DSLR Video: Video Editing Software for HDSLRs

A lot has been made of the video capability of HDSLRs to produce film-like visuals that rival what is possible with professional film-based cinema cameras. And though the imagery produced by these cameras can be exhilaratingly beautiful, a pretty picture alone doesn’t automatically make for great video.

Whether shot at 1080p or 720p, with a Nikon or Canon, in beautiful light or virtually no light, it’s the editing of the footage that is at the heart of any exceptional video. And so video-editing software becomes as essential to the motion photographer as Photoshop has become to the still photographer.

The learning of a new software and vocabulary may be intimidating, but thankfully photographers don’t have to jump headlong into unfamiliar depths. Depending on your goals and comfort levels, there are a wide variety of video-editing applications available which allow you to exercise your creativity with moving images.

If this is your first foray into video editing, you may want to start off with an application already bundled with your computer. These software titles provide you with the ability to cut, add transitions, titles and text, make minor audio adjustments and output to a variety of media. These titles are more than adequate to introduce you to the principles of good editing; which involves organization, pacing, and not the least of which—story.

As you develop as an editor, you will want to transition in to more advanced applications that provide you with greater tools for color and audio correction, more precise and easily repeatable editing controls, compatibility with third-party plug-ins and advanced audio, video and titling effects.

Apple iMovie ‘11
This easy-to-use application comes standard with new Apple computers or as part of the their iLife ‘11 Suite, and provides an easy-to-follow workflow, as well as some advanced editing tools for creating movies. It’s compatible with virtually all the video codecs used by HDSLRs, allowing you to easily import the files directly into the application to begin editing. It’s native compatibility with iPhoto, GarageBand and iTunes makes the introduction of stills and music to your video seamless and easy. www.apple.com

Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Windows Live Movie Maker 2011 provides much of the versatility and control available in iMovie, and comes with new Windows 7 computers. It is a complete rewrite of the previous generation of Windows editing software, and has been streamlined to emphasize the more common tasks of users; including cuts, captions and audio adjustment. It also has tools for easy sharing of content online. www.microsoft.com

PhVusion Effects
If you already own Photoshop CS5 Extended, then you already have access to a variety of tools for working and editing with video files. However, it takes some effort to negotiate the interface to perform certain tasks. PhVusion Effects gathers the various video capabilities of Photoshop into a single, simple-to-use interface. It allows you to take advantage of the software’s ability to edit video clips, apply effects, batch process files or edit clips individually. It also lets you to take full advantage of Photoshop’s wealth of effects, filters and actions in an easy manner. www.phvusion.com

Apple Final Cut Express
Apple Final Cut Express (Mac only) is the little sibling of the professional Final Cut Studio, which has become one of the most popular editing applications among today’s filmmakers. This affordable application provides much of the key functionality found in Studio including drag-and-drop editing and professional footage trimming tools including ripple, roll, slip and slide—making it suitable for use with traditional three-point editing. It also provides Dynamic Real Time playback of multistream effects and supports multiple layers of audio, video and effects. The application is also compatible with a wide variety of third-party plug-ins often associated with Final Cut Studio. www.apple.com

Sony Vegas Pro 10
Sony Vegas 10 (Windows only) is an advanced photo editing software that provides professional level application with native support of virtually all HDDSLR codecs without the need for conversion (as is currently the case with Final Cut). Supporting both 32-bit and 64-bit workflows, this application helps deliver fast performance for handling the large files associated with video production, as well as multi-camera editing. The application also has extensive audio controls for compression, mixing and effects, and also featuring support for unlimited audio tracks. www.sonycreativesoftware.com

Adobe Premiere Pro CS5
For those already familiar with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 provides a familiar interface for organization, ranking, and importing still, audio and video files. Natively supporting the import and editing of HDSLR codecs, the application also supports open workflows with Final Cut Pro and Avid software. It’s native 64-bit GPU accelerated Mercury Playback Engine makes it possible to see edits and special effects fluidly, even when viewed at full HD resolution. Its sophisticated metadata support also provides an efficient way for cataloging and searching through an extensive video library. www.adobe.com

Apple Final Cut Studio
Apple Final Cut Studio (Mac only) takes advantage of the Apple ProRes codec, which allows you to effectively edit files on a desktop or even a laptop computer. Its precision editing tools and fully customizable interface allows you to tailor the application to fit your needs, and comes included with advanced application such as Motion, Color and Soundtrack Pro for motion-picture quality production of titling, audio editing and color correction. This complete suite of applications provides you with everything you need for professional level video productions. www.apple.com
It’s not absolutely necessary to invest in a top-of-the-line software title to produce excellent results.

There are many photographers who are producing high-end products with nothing more than Apple’s iMovie. So starting off with a modest investment in software can be a practical beginning, which may or may not lead to a more sizable investment in the future. The beauty of today’s technology is that the limits of what you can create is not stifled by the price tag of the tools you use, but rather you own imagination and desire to go out and make it happen.

Ibarionex Perello is a photographer, writer and educator as well as the host of the popular interview show, The Candid Frame. His is also author of Chasing the Light: Improving Your Photography Using Available Light available this spring from Peachpit Press.