These Aren't Photographs-They're Prints from 4K Video Frames Posted on: December 19, 2014 /
Categories: Video Editing Tutorials
We've previously featured some impressive cover photos from magazines like GQ Esquire and Vogue that weren't really cover photos, but instead individual video frames shot using 4K motion cameras.
The magazine industry, though, can make any photo look impressive thanks to its (often controversial) Photoshop wizardry-so we put our own footage to the test by ordering 8 10 prints from 4K video frames taken straight out of camera (and straight from our 4K library).
Preparing and Processing Our Prints Because most print shops aren't accustomed to processing raw R3D video files from 4K footage, we opened up a few of our clips and did the conversion work ourselves. Essentially, this just meant exporting single videos frames as .TIF image files using REDCINE-X software, then applying some light sharpening to them in Photoshop.
Here are the seven clips we selected to turn into 8 10 prints:
Why Add Sharpening? The need for sharpening has nothing to do with the quality of video footage. The footage we used, for example, could not have been any sharper. However, the resolution of printers is generally higher than the resolutions of computer screens, so it's a standard across the industry to add sharpening to digital files before they're sent to printers.
Most print shops add sharpening as part of their own workflow (even if you don't ask for it), but we did the work ourselves because, well, we're great big pixel geeks.
The Results-Or Why 4K is (Partially) the Future of Photography We knew that, mathematically, 4K video footage has more than enough resolution to make an 8 10 print. However, the results still impressed us-particularly as we were working with footage chosen at random from our library that wasn't ever intended to end up in print form.
After handling the 8x10s, there's no question these are photo quality prints. The real question is, can 4K motion cameras replace the still cameras of photographers-and, after that, how large of a print can these cameras produce?
The prospect of being able to simply hit record for a few seconds and choose the best frame is certainly tempting-as is that of returning home from vacation with both videos and pictures in a single file. Combine this with the fact that companies like Sony and Panasonic are already shipping mirrorless still cameras with 4K recording abilities, and video's future role in print looks pretty certain. Particularly for casual users, the ability to print photo-quality frames as an afterthought is a big selling point of this technology. However, it does require extra workflow (for now), so it's unlikely to be used by the masses just yet.
For professionals, there's more of a division. As noted at the top of this article, fashion photographers seem quite in love with 4K. It allows them to capture far more exposures than they'd capture with even the fastest still camera, and it allows models to pose more fluidly without the disruptive click of mirrors and flashes. These are all benefits that can clearly transfer over to any genre of photographer.
However, there will always be photographers loyal to film-and film techniques. For many, photography is all about capturing what Bresson calls that critical moment, and capturing an entire stream of moments only to choose one later on will seem like cheating. Similarly, many photographers are never going to give up their workflow. Photography has always come down to a single click, one many photographers won't be eager to part with-and the same goes to switching from strobes to a constant light source (which is a whole new topic).
As soon as there's a button to upload a 4K video frame to Facebook or an online print shop, we can expect a major embrace from everyday consumers. Until then, the format will likely remain primarily in the camera bags of high-end videographers and early-adopter photographers.
Also, the cat's name is Sophia.
Download the whole collection here
Related Posts
Is 4k Footage Print Quality? Ask Vogue . . .
Halloween Special Effects Video Editing Tutorials
Before-and-After: Color Grading R3D Files
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
07/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/04/2026
Designed for synchronized multi-stream playback, low-latency delivery, and real-time analytics, MATCH introduces a unified viewing experience for sports broadca...
07/04/2026
Berklee Students to Honor George Martin with Performance of Original Scores The orchestra, led by associate professor Xander Rovang, will perform several work...
06/04/2026
Michigan legends bring a new voice to the broadcast as TNT Sports and CBS Sports...
06/04/2026
From high school sports all the way up to the major leagues, building high-quali...
06/04/2026
Quickplay, an AI company for the media and entertainment industry, has been accepted into the Advanced tier of the TwelveLabs Ecosystem Partner Program. Quickpl...
06/04/2026
Grass Valley has announced the Future Playmakers Program, a global initiative to...
06/04/2026
El l der de operaciones impulsa la producci n en estudio mientras encuentra insp...
06/04/2026
The ops leader helps lead the charge in studio for the Spanish-language broadcas...
06/04/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
06/04/2026
The National Hockey League (NHL), in partnership with Verizon and the New Jersey Devils, today announced the opening of the NHL Innovation Lab powered by Verizo...
06/04/2026
Rock League, a new professional curling league, has announced that ESPN+ will stream its inaugural 2026 season for fans in the United States. The first Rock Lea...
06/04/2026
Advanced Systems Group has announced the appointment of Andrea (Andy) Cummis as Vice President of Systems Design and Engineering. In this role, she will lead de...
06/04/2026
Backed by Bolt Ventures, the venture brings Bryson DeChambeau, Grant Horvat, and...
06/04/2026
With this environment we can start that collaboration even earlier because we ca...
06/04/2026
Like the immortal lives of vampires, some stories never really end. That's t...
06/04/2026
As podcasting continues to evolve, growth increasingly means building beyond aud...
06/04/2026
Multiband dynamics plug-in enhanced
California-based developer FSK Audio have released a significant update for their innovative multiband dynamics processo...
06/04/2026
Share official & user-created full-rig presets
IK Multimedia's latest TONEX update makes it possible for users of the popular amp and effects modelling ...
06/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/04/2026
Dalet Showcases Dalia Agentic AI and End-to-End Media Workflows at NAB Show 2026
Brie Clayton April 6, 2026
0 Comments
Dalet, a leading technology and...
06/04/2026
OpenDrives Shows Off Sports Expertise in Sports Business Hub located in NAB Show...
06/04/2026
Proton to Demonstrate 3D Application at NAB 2026
Brie Clayton April 6, 2026
0 Comments
Yet further creative potential unleashed through innovation in ...
06/04/2026
Autoscript Highlights Voice-Driven Prompting and PTZ Solutions at NAB 2026
Brie Clayton April 6, 2026
0 Comments
Experience Autoscript Voice, PTZ prom...
06/04/2026
Mediaproxy Highlights Significant Enhancements to its LogServer suite at NAB Sho...
06/04/2026
Wayne, N.J., April 6th, 2026 Phantom High-Speed announces the release of PCC 4...
06/04/2026
April 6th, 2026
TRIBECA STUDIOS AND LILLY ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF INAUGURAL VITAL...
06/04/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Expands Kids Entertainment Lineup With Playground App ...
05/04/2026
Tackles all reported bugs!
SoundBridge have just announced the launch of a new update that introduces a couple of minor changes to their remote collaboratio...
04/04/2026
The University of Arizona's Men's Basketball team has only loss twice th...
04/04/2026
1080p HDR arrives, a new generation of storytelling tools takes center stage, an...
04/04/2026
Michigan legends bring a new voice to the broadcast as TNT Sports and CBS Sports...
04/04/2026
Faster, cleaner and more intuitive than ever
The control software for Flock Audio's digitally controlled patchbay systems has just been treated to an up...
04/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/04/2026
DHD Introduces AI-Based Audio Noise Reduction to XD3 IP Core
Brie Clayton April 3, 2026
0 Comments
The accompanying image shows the rear panel of the ...
04/04/2026
Macnica Redefines ST 2110 Flexibility with Two Speeds on One Card
Brie Clayton April 3, 2026
0 Comments
New for NAB Show 2026, MEP100 SmartNIC now sup...
04/04/2026
Unified Media Workflows for Story-Centric Production
Brie Clayton April 3, 2026
0 Comments
Framelight X unifies field capture, editing and publishing ...
03/04/2026
Michigan's Fab Five will reunite for an alternate presentation of the Mich...
These Aren't Photographs-They're Prints from 4K Video Frames Posted on: December 19, 2014 / 
