Recording Present Opening

[MarkBarbieri]

For those of you that have a December present opening celebration, how do you record it? In years past, we've used a combination of an unmanned video camera on a tripod and a DSLR or two for taking snaps. I like to be conscious of the balance between actively participating and recording and on Christmas morning, I've always opted to put more focus on living the moment rather than recording it.

Now that our boys are getting older and Christmas morning is less of unwrapping frenzy, I'm thinking of changing my approach. I'm considering setting up a video camera and recording the kids after they've opened each present. The recording would be them holding the present for display, saying what it is, thanking whoever gave them the gift, and perhaps saying a few other words about it.

I would use the video snippets in place of Thank You notes for all of our online comfortable relatives (which is most of them). I also think that a collage of all of the openings together would be interested to watch in the future. I know that I'd like to be able to view such a video of my childhood.

What are your thoughts? Good idea? Overkill?

What are your recording/photographing plans?

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

That sounds like a great idea....but with all the gear you brought to the 4th grade play....can't you set up a multi-tripod, multi-camera video shoot and edit it all into a DVD later?

 

[ColleenG]

I've come to realize that I witness most of the Holiday happenings through my viewfinder. Probably not really necessary, but heaven forbid I miss the perfect shot! I've been trying to put the camera down more and just enjoy the moment, but I still have trouble with that.

 

[photo_chick]

I take maybe a dozen candid shots Christmas morning and that's it. My dad was a big "hold the present up and say cheese" person and I grew to hate it as a kid. So that is a lot more than I would do. But if it makes you happy and the minions don't mutiny, then it sounds like a good plan.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I love the idea of doing thank you's like that. But like the PP said, if the kids aren't into it than I can see it turning into a bad day altogether.

 

[WDWFigment]

It's neat in concept to the tech-geek in me, but if my parents tried to have me do that when I was a kid, it would have gotten a resounding eye-roll. Perhaps your kids are more used to it, are more accommodating, and/or are less of brats than I was.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Same here, but then again, I wasn't used to my dad lugging around a 300mm F4 lens and a tripod back then

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Well, I skipped the present opening video. As you guys anticipated, the kids weren't enthusiastic about the idea. I just did some roaming video while they attacked the presents. I did make them open them in a pre-arranged order, though. They weren't fond of that either, so we probably won't repeat that again.

In place of the present opening shots, we did several video "Thank You" notes for the relatives not living nearby. The audio was captured with a Son y PCM-D50 on the floor in front of them. The video was captured with a 5DM2 and an 85mm f/1.2 lens. I shot in manual mode at 1/30, f/2, and ISO 1600. I was careful about a lot of things, but I blew it on the exposure and the white balance. The exposure was just me not paying attention. The WB error came from having too many funky CFL lights of varying vintages, some fireplace light, and some Christmas lights. I set it using an ExpoDisc, but that didn't work as well usual. I used the 85mm lens with the ExpoDisc and probably caught the color of only the lights directly in front.

While the videos are technically not very good, I'm still happy that I did them. I think I'll make this a tradition. The boys were reluctant at first and clearly uncomfortable in front of the camera. They got better over time. After we did the "Thank You" videos, they happily ran through some of their best liked gifts, so we got that on video as well.

Here are some outtakes.

 

[coloneldebugger]

Here's what I did this year for the first time. A sort of time lapse of the attack of the presents, plus a little something special for the little ones.

The idea didn't hit until late afternoon on the 24th so all I could put together in that short time was a crappy laptop built in camera. Next year I'll be better prepared.

I still ended up taking a few dozen pictures other than this.


Click here --> Christmas 2010

 

[annnewjerz]

I don't know how your final video turned out, but these outtakes are adorable and hilarious. From the little clap board you have (did you buy it just for this?) to your seemingly robed arms sneaking out from time to time---it was a really enjoyable watch, and I think the video actually looked really good! I'm sure the relatives who see the videos will love them.

 

[2Tiggies]

This year I put aside all my gifts this year to get shots of DD opening hers. I don't usually do this, but it was just the two of us this year. Usually other family members are there and there are several cameras clicking away everyone manages to get a shot of her opening their gift, even if someone else took the picture. (She is the only child in the family)

I was quite pleased. I managed to get a picture of the expression on her face as she opened each gift, as well as a delighted expression and big smiles as she held each gift up for me to see. It wasn't too hard for me to do as DD is not a 'paper shredder' and takes her time opening each gift carefully, always stopping to admire it for a moment before moving onto the next item.

I intend making photo cards for her to write by way of a thank you to everyone, each one with a couple of pictures of her with their gift. She is only 8. No doubt strategies will have to change in years to come.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I got the clapboard to help with sound sync and with shooting 3D video. I often record the sound on a separate device from my camera because the level controls on the camera are lousy. With the clapboard, syncing the audio is very easy. It also helps when I shoot 3D with two cameras because it makes syncing the video between the two cameras easy. Also, it just seemed like something fun to have.

 

[annnewjerz]

Also, it just seemed like something fun to have.

Sounds like a good enough reason for me! Do you have a Director's chair too?