11 - PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

The old adage may be an overstatement, but it will certainly help improve the results. Don’t let the camera make all decisions for you.

Consider using some still shots as a marker to set the frame for the video. Almost every device on the market combines photos and videos these days, so take the chance to snap some photographs first and see which composition works best. This is especially useful for those shooting on a tablet, as the huge screen is the amateur answer to a director’s monitor.

If time allows, go for more than one take using different settings, and take a closer look at the results. It might be a different app feature on a smartphone or a different white balance on a DLSR, but small changes can add up to big differences in results. It’s easy to shoot on automatic and let the camera make the decisions, but to improve your skillset as a videographer, you need to start making these calls yourself, particularly if you’ve invested in expensive equipment.

There’s no need to limit yourself to shooting on a traditional DSLR camera. There will be times when you don’t have one with you when an interesting scene unfolds; it’ll still be worth capturing on a smartphone or tablet. While the quality of the end product may not be quite as good as that obtained with an expensive DLSR, the methodology is exactly the same.