Vlogging, or video blogging, is becoming more popular every day, and apparently everyone is looking to become the next YouTube sensation.
You may be thinking that with the right theme and winning personality, stardom is just around the corner.
And who knows, maybe it is! But if you’re really going to give it a try, then you’ll need some essential pieces of gear to make your vlog career work and look good.
I mean, let’s be honest: viewers are brutal. Bad audio? Dislike! Poor video quality? Double disgust! So before we jump into the lion’s den, let’s check out the basic gear you’ll need.
Camera
The first thing you will need is a camera; But don’t worry, you don’t need an expensive camera to create good content.
A lot of video bloggers use nothing more than the built-in webcam on their computer or even their smartphone, and the latter often offer better results these days.
For “talking head” videos, where you’re just sitting in front of a camera, that might be all you need.
Your audience will definitely notice and appreciate the higher quality video as it will give you an aura of professionalism, which will hopefully keep viewers interested and watching.
So which camera should you buy? There are many excellent options out there; even for shooters on a budget (you’re still not making money off those videos!).
You can choose a compact camcorder, entry-level DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even a GoPro.
The camera you choose will depend on your level of experience and the type of video you are recording.
With such a wide range of cameras available, selecting the right one can be difficult.
Fortunately, we did some of the preliminary work for you and have compiled a list of best vlogging cameras with flip screen.
Support
To support your camera, you will need a tripod. If you have a heavier camera, you can go for a tripod like the Magnus VT-4000 or the Benro S4 Head with Flip Lock aluminum legs.
But in reality, any rugged option will do, especially if you plan to have a fixed camera installed in a room.
Other support options include a mini tripod like the Oben TT-100 if your camera will be mounted on a table or desk (TIP: tape your desk / table to keep the frame consistent between videos), or a Joby GorillaPod for the travel vlogger.
If you’re shooting with a GoPro on the go, you might want to consider a selfie stick, too, even if you’re ready to look like a tourist.
Lighting
With video blogging, your lighting doesn’t need to be fancy; it just needs to be effective. Your main goal is to become (or talent) the focus of the viewers, while avoiding any unpleasant shadows on the face.
While you can use only the ambient lighting in your room or natural light through well-positioned windows, for a consistent and professional look in all your videos, I recommend choosing a basic soft light kit, like this Impact Soft n ‘ Natural kit.
This kit, or any similar option, gives you two soft light sources that you can place in front of you (one on each side, with one) to provide even, pleasant lighting.
Alternatively, it can be illuminated by a single large soft light positioned about 45 degrees to the side and slightly higher than your head, while bouncing another light off a wall or ceiling to raise the overall light level in the room.
Microphone
Nothing ruins more videos than bad audio. Most viewers can forgive mediocre lighting and below-average video quality, but if the audio is bad, they probably won’t stay long.
The quickest and easiest way to improve the quality of your audio is to not use the built-in microphones in your camera (or computer if you are using a webcam) and use an external microphone.
An even better way is to record audio from an external microphone to a portable recorder, bypassing the often-terrible audio preamps found inside compact cameras.
Editing Software
With the camera, lighting, and microphone in place, all you really need is a Nonlinear Editing (NLE) program to cut your freshly recorded content and a computer to run it.
These days, most computers have the specs to run at least some basic editing software, so unless you’re using a small netbook or tablet, your current machine is likely more than capable.
Pay attention to the recommended specifications listed with the software you choose to make sure your computer can handle it.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to video work, vlogging is not that complicated, and with just a basic collection of video equipment, you can really increase the production value of your content.
A quality camera, basic lighting setup, and external microphone will go a long way in creating professional-looking content (and sound).
And since vlogs focus on dialogue, I can’t stress enough the importance of capturing good audio, which should be considered a priority.
For more vlogging tips and guides, visit techmong.com
