1.Use quick shots. Video of your baby crawling on the floor will be cute at first but beyond boring as the camera follows Junior across the entire living room. Try to switch subjects, scenes or angles every five seconds.
2. Keep the camera steady. If your footage of the elephant seals looks like one long earthquake newsreel, you will make viewers nauseous. A tripod helps, though you can stabilize a camera on a table, a fence or other unmovable objects. If there are none around, try using both hands. Also, use the zoom function sparingly while the camera is recording.
3.Keep your shots tight. Video of someone who looks like an ant just isn’t that interesting (especially if that person wants to see his surf technique). So try to fill the entire frame with your subject.
4.Use editing software. You can edit with just your camera, but editing software makes it easier to cover up mistakes and arrange things in a more logical order. Some computers (like those featuring Windows XP or Mac OS X) even come with editing software.
5.Monitor lighting. When shooting Grandpa opening his big Christmas present, you want to see his expression — not a silhouette. One tip: Don’t shoot anyone with the sun directly behind them.
6.Interview subjects. If you’re taping a wedding, for example, prepare funny questions beforehand, then question the attendees. But remember: Don’t stay on one person too long. Get multiple sources and ask different questions.
7.Film transition shots. If you’re making a surf video, don’t just shoot your buddies surfing. Capture the ambience — tourists walking on the pier, a sea lion swimming in the water, a surfer waxing her board.
8.Make a music video. Most of the conversations you hear on tape are boring — and sometimes the camera’s built-in microphone won’t even pick up everything. So pick out music that matches your theme and dub it in. If you have editing software, make the action on screen match tempo changes in the song.
9.Create a video diary. With editing capabilities, you can chronicle a year in the life by compiling highlights from the past 12 months. This could make a good Christmas present — or something fun to show on New Year’s.
10.Record interesting events. Sure, you’ll want to get some everyday stuff around the house. But some activities are more interesting on film. Events with crowds are good and unusual settings add intrigue. Some examples: the first day of school, Thanksgiving dinner, a trip to a farmer’s market, arrival of a new pet, sporting events, births, a visit to a big city, the Fourth of July parade.
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