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CDD's Videography Services Suggestion Page for VideoingThere is no getting away from the video presentation during these unprecedented times. You are either on ZOOM, Canvas, social media, or some other type of platform working, virtual school, etc. with the use of video. In this case, I will be providing you on this page tips and suggestions with how you can have a nice video product when you are doing everything yourself.
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Plan your video(s) in advance. Poor technique is not the only thing that can make a video look unprofessional. A lack of planning can also leave viewers underwhelmed (ME the videographer/editor) with your finished product. By taking the time to plan your video thoroughly before you start production, you can ensure that the quality of your actual content is just as good as the quality of your footage. Below are suggestions before you begin.
Tips For Recording Yourself On Video
1. Always Use the Back Camera (Cellphones): This may seem like an obvious rule, but it's easy to forget. The rear camera on a phone is better quality, has a higher resolution, and offers more features within the app. It will almost always give you better results.
Do you need some tips for recording yourself? Okay, in many cases we'd still recommend using the rear camera, with your phone propped up on a desk or wall. If you prefer the handheld approach then you can use the front camera, but feel free to rotate the phone so you shoot in landscape mode.
2. Stability and Focus: There are two big requirements for making a great video: holding the camera still, and keeping it in focus. Many phones, cameras, and camcorders have built-in image stabilization. This helps keep your video steady, but you need to know its limitations. IS works better when you're holding the camera still to begin with---shooting while walking can easily result in unwanted camera shake. Hold your device with both hands when recording video. Use a tripod or makeshift alternative to keep your camera still---even a bag of rice can serve as a great DIY stabilization device.
3. Record in Landscape Mode: The simple first step to learning how to make professional videos is to remember to shoot in landscape mode---turn your phone on its side. Vertical, or portrait, videos are fine if you're only ever going to look at them on your phone. The moment you try to watch it on a TV, laptop, tablet, or almost any other device its ill-fitting orientation will jump out as a surefire sign of amateur hour. And besides, you can fit more into the frame in landscape mode. This means less need to constantly pan left and right, which in turn leads to a classier looking finished product. All videos submitted in the case for the debutante if you are using your phone, needs to be landscape and NOT vertical.
4. Lighting: While it's easy enough to lighten dark or underexposed photos, dark or underexposed videos bring a number of bigger problems:
It's hard to brighten video without degrading the quality and introducing noise.
The camera finds it harder to focus in low light. It might even continually drift in and out of focus.
Using lots of shadow looks dramatic, and it can be distracting in professional videos where drama isn’t the intended effect. Using little or no shadow creates a more open and straightforward vibe, which is usually better for business and marketing videos.
If you want to use flat light in your video, balance two light sources on either side of the camera. You can place them either behind the camera or just in front of it.
5. Use a Clean Background: Be deliberate about the background you use for filming. Nothing looks less professional than a messy or distracting background.
One easy way to get a professional look for your video is to use a solid-colored background. A wall, a solid colored bedsheet, or a large sheet of backdrop paper are all good options. Make sure that you stand several feet away from the backdrop to avoid casting shadows on it.
If you are outdoors…be creative…not busy. Choose an area such as an evergreen bush or tree that has some type of greenery. Also, make sure that the area is quiet with our cars or airplane flying over. As you speak, if you are hearing noise in the background, you will get the same noise on your video.
6. Other Tips: If you are using a consumer or profession camcorder, please set you camcorder speed/recording setting to 1080p x 24. If you are using a cellphone, please use HD and Speed 60. NOTE: Everyone has different types of cellphones, I will not be able to coach you through the settings of your cell phone.
Do you need some tips for recording yourself? Okay, in many cases we'd still recommend using the rear camera, with your phone propped up on a desk or wall. If you prefer the handheld approach then you can use the front camera, but feel free to rotate the phone so you shoot in landscape mode.
2. Stability and Focus: There are two big requirements for making a great video: holding the camera still, and keeping it in focus. Many phones, cameras, and camcorders have built-in image stabilization. This helps keep your video steady, but you need to know its limitations. IS works better when you're holding the camera still to begin with---shooting while walking can easily result in unwanted camera shake. Hold your device with both hands when recording video. Use a tripod or makeshift alternative to keep your camera still---even a bag of rice can serve as a great DIY stabilization device.
3. Record in Landscape Mode: The simple first step to learning how to make professional videos is to remember to shoot in landscape mode---turn your phone on its side. Vertical, or portrait, videos are fine if you're only ever going to look at them on your phone. The moment you try to watch it on a TV, laptop, tablet, or almost any other device its ill-fitting orientation will jump out as a surefire sign of amateur hour. And besides, you can fit more into the frame in landscape mode. This means less need to constantly pan left and right, which in turn leads to a classier looking finished product. All videos submitted in the case for the debutante if you are using your phone, needs to be landscape and NOT vertical.
4. Lighting: While it's easy enough to lighten dark or underexposed photos, dark or underexposed videos bring a number of bigger problems:
It's hard to brighten video without degrading the quality and introducing noise.
The camera finds it harder to focus in low light. It might even continually drift in and out of focus.
- If you're using Auto mode, as you're likely to be when making a homemade video, the camera will reduce the frame rate when filming in poor light. This results in jerky video that you won't be able to fix.
- The sun is one of the best light sources for video. If you’re filming in natural light, do your best to get your footage in the morning or evening, when the light is softer. Midday light coming from straight overhead can cast harsh shadows on your subjects, while morning and evening light is more flattering. If you do have to film in the middle of the day, try to do so on a cloudy day, or find a shady area for softer light. If you are using your smartphone's flashlight … only use it as an absolute last resort.
- If you’re filming indoors, you will need to be more intentional about the types of lights you use and where you place them. One thing to avoid is overhead lighting – it can cast unflattering shadows on your subjects’ faces. Windows are a good natural light source. You can also use a large lamp or two to cast the type of light you want.
Using lots of shadow looks dramatic, and it can be distracting in professional videos where drama isn’t the intended effect. Using little or no shadow creates a more open and straightforward vibe, which is usually better for business and marketing videos.
If you want to use flat light in your video, balance two light sources on either side of the camera. You can place them either behind the camera or just in front of it.
5. Use a Clean Background: Be deliberate about the background you use for filming. Nothing looks less professional than a messy or distracting background.
One easy way to get a professional look for your video is to use a solid-colored background. A wall, a solid colored bedsheet, or a large sheet of backdrop paper are all good options. Make sure that you stand several feet away from the backdrop to avoid casting shadows on it.
If you are outdoors…be creative…not busy. Choose an area such as an evergreen bush or tree that has some type of greenery. Also, make sure that the area is quiet with our cars or airplane flying over. As you speak, if you are hearing noise in the background, you will get the same noise on your video.
6. Other Tips: If you are using a consumer or profession camcorder, please set you camcorder speed/recording setting to 1080p x 24. If you are using a cellphone, please use HD and Speed 60. NOTE: Everyone has different types of cellphones, I will not be able to coach you through the settings of your cell phone.