How to Record Yourself With a Camcorder

By eHow Electronics Editor

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Some of the most interesting subject matter available to humans is humans. The most available human to you is you. Recording yourself on your camcorder is a match made in heaven and the next logical step in videography. Here is how to record yourself with a camcorder.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Camcorder
Television

Step1

Buy a camera with a swiveling LCD viewfinder. This way, all you need to do is turn the camera on yourself, hold it with your own hands, swivel the viewfinder to face you (toward the lens) and you can see and record yourself.

Step2

Buy a tripod. If you’ve got a more formal recording to make where a giant picture of your face is not the ideal framing, use a tripod. Adjust it to frame where you’ll be and do a test recording to make sure things are running smoothly.

Step3

Use the poor man’s tripod. If you’re only doing such a recording once or you are simply unable to afford a tripod, anything that will hold your camera up will work, such as a desk or a shelf.

Step4

Use your television. Some camcorders allow for the visual output to be run through your television with audio/visual cables. This way, you can sit far away and see yourself looking at the camera sitting on the television.

Step5

Edit the film so that it looks the way you want it. Since nobody else is around to stop and start the camera, some unwanted frames will likely be recorded, such as when you get up to turn the camera off.

Tips & Warnings

For a professional recording, use a tripod or some other support as opposed to simply turning the camera on yourself.
The television-based set up is good for recording messages, because you can look into the lens while still being able to check your appearance below, on the television.
Always do a test recording to make sure your setup is functioning correctly.
Consider programs like Youtube to share your recordings with the whole world.