You’re shooting video of your family. All you have to do is aim the camera and keep it pointed at your kids, right? After all, it’s only your home movies. Why should you try to do more? Well if you don’t think you should do more, stop reading right now. For the rest of you, let’s have a little change of perspective.
The idea that you shouldn’t think big just because you’re only shooting video of your kids is backward. Nothing is more important than your family. So, what does it mean to think big or think like a big director? It means you shouldn’t put limits on yourself. Don’t accept that pointing your camera and letting it do the rest is the best you can do. You should look for ways to improve your shooting.
“I don’t have a big budget, so I can’t get good shots”
You have a choice. You can dwell on your limitations, or you can shoot with the determination to get the best shots possible. Shooting movies can be difficult. Professional cameras are certainly better than most consumer cameras. “Real” movies are usually technically better looking than “home” movies. So what? Should that stop you? Is the quality of the camera the only factor in getting good shots? No.
During the years I’ve run Patchin Pictures®, I have heard lots of comments from people about well-shot video and poorly-shot video. The most telling comment that demonstrates people’s backward thinking comes when someone sees our demo video. He’ll say, “Wow. That’s a really nice shot. What camera did you use?” People don’t ask, “How long did you have to wait for the light to be so perfect through those trees?” They don’t ask, “How did you follow that bike rider so well when he was going so fast?” I never hear, “The background looks so soft that the people really stand out.” No, it’s always, “What camera did you use?” They’re just asking the wrong question.
You Can’t Send Your Camera Out to Shoot For You
I want to tell people that I just send out my Videomatic, and it does everything for me. It’s an all-seeing, all-knowing camera that gets all my shots, and I don’t even have to look at the view screen. But that’s just a thought for my own amusement. The best thing I can do is help people learn that it’s the shooter, not the camera who gets good shots. And if the shooter doesn’t take control of the shots, the best camera in the world is useless.
Don’t Just Point and Shoot
Shoot with a purpose and ask yourself, “How can I shoot better?” Some of the things you can control to improve your shooting are:
The composition of your shot.
The location of your camera and/or subject.
The exposure (brightness/darkness) of your image.
The stability of your camera.
The movement of your camera.
The direction of light on your subjects (in more situations than you might think).
The use of your zoom lens.
Your knowledge of how your camera works.
Learning to control these things will help you think bigger, but if you need inspiration, watch good movies, or at least movies with good cinematography. (Cinematography is the art of lighting and shooting motion pictures). Most people don’t bother to think about why a movie looks good. Some don’t even notice the difference between good shooting and bad. Pay attention, and you’ll discover a new layer to watching movies.
What is “Good” Shooting?
Not sure what a “good” movie is? Look up movies that have been nominated for or have won Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards. The Best Picture choices may not be agreeable to you, but the Best Cinematography nominees and winners are often right on. Watch those movies and be aware of the shots. Ask yourself what they might have done to get a good shot and how you might apply that method to your own home movies.
Look for all the things that you can control. When you’re shooting, don’t just put everything in the center of your shot. Try new angles and camera positions. Make sure you’re recording an image that is bright (or dark) enough for your subject. Keep your camera still when the shot calls for stillness. Be creative with camera movement when it makes sense (or when you feel like it). Watch out for ugly shadows, and position your camera or subject so the light looks good. Try your zoom lens in different positions, and note the differences. And most of all: be prepared. Know how to control your camera by practicing the use of your camera’s controls.
Take Control of One Thing and Make a Difference
I know that’s a lot of information, but you don’t have to do everything at once. Just start trying some of these suggestions, and you’ll see improvements in your videos. Be patient with yourself. You have to start somewhere, but don’t wait. Make a point to do at least one thing better every time you shoot. That’s the beginning of thinking bigger, and more to the point, it’s the beginning of shooting better videos.
Remember: It’s All About Having Fun Watching Your Videos
You’ll have even more fun when you watch your new/improved videos because they’ll look better, and they’ll be more interesting. Having fun watching your home videos is the reason you shoot them in the first place.
We’re posting details on how to shoot better videos. Look for our other video-related blogs. If you have any topics you would like us to discuss, please let us know.
About the Author:
Steve Patchin is Founder and General Manager of Patchin Pictures®. Patchin Pictures® specializes in Making the Movies of Your Life®. We will produce your videos for you or help you make them yourself. Call us today for a free consultation on Making the Movies of Your Life®. That’s why we’re here. Let’s make movies together.
