Framing the picture in your LCD screen is called composition. A standard rule of composition is to imagine the LCD screen divided into thirds from the top to the bottom. Say you are videotaping an interview of someone try to keep their eyes about one third from the top of the screen. Even at a distance or close up, try to keep the eyes of your subject on that imaginary top third line. Also frame your shot so they appear to look into or walk into the frame. You want to have your subject fill the screen, but leave enough room around it
There are some basic shots for the size of your subject also. A wide or establishing shot shows the whole scene. A medium close up shows the scene closer. And a close up is just that, close up. Here is how you might shoot a scene of say a school musical concert. First shoot an outside shot of the place where the concert is, a theater, school, etc, as a wide or establishing shot. Then go inside and shoot a scene of the whole room or area. Next shoot close ups of the performers faces, audience members, the stage, microphones, feet tapping, stage lighting etc.
Put some variety in your shots by changing locations also. Try a shot of your subject from the front at eye level & next shot from the side at a low level.
When shooting landscapes don’t cut your video in half by placing the horizon at the very center of your frame, keep the horizon line at that top third or bottom third line. The angle you shoot at is important also. Get shots of people at eye level especially children. Get lower if needed to achieve the right height. Looking down at someone or something in the shot makes them appear less important. In reverse shooting up makes the subject seem very important. It’s a very subtle thing but one to remember.
Practice putting all these parts together and you will have a good looking video.
Looks good Dad. 🙂