In a new three-part series, Marc Gafen talks to three professional photographers who have made the switch to video. In part two he speaks to Brett Danton, an experienced stills photographer who now earns his living as a director and videographer.
With more than 20 year’s experience shooting stills, Sydney-based photographer Brett Danton – www.brettdanton.com – got involved with video 10 years ago. Initially, he found himself acting as a director of photography for friends of his that were directors, but it was his love of the medium that drew him in. Danton also found that many advertising clients were starting to ask him to deliver video as well as stills. A definite mind-shift was required by him as he delved deeper into video.
One of the greater challenges was learning and trying to understand what coverage a shot should take in so as to best tell the story. The other was learning to get the camera to move, as opposed to simply shooting everything from static locations. “I think that most stills photographers shoot motion like a moving still,” he says. Aspects he found considerably easier and which most likely could be attributed to his skills as a photographer related to the workflow and lighting. He frequently uses HMI (constant lights) for his stills work. Another important skill that photographers moving to video can use is their directing ability, because they already direct their (human) subjects. 
Brett Danton’s ‘specced up’ Canon EOS 1D-C rig.
Danton’s approach to shooting video is methodical. Using the medium to tell a story, he finds it imperative to storyboard all the shots so that he can determine not only the camera position, but, equally importantly, the camera movements. Having all the shots from a static camera position will result in a finished video that is simply not as dynamic as it could be.
For Danton, only the very highest video resolution will suffice. Instead of full HD, also referred to as 1080p, he prefers to capture everything in 4k which delivers roughly four times the resolution. He shoots on a Canon EOS 1D-C as well as the C500, the latter falling into Canon’s cinema camera range.
Show reel from Brett Danton on Vimeo.
The best advice Danton proffers to anyone wanting to get better acquainted with video is to simply get out there and start shooting. “If you love what you shoot, you will love shooting it in motion,” he says. “Use what you have available and really think through what you’re trying to achieve and the story you’re trying to tell.” The secret to great video is to always look at everything you’re shooting, find the best light, consider how the separate shots will be edited together and use camera movements to make the final outcome more dynamic. “Video isn’t complex,” says Danton. “If you think about what you’re doing, start simply, and do it all yourself, you’ll learn. Don’t be put off if it’s not right the first time. Look at why it didn’t work, then go and shoot and edit it again.”
Shooting ‘Time for Kids’ TV commercial. Directed by Brett Danton with DOP Ashleigh Carter (pictured).
Photographer, director and DOP Brett Danton.
“If you love what you shoot, you will love
shooting it in motion...Don’t be put off if it’s
not right the first time.”
How to Shoot Beautiful Videos With Your DSLR (Part 1)
How to Shoot Beautiful Videos With Your DSLR (Part 3)
Excerpt from an article first published in Australian Photography + digital (October, 2013) magazine.