Post by Benji: Bessenberg Bindery

Benji Dell, assistant photographer of the Michigan Daily, sent me a blog post/How To - of the fantastic audio slideshow he did on book binding... check it out:

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Benji's Quick and Nasty Guide to Capturing for Multimedia:


Yes peoples, it is both Quick and Nasty.

Get some equipment - conjure a camera (w/ 17-55mm and a longer lens if needed), a sound recorder w/ good mic, a tripod if you are shooting video, a list of interview questions and a general idea of what you want the story to be on. It is very difficult going into a story not knowing your angle. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the subject. Get some background info. Know your story. Figure all this out before you get to wherever you are going. It is helpful to write down a shot "wish list" or what your hope to gather.



Double check equipment -Do you have enough flash cards? Batteries? Flash? Flash cord? Flash cards? Does everything work right? Why the hell are there so many things called flash?

Find the right subject – not everyone sounds good on tape. Pick you subject wisely.

Audio:
1. Silence is golden. When interviewing, keeping quiet can yield great sound bytes as the subject naturally wants to fill in the silence.
2. Don't say uh huh or any sort of auditory acknowledgment. This will ruin your sound bytes. Just nod your head.
3. If you are holding the microphone, try not to move your hands, as you will get handling noise and ruin your sound bytes.
4. Always monitor your audio through your headphones. This will help you realize what sounds the mic is picking up and possibly help to eliminate them (buzzing fluorescents, refrigerator hum, computer fan, etc.) This will also ensure the microphone is working properly.
5. Make sure the audio levels are correct on your sound recorder.
6. When interviewing, don't read the questions you have straight off the paper. Conduct the interview more like a conversation so it flows.
7. Don't ask yes or no questions. Only asked open-ended questions that promote interesting answers.
8. Don't be afraid to ask the subject to repeat something if the audio got messed up or the phone rang and ruined the clip.

Photos:
1. Pick a duration to play each photos, anywhere from 3-6 seconds should be good depending on the quantity of good photos you have.
2. Don't be redundant with your photos (I am guilty of this).

Video:
1. Shoot B-roll, that is detail shots, close ups etc.
2. Vary your shots, wide angle, close ups, etc.
3. Do not zoom while recording. Do not pan or tilt while recording.
4. Use a tripod.
5. Don't talk while filming someone. You do not want to ruin the sound bytes.



See my blog for more info.

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-Mingo