"Blank Slate" is a video series that guides you through the complicated world of visual storytelling. These videos were created to help Air Force Public Affairs Airmen, but they apply to all military communicators. Written and produced by the U.S. Air Force 3rd Audiovisual Squadron, this series covers various aspects of their jobs including:
- Flash photography
- DSLR for video
- Lighting for videos
- Microphone selection
- Video editing techniques
Flash Photography
It is important to know how to capture your subject in the most aesthetically pleasing way possible, even when the location or access to your subject is less than ideal. Learn important tips from Blank Slate: Flash Photography as they demonstrate techniques for adding quality to your images and enhancing visual communication.
DSLR for Video
Your digital single-lens reflex camera can capture both still and video imagery. Blank Slate: Pros & Cons of Using a DSLR Camera gives tips for capturing video with a DSLR. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of using a camera designed primarily for photos will help you make better decisions for capturing the best images and videos. This video also delves into shutter speeds. The shutter is a mechanism that opens and closes to admit light into a camera for a measured length of time. The shutter speed you choose will affect your exposure and impact motion. Knowing how to control the shutter opens up a world of creative possibilities.
Lighting for Videos
When filming, you need to know how lighting can influence the feelings and emotions the audience develops for a story’s characters. Discover ways to use lighting in Blank Slate: Lighting for Videos. These basic techniques will help you produce a high-quality story with a lasting impact.
Microphone Selection
Understanding how lighting impacts video is not the only factor that influences storytelling. Blank Slate: Microphone Selection helps to explain why one microphone is better than another in different situations. Knowing which microphone to use will help you capture the right sounds in the right way for your project. Watch demonstrations for discerning which microphone is best for indoor and outdoor shoots, and a few tips for hiding the microphone when necessary.
Video Editing Techniques
A significant part of visual storytelling involves editing your work to create a professional, high-quality and aesthetically pleasing final product. Check out commonly used editing techniques in Blank Slate: Video Editing Techniques. Some of the techniques include:
- Iris transition
- J-cuts
- L-cuts
- Invisible cuts
- Fade-to-black techniques
Knowing common video editing transitions, and the where and why to use them, is essential to effective storytelling, maintaining professionalism and increasing audience engagement.
Use the resources in this collection to help you create visually appealing, stunning products that enhance communication efforts and engage the senses.