How To Use Zoom Blur To Add Action In Your Photos

 Most of us own a zoom lens of one type or another. While I have no specific stat, I’ll say 98% of us do. It seems like a good number and might even be low.

With nearly all of you armed with this type of lens, let’s take a look at a fun way you can add action to your photos. The technique is actually quite simple but takes some practice to master. It is known as zoom blur; blur caused by activating the zoom feature on your lens while the shutter is open. NOTE: While the same effect can be achieved by physically moving your camera closer or further from a subject while shooting, we’ll stick with the zoom feature in this post.
There are three factors that are most important when using zoom blur:

• Where you start the blur (zoomed in or zoomed out)
• How much zoom travel
• How long you spend with the shutter open

Where You Start The Blur

Where you start has a big impact on the outcome of the photo. You can either start zoomed back or zoomed in. My preference is typically to start zoomed out and I’d suggest it for anyone starting out. The reason is it typically allows for the clearest image of the subject before the zoom blur is added. It also gives more of a feeling of the object moving away from the photographer. Here by example, are two different shots of the Memorial Stupa in Thimphu, Bhutan. First, going from zoomed in to zoomed out. (Click on each image for a larger version.)

This image is dominated by the golden frame around the statue as compared to the full stupa in which is sits. This is mostly due to the shutter length (1.6 seconds) and spending more time zoomed in than in transition. For a second example, this shot was started zoomed out and then, using a tripod, I zoomed straight in.

This shot was 2 seconds long and I allowed more time at the beginning to burn in the stupa image before zooming in. Allowing more time toward the main subject, versus time spent zooming, will allow your main subject to stand out more.

How Much Zoom Travel

Next, it matters how  much you zoom while the shutter is open. For the shot above, I wanted the lights to extend all the way off the screen. But it didn’t quite work as too much light filled the screen for my liking, obscuring the  stupa. Instead, I decided to zoom only part of the way in, hoping it would allow for more of the scene to be visible. I also started further zoomed in to see more of the base of the stupa.




I am also helped here by the center point of the zoom being lower than the brightest lights. This helps when the scene is brightly lit and the light can have a tendency to wash out areas of the subject. For instance, the statue in the center is not blurred because the zoom was fast enough to not let too much of its light be exposed.

BONUS TIP: Give It A Bit Of Movement

Especially when dealing with lights at night, adding in a bit of movement can give some interesting effects. For instance, in the examples below I panned slightly up or down to change the path of the blurring lights.



I will be the first to admit these images aren’t stellar, put-on-a-magazine-cover images. They’re about experimenting and having fun. At times though, with practice, zoom blur can produce some remarkable results as seen in the examples below from Flickr.

Copyright Ernst Vikne

Copyright Balamurugan Natarajan

Copyright Heather Wizell

Read more: http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-use-zoom-blur-to-add-action-in-your-photos#ixzz1jOJNsdW9

Shooting Products and Video Using Home Depot Lighting

We had a very tight budget, and I had recently done a behind the scenes video on creating and lighting a unique scene with just Home Depot lights. So, I thought why not do the same thing for the ONE project.

Final Result Samples

Samples from the final set of stills – Shot sRAW on 5D Mark II w/ 50mm @ F/4

The Setup

Step 1 – Flooring and Wall Tiles ($1065 Total cost)

The first step was setting up the flooring and the wall tiles. Interestingly enough, this was actually where the majority of our budget was spent. But, we figured that we would be using this set in future videos, so it wouldn’t be a one time cost.
The entire space is 10×10 feet. So we purchased 100 square feet of wood flooring tiles from Home Depot (which cost around $200) along with 200 square feet of Seesaw Wall Flat tiles to cover both walls. For some reason, these cardboard molded wall flats cost $86 per box and it took 10 boxes to cover both walls. So, yeah, that is where the majority of our budget went as it cost $860. To the attach them to the wall, we simply used 4 pieces of double sided tape per tile.

Step 2 – J.C. Our Lighting Dummy

Whenever I am doing scene setups, I place a lighting dummy where my subject is going to be in order to shape my light. It isn’t reasonable to have a person stand in for 60 minutes as I sit there and mold and shape our light. So, I pop in J.C., our lighting dummy, to give me a nice example of how the lighting is changing as I add and modify each light.

Step 3 – Wiring the Set ($50 in wires and strips at Home Depot)

Concealing cables on a set is always a challenge, especially when you are shooting wide. Luckily, in this video we didn’t shoot wide enough to see the flooring. But, for future videos I knew that we would. But, with the wood tile floors we had a simple solution, we simply ran the cables behind the tiles along the edge of the wall then pushed the wood flooring against the cables to pinch and conceal it against the wall.

Step 4 – Husky Daylight Work Lights ($50 each at Home Depot)

We used two Husky Florescent work lights as uplights to bring out the texture of the wall tiles. We used florescent daylight temperature lights because we wanted the background to be a nice shade of blue, while we white balanced to tungsten that would be used on the subject.


The image above shows the placement of the uplights on the floor. Each is evenly spaced from the corner of the set.

Step 5 – Workforce Tungsten Work Light Stand ($35 at Home Depot)

The next light in our setup is a twin head Workforce Work Light light which we use as a rim light on our subject off camera left.


While using work lights is cheap, there are downsides. Some of which include the heat, the lack of power control, as well as directional control. While we can’t change the first two, we can change the direction of the lighting. To prevent the tungsten light from hitting the uplit walls, I added on a little cardboard GOBO (Go In Between Object). Don’t worry, the light doesn’t get hot enough to burn the cardboard, though just to be safe, I wouldn’t leave the set turned on while I went to do my grocery shopping.

Step 6 – Workforce Tungsten Work Light ($15 at Home Depot)

To define the right side of the subject, I added an additional tungsten Workforce light to camera right.

Step 7 – Tungsten Modeling Light (Can use the $35 light used above)

Since we have modeling lights sitting around the studio, I didn’t need to spend more money on the work lights for our set. So, while we are using a modeling light as the main light, this would look and work exactly the same with the dual light stand used above. The benefit to using a modeling light is that I have a nice little barn door to easily control the direction of the light.
This light is placed directly to camera right and is used as the main light on our subject.

Step 8 – Softening the Main Light ($30 Scrim)

To soften our main light, we are using a standard scrim out of a simple silver reflector kit that can be purchased for $20 – $30 pretty much anywhere. The purpose of softening this light is to prevent hot spots and shine on the subjects face. This is particularly useful as our set is getting quite hot (literally) because of the amount of tungsten lights in close proximity. So, keeping that main light soft is going to help conceal any oil/shine on our subjects face.


The scrim is placed on a stand directly in front of the main modeling light as shown above.

Finished Set

With the ambient room lights off, you can see the final look of our set above. At this point, we are ready to bring in our real subject, and make a few fine tweaks with the light positioning in order to adjust the exposure and any stray bits of light.
Hope you guys enjoyed this little behind the scenes look. To check out this behind the scenes video as well as our other tutorials be sure to subscribe to the SLR Lounge YouTube Channel.

Read more: http://www.digital-photography-school.com/shooting-products-and-video-using-home-depot-lighting#ixzz1jOIiUVdD

Wedding Videography Package Advice and Tips

 Have you ever found the options on a wedding videography package to be confusing and too technical. Well here is a general breakdown of most of the categories you will ever have to deal with (use the navigation to the right to skip ahead). This way the next time you look over wedding video package options, you can make an educated decision as to whether the services are worth the price

Cameras

"I don't want the videographers to miss anything, but it how much should I pay for extra cameras and videographers?"

If you find yourself asking yourself this question, you are not alone. The truth is that there is no way to know because each videographer and videography company is different. This is a list of the various factors that determine the type of coverage that you receive:

Style of Cameraman

This is the most important aspect of determining the quality and quantity of your wedding footage. As you watch one sample wedding video to another, pay attention to the aspects below to see that style they have and which style you are willing to pay for (note that the negative and critical connotations are for humor and a more human understanding):

Tripod Abuser
One thing that I feel has disgraced the profession is the multitude of videographers that are glued to a tripod. Tripod use (or abuse) has its purposes, which includes steady shots and smooth horizontal panning. But this is best for scripted footage, such as having actors and preplanned shot sequences. Many professional videographers are well-versed in this, but also have the ability to remove the camera from its anchor and get quality footage the is only attainable on foot. Honestly, anyone with one day of training can use a camera on a tripod efficiently and skillfully and I do not believe this justifies a $50 to $100 per hour pay scale.

The Running Man
Be wary of the fact that even though a tripod makes the footage stationary, not being anchored to one can mean that the videographer is running back and forth to get other shots. This may be distracting to the ambiance of the ceremony or reception and should be of concern. If you prefer the better footage with a great videographer, you might want to compromise and ask him to be less noticeable or distracting. My personal style is candid, where I often find great places in the background.

The Director
This can be a good thing and a bad thing. This is also seen in the best of photographers and the worst of photographers. I have been unfortunate enough to have seen wedding videos where the videographer barks orders and the whole thing is caught on tape. "Smile! Turn that way! Good!" Please avoid this at all costs. If a videographer is good at scripted shots, you will see the results in the sample footage. Some people can see it in the faces of the bride and groom unfortunately, unless they are great actors. This is why I prefer to use a hands-off approach to get natural and candid shots that reflect the actual joy they experience on their special day. This, however, will not yield any scripted sequence and this is an issue described further in the editing section.

The "2 cameras, 1 videographer" option

This means that one camera does not move. This is good as a backup to get footage at other parts of the wedding, but you really have to see footage to see if they use this effectively. If the editor cuts back and forth to the same frame, it may not be to your liking. Also, the backup camera ("B" camera) is usually one that costs less that $1000 (while your cameraman may be using a $4000 camera) and this is most noticeable when edited with the better footage from the "A" camera. I move around and get enough shots from multiple angles where having a "B" camera is not necessary.

New Toys, like the Button Camera

These are fun and great, but just make sure that it is worth it. See footage that actually uses the new gadget and see if you want that in your video at all, since the small cameras provide surveillance-style footage and the whole "Blair Witch" shaky-cam effect. Also, be wary of the fact that the groom may have to wear the camera (which is not that big) and the transmitter (which is not big either, but can get annoying for more than an hour at a time). If you like the feature and understand the pros and cons, I say go for it.

Sound

One option or feature that you may see on a wedding videography package list or brochure is the use of "wireless microphones." This brings sound into the picture. Many people do not realize how important audio can be to the video, since what good is it having your best man speak words from the heart to the camera with "YMCA" peaking the audio. Again, see actual footage of actual weddings to see what you will get, especially in loud situations such as the reception and important situations such as your vows. Ask the videographer if he is prepared.

One example involves a wedding where the altar was in front of a water fountain, of which the venue forgot to turn off as the bride and groom said their vows. My audio was drowned out by the constant pattering of water. Luckily, I was able to pull most of the audio out with effective sound editing and proceeded to buy a wireless lavalier mic the next week. A lavalier microphone is the type of microphone used in interviews, usually attached to the lapel. Grooms tend to dislike carrying the transmitter, so I alternatively place it somewhere near the altar. This also provides two audio streams where I, as the editor, have the option of choosing the clearer of the two.

Editing

Many videography studios will charge extra for special effects, slide shows, and highlight reels. Again, take a look at final products to see what you are buying. Many editors are not professional editors, using purchased templates to make their final product. This often results in a "cheesy" feel (I have permission to use that word because my clientele prefer to avoid "cheesiness" and use that word commonly). Be wary of paying for special effects where it takes 20 minutes of work to plug in footage into a template.

Music video styles can vary between great and downright horrible. Often, footage is clipped and just played to music in the background. If they take it one step further they will sync the clips with the beat of the music, often with transitions that may or may not please you. Many editors get plug-in packages that include wedding video transitions, for example the video clip morphs into a wedding ring and zooms off. This can cause what I call "effect overkill" and is the result of the person trying to let the editing program's options make the video good by including every possible feature. Here and there you will see photographers do the same, though it is generally tolerated less. A real, professional editor can make the footage look good with simple cuts and then adds special effects to carefully add emphasis to certain moments. Look at any movie that is done well. Most of the cuts and transitions are straight cuts or fade transitions that are well-placed.

Delivered Product

The style of a DVD case is often representative of the dedication and style that the studio has for its videos, though I would always say to not judge a book. However, the printing of the DVD is important. Adhesive labels will peel off in the years to come and may damage DVD players. The alternatives are inkjet-printable surfaces, which allows direct printing on the DVD. This isn't as good as silk-screening, but silk-screens (used on the DVD movies you buy) are expensive and meant for printing thousands of DVDs.

Make sure that you know how many videos you will receive and how much it will cost to get any extra copies beyond that. Also, see if you able to copy the DVD. I only charge for extra DVDs due to time and materials and I allow my clients to copy their video as much as they like. If you have the option of getting the video hosted on a website, find out if there are any extra costs and for how long the video will be hosted for (some places only offer this service for six months). Here is an explanation of my wedding video DVD covers and printing.

Extras

Extras, like a love story option or slide shows, are great. Just remember that some places offer extras to make easy extra money, while the true purpose should be to give the client flexibility and options to satisfy personal preferences. See if the price justifies the service. It's like getting air conditioning (when it is not included) with a new car; it gives the seller a chance to increase revenue on top of a closed sale. Explore the options and flexibility of a videographer, although. It shows skill and talent to be able to cater to each unique client.

Pricing

The truth: Many studios take advantage of the insane markup on wedding services and price accordingly. The best advice I can give is to pay for talent and skill. Expensive video equipment and pre-paid editing templates do not always justify a budget-tightening price. Many places are run by businessmen that hire amateurs. . This does not justify the cost by a long shot, but it allows the studio to have several offices and spend large amounts on advertising and marketing.

So when you are looking at wedding videography package options, try to see what they actually offer beyond flashy terms and "fluff." Many things should come by default with a wedding video montage. Be wary of when things are waved around like a banner (like "including 20 special effects") when they have little bearing on the caliber of the production. The best advice I could give is to look around and weigh the price for the end product. Always see actual weddings, instead of flashy promo clips that do not reflect what you will show your loved ones in the years to come.

10 Secrets to Shooting Great Wedding Videos

Have you wanted to use your camcorder and video equipment to make some money, or are you already shooting live events? Shooting and producing wedding videos is a great way to profit from your equipment and experience. Whether you’re just entering the videography field or looking to add wedding videography to your list of services, these 10 insider secrets will help you produce professional wedding videos, right from the start.
Excerpted from The Video Guide to Professional Wedding Videography

1. Choose the Right Gear.
Video equipment becomes obsolete very quickly because of the constant advancements in technology. You don’t need the highest-end gear to shoot great wedding videos; the basics will do just fine. The basic equipment that you’ll need to shoot wedding videos includes a fluid head tripod, remote microphone system and an audio mixer. Oh, and a digital format camcorder, of course.

2. Back up your audio.
Audio for wedding videos can be touchy. Remote microphones may pick up some voices better than others and last minute glitches could prevent you from getting any audio at all. This is why many wedding videographers are investing in Sony Mini-Disc recorders to back up their audio. The recorder allows you to back-up your audio from the ceremony and the reception. The MD recorder is easily carried in the groom’s pocket, with a lavaliere microphone.

3. Understand LUX Ratings.
LUX is a measurement of camera sensitivity that is important to consider when purchasing a video camera. Cameras with lower LUX ratings produce better video in low light situations than cameras with higher LUX ratings. For wedding videography, which most often takes place in low light situations; churches, synagogues, reception halls, it is necessary to use a camera with a low LUX rating. The more sensitive to light your video camera is, the better quality wedding shots you’ll get, and the more professional the finished wedding video will be.
4. Attend the rehearsal.
Unless you can attend the wedding rehearsal, you probably shouldn’t book the job. Attending the rehearsal and planning ahead can easily avoid problems with lighting, microphone placement, and blocked views. The rehearsal also gives you another chance to consult with the bride and groom. Any last minute requests for their wedding video that they, or you, may have can be discussed before the wedding day rush is on.

5. Get “B-roll” coverage.
“B-roll” (which stands for”Before-Rol”) coverage is of critical importance to the professional quality of your wedding video production. To get B-roll footage, simply use a tripod to take exterior shots of the building in which the event will take place, stained glass or other architectural features, the food and flower arrangements and any other special touches you notice.
In addition to these still shots, begin videotaping about 20 minutes before the wedding is to begin, in order to get shots of the guests being seated, and audio of the music played before the ceremony.

6. Test your audio.
Testing your audio before the ceremony is the best way to avoid common audio problems. To test your audio, make sure to arrive at the wedding location at least two hours early, in order to set up your equipment and check it out, and have time to fix any problems that you find. Another good tip is to monitor the audio with your headphones to be sure that it has a professional quality.

7. Concentrate on close-ups.
It is extremely important to get close-up shots at the wedding. Close-ups make your images look sharper and they allow you to capture emotion in your wedding video. Be sure to get close-up shots of the bride and groom, the wedding party, and the parents throughout the wedding and the reception, and use them frequently.

8. Anticipate and follow the action.
In order to shoot a professional wedding video, you must anticipate and follow the action throughout the wedding, especially if you’re doing a one-camera shoot. You only get once chance to capture the action at a wedding ceremony, be prepared for whatever is coming. Talking to the couple and attending the rehearsal ceremony will help you to know what’s happening next, and your camera moves will be more fluid. Anticipating and following the action is key to shooting a professional wedding video.

9. Focus on capturing the event, not creating a special effects film.
There are many opportunities and options for special effects when creating a wedding video. However, special effects such as slow motion, layering graphics, and editing backgrounds work well in wedding videos only to a point. It is very important to remember that shooting a wedding video is all about capturing an important event, not creating a video with the most special effects. Remember to keep your focus on the couple, the ceremony, and the emotion of the wedding, and use special effects wisely.

10. Finish the job on time.
After you’ve shot the wedding ceremony and the reception, it’s time to produce the finished video. Make sure to allow at least a week of postproduction to finish the job on time. A week should give you time to transfer footage to your system, catch up with other possible clients, editing the ceremony, the reception, and the pre-and-post ceremonies, as well as transferring to tape or DVD and preparing the packaging. Remember that the MOST important part of post-production is delivering the finished video ON TIME. The married couple will be anxious to see their wedding video, and are depending on you to deliver it on the date and time that you promised. Your reputation, and your future clientele, depends on your ability to finish like a pro by producing a professional wedding video on time and on budget.

Essential Video Tutorials For Shooting & Editing Video

Over the last several years I have shot about three dozen weddings using a Canon GL2 and various versions of Apple’s iMovie. When I first started out, I paid for a couple of video tutorials to help learn the craft, but nowadays you can learn all the basics by watching (and practicing!) free online video tutorials.
I’ve gone through many of the YouTube tutorials on how to make videos and picked out some of the most useful ones. Some of the best are from Videomaker magazine, a longtime resource for videographers, both professional and hobbyists.
One of the first things you need to learn about shooting video is how to hold a camcorder. After viewing these videos, you’ll see that it’s not as obvious as you may think.

1. These two videos, Basic Hand-Held Shooting Tips, and Pans and Tilts 101 cover techniques for hand-holding, zooming, panning, tilting with a hand-held camcorder.

2. The Seven Deadly Sins of Camerawork This is probably the first video you should watch because it presents common mistakes (e.g. excessive camera shaking, excessive zooming, and poor cutting) that make many videos uninteresting to watch.
3. The basics of video shooting is learning various types of shots for interesting productions. When you start learning shot types you’ll begin to recognize them in all the best Hollywood movies you see. Graspr, the Instructional Video Network, has some very good Video 101 tutorials in this area. I suggest watching Close-up and Wide Shots, Cutaway Shots and Camera Angle. In fact, the entire series should be viewed.

Ads by Google

4. The best video productions are almost always effectively edited. Editing video is as much a skill as an art. Movie Maker and Adobe Premiere Elements are the introductory video editors for PC users. Tutorials for using these programs include Movie Maker Video Editing Tutorial and PalmBreezeCAFE’s three-part introduction to Adobe Premiere Elements.

For iMovie “˜09 users, the Apple site itself contains a very polished set of videos for organizing and editing your captured clips. Most YouTube videos on iMovie “˜09 primarily present an overview of the program, but a few skilled users have put together introductory tutorials: iMovie 09 Beyond the Basics and iMovie 09 – Advanced Features.
I personally think iMovie “˜09 is more difficult to use than the previous versions of iMovie. So if I still have iMovie “˜06′ HD installed on your Mac I would learn and continue to use it for longer video projects. A 20-part series on YouTube is a good introduction for iMovie HD.
5. If you’re thinking about going into the videography business, you’ll want to check out another Videomaker tutorial, How to Start a Wedding Video Business. This video covers a little about equipment, developing a contract, and how to cover a wedding. It really just scratches the service, but it’s a start. Wedding Videographer Style and The Best Videographer””IOV Award Winners are also a couple of five-minute introductions that will wet your appetite.
There are certainly more advanced and well done videos than the ones listed above. But I would recommend learning and practicing the basics of camcorder shooting and editing before you spend any money on expensive books and tutorials.
If you find this article useful, please let me know by leaving a few comments.

The Fundamentals of Camera Movement

Video camera movement is used for many purposes. It may be used to make an object appear to be bigger or smaller. 

It may be used to make things blurred, scary, or just different. Camera movement techniques are often used, however, to tell a story.
Learning camera movement fundamentals isn't hard. The various camera movement techniques are done either with a mounted camera, a moving camera - where the camera and the photographer move together, or movement of just the camera lens.


Practicing the various camera movement fundamentals will help you learn which camera movement techniques work best for you.
 

 

Technique 1: Mounted Camera Pan
Mounting the camera on a tripod, simply move the camera horizontally from left to right. Pan shots are used to show the viewer more of the scenery. This technique is also often used to show views from high places, such as overlooks. Pan shots should begin with a still shot, then pan, then finish with a still shot. You should practice panning at various speeds until you find the speed that works best for you.
 
Technique 2: Mounted Camera Tilt
A tilt done with a mounted camera is quite simple. You just move the camera up or down, without lowering or raising the position of the camera. This is must like panning, only it is done vertically. This video camera technique is used to follow the subject that you are photographing, or to show the viewer a large object from top of bottom - or from bottom to top.
You should note that when you tilt from bottom to top, the object looks larger or thicker. When you tilt from top to bottom, the object looks smaller or thinner. As with panning, you should begin with a still shot, tilt, then stop on a still shot. Again, practice this technique at various speeds until you find what works for you.
 
Technique 3: Mounted Camera Pedestal
This video camera technique is pretty much the opposite of the tilt technique. You do not tilt the camera, but you either raise or lower the position of the camera. This technique is simply used to get the proper view that you are looking for.
If you wanted to shot pictures of a baby, you would want to lower the camera. If you wanted to shot a tall person, you would raise the height of the camera. The purpose would be to make it appear that the subject is 'eye to eye' with the viewer.
 
Technique 4: Moving Camera Dolly
This video camera movement technique involves the use of a camera dolly, like the camera dolly's you might see on a movie set. You can make your own dolly with a wheelchair, a scooter, a skateboard, a rolling cart, or many other devices that have wheels.
This video camera movement technique is used to follow your subject. The use of a dolly opens up many possibilities, especially when used in conjunction with other techniques. Remember that you will want to be able to roll backwards as well as forward. Practice using this technique, and once you have it down, try mixing it with other techniques.
 
Technique 5: Moving Camera Floating Stabilizer
Floating stabilizer devices are used to follow a subject around twists and turns. The stabilizer is strapped to the photographer, and the camera is mounted to the stabilizer with metal jointed which are controlled by gyroscopes.
This video camera movement technique is a step up from the dolly technique. The movement of a dolly is limited, floating stabilizer devices remove those limitations. As with the dolly technique, you should learn the video camera movement fundamentals of this technique, then try mixing it with other techniques to get different effects.
 
Technique 6: Moving Camera Boom
A camera boom is a smaller version of the cranes that are used for construction. A camera boom is used to get a view of subjects or scenes from above. These are commonly used in filming movies, and the boom moves up, down, and around.
 
Technique 7: Moving Camera Handheld
Using this technique, the photographer simply holds the video camera, and moves wherever, and however, he needs to move to get the shot that he wants. When using this technique, you should avoid using the zoom feature on your camera. Zooming while using the handheld technique will make your shot appear to be shaky. Instead of zooming, move closer to the object you are shooting.
 
Technique 8: Camera Lens Zoom
You can get many different effects when using the zoom feature on your camera. This works well when combined with other video camera movement techniques. You should practice zooming at different speeds, as different situations will call for different speeds of zooming.
Zooming can create many different illusions, which can effect the viewers perception of size and distance. Alternately, zooming can be used to more adequately portray the size or distance to a viewer. It is recommended that you use a tripod when using the zoom technique.
 
Technique 9: Camera Lens Rack Focus
This is an interesting video camera movement technique, which can give your shots more impact. This technique calls for focusing the camera on one object in a close up shot, causing everything in the background to be out of focus, then causing the object itself to become out of focus while the background becomes in focus.
This is done by changing the focal length so that one object will go out of focus while another comes into focus. The two objects must be at a correct distance away from each other for this technique to work, and you will want to use a tripod for this type of shot.
 
Conclusion
Learn how to use all of the features on your camera, then combine the use of those features with different movements to get the most out of your shots. Video camera movement techniques can really spice up your home movies, and give them the style and flair that you see in Hollywood movies!

How to Choose A Computer For Video Editing

If you intend to capture and edit any of your video footage, a computer system is a must. 
It can, however, be confusing for the beginner video enthusiast. Should you use a desktop or a laptop computer? How much processing power is needed? How much hard disk space is needed?

There's a whole multitude of components in a computer - choosing the best components can be tough.

Well, the way I'd approach this problem would be to consider your budget and video editing needs. Let's take a look at the various options.

1. Desktop Computers

When buying a desktop for video editing, try to get a model with a good, large monitor for viewing your video. Ideally, the desktop should also come integrated with a FireWire port so you don't have to buy a separate FireWire card.

The other thing to look out for is a fast enough CPU with ample RAM, so you can run your video editing software smoothly. You don't want a computer which lags when you're opening a video frame or dragging clips on the editing timeline. I'd also look out for a BluRay writer if I intend to create BluRay discs, others you can stick with a normal DVD writer.

Budget Desktop Computer

If you're a budget user, I'd recommend the getting a reasonably powerful computer with an affordable price tag. A budget desktop computer, in my opinion, should come with the following specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo
• RAM: 2 GB DDR2
• Hard disk: 500 GB
• Video card: Integrated with motherboard

These specifications give you the power to handle almost every video editing task. An excellent choice for those who are just starting out in video editing.
 

Mid-range Desktop Computer

If you have a bit more spare cash, or have heavier video editing needs, you can go for a slightly more expensive system. Look out for specifications like:

• CPU: Intel Core i5
• RAM: 4 GB DDR3
• Hard disk: 750 GB
• Video card: Integrated with motherboard

Brand name manufacturers like HP and Dell make very good desktop PCs of practically any configuration you desire. You can also choose to build your own.
 

High-Performance Desktop Computer

For those with quite a big budget, you can go for a system that will provide the ultimate in video editing performance.

• CPU: Intel Core i7
• RAM: 4 GB DDR3
• Hard disk: 1 TB
• Video card: Dedicated graphics card with 512 MB VRAM

2. Laptop Computers

For the mobile user, getting a laptop system may be a better choice. Even if you're at home, getting a laptop for video editing may be better as it allows more freedom of movement.

One good thing about laptops is that the mid to high-end models tend to come with FireWire ports already built in. Many of the high-end models also offer BluRay writer drives which is a boon for video editors.

Of course, laptops come with a bigger price tag. Let's take a look at what laptop systems are suitable for video editing. Again, I classify them according to budget and video editing needs.

Budget Laptop Computer
For a budget laptop computer, you should look out for specifications like:

• CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo
• RAM: 2 GB DDR3
• Hard disk: 250 GB
• Video card: Integrated with motherboard

If you buy a budget laptop, the money you save can then be channeled to buying better video equipment like a camcorders and accessories.

Mid-range Laptop Computer
For a mid-range laptop, I'd say the specs are something like:

• CPU: Intel Core i5
• RAM: 4 GB DDR3
• Hard disk: 300 GB
• Video card: Integrated with motherboard

If you get a mid-range model, it usually comes with an integrated FireWire port - which is good news for video editors.

High-Performance Laptop Computer
Well, those who can afford a bit more will do well to consider the high-end laptops with specifications like:

• CPU: Intel Core i7
• RAM: 4 GB DDR3
• Hard disk: 500 GB
• Video card: Integrated with motherboard

These models come decked out with not only FireWire ports but also great graphics and audio capabilities - usually with gorgeous screen displays.

Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has given you some insight on the choices available when buying a computer for video editing. My suggestion to most people is to go for a system which meets their needs. You also need to consider other users for the computer. Will you use it to play graphics intensive games or do only simple word processing tasks?
Don't waste a ton of money on a super powerful system if you don't need it. Considering these factors will help you choose a proper computer system.

Top 5 Video Editing Software Programs For Video Hobbyists

If you're new to the digital video hobby, one of the things you'll very quickly realize is the need for a good video editing program. A video editing program allows you to add special effects to your otherwise boring video.

You can add in things like titles, transactions, time lapse, audio and even use advanced techniques like chroma key to enhance your video production.

Here are my top 5 recommendations for video editing programs that are suitable for video enthusiasts. Pick one of these programs and learn it well. Once you master the basics, upgrade to more professional level suites and you can really begin editing broadcast quality video.

	Corel VideoStudio Corel VideoStudio is a real gem of a program. You get professional level editing capabilities for a very reasonable price. Some of the special effects I like in the VideoStudio suite include time lapse and stop motion animation. Of course, you can access a huge variety of ready-built templates for titles, transitions, DVD menus and more. Top-of-the-line software and it sits high on my recommendation list.
	Movavi Movavi is a nice little video editing tool for beginners. This video editing and disc authoring application features an intuitive interface and seamless workflow so that you can easily create professional looking videos. Don't be deceived by the brand. While it is not as well known as Adobe, Corel or Pinnacle, Movavi has been getting a lot of rave reviews on the Internet. Find out more about Movavi here.
	Adobe Premiere Elements Adobe Premiere Elements is considered by many as a 'lite' version of its more commercial cousin Adobe Premiere Pro. Premiere Elements offers the perfect combination of creative control and reliability for home video editing. Whether you just quickly edit your footage, add fun effects, and create custom DVDs, or experiment with more complex effects, this software package will allow you to do it. Very nice option for those intending to upgrade to Adobe Premiere Pro at some point.
	Nero Software I used to love Nero for its DVD burning software. Nero has now moved on into video editing and the outcome is no pushover. You get solid capabilities like basic editing tools, transitions, effects also also a nice variety of output formats for your video production. Again, not as well known as your Adobe, Corel or Pinnacle video editing suites, but a solid option if you just want a small, neat video editor.
	Pinnacle Studio Pinnacle Studio is a full fledged editing tool which competes directly alongside Corel VideoStudio. In my view, Pinnacle Studio can let you do everything you want with your digital video at the beginner and intermediate levels. Whether you want simple transitions and titles, or complex options like chroma key, Pinnacle Studio has it all. One of the better video editors and also high on my recommendation list.

Conclusion

Which of these video editing programs would you pick? Well it's a close fight between Corel VideoStudio and Pinnacle Studio. Both of these products are simple enough for beginners yet have sophisticated features for intermediate level users. I also like Movavi for its amazing and fun approach to editing videos.
These programs will satisfy your video editing needs for a long time to come. Once you get comfortable with these programs, you can then venture into professional video editing with suites like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.

Top 5 Free Video Editing Software Programs

There are many free video editing software programs available for download today, but not all of them are good.

Many programs simply don't do what the manufacturers say that they will do, and others don't provide enough - or any support.
Of course, most free software does not include the same level or quality of support that you would expect to find with software that you purchase commercially.
While it is true that you get what you pay for, there really are some good free video editing software available out there.

Here are the top five that we have found:

	Microsoft Movie Maker Already installed on newer computers that are running Windows XP, Movie Maker has drag and drop features to make creating and editing your movie easier. Microsoft has many add-ons for this software, and upgrades are available through the website. This is one of the best free video editing software programs available.
	Apple iMovie Apple iMovie is comparable to Windows Movie Maker, but Apple iMovie is used on the Mac operating system. Apple iMovie has many advanced features and add-ons. Unfortunately, the software is only free if you buy a new Mac system. If you want the software without buying the system, it is available for purchase separately. One of the best free video editing programs available for Mac users.
	Avid FreeDV Avid FreeDV is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems, and includes basic video and audio editing capabilities, as well as up to two streams of real-time effects. On the whole, a solid video editing program that is slightly hard to use, but very powerful once you learn its ins and outs.
	Wax Wax is a high performance and flexible free video editing software program. It started out as a college project, and has since grown. Wax is good for both home users and professionals. It can be used as a stand-alone application, or as a plug-in to other video editors. The software also features unlimited video and audio tracks with top-down compositing.
	Zwei-Stein Zwei-Stein is great free video editing software, but the user interface is very technical. It is full featured, offering many different effects. It can edit up to 256 video, audio, and still image clips. There are up to 64 effects, which can be chained serially. An interesting program that's worth looking at.

Conclusion

Microsoft Movie Maker for Windows users, and Apple iMovie for Mac users are probably the two easiest to use free video editing software programs available. Both products will allow you to very quickly perform simple video editing tasks.

However, if you want to able to add more interesting effects and transitions to your videos, you might want to check out commercial video editing software. These programs provide very intuitive user interfaces to complete basic editing tasks, but are also complex enough to let you experiment with advanced video effects.

Guidelines for Shooting Quality Videos

Have you ever had this experience? You grab your new digital camcorder (replete with the latest features) and happily shoot that wonderful family event or vacation.

Only later do you realize that the video footage was too dark, or the video quality was terrible. Isn't that a terrible feeling? What makes it worse is that you can never re-shoot that video as the happy moments are now gone. The best way of avoiding these problems is to learn some basic video shooting skills. You need not learn complex cinematography or directorial skills, of course. But you should have some fundamental knowledge of what goes into a good video shoot and doesn't.

Let's take a look at these shooting tips in turn.
 

1. Avoid Zooming In and Out Too Much

Many digital camcorders come with a super duper 1000X zoom in and zoom out feature. This is a good thing, but the problem is, many people get carried away. I've seen countless videos which keep zooming in and out during the shoot - they generally succeed in giving me a bad headache. Use the zoom in and out feature sparingly. Even if you must use it, do it slowly. A slow, well-controlled zoom is much more professional looking than a quick zoom. Another tip is to restrict the usage of the zoom in between scenes.
 

2. Steady Does It

The professionals always say "Keep It Steady". There is no doubt that when we're shooting videos, our hands tend to vibrate a little. If the vibration is too much, it will badly affect the quality of the video footage. There are two ways to overcome this.
One way is to do it like the professionals - get a good tripod stand. These can be obtained rather cheaply. Another way is to brace yourself against something like a wall, or perhaps stoop down on your knee while filming.
 

3. Where Are You?

One tip that I've picked up while shooting family vacations is to always, always look for a landmark, a sign or natural monument that tells the audience where you are.
Do you notice the professionals do this as well? For example, in the movies, you may see the camera zooming in on the Statue of Liberty first, before cutting to a scene that happens within. Or there is a shot of the White House before the director cuts into a scene within the Oval Room. Another tip is to make the people you're filming talk or smile. This makes the whole video much more lively and interesting.
 

4. The End or The Beginning?

Another good video shooting trick is to use the end of the story at the start of the video. Again, experts do this all the time. If you're filming a wedding video, you can start off with an interview of the happily married couple on the wedding day before you cut off into scenes of how they met, how they grew up, etc.
 

5. Keep Them Short and Simple

Never, ever, shoot long, drawn out video clips of more than two minutes. It bores the audience to death! Using many short clips of 5 to 10 seconds duration is much more effective. It also brings variety to the audience. Imagine if a television commercial lasted two minutes focusing on the same video scene - wouldn't that be boring?
 

6. Lighting, Lighting, Lighting

Of all the factors listed here, nothing spoils a video shoot as much as poor lighting. Sure, you can use video editing software to brighten up the scenes, but they can only do so much.
I've seen many innovative videos marred by poor lighting. One important tip is to shoot video with the light source behind you, shining on the subject. An example is an outdoor shot where the sun is shining. Make sure the sun shines on your subject and not on your camera lens! Another tip is to use the camera's backlight feature if there is one. It allows you to compensate for overly bright light.
 

7. Change Your Perspective

Don't limit your shots to one angle only. Approach your subject from all angles. Come from behind, come from the top, whatever. Perhaps you can even film yourself walking up the steps and opening a bedroom door before reaching your subject.
 

8. Learn from The Movies

You'd be surprised how much you can learn about shooting video from the movies. Very often, we just sit down and let the movie scenes come at us without considering what went through the director's mind. Try it - for once, when you watch your next movie, consider how the director framed that shot or scene. You will learn a lot and maybe even get interested in directing films!
 

9. Conserve the Battery

I've seen or heard so many people forgetting about the battery that I must emphasize it here. Please buy extra batteries! Preferably two extra batteries. Nothing is worse than shooting a video outdoors and having the battery die on you. Also, always bring the AC adapter too - so that you can charge your current battery whenever time permits.
 

10. Check The Sound

This tip may not be important for the average home user. But if you're a serious videographer, you'll have a microphone attached to your camcorder. Microphones are an essential tool for sound focusing and result in better audio quality during video shoots.
 

Conclusion

It's not tough picking up better shooting skills. Once you've learnt the basics, I assure you it will come to you very naturally, almost like riding a bicycle or swimming. If you're truly interested in enhancing your shooting skills, I'd recommend you check out some books on the topic. This was the way I learnt digital videography - reading, reading and more reading - then constantly experimenting with what I learnt.

Ten Tips to Better Video

So, you want to make your videos better, but you don't want to read every article on the camcorderinfo.com website. Well, improving your videos really isn't that hard, and if you follow just some of the advice in this article, you'll be well on your way to making them better. Here are ten tips for making your videos better:
1. Get a good Tripod, and Use It - The first step in improving your videos is stabilizing them. Your camcorder may have built-in image stabilization, but it can only compensate for so much motion. One of the best ways to improve the appearance of your videos is to get a quality tripod. While some camcorders come with tripods, very cheap or give-away tripods tend not to provide a very good shooting base. $100-200 is the starting range for tripods that will be sturdy and offer smooth movements. Be sure to get a tripod with a head specifically designed for video.
2. Learn When to Pan, Zoom and Use Other Moves - One of the most common video mistakes is making constant movements and adjustments. Be deliberate when making adjustments, don't make changes without a reason. Take a shot of something and leave it there for 10-20 seconds, stop the recording and take another shot. Don't quickly pan the camera from one subject to another. When panning and zooming, use slow, smooth, and deliberate motions. This will make your videos much more watchable.
3. Do a Little Shot Composition - The purpose of taping something is so you will be able to remember and enjoy it later. Before you hit the red button, look at your shot and see if you have everything in it that you want and that it is framed nicely. Do this as you would if you were taking a still picture; prior to pressing 'record,' not after. Good shot composition uses the 'Rule of Thirds.' This is where you treat the screen as being divided into a tic-tac-toe pattern (see figure 1). When framing a person, you want their eyes on the top line and the center of their head on the left or the right line (i.e., facing inward). Although this may cut off the top of the subject's head, it will provide the proper balance and really make your shot look professional.

4. Learn Your Camcorder Like the Back of Your Hand - The best videographers know every function of their camcorder and could operate it with their eyes shut. Having good knowledge of your camcorder's features and functions is a necessary element of making better videos. The most obvious need for this knowledge is to allow you to always have your eye in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen, not looking away at the controls to zoom, focus, or make other corrections. More than just knowing where each control is, you should learn all the how image settings like white balance, exposure, and backlight affect the image.
5. Tell a Story - If you don't have the time to formally edit your videos, use in camera editing (i.e., the fancy name for pressing record and pause at just the right times) to neatly follow some chronological path and tell a story. People will more likely feel compelled to watch your videos if they tell a story. It matters less what the story is about than how well it's told. You don't have to narrate your videos to tell a story; the pictures can do that. Take a wedding for example. First, we get a shot of the outside of the church. Then, we get some good interior shots of the church to show what it looks like. During the ceremony, get shots of the bride and groom as well as family members' reactions. You've now told a story about the wedding that will be interesting to watch. (see figure 2.)

6. Put a Tiny Amount of Money into a Lavaliere Microphone - The best audio purchase that you can make if you're mostly doing home videos is a lavaliere (lav) microphone (see figure 3). It's designed to clip onto the clothing of the subject (e.g., lapel, tie, or collar), near their mouth, and plug into the camcorder to pick up the best possible speech audio. Lavs are also small enough that you can hide one somewhere in a scene to pick up better sound than a camera mounted mic. If you really don't think you would put a lav to any use, then consider some other external mic, such as a shotgun or handheld. The reason for doing this is simple; your on-camera microphone cannot be placed any closer to the audio source than where the camera is. Even the best on-camera microphones will not do an adequate job of picking up soft sounds at a distance. Additionally, the unwanted sounds between you and your subject will be picked up, and with many on-camera mics, this can include sounds to the side and behind the camera as well. External mics start at around $30. It's great to have one in your bag if a situation that calls for a mic comes up.

7. Look Into Lighting - A lot of image quality problems can be solved by employing some simple lighting techniques. You may not want to invest in or have the desire to carry an entire lighting kit with you where ever you go, but you can make the best of the natural or available lighting situations that you face. Whenever possible, shoot in a well-lit area. Make sure there is not bright light like the sun behind a subject. If your subject is standing in a bad lighting situation, have them move into better light if possible and the video will look much better.
8. Interviews - A great way to improve your videos is to interview subjects. Interviews can provide good insights through the actual words of the people involved. No matter what the event is, a baseball game, picnic, wedding, or party, interviews can add a nice touch. When doing an interview, frame the shot with the head and upper chest showing and with the subject off-center to one side or the other. As the interviewer, you do not need to be in the shot, but rather stand next to the camera. Stand on the side of the camera that will be the open side of the shot, and have the interviewee face you. Tell the interviewee NOT to look at the camera, but just carry on a normal conversation with you and keep eye contact. This may seem awkward but it works really well and it is how almost all professional interviews are done (see figure 4). Remember to leave plenty of space in the shot to allow for the interviewee to move naturally and nod. This way they won't slip out of the shot.

9. Pack Well - Every videographer has their favorite video goodies that they keep in their bag, but there are some basic things that every camcorder owner should carry with them. One thing is a special lens cleaning cloth that does not scratch the lens, commonly used for glasses these cloths are great for wiping down the camera lens or LCD screen. Another is an extra battery (put the money into buying an extra long life battery so you 'never' run out). A pen, pad of paper, and extra labels are also essentials. Bring as much extra videotape as you can comfortably carry. It's also good to carry a set of RCA cables (video cables) because you never know when you'll need them. A roll of tape to secure cords and other things is a good bring-along, as well as anything else that you think will make shooting videos easier.
10. Have Fun! - They key to making good videos is enjoying yourself. Always find new and interesting things to do and to shoot to make your camera experiences fun and exciting. Experiment with your camera and see what you enjoy and what works well for you. Remember that if you're having fun, so will your viewers!
http://www.camcorderinfo.com

Camera

Introduction

This tutorial is an overview of video cameras as they pertain to the newspaper industry. As newsrooms become more converged, investment in multimedia equipment is becoming a major factor in purchasing decisions.
Since most print-based newsrooms have little experience in video technologies, this tutorial will help demystify some of the lingering questions regarding video camera equipment purchases.
When purchasing video equipment, one must first break down all of the elements that should be taken into consideration with video capture.
Here are some considerations to make:

What level of camera does my paper need?

A high-end professional camera can actually put an undue burden on an organization with limited resources and staff with technical ability. In some cases, higher-end cameras actually come with fewer automatic features and fewer accessories than their consumer counterparts. Some require the separate purchase of microphones and lenses that usually come standard with consumer-grade cameras. A news organization should be realistic about its needs and funding capabilities. On the other side, a high-end camera offers a huge amount of flexibility to people who are familiar with video or photo camera equipment. Most photojournalists would likely opt for professional-grade equipment.

What media type does the camera capture to?

This is often a difficult choice to make, because there is no best answer. The various media that each camera records to offers different advantages and disadvantages — and at different price points. Most of the time the decision revolves around convenience, durability, capacity and longevity. Hard drive cameras are popular because it makes video transfer a simple process; however, they are well known to be more fragile than tape and solid-state media. DVD cameras are convenient, but have limited storage and also suffer from some durability issues. Tape seems to be one of the best solutions, even for archiving, but isn't very convenient as the logging process is done in real-time. Memory cards, or solid-state media, is quickly becoming a popular choice, but limits the amount of footage you can capture at any given time. We currently recommend purchasing a camera that uses either MiniDV tapes or a solid-state memory card, like SDHC.

Do I need a high-definition camera?

Anyone in the broadcast industry will tell you that HD has become the standard today. While primarily used in the broadcast industry, the Internet is also seeing a proliferation of HD content on sites like YouTube. A news organization could choose to be proactive and start capturing HD content now, or wait until it really gets traction in the industry. The down side to going HD is that it presents a host of challenges with storage and processing, and could end up being a major investment. Either way, no one doubts that HD will play a big part in the future of all media delivery.

What types of accessories will I need to purchase along with the camera?

This is often the most overlooked aspect of purchasing electronic equipment. Most vendors actually sell big priced equipment like cameras at cost and make their money off of the accessories. Often the accessories alone can add up to half the cost of the camera, if not more. Consider the following accessories which might cost more than you think: camera bag, extra batteries, microphones, filters, memory cards, tapes, chargers, tripod and earphones.

What software will I be using to edit this footage?

Software may not typically be part of the discussion in purchasing new equipment, but it should be. You must first make sure the camera footage is compatible with the software solution you plan to choose. Most video editing software can log tape footage, but not necessarily DVD or the newer AVCHD (memory card-based footage). Find a software solution that is right for your organization and is compatible with your computer systems. Consider the workflow before you purchase the camera.

How this tutorial is written:

In this tutorial, we have narrowed down current video cameras into three grades of complexity and price:

• Professional
• Prosumer
• Consumer

Some could argue what this tutorial considers "professional" is less than such by high-end broadcast standards; so note that this was written to pertain to print news organizations attempting to purchase video equipment for the first time.

Lighting For Video & Television

Video lighting is based on the same principles as lighting for any other visual media. If you haven't done so already, you should read through our general lighting tutorials before reading this page, which deals specifically with lighting issues for video.

---

Light Sources

All video uses some sort of lighting, whether it be natural light (from the sun) or artificial lights. The goal of video lighting is to choose the best source(s) to achieve your goals.
First and foremost you need enough light. You must ensure that your camera is able to record an acceptable picture in the conditions. With modern cameras this is seldom a problem except in very low light or strong contrast.
Assuming you have enough light, you must then consider the quality of the light and how the various light sources combine to produce the image.
If you have clashing light sources (e.g. artificial interior lights with sunlight coming through the windows), you may find the colours in your image appear unnatural. It's best to control the light sources yourself if possible (e.g. turn off the lights or close the curtains).
When moving between locations, think about what light source you are using. If you move from an outside setting to an inside one with artificial lights, the amount of light may seem the same but the colour temperature will change according to the type of lights. In this case you need to white balance your camera for the new light source.

---

Contrast Ratio

Contrast ratio is the difference in brightness between the brightest and darkest parts of the picture. Video does not cope with extreme contrast as well as film, and nowhere near as well as the human eye. The result of over-contrast is that some parts of the picture will be too bright or too dark to see any detail. For this reason you need to ensure that there is not too much contrast in your shot. See Camera Contrast Ratio for more details.

---

Camera-Mounted Lights

The camera-mounted light is an easy, versatile solution used by amateurs and professionals alike. Typically the light will draw power from the camera battery, although a separate power supply can be used. Be aware that lights which draw power from the camera battery will significantly shorten the battery's charge time.
This type of lighting does not create pleasing effects. it is a "blunt instrument" approach which is really only designed to illuminate the scene enough to allow normal camera operations. However it is a simple, practical solution.

---

Night-Mode Video Shooting

Some cameras offer a special "night vision" option which allows you to shoot with virtually no light. This mode uses infrared light instead of normal visible light.
This is useful in extreme circumstances when you have no other option. Unfortunately the results tend to be poor-quality monochrome green.
Of course, you can use this mode for a special effect if it suits the content.