Video and Photo Tips



				

							


		
				

				

				
You don't need fancy equipment to take good videos and photos at your events. Here are some basic tips to help you in the lead up to your #RiseForClimate event




We want to hear about what you and your community are doing in the lead up to Rise for Climate. Here are some basic tips on taking photos and videos with your mobile phone. We will be providing more tips about how to do live coverage soon.


Make sure you post your photos and videos on social media and use #RiseForClimate


Learn more tips on spreading the word online about your event.




				

							


		
				

				

				
Video Tips


This video was prepared by Fenton Lutunatabua of the Pacific Climate Warriors. These tips should help you in your mobile video projects.


 


Lighting 


    

  • Always film during daylight, and never film in low light or in the night. Mobile phones do not have the capacity to handle low light or night filming.
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  • Make sure your subject is always facing the light. If their back is to the light, they will be backlit. Backlighting makes your subject darker and out of focus.
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Audio


    

  • What’s going on in the environment around you? If there is a lot of wind or noise, don’t shoot your video there!
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  • In order to capture good audio, make sure your subject is no more than arm’s length away from you so that you can pick up their voice with your phone’s microphone.
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  • If you can, invest in a small microphone you can attach your your phone.
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Stabilization


Nobody likes a shaky video. Here are some tips to make sure your are stable:


    

  • Stay in one place. Don’t move the camera.
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  • Make sure your feet are hip’s width distance apart to ensure stability.
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  • Create more stability within yourself by creating a human tripod. You can watch a demonstration here
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  • Lean your phone against a rock or on a table to increase stability
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  • You can create your own tripod using cardboard or other materials. Or bring a monopod or tripod.
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Panning


Panning is the act of moving your phone from point A to point B so that your viewer can see a 180° view of what you are seeing. DO NOT pan unless you have to. If you have to take a panning shot:


    

  • Start at point A, hold that shot for at least 5 seconds.
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  • Move very slowly over to point B. This may seem incredibly slow and boring to you as the camera person but it’s not to your viewer.
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  • Hold at point B for at least 5 seconds before ending your video.
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Photo Tips


When you’re sharing a photo online, you have a second to get someone’s attention. In order to be successful, it’s important that you think of how to capture many elements in a single photo. — Take time to build up a relationship with people. If you know more about a person’s personality and history it will help you be able to shape the portrait. Also, if a person trusts you it, that will often be reflected in the photo.


    

  • For portraits: you want to do more than capture their face, but also their personality as well as the messages of the storytelling project. Make sure that they consent to having their photo taken and shared.
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  • Show the world where you are. If possible, include local landmarks or typical surroundings of your area in your picture. If you live in a city, have some buildings in the shot, or if you live by the sea, let’s see some water.
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Photo by Eman Mohammed


    

  • Show your message. Whether it’s with signs or a banner, your action photo will be strengthened if it’s clear what your message or demand is.
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  • Take more than one picture! It’s easy to take a few shots of groups, also from different angles or closer and further away. This will allow you a choice from which you can select your best images. Be creative with some of your shots!
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  • Find the right angle: We see the world at eye level, but try moving to different positions to see your subject at different angles. Crouch down, move left or right. Get photos from also different angles – take a photo where you are close and the face fills the frame, also take photos where you see their body. Take a portrait from a variety of angles.
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Photo by Jennifer Bruce/350Africa


    

  • Find your light. Don’t stand in shadows. And don’t stand with the sun right behind you. Move around and find the best location so the light hits you in the best ways.
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 IMPORTANT: Send us your best image. We ask that you submit your best photo as soon as you can by emailing to photos [at] riseforclimate.org




				

							


		
				

				

				

  
Post your photo on Instagram or Twitter and use #RiseForClimate 








				

							


		
	
	 







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