Shooting Video Advice
You don’t have to be a professional to start making short films and videos. No matter what kind of camera you have, these tips will help you create professional looking videos. A lot of what you do to make a fantastic video is in post-production, however, you will absolutely need some well-shot footage. First, figure out what you want to document. Find an interesting person to make a short film about. Leave the tripod behind, use a steady hand, and go off on an adventure.
1. You’ll rarely want to move the camera. To capture movement, you don’t necessarily need to move the camera- let movement enter and exit the frame. Don’t follow movement with the camera, just hold it still. If you want, you can pan (but only if you get good).
2. A close up shot is key. It draws attention to the action and engages the viewer. This is no time to be shy- get the camera right next to that person’s face.
3. Get an ‘over the shoulder’ shot. This is a great shot because it makes the viewer feel as though they are among the action. Don’t be upset if the person moves in and out of the frame.
4. For the previous shots to make sense, step back to get an overview shot. Get a number of different shots by walking around the action (not while recording).
5. After you get the critical shots, experiment with other angles. Try shooting from up high, or getting down low. Rarely do you want to “zoom.” If you want to get a close-up, all you have to do is move yourself closer in.
Generally, you want to hold each shot for 10 seconds. Don’t be afraid to follow your instincts, and capture what catches your eye. When you are done, you will have a dynamic film with different shots.
Tags: nikon digital slr camera, digital camera buying guide, canon a95 digital camera, digital binocular camera, canon camera digital, camcorder digital camera, digital camera dock