Please help me with my chapter list if you have a second.
I finally made the decision to create a training DVD for the T2i. I am a little nervous about it because I am looking at my chapter outline and I am guessing there will be 3 months shooting and post production to create this and it would be 3 hours long. That’s a lot of time without any idea if I will sell one of these.
The DVD will be mostly geared towards beginners perhaps people coming from a camcorder background or a photographer that wants to start doing video as well. It will cover topics from all the way from how to set up your camera to publishing the video.
I am going to have tons of examples and comparisons from the T2i in all sorts of light conditions and different locations.
I plan on giving at least two chapters away for free and hopefully people will see from the quality of my work that I have enough experience to get them up to speed quickly.
With the exception of about 2 long chapters, most chapters will not be more than 8 minutes long.
I am looking for input from you guys on my chapter list, even if this is something you might not buy, I could really use the help with this before I start story-boarding out all my chapters. What would you like me to add or get rid of, or change the order?
Thanks!
Chapter Outline (rough draft):
- Introduction (why this camera is a game changer but also it’s limitations, who this DVD is for, what equip you will need)
- How to focus for video and comparing of all the different ways to focus
- Understanding aperture and Depth of Field and how to control it with lots of examples
- Understanding how ISO effects video with lots of examples
- Learning how to get the right exposure comparing different techniques
- Comparing the different metering modes, and which ones works best in different situations
- Comparing the 3 Shutter speeds that I use for video
- Understanding frame rates for video, using the best one for the type of shoot
- Top 6 things to check before you start shooting each video
- Demonstration of all the camera’s physical buttons and what they do
- Demonstration of all the menu items (long chapter with lots of comparisons on how each effects video, which settings work best for video)
- Demonstrating all the Picture Styles and demonstrating color correction/sharpness, saturation in post
- Live mode display for video and all the quick mode settings
- How to shoot for Slow motion
- How to stabilize your camera (Demo IS, glide cams, etc)
- How to limit Moire
- How to limit rolling shutter Jello – other limitations like 12 minutes, overheat
- Tips on shooting in low light
- Beginning Tips on Lighting
- Example and setup of ‘product lighting’, making a cheap white stage to film isolated objects on white.”
- Demonstrating different Accessories – ND filters (water flow smoothly), polarizers, sliders, lens hoods, SD cards, batteries, tripods, monopods
- Comparing different methods of getting White balance
- Getting the best audio out of your camera (AGC, microphones etc.)
- Examples of other methods of getting good audio
- Using the EOS software as a monitor and remote control shooting
- Using an external monitor
- Lens and crop factor
- Follow focus
- Using a View finder
- Comparing Pre rendering your files to using mov files right from the camera
- Intro demonstration of editing/rendering using a two Windows NLE’s
- Intro demonstration of editing/rendering using a two Mac NLE’s
- Basic rules and techniques in editing to help tell your story better
- Basic tips on shooting an interview
- Intro to Timelapse
- Publishing to internet sites with transcoding examples
- Backups and managing large file sizes, formatting cards
- Closing (out takes)
Hey Dave,
Just gonna shoot some ideas out there.
1. I Think a T2i DVD would be nice as Phil B. does not have one available.
2. I would do some research to see what is already available for free. Because I don’t think people will purchase training they can find people like Philip Bloom or Tom Guilmette giving away for free online.
3. I do think people would be interested in T2i exclusive features and techniques.
Just some stuff off the top of my head.
Keep up the epic work,
- Pike
Hi Dave,
Depending on the final price for the DVD but sure there is interest from my side. Assume no problem to send to the Netherlands?
Success.
Love your site btw.
Dave:
I see this from a different perspective: and that is your teaching style.
Although content and how in depth (complex) you go is important, your particular style of communication is superb for beginners.
Editing and related software is (at least for me) far, far more complex and broad a subject than the HDSLR and the hardware.
Yes! By all means go for it. Getting your final work out to interested buyers will be the biggie.
Dan
Hi Dave,
I think that your outline is much better than the one from Blue Crane.
There’s a real market here because many people buy DSLRs thinking they’ll be able to shoot videos of their kids like they do with camcorders and they get frustrated. In the 2 photography classes that I recently attended, this issue was raised by some students and the instructors didn’t had a clue what to answer. I refered them to your site
Think also about selling it on iTunes. I bought the Blue Crane one on iTunes because it was only available on the Amazon US site without possibility to ship elsewhere.
Also, price it right so it’s an “impulse” buy.
BTW, thanks for taking the time to share your findings. I learned quite a lot so far.
Guy B.
@T2i Newbie, thanks for the suggestion on putting it on iTunes, perhaps I could make it in to an iPhone app as well. I’m thinking I will not actually make it in to a DVD but just have it online.
@Caleb I have been looking around but I think the problem many people have is they can’t go to Philip’s site and just extract all the tutorials that easily and I am not sure it is really geared for beginners. The average person on my site only looks at 2.5 pages per visit and I get a lot of questions from people asking me to do a tutorial on something I did in the past that is not on the home page.
Dave .. as long as everything you outlined is T2i exclusive then you will be fine, and consider me a customer. My suggestion like others is to see what books/videos are offering and try not to duplicate it that much. I have been searching for exclusive T2i info in a video format (I’m a visual learner), and I have seen a few, but then read the reviews that the information is just a broad overview of photography or video, but then doesn’t show how you do them on the T2i.
ITunes is a great outlet!
Tina
Hi Dave
The online way might be a lot easier since you would skip the DVD mastering, duplication steps, finding resellers, dealing with shipping headaches. Instead, you’ll need a simple Web app with payment thru PayPal and a way to protect the files and serve them only to paid customers. Of course, someone could easily buy and place the files on torrents but it’s likely to happen even if you distribute your content using DVDs. I would not bother if you price it to be an “impulse” buy like $20. I was in a photography store yesterday and I saw a few DVDs priced at $80. Definitively not impulse buys
You could also go the online player with DRM protected files but this will cost you more upfront to build the app and the result is that anyone with a screeen capture program can record the content.
Cloud services like Microsoft Azure and Amazon S3 charge $0.15 per GB of bandwidth. There are other monthly charges but it’s basically your cost per unit sold if your files adds to to 1GB.
@T2i Newbie thanks, I have a lot fun stuff to learn.
Hi,
I’d surely be interested, as I’ve just received my 550D!
It would be nice to have a chapter on “choosing the right lenses”.
It would be nice also to be able to purchase it discounted while you are shooting it, and to get each chapter as soon as you make them
@Disa, interesting idea! Pay something like a dollar a chapter? However, I am not creating them in order, my first one is on “Shutter Speeds for DSLR Video”.
Hello Dave,
I really like your approach and presentation style. Having started with Philip Bloom etc. it is all too easy to get hooked up with spending lots of money to achieve a result, or worse still not achieving a result and simply collecting expensive equipment. Your site is very refreshing in this aspect.
What I like about what you do is that you look at something; work out in your own way how it works and then come up with an affordable way of replicating it. Understanding something and then replicating our own version of it is fundamentally how we all learn so perhaps that is why you have such a good teaching style. Looking at the way your site is growing it is nice to see how you apply your developing skills and surely something we could all learn from.
From my perspective it would be useful to broaden things out so that it is not simply the 550D/T2i but perhaps other web based tips and advice also (I am looking at making videos for mandatory compliance training).
I wish you well with this.
As a follower of your site I agree with separated chapters that can be available as soon as they’re finished. However, as a marketer I will have to advice you to place some thought on this since when you’ll finally finish everything and offer it as a whole, its sales will obviously be less.
In this case I recommend the final full version to offer some preciously unavailable episodes + bonus material; anything that can draw the interest of even the ones who already bought some episodes.
You can also consider creating your own bundles; lets say a 2-or-3-or-whatever episode packs of your choice that can be sold in the price of the respective episode count.
Finally, I also advice you to skip the DVD idea and instead offer it digitally in 720p (or if you wish 1080p). The HD resolution will be extremely helpful for your comparison-videos which btw is one of the main reasons why I will most definitely buy your work and recommend it to others.
I really think that you can’t go wrong with this as long as you place the same amount of enthusiasm that you do in your current videos. You are a “friendly/pleasant face” for someone to watch and like and therefore willing to learn from.
You might want to fast track this DVD. When that new Sony DSLR/camcorder that was announced a few months ago comes out later this year it might make the T2i obsolete. Things in the DSLR world are changing fast and furious. If I were you I’d do a more generic “shooting with a DSLR” DVD or book that will have a longer shelf life, rather than concentrating on the T2i.
@Scott I hear you on the fast track idea.
@Carl thanks for the kind words!
@Alex some great ideas to think about.
I look forward to it!
im looking foward for the dvd or itunes or whatever format. i like the idea dave. cool website. ineed some help with my t2i. cant wait.
I am right where you WERE, i.e. have the T2i and no very little. Eager to see what you come up with. It sounds like it’s just what I need. Thanks!
Also, can’t spell for some reason. That would be “know” very little.
The more I read the comments the more I think this needs to be a “Beginners Guide To DSLR Video” type product. Thanks for everyone providing input.
I would recommend a chapter comparing this camera to professional unit such as the V1U. Also, explain the difference between Iris and aperture, etc. How about recommend accessories? Hope these are a good suggestions.
I am very interested in your upcoming DVD. Any Idea how much you will charge for it?
@Steve sorry I am not sure yet. It should be under $40
Great, is it possible for you to send me an email when it’s available?
@Steve Sure.
Please le me know when training package is available….
I personally can’t wait for this video to come out. I cannot tell you how frustrated I am with the T2i and taking videos. I have taken many still photos with both the T2i and XTi, which some consider to be professional shots. But the video with the T2i is crap. I have tried so many things – getting a class 10 card, trying a monopod, turning off the IS in my 18-135 lens (recommended by the local photo shop), focusing, then refocusing it and nothing is working. I’m almost sorry I bought the camera. I see a lot of comments about turning the sharpening to 0, but I find nothing on how to do this in the manual or by searching on line. When the video comes out marginally sharp, it’s jerky. I’m not sure if this is the computer itself or what. There must be something obvious that I’m doing (or not doing) that is making my videos come out this way.
@Laurena I should start working on this in about a week. I had to take the summer off because of my kids.
I can’t wait! Im going to get my T2i at Christmas so 12 more weeks (yes I have been counting) I hope the video comes out before then!
Sounds Great, Recently I bought T2i and shot some Video of my kids concert with it , which looked ordinary. Was I dissapointed? Yes, cause I expected it would look awesome in HD. Used the kit lense.
So I would really like to buy it, provided it’s reasonably priced. Hopefully my Videos will improve with your teaching which is very user friendly.
New T2i Owner
Although I realize that DVDs are old technology, I’d much prefer it to merely an internet video, and I’ll tell you why. I’ve tried many PhotoShop tutorials that exist only on YouTube, and if I’m watching the tutorial on the same computer on which I’m trying to use PhotoShop at the same time, it’s a mess. I have a HD Sony Bravia TV on the wall right above my 24 inch Apple iMac, and if I can watch a DVD on that TV, while I follow the instructions on my iMac at the same time, it’s light years better. I can pause the DVD with its remote while I search the program’s (or the Camera’s) menu to follow the DVD’s instructions. Even with a 24 inch monitor, that’s hard to do simultaneously.
Also, be aware that there is more difference between using Macs and using PCs for video on the T2i than you are aware of. The fact that the T2i records using the .mov container for video and audio makes it easier and, to my mind, better on the Mac, since Apple invented Quicktime. I have a friend with a quad core PC, while I use a 3.06 dual core iMac. Every video I’ve made runs better and more smoothly on my computer than his. We both have high end video cards, but it’s like pulling teeth to watch it on his computer after watching it on mine. Also, unless you’re using a pro app, like Final Cut pro, transcoding is completely unnecessary on a Mac.
Anyway, just a couple of things to keep aware of. I’ve watched your tutorials since you began, and have learned a great deal. I got interested in HDR photography after watching one of your videos, and am now acquiring the requisite hardware and software to do it better. Good luck on your video.
Hi Dave,
Thank you for teaching me how to take HDR photos. I have been watching your videos. They were awesome. Is there any way wherein I can purchase your training DVD here in the UAE? If not is there any way wherein it can be sent to the UAE?
Kindly send me your reply through email and I will deal with the best option accordingly.
Thank you and best regards,
Atif
atifbalouch14@gmail.com
Hi, any update on this training video. I’d be very keen to purchase when available
dig it- looking forward!
Hi Dave.
I for one will definitely buy your DVD or internet download only files.
I would really like to see a detailed chapter on editing. For instance, in a 5 minute video…do I import and edit one file at the time, add effects, pre-render it…(which format should I use for pre-rendreing) or, import all the files for the video….add effects, transitions etc and then render it….and again….which format should I use for rendering.
Dave….I love your site, your videos and your incredible way of teaching…..keep up that great work my friend!
Gerry.
Hi Dave,
I love your video’s, and would love to see a DVD. As someone elses has already said, there are a lot of things out there, but it is your teaching style that people will buy. I find that you get detailed information across without dragging on and on. I would pay around $15 for the DVD, and would probably buy it off iTunes.
However, I strongly advise that you see how much you will be making from iTunes as I know for a fact that bands who sell songs on there only get about $0.001p from each download! And they sell loads, but only make about $10 from it.
I look forward to it’s release.
Jordan
hey dave are you still coming out with this dvd?
@sunnie I am coming out with something but it won’t be on dvd. Not sure when I get too distracted.
I would definitely buy the DVD or download it. I am most interested in the ” demonstration of editing/rendering using a two Mac NLE’s”, particularly with Avid Media Composer 5.5
I would like to learn the best way on how to get the footage in Avid MC, steps to get it ready for editing, what codec to use, and how to export for highest quality.
I would definitely buy the DVD or download it, I like the you explain things I own Canon 550D with 18-55 lens and I new to DSLR – I love to buy your DVD or download it please let me know from where I can get it and for how much thank you very much! You not going to believe that I just come to know that you had a DVD
me buying it! thanks Dave!