One’s manhood is determined by the size of his camera???
By Cliff Etzel • May 15th, 2007 • Category: Video JournalismOver on Michael Rosenblums blog, a post was made discussing the conclusion of the Travel Channel Academy’s attendees camera choice.
And the winner was???
A consumer Canon HV20 HDV camera. This was selected over the larger SONY Z1U and Panasonic DVX100 prosumer cameras.
Now , I have been skeptical over the so called “NEED” to upgrade to HDV purely based upon the advertising spin doctors implying I needed to upgrade.
My perspective is this: unless you have a reason to shoot HDV, a higher quality standard def camcorder is more than adequate – especially if the UGC is for online distribution. A second hand camera like a SONY TRV950 (I own 2), PDX10 (DVCAM), Panasonic’s DVX100 and other cameras like these, will make excellent starting points for shooting. I should point out that these cameras are no longer made, and so one will have to find them second hand.
Owning a big gun doesn’t make you a better shooter – outstanding images have been shot with inexpensive cameras, and mediocre images have been shot with top of the line equipment.
It’s important to know your equipment, but the #1 thing to know is having that skill for telling a story – in an interesting and engaging way.
Then get out and shoot your ideas, edit them, show them to other industry professionals and get their feedback. We all had to start someplace.
Cliff Etzel is a regional award winning photojournalist from the Pacific Northwest who has been a visual content creator since 15 years of age. In his past still work, he specialized in photo documentary and slice of life stories. Since discovering the new paradigm of self contained video journalism, he now focuses his energies in the Solo VJ paradigm with an emphasis on people-based stories, environmental, social justice, travel and documentary work through his company, bluprojekt
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