This article is sponsored by National Product Review.
Vlogging continues to be a great way to talk about your life and interests and participate in wider communities. Whether that’s creating makeup tutorials, cooking videos, talking about a movie or book that you have a strong opinion on, or recapping your travels, vlogs are a great way to capture and communicate those moments.
We’ve put together a list of the essentials you’ll need to get started on vlogging, and how they can help realise your creative vision.
Camera
This will seem obvious, but when it comes to vlogging, you’re going to need a great camera. But not just any camera, you’ll want a camera that will handle your needs and what environments you expect to tackle.
If you’re planning on live streaming or making video game content, you might consider a camcorder, or if you want to film POV videos, a Go-Pro might be the right solution. But at the end of the day, a DSLR is a great Swiss army knife option that will tackle most, if not everything you’d want.
A great all-rounder camera for vlogging is the new Nikon Z 30, which can tackle capturing detailed portraits, selfies, vlogs and everyday shooting. The camera can tackle 4k Ultra HD video recording, letting you create visually grand videos. A camera like this can help you punch above your weight, and provide great flexibility if you want to continue building on your skills.
But a great camera is only part of making a visually pleasing vlog. Something to also consider is pairing the right lenses for your camera. The Nikon Z 30 can pair with the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm lens, which is a fantastic lens for wider angles you would expect to see when shooting a person-to-camera vlog. The lens also comes with a wide-angle zoom function and vibration reduction, meaning if you’re on the move, you’ll still have a nice stable shot.
Lighting
Lighting is the most underrated aspect of filmmaking. A quality camera can make efficient use of natural lighting. But if you want to make sure that you’re not covered in shadows, and have a better visual aesthetic, consider investing in professional lighting.
This can be anything from LEDs, backlights, and ring lights which can help make your face and environment a deliberate focal point in your scene.
Microphone
Even if your video looks crisp and perfect, great sound should still be a priority. As George Lucas once said, “Sound is half the experience in seeing a film.”
There are plenty of different microphones you can use for your vlog, and they all have different pros and cons. If you’re interviewing someone, a lapel mic is a good investment as it’s portable, and can produce great sound quality when held close to a subject. A shotgun mic can be a good middle ground here, capturing plenty of surround sound.
If you’re planning on vlogging from home, a USB desktop mic will fulfil most of your immediate needs, but if you’re looking for studio-tier audio quality, you will want to invest in a full-size, wired, desktop mic.
Bag
Depending on your type of vlog, you may find yourself travelling around to take videos in public. For this reason, you’ll want to consider a bag that you can carry around comfortably while holding all the essentials you need for your video.
The Nikon Z 30 is a great DSLR for those reasons. You’ll also want to consider leaving space for different lenses, and a shotgun mic if you’re planning on interviewing anyone or talking to the camera yourself. You could also consider a lapel mic for this as well. Most importantly, however, you’ll want to consider room for backup batteries.
Editing Software
At the end of the day, you can take visually stunning footage and crisp audio, but if you don’t know how to work with editing software, it can all be for nothing. Editing is its own language that you’ll have to learn to speak – by discovering the rhythm of your video through cutting, title sequences, transitional animations, you name it.
The good news is that there’s a wide variety of video software out there that you can work with that can match your needs! But it does take a fair amount of time to learn the ins and outs of the software, so you’ll want to consider learning software that handles all of your needs.
Filming a vlog is all about trial and error. Don’t expect to get started and immediately nail your formula, as you get more comfortable in front of, and behind the camera, the better you’ll be able to share your stories, and you’ll continue to improve.
If you’re eager to get started on your vlogging journey and want to explore a variety of equipment, check out National Product Review. On-site, you can compare products, read consolidated consumer reviews and watch product videos. If you’re uncertain about an item or want to be a more informed customer, the site can help give you plenty of information before making that purchase.
Image credit: mixetto / iStock