Istanbul-based director Burak Günaydın's love of video dates back to when he was in his twenties. Since then, he has worked on films, documentaries, music and sports videos and branded content, and even filmed live concerts.
Burak took his first steps into the video industry because of his love of photography. "My first camera was a Canon EOS 550D and then I bought a Canon EOS 5D Mark II, which was such an important camera in the industry and in my life," he recalls. "With that in my hands, I started studying cinema, while dreaming of becoming a director. I had the coolest camera for a student, so my friends wanted me as a DoP to shoot their university projects." Burak gravitated towards creating visually pleasing cinematic art and, after winning his first photography award in 2010, he joined the cinema department at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Turkey.
COMMERCIAL / DOCUMENTARY & PHOTOJOURNALISM
Burak Günaydın
With a can-do attitude and a drive to tell stories through video, Burak's list of clients includes Google, Vodafone, Adidas, Columbia and Hyundai, to name a few. He has also produced short films, such as Uninhabitable, which competed at national and international festivals and won the Best Live Action Award at the 2015 Silk Road International Film Festival in Ireland. In the same year, he directed, wrote, shot and edited his first narrative work, Dilemma.
Burak's love of music has also seen him direct and shoot music videos and live concerts. Capturing a concert's energy can be hard, so how do you convey the power of music to someone who wasn't at the gig? The Canon Ambassador has mastered this art. "When I got the Canon EOS C70 and EOS R5 C, I had four cameras. I realised, 'Okay, I can shoot live music now', because the Canon Log 3 quality offered by these cameras couldn't be matched by any other," says Burak. "Getting the colours right in music videos can be a big problem, but I never have these issues when I'm shooting with Canon. I can do so much now that I couldn't before, thanks to this innovative technology."
Specialist areas: Documentaries, commercial, music and live concert videos
Favourite kit: Canon EOS R5 C
Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
Burak loves both photography and filmmaking. "I like the practicality of photography, and the fact that it requires less equipment than video and you get quick results," he explains. "Directing and editing videos can open up other perspectives in your imagination."
So what's next for Burak? He hopes to work with virtual reality headsets and harness the power of Canon's fisheye lenses to deliver powerful, fun experiences. "I love the Canon fisheye lenses, and I think they could revolutionise the way I conduct workshops," he explains. "In the past, I've shot with fisheye lenses, and stitched and exported the footage in 10 minutes. Virtual reality is the future of entertainment, so I want to use the RF 5.2mm F2.8L DUAL FISHEYE lens to deliver a fun experience."
What has been your favourite project?
"The most important project for me was Dilemma, because it's from my personal experience, using the aesthetics I like, and it's all mine. It was my first directorial project."
What's your favourite aspect of post-production?
"Playing with colours. I really enjoy colour grading. All the colours in the stills and photos are mine. I'm a technical guy – I like looking at camera specifications, different colours, all of that; it's like a hobby of mine. I've also attended DaVinci Resolve workshops to learn more about colour theory, and I became the first holder of the certification in Turkey."
How do you shoot a live concert?
"I love music very much and I enjoy shooting music-related works. We usually use a Canon EOS R5 C, EOS C70 and XF605 camcorder for live concerts. I like working with eight or more cameras – if you have only three or four, you can't capture the energy. You need to record the drummer, guitarists, vocalist, and even the audience, all from different angles. It's even better shooting with Canon because the colours and the footage look more organic thanks to Canon Log 3."
One thing I know
Burak Günaydın
"Videography is a growing side of production, it's very important because the digital world is expanding everyday. I especially recommend that if you are interested in filmmaking, professionally or personally, you take the camera, shoot something and improve your post-production skills. This gives you a completely different perspective on large projects."
Instagram: @gunaydinburak
Vimeo: @burakgunaydin
Website: burakgunaydin.com
DaVinci Resolve is a registered trademark of Blackmagic Design Pty Ltd.
Burak Günaydın's kitbag
The key kit that the pros use to take their photographs
Cameras
Canon EOS C70
With 12-bit RAW recording, 4K 120p slow motion, HDR and Eye AF in a compact body, this camera takes the EOS R System into a brand-new era. "The EOS C70 is an ideal camera, especially for documentary production, when I need 4K RAW and internal ND," says Burak. "I bought this camera for a documentary project and I shot nearly 300 hours of footage, including over 100 interviews. When the project was finished, it was still the same as the first day."
Canon EOS R5 C
Shoot incredible 8K movies and capture rich, detailed 45MP stills, all from a camera that combines the best of Cinema EOS with all the advantages of the EOS R System. "My favourite camera," says Burak. "It meets many needs regarding hybrid cameras at the maximum level. Convenient Dual Base ISO, 8K RAW and 4K 120p make the camera sufficient for many shots in different conditions."
Canon LEGRIA HF R206
An entry-level, high-definition camera that's packed full of user-friendly features. "I love the texture and power zoom feature that this adds to video content," says Burak. "I add a vintage look to the images I take with it by supporting them with effects."
Lenses
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
This high-performance f/2.8 telephoto zoom offers exceptional image quality in a compact body, and is designed to work in all conditions. "It's reassuring when shooting live music videos," says Burak. "I also love the sharpness and depth of field in the photos. The new RF body makes the lens compact, so it can be carried in small bags."
Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
Superb optical engineering, a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture and 5-stop image stabilisation helps you stay creative in all conditions. "A must-have in my kitbag, it's a classic," says Burak.
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM
Capture more, even in low light, with this fast f/2.8 L-series ultra-wide-angle zoom with 5-stops of image stabilisation. "I really like wide-angle images, and for me, this is the ideal lens for use on a gimbal," says Burak. "I've shot many projects using only this lens."
Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM
Capture the world with a compact, lightweight telephoto zoom boasting advanced Optical IS and a versatile 100-400mm range. "I use this for live music and sports," says Burak.
Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM
A small, light and affordable lens with a fast f/1.8 aperture, ideal in low light and great for creative depth of field. "When I want to take photos, I usually have 16mm and 50mm lenses in my bag instead of going out with big lenses," says Burak. "It also feels good to have it in my bag in low-light environments."
Canon RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM
A versatile, high-quality 35mm lens that's perfect for street, travel and close-up photography. "It's an ideal lens for full-frame, allowing you to shoot at f/1.8 aperture and macro – and it takes up very little space in your bag," says Burak.
Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM
This full-frame prime is great for vlogging, landscapes, architecture, astrophotography and more. "This always stays in my bag as a spare lens," says Burak. "I like having my backup camera mounted on me, especially when taking photos. It is also a good option to make the gimbal even lighter."
Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L DUAL FISHEYE
Capture the world in stunning virtual reality with this groundbreaking L-series lens, designed to make your VR journey as simple and seamless as possible. "It's one of a kind," says Burak. "When you work in 8K RAW with the EOS R5 C, it provides a really good experience with VR headsets; a combination that best makes you feel the 3D 180° VR effect."
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