Five things to remember before you press record

Video has fast become the medium of choice for digital learning, maybe not yet for every employer but certainly for the overwhelming majority of learners. Want to find out how to do something? Watch a video. Want to explore technical subject matter? Watch a video. Want to know what people think about things? Watch a video.

Anyone with an interest in digital media design and development has to get video savvy in a hurry.
But then technology is on our side: video cameras are ubiquitous; editing software is inexpensive and easy to use; and streaming platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo make it easy to get our content out there on any device. What's not to like?

It's tempting to just dive straight in - point your smartphone at your subject and press that red button - but a little caution is required. Here are five things to remember before you press Record.

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The first thing to remember is that you need plenty of light. Eyes adjust for bad light but cameras struggle, particularly cameras with small sensors and lenses, like those in smart phones. If there is plenty of natural light then use it, otherwise it might be worth investing in some video lights. If you are shooting people, use a soft light and angle from one side.

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The second thing to remember if you are recording speech is that you need good quality sound. Poor audio really grates and comes over as amateurish. Never, ever use the microphone in your phone and camera - you need an external mic that gets as close to your speaker as possible. The best option for speech is a lapel mic - if you can afford a radio version then great but a wired one will do.

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Number three is to consider that your camera needs to be stable, particularly when shooting a piece to camera or an interview. The best option is to use a good quality video tripod that allows smooth panning and tilting. If you're on the move and need something more portable, then there are plenty of hand-held stabilisers available.

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The fourth point is to watch for focus. This might seem really obvious but I've looked at plenty of videos in which the wall behind the subject is pin sharp and the subject is blurred. I know all cameras these days have some sort of auto-focus but it still pays to make sure that it's focusing on the right thing.

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The final point is to think about framing. When shooting people, the camera needs to be at eye level. For a simple piece to camera, you'll probably keep the subject in the centre of the frame, unless you need to allow for graphics to be added later, over one shoulder. Interviews are typically shot with the subject one third from the left or the right, looking across and to one side of the camera.

If you're just starting off, you'll probably stick to a single composition throughout your piece but you can add a great deal of additional interest by varying the shot. Start wide to establish the setting, move in to head and shoulders as your principle shot but then also go in close from time to time for greater intensity. And don't be afraid to cut away to graphics or additional live action material where these are relevant to your subject matter.

Easy to use hardware and software has made it possible for everyone to have a go at graphic design, music production, video and much more. But while it's great that there are so few barriers to our creativity, the tools only take you so far. It takes time, practice and an insatiable curiosity to become proficient in any creative discipline and video is no different.