The University Photographers’ Association of America (UPAA) conference is right around the corner, and we can’t wait to spend a week talking about photography on campus.
As we count down to the conference, we asked university photographers to answer five questions. So far, we’ve shared some exciting projects these photographers are working on, and their workflow tips and lessons learned.
Today, we’re talking about a hot topic on campus: video. We asked our experts: How has video changed your job? What impact has it had?
Check out what they had to say, and share your own answers in the comments!
Kristen Grace, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida
The most recent project I’ve been working on is covering monarchs and the natural phenomenon of their annual winter migration to the fir forests of central Mexico. It was the opportunity of a lifetime to have my proposal accepted with the support of the museum and Holbrook Travel to have another chance to document this phenomenon. The photo office at the museum recently acquired the new Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera. Up until this trip, I had strictly been a still photographer. But I knew that video footage would have a deeper impact in this instance. Still photos of hundreds of millions of monarchs are great, but video of hundreds of millions of monarchs in flight all around you, wow!
I had two weeks prior to the trip to learn the new camera and figure out shooting video. We also purchased a Rhode shotgun mic, a zoom recorder and a Moza gimbal to complete the kit. I wanted to be compact, yet versatile and still be able to grab stunning still photos on the fly. Video definitely demands a different thought process than shooting stills, and I found that
attempting to do both quickly and thoroughly was tough.
I think this is just the beginning of video having an impact on my job. I loved it and hated it at the same time. It is hard, sound is hard, storyboarding and editing are hard. But, I love new challenges and learning new ways of storytelling.
After completing my first video, I’ve discovered I am hooked, and I look forward to having more opportunities to experiment with this medium.
Samantha Strahan, Ball State University
Video was always part of the description when I joined Ball State. Despite that, I did not capture video as we had a full time videographer. Honestly, the only real experience I had with video was as a 5-week intro course I had as a student.
After about a year and a half into the position, we lost our videographer. Our department went through some changes and wanted to try new things, specifically with social media. In turn, I started dabbing with more video and putting together a couple smaller pieces (30 seconds or so.)
We have a full time videographer again, but I have been called upon more to help. I’m still learning and capturing more video assets than before, but I would say I am about 90% stills and 10% video.
Video is a different way of looking at things. I can see myself enjoying it in my free time, but who has that?
Cydney Scott, Boston University
Video hasn’t affected my job aside from giving me inspiration. The video team here is exceptional. Not only in their skill, but in their generosity in sharing information and ideas. I can go to the video team to brainstorm and there is never any holding back of creative suggestions, (unlike with newspaper photographers, which was common the case in the past for me).
Now it’s your turn!
Now, we want to hear from you. How has video changed your job? What impact has it had? Share your photos, videos, tips and insights with us in the comments, or tweet them @getlibris!
