How great videographers can make any location work
Have you ever wondered how great videographers can make any location work for them and as a result produce stunning imagery? Albert Einstein was famous for saying ‘you need experience to gain wisdom’ and this couldn’t be more true in this case. It’s that experience that enables a great videographer tow all into a location and simply make it work. So how do they do it?
Understanding what works in a location
It’s true that every location is unique but being an experienced filmmaker and videographer enables you to instantly work out what works well. So what do I personally look for in a location to create great imagery. The first thing I love to include in my visuals is depth. This mens some distance between your subject and the background. For example, if I’m filming an interview withs someone, I’ll almost always look for the angle taht gives the best depth. This could be through a window to the outside or this could be through glass looking into an office. You can then open up your lens and create an image with great depth of field in it. So why does this look good? To put it simply, it adds another dimension and makes the image look more interesting.
So you’ve found your angle and it works for the composition and has that lovely depth, what next? Well maybe the lighting doesn’t work that well from this angle. Maybe the lighting outside if bright and difficult to match with the light levels inside. How can you tackle these issues? Well there are a couple of essential pieces of kit that will enable one to get around these potential problems. I alway carry a super bright lighting kit taht can match up with daylight. I love the Aputure 600D as my key light as it’s just so powerful even after diffusing and softening the light. Another key piece of kit that I love is my flag. A flag can be used to block unwanted light. Have sunlight coming through a window and touching your subject? No problem, the flag will solve this for you!
Maximising a location before you film
One key part of eg pre-production process I always try to do is to get the best possible location available before the filming starts. Get this question in early with your client, hound them for the biggest and best space. Ask for pictures so you can work out what kit you’ll need. Most non-film and video production people will not understand the benefits of a bigger space and will possibly by default book the smallest room in the office. Avoid this at all costs and plead your case for the best space which is of course essential to creating amazing looking video content.