Virendra Khanna
Job: Director of Photography, Cameraman
www.www.hdproguide.com/network/profile-227
Journey as a Camerman
Over the years, I’ve received opportunity to work in different fields which ranges from wildlife docs, hard-core docs, corporate videos, VNR’s, fictions and that with range, I’ve got opportunity to work with different directors from all over the world which helps me a lot to learn different approaches and style.
FAVORITE HD CAMERAS:
My favorite camera is the Sony HDW-900 with a combination of a wide and a tele lens. I’ve worked with this camera for eight to nine years. And I love it. It gives amazing results and I’ve used it in extreme conditions like -20 degree Celsius to +50 degree Celsius. From a low light situation where, with any other camera, it would be in big problem but with HDW-900, I knew what fantastic results this will give me.
CURRENT HD PROJECTS:
I’ve just completed a series Taboo (Season 9) which aired on NGC [National Geographic Channel]. This is based on community’s rituals which are taboo for other communities and countries. I’ve shot around six films based on stories from India. Before that also was another series The Witch Doctor Will See You Now. This was also for NGC. All these docs were shot on Sony HDW-900 HDCAM. Next month, I am off to Bangladesh for doc where we are zooming to HDW-900 with combination of PDW-700 and C-300.
HD PRODUCTION WORKFLOW:
My doc The Girl Who Cries Blood, which was under Bodyshock series for Channel 4 and NGC, was shot with the Sony HDW-900 with Canon HJ-11 and Canon HJ-22 lens. We used Canon 5D II for a few shots. This was edited by an amazing editor friend of mine, Chris, on Avid.
EVOLVING WORKFLOWS:
New invention and technology have changed workflows a lot. Earlier we didn’t have many opportunities in terms of experimenting with filmmaking, especially cinematography. With the development of a new 35mm sensor camera, it is much easier to get the film effect, where we needed to work harder to get that effect earlier. Since all these cameras are low cost, it is easy to add on one to two different cameras into your kit and then we can counter any kind of situation. Examples are like with Canon 5D III/C-300 types of cameras, you really get amazing shallow depth of field without much effort. The Sony FS-700 comes very handy when a few of your shots need to be shot in higher frame rate and at the same time that can be used as a backup camera. So overall now a filmmaker/cinematographer has many choices for filmmaking with the help of HD and new products.
HD INSIGHTS:
I always recommend my directors or producers to go for tests for any camera, any workflow. I think since on one hand, HD has a lot to deliver, but at the same time, it would be difficult if you make a silly mistake in HD, so always go for tests. Whether you are using a new camera, a new workflow, a new edit suite, always go for tests. And then you can plan for perfection. Tests will tell you whether any particular piece of equipment will give you desired results or not. For a small project of fiction, it’s better if you test for one hour your 5D III right from shoot to edit, so you can decide before fixing something.
Sign Up for Free! (click here)
Join the HDPROGUIDE.com Network today.
- Members have an opportunity to be featured in the HDProGuide Magazine and website.
- Connect with Professionals around the world.
- Broadcast your Reels and post your videos in the video showcase.
- See what other professionals in the broadcasting and the motion picture industries are working on and achieving.
- Share your HD production blogs and production stills highlighting HD tools and technologies.
- Find professionals to work with in your area, and be found by hiring companies.
Click here to create your FREE Professional Networking Profile. See you in the Network!
