Photography and video together

[Dave Semmens]

I have recently retired and decided that the best way to keep busy would be to learn a new skill. I have been on / off with photography for around 13 years now and think that I m OK at it. We also have a camper van and we plan on getting away quite a lot now we have the time.

So - I decided that video may be the way to go. It kind of links in with the photography as I am normally out and about early and have seen some lovely moments over the years - that I only captured as stills in the past. We also like a bit of bike riding and walking as well. Mix this in with the camper van and it comes together quite well.

The other reason is that I want to use the videos (via YouTube) as a kind of memory box for me and the wife and for future generations of the family that come along - what did Granny and Grandad get up to in their later years

What I have found that has surprised me is that it is helping me with my photography. When I watch back the footage I see compositions that I have clearly missed on the day and it is giving new life to the photos I take as I have to be less picky now and not just focus on that 1 perfect shot (something I have suffered with for years).

It also adds some extra motivation to get out with the camera - which is something I need at times.

Just wondering if anyone else has gone on the same journey?

Dave.

 

[JohnBoyUK]

I'm sort of starting on the same journey now.

I have just hit 50. Got 3 kids of 20, 7 and 5. My sisters-in-law have just lost their father a couple of weeks ago sadly and it dawned on all of us we've got loads of photographs but hardly any videos.
We've got some videos of our phones like most people of course but I've just picked up a Insta360 Luna Ultra to try and capture some more memories. At the moment, I'm lucky to have both my parents alive and my wife's Mum too. I think some videos of them talking to camera about their youth and their memories would be great for our kids and grandkids growing up.

I just wish we'd done it sooner to be honest.

 

[Dave Semmens]

I'm sort of starting on the same journey now.

I have just hit 50. Got 3 kids of 20, 7 and 5. My sisters-in-law have just lost their father a couple of weeks ago sadly and it dawned on all of us we've got loads of photographs but hardly any videos.
We've got some videos of our phones like most people of course but I've just picked up a Insta360 Luna Ultra to try and capture some more memories. At the moment, I'm lucky to have both my parents alive and my wife's Mum too. I think some videos of them talking to camera about their youth and their memories would be great for our kids and grandkids growing up.

I just wish we'd done it sooner to be honest.

100% agree. We have been lucky that my mother-in-law loved her gadgets and back in the late 1980s she bought a video camera. We recorded all 3 kids from birth and have Christmases, birthdays, family holidays and other occassions recorded. I moved all the videos from VHS to DVD years ago but still need to get them converted and up to something like Youtube.

We haven't really recorded many videos in the last 5 or so years - so only (like you) have short videos of the kids / grandkids on our phones.

Before I retired I told all the people at work (with young kids) to buy a cheap camera and stick it up in a corner of a room during family events. Then just upload that footage somewhere safe. Don't even worry about editing or watching it back at this point. In years to come that footage will be priceless.

You cannot get time back.

Dave.