Camcorders are great for recording video for blogs and online use.
Posting video on YouTube and adding appropriate tags is not only a great way to add value to your own site or blog, but also to attract traffic. In one bold step, you can impress your audience, educate clients, show off your new wares AND draw traffic to your website. Optimizing the video with the right keywords (the ones you are already using in your copy) is always a good idea too. Adding Multimedia to your site doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. This time around, I’ll show you how to record and light video.
Lighting
Standard 3-point lighting. Use for blog videos and interviews.
First and foremost is lighting. Lighting is the most important aspect of any multimedia project, but more so with video. Photographers may be used to using one flash (maybe with a reflector) or available light, particularly sunlight. But video requires some extra attention when it comes to lighting. Thankfully there are some budget methods for lighting, for those of us without unlimited budgets. Remember to look at the scene before shooting. Examine where the light is strong and where the shadows lie. Lighting is not something you are going to correct later very easily, if at all. You will need to get this right first.
Start with a key light and add a lower powered fill light if possible. If you have a third light, add the backing light. A fourth light can also be used to light the background.
Halogen Work Lamp
Like all good ingredients of a budget DIY solution, these are available at any hardware store. They are rated between 150-500 and can be used as a key flood light for lighting large areas. For example, Rona have halogen work lamps for about $15 without a stand; $50 with a stand. The light from these can be rather yellow, so to make it more pleasing (ie closer to white), either purchase a 32K white bulb (ask the friendly people at Rona) or place a blue gel or clear plastic in front of the bulb. Your camera’s white balance will help too,but it’s always best to get things right at the source instead of correcting them later.
Reflectors
To fill in shadows, particularly on the opposite side of a key light, in place of the fill light (see diagram). Almost anything that is white or silver can be used. A quick tour around the house/office/garage/neighbour’s house/neighbour’s garage will probably yield all you need. Some suggestions:
- Windshield sunshade – used to reflect sun in the summer, if you’re lucky enough to live in an area that gets that much sun. If you live in England, try something else.
- Polystyrene sheet or tiles. You may find these in your ceiling. Put them back when you’re done. Don’t say you weren’t reminded.
- Foamcore – available at stationery stores (and some stationary stores too).
- Cardboard with aluminium foil coated on one side. Baking foil can be easily applied with stick glue or white glue.
The Camera
Most laptops come with webcams built-in, which can be surprisingly high in quality. There is also a large number of after-market, external webcams available. Each will have the resolution stated and the compatibility with operating systems. Stay away from budget models as the frame rate can often be lower. HD video at 7fps (frames per second) is impossible to watch; if you’re posting online, lower resolutions at higher frame rates are preferred. Aim for between 15 and 30fps.
You can also use a camcorder with either a USB 2.0 or Firewire (IEEE1394) connection. Simply plugging it in, switching it to record mode and starting your software will be all you need to do. Naturally, refer to the manual to iron this step out, but once it’s connected it will be able to record straight to your computer. I have had great success with a Sony camcorder, even though it is a few years old. True plug-n-play, for once!
Audio
One of the biggest complaints I’ve heard about poor quality video is the standard of the audio. Microphones come in a variety of styles for different applications, but for video you will want to stick to one or two.
Lapel mic
Radioshack sell inexpensive solutions like this tie clip mic. Wireless options will be more pricey, but will make the experience much smoother.
Boom mic
While most handheld mics will be cardioids, a boom mic is usually a condenser attached to a boom. You may see these in DVD outtakes, where the operator has accidentally waved the thing into the shot. Positioned above the actor, these will stay (usually) out of the way and provide high quality audio. This may not exactly be a budget method, but if you have access to one, by all means make use of it.
Copy
Perhaps you don’t have time to memorize your entire script. An easy option is to put it all in a Powerpoint presentation on a laptop positioned near the camera. A remote control held out of camera shot will allow you to switch pages.
Renting Equipment
Alternatively, if you are particularly interested in higher quality video, renting equipment from time to time is an option. For roughly the same price as buying all this lower budget equipment, you could rent a professional rig for a day. Plan the day, get the location and other equipment ready ahead of time, and you’ll be able to shoot a number of short videos that you can then release periodically online.
Software
The most efficient way to record video (on either Windows or Mac platforms) is to use one of the best and easiest to use multimedia applications Quicktime Pro. For $29.99, you will be able to record, edit, encode and upload your video. It also has options for rerecording audio and embedding the finished product into your website or exporting in a format to upload to your blog. If you are a Mac OS X user, Photobooth is a very easy way to record video. For Windows, any software store will have an array of products that will do the job. Remember to look for ease of use and editing capabilites. Forget the list of effects – you won’t need them. And hopefully you won’t use them!
You’re not creating a Lord of the Rings sequel here, simply giving your business some motion, excitement, and a way to spread the word about what you do more efficiently to a wider audience.
Questions
If you have any questions about how to set up your lights, or camera, please ask away. I would be glad to help or at least point you in the right direction. I may be a multimedia expert, but remember that equipment and operating systems vary, as will your mileage.
COMING SOON
How to embed that video using Quicktime, YouTube and maybe some Ductape (keep it handy anyway, you never know when you’ll need it.)
