Tips for Shooting Good Web Video
Good Web Video Starts with Quality Video Recording
Our emphasis on this site is more about adding your video to your web page but there are some basic rules of good video shooting that we’ll provide here.
- Sound is Really Important
- Hold Your Camera Steady
- Don't Zoom or Pan Too Much
- Shoot From a Variety of Angles
- Make Sure There's Enough Light
- Simplify Your Life With a Digital Video Camera
Sound is Really Important
There is nothing worse than watching a video with lousy audio -- particularly if there are people in the shot speaking. If your video includes a talking head or an interview, try to use an external microphone. The microphone is connected to the camcorder (unfortunately many video cameras don't include an external microphone jack) itself or to a separate digital recorder.
Hold Your Camera Steady
Too much movement in your video can be very distracting. It's important to keep your video camera steady when shooting a scene. The easiest way to avoid jerky video is an investment in a good tripod or make sure to brace yourself as your videoing.
Don't Zoom or Pan Too Much
Excessive zooming (focusing inward and then outward) or panning (moving the camera from side to side) can be very distracting. It can also translate into choppy video once you've added it to your web site.
Shoot From a Variety of Angles
Try to shoot from a variety of angles when shooting your video. You will lose people's interest if the shot is too long and from a single straight-on angle.
Make Sure There's Enough Light
Videos lose their color or can appear grainy without enough light. Natural light sources are usually best but if you're shooting inside you may need to invest in some extra lights. You can often bounce the lights off the ceiling to avoid intense or dark shadows.
Simplify Your Life With a Digital Video Camera
If your goal is to shoot video mostly destined for the Web you can save a lot of time and energy investing in a digital camera. Small video cameras like the Flip pictured below make it easy to take good quality shots and transfer them quickly to your pc for editing and publishing to the web.
