Setting
- Ensure that the place you are shooting will remain quiet
- Avoid settings that easily echo
- Static backgrounds make cuts between clips less distracting
Lighting
- When recording videos of people, softer light sources are generally best
- Large light sources create softer light:
- Windows are great light sources, but they are prone to vary in intensity due to cloud and sun movement
- Don't use different color temperatures to light the same subject:
- Never position light sources lower than the subject's face
Video
- Position camera at or slightly lower than the subject's eye level
- Placing the camera closer to the subject will make the video seem less formal
- Allow for a couple seconds of silence between clips you may be editing together
Sound
- Place microphone as close to the subject as possible
- Even light wind can negatively affect sound quality
- Windscreens can help block out wind interference
- An audio recorder or phone may be used instead of a wireless microphone if the camera has no external microphone jack
- This method requires syncing the audio with the video in an editing program