One of the biggest hits of the twenty-first century is blogging. People love to share their thoughts, and for that purpose, they use every media possible: short messages on Twitter, long posts on Reddit, or videos on YouTube. The last ones are probably the most popular means of reaching out to your audience.
On the other hand, video blogging, or, shortly, vlogging, requires more preparation in terms of time and equipment. If you want to start making your own videos but don’t know what the essentials are, do not worry, we’ve got your back! Behold the list of everything rookie vloggers need to begin their journey.
Camera
This is the thing without which vlogging is impossible. To shoot a video, you need a camera. Depending on your vlogging ideas, you have to decide what type of video recorder you will use. For example, GoPro will be an indispensable thing to have if you’re a travel blogger, but it doesn’t mean that you cannot use it for shooting a talking-head video. Consider your options and budget — you may start with something affordable and later switch to expensive top-notch cameras.
Tripod
You may think that this thing is unnecessary, but trust us — you need it. Whether you’re just shooting in your room or when climbing a mountain, it’s better to have one. There is a bunch of various tripods, so you can easily find the optimal solution.
Lighting
A high-resolution camera is great, but it won’t do you any good if you don’t have quality lighting. Even a basic soft-light kit will create a better professional look on your videos in comparison to indoor lights or daylight coming through your windows.
If you are using a Chroma key, you will need another light set solely for it. The even and steady lighting will make the most out of it. And don’t forget to put some distance between you and a green screen to avoid the spill (the reflection of light from the green screen).
Microphone
Another important thing when creating a video. Bad audio can spoil the fun, and you have to make sure that this doesn’t happen. If the audio track is of indecent quality, you won’t attract a lot of people as nobody wants to listen to sizzling and cracking sounds.
Editing Software
After you get the raw content from your camera and microphone, it is time to tweak and combine them. Although the software is a must-have, a lot of people don’t think of it until the very moment of finishing the shooting. There are many free and paid options available on the market. It is necessary to mention that free ones have just basic editing features, so if you want something more professional, consider using Adobe Premier Pro or Sony Vegas Pro. If you want to add some effects to your final product Adobe After Effects will be a huge help.
As you can see, vlogging is not rocket science, but you still have to be prepared. Purchase all the necessary things, equip your place, and start filming.
