It is believed that creating engaging videos is enough to master basic skills and buy high-quality professional equipment for the shooting. However, the presence of these two factors does not yet guarantee success. We tell you about what should be paid attention to those who are just starting their journey and dream of professionally shooting videos that will not leave viewers indifferent.
Tip №1: delay buying a professional camera
There is a popular misconception that an expensive camera will automatically improve the shooting quality even for a novice operator, but this is not the case. Agree, professionals create beautiful and high-quality photos and videos even with cameras on inexpensive phones. To develop the skills you need, it will suffice a budget device or even a regular phone. With their help, you can experiment with angles and studying the compositional construction of the frame. You will also understand the features of working with sound and light and much more.
Tip №2: choose a position and hold the camera correctly
To avoid one of the most common mistakes in amateur video, namely the shaking or twitching of the picture, you need to pay due attention to this aspect. To stabilize the frame, professionals use both conventional tripods and carts, rails, and other devices. A tripod is the most budget-friendly and easy-to-use device that helps eliminate unwanted shakes for smooth footage and quality results. But it will be fair to say that it is not always possible to work with a tripod. In this case, it is necessary to learn the basic rules of the video based on years of practice and experience of many operators. To prevent the camera from shaking, you need to know the correct position of the body: in a sitting pose, you should rest your elbows on the table and in a standing position — on your stomach. It will help to get a more rigid structure, eliminating camera shake, vibrations, and oscillations. It will not be superfluous to spread your legs shoulder-width apart, slightly bent at the knees. Thanks to this, it will be possible to achieve position stability and additional smoothness during dynamic shooting. We strongly recommend that you pay special attention to this issue and in no case do not shoot with the camera with outstretched arms.
Tip №3: prepare the script in advance for staged videos
If, as a result of filming a staged video, you want to get not just a chaotic set of beautiful pictures but a breathtaking video, you need to prepare a shooting script in advance. Even if you can accurately imagine the result and are confident in your team, you will hardly avoid surprises during the shooting. Gather all the necessary information, write the text, then structure and divide it into several thematic blocks. It is important: even if the text sounds perfect, be sure to read it aloud before shooting to make sure it sounds just as good. Speech should be simple, interesting, easy, and accessible to an audience of your viewers.Taking a serious approach to shooting planning and careful planning of the script will help to reduce the number of failed takes. In addition, it will help you to achieve the desired result, which will not differ from the picture you have invented.
Tip №4: properly allocate space in the frame
A beginner operator should adhere to the rule of thirds: the frame should be divided into 9 parts (3 vertically and 3 horizontally). Key objects should be located along the section lines or their crosshairs. If the picture is not static, then it is important to leave more space in the direction of its movement.
It is worth noting that space, in principle, should always be kept because it is unlikely that your subject of photography can be in the same position throughout the entire process. Naturally, he can slightly change his posture, stand up, straighten up or vice versa, and much more.
Important: if you are photographing animals or children, it is worth taking a position at their level. Otherwise, when they run closer to you, only the back will remain in the frame. It can hardly be called a good angle.
In the process, pay due attention to the background to avoid incidents, when in the frame a lantern or a tree sticks out of your character's head.
Tip №5: pay due attention to lighting
We do not recommend underestimating the role of lighting because it affects both the picture quality and the video's overall mood and atmosphere. Natural daylight can make it easier for the operator, as he does not have to look for additional light sources. But on the other hand, natural light can cause a lot of problems. Since this is an uncontrolled light source, in the event of a delay in the planned shooting of the scene or a transfer to another time, it will be impossible to achieve the identity of the frame illumination. There is some magic in regime shooting: if you want a soft, low-contrast picture, the ideal solution would be morning lighting or sunset.
Remember the main rule: avoid overexposures and, in particular, an overexposed background. Do not place the model with her back to the window; the light should illuminate the subject evenly. You should pay special attention to the white balance, as it will be difficult to correct it in the video, unlike in a photo.
Tip №6: experiment with shooting modes
To get not only beautiful but also attractive videos, you should use different shooting modes. Otherwise, you are unlikely to be able to achieve the desired result. At the beginning of the professional career, each operator should try different shooting modes: manual, with increased sensitivity, depth of field control, slow shutter speed, or simple programmable. Of course, you can read dozens of articles about each mode, but only in practice will a beginner operator be able to understand their main features and, accordingly, the scope of application.
Tip №7: mount the rollers
The editing process is just as important as the shooting process. At this stage that the improvement of work begins: improvement of stabilization, sound processing, cropping of unsuccessful frames and gluing, selection of music, captions, and covers, adding effects, and more. All this is hard work, which should be treated with all responsibility and seriousness. You should understand that it is almost impossible to make a good video without editing. Although this process is not easy, it is fascinating and very interesting.
Tip №8: shoot!
You should not wait for ideal conditions and spend years studying books, articles, and other materials. Good results require not only high-quality theoretical training but also constant practice. Remember: skill comes with experience, so feel free to start your journey and improve the level with each new video.
