Consumer Video Tips

When I ask writers how they improve their craft, they invariably say they read more. When I ask still photographers how they improve their craft, they usually say they look at more photographs. Guess what – this holds true for people who shoot video too.

Watch lots of television – or go to the movies and pay attention to the camera work. I’m not talking about sitting down with a bowl of popcorn while you watch your favorite show. I am talking about taking time to analyze other people’s work.

Pay attention to how shots are lit. Watch for angles and notice transitions. You’ll soon see a pattern. This pattern should be the touchstone of your basic approach to shooting video.

By watching how the camera is positioned relative to the subject, noting the length of each scene between transitions – and judging things like focus and depth of field, you can learn how to make movies without ever going to film school.

No doubt your video camera has an LCD screen. If you work out in the field often, you run the risk of damaging your screen. It’s easy to scratch the screen if you’re not careful.

Here’s an easy and low-cost way to protect the screen. Go visit http://www.screenguardz.com/ and look for a cellphone or PDA screen protector that is close in size to your camera’s LCD. (You may also find these at your local Staples or Office Depot.)

It’s unlikely you’ll find a protector that is the perfect size, but don’t let that worry you. Just cut down the one closest in size and you’re ready to go.

Screens are expensive. Protective film is cheap.

While it’s possible to get great hand-held shots with your digital still camera, it’s much harder to hand-hold a video camera. Video often requires slow steady pans up or down or side-to-side. It’s very hard to do this without a tripod.

And yes, almost all video cameras have image-stabilization features, they can’t come close to the stability of a tripod.

Tripods are bulky and good ones are heavy. And I personally don’t go anywhere without one. I am tired of the overused bouncing hand-held video style you see on MTV. I do think there’s a place for hand-held shots. But they should be the exception not the rule.

Try using a tripod the next time you shoot some video. You’ll be amazed at how much better your video looks.

And if you want to work like the big boys – try building your own $20 Steadycam.

I’ll have more on tripods in future posts, including which ones to consider.

Did you know that using a tripod will often greatly improve your video, even if you have image stabilization? Did you realize that digital zoom seriously degrades picture quality? How about the special effects in your video camera, should you turn them on or leave them off?

These and questions like them will be answered right here at Consumer Video Tips. While other sites will chastise you for asking beginners’ questions, here, you’ll be rewarded – with information that is.

We’re focused on helping you make great video, even if you’ve never been to film school.

Send us your questions. Our address is bournemediagroup @ gmail.com.