Nowadays, content is very valuable; and one of the most valuable forms of content is video. Many businesses nowadays create their own video content; even businesses you might not expect – for instance, TechQuarters, who provide IT support and managed IT services London businesses outsource to – are using video content to connect with ideal customers. Any business can create their own video content provided they have the right equipment.
Below is a buying guide for equipment you need to make good video content:
Camera
For business videography, it is best to prioritise a capable, but lightweight solution. A good example of this is DSLR cameras – while traditionally for photography, these types of cameras are also very capable for capturing video. Good brands include Canon, Nikon, and Sony.
Other options for cameras include Mirrorless cameras. This newer style of camera is much more compact than DSLR, but offers similar specs.
For cameras, ensure that it shoots at least Full HD footage – this is known as 1080p. Some cameras will even capture Ultra HD (4K and 8K).
Laptop
A laptop is useful for a number of reasons. Firstly, once you have captured footage, you will need to edit the footage – and so you will need a laptop to use the editing software. As well as this, taking a laptop with you when you are out shooting footage is a good idea; it can be a good idea to dump footage from the camera onto the PC so that you know it is backed up. What is more, if you are shooting in a single location, you can have someone on the laptop performing a rudimentary edit, which will save time in the long run.
Tripod
A tripod is essential equipment for videography. Without it, your footage will only be as smooth as your cameraperson is strong. Holding a camera steadily for long periods of time is tough; and most people opt to simply mount the camera on a tripod to get static shots without any camera shake. Tripods vary in size, quality, and price, but its always worth having one.
Audio Equipment
Video is just one half of your content – in fact, some people argue that audio is the most important aspect of videography. Most cameras have a built-in microphone, but you should never rely on that. Investing in some audio equipment will boost the overall quality of your video content. These are the types of equipment you should consider:
- Shotgun mics – these mount to your camera and offer decent all-round audio.
- Lapel mics – these are small microphones that clip onto your shirt collar and allow you to capture very clear audio when people are speaking.
- Boom mic – for a really professional setup, use a mic attached to a boom (basically a long pole) which you hold over whoever you are recording (making sure the pole and mic is out of frame of the camera).
Lighting Equipment
If you are shooting indoors, you should have lighting. Using the overhead lights of a room will look very amateur, and whoever or whatever you are filming will not look very well lit. The most basic lightning setup is a 3-point setup – key light, back light, and fill light. This will ensure that there are no shadows, and the subject is clearly visible.
Lights can also be useful in outdoor settings, but other types of equipment are good to have in your lightning setup. For instance, a reflector is a just a piece of shiny fabric used to bounce light (such as sunlight) in order to get the most out of the environments natural light sources.
Other Accessories
There are a few other accessories for your videography kit that are worth having. If you don’t have these things, you will definitely risk running into problems on a shoot:
Camera bag – essential for protecting your camera (and storing some of the other accessories listed below)
SD cards – cameras record footage to an SD card, so you will need one to capture footage. Having multiple SD cards is recommended (you wouldn’t want to run out of storage halfway through a shoot).
Spare batteries – if you have just one battery for your camera, you will have to take long breaks during shoots to wait for it to recharge. Having a few extra fully-charged batteries for when the first one runs out means you can continue a shoot without stalling.
External hard drive – as well as having SD cards and a laptop, having an external hard drive can be useful. You might want to create backups of your footage, for instance.
