Preparation and recording
MEDIUM AND FORMAT
Format 16:9 (1920 x 1080 pixels) is typically used for TV, YouTube, Vimeo and Facebook.
Format 1:1 (1024 x 1024 pixels) is typically used for Instagram.
Format 9:16 (1920 x 1080 pixels) is typically used for Snapchat, Instagram stories and Facebook stories.
LOCATION AND LIGHTNING
Lighting can affect the atmosphere of a recording. Light can have different colour temperatures, which influence whether we experience the light as warm or cold, soft or hard.
Warm light can be advantageous if the atmosphere is to be pleasant and comfortable, as it gives a sense of trust and security. Natural light typically changes in the course of the day and is warmest in the morning and evening.
Soft light produces less contrast between dark and light areas. Soft light is ‘scattered’ light that is emitted by a large light source. This is the kind of light you get on a slightly cloudy day, in a softly lit room, or with the help of a reflector screen that spreads the light from a light source.
Hard light creates a harsh atmosphere in the picture. Hard light is typically produced by small light sources. The further a person is from a light source, the harder the light appears. For this reason, sunlight is a hard light source.
Cold light creates a sad or grim atmosphere. Fluorescent lamps are typically a source of cold light.
SOUND
To record sound, it is best to use an external microphone. Remember also to use a long microphone cable, so that the interviewer does not need to stand too close to the camera. If you at a conference or the like where there is a lot of background noise, see if you can find a room or corner where it is quieter. If it is windy outside, record indoors, as wind noise will greatly reduce the sound.
PICTURE
A picture should be composed in such a way that it appears harmonious and pleasant to look at. A picture with depth and perspective is usually more interesting to look at than a flat image.
Positioning people: If possible, place people at a distance from a calm background, so that there is depth in the picture and the focus of the content is not disturbed. A green plant and a neutral wall, a beautiful staircase, or a neutral lithography can provide excellent backgrounds. Depth can be achieved by positioning the person at a distance to the background, possibly with part of a visible element in the foreground.
Framing: The person can be shown to advantage from chest or navel level to just above the head, so that some of the person’s body is included, and not too much wall or ceiling. In this way we are close enough to see details, but we can still see some of the surroundings, which helps to create depth and atmosphere.
The lines of the picture: Horizontal lines create calm and harmony. Examples of horizontal lines are the edge of a table, a window sill or the horizon. Oblique lines can create dynamics, but avoid using too many of them, as this can produce turmoil.
Camera angle: As far as possible, keep the camera still, at a normal angle, with the person right in front of the camera. If the camera is lower than the person, looking up, he or she may appear intimidating, while if it is raised above the person, he or she may appear less significant.