Video Production Tips - # 8 Shooting Techniques

There are many camera movements and angles to make your video more interested. Here is a list of things you can do and things you should avoid doing:

1. Get to the same level as your subject. If your shooting a child, bend down to their level to make things more interesting.
2. Use a dolly to move the camera around smoothly. A car or skateboard work well for this.
3. Try to avoid zooming while you record. Our eyes cant zoom naturally so its confusing to watch. Instead, zoom to compose your shot, then record. Zooms can add interest to a shot if its a slow steady zoom.
4. Don't make the camera movements distracting. If your moving a camera it should only add to what the viewer is seeing, not take away. 
5. Panning - 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.
6. 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.
7. To reduce camera shake, move closer to your subject and zoom out. If you are zoomed in your camera will magnify each shake and it will be nauseating.
8. A crane is used to get really high angles. I've used balloons filled with helium to create this effect cheaply. Just be sure you secure it to something so you don't lose your camera.

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!

- Chimera Productions