DIY video production/blogging.

[Ginge R]

If I wanted to start publishing some video blogs, what sort of kit should I be looking for? I'm thinking about searching for suitable lighting/background etc (I had in mind, black) but have not much idea of the costs or what I should be looking for.

I already have a decent modern video camera, a fair dinkum tripod and a half decent hand held mic but want to replace the that for something more suitable. I also have a new iphone and a Galaxy note 4 - at a pinch, what kind of results will they give me?

I don't want anything too fancy, but is there a recognised single piece of software that leads the field? Finally, I already have a pro Vimeo account, what is the collective thought on that v's say, YouTube?

Any advice gratefully received - thanks.

[The_Jackal]

Sounds like you have all the gear needed already. Have you tried making some clips already to see how they turn out? Windows Movie Maker should get you started with some basic editing.

[Ginge R]

Cheers, I def need lighting, but have no idea what to budget or look for. Same with a decent background.

[Simpo Two]

Buy a few metres of black velour or velvet from a fabric shop. Sit at least 1m in front of it, and once you are lit and exposed for properly (see below), it should look solid black by contrast, or very close. As for lighting, a single softlight (ie big diffuser) will do a decent enough job without getting too complex. On exposure, if you leave it on Auto you will probably end up too bright and the background dark grey, so use manual exposure until you look right and the b/g is black. Sound - a Lavalier clip mike is good. Check sound levels are not too low or too high. Once you finished speaking, stay looking at the camera for 2-3 seconds. Good luck!

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 2nd January 17:13

[Ginge R]

Cheers

[budfox]

Yes, avoid 'auto' anything. You are in a fixed setup and it's a perfect situation to set lighting and sound levels. Auto will be your worst enemy.

Try different backgrounds too, black is pretty severe. Hell if you don't have wild hair it's simple enough to use a green screen and change background to suit afterwards.

[rich888]

I've noticed that you have a new iPhone so you should be able to video in landscape using your iPhone and then edit any footage you have using the iMovie app which is supplied with the iPhone.

If you have a Mac desktop or laptop then you could transfer the footage onto that and edit once again using iMovie - I find that the larger monitor helps considerably when editing video.

[Ginge R]

Rich,

Sorry, I meant ipod.

I have been rummaging around the shed and found some car inspection lights - I'm if nothing else! As a bonus, one plugs into my car fag lighter for doing impromptu stuff out and about, and that works disturbingly well. I've done a day's research and echoing what you all say, modern camera gear is decent enough.

I tried editing in iMovie and it seemed ok, but I think I'll be spending a few hundred quids on decent lights and a mic. I've seen a tiny LED light though, one that'll fit to the back of my phone, for little more than a tenner. At that kind of money, you'd be daft not to try it. I really like the idea of the velour background (for when I Skype clients). My offices are big enough to set aside a corner to act almost as a dedicated studio.

Work in progress.. at least I have a project! Thank you all, for your input.

[Ginge R]

Having looked at editing options, Adobe Premiere Elements 13 at £40 seems good value. The extra cost isn't much and although the others are free, £40 seems worth it for the extra functionality.