There is no doubt that a tripod lends itself to steady camera shots, as well as smooth pans and tilts. However, when you’re shooting a “run and gun” documentary, a tripod can become too cumbersome to lug around. Sometimes, a tripod isn’t needed when attempting a more stylistic handheld approach. Either way, without a tripod, your camera work is more likely to suffer from the shakes. To reduce the amount of excessive movement in your video try practicing the following handheld camera techniques.

- Keep your elbows bent and tucked near your body. Use one hand to hold the camera, and the other hand to support your camera hand, or to give additional support to the camera.

- Keep a wide stance and don’t lock your knees. By keeping your knees slightly bent you’re allowing your body to act as a shock absorber, and the wide stance will give you better balance.

- Keep your lens wide and don’t zoom in. Wider shots will make your video look less shaky, but if you zoom in you significantly increase the chances of a shaky shot. If you must get closer, physically move the camera closer.

- If you need additional support, try using the hood of a car or a park bench. Essentially, anything around you can be used to help in stabilizing your camera.

Handheld camera techniques can help create a more subjective feel to your documentary if executed properly. The secret to great handheld video is practice, practice, practice. And within no time, you’ll be able to leave that bulky tripod at home.

You don’t need loads of money to make a professional-looking film – you need to get down and dirty! Learn to maximize your resources and do more with less with The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide.

Interested in more tips on documentary Production? Sign up for Videomaker’s free Documentary Course. This free tip series is designed to help you improve your video production skills, fast. Learn More.

Vinten is launching its new Vision blue at IBC 2010. A pan and tilt head and tripod system designed to provide the experienced camera operator with professional support to match the extremely high-performance of today’s popular small lightweight camcorders and DSLRs equipped for video.

Vision blue addresses the need for a broadcast quality tripod system capable of balancing the smaller, lightly accessorised cameras, managing payloads between 4.6 – 11lbs with a low center of gravity.

The Vision blue is sold as a pan and tilt head, or as complete system with a two-stage aluminum tripod and a choice of floor or mid-level spreader. It also includes a high contrast blue LED illuminated leveling bubble for quick and accurate set-up in all lighting situations.

Petrol Bags introduces an industry first – the Cambio convertible equipment bag/camera support system. A carry-on sized smooth-rolling camera carrier that transforms into a lightweight support system for small video camcorders, Cambio allows users to travel lighter, avoid waiting for baggage, and set up quickly once they arrive on location.

The Cambio camera carrier has an ultra-wide U-shaped opening for quick and easy access. Inside the main compartment there is ample room for a camera, tripod head, and important accessories. Twin straps of hook & loop material anchor the bag’s front flap in an open position when inserting/removing the camera or converting to the support system.

Petrol’s proprietary sliding pipe system (SPS) secures the camera and keeps it in place. The bag’s interior is fully padded for maximum equipment protection.

Within the Cambio is an expandable (up to 56”/142cm) rigid, nickel-plated center steel column. The column can accommodate cameras weighing up to 9.9 lbs. (4.5kg) – which allows use of Video DSLR cameras, as well as HD DV models. Cast magnesium lever clamps ensure fast and sure column adjustment. The bag is equipped with a patent-pending frame and axle support trolley with integral handle and camera platform with 75mm ball head mount adapter. An optional lightweight micro-fluid head allows for quick attachment and conventional pan and tilt movements.

The freestanding Cambio is braced by a self-latching extendable aluminum double-bar tube leg. The leg expands and retracts quickly and easily with just the touch of the leg’s latch paddle. When using the support system, Cambio’s patented heavy duty, jitter-free wheels and axle can be chocked to prevent rotation, adding extra stability. Check out our interview with the people from Petrol about this product after the break.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vynxzh98jZ0