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How to start Vlogging? What equipment do you need?
When I first heard the word Vlog, I thought someone misspelled the word ‘Blog’ replaced B with V and started using it for fun. Later, I found out that Vlog means Blogging through videos.
Vlog or Video Blogging has been a trend for quite some time now. There are many emerging YouTubers, Vloggers, Content Creators, and Influencers and you see them all online, particularly on Social Media.
Some vlog about their day, some vlog about activities they did for a particular time, their travels, beauty tips, fitness routine, and just about anything under the sun.
The difference between Blogging and blogging is that with a Blog, you write your insights, stories, and whatever you want to share; with blogging, you speak to your audience.
So how do you do it? What equipment do you need to share your thoughts across this platform?
Here are 5 essential gears you’ll need to jump-start your vlogging journey.
1. Vlogging Camera
The very core of vlogging is the Camera. There are so many different options out there that it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. The key is to start with a camera that will provide you with high-definition videos.
You can use a camcorder, an entry-level DSLR, or a mirrorless camera. You can even use your phone; it’s always with you, and you always carry it.
Or you can use a Go Pro; it’s compacted, has an easy camera to carry, takes it wherever you need to go, and captures a decent size of the scene.
If you are going to stick with vlogging as a hobby or even a career choice, you might want to invest. You can check Panasonic Lumix G90/G95, Sony A6100, Olympus E-M5 Mark III, and Canon EOS M6 Mark II.
I prefer a small camera that’s not heavy to carry and can be used for just about any shoot.
2. Tripod
You’ll need a Stick or a Tripod to hold your camera. You’d like to get a tripod to use as a vlogging stick.
That’s what you’re looking for in a tripod for vlogging. If your camera has a wider lens, like Go Pro, it will have perspective distortion. Y
You’re going to want to use a stick for that. Holding your camera on a stick while you record yourself will help you get the camera away from your face, which lets you capture more space around you.
You’d also want a stable and clear video. A tripod or stick helps with stability, so your image won’t move around so much.
The most popular and widely used is the JOBY Tripod. It’s like a bendy tripod, or you can try the Manfrotto Mini Tripod.
3. Microphone
Most cameras have a built-in mic and it just doesn’t cut it when it comes to the audio recording. It records every sound, even air! Yikes!
Who wants to watch a video with scratchy, noisy audio? No one. I skip videos with bad audio, and I think most people do, too.
You need an external microphone for your camera to control and suppress ambient and background noise. You can check Rode VideoMic Pro, Shure VP83, Rode NT-USB Condenser, and AKG Pro Audio C214 Condenser.
4. Lights
If you have good lighting, your camera will work at its best. Natural light is the best light possible, so if it’s available, use it.
However, if you don’t have access to good natural lighting, you might want to get a good source of artificial light, especially if you’re shooting indoors. Portable LED Lights are great. You can bring them anywhere. You can check YONGNUO YN300 AIR.
Another kind of light is a Ring Light. Beauty channels often use it, as it illuminates your face with an even, soft light.
However, it doesn’t light up your background. You can solve a dark background with a Fill, Key, and Background lighting. It gives your video a more professional look and can help if you’re recording at night.
For some kits, you can go check out our Neewer 2 Pieces Bi-color 660 LED Video Kit, or if you have the budget, get Aputure Lights (Aputure 120D, Aputure LS1, Aputure LS1/2). They’re remote-controlled, so there is no need to keep standing and adjusting the lights. It saves you time.
You can control all of them with just a button.
5. Video Editing Software
How else are you going to piece your videos together, right? There are many different editing software available. Some are free, like iMovie or Windows Movie Maker.
Free software is nice and can do simple editing, but again, if you’re going to do this long term and want to do more, you better learn and invest in good software, like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut. We’ve made our Top 5 picks of the best editing software that from a beginner to the advanced editor can use.
So that’s about the basic things you’ll need to get started. Your setup will also depend on what kind of videos you’ll shoot.
A travel vlog will have different needs compared to a beauty vlog, so try and think about what your content will be. But, as you progress, eventually, you’ll need and want to get better tools as you get more and more into vlogging.
If you have other suggested equipment or any questions, let us know. Ciao!
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