We all want those moments we capture on film to be not only beautiful and memorable, but also watchable – again and again and again. And while you could just happily point your camera in the right direction and press record, if you really want to make an impact, there are a few tips you’ll want to remember.
Frame It Right
There’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve captured the most awesome of awesome moments, only to watch it back and realise you’ve chopped the head off of the bride and groom as they say their vows.Take the time to frame your shot, it might take a little longer, but you’ll regret it if you don’t. This also means you can experiment with your shots, not only to commit every magical moment to film, but also to engage your audience. A good tip is to keep your subject’s eyes around a third of the way down the screen.
Remember the Audio
A picture speaks a thousand words, right? But that’s not the only thing speaking when it comes to home movies. It’s crucial to get the audio right when filming. After all, if you and the viewers can’t understand what’s being said, if it’s inaudible or too loud it can seriously impact the watchability of your film. And be aware that the mic on a camcorder will be able to pick up every little thing – even you reacting to the shots you’re filming. For the best end-product, it might be worth investing in a microphone, to make sure you capture the best audio possible. And if your camera has a headphone jack, make use of it so you can really judge precisely what’s being picked up.
Get Intimate with the Camera
Sure, Hollywood icons know how to ‘make love’ to the camera – but that’s not what we’re talking about here. This is more about actually understanding all the functions that the little black box of magic can perform. There’s no point leaving everything set to auto – auto-focus, auto-lighting and the like – because that means you’re not really in control of what you’re filming.
If there’s a backlight facility, use it so your subject doesn’t end up as a silhouette. And make use of the manual focus, because nothing is worse than watching the picture blur just as the action starts happening. Toy with the various settings, get to know what each does and you’re sure to have even more success with your home movies.
Here at Video 2 DVD Transfers, we know how important those memories are to you, and we want to make them as special as they can possibly be. That’s why we convert video to DVD, so you can treasure those memories for longer. For more information about our services, please contact us on 0800 592 433 or email info@video2dvdtransfers.co.uk and our professional team will be more than happy to help.