At Fifty03’ Visuals, we are always taking on projects that will showcase the great outdoors. While video content outside is undeniably captivating and engaging for viewers, it comes with its own set of challenges. Many factors can influence your shoot, some of which are beyond your control. To help you navigate these challenges, we have provided some tips and tricks below that can help you prepare for your next outdoor shoot.
Plan Your Shoot and Location
While it may seem obvious, careful planning of your shoot and location can significantly impact the quality of your video content. The right timing and setting are essential factors that determine the overall success of your footage quality.
First off, choosing a good time during the day to film is important for lighting. The moments just before sunrise and just before sunset—often referred to as the golden hour—offer soft, flattering light for outdoor filming. If you cannot film during those hours, be aware of the sun’s position wherever you are filming. Additionally, keeping updated and informed on weather conditions is critical to ensure your subject and equipment stay safe.
The location you choose can truly make or break your video. Depending on your subject, your filming site may vary, and sometimes you’ll need to adapt to the surroundings you find. When selecting a location, prioritize accessibility for your equipment and ensure you have the necessary permissions to film there legally. After doing your research and confirming these details, find a beautiful spot and enjoy the creative process!
Check Your Equipment
Before you leave for your outdoor shoot, triple check that you have all the essential gear. Cameras, batteries, SD cards, and back-up batteries are crucial for the shoot to happen. Since you are outdoors, bringing stabilizing equipment can be smart to ensure steady shots. This includes tripods, shoulder mounts, Gimbels, etc.
Capturing audio can be difficult outside, especially if you are in a busy area with cars or noisy animals nearby. External microphones, including boom mics and Lavalier mics, can help reduce any extra noise outside of your subject.
For lighting, reflectors and diffusers can help how your subject will look in the sun. At Fifty03’ Visuals, we recommend investing in ND filters to help reduce the amount of light entering your camera, similar to sunglasses!
Preparing for Different Weather Conditions
You will never fully predict weather conditions when filming outdoors. Before your shoot, keep an eye on weather updates and plan to reschedule if the forecast looks dangerous. Make sure to pack rain covers for your equipment. Dress appropriately according to the weather, and pack extra jackets, water, and food to be on the safe side.
Framing and Composition Outside
The whole reason to film outside is to capture the beautiful, natural landscapes! That is why it’s important to frame your shots well to incorporate surrounding environments. When angling your subject, make a note to check the foreground, midground, and background of each shot. The Rule of Thirds can help you with lining up your shot to ensure correct spacing.
After Filming – Post Production Tips
Once you are editing your outdoor footage, there may be some colors or lighting that will need to be adjusted. Adjusting the exposure and color grading can help make the final video look polished and professional.
When listening to your audio, it could be beneficial to add some background noises or music. If you have a talking subject, it is important to balance their audio levels with the surrounding environment to make it sound as natural as possible.
Next Steps
At Fifty03’ Visuals, we are here to help everyone with their visual media needs, whether you are filming yourself or are looking to hire videographers. If you have any questions regarding our work, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our diverse range of services has only expanded over the years, expanding our video knowledge and leading to professional, creative content. Check out our work and reach out to us for more information!