Now it's MY turn to do a wedding video!

8 replies [Last post]
Mike Pulcinella
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Joined: Jan 30 2007

Well, it's not a wedding video exactly! :D

If you've seen my clips from my Raising the Bar DVD series you know that I am mostly known for my work documenting the insane lives of bodybuilders. Recently, however, I've begun creating what are called "fusion" videos for my cousin Joe Pulcinella who is becoming one of the premier wedding photographers in our area.

These videos are a combination of Joe's still pictures and short snippets of video taken on the engagement shoot, edited and set to music. The finished fusion-vid can be uploaded t oa host and emailed to all the friends of the happy couple, played on a continuous loop at the reception, and given to the couple on a DVD as a keepsake.

Joe and I think it's much better than the standard slideshow because we put some thought into the choice and pacing of the photographs rather than rely on the usual slideshow software which most people use in its default automatic mode.

We done a couple of these so far and they have gone over very well. Here's the latest...my first upload ever in HD, by the way!!

http://www.vimeo.com/5739290

Opinons desired!

colin rowe
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Joined: Dec 16 2000

Hey Mike, like that a lot. Love the subtle movement on the stills. Still shots and video merge very well together, and the music is spot on. Very nice.

Colin Rowe

johnd
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Joined: Mar 8 2009

This is a lovely production. I'm sure the couple will be delighted with it. Your cousin's stills are stunning.
And just a side issue; it is a pleasure to see an interview where the focus hasn't shifted off the subject to the high contrast background.
All in all, excellent stuff.
John

Mike Pulcinella
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Joined: Jan 30 2007
colin rowe wrote:
Hey Mike, like that a lot. Love the subtle movement on the stills. Still shots and video merge very well together, and the music is spot on. Very nice.

One of my pet peeves is the standard default slideshow where all of the stills move way too much. This was an attempt on my part to be more subtle and work WITH the music. It's an ongoing process.

Mike Pulcinella
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Joined: Jan 30 2007
johnd wrote:
This is a lovely production. I'm sure the couple will be delighted with it. Your cousin's stills are stunning.
And just a side issue; it is a pleasure to see an interview where the focus hasn't shifted off the subject to the high contrast background.
All in all, excellent stuff.
John

Thank you. But I'm not sure what you mean by the bolded passage.

tom hardwick
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Joined: Apr 8 1999

I liked it too Mike, but the first flash2white seemed too jarring for the mood and the song for me. Yes - just enough movement to add interest, but I'd say the landscape shots work better than the portraits, and the two side by side have me flicking my eyes between the two in my own 'spot the difference' competition.

John's reference is to auto-focus mechanisms that are contrast-driven. A two people shot such as yours will invariably have auto-focus mechanisms concentrating on the bushes behind them if left to its own devices.

tom.

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001

Nice work Mike and great images by Joe.
Great potential for these at receptions!
I have seen the auto compiled 'razzy' still montages and they're only just ok. Far from impressive though as most guests can do exactly the same with their own PC software.

Do not follow, I may not lead. Do not lead . . . I may not follow.

Mike Pulcinella
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Joined: Jan 30 2007
tom hardwick wrote:
I liked it too Mike, but the first flash2white seemed too jarring for the mood and the song for me. Yes - just enough movement to add interest, but I'd say the landscape shots work better than the portraits, and the two side by side have me flicking my eyes between the two in my own 'spot the difference' competition.

John's reference is to auto-focus mechanisms that are contrast-driven. A two people shot such as yours will invariably have auto-focus mechanisms concentrating on the bushes behind them if left to its own devices.

tom.

Thanks for that clarification. I see what he meant.

"Spot the difference"!!! LOLLLLL! You are right, of course! I will reconsider doing that in the future. there's always room to tweak and tweak.

Mike Pulcinella
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Joined: Jan 30 2007
branny wrote:
most guests can do exactly the same with their own PC software.

Exactly! We have to continue to push ourselves to give them something that the average person can't do.