Other goodies
I've
recently been playing with Audacity, and it's terrific! I like the
zoom in so I can get precise control over my sound editing. Give it a
try!
New
Tips:
- Camera
-- when you are choosing a camera for video recording, make sure it has
Microphone Input. That means, you can jack in a microphone on a cable.
This lets you use a tie-clip, lapel clip, or lavalier
microphone.
You will get better sound quality. If you are using a digital still
camera, or a camcorder with an onboard mike, be careful about your
sound quality. You will get a lot of ambient sound unless you hold the
mike very close to your subject. When just starting out, these
integrated mikes are okay, but for more professional results, get an
external microphone and a camera that supports it.
- Light
-- remember Chloro-phil? The video camera pulls in the spectrum of
various lights in different ways. Office fluorescents give a green
cast, home lights an orange/yellow cast, and outside light a blue cast.
Correctly adjust the White Balance on your camera, or you will see skin
tones that have these casts, depending on where you are filming. If
your camera does not have a white balance adjustment feature, be
prepared for some shift in the light spectrum on your subject.
- Script or outline
-- save time when shooting by planning ahead. Even if you don't have a
script, make some point-form notes about what you want to say. This
will help you capture the right things on video.
- Exposure
-- if your camera does not have a Manual Exposure control, be aware
when shooting near water, beach, snow, window, large mirror, or
projection screen, that these large light sources or reflectors will
affect your exposure. TEST!
- Mini DV Tapes - if
you are recording to miniDV tapes, always use the same brand.
Different manufacturing processes are used for different brands, and a
substitute tape might give off particles that clog your recording
heads. Once you start with a brand that works, stick with it.
- Buying a camera?
-- Get it from a store that has a return policy so you can try it and
see if you like it before committing yourself to that expenditure.
There are some good cameras for under $500.00 that will do what you
need them to do. Cost is not always an indicator of quality. E-mail
me for specific details.
New tips
added. Scroll down to see some additional hints on creating good a/v.
