How to Shoot Good Quality Video of Children

Children are growing up on video these days. Just about everyone has a video camera and taking pictures of kids comes naturally. However, many amateur videographers are disappointed with the quality of the tape they shoot. Making good quality videos of children is more challenging than many people realize. This challenge can be overcome by following a few basic tricks used by professional videographers every day. Learn them and you too will shoot like a pro.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Video camera
• Tripod (optional)
• Light (optional)

1. Keep in mind that many amateur photographers watch their video and lament that it doesn't reflect what actually happened. It is important to realize that what the camera sees is what you will get on tape. You may be looking around 360 degrees but the camera only sees a limited slice of that and only where you are pointing. Much of the action is missed when the photographer holds the camera but is looking somewhere else. This is especially true when photographing children since they don't pose and often do the funniest things when you least expect it. If you have a flip out view screen then use it. Constantly look back and forth between the camera and the action. If you only have a view finder then keep both eyes open. This may seem strange at first but professional photographers do this all the time. It allows you to see the big picture and the little picture at the same time. After a while you won't even think about what you are doing. Staying with the action will become instinctive.

2. Remember that children are the focus of your video. Fill the screen with them. Don't be afraid to get right up in their faces with the camera. A close up of an expression can be priceless. When they are running around doing things be sure to stay with them. Shooting from far away or leaving excess empty space around them makes for poor video. If they are walking down a path then follow them down that path. Even better, get ahead of them and watch their faces as they run toward you. The only time you should step away and shoot wide is when the surroundings are the point of the shot. If you are at Disneyland and want to show the kids in front of Cinderella's castle then start close on them before stepping back to reveal the splendor of what's around them.

3. Understand that nothing is more annoying than watching shaky video. Amateur photographers often try to do too much. They figure they might as well use all the features offered on their video camera. The truth is most people don't care about those bells and whistles. Children are entertaining in themselves. Zooming, panning and shaking only distracts from how cute they are. As a rule, try not to zoom at all. Do it with your feet. If you want a close up walk right up to the child. If you want a wide shot, walk away. This is far more effective and keeps your video steady. When you zoom in a small movement creates a big shake in the picture. Avoid sudden pans left and right. If you are trying to show perspective then go to a place where the child is between you and the subject. That way the child and whatever else you are shooting are in the same shot. You won't need to pan much at all. Remember, a steady shot is a good shot. You may not notice that a shot is steady when you watch it, but you certainly notice when it is shaky. Use a tripod or other stable item to keep the camera still whenever possible. Don't get fancy with your camera work. It will only distract. The children are all the action you need.

4. Many precious moments in your child's life will be missed if you stop shooting too soon. This is a common mistake. If a kid is running around then roll the camera and see what happens. What you get might end up on America's Funniest Videos. Don't worry that you are wasting tape. It's just tape. It can be reused. The moments you are recording won't return again. Besides, you can edit out all the boring parts. Professional photographers will shoot an hour of video to produce a two-minute video. You won't do that, but you get the idea. Be sure to always have extra tapes with you as well as plenty of battery power. Nothing is worse than running out of either during a big event.

5. Whether you plan to edit your video tape or just watch the raw tape someday, it is important to edit in the camera. This means mixing up your shots while you are shooting. Every scene requires a minimum of a wide shot, a medium shot and a close up. What good is a video of a birthday party if you have great shots of the cake but forget to show the crowd of kids who attended? Remember this whenever shooting a new location. It's always nice to back up and shoot a wide shot of the room first. Then get up close and zero in on the child's face. Next back up and get a medium shot of your kid in the setting. Continue to mix it up. Avoid shooting too many similar things at the same focal length in a row. That gets visually boring fast. If you follow these tips viewing the raw tape will be a pleasant experience. If you are editing the video you will get a head start selecting shots. Professional photographers use this technique as a time saver all the time.

Tips & Warnings

• Light is always important in photography. Always try to keep the light source behind you and in the face of the child you are shooting. Before you turn on the camera try to place yourself between the child and the light source. If you shoot into the light the child will be dark or "back lit." Sometimes moving around isn't an option. That's when a light comes in handy. With a light you never need to worry where the light source is located. You can use a light even outside when it's sunny. If the sun is behind the child turn on your light and fill the darkness. It may seem like you have too much light on them but the camera will compensate and you will see your child's smiling face instead of a dark shadow.

Resources

• Copy Old Video .com
• Convert Digital Video to DVD
• Shoot Video of Family Holidays
• Shoot Video of a Road Trip
• Shoot Video Around the World
• Copy Video to DVD
• About Transferring Video