Hold It Steady!! Please?

I have just spent the day editing a video for a friend who shall remain nameless. Now, I say I spent the day editing, but really, a few edits took all day. After five minutes of trying to cut around shaky zooms and camera moves, I'd get frustrated and needed to take a break. When I was almost ready to call above mentioned friend and say something about their camera work that could end the friendship, I reminded myself why this happens, TO ALL OF US, when we are taking video of our children. We are so focused on what they are doing, and what we want them to do on camera, we forget about the camera work.

Let me offer a little advice for those about to turn on the camera and capture those precious moments.

1. Hold the camera steady for at least 10 seconds. Its a news shooting rule that works for all video camera work. Once you see the shot you want, press record and count to 10 (at least) before you move. Count to 20 or 30 if you can stand to wait that long.

2. I know they put a zoom on the camera, but please don't use it. Okay, you may use it, but then see rule number 1.

3. Get a wide shot. Let us see where you are and what the child is doing. Hold for 10 seconds.

4. Get a close up. Now you can zoom, then hold to see baby's hand movements, or facial expressions. Hold for you know how long.

5. Keep your talking to a minimum. It is tempting to make sounds, especially when you want to get baby to smile or laugh on cue. But what you get on video is your really loud sounds (your right next to the camera) drowning out baby's soft sounds.

Although I am thinking about baby video when I write these rules, they apply to most video work. If you are yelling at junior's soccer game right beside the camera, you will not hear even the loudest cheers of a victorious team.

Bonus Rule: Be patient. If you sit still and wait, you will get the video you want.