Videography definition

Thanks to YouTube and social networks, video content has become the most popular way to spread information and videography has become commonly used.

In essence, videography is a step-by-step process of video production, similar to the work of a full-fledged film studio. The biggest difference between them is that there is no clear script in the videography and the “actors” who are filmed do not act for the camera. If they are required to follow the “plot” in some way, that’s the job of the videographer.

What exactly does a videographer do? A videographer is a specialist who deals with the full cycle of video production – from shooting to presenting the edited video to the viewers or the customer if there’s any. They shoot private and corporate events, create videos for blogs, and many other things. There are a lot of genres to try for a videographer, meaning they often have to combine the skills of several specialists, replacing the whole video production team.

Interested in trying out videography? Let’s look at the most popular genres, so you know what you may have to work with.

Types of videography

Videography is quite a broad concept. There are practically no restrictions and you are free to shoot almost anything. The list of the most common types of videography includes the following:

  • Event videography — these include concerts, weddings, competitions, and other events with a large number of people, capturing the brightest and most memorable moments;
  • Reports — interviews and other ways to show the viewer an information excerpt about some news or incident. If you have live streaming equipment, this type of videography is one of the best to use with it;
  • Advertisement — whether it’s a small acted-out scene with a presentation of a product or a review analysis to show its good and bad qualities, this is a very popular genre among viewers, because many people want to know more about a product before buying it;
  • Documentaries — those are a fairly simple type of videography. There is no need to make a full-scale colorful biopic when it is enough to communicate with the subject of interest. This type is often combined with the reporting type, as the use of interviews is very suitable here.

These types are just a drop in the ocean of everything you can shoot as a videographer. If you want to try it out, let us give you some tips for starting videography!

How to start videography

Regardless of the niche, in professional videography you will need some equipment and technology to work. Therefore, to begin with, you need to have at least a minimum start-up capital to buy a camera with a lens and a computer for post-production.

However, you don’t have to immediately jump into professional videography. In fact, regular smartphones are the most affordable and most common cameras now, so you can start filming right away. Even cheap smartphone models allow you to shoot and upload a video to the network on the spot. Expensive models turn into a full-fledged full-cycle video production studio: from shooting to editing and distribution.

So, you have a camera. In general, this may even be enough for beginners, but also consider additional accessories that will help you shoot in different conditions. Among a plethora of shooting equipment the most popular and beginner-friendly are a tripod or selfie stick to help you in image stabilization and in cases where you need to film yourself; and softboxes or other portable light sources for filming in low light conditions.

Videography tips for beginners

Missing some expensive accessory, studio camera, or dedicated space won’t kill your project or halt your progress. As soon as we press the record button, creativity begins. It continues during editing.

The beauty of editing in our time is its accessibility. If you are seriously interested in video editing, you can immediately get some specialized programs and learn how they work, but it is not necessary at all. If you’re just starting out, a free video editor of some kind is enough — many modern editors offer simple and straightforward features to help bring your video to life.

In videography, you are your own director and will have to solve a very wide range of tasks. But it’s worth a try — you can unleash your creativity and maybe start your life’s work!