Videos That Sell

Pictures may be worth a thousand words...but video footage of breaking news events is even more valuable -- provided it's been shot correctly.

Although optimal shooting conditions can be tough to come by in the rough and tumble world of cell phone journalism, there is one way to exponentially increase the quality and commercial value of all the digital video content you're fortunate enough to capture... Be prepared.

Breaking news often occurs unexpectedly. Your job, as a OneNews reporter, is to expect the unexpected. Take an "anything can happen, and probably will" approach to each moment of your life. Arm yourself with the simple tools and practical knowledge certain to increase your odds of digital video success.

Here are some of the best practices we've been able to isolate:

Keep it Steady

The biggest problem with most cell phone video footage is shakiness. Hold your hand steady, avoid jerky movements, and retain detail and reduce blur by panning very slowly. The most valuable investment you can make is a cell phone compatible tripod. There are hundreds of inexpensive cell phone tripods available in the ten to thirty dollar range. Look for something small and easy to transport, a versatile mini-tripod with clips and/or suction cups allowing you to quickly set up shop whenever and wherever the action starts to happen

A Clean Lens

One of the great things about cell phone cameras is we ring them everywhere with us. Unfortunately, this is the same reason why the lens gets dirty. Dust, smudges, and fingerprints can ruin what would otherwise be an incredible piece of digital video content. Get a mobile phone cleaning kit, lint-free lens cloth, or other commercially available lens cleaning solution and utilize it periodically.

Proximity is Better than Zoom

The decision to use digital zoom often results in a regretful degradation of video quality. Instead of zooming, walk closer to your subject. Let your feet be your zoom lens.

Consider the Light

Nobody wants to see news videos full of shadows and unidentifiable figures. Keep the sunlight at your back, and shining on to your subject, for the best outcome. The same rule applies for artificial lighting. The darker it is, the more steady you'll have to hold the camera.

Technological Dominance

When shopping for a cell phone, look for a unit with advanced video functionality. It's always advantageous to have control over such details as contrast and brightness. Some cell phones offer several settings for video quality and/or screen size. Always keep it set to the highest quality setting for optimal results.

The Sound of News

One advantage video has over still photography is the ability to capture sound in addition to the imagery. Remember, the microphone is on the cell phone -- so the closer you get to the subject, the better the sound will be. If you're in an area with lots of background noise, like a city with lots of traffic, it may be tough to get good audio of your subject unless you get up close. Some of the newer cell phones now come with jacks for external microphones. An inexpensive external microphone will open up lots of new opportunities to you.