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Insider Tips to Better Outdoor Videography

Posted: November 06, 2010

Just as life is a long learning process, so is becoming a proficient outdoor videographer. In both cases you learn by doing, sometimes failing, and listening the advice of others who have faced the challenges you seek to overcome.

I have often wished that life solution were such that if you only had a ‘silver bullet’ to plug a problem with that it would be instantly solved like in the movies. Just as life is a long learning process, so is becoming a proficient outdoor videographer. In both cases you learn by doing, sometimes failing, and listening the advice of others who have faced the challenges you seek to overcome.

Below is a double fist-full of tips that if you successfully employ them in your own outdoor videography, there is little doubt that you will produce better outdoor videography than you are now.

Gear Care

Modern videography equipment is both ruggedly constructed, but also a bit touchy if not cared for properly. Few pieces of equipment that you find in use by professional outdoor videographers were specifically designed for use in the outdoors. When not in use or while camera gear is being moved from one location to another location, protection is essential. I recommend a hard case that is large enough to have a porous form interior that for fits to snuggly and safely hold you camera and related electronic gear firmly in place. Ideally such a case is also waterproof and dust proof. Such cases are available, and cost far less than any repair work your video recorder might need if it is ever damaged in transit.

Every single time you are outdoors keep the lens cap over the lens when you are not shooting footage or holding you camera in a ready mode. If the weather is wet, avoid allowing moisture or water to come into contact with you camera. If the wind is carrying a lot of debris, dust or sand, similarly protect you camera. Video records are neither water proof, nor are they inherently well protected from dust. When you retire your equipment to its storage cases at the end of the day, liberally use inexpensive canned air to blast all dust and grit that might have found its way onto you recorder. Afterwards, wipe it down with a dry towel. Do not forget to remove batteries, and also blow out any connecting ports.

Slow Down There Fellow

One of the most consistently committed errors of all budding outdoor videogrphers is a feeling of urgency they fail to suppress when gathering footage. This results in getting shots that are not long enough for viewers to later savor with their eyes and ears. It is particularly bad when showing scenery that under the worst conditions whizzes by faster than it can deciphered by the viewer. Generally speaking, scenes that are too long are preferred to hurried ones.

Learning to slow down takes more practice than you might think. The best way to self teach yourself correct timing is to critically view your footage. If you sense it is moving to fast, you probably are quite correct. Later when shooting similar scenes again, consciously slow your pans and extend the time you hold on scenes. Get in the habit of ending scenes by keeping the camera running while you slowly point the lens skyward. This provides a natural end of the scene that prevents the next unedited scene from jumping in too quickly.

You’re Tripod or Mine?

Unless you are an extraordinarily steady person, you need to use a tripod whenever the circumstances of your shooting situation permit such a set up. Over the last couple of decades I have been around many of the country’s top outdoor videographers. They all do many things differently from one another, but among the handful of things these professional do is to use a tripod as often as there is an opportunity to do so. They know that no matter how steadily they can hold a video record on their shoulder or in front of the eyes in their hands, they will record better footage if they have their recorders securely attached to a sturdy tripod.

I recommend investing a sturdy, quality tripod with a fluid head. Such tripods can cost over $500, but they are lifetime investments that will outlast a dozen cameras. If you take the time to consistently use such a tripod whenever you shoot scenery, static scenes or wildlife, you will discover that your efforts make the time and money spent a worth while endeavor.

Get Good Audio

Modern videography differs greatly from still photography and even using old 16mm movie cameras. The biggest difference is that sound is recorded on the same tape as are the moving images. Serious outdoor videography requires off-camera microphones that convey sound to the record via radio waves. About the size of a pack of cigarettes, these battery powered units have 36-inch wires that attach to tiny clip-on cardioid or omni directional microphones.

Most video recorders can accept signals from two such units. Each is metered for strength of signal and sound level. If you are serious about your outdoor videography efforts such a microphone should be your first investment following the acquisition of a camera. As always, buy the best equipment your budget will allow. Companies such as Azden and Shure carry an extensive line of good quality audio tools.

Many local stores carry these products. Music stores are sources of audio equipment, and are apt to have very knowledgeable staff on hand to help you. Radio Shack equipment, especially lavaliere and PZM microphones, which are made by major audio equipment manufacturers for resale under the Radio Shack logo. Audio equipment can be purchased by mail order. When purchasing via mail order, be sure to inquire about hidden costs, such as shipping and handling.

Over the years I have used a number of microphone systems. Sennheiser is in my opinion, the best choice in terms of performance and price. I recommend buying a pair of these so you can wire up two people that are talking. These sell for approximately $495 each.

If you are not yet knowledgeable enough, the best shortcut to preparing yourself for a full or part time career in outdoor videography is my Outdoor Video Home Study Course.

Set-ups, Fillers and Scripts

Every outdoors show you see on television has a certain number of set-up shots. Some, like interviews with the guide, are pretty obviously staged. Others like dogs going on point or birds flushing usually are real, captured by an experienced video camera operator. If you have learned or plan to learn to edit your own footage into a story of your hunting trip or season, set-up shots are essential. In the past I have noted the importance of having a shooting script which is a list of shots you want to get on any hunting or fishing trip that includes easy to overlook things like meal time footage, cooking, scenery, conversations, wildlife and other shots that bring the feel of the fishing and hunting into your story.

These are fillers that make your footage entertaining. Before making a hunting or fishing trip, make a list of all of the various fillers you want to be sure to shoot while on your trip. This list becomes your shooting script. Some are staged, while others like cooking and meal time is seized as opportunities present themselves.

Read the Book

The fore noted is the tip of the iceberg. If you want to learn more to get better at outdoor videography, I recommend my home study course. The Brock Ray’s Outdoor Videography School Home Study Course includes DVDs, CD-Rom software, and a course book to follow along to get started in your outdoor videography career. The core curriculum includes a the operational and functional material on how the camera works and how it is used in the outdoors; details the importance of sound quality and how to properly use wireless microphones; shows the importance of lighting and how to properly incorporate it both indoors and out; demonstrates hunting and fishing set ups; and covers the ins and outs of exactly how and when to bill your clients. The cost is $49.99 plus $10 shipping and handling. For more information visit www.outdoorvideoschool.com.


Biz Tip Source: Wildfire Outdoors Blog

Author: Brock Ray