Today the world is witnessing the emergence of content creators spread across myriad digital platforms like YouTube, Tiktok and Instagram reels. Now, if you’ve figured out what material you’ll be placing in the world, it’s only half the job because many people get overwhelmed by the idea of filming with cameras, lighting, audio gear, and learning editing software. To help you figure out which camera to buy, set up a basic lighting setup, and how to edit, this guide should come in handy. Read on to understand the technicalities of content creation for platforms like YouTube.
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Do you need an expensive camera?
Many people are discouraged by the idea of investing in an expensive camera setup that can cost millions, but the reality is that you don’t need the best professional camera that shoots in RAW to create quality content. However, there are some key points that you need to remember, especially if you are running things alone:
- Be sure to buy a camera with a good autofocus so that when you film yourself, it doesn’t hurt to manually pull the focus.
- The camera you buy should have a screen that flips up. Again, keeping yourself ideally prepared should be the first priority. So, unless you can see yourself while filming, the task becomes doubly difficult.
- Shooting at a higher frame rate is becoming increasingly popular, ergo, get a camera that films at least 1080P at 60FPS. To achieve the “cinematic” slow-motion look for your B-roll, you’ll need to shoot at 60FPS and above.
- Your camera should have an input for the mic. Audio quality is just as, if not more important than video quality. So, make it a priority when you are looking for a new camera.
- Buy a wide lens with a large (large) aperture. Something like the Sigma’s 16mm f/1.4 (24mm full-frame equivalent) should help get wider shots with shallower depth of field.
With these features in mind, an APS-C camera body such as the new mirrorless Canon R7/R10, or the cheaper M50 ii should be ideal. You can also go for the very low-rated Sony ZV-E10, which is designed with vloggers in mind. For advanced users, full-frame cameras like the Canon R5/R6, Sony A7 IV and A7 SIII should work flawlessly. Understand that lenses are expensive, ego, if you want to invest in a lens, make sure you make full use of that focal length. If you don’t shoot wildlife, there’s no point in buying a 600mm telephoto lens. Likewise, a fish-eye lens is not ideal for a basic PTC. Keep in mind that, spending more doesn’t always translate into a better image.
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Often, you have to update your skills based on your gear. Imagine what would happen if you gave a novice alexa or sigma fp. Well, for starters, pulling focus manually will become a struggle because most cinema-grade cameras don’t come with an autofocus system at all and you’ll need terabytes of storage media. So, don’t fall for the hype and just pick a gear if you think you’ll be comfortable with it, or if you’re inclined to up-skill.
audio is king
It has been observed that most of the new content creators completely disregard audio when it comes to making videos. It cannot be stressed enough that audio quality is of paramount importance to your videos. In fact, you can even get away with shooting on your smartphone, but having a good microphone in your arsenal will definitely pay dividends.
Depending on the material you make, you can choose between shotgun, lavalier, and condenser mics. Shotgun mics are great for on-the-go content like vlogs and documentaries, while a condenser mic would be suitable for something like a podcast. So do a thorough research before buying a mic. You can also start by buying a cheap mic like the BOYA BYM1.
do you need light?
For professional-grade work like high-fashion portraits, videos, and commercial shoots, the best lighting gear always works in your favor. A well late photo or video will always look infinitely better than something shot in bright sunlight.
However, for solo creators, it’s not always the best idea to shoot using a 3-point lighting setup, because of the time consuming for setup, operation, and general ease of use. Often, you’ll be able to get away with just one key light, with something like a white piece of chart paper to reflect light to the fill. You can also use naturally soft light sources like windows to get a pleasantly lit shot.
Editing separates the good from the great
Editing is as big an art form as cinematography. It gives you the power to compile powerful narratives, make pieces more energetic, and of course, add oomph to an already great piece of material. To get started, you can practice cutting using free software like iMovie but if you’re serious about your workflow, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X and Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve are the ones to clutch at.
At the time of writing this, the basic version of DaVinci Resolve is free, and for most creators, it’s just too powerful to work with. Some of the most well-known creators on YouTube like Sam Kolder have switched to Resolve thanks to its node-based editing system and powerful color grading tools.
If you belong to the other end of the spectrum and mobile editing is your preferred way of working, powerful apps like LumaFusion, VN Editor, and Filmora Go are more than capable.
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Technology will always be a part of content creation and one cannot ignore it. However, it is important to start now. It’s easy to be struck by the overwhelming choices when it comes to gear, but if you think clearly, understand your production needs and take into account the details shared in this piece, things will definitely work. It will be easy for you. Happy creating!
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