Videoguys' Tips for Shooting Family/Home/Holiday Video (2010 update)

[Gary Bettan]

Videoguys' Tips for Shooting Family/Home/Holiday Video (2010 update)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We would like to thank all of our customers and friends for your
support and patronage throughout the years. Every year around this
time we refresh the following article and post it.

Videoguys’ Tips for Shooting Family/Home/holiday Video Videoguys Blog - Videoguys' Tips for Shooting Family/Home/Holiday Video

If you’re like me, you shoot tons of video of your family. I’ve got
hours and hours of videotape of my kids. Over the past 15 years I’ve
learned a thing or two about getting the best possible footage. No
matter how cool your NLE system is and how many awesome special
effects you can add, the bottom line is this: The video is only as
good as the video you shoot.

Videoguys HD & DSLR Shooting Tips
Back in 2006 I purchased my first HD camcorder, the Canon HV20, and I
loved it. The HDV footage was spectacular and I couldn't believe how
sharp and clear it looked compared to DV. Fast forward to 2010. HD
cameras are everywhere. For around $100 you can purchase a Flip
camera, Smartphones like the iPhone shoot in HD, and you can find Full
HD camcorders for under $500 at your local electronics store.

This past year I started shooting and using a Canon 7D DSLR and I can
honestly say it is the best camera or camcorder I have ever owned. I
LOVE IT! I had no idea how much better my video could look with real
camera lenses and the ability to combine depth of field and soft focus
to create much more dramatic, powerful and emotional imagery. Everyone
here at Videoguys became so excited about DSLR video that we published
our own Guide to DSLR Workflows article back in April, and we keep
updating it as new information comes.

One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years working
with HD is to modify the way I shoot to take full advantage of the HD
technology. We've included several of my most important HD & DSLR tips
for you to use.

Now includes Video Montage Tips!
Go to any big family event - wedding, Bar Mitzvah, anniversary,
graduation etc and you are going to be asked to take 5-10 minutes to
watch the montage. For most folks this consists of 100s of snapshots
laid over a couple of songs, with every cheesy 3D transition you’ve
ever imagined between the images. BORING!!!

You are a videographer, so use video! It’s much more work, but well
worth the effort. If a picture says a thousand words, a video clip
says a million. First smiles, first steps, first goal, learning to
ride a bike - are all so much more exciting in action rather then
stills. Even if you don’t catch it on video the first time, watching
those early years on video is just so much more powerful then stills
You also get peoples expressions and reactions as they celebrate and
do things together. When you put it all together, you’ll share your
families history with your passion and talent for video editing - what
a winning combination!

Click here for Videoguys Tips for Shooting Family/Home/Holiday Video
now including our new HD, DSLR and Montage Tips! Videoguys Blog - Videoguys' Tips for Shooting Family/Home/Holiday Video

Gary