Nature & digital video tips. For the Here and Now.

Nature & digital video tips. For the Here and Now.

Many short video clips are best, especially when a file gets corrupted.

Use manual zoom (move in close) over optical or digital zoom

Shoot shoot and shoot, storage is almost free and or unused.
The more you shoot, the more good video you get. That is a fact.

Use the highest video resolution setting possible, unless videoing politicians.
They just are not worth it.

Do not use a tripod unless you want a sky cam view or are using high optical zoom.
or trying to get close-ups in dangerous situations. Then tripods are OK.
I used 2 tripods once. One for the spotting scope then my Mini DVD camcorder
lined up right behind it. It worked great. The only thing I would have changed
was the exact placement of the bait, to where the setup was pointing. Used the
remote for zoom and for off/on. So the setup was not disturbed. High High zoom.

Use the camera like a flashlight. You will catch more action and won't get
tripped up as often. You will spot other video opportunities while shooting
this way, then quickly follow the new subject. I videoed a mouse getting caught
by a dog a few months back.

Keep the camera on automatic. Get to know how it reacts in various conditions.

When moving the camera do not use any zoom. In a vehicle creeping along, zoom is OK.

When moving and videoing; bend at the waist and extend the camera in front,
this helps eliminate the up and down movement from walking / running.

Do some commentary. Dubbing in later is just not the same.

Cup your hands around the camcorder in cold weather.

Bend at the waist and hold the camera under your chest during rain, snow
or when plowing through heavy bush.

Have an extra battery or two. Keeping the camera turned on and ready to shoot.
Mine is a mini DVD I have 4 rewritable disks (dual sided) 2 2/3 hours video
at the highest resolution.

Buy a power attachment that plugs into the cigarette lighter.

When shooting with a tripod. Use the remote to start and stop recording.
Eliminating the jiggle caused by hitting the on/off button.
The only time I went head to head with the old media I used my sky cam view
that showed them all UP. I recorded the whole event, they didn't. One candidate
desperately wanted to see what the other had said. Only I had it! I'll upload 2
of those videos.

The #1 and maybe the only reason for EDITING is to eliminate any criminal activity
captured. Do not incriminate yourself or others. There are 30,000+ laws in my home
province, so almost everything is illegal. You could explicitly prohibit: Law Officers
Officials and other prosecutorial Individuals from viewing or using the videos against
us. Everybody else OK.

If there is a beautiful sunrise, sunset or nice view; capture some of that before
and after the main subject. Beauty can look good at full zoom every time.

Take a Dog, Cat, Bird what ever along. They arn't camera shy and will provide you
with more video opportunities, than they will mess up. By far.

Announce the date and time instead of having it display on the video.
Remember who these videos are for. YOU. Dates are handy and can always be muted.

Be prepared for confrontations. Some people just won't like being videoed.
The WhiteCourt Mayor asked me not to video their regular meetings!
Newspaper and Radio OK??

Videoing in family pictures with commentary is far better than scans. Video in Books
or Web Site threads, for playback in slow-motion. Video in EVERYTHING, completely
ignoring the "quality" nasayers.

When videoing a stationary subject make the final scene a nice portrait. On some
video hosting players that view remains on the screen. It works.

Small file sizes (2 minutes or less) allow you to quickly upload your best to the web
hosting sites, People just love fresh video of events.

Keep the position of the sun in mind. But do shoot in any light conditions
you will be surprised at the night vision capabilities of todays equipment.

Don't forget about taking still pictures. Some people don't have high
speed internet.

Do not keep the camera STILL. When in a car, creep ahead slowly. Run after
that Dog, Cat or Grizzly Bear (maybe not) Move like a Weasel, snooping here,
looking there, circling this and that.

At a fastball tournament I was a few yards past first base. Had the pitcher nicely
framed. By just pointing my hand, I followed the windup and pitch, then beat
the ball to home. Catching the swing and any run to first or the play
on the ball. The big old cameras just could not do that.

Short video clips make it much faster when doing timeline playback.
If you are showing the last few seconds of a short video
It is much quicker than seeing the last few seconds of a very long clip.
All I do is hit the off button then switch it right back on. Simple and
quick. During critical action I don't mess with anything. Sometimes I'll
stop and start the video when I hear swear words. That way I just don't
play the last second or 2 from that video then on to the next one.

Video in screen displays, of the video segments you want to show and don't
let those video purists intimidate you for doing it. It's quick and DIRTY.
There is so much degradation when converting to Flash & the Net that you
won't notice much difference. Turn the auto focus off for this only.

I rename the video clips right after download. ie Vid00012_clip01.mpg
vid00012_clip02.mpg ... then vid00013 for the next day or disk side.
A quick note as to what is in the lot is enough for initial cataloging.
This list I use as a control on what videos I have backed up to DVD's.
I can do the more serious cataloging later. Don't catalogue or edit when
you can be shooting video. Backups are a MUST.

Nature video is about content, not framing, lighting or other nit picky details.
you will miss too many shots fiddling and by not going out on less than perfect days.

Shoot almost anything wildlife or otherwise, even if it does not have much potential.
Nature will surprise you. You will capture some pretty goofy moments. I have.

Remove the lens cap at the beginning of the day. Too many good opportunities
are missed because of it. Like way way too many.

Get used to aiming your camera by looking over the top. Just like you would
a shotgun. Makes it easier to follow a moving target. Even butterflies.

When you camera is not tied to your neck or arm. Put it in it's case. You will
be less likely to damage it.

Don't buy a camera that is so expensive you won't risk it. Otherwise leave it at home.

Permissions: Can you get in legal trouble by videoing others? Forget asking!
Did the guy that shot the Rodney King video ask? Did the guy that shot the
JFK Dallas video ask? The "YellowHead speaks 1993" video ask. No NO and Maybe.

Background music can add to the enjoyment. Carry along your favourite tunes.
My best video this year was a close up of a Ruffed Grouse. He marched by in
time with the tune on the radio. It was perfect. What a bird!

My default setting for the recording light is on. Letting people and animals
know when I'm shooting.

At political forums etc the record indicator, has a strange effect on the
crowd. They know you are shooting. I often do a quick early scan of the group
just to get the apprehension out of the way.

Know where your camera is at all times. You might need to grab it and go.

Experiment lots and train your eye, for spotting the ACTION.

If I was doing video of hockey. I would want the cameraman on the ice.
Of a theater production I want on the stage to video.

Have a good MultiMedia player. I have the BEST bar none.

With short clips and computer timeline playback, you can eliminate editing
spending more time videoing. Much less video clutter as well. Work hard at
not editing. Rerendering / editing results in loss of resolution.

TimeLine playback OK Video editing NO
Video editing introduces complexity. Complexity BAD!

Break all the old video rules you can. Those that won't break, use.

I am sure there are many many more good video tips out there.

Now go shoot some video!