Suggestions on Slider technique at DVinfo.net

Tom Blizzard · March 8th, 2011, 11:48 AM

I'm just getting started with a 48" slider. It works fine. However I need some suggestions as how to get those great shots I've seen on all the promos.

I'm not using a DSLR, I'm using a HD cam with a wide angle lens. Maybe I need something in the foreground OOF to emphasize the movement ? I shot about an hour of video at an exercise class today but the results just didn't look the same as when I use my 30 feet of track and dolly... yea I know I can't expect the same results, but there must be some way to get a better sense of moving. Like Chad did here:

I would appreciate some suggestions........

Thanks, Tom B.

Zhong Cheung · March 8th, 2011, 01:41 PM

Could you post up a video of the slider shots you're not happy with?

John Wiley · March 8th, 2011, 02:16 PM

Moevement will be wore pronouned with closer objects so place ovjects in te foreground. Wider angles will look much better, and if you're not wide enough it will just look like a pan (if you're using a WA adaptor, you've probably already figured this out!). Because you don't have the freedom to move 30ft like a dolly, you need to scale everything else down as well by zooming out and bringing everything closer to the lens.

It also works alot better if you use the movement to reveal extra information in the shot. Use it to reveal a character, location or object and the movement will create tension in the shot as the viewer waits for something to be revealed.

Tom Blizzard · March 9th, 2011, 12:42 PM

Thanks Zhong and John,
I do appreciate your replies.

John, all your comments are excellent, just what I needed.

March 8th, 2011, 11:48 AM	#1
Tom Blizzard Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Rosemary Beach, Florida Posts: 199	Suggestions on Slider technique I'm just getting started with a 48" slider. It works fine. However I need some suggestions as how to get those great shots I've seen on all the promos. I'm not using a DSLR, I'm using a HD cam with a wide angle lens. Maybe I need something in the foreground OOF to emphasize the movement ? I shot about an hour of video at an exercise class today but the results just didn't look the same as when I use my 30 feet of track and dolly... yea I know I can't expect the same results, but there must be some way to get a better sense of moving. Like Chad did here: IGUS Drylin Camera Slider Video Test Review on Vimeo I would appreciate some suggestions........ Thanks, Tom B.

March 8th, 2011, 01:41 PM	#2
Zhong Cheung Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 202	Re: Suggestions on Slider technique Could you post up a video of the slider shots you're not happy with?

March 8th, 2011, 02:16 PM	#3
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Re: Suggestions on Slider technique Moevement will be wore pronouned with closer objects so place ovjects in te foreground. Wider angles will look much better, and if you're not wide enough it will just look like a pan (if you're using a WA adaptor, you've probably already figured this out!). Because you don't have the freedom to move 30ft like a dolly, you need to scale everything else down as well by zooming out and bringing everything closer to the lens. It also works alot better if you use the movement to reveal extra information in the shot. Use it to reveal a character, location or object and the movement will create tension in the shot as the viewer waits for something to be revealed.

March 9th, 2011, 12:42 PM	#4
Tom Blizzard Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Rosemary Beach, Florida Posts: 199	Re: Suggestions on Slider technique Thanks Zhong and John, I do appreciate your replies. John, all your comments are excellent, just what I needed.