As an experienced photographer, I have mostly focused on photography throughout my career and haven’t paid much attention to videography. However, thanks to the Apple ecosystem, I have discovered a way to answer the question “Do you make films?” In this article, I will discuss the quality and convenience of working within the complete Apple ecosystem, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
First and foremost, I must mention that I have been an Apple user for years. I can thank my father for that, who bought an Apple McIntosh Performa computer in the 90s, which became my first experience with a computer. “This is the future, everything is going digital,” he predicted as he started moving his music distribution business to the internet, while the rest of the family wondered what he was talking about. Many years have passed, and many Apple products have come and gone, but when it came time to establish my own space, the Apple tradition continued. Throughout my life, I have been raised to love this Californian design. What can I say?
Over the years, I have shot several artistic short films, but I never really considered the possibilities of video recording. I simply focused on the technical specifications of my digital camera updates because I was only interested in capturing photos. However, a few months ago, I was asked to shoot a test video clip for my daughter, who was releasing her first solo song. I have collaborated with many young artists over the years, and I genuinely enjoy working with creative clients from different industries. Musicians, in particular, make great subjects to photograph. I don’t know if it’s because I surround myself with professionals from the music industry, but there is a specific synergy that just works.
As a photographer primarily focused on still photography, my use of Apple products in my work tool usually limited to using third-party apps on my MacBook, iPad, or iPhone. Therefore, I was intrigued by the possibility of creating a project solely using products from the Apple ecosystem. The first step was shooting video footage on my new iPhone 15 Pro Max, transferring it to my MacBook Pro using the Airdrop feature, and then editing the footage in Final Cut Pro X.
My Tools in Detail
Shooting Video on iPhone 15 Pro Max
Start by setting the video format to ProRes Log in the iPhone’s camera settings. This will give you a wider dynamic range, capturing more details in both bright and dark areas and allowing you to achieve breathtaking cinematic shots. Keep in mind that this format will appear very flat on your iPhone screen, but don’t worry, it is designed to retain as much information as possible, which will be visible during the editing process.
I recorded in ProRes 4K at 30 frames per second, although with an external SD card, the iPhone 15 allows for capturing 8K videos at 60 frames per second. I chose 30 frames per second as it was sufficient for the desired effect and saved some storage space. However, bear in mind that these files are very large; a 3-minute video clip weighed over 16 GB. And as anyone who records videos knows, you need multiple takes to create the final result. Space fills up quickly, so it’s worth having an SD card adapter to transfer files to external storage on the go. It is also important to choose an appropriate SD card for storing 4K or 8K footage, as the card must have sufficient write speed to keep up with the incoming data. The minimum write speed should be 30 MB/s for 4K, otherwise, there is a risk of capturing jittery shots. Only U3 class cards are capable of writing at a sufficient speed for 8K videos.
Editing with Final Cut Pro X
Recording in ProRes Log is just the beginning of your creative journey; the real magic happens in post-production. The combination of Final Cut Pro X and ProRes Log footage from the iPhone 15 Pro Max is a perfect match. With the extended dynamic range and color accuracy offered by ProRes Log, you have the freedom to manipulate the footage to perfection. Color correction and grading become easier, allowing you to achieve a cinematic look that suits the mood of the music video. Final Cut Pro X provides an intuitive interface and powerful editing capabilities, making it the ideal choice for refining your video. However, to start, you need to download the Apple Log LUT to give your ProRes Log footage a clean base. To minimize loss of quality during work, it is important to set the appropriate resolution when creating a project in FCPX. If you have any experience with iMovie, you will quickly grasp the program’s features, and soon you’ll be coloring, adding masks, and seamlessly blending footage.
With careful planning, the right equipment, and effective editing in Final Cut Pro X on a MacBook Pro, your video can compete with other productions created using dedicated professional cameras. The iPhone 15 Pro Max opens up new possibilities for storytellers using video, and it is easily achievable within the cohesive Apple ecosystem.
Does shooting video with my iPhone 15 Pro Max mean the start of my career as a top filmmaker? Of course not. However, for anyone looking for an easy way to create a high-quality showreel to get into film school, collaborate with local musicians to create visuals for music, or direct a low-budget short film, the process of creating a music video for my daughter, entirely within the Apple ecosystem, was quick and efficient. So, grab your iPhone and start shooting video today, and easily edit it using Final Cut Pro X!
FAQ Section:
1. What are the recommended camera settings for shooting video on the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
To achieve the best video quality, it is recommended to set the video format to ProRes Log in the iPhone’s camera settings.
2. What are the advantages of shooting video on the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Shooting video on the iPhone 15 Pro Max provides a wider dynamic range and captures more details.
3. What video format is recommended for editing in Final Cut Pro X?
The ProRes Log video format is recommended for editing in Final Cut Pro X.
4. What are the recommended resolution and frames per second settings for shooting video?
It is recommended to shoot in ProRes 4K at 30 frames per second.
5. What are the recommended SD cards for recording and storing video footage?
It is recommended to use SD cards with sufficient write speed (minimum 30 MB/s) for recording and storing 4K or 8K footage.
The source of the article is from the blog meltyfan.es