Photography and Videography Fusion: Capturing & Editing with a Sony A7IV

My Complete Workflow with Sony A7IV: Join Blake Anderson as he walks you through his detailed photography workflow for event and promotional video coverage. Discover how he seamlessly switches between capturing high-quality stills and video using his Sony A7IV. Learn step-by-step how Blake processes his photos using RAW format, Topaz AI, and Lightroom Classic, and how he ultimately produces immersive slideshows in Final Cut Pro. Perfect for photographers and videographers looking to enhance their projects with stunning visuals!

Typically, I toggle between photography and videography to encapsulate both dynamic events and moments. My trusted companion in this venture is my Sony A7IV camera, an excellent hybrid camera offering robust features for both photography and videography.

Optimizing Camera Settings

The journey starts with understanding the power of the Sony A7IV. This camera captures astounding high-quality stills with its 33-megapixel capability and excels in shooting raw formats, enabling high dynamic range and uncompressed image quality. I consistently use a 3:2 aspect ratio for the highest format quality and keep the ISO below 6400 to ensure sharp focus. With continuous autofocus, supported by the spot focus and eye autofocus features, I promise clarity and precision in all captures.

Capturing Moments in RAW

Capturing moments in raw format is pivotal. It offers an uncompressed image and a higher dynamic range, vital for post-processing. While the files are larger, my 128GB memory card manages the load comfortably. Shooting in raw ensures flexibility during the editing process, allowing more freedom with colour, shadow, and highlight adjustments.

Editing Workflow: From Import to Export

Once I'm back from an event, my workflow kicks into high gear. I import images into Lightroom Classic on my MacBook’s expansive storage. My first task is to curate the best images, often narrowing down from hundreds to the most striking 80-90 shots, pending client preference.

To accelerate my process, I utilize Lightroom’s auto settings. These settings adjust essentials like exposure, contrast, and vibrance, offering a solid baseline correction. Next, I capitalize on the power of AI with Topaz AI, specifically its Denoise AI to manage image noise, ensuring each image's clarity and sharpness are immaculate.

Refining Through Lightroom

Once Topaz AI works its magic, I continue refining in Lightroom using profile LUTs for consistent styling, often aiming for a teal and orange aesthetic. Utilizing built-in masks within Lightroom allows precise editing on various elements within the image, enhancing details subtly yet effectively.

Concluding with Final Touches

As a final touch, I export my images as high-quality JPEGs. For those working with promotional videos, incorporating these stills as slideshows in Final Cut Pro, an additional layer of engagement is created. Reducing image duration ensures viewers are captivated without lingering too long on each still – every second counts.

Conclusion

I hope this guide offers insights into refining your workflow and integrating high-quality stills into your projects. Whether you’re a budding photographer or a seasoned pro, these strategies can elevate your craft. If you enjoyed this breakdown, please like and subscribe to stay updated with more tips and tutorials. Thank you for reading, and happy shooting!

Creating Dynamic Title Sequences with Apple Motion & Final Cut Pro

In the world of video editing, the ability to create dynamic title sequences can greatly elevate the quality and professionalism of your productions. Today, I'll share insights into my workflow, using Apple's Motion and seamlessly integrating it with Final Cut Pro, from where I learned the basics to how I've refined my process.

Learning the Foundation

Starting with the basics, I initially learned Motion through various YouTube tutorials. However, it wasn't until I completed Apple's Motion Masterclass by Dylan Bates that everything clicked for me. Dylan provides a comprehensive guide through the features and tools available in Motion, as well as how to efficiently organize projects in Final Cut Pro. His course was invaluable in fortifying my skills, making it highly recommendable for anyone seeking to enhance their motion graphics prowess.

Motion vs. After Effects

While I frequently work with After Effects—given its advanced capabilities—I find that Motion has a unique advantage when used with Final Cut Pro. Motion allows for straightforward integration, making it my tool of choice for creating title sequences due to Final Cut Pro's intuitive and streamlined environment. The fundamental understanding of layers and keyframing, skills I honed in After Effects, transferred easily to Motion, enabling me to adapt quickly.

Crafting Title Sequences

Design Inspiration
The inspiration for my title sequences came from Palantir's design elements. Their futuristic and simplistic animations have significantly influenced my creations. For instance, one of my title sequences mimics this style, using stories and layouts that are both engaging and aesthetically pleasing.

Creating in Motion
When you open Motion, you're greeted with a project panel where you can choose your template. For simplicity, my sequences are usually in 1080p by 1920, but you have the flexibility of creating in 4K as well. Each project can be as detailed as you prefer, with the option to work at 24 frames per second for a ten-second timeline.

In constructing these sequences, it's essential to experiment with layers, behaviors, and effects, customizing them to fit your style. The basics start with understanding Motion's library, inspector, timeline, and viewer tools, and once you're comfortable, you can push into more advanced features.

Publishing and Editing

After arranging layers and groups, you save and publish your sequence as a template for Final Cut Pro. For greater customization, parameters such as position, rotation, scale, and even text color should be published. This method allows editing directly in Final Cut Pro without the hassle of toggling back and forth between the two programs.

To facilitate smoother workflows, published parameters like format and appearance can be adjusted in Final Cut Pro, making subsequent edits and experimentations a breeze.

Final Tips and Conclusion

For those eager to delve deeper into Motion, Dylan Bates’s Mastery of Motion course is an excellent resource. The power of both Motion and Final Cut Pro lies in their customization capabilities, enabling you to create personalized templates that streamline your editing process.

Remember to explore, choose which features you want available in your Final Cut title sequence, and save your work. Your creative journey can only grow from here.

If you found this guide helpful, please like and subscribe to stay updated on future additions to my tutorial series. Thank you for your support, and have a great day working on your creative projects!

Mastering a Vertical Instagram Story Workflow with the Sony a7IV

Welcome to my behind-the-scenes breakdown of how I plan, shoot, and edit a vertical Instagram Story using my Sony a7IV. In this post, I’ll walk you through each phase—Pre-production, Production, and Post-production—highlighting the apps, gear, and strategies I use. This workflow helps me stay organized, capture smooth footage, and deliver a polished final edit ready for Instagram. Below, you’ll find an expanded summary of each step, drawn from my YouTube transcript and presentation slides.

1. Pre-Production: Laying the Groundwork

Brainstorming & Transcribing

 • Whisper App: I often start by recording voice notes (up to 15 minutes) and having them automatically transcribed into paragraphs. This gives me a first draft of my ideas that I can refine.

 • ChatGPT: After transcribing with Whisper, I paste these rough paragraphs into ChatGPT. I make sure to specify that it keeps my own wording and style. ChatGPT can help refine my creative brief or script.

Inspiration & References

 • Instagram & Pinterest: I save images or style references that inspire me—particularly for angles, moods, or color palettes. Pinterest boards and Instagram “Saved” collections are my go-to.

 • Motion Science (Cameron): Cameron leads the Motion Science community for motion design and visual inspiration. I often pull references from his Pinterest or Instagram for look-and-feel ideas.

Asset Management

 • Eagle: This tool stores and organizes all of my visual references and images. I can tag and easily sort through everything as I prep my storyboard or shot list.

 • Forklift: A file management tool with a dual-pane layout. It makes copying and previewing assets quicker than Finder alone.

 • ScreenFloat: Perfect for quick screenshots that “float” on your desktop. I can tag them and revisit these references as I plan my shoot.

2. Production: Gearing Up & Capturing Footage

Camera & Stabilization

 • Sony a7IV: A fantastic hybrid camera that excels at both stills and video. I typically shoot in 4K with 10-bit color depth using H.264 (XAVC-I).

 • Zhiyun Crane Gimbal: Essential for smooth, cinematic movement. I mount the camera vertically on the gimbal for those tall 9:16 Instagram shots.

Camera Settings

 • S-Log3 (Picture Profile 8): I like to capture maximum dynamic range. Exposing roughly 1.7–2 stops over is a good starting point.

 • Frame Rates & Memory: I usually shoot at 24 fps for a cinematic feel, and sometimes 60 fps for slow-motion footage. A 128GB card (300MB/s) ensures I can reliably record higher bitrates.

Shooting Vertically

 • For Instagram Stories, I orient the camera in vertical mode. With a cage on my Sony a7IV, it’s straightforward to mount everything on the Zhiyun Crane in portrait orientation.

3. Post-Production: From Flat to Fabulous

Color Conversion & Grading

 • Final Cut Pro: My main NLE for editing.

 • Adjustment Layers: I stack multiple layers in FCP—color conversion, color looks, mojo, and then a renoiser.

 • LUTs & Color Space

 • First, I apply an S-Log3 to Rec.709 LUT (sometimes referred to as “S-Log3 to standard color space”).

 • I then fine-tune exposure and contrast using Magic Bullet Colorista or other color correction tools.

 • Adding Style (Looks & Mojo):

 • Magic Bullet Looks: Offers preset looks that I dial back (often to 20–30% intensity) for subtle stylization.

 • Mojo: Adds a cinematic film vibe. Again, I tend to keep it mild.

 • Renoiser

 • Part of Magic Bullet’s suite. Adds a film-like grain and helps with compression proofing for social media platforms.

 • Because Instagram compresses heavily, a bit of controlled noise can actually preserve image detail.

Exporting & Uploading

 • Vertical Resolution: 1080x1920 for Stories, ensuring the final output is properly oriented.

 • File Optimization: Instagram can be finicky with compression. A combination of good export settings and a bit of added grain can help maintain quality.

4. Workflow Recap

 1. Pre-Production:

 • Record ideas with Whisper → refine scripts with ChatGPT → gather references with Instagram, Pinterest, Eagle, Forklift, and ScreenFloat.

 2. Production:

 • Sony a7IV + Zhiyun Crane for vertical shots.

 • S-Log3, 4K at 24 fps or 60 fps for slow motion.

 • Keep those memory cards fast and spacious.

 3. Post-Production:

 • Import footage into Final Cut Pro.

 • Apply LUT and color-grade with Magic Bullet Looks, Mojo, and Renoiser.

 • Export in vertical format, ensuring best quality for Instagram.

5. Final Thoughts & Next Steps

This workflow allows me to create engaging Instagram Stories that combine cinematic visuals with the right creative planning. Whether you’re capturing a 15-second clip or a longer piece, structuring your process with the right apps and gear makes a huge difference. Feel free to explore the software and camera settings outlined above—and adapt them to your unique style or project needs.

If you found this helpful, please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel tutorials on videography, editing, 3D design, and animated maps. And don’t forget to check out Motion Science (Cameron) and the LUT I mentioned. Happy filming!

How to Create a Dynamic Slideshow Under 5 Mins in Final Cut Pro

In this tutorial video, I cover how to create a dynamic slideshow under 5 mins in Final Cut Pro. Adjustment Layers: https://fxfactory.com/info/adjustmentlayers

How to Use Magic Bullet Suite Colorista 5 in Final Cut Pro | Overview & Features

In this tutorial video, I show you how to use use Magic Bullet Suite Colorista 5 in Final Cut Pro, I cover an overview and features of the Maxon One plugin software, so that you can color grade your footage, add luts and do advance color corrections.

How to Create an Animated Slideshow in Final Cut Pro

In this tutorial video, I show you how you can create a an animated slideshow in Final Cut Pro, including using you own stills/ photos, so that they animate to the music. If you like this video, please like and subscribe.