Camcorders are great for recording video for blogs and online use.
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.)
Refreshing blog. My class mates and I were just talking about this the other night. Also your site looks nice on my old palm treo. Now thats uncommon. Keep it up.
Awesome Blog, Bro! Admitedly I’m an AV aficionado and am constantly on the lookout for new and interesting sites and postings about cool audio video related stuff… which is what led me here. Anyway i just wanted to check in as I certainly plan on visiting again! See Ya
Hello,
Thanks for the advice. We’re looking to purchase a digital camcorder for that exact purpose of recording small bits of footage of building related topics and either uploading to our website, you tube or our blog.
Any suggestions on a digital camcorder to purchase – or things it should have to make the whole recording, editing and uploading to medium easier?
Any assistance would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks for the comment Chantelle. Technology is great – it’s getting cheaper and better all the time, and camcorders are no exception. Since YouTube now supports HD, any HD camera would work well. Check the maximum resolution – it will say 720 or 1080 (or 720p or 1080p). This will just determine how sharp the video will look when viewed fullscreen.
The other things I would consider are tape vs hard drive, and inputs. There are two thoughts on tape – one is that you have to make sure you always have enough on hand, but unlike hard drives, tape cannot crash and may work better in extreme (ie very cold) conditions. I heard of a snowboarder who uses a tape based camcorder for that very reason. If you are getting a model with a flash drive (like the memory used in mobile phones and the MacBook Air) just make sure you have tons of memory, especially if you plan on using HD.
If you are using an external mic (such as a lapel mic, which will make the voice sound more professional) make sure the camcorder has external mic inputs. Not all models do, particularly at the lower end of the scale. Even using a boom mic (hanging overhead) can greatly improve audio and eliminate that background hiss you often hear on amateur recordings.
For most purposes, USB can work fine for transferring to your computer. Removable memory cards make this even easier. But for a lot of video (ie hours at a time), Firewire800 is fastest.
If you live in Calgary, I would strongly suggest visiting the Camera Store on 11th Avenue. The staff are very knowledgeable and can help everyone from amateurs on vacation to professionals. Tell them Nick sent you!
Hope this helps.
Hi Nicholas
Many thanks for your response – some very helpful tips. I’m actually in Perth, Western Australia so a bit of a trek to Calgary
Ah, yes, that would be quite a journey. Alberta is a great place for vacations though, with Banff just down the road!