Good Video Tips

Since we are using a video camera, it is easy to shoot with the thought that you have to move the camcorder in order to capture "everything". On the contrary, the general rule in videotaping is to "record motion", don’t "create it."

Creating motion can be described as camera movement that is not germane to the subject. This includes excessive panning and zooming. An example of this would be walking while videotaping. This technique should be reserved for the pros as it is next to impossible for an amateur to make it smooth and keep the subject in proper composition. Pros usually use thousands of dollars of additional equipment to make this possible.

Panning from one person to another without any reason other than to “include everyone in the video” is also a very bad idea. Before you pan have a starting and an ending point in mind. Record at your starting point for three seconds, start your pan, come to your ending point & hold for three seconds before you stop the recording. While you are panning, think of panning slow, then actually pan slower than what you thought would be correct. It is perfectly acceptable pan the camcorder to follow action such as a runner in a soccer or football game. This is an example of “recording motion” and not “creating” it.

Zooming in and out while shooting the same subject is also a MAJOR sin in videotaping. Not only does it place the video on the low end of the quality scale, but it gives everyone viewing the tape a headache. One of the few times when zooming in and out on the same shot is acceptable is when taping a wedding, speech or a play where continuous audio is necessary. If you must zoom both in and out in that instance, do it *very* infrequently.

Use a tripod whenever possible. If you are shooting a situation such as a sporting event, concert, graduation or anything from a single position for longer than 5 minutes at a time, you should be using a tripod. Unless you are trying to achieve a certain effect, shots taken from a tripod are MUCH better than handheld shots.

Change angles frequently to give the viewer different viewpoints. When shooting small children or pets try to shoot at a child’s eye level. At a gathering or party, get up on a porch, loft or balcony to get a high viewpoint.

Limit telephoto shots. In other words, make sure you’ve shot in wide angle before or after you telephoto shots to give the viewer an idea of what they are looking at. Telephoto shots of the far side of the grand canyons wall does nothing to display the magnificence of the surroundings. A super wide angle shot will show this much more effectively.

In Summary

Don’t:
1) walk with the camcorder
2) pan too much or too fast.
3) overuse the zoom.

Do:
1) use a tripod when shooting (whenever practical).
2) shoot from different angles.
3) include lots of wide angle shots.