STARTING WITH BASIC FILMING

So you want to shot video? For your business? For a blog? Well I've got an idea and this is my concept!

Start with the basics. A recording device is a good place to start. That's basically a camera, and now these days, even a phone, tablet, even a laptop (people having even been using their laptop cameras to film themselves, like for tutorials). It also depends on where you're at with all of this. If you're just starting out, which is where this current blog is coming from, it doesn't have to be scary, and you don't have to 'throw your hands up in the air' and give up!

A few tips

Check for composition. That is that your subjects are place well in the frame. Using the 'Rule of Thirds' is good. That is divide the frame into three sections, both vertically and horizontally. Place your subject along those lines. This makes the picture look more interesting.

Check for lighting. This one a lot of people don't notice. Make sure your subject is lit. That we can see the subject or the faces. (I've even seen top people get this wrong with today's easy use of filming - so you don't have to worry if you get it wrong, but it's good to know that you can be aware of it).

Usually have the light behind you so it's on your subject. Some shadow is good as it gives depth and a three dimensional feel. However you don't want a strong contrast so try not to have a strong light, also your subjects won't squint then. Usually morning or afternoon light is good if you're filming outdoors. Use a 'fill' light. So your shadows aren't too contrasting, a 'fill' will lighten the shadows. You can even do this with a 'reflector' – that's a white or light sheet of paper or board, just so the natural light is reflected onto your subject lightening the shadows. This way you'll have shadows that look interesting and still be able to see detail.

Photographing a model by Brocken Inaglory 

A more formal use of a reflector as a fill light - though anything light can do the same

I'll talk more on this in my later blogs. This is the basics of the 'three point light' set up. More on that later. This is the basics to get you thinking, interested, and filming!

These days everyone is getting it so easy. The rules are changing. Even if you're blogging, what is classic mistakes in the high end of cinema film making is now considered the norm on the portable devices watched on Youtube and websites.

In fact, here are a few more tips that you can check at Vimeo. Great funny clip just to make sure up to scratch. I'll also be blogging about these other tips too.

Vimeo tips: https://vimeo.com/blog/post/video-101-shooting-basics

Any comments please enter down below. Until then happy filming.