To Vlog or not to Vlog? - Food Blogger Connect #FBC14.

 

I have never considered vlogging before (video blogging). Well no, let's be accurate, I've considered it and immediately dismissed the thought. Me on video *shudder* not likely. But then the world is changing. It's all very visual and I'm receiving more and more requests to do video and join in with Google Hangouts.

So I took my notepad and pen and trotted off to the Mechanics of Vlogging lab which was being hosted by Greg Brand from @travizeo. I don't seem to have taken my camera however as I don't have a single shot to share with you.

The Mechanics of Vlogging 

Vlogging is:

45% planning

10% shooting

45% editing

The first thing Greg installed in us was the need to organise. He said this was the most important thing. We needed to plan thoroughly and organise thoroughly. He suggested we should keep one folder for each project and in it store the footage, music, clips and even any emails relating to it.
 

Lighting 

Lighting is so important and Greg told us we should have a three point lighting system.

1. A key light (main light), this could be sunlight
2. The other side should be in half the light, half the intensity
3. Back lighting can be good too.

You are looking for 100% light on one side and 50% on the other two. Try reflecting sun on tinfoil covered card.

Just Start

Too many people thing about it for too long and put it off (are you looking at me?) Greg says just to get started. Show it to family and friends. Make mistakes and learn from them. Why not start with a phone (although if you are remember to shot in landscape).

Greg's Tips

Photo: Food Blogger Connect

• Don't buy cheap equipment!
• A tripod is really important. You don't want to do anything the human eye doesn't do and the human eye doesn't shake!
• Shot in the morning light, it's the best light you can get.
• Buy a good tripod.
• Look at other people's videos. Go frame by frame and see how long they are.
• Have cutaways, so you can add a clip.
• Make sure you show the final dish in the intro so people know what you are going to make. Lots of people forget to do this.
• Think about how to make your video dynamic. 
• Don't just talk show ow to do something.
• Have double the ingredients, so at the end you can film taking things out of the fridge or chopping things, you can cut these little shots in and make the video more interesting.
• If you are filming over more than one day, remember continuity. Mack sure you are wearing the same clothes, everything is in the same place etc.
• Have a smooth slide shot, by placing the camera on a scrunched up jacket and pull it along the surface.

 Be passionate!

Don't fake it!

If you don't like something, say so!

Sound

Sound is 50% of the production. Get a mic if you can. The mic on a camera isn't great and you need to be near someone to hear them properly. If you are using the camera mic, switch it to manual. Auto will just pick up too much background sound.

You Tube is the World's second largest search engine.

• Great for SEO

• Make sure you add: a description; a title; tags

• Have regular content
• Air at a regular time

Cut!

 

________________________________________________________________________



Veggie Recipe of the Day

Barbecue Black-Eyed Pea Burgers
from Fat Free Vegan

photo: Cakeyboi

Check out these other posts from Food Blogger Connect:

• Food Blogger Connect #FBC14  - Tinned Tomatoes
• What's your Brand - Food Blogger Connect #FBC14 - Tinned Tomatoes
• Highlights from Food Blogger Connect Conference - The Travel Hack
• Food Blogger Connect 2014 -  The Petit Kitchen

Thanks to Manjiri from A Slice of Me for the short video clip.