Are you camera shy? Try some of these techniques to feel at ease vlogging and making travel videos.
Photo: fensterbme
WHEN David Miller suggested I do a post on this subject I thought to myself, “I’m glad I look comfortable on camera, but I don’t always feel that way.”
In fact, much of the time while I am shooting video or vlogging I am jabbering self consciously, trying take after take until I get one that I think will work. I think the trick is to appear at ease in front of the camera, which is something I am good at and you can be to.
Here are a few things I remember to feel more confident and seem more at ease while filming.
BREATHE
Sounds simple, right? Remember everything every acting coach, yoga instructor and choir master ever said to you boils down to this, breathe. Turn on the camera and let it run for a second, allow yourself to ignore the fact that you are being filmed and take a deep breath. Let it out slowly as you begin speaking using your strong, deep breath carry your words. Taking in a deep breath will feed your brain, calm you and straighten you spine, giving you better composure and more confidence.
IMAGINE
Imagine that you are bullshitting with your best friend, you’re not recording yourself on a flimsy tripod in the middle of a crowded public space. Imagine someone you are completely at ease with is standing in front of you and you are having an interesting conversation. When I am vlogging I talk to the camera like it is the cool-ass person I imagine is watching it online. Most everyone’s demeanor changes when they are on camera, mine certainly does, and it helps to remember that I am talking to my friends.
RAMBLE
Assuming you don’t have a script, don’t be afraid to let your mouth run while you work out what you want to say. You can edit in post when you go on and on about your infected rash. Don’t get me wrong, you should know what you want to say, but you may need to discover how you want to say it. That’s where the rambling comes in.
PRACTICE
You are not going to feel more comfortable making and posting videos unless you make and post videos. So sit down in front of your camera and start yakking. Give a book review, document your ferrets mating habits, talk about your travels…it really does not matter. If I am comfortable on camera ( and I never said I was ) if is due to the dozen or so theater productions I have been in, the countless hours of drama class in high school and college and certainly in large part due to the 100+ videos I have made for your online pleasure. Ya just gotta do it over and over till it ain’t no thang.
EDIT
Shoot with the knowledge that you will edit. The best way to look comfortable on camera is to exercise the power to choose your best takes and weave a video together. There are plenty of free programs to edit with. Use em, troubleshoot, experiment and become proficient until you are planning for your edits and are confident in your editing abilities.
In closing, review footage of yourself and try and eliminate weird on-camera habits. Wear something you feel good in. Give yourself permission to feel embarrassed, self conscious, stupid, spastic… and then get over it.
When I set up my camera for the last MatadorTV vlog in the middle of Pike Place Market it was crazy-busy and I was very self conscious of the people milling about. I had to work through having so much attention on me (people would watch me and run into each other, or gawk and point, looking for themselves in the viewfinder). It had to allow it to be OK to stick out, to be looked at. I had to make light of the situation and still take myself seriously.
I also had to remember when all else fails, go back to the top and take a breath.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Are you camera shy or a shameless diva? Share your camera phobias of confidence techniques in the comments.
About the Author
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12 Comments... join the discussion!
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Are you a Mac or a PC ?
Back in August I did this post: http://thetravelersnotebook.com/photography-q-a/4-free-video-editing-programs-with-user-reviews/
that may help you fin d free video editing software…↵ -
Great tips…and yea I guess it all just comes down to practice, practice, practice. I am super self-concious whenever the video camera get pulled out and I seem to always do that chessy smile, stupid wave to the mom thing. Major props to shooting a video in the middle of Pikes Place.
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I am the big-cheesy-shitting-eating-grin king…it is my natural defense in most scenarios! Yeah, practice not caring what people think, easier said than done I know!
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Joshy, you video ninja, you. Great tips!
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Yeah, I was like, “I need to read this piece.” Camera=scary. But just like anything, you get better with practice. And I know vlogging is becoming a necessary thing for all of us writers. *Sigh*, *breathe*.
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Great article Josh.
I have thought about starting to do some vlogging. It’s nice to be able to write in my journal every day, it’s a different kind of release to write on my blog, but maybe this will be another release for me. A way to just talk, and say all the things I want to say to people.
I’ll put your tips to good use.
Cheers,
Jared Krauss↵ -
Thanks Josh!
The people gawking thing really gets to me. Glad to know I’m not the only one!
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Great piece Josh and knowing you as well as I do I can clearly see that everything you said is truly what you do. And any theatre nerd will tell you there is nothing like practice, however a dress rehearsal is still just a rehearsal you have to do it for real to make it real…
and there is your natural charm and big cheesy ass smile
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Thanks, Josh. Good tips. I especially thought the “practice” tip was worthwhile. I have a teen who is starting her own travel blog and that will be extremely helpful to her. She’s still working on the comfort factor.
Any good tips on mic-ing up for longer distance shots? I kind of like the walking toward the camera look but audio becomes an issue then…
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Great advice about vlogging! Once you get the hang of it and over your fear of being on camera, you’ll be a pro. People connect with those who are “real” so leave the acting to actors. Be yourself and you’ll produce a film worthy vlog.
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Alright “learn how to vlog” is now officially on my 2010 to do list. Maybe I can pass off the editing responsibility to my husband…
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