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Top 10 Camcorder Tips
1.
Clean the Camcorder Lens
Get into the habit of regularly checking your camcorder
lens for water spots or dust, as this will avoid hours
of ruined footage. Buy a specialist camcorder lens
cleaning kit and use it before any shoot. During filming
give the camcorder lens a wipe whenever you get an
opportunity.
2. Carry a Spare Camcorder Battery
Battery life degrades over time and is usually made
worse by filming in cool conditions. Having a spare
charged camcorder battery is essential.
3. Use a Plug in Microphone
If you plan to have your subject speak to the camera
then consider buying a handheld microphone. These are
inexpensive and can dramatically improve the quality of
speech recorded on tape.
Wind Noise
4. Plan the Shoot / Shoot the Plan
Before you turn the camcorder on, think through what you
are trying to achieve. Who will be watching the footage?
What will they want to see? Five minutes planning will
help you make sure your output will be both entertaining
and relevant.
5. Minimize Zoom
Try to avoid using the zoom facility on your camcorder
wherever possible. You are far more likely to see camera
shake on a heavily zoomed shot. Use the zoom facility
between shots to compose your picture. Digital zoom
should NEVER be selected unless it is essential to film
something at long range where you cannot physically get
closer to the subject. Never zoom in while you are
recording in low light conditions - the auto focus
system will not work consistently. If you do use the
zoom while filming try to restrict it to zooming out -
the auto focus is less likely to hunt or fluctuate while
doing this.
6. Maximize Camcorder Stability
Increased stability means better pictures. Use a tripod
or lean against objects around you such as cars, trees,
walls, other people etc. If it helps you keep the
camcorder still then it is worth doing.
7. Think About Light
Camcorders struggle in poor light conditions. If you can
increase the light where you are filming then the
quality of your footage will improve. Turning on lights
when filming indoors will help, but look out for
silhouettes. If natural light is available then try to
maximise it. If you have no other option then use your
camcorders night filming setting if available.
8. Long Play v Normal Play
Many camcorders have the capability to recorder at a
slower film speed to maximize tape length. Avoid using
this feature if possible as there is a noticeable
degradation in quality that can become a problem when
transferring footage to DVDs or other tapes. Camcorder
tapes are not expensive. Using long play, when using a
camcorder, is a false economy.
9. Hold your shots for three seconds longer
A common mistake is to stop recording too soon. Try to
hold your shot for three seconds longer than 'feels'
right. This will allow plenty of time to insert scene
transitions if your footage is to be edited.
10. minimize noise
If you ever use your camcorder outside then invest in a
fabric microphone cover. Wind noise is amplified by
camcorder microphones and can ruin great footage. You
will have seen TV presenter with woolly socks over their
microphones - this is to reduce wind noise!
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