Today’s Great Filming Tip: How to Focus Your Video Camera

Almost all of the new video cameras have the auto focus feature. This is great when on the go and you need to get the shot in a flash but what about when you are filming something such as a concert, dance recital or your child’s first play at school?

If you have ever seen someones video of one of these events then you will notice when on auto focus the picture will go in and out of focus over and over again. The way to make sure that the focus will stay locked on is to zoom in on the stage, let the auto focus do its thing and then lock the focus on manual. Most video cameras have this feature.

Take a few minutes and check your owners manual on how this works on your camera.

If you are in a seat and not moving toward or away from the stage the focus will stay perfect throughout the performance.

If there is an intermission and you turn your camera off then turn it back on again to film the second act then you will need to do the manual focusing process again.

You will be happy with the results and so will your audience. So, Keep it straight, keep it steady and keep it in focus.

Let us know what you would like to learn more about filming and videos by leaving a comment below and you can also leave a comment for “What’s your greatest challenge when filming or producing videos?” And be sure to sign up for our blog posts to be delivered to your inbox so you’ll always know when we post!

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John Koterba– Videographer, Video and Audio Editor - has 30 years of video production experience. Specializing in the video production of live special events such as: Conferences and Seminars, Informercials, College Audition videos, Variety Shows, Concerts, Drama Plays, and has filmed in Europe sixty eight times. He has been called to film private audiences with Pope John Paul II in the Vatican thirteen times. A talented and extraordinaire videographer and editor, John produces high quality videos for Mr. Donald Trump’s events in Florida and Atlantic City! To speak to John about filming your next event or producing videos for your web site please please email us at info@kickstartwebsites.com or visit Lightning Videos today!

Categories : Media, Videos

Feb
17

Filming Tip #3: Video Panning

by Contributing Author: John Koterba, Videographer and Editor

Today’s Great Filming Tip: Video Panning

Slow Down!

Do you want to make people sick with all that movement?

When video panning from one scene to another do it slowly. You are not filming a car race, or are you?
Keep it straight and pan slowly.

I can’t remember how many people have told me about someones video that they had to watch and almost got sick because of the fast video panning from one thing to another.

So remember SLOW DOWN and your vids will be easier to watch.

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Categories : Media, Videos

Feb
3

Filming Tip #2

by Contributing Author: John Koterba, Videographer and Editor

Today’s Great Filming Tip: Backlight

Backlight can ruin a shot that can otherwise be a great one.

When filming someone or something and there is any kind of light behind them, a lamp or a window or the sun, you need to move your subject so that the light is on their face and not their back. If you have the light in your face when taking a picture or filming video you will have a problem unless you have a camera that can adjust for backlight.

The newer cameras with touch screen capabilities such as the iphone can adjust for this. On most digital still cameras you can point the lens at your subjects feet and press the shutter button and hold it half way down, this will lock the exposure for a proper exposure and then frame your subject and take the picture. The background will look a little washed out but your subject is what matters.

Now on video cameras, depending on which you own, you can also aim down at your subjects feet and lock the exposure. Most have a manual button and will let you lock the exposure by either touching the screen or pushing an exposure lock button. But if you have control of the situation the easiest way is to just move yourself or your subject so that the light is not directly behind them. If you experiment with this now before you have a situation that you only have a few seconds to get the shot, you will be ready for it. Always practice and learn what your camera can do.

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Categories : Media, Videos

Jan
20

Filming Tip #1

by Contributing Author: John Koterba, Videographer and Editor

Today’s Great Filming Tip: Keep it Straight!

One of the biggest mistakes I see on video [and in pictures] is the old first grade mistake of filming something with a slanted background.

Slanted – WRONG!

When filming a wide shot of the Grand Canyon or your little sister jumping on the trampoline, keep an eye on the background or horizon. Anyone looking at your vids will notice this little but very big mistake. Now, if you’re shooting a heavy metal music vid and want a lot of movement and flare then it’s OK. But remember everything else should be level. Never film anything sideways, you will definitely be sorry when you play it back later.

Level – RIGHT!