Since the introduction of the “smartphone” concept by IBM in 1992, we have all become photographers to some degree. Capturing a photo is now as quick and easy as grabbing your cellphone from your pocket and snapping a picture. Just as easily, we can move the cellphone slider to “video” and start capturing live motion video footage without a camcorder or expensive videography equipment. Its just that simple.
Capturing interesting, eye-catching video clips, however, is not so simple. Just like with it’s more reserved cousin still photography, videography requires knowledge and practice of some basic principles of capture and post-processing that ensures a successful outcome. One must take into consideration the camera movement, if any, along with the motion being captured. And any departure from a perfectly level camera will bring about footage that has an annoying tilt to it. It is possible to fix this in post, but that can be trickier than it sounds.
Handheld gimbals are available today to help keep the smartphone level and steady. A gimbal is like a shock absorber, holding the camera in an optimal attitude even while the shooter is moving and shaking. Larger gimbals are also available for use with DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. Shooting video with these devices is much more complex but can result in higher quality footage. And, of course, these gimbals are more expensive and more sophisticated with a greater learning curve.
Any discussion of videography must include that captured by today’s drones. Equipped with amazing quality cameras and equally powerful on-board gimbals, capturing video from the air is nothing short of spellbinding. The same video capture techniques that are used in ground video are utilized with aerial videography, with some additional cool movements that only a camera floating through the air can accomplish. [SEE ARTICLE ON AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY]
In addition to just pointing the camera at a moving object, there are several camera movements that make video clips more interesting to the viewer. A dolly is where the camera moves in a straight line side-to-side while capturing the footage. Panning involves rotating the camera around an axis. A definite favorite is an orbit or arc movement where the camera moves in an arc in one direction and also pans in the opposite direction e.g. moving left and panning right. This keeps a subject in the center of the frame, while orbiting around that subject. There are many more as well.
Like post-processing in Photoshop or other photo editor, video editing is also a skill that needs to be mastered if one is intent on creating a beautiful finished product. Learning how to stitch numerous video clips together, add titles, transitions and video effects takes your video work to the next level. And don’t forget sound. Unlike still photography, sound, music and sound effects can be added to the video footage to give the viewer a well-rounded media experience.
Motion is always more interesting and dynamic than a still photo. Videography is the art of capturing motion in a manner that is interesting and exciting. Videos are as fun to make as they are to watch. Becoming proficient in camera movements only improves the quality of the product.