For an artist, the ultimate fulfillment arises from the recognition your work receives and its capacity to resonate with others. As a novice, this often begins with your closest friends, family, and a select few individuals who are genuinely enthusiastic about supporting your budding journey. It is essential to your growth to reach more people and learn how to improve your craft. A few subtle and some not-so-subtle changes can elevate your art to new heights of excellence, and with that will come recognition. Here are nine tips to improve your videography skills:
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Table of Contents
Equipment Changes a Lot
The video and film industries have made significant strides in the past few years with more technology allowing for better picture and aesthetics. Some of these are on the higher end and require large studios, but as a starting artist, you can access some of these technologies and improve your video quality and skills.
One of the technologies you can utilize is 4K or 8K video quality. To achieve this, you must get cameras delivering such brilliant picture quality. Many platforms today are 4K enabled, and many people have displays and screens that allow them to enjoy that level of resolution. Aerial footage from a drone, when used effectively, can significantly improve the overall impact of the video.
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Lighting
When shooting outside in natural light, you have to be careful not to overexpose the picture, and you can use reflectors to redirect light. If you are shooting indoors, you can utilize softboxes or bounce light off surfaces to achieve a more natural feel to the lighting. However, lacking light or having poor light can make your investment in high-quality equipment seem like a waste.
Lighting plays a critical role in highlighting essential aspects of a subject and in allowing clear communication of the message of a video to the audience. Always light your subject from the front rather than from behind or the side, as this can cause unflattering shadows.
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Choose the Right Platform to Share Your Work
Depending on your target audience and the scope of your desired outreach, you have various platforms at your disposal. For many creators, their choice often revolves around YouTube vs Vimeo. YouTube offers expansive reach and potential monetization, presenting a compelling allure, particularly if your content takes off.
Vimeo primarily hosts a community of fellow creators who are more inclined to share valuable insights to enhance your skills. Your platform preference should align with your goals for your work. Nevertheless, leveraging social media can still amplify your presence on your chosen platform and broaden your impact even further.
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Use Proper Composition Techniques
Composition is all about how you frame and position your subject within the shot. The rule of thirds is a common composition principle that divides the frame into three equal parts horizontally and vertically. Positioning your subject along these lines and at their intersections can create a balanced and aesthetically pleasing shot. You can also use leading lines, which use lines in the shot to direct the viewer’s attention toward the subject. Other composition techniques are framing, symmetry, and negative space.
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The Script
A video with good optics but a poor script will not get your viewers to stick around to the end or even return for another one. You must ensure that your script is well done and the content is essential for entertainment, education, or both.
When you take time to prepare a good script, you will also feel accomplished when you see your work realizing the impact you intend. To get a good script, you must start with a brief to guide your content creation and then research to ensure you have the correct information.
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Capture Smooth and Stable Shots
A basic tripod is a necessary investment to avoid jittery footage. If you need to move the camera, use a gimbal or a Steadicam to achieve smooth and fluid motion. Additionally, it’s best to practice your camera movements and transitions in advance to ensure they look seamless. Some standard camera movements include panning, tilting, zooming, and tracking.
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The Subject
A good actor or presenter should be able to make the audience believe what they are saying while keeping them glued to the screen. They should convey a unique personality that will support the script and connect meaningfully with the audience. They must be eloquent enough for the audience to hear everything they say, which takes practice. Eloquence helps ensure that the information or message you share with the audience is understood clearly.
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Mind the Audio
Audio quality is just as important as video quality. Poor audio can ruin an otherwise good video. Always use an external microphone or a sound recorder to capture high-quality sound. Position the microphone close to the source of the sound, such as the person speaking.
If you are shooting outdoors, use a windscreen to prevent wind noise. Whether it’s dialogue, music, or sound effects, the audio must be of high quality and appropriately synchronized with the video. Sound check before you start shooting to ensure that the audio quality is good.
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Edit with Care
A well-edited video can enhance the overall quality of the footage. Even while the correct camera can provide images with high resolutions and quality, you must still utilize the right software to make the most of it. Various software has different impacts and effects that you can use on your video. Some can help you create special effects to enhance the viewing experience and help to communicate ideas more effectively.
However, be careful not to over-edit and use too many effects. Remove unnecessary footage and add transitions only when necessary. Pay attention to the video’s pacing and use music to create the desired mood. Export the video in the appropriate format and resolution for the platform you will post it on.
Endnote
Using the tips above, you can elevate your videography skills to new levels and even start playing on the same field with the greats. While it will still take practice to achieve the same skill level, implementing these tips will put you on the right path. A skillful videographer can access many opportunities if they can deliver quality work and are professional.
