Video Zen

Tony shot some gorgeous video at the Oregon Coast over the holidays. To calm your mind and spirit, here’s a bit captured at day’s end at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Newport, Oregon. Enjoy!

Tips for taking better photographs

It’s New Year’s Eve and you want to capture all the action as we head into 2010. If you’re heading to a party or spending the evening at home, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you point your camera and make some memories:

1. Your best shots will usually happen if people aren’t so aware that you’re taking photos, so consider shooting a bit from a distance (zoom in with your lens to capture close-ups).

2. Whenever possible try to shoot at eye level or slightly above eye level. If someone is sitting down, for example, get down to his or her eye level for best results.

3. When photographing a wide shot to show activity in an entire room, consider having a stepstool or sturdy chair nearby for you to stand upon in order to see all of the activity (be careful!).

4. Try to position your subject where he or she has plenty of light falling on them, but avoid shooting anyone against a bright window, as the resulting photo will be a silhouette.

5. When taking photos outdoors, try to have the sun behind you (make certain your shadow does not fall on the subject, though). Use a flash outdoors to fill in shadows.

6. Don’t hesitate to take multiple shots. The difference between a so-so picture and a stunning picture can be a fraction of a second so shoot, shoot, and shoot! Unlike shooting with film, digital cameras allow you to shoot lots, so if you think it might be good, go ahead and press the button!

7. Try to photograph people in the center area of the room, not flat against a wall (or the photo will look like it was taken at the DMV!)

8. If you set up some posed shots, play with eye contact. Perhaps have your subject look away from the camera. Or with two people, have them look at each other or off to the side of the camera lens.

9. Most importantly, have fun and don’t worry about taking the perfect photograph. If your subjects are smiling and enjoying themselves, your photos — and the memories they’ll capture — will most certainly be perfect!

Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve. All of us at Folklore Media wish you a wonderful and magical 2010!

Thanks

On Thanksgiving and every day, we at Folklore Media give thanks for all the special connections we have made and your inspiring stories that we’ve had the privilege to help tell.

From our families to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving day filled with love and laughter.

84%

Amazing new statistics about online video were just released that make me more confident than ever than video is where it’s at in reaching one’s audience online. According to ComScore, who just released their online video numbers for September, 84% of Americans watched online videos during September 2009. 84%!

And what’s even more interesting is that the average video watched is now 3.8 minutes in length!  Now 3.8 minutes might not sound very long but in internet time it’s an eternity. It’s kind of like dog years to people years. If you can get people to stay on your site for that length of time, and find a way to engage them, entertain them and inform them all at the same time, then you’ve gone a long way to gaining a new customer.  So figure out what your story is and tell it through video.

Video Rules

Just read a terrific article by Jeremy Scott at ReelSEO about why businesses need video on their websites. Why YOU need video on your website! You can read the whole thing HERE.

Some of my favorite highlights:

“…video actually shows people what your product or service does, instead of merely describing it. The late Billy Mays was a pitchman known for demanding one thing of the products he sold: that they be demonstrable. If you’re in business, then you have a product or service that is demonstrable. You’ve got to show people why they should be moved to do business with you. A short-but-sweet video pitch can cut through the noise and reach a consumer with an explanation of your company that mere text could never convey.”

“Putting videos online is quick, easy, and yes… even a non-techie can do it. But creating great video content? That’s an art…But fear not. Even for small businesses, demo videos are still affordable expenses, and they’ll pay off in the long run.”

I couldn’t have said it any better myself!