Editing. icp.org
Who I follow: NYT Lens Blog (@nytimesphoto), Pop Photo (@popphoto), Reuters (@reuterspictures), Magnum Photos (@MagnumPhotos), Pete Souza (@petesouza)
100 most influential photographers of all time http://www.blinkreflex.com/category/NEWS?page=2
Recommended Reading: Light, Science and Magic (4th Ed), by Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, and Paul Fuqua
Video:
Starting equipment:
- GoPro Hero 3: Great for action sports, action shots. $300-400, depending on the model
- DSLRs: Canon Rebel T4i/Nikon D600 ($1300-$2500) to Canon 5D Mark IV/Nikon D800 ($3500-$3000 - body only)
- Dedicated video cameras: JVC GY-HM150U/$1995 Sony NX5U/$3500, Sony FS 100/$4200-$4800
Advantages: Fixed Lens, Sound syncing and editing, Audio Monitoring, HDMI outputs for larger monitors, Peaking/Zebras, ND filters, Good for run-n-gun - Requires less setup time than DSLRs.
Disadvantages: Fixed Lens/Depth of field
Starting editing software:
Free: iMovie
Paid: FCP, Adobe Premiere
Continuing education:
Learn video/multimedia storytelling with Duy: http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/page/926/704
Classes at Abel Cine: http://training.abelcine.com/
Larry Jordan Tutorials, YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/LarryJordanFCP
BH Photo/Video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/BHPhotoVideoProAudio
Lynda Tutorials - Free on YouTube and paid on Lynda.com
YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/lynda
Who I follow: Cine Tech News (@CineTechNews), Zacuto (@Zacuto), Abel Cine (@abelcine), Shane Hurlbut (@Hurlbutvisuals) - More for beginning to mid-level, indie filmmakers.
Recommended Reading: Documentary Storytelling (3rd Ed), by Sheila Curran Bernard
Audio:
Starting equipment:
Free: Soundcloud app and iPhone/Droid.
Paid:
Zoom H4N
Olympus LS 10S
Starting editing software:
Free: Audacity (Mac, Windows, and Linux) and Rose Garden (Linux Only).
Paid: Garage Band, Final Cut Pro/Adobe Premiere/iMovie, or ProTools.
Things to keep in mind - Nat sound, v/o narration, sound bites that advance the story, establishing characters, using sound to establish milieu, creating a script
Good example: “A Look At The Minor Leagues,” by Zack Seward
Write a good headline and synopsis to accompany your radio report.
Recommended Reading:
Sound Reporting by Jonathan Kern
General tips and notes:
Writing For Broadcast - It’s not the same as writing for print.
- Try reading the first paragraph of any NY Times headline out loud. It’s long, dry, and you’ll likely run out of breath before finishing it. Listen for tongue twisters, rhymes, alliterations, and other oddities. Let’s try this one: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/12/25/bumping-your-way-to-safer-sex-with-a-smartphone-app/
- Write like you speak. Write in your own voice. Write as if you’re speaking to only one listener.
- Keep it simple. Allot a sentence to each idea. Wherever possible, out the subject at the beginning of the sentence.
- Write in the active voice.
- Video audiences will see why something happened. Radio audiences will hear about it. Avoid using “see” in a radio broadcast, unless it’s part of the story.
- If you’re hosting a show or an interview, be the host. Let the speaker speak. Don’t “Mm hmm” them and don’t keep talking and talking about yourself. You’re just a conduit whose job it is to relay a story/experience/emotion from the guest to the audience.
Buying equipment: Try before you buy/buy used
For those living in NYC, Calumet and Adorama are two of the more popular rental houses. They contain a large inventory and rent at reasonable prices. Calumet offers its one-day rate for weekend rentals (Fri-Sun).
