Customer Reviews

From Still to Motion: A photographer's guide to creating video with your DSLR (Voices That Matter)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Listen, I'm not much for pimpage. I mean, my pimp hand is strong, but I'm not in the habit of shilling products or hawking gear. (There's enough people doing that.) But when I come across something I really think is useful...no, indispensable...well that I have to share.

If you shoot on HDSLRs, you need to buy the new book "From Still To Motion..." by Matt Gottshalk, Robbie Carman, Jim Ball and Richard Harrington. LINK At just over $30, it may be the single best shooter's resource for DSLR shooting available. Period.

(Don't get me started on how poorly-named the book is. The title makes it sound like just a photographer's guide, but it most certainly is not. It's for anyone who picks up a DSLR with the goal of shooting and putting together quality work.)

Written by working pros who deal with all aspects of production, the book takes you from start to finish, from lens selection to workflow and final output. It is the most thorough resource out there, and is valuable even if you've been shooting with DSLRs for a while, like I have.

The book is not camera-specific, so whether you're on a GH1 or a 1DMkIV there is plenty of great information here. And at the back of the book is a DVD with hours of tutorials, project files and sample videos. The DVD alone is worth the price of the book.

Buy. This. Book. Now. It's that good. And it will make your work better. I consider this book to be nothing less than the bible of HDSLR shooting.

This book seemed like a great book for someone who has already been into film making but just bought a new dslr. I guess I should of focused on the title more. The book is truly for the photographer that knows nothing of recording video. The book itself didn't teach me anything I didn't already know about film making because it was very basic stuff. I was hoping that the book would get in depth about how to really get the most of the dslr but I feel like they hardly discussed the workings of a dslr camera. Most of the book could of pertained to any video camera.

On a good note, there was a few chapters that really focused on dslr cameras. The chapters about lenses, and video technology were good. The rest of the book was about basic lighting, sound, tripods, rigs, editing, etc...
I think that if you have little experience in video recording than this might be the book for you. However, if you feel that you know the basics of film making such as 3-point lighting, panning, and how to record onto sd cards; then you might skip this book.

The real bonus is the chapters at the end where they discuss stop-motion, time-lapse and distribution. It's not something I really needed to learn, but perhaps I'll take up stop-motion one of these days. Seems like fun.

I give this book 3 stars because of the little information that I think is valuable. I give this book 5 stars if you are brand new and your new dslr is the first video-capable camera you've owned.

Like most people in media I have become fascinated with the HD video capabilities of the new breed of DSLR, in my case the Canon 7D. The only thing that held me back is that I come from a ENG shooter background. I'm used to one lens that can do it all, xlr audio jacks etc...I have no still camera experience at all. I learned the hard way how different thse cameras can be. I wish that there was a resource like From Still to Motion a year ago. Having just finished the book I can't say enough good things about it. It goes step by step through what you absolutely need to know from the professionals from lens choice to hand held rigs. It cleanly and clearly explains all you need to know to get the most out of these cameras. After I finished the book yesterday I handed it off to my unit with each of them having it as required reading. For the cost of the book you get a wealth of information that you can keep going back to. Best resource book I have in my library.

In parallel with other reviewers I agree that this is a well laid out, well written book, packed with information and good guidance.
If you are a photographer - professional or enthusiast - then this is the best jumping off point for the world of HDDSLR filming. Websites mentioned in the book will lead you to further indepth and invaluable reference material.

But I do feel I should mention that if you are from the world of filmmaking or TV then this book isn't really going to tell you much that you don't already know or can't find easily - and in more appropriate detail - on the web. As a documentary maker I was hoping for more technical detail on HDDSLRs and less generics on lighting etc - one of the drawbacks of buying from Amazon as opposed to having a look in a bookshop prior to purchase. This is of course my fault - there's nothing wrong with the book - but amongst the enthusiastic reviews for it I would just point out that if you are already comfortable with professional filming then this book probably won't help you much.

I've rated it 4 stars as a book for photographers about to experiment in video. If you're already in the industry and looking for detail on how to exploit HDDSLRs in your filmmaking...go elsewhere.

Rich Harrington and the gang have put together a PHENOMENAL and very thorough manual on the latest in HDSLR photography right now. It contains so much, including the thoughtful, artistic side of filmmaking along with the technical info (even down to specific plug-ins and software recommendations, links, tutorials and the wealth of material on the included DVD). Can't imagine how much work this must have been to collate, but I am grateful and will definitely be referring this to friends. If you want the latest details on how to be a (successful) early adopter of this technology, From Still to Motion will save you time, trial, research and loads of cash. There are also DIY tips for lighting! My favorite cheap cheat was the Chinese paper globes for soft background lighting. If you are looking to get into a pro setup, you'll do it confident in your purchases. I like how the book allows you to scale your experience depending on your level of expertise, financial investment, crew size, computer platform, etc. Whether a dabbler wanting to stick a toe in the water, a photographer looking to increase skills, or a high-level videography company wanting to add the new gear for a movie look, there's something for everyone to benefit. These guys REALLY know their stuff. A stellar primer for all! Grab it. :)

As a professional photographer seeking to add services, I found this book to be very informative and a useful reference for the new language of DSLR video. It also comes with a DVD packed with how-to videos and more.
Having a single reference source with tips from so many experienced pros is a huge timesaver over reading multiple blogs on the web.
By the way I am also a part-time photo instructor, and would highly recommend this book as a text for teaching new courses on this very hot topic. Well worth the investment!

This book is the ESSENTIAL book for photographers moving to video, and video professionals embracing HDSLR technology. It's clear, step-by-step and done by people that have already figured out all the gotchas.

Buy this book NOW if you're serious about shooting video on your HDSLR. It will SAVE you time, $$$, and take you to the next level of creativity.

You wouldn't re-invent the wheel if you needed tires for your car - same thing here. It takes something complicated and makes it EASY and SIMPLE.

It should come with every Canon camera bought on Amazon.

From Still to Motion is good for photographers just getting into HDSLR video. However, I found the content to be a little light in some sections so I'd not call this an advanced reference (as the back cover indicates). Still, a worthwhile investment if you're just getting started in HDSLR video.

Finally!!! a book that not only you can read...but follow up that ready with videos to support what it is being said. Often I read a book and it explains a movement, a shot, a technique, I find myself Re reading the paragraph or the sentence two and three times to understand the method. Here it not only provides the link for further learning but supports it with video.

I hope this is a new trend in the reading and learning process...Great book

I purchased this book when it first came out. I am a DSLR still photographer who has always wanted to get into video but was intimidated by the financial barriers to get started. With the advent of DSLRs that shoot video (Canon 5D Mk ll in my case) those barriers have lessened considerably.
This book provides not only an entry level primer to getting started but can take you all the way up to professional productions. The thorough and detailed written chapters are considerably augmented by the excellent video tutorials. The team approach of still and video experts works very well in the video tutorials. The team also maintains a Facebook page which gives up to date tips and other learning resources. As a photographer and educator I am quite impressed with this effort. If you want to improve your video skills with your DSLR, look no further than "From Still to Motion".
It is an excellent resource.

John Reuter