Starting on your videography journey? That is both exciting and intimidating! Whether you're capturing family moments, creating social media content, or aspiring to be the next Quentin Tarantino, these ten essential tips will help you get started on the right track.
Familiarize yourself with your camera and its settings. I personally like to look up a quick YouTube video just before my shoot to refresh my memory of the camera and its features. Explore key features like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. If you're using a smartphone, take time to experiment with its camera settings and video capabilities to maximize its potential.
Before you hit record, plan your shots! Consider who you’re filming, what they’re doing, and whether it’s interesting. Just write everything down in a notebook and go scene by scene. And for situations where you need volunteers, consider asking people who are not camera shy. This will save you a bunch of time, so choose wisely!
Avoid running the camera continuously, even if you plan to edit later—this will save you a bunch of time when editing later, so you’re not taking hours sifting through unusable footage. Create a storyboard or shot list to visualize your video’s progression. Thoughtful planning helps you stay organized and ensures you capture all the necessary footage.
Like before, do a quick Google search or find a YouTube video before you shoot just to refresh your memory on the basics of composition. Good composition can elevate your footage and make it visually appealing. Learn essential framing and composition techniques such as the rule of thirds, symmetry, headroom, leading lines, depth of field, and the 180-degree rule.
Bonus tip: don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes. Capturing eye contact enhances communication and emotional connection. Half of communication is what they’re saying, and the other half is with their eyes. Don’t miss the eyes; otherwise, you miss half the message!
Lighting is critical in videography! Because a camera has only one lens, it can struggle to manage varying light levels in a single shot. If bright areas overwhelm the lens, it will suppress the light, meaning the dark subjects will appear even darker. To ensure your subject is clearly visible, position the light source behind you so that it illuminates them effectively. Natural light is often the best choice for beginners.
When filming indoors, place your subjects near windows or use soft artificial lighting for a flattering effect. Remember to keep the light behind you! If the brightness causes your subject to squint, consider shooting from an angle instead of straight on. This simple adjustment can enhance both the comfort and the overall visual quality of your shots.
You know what’s distracting? Shaky footage! So, it’s best to start by filming from a stationary position. As a beginner, focus on choosing a spot, pointing the camera, shooting, and then moving to a new location. This approach gives you time to review your footage and ensure everything looks good before proceeding, helping to build your confidence.
Investing in a tripod or stabilizer can greatly improve the steadiness of your shots. Using a gimbal is even better, as it provides enhanced stability and minimizes shaking, which in turn means less editing later. Remember, when you need to get closer to your subject, “zoom in with your feet.” You might see close-up shots of your favorite baseball player during a Thursday night game, but remember, those shots come from high-end equipment mounted on advanced platforms. You’re not that guy, pal, yet, at least ;).
As Drake said in his hit song Nice For What, “…you gotta hit them angles…” Don’t be afraid to try various camera angles and perspectives. Experimenting with high, low, and creative shots can connect your audience to the film and can add interest, emotion, and depth to your videos.
Different angles help enhance the narrative, theme, and overall mood of the film. A variety of camera angles also can prevent a film from becoming mundane and keep the audience invested in the action.
Imagine watching a video, and the audio is terrible. How long until you find a new video to watch? Exactly! Audio quality is important! Most video cameras automatically adjust their sound levels, amplifying whatever they pick up to a constant volume. This means background noise, like traffic, gets boosted, and even silence can be amplified.
The good news? You can easily improve your audio quality by using an external microphone. Just clip one to your subject’s shirt and plug it in. A boom mic is also effective, though it requires someone to hold it out of frame. A Rode mic attached to your camera works well, too. Good audio is just as important as great visuals. Always use an external microphone when possible, monitor your audio levels, and consider a windscreen if you’re recording in a noisy environment.
Avoid using digital effects during filming; save them for post-production to maintain flexibility in editing. Because once you turn digital effects on while filming, you’re stuck with it. So, starting with basic editing software is best to get comfortable with cutting and arranging your footage and adding effects. Pay attention to pacing and transitions, and consider adding background music to enhance the mood. A helpful tip is using an adjustment layer for global edits without affecting each clip.
Find some inspiration! Don’t shy away from studying videos made by experienced videographers. Analyze their techniques, storytelling methods, and editing styles. YouTube is an excellent resource for tutorials and inspiration—look for examples you admire and take note of the shots and angles they use.
The best way to improve is through consistent practice. As Malcolm Gladwell said, “Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.” Film regularly, experiment with new techniques, and embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. Every project will help you grow as a videographer.
Starting your videography journey can be both fun and rewarding. By following these tips, you’ll establish a solid foundation and develop your unique style. Remember, every expert was once a beginner, so keep learning and experimenting. Happy filming!
Inspired by "How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck" by Steve Stockman.
About the Author: Nick Malovrh is a Visual and Engagement Creator at Exclamation. Over the past two years, he’s gone from a rookie video creator to the "video guy" who brings stories to life with impactful editing and creative visuals. With a passion for visual storytelling, he’s always looking for fresh ways to engage and inspire audiences. Whether he’s crafting content at work or pushing his creative limits outside the office, he’s constantly evolving and connecting with people in exciting new ways.
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