Still Photography
Most people don't think about all that goes in to getting pictures and photos. But here at "Studio 51", we think about it a lot! And it's a big job to do!
Our team captures those moments with style and elegance. Whether it is doing our official department portraits for each employee, snapping that emotional picture of someone who has received an award, or capturing a stunning photo of our men and women in action, this is a job that we take seriously and put our heart and soul in to trying to get "that perfect shot."
The Studio
Located inside the Office of Professional Standards section of the Oconee County Sheriff's office, "Studio 51" is located in a space that was previously used as a conference room. We are very fortunate that it is located on the interior of the building and centrally located, so that we are easily accessible to most of the agency staff. Our studio area is approximately 12ft wide by 20ft long, so while it is small compared to other studio spaces, it works for us. The studio also serves as Sgt. Sayre's office, making production easier and more efficient (although sometimes a challenge).
In addition to producing the Podcast, we also are able to host our local media partners in the studio for interviews, providing them with professional studio lighting, audio, and backdrops. We also have the ability to conduct virtual interviews from our studio with media partners, providing them with a high-quality video and audio feed when they are not able to be physically present in the studio. Working closely with our Public Information Officer, this is yet another way that we are living our mission of "Forging Relationships" in our community by making the job of our media partners easier.
Our Equipment
Cameras
Nikon Z50
Like many digital creators, we started very simple with a single camera, a Nikon Z50 mirrorless camera. This camera was used for both video and still images, and continues to be a valuable asset to our digital production! While it doesn't get as much use for video as it first did, it is the camera of choice for all of our still photography, official department photographs and employee portraits, and still helps out on set when an extra camera angle is needed. This is a GREAT camera and is extremely versatile for its size.
In late 2024, we expanded our capabilities for video production. We now use camcorder-style cameras for both our in-studio work and out in the field. They have all the features that we need and provide a great deal of flexibility for our workflow.
Taking a cue from our media partners (no pun intended), we currently use a Panasonic HC-X20 as our primary camera ("A Cam"). The HC-X20 is a broadcast-quality camera, similar to what television stations deploy in the field for some of their field reporters. While it doesn't have all of the broadcasting specific features such as SDI capabilities, it is a very robust camera packed with great features such as a great optical zoom range (24x optical in 4K mode), excellent image stabilization for handheld work, a large 15MP 1" MOS Sensor that shoots amazing 4K footage, and tons more features!
In 2025, we added two Panasonic HC-X1200 camcorder style cameras for our "B" and "C" cameras. These smaller camcorder-style cameras are wonderful for our close-up camera angles in the studio because of their smaller size and frame, but are also fantastic for handheld field work because they are very lightweight and sport an incredible 5-Axis Hybrid image stabilization system. The best part? They use the same battery type as the HC-X20!
Post-Production
Digital Processing Software
We use Black Magic Design's Davinci Resolve video editing suite, which is an incredibly powerful video editor! The best thing is that it is FREE! That's right, Davinci Resolve is free from Blackmagic Design! Used by Hollywood film professionals, Davinci Resolve is our go-to for post-production. For more information about Davinci Resolve, click here: DaVinci Resolve | Blackmagic Design
For More Information
For more information about our studio, capabilities, or production, contact us at the Oconee County Sheriff's Office - Community Services / Outreach Unit.
Be sure to check out The Deputy Podcast and all of our other productions on our YouTube Channel link below, or follow us on all major streaming platforms!
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