VIDEO - SHOT COMPOSITION TIPS
Top quality footage should be the goal of any skilled videographer. To produce a successful video, you obviously need to start with appealing and effective footage. By following some key principles when filming, you will significantly improve the quality of your project. Here are some of the common filming "mistakes" and solutions when filming:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RULE OF THIRDS
Arguably the most important compositional rule a photographer or videographer follows is the Rule of Thirds. To create attractive shot compositions, position key points of interest on or near the vertical or horizontal third lines on screen. Aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would. Watch any professional video and you'll see how this rule is followed widely.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HEADROOM
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LEADROOM/NOSEROOM
When filming a subject moving side to side on screen or a person looking to one side, it is important to pay attention to leadroom/noseroom. This is the space you need to leave in front of your subject to help neutralize the pulling force of the screen edge.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DISTRACTING BACKGROUNDS
When setting up your shots, pay very close attention to what's going on BEHIND your subject. A very busy background or poorly composed shot can ruin your filming. If necessary, remove or rearrange items in the background. Keep the background simple and uncluttered to ensure audience attention is focused where it should be.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SHOT COMPOSITION FOR INTERVIEWS
If you're producing a video that involves an interview between a reporter and a subject, there are a few important rules you should try to follow regarding shot composition. Check out the samples below for help.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________