In the News - July 2008
Make your Web videos memorable!
LITTLE ROCK - The amazing growth of the Internet has caused an explosion of
video on the Web. Evidence shows that internet users expect and seek out
Websites rich with video and other media
Web sites such as YouTube, MySpace and Facebook have popularized amateur Web
videos. Even Web-savvy businesses, non-profit organizations and colleges and
universities are realizing the value of using video on their Web sites to sell
their products, to enhance their image and to deliver their ideas.
Sadly for viewers, much of the video streamed over the Web is low quality and
looks amateurish. The typical Web video has three strikes against it. It's
usually dark, pixilated and difficult to hear. This is unfortunate because, with
just a little bit of forethought, Web videos could be dramatically improved
without buying expensive new equipment.
The first way to improve your Web videos is to address lighting. Bright, but
indirect light, is best for digital video. If you're recording inside, open up
the windows and let the sun shine, and turn on all the available lights in the
room. Make it as bright as possible in the room being careful not to create
glare. Don't to shoot directly into a window or other bright light source.
If you're shooting outside, your best bet is to shoot on an overcast day. The
clouds act as a natural diffuser and cast an even light over the subject. Avoid
bright, sunny days, especially midday sun. If you must shoot outside in the
bright sun, keep the sun behind the camera so that the light falls onto the
subject. The goal with lighting digital video for the Web is to bathe the
subject with bright, but indirect, diffused light.
The second way Web videos can easily be improved is paying attention to
pixilation. Pixilation means poor, unclear and noisy picture quality in digital
video most often caused by camera shake from hand-held recording. Pixilation can
also occur when there is an excessive amount of action being recorded.
The cure for pixilation is simple: Use a tripod or set the camera on a table
or other secure structure. If possible, do the same for the subject; sit the
subject down to minimize the action within the frame.
Sound quality is probably the most overlooked aspect of video production.
As a result, the audio on most Web videos is poor and often inaudible. While
all digital camcorders come with built-in microphones capable of capturing good
sound, video producers often place too much distance between the sound source
and the camera.
The best way to get good sound from a digital camcorder is to place the
camera as near the sound source as possible. Some models of digital camcorders
allow for external microphones to be mounted on the camera, which improves the
quality and range of recorded audio. Higher end digital camcorders can record
sound using a wireless microphone system. Wireless microphones are especially
useful for isolating and accentuating speech from an individual subject.
So, before you hit the record button on your next Web video production, think
"light, sound and action!" to create the best and most professional looking
video possible.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of
Agriculture.
July 11, 2008
By Kevin Quinn
Extension Video Specialist
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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