handheld video

By Mark Holder

In the fast-paced world we live in, more and more people want to just grab their gear and get shooting. In the past, we were content to simply go out with our handheld and shoot some video. Today, however, people are far more sophisticated. Yesterdays birthday video, with the camera bouncing all around, just doesn't cut it anymore. Even non-professionals want steady shots, better lighting and clear audio. Therefore, the question is, How does one marry the desire for rapid, lightweight deployment, with the reality of achieving steadier shots?

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.

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