How can I grow my self-shooting skills without breaking the bank. Any suggestions? thank you.
How can freelancers grow self-shooting skills (without breaking the bank)?
by James Parris on 14th Sep 2018 Answers
To add your answer, please
Most phones now have the capability of shooting in 4K and even slow mo.
It's generally not the camera, but the operator where the skill lies, so shooting content on your phone is always an option.
Alternately, you can get entry level DSLR's that'll teach you the functions of using cameras - such as focusing, composition, frame rates, shutter speeds etc which are transferable to more high end cameras.
Lastly, there are rental websites where you can rent cameras for, usually from as a little as £20 a day if you want to practice. Not sure if I can mention the site here, but if you want to know drop me a private message and I'll send you (they're legit, I've used them before)
(I'm a PD)
Shoot, Shoot and Shoot some more... Keep shooting... Make your own films and learn to follow a story...
:)
Watch and shoot as much as you can on whatever you have to work with.
Look at reference, a tonne of reference both in and outside of your chosen field.
Look for placement and movement of the camera and how it makes you feel.
Also look at photography, paintings anything with compositional qualities.
Volunteer local events such as bands and solo acts. Create experimental shots not only using your camera but your edit skills too. And finally, many universities with art students need publicity. I urge you talk to them since you are both in the learning curve.
Practice shooting sequences - this can be on your phone, even entry level DLSR's. Crucially cut those sequences together - you'll get a sense of what's needed (wides, cutaways etc) to make a scene work.
As Riaz rightly points out, DSLR's are great to teach you the functions of cameras - Shoot as much as you can so focusing, composition, frame rate etc become second nature.
There's some good suggestions here. Maybe also worth thinking about if you have any skills you can do a skill swop with others with. Also a handy place to find some tutorials is on the BBC Academy website: www.bbc.co.uk/academy/en/collections/self-shooting