PHOTOGRAPHY

If you love making quality videos for people's events and maybe even make a living from it, then you probably have some heroes.  Martin Scorsese is a bit of an icon because he's known for his stylish videography in his movies.  You don't need to be as stylish as Scorsese is in movies that win him Academy Awards, though.  But professionals who are precise, really good at their job and creative with their shots are an inspiration to the rest of us.

So, how can you become your own version of "Scorsese" and reach higher standards of professionalism in the videos you make for your customers or friends?  Sometimes, you just have to go back to basics.

When you go on a shoot, think of yourself like you are going on an assignment into a war zone.  Hopefully, no one will be shooting at you.  But, like a battle, you have to be totally prepared going in.  You can't really call "cut" when you're filming your son's first baseball game, can you?  You'll either get it right first time or not, so make sure your kit is ready and you are too.  Have a think about some of the things you need to get ready before the big day.

The night before, it's a good idea to give your equipment a once-over: inspect it, clean it, repair it and test it.  Just make sure you've got any support materials you need, like batteries and lights for your flash or a lamp to light up your indoor shots.  Have you thought about the different ways your equipment might be useful for you, and how you could use it to help yourself?

What if something needs electricity but is too far from the outlet?  Don't forget to bring extension cords.  If you ever find yourself needing more electricity, plugs are the perfect solution.  Don't forget to bring power strips.  I was just thinking: what if we had extension cords where people walk?  Remember to bring some duct tape!  What if you have to get that duct tape up fast?  Make sure you bring a good knife or cutting blade.  It's worth thinking through these situations and being prepared.

If you want your shot to look good in the final cut, you need to know what you're doing.  If the scene's really busy, like during a sporting event, you've got to be able to move, set up, shoot, break down and do it all again and again, all day long.

So, your kit's got to be light and self-contained, but you've also got to be prepared to swap things out on the fly.  It's really important to have a bag of supplies that you can get into easily, so you can swap out a lens, battery or other things on the go.  You've got to know your gear so well that you can lock and load in seconds. That way, you'll be ready for those important shots.  It's worth spending some time getting to know your camera, tripod, lights, supply bags and any other equipment you'll need for shooting on the go. The better you understand your kit, the more you'll benefit when it's time to get shooting.

You might have flinched a bit when you saw the word 'tripod', but don't worry, you'll get used to it.  Don't cut corners on this "accessory".  The tripod should be as flexible as your body so you can drop it for a ground shot and have it up and set quickly each time you need to reposition.  But even if it's a bit of a hassle, the tripod will make your shots look way more pro.

If you want to produce high-quality professional video, you need to know your gear and be prepared.  It won't make you a "Scorsese", but it'll take you a long way towards that goal, and you'll see a lot of improvement in your work.