| The quest for better home movies motivates | | | | sparingly. |
| many consumers to invest in digital video | | | | |
| camcorders each year. Although these devices | | | | Zooming in and out is seldom used in scenes |
| give consumers unprecedented ability to edit | | | | from professional videos. The image while |
| their home movies after the fact, the | | | | zooming is often distorted or blurred and the |
| ultimate quality of the films they produce | | | | movement is generally not very "viewable". |
| are still dependent upon the ability of the | | | | When possible it is better to simply move |
| person to capture good video during the | | | | closer to the subject. When zoom is used, it |
| filming process. | | | | should be done slowly, or while the camcorder |
| | | | is off, to improve the quality of the shot. |
| For home movie enthusiasts who are just | | | | Digital zoom in particular should rarely be |
| starting out, a few simple tips can help to | | | | used when filming. |
| produce films that they can be proud to | | | | |
| share. | | | | 4. Don't be afraid to ask others to assist |
| | | | in the filming process. |
| 1. Use a tripod when shooting with a | | | | |
| camcorder. | | | | Others can hold lights, direct unwanted |
| | | | traffic away from the filming scene, and |
| Handheld shots are fine in some situations | | | | perform other miscellaneous tasks to allow |
| but films will be dramatically improved if a | | | | the film maker to concentrate on controlling |
| tripod is used to steady the camcorder | | | | the camcorder and the images it records. |
| whether it is a stationary shot or one in | | | | |
| which the film maker pans to follow the | | | | 5. Stay stationary. |
| action. | | | | |
| | | | Walking with a camcorder can create a very |
| 2. Incorporate the same principles used for | | | | unsteady shot that can be difficult to view. |
| getting great photographs to get great video. | | | | It is better to remain stationary or to use |
| | | | some type of mobile stabilization device. If |
| • Get in close to the subject of the | | | | the film maker must move while filming, it is |
| shot. | | | | best to shoot wide as any movement while |
| | | | using telephoto settings is exaggerated. Some |
| • When outdoors, it's best to avoid | | | | videographers fabricate their own slings to |
| shooting film at mid day when the sun is | | | | help them keep the camcorder stable when |
| directlyoverhead. | | | | moving. Dollies can be useful when moving |
| | | | along a smooth surface and can be home made |
| • Shoot with the sun or any bright | | | | by devising a stable mount on a wagon. |
| light behind the camcorder rather than behind | | | | |
| thesubject. Bright light behind the subject | | | | Like any photography, getting the best images |
| will create a very dark image of thatsubject. | | | | from a camcorder requires some study and |
| If the bright light can't be eliminated, use | | | | considerable practice with lighting, focus, |
| an additional external light tobrighten the | | | | and various filming techniques. However, |
| subject. | | | | observing some of the simple suggestions |
| | | | above can help to produce an immediate and |
| • Because light can cause harsh | | | | noticeable improvement in the quality of the |
| shadows, its best to bounce light off of a | | | | video capture |
| wall orbackdrop rather than shining it | | | | |
| directly on the subject to avoid this. | | | | Anyone can capture better images with their |
| Diffusing thelight using translucent plastic | | | | camcorder or digital camera if they learn a |
| or thin tissue paper over the light can | | | | few basic skills. Find out more or shop for |
| soften it as well. | | | | new equipment by visiting homemedias.info, |
| | | | the author's home electronics store. |
| 3. Use the zoom function on the camcorder | | | | |