These are suggestions for shooting better video. Feel free to add since this is by no means a complete list.
Learn your equipment. Know what all of the buttons on your camera do.
Learn the “Rule of Thirds” for composing a shot. (google it)
Move the camera slowly. Avoid quick jerky movements.
Don’t count on the camera sound for your video. You will probably get too much wind noise.
Avoid using the zoom while shooting. Use the zoom to compose a shot. NEVER ZOOM IN AND OUT. You very seldom see a zoom on professional productions.
Try to shoot with the light source (sun) behind you.
Try to avoid shooting into or against windows or into a shaded area. Learn what the backlight button does.
If the action is moving from left to right, do not pan from right the left.
If someone is speaking get close enough to see their eyes.
Try not to walk with the camera. Anchor yourself securely. Pan from the waist with your arms locked at your side.
Hold your camera level with the horizon or when down below use the horizontal and vertical lines to level the camera.
Tell a story.
Be aware of what is in the background.
Shoot B roll. These are shots used in editing to cover mistakes or add info to the story. Examples: Close up of grinding a winch, hands steering the boat, shot of the bow wave, smiling faces etc. These can be used to flesh out your story.
Editing
Cut cut cut. Every second you shot is not award winning video. If it’s crap cut it. Use some B roll or even a still frame or digital picture if necessary.
Choose music that fits the mood of video. If the music reaches a crescendo, so should the video.
Personal opinion here: I like instrumental music because I think vocals distract.
Know what your editing software can do. Some of the simplest editing packages can produce amazing things.
Cut between scenes or occasionally dissolve. DO NOT USE ANY OF THE 500 WEIRD TRANSITION EFFECTS YOUR EDITOR HAS BUILT IN.
Learn your equipment. Know what all of the buttons on your camera do.
Learn the “Rule of Thirds” for composing a shot. (google it)
Move the camera slowly. Avoid quick jerky movements.
Don’t count on the camera sound for your video. You will probably get too much wind noise.
Avoid using the zoom while shooting. Use the zoom to compose a shot. NEVER ZOOM IN AND OUT. You very seldom see a zoom on professional productions.
Try to shoot with the light source (sun) behind you.
Try to avoid shooting into or against windows or into a shaded area. Learn what the backlight button does.
If the action is moving from left to right, do not pan from right the left.
If someone is speaking get close enough to see their eyes.
Try not to walk with the camera. Anchor yourself securely. Pan from the waist with your arms locked at your side.
Hold your camera level with the horizon or when down below use the horizontal and vertical lines to level the camera.
Tell a story.
Be aware of what is in the background.
Shoot B roll. These are shots used in editing to cover mistakes or add info to the story. Examples: Close up of grinding a winch, hands steering the boat, shot of the bow wave, smiling faces etc. These can be used to flesh out your story.
Editing
Cut cut cut. Every second you shot is not award winning video. If it’s crap cut it. Use some B roll or even a still frame or digital picture if necessary.
Choose music that fits the mood of video. If the music reaches a crescendo, so should the video.
Personal opinion here: I like instrumental music because I think vocals distract.
Know what your editing software can do. Some of the simplest editing packages can produce amazing things.
Cut between scenes or occasionally dissolve. DO NOT USE ANY OF THE 500 WEIRD TRANSITION EFFECTS YOUR EDITOR HAS BUILT IN.
