This really has me thinking!!!! Right now I use a gimbal allll day until the reception - dancing handheld shots have great energy and feel fun. But maybe I could do a better job of mixing gimbal/handheld shots throughout the day. I love the idea of looking at the gimbal more as a tool than a vice. ANd asking myself, "why I'm shooting the way I'm shooting?" is such a great way to grow. Love the video like always!!!!
Dude love that this video got you thinking. I’m definitely going to be using the gimbal more this year but situationally. Having a dedicated gimbal camera helps so you’re not having to go back and forth. Love the idea of building out a gimbal rig since I already have the handheld set.
I love using a gimbal for all kinds of shots, my favorite is during the First Dance can get great camera movement. My second shooter is handheld or monopod all day and generally getting tighter shots. I’ll take my cam off the gimbal and go handheld for bride and groom prep, letter readings, and dancing.
I’ve never filmed a wedding with a gimbal because I always imagine it tweaking out during important moments haha. But I do believe there are some shots that are impossible to achieve without a gimbal
Valid fears which has definitely happened to me lol. Another thought that comes to mind is associating gimbals with being professional, which is definitely not the case. Just like our cameras they are a tool and using them for an intentional reason will always warrant the best results. My favorite time to use a gimbal is when the venue space has emaculate decor and I want to really highlight and immerse people into the space and its often hard to do without one
I hope no one here feels attacked, but I’ve noticed people who aren’t great at handling gimbals are the ones who prefer handheld 😂😂 I mean, I haven’t seen a great gimbal operator say he/she barely uses their gimbal anymore. But at the end of day, its art and art is subjective. What someone calls robotic, someone else can say “too shaky”.
Great thoughts! The learning curve aspect is definitely a factor in why some would gravitate more towards hand-held for sure. Every tool takes time and practice to get good with. For me, I see benefits in both but prefer hand-held for simplicity and my style also changed/evolved. So it is subjective and each tool has a purpose. 💪
I’ve vowed to bring the gimbal back in 2024! The planned still shots and handheld look are so 2021-2023, not to mention all the excess work bouncing between multiple bodies, on and off gimbal/monopod/tripod. All about making things easier for myself and team anymore. Balance the gimbal and stay on it all day! Pro tip: Zhiyun quick releases on a tripod plate and the gimbal legs so you can easily swap out and mount the gimbal on top of a tripod to lock off for ceremony and toasts.
Interesting take! I wouldn't consider hand-held or static frames a trend per se. I do agree that when filming weddings its all about your comfort level and what helps you execute your vision and the couples day in a beautiful tone. And if thats using a gimbal all day, do it!!!
@@WaywardNorth I hear ya man. I said that half jokingly but I do personally plan on using the gimbal a bit more. I’ve gotten so far away from it lately and at one point during a film last year, hand-holding my full rig while checking two other cameras on tripods and worrying about finding angles and framing for upcoming shots, that I felt more overwhelmed than any point during my 7 year run doing weddings. It was at that point that I questioned if it was really worth it. I unfortunately live in an area where my clients’ main concerns are whether or not I have a drone and gimbal lol.
@@rizeoptix Dude totally get that! There’s a ton of benefits to using the gimbal and I do miss my Movi M5 that thing was a beast! Before DJI became a monopoly for drones, gimbals and bears oh my. I think everyone’s process is unique and you should always cater to those strengths to provide the best product 💪
I got really into handheld shooting and ended up not even touching my gimbal for several weddings in a row. But recently I’ve started using it just for the ceremony. Just to help insure smooth coverage of everything for full ceremony edits.
Love the intent behind why you're using it, I have been considering using it more on the wedding as well because there are certain moments that a gimbal could really help elevate my scene
I think the key word in this video is 'intentionality". I've actually been thinking about making a video on this word because I realized that in the beginning my goal wasn't really to have intention in my work, but to imitate those that i looked up to (including yourself:) But once I felt my imitation game had reached a semi-professional standard (only recently), I began to want to define my own voice with my own intentionality....which is tough lol. I'm still very much figuring it out, but it's exciting to think about having my own voice that is subtly influenced by others, as opposed to being the best knockoff in town😅
Love this! That’s what it is all about. To find your artistry you have to plant an artist tree and then keep nurturing and letting that influence grow into its own. I myself and constantly nurturing my own art and discovering more and more about myself. I don’t think there is ever a finish line but we can definitely arrive at a place of contentment through that discipline and intentional approach. 🙏🏻
Can't live without my gimbal, BUT I did build a handheld rig for my B-cam to try and start using it more. The toughest part is when I feel like I don't have a lot of time and just need to get my shots I go with the gimbal because I know at the very least I'll get something stable and usable. But when I have free time I like using the handheld to get more creative. Also if you have a shoot day with a lot of walking around between locations, lugging around the A Cam on a Gimbal and the B Cam handheld rig can be cumbersome.
I totally get it! I used the Movi M5 before the handheld rigs and DJI took over the world and I LOVED it. Broke my heart selling it. Definitely getting back into gimbal filmmaking but there’s always a time and a place for sure. And I love staying minimal and having less gear to worry about.
Good video amigo! I think gimbals fit a specific style of wedding films, those really elegant luxurious high end ones. I think those weddings and films are beautiful but not really the niche I have found myself in. Team handheld for me! All that to say I wouldn’t hate like 2 establishing shots on a gimbal if I had the time for it haha. Like pushing down the aisle once it’s all set up before the ceremony. But of course the ceremony is filled with 7 florists the entire day until like 45 min before the ceremony. If it was all set up when I arrived, I’d consider whipping out a gimbal for a few mins.
I've been experimenting with handheld a lot more these days. I still use the gimbal about 60% of my day, but I've got a plan to only use it in key moments where there is forward or backward movement.
Nothing wrong with that, honestly im a firm believer in "if it aint broke dont fit it," mentality but experimenting and evolving your filmmaking process is always a great way to adopt new strats to achieve creative results
We use a gimbal for everything. Just because you're using it doesn't mean you have to have "gimbal movements" you can literally just hold it as if you were going handheld, monopod, tripod, it's an incredibly versatile tool. You can still be intentional with your "framing" when you're using a gimbal, It's just the matter of being exactly that, intentional. idk why that would stop anyone from being intentional or creative
Great thoughts appreciate your insight! Thats why I love the filmmaking process, there is no one size fits all approach and everyone has their own methods that work for them. It all comes down to intention and what tools help you create without any limitations or cognitive barrier.
Hmm I think having a gimbal is nice for specific shots like the examples you used, I lean more towards handheld most times 😅. The last wedding I shot with my brother was nice because I was handheld and he was running the gimbal and it made for a nice mix of shots 😮💨
Good points! I think having variety is great. Its been so long since Ive picked up a gimbal but ive been experimenting again and its fun using new tools but I always want to focus on intentional filmmaking versus showboating
I just use handheld mostly on weddings with big rig and without ibs with my blackmagic rig :D Am i wrong with it? Its fit my documentary storytelling style.
Love it! I think everyones approach should fit their comfort to create and experiment when you want to try something new. There's no one size fits all approach! Keep creating those beautiful documentary stories 💪🎥
It is us the filmmaker watched too many gimbal movement and feel bored and overused. To us handheld shooting is a style that feel refresh now. But most audience still love gimbal smooth movement. They feel handheld shots is not as elegant as smooth movement. Just what I observed.
What are your thoughts on Gimbals for wedding filmmaking? Drop em below!
Filming my first wedding in February and this is such a great breakdown! Just came across your page and i am binging all your videos! Cheers!
This really has me thinking!!!! Right now I use a gimbal allll day until the reception - dancing handheld shots have great energy and feel fun. But maybe I could do a better job of mixing gimbal/handheld shots throughout the day. I love the idea of looking at the gimbal more as a tool than a vice. ANd asking myself, "why I'm shooting the way I'm shooting?" is such a great way to grow. Love the video like always!!!!
Dude love that this video got you thinking. I’m definitely going to be using the gimbal more this year but situationally. Having a dedicated gimbal camera helps so you’re not having to go back and forth. Love the idea of building out a gimbal rig since I already have the handheld set.
"but for the flowers?" hahaha. well said man. great video!
Haha thanks man! 🙏🏻💪
I love using a gimbal for all kinds of shots, my favorite is during the First Dance can get great camera movement. My second shooter is handheld or monopod all day and generally getting tighter shots. I’ll take my cam off the gimbal and go handheld for bride and groom prep, letter readings, and dancing.
The first dance is a really great gimbal moment. Especially if the couple has a special dance with a ton of energy. Love your process here!
I’ve never filmed a wedding with a gimbal because I always imagine it tweaking out during important moments haha. But I do believe there are some shots that are impossible to achieve without a gimbal
Valid fears which has definitely happened to me lol. Another thought that comes to mind is associating gimbals with being professional, which is definitely not the case. Just like our cameras they are a tool and using them for an intentional reason will always warrant the best results. My favorite time to use a gimbal is when the venue space has emaculate decor and I want to really highlight and immerse people into the space and its often hard to do without one
Been researching this topic quite a bit recently, this video arrived right on time 🙌🏻
Ayyy happy to help and hope it brought you value in some way!
I hope no one here feels attacked, but I’ve noticed people who aren’t great at handling gimbals are the ones who prefer handheld 😂😂
I mean, I haven’t seen a great gimbal operator say he/she barely uses their gimbal anymore.
But at the end of day, its art and art is subjective. What someone calls robotic, someone else can say “too shaky”.
Great thoughts! The learning curve aspect is definitely a factor in why some would gravitate more towards hand-held for sure. Every tool takes time and practice to get good with. For me, I see benefits in both but prefer hand-held for simplicity and my style also changed/evolved. So it is subjective and each tool has a purpose. 💪
I’ve vowed to bring the gimbal back in 2024! The planned still shots and handheld look are so 2021-2023, not to mention all the excess work bouncing between multiple bodies, on and off gimbal/monopod/tripod.
All about making things easier for myself and team anymore. Balance the gimbal and stay on it all day! Pro tip: Zhiyun quick releases on a tripod plate and the gimbal legs so you can easily swap out and mount the gimbal on top of a tripod to lock off for ceremony and toasts.
Interesting take! I wouldn't consider hand-held or static frames a trend per se. I do agree that when filming weddings its all about your comfort level and what helps you execute your vision and the couples day in a beautiful tone. And if thats using a gimbal all day, do it!!!
@@WaywardNorth I hear ya man. I said that half jokingly but I do personally plan on using the gimbal a bit more. I’ve gotten so far away from it lately and at one point during a film last year, hand-holding my full rig while checking two other cameras on tripods and worrying about finding angles and framing for upcoming shots, that I felt more overwhelmed than any point during my 7 year run doing weddings. It was at that point that I questioned if it was really worth it. I unfortunately live in an area where my clients’ main concerns are whether or not I have a drone and gimbal lol.
@@rizeoptix Dude totally get that! There’s a ton of benefits to using the gimbal and I do miss my Movi M5 that thing was a beast! Before DJI became a monopoly for drones, gimbals and bears oh my. I think everyone’s process is unique and you should always cater to those strengths to provide the best product 💪
I got really into handheld shooting and ended up not even touching my gimbal for several weddings in a row. But recently I’ve started using it just for the ceremony. Just to help insure smooth coverage of everything for full ceremony edits.
Love the intent behind why you're using it, I have been considering using it more on the wedding as well because there are certain moments that a gimbal could really help elevate my scene
This really helped me to boost up my confident to shoot hand held
hand held is my preferred method of filming weddings - I haven't looked back!
I think the key word in this video is 'intentionality". I've actually been thinking about making a video on this word because I realized that in the beginning my goal wasn't really to have intention in my work, but to imitate those that i looked up to (including yourself:) But once I felt my imitation game had reached a semi-professional standard (only recently), I began to want to define my own voice with my own intentionality....which is tough lol. I'm still very much figuring it out, but it's exciting to think about having my own voice that is subtly influenced by others, as opposed to being the best knockoff in town😅
Love this! That’s what it is all about. To find your artistry you have to plant an artist tree and then keep nurturing and letting that influence grow into its own. I myself and constantly nurturing my own art and discovering more and more about myself. I don’t think there is ever a finish line but we can definitely arrive at a place of contentment through that discipline and intentional approach. 🙏🏻
Can't live without my gimbal, BUT I did build a handheld rig for my B-cam to try and start using it more. The toughest part is when I feel like I don't have a lot of time and just need to get my shots I go with the gimbal because I know at the very least I'll get something stable and usable. But when I have free time I like using the handheld to get more creative. Also if you have a shoot day with a lot of walking around between locations, lugging around the A Cam on a Gimbal and the B Cam handheld rig can be cumbersome.
I totally get it! I used the Movi M5 before the handheld rigs and DJI took over the world and I LOVED it. Broke my heart selling it. Definitely getting back into gimbal filmmaking but there’s always a time and a place for sure. And I love staying minimal and having less gear to worry about.
Good video amigo! I think gimbals fit a specific style of wedding films, those really elegant luxurious high end ones. I think those weddings and films are beautiful but not really the niche I have found myself in. Team handheld for me! All that to say I wouldn’t hate like 2 establishing shots on a gimbal if I had the time for it haha. Like pushing down the aisle once it’s all set up before the ceremony. But of course the ceremony is filled with 7 florists the entire day until like 45 min before the ceremony. If it was all set up when I arrived, I’d consider whipping out a gimbal for a few mins.
Very true!! It’s always so hard to get a clear shot of ceremony sometimes and that is usually when I like to utilize a gimbal as well!
I've been experimenting with handheld a lot more these days. I still use the gimbal about 60% of my day, but I've got a plan to only use it in key moments where there is forward or backward movement.
Nothing wrong with that, honestly im a firm believer in "if it aint broke dont fit it," mentality but experimenting and evolving your filmmaking process is always a great way to adopt new strats to achieve creative results
We use a gimbal for everything. Just because you're using it doesn't mean you have to have "gimbal movements" you can literally just hold it as if you were going handheld, monopod, tripod, it's an incredibly versatile tool. You can still be intentional with your "framing" when you're using a gimbal, It's just the matter of being exactly that, intentional. idk why that would stop anyone from being intentional or creative
Great thoughts appreciate your insight! Thats why I love the filmmaking process, there is no one size fits all approach and everyone has their own methods that work for them. It all comes down to intention and what tools help you create without any limitations or cognitive barrier.
The Jim shot got me
Haha love that!
Hmm I think having a gimbal is nice for specific shots like the examples you used, I lean more towards handheld most times 😅. The last wedding I shot with my brother was nice because I was handheld and he was running the gimbal and it made for a nice mix of shots 😮💨
Good points! I think having variety is great. Its been so long since Ive picked up a gimbal but ive been experimenting again and its fun using new tools but I always want to focus on intentional filmmaking versus showboating
I just use handheld mostly on weddings with big rig and without ibs with my blackmagic rig :D Am i wrong with it? Its fit my documentary storytelling style.
With one man crew really hard to get those gimbal shots without loose ability to be fast on a wedding. Its just give me a lot of stress.
Love it! I think everyones approach should fit their comfort to create and experiment when you want to try something new. There's no one size fits all approach! Keep creating those beautiful documentary stories 💪🎥
Gimbal allll day for weddings. If the couple doesn’t like it they can go hire Wayward North or Justin Porter lol
Hahaha
Do you use the gimbal with ibis on or of. My last video have little shakes but iam pretty sure my gimbal wasnt right balanced😢
When I do utilize it, I keep Stabilization on in my camera. This way I can pop it on and off and go from handheld to gimbal whenever I need it.
Unfortunately i have to use a gimbal and my hands shake way too much
Im starting to get more and more shaky myself! Might be time to switch it up lol
It is us the filmmaker watched too many gimbal movement and feel bored and overused. To us handheld shooting is a style that feel refresh now. But most audience still love gimbal smooth movement. They feel handheld shots is not as elegant as smooth movement. Just what I observed.
How are you able to talk while showing different clips and then go back to yourself talking?
The power of editing!
I use the Ronin 4D, so I’m technically always gimbal 🫣🫣
Nice! That thing is sick though