RED has published a new video on its educational Solitary Series that focuses on how to create stills from motion. Let’s have a look and understand why the RECODE RAW is an ideal codec for that purpose.
DSMC as stills generating machines
The RED DSMC (Digital Still Motion Cameras/ Capture) is being popular among professional photographers as well, that understand DSMC capabilities and potential to capture the moment. I don’t remember if RED Digital Cinema was pioneering at that regarding the technology behind it. However, the RED cameras were the first that allow making decent stills as the resolution is a major factor. Furthermore, the ability to play with the conversion rate helped to enhance still creation. Scroll down to learn more.
Shooting video for stills
The high-resolution video has surpassed the detail necessary for professional-sized prints. Techniques that make it easier to pull stills from the video are therefore becoming increasingly important. However, the resolution isn’t the only enabler. Having a virtually continuous stream of stills from a subject makes results more predictable and consistent because botched timing, framing, and focus become less likely. Those are the advantages. However, there are disadvantages as well. Some professional photographers are not hooked up to the idea of shooting videos for stills, as they claim that the artistic touch is impaired. They say they need to hear the “Click” of the mirror so they can feel that the moment has been captured. Nevertheless, is a psychological (and philosophical) claim rather than technical. Technically, stills from RED DSMC can be used for huge prints and no one can tell that they came from videos.
Extending the capabilities for generating stills
In 2015, RED has released a firmware update that included a still photo mode feature to the RED SCARLET and EPIC cameras (see video above). This firmware activated the “S” and “M” switches on the front of the RED EPIC and SCARLET DRAGON side handles. ”M” for “motion” mode, and “S” for “stills” mode. When you pressed the camera’s record button it would capture a single frame rather than start capturing video. That update facilitated the process of generating of stills from motion. It indicated about RED’s intention to conquer the photography world as well. Let’s not forget the model’s name: Digital STILLS and Motion Capture that speaks for itself. Explore the video above that demonstrates this update.
Utilizing the high-resolution capabilities
For stills, you need tons of resolution. The problem is, that this will cost you in storage. However, the REDCODE RAW compression technology allows compressing 8K RAW footage, that the stills have the same weight as compared to DSLRs. Look at the chart above that shows the amount of MB (data rate) for motion as for single still. This slide will be explained further in the video below. Also, check out our article Digital Cinema Cameras: Data Consumption Chart that compares the data rate between cinema cameras (see chart below). It is simple words, if you’d like to generate stills from motion, you’ll need the capabilities of compressing 5K RAW (and above).
RED Solitary Series: Stills From Motion
Yesterday, as a part of its Solitary Series, RED has published another video dedicated to stills capturing. The description of the video says: Both the DSMC2 systems & RANGER cameras are immensely powerful Motions – and – Stills cameras, all captured at the same time. Learn to pull high-resolution RAW stills at any time from motion clips, and other tips and tricks to make the on-set Cine-photographic transition effortless. The video demonstrates the best options to capture stills from RED, as well as useful tips regarding the right shutter angle to reduce motion blur, HDR and more parameters, that are welcomed in motion capture, but less wanted when capturing stills. Check it out below.
Summary
The REDCODE RAW compression technology allows proper still generation from motion. Nevertheless, you have to take into consideration parameters like shutter angle, exposure, movement, and more, to create professional stills for print. Thus, learning how to utilize the DSMC for stills, will grant you more possibilities in your productions.
