When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
How to start Vlogging? What equipment do you need?
When I first heard the word Vlog, I thought someone had misspelled the word ‘Blog’ and replaced B with V. I started using it for fun. Later, I found out that Vlog stands for video blogging, which involves sharing insights and stories through video content.
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 can see them all online, particularly on social media.
Some vlog about their day, some about activities they did for a particular time, their travels, beauty tips, fitness routines, and just about anything else.
The difference between blogging and vlogging is that blogging involves writing insights and stories, while vlogging involves sharing them through videos.
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 camera is the core of vlogging. There are so many different options 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, which is always with you and always carried.
You can also 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 plan to continue vlogging as a hobby or even a career, you might want to invest. You can consider cameras like the Panasonic Lumix G90/G95, Sony A6100, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, and Canon EOS M6 Mark II.
I prefer a small camera that is not heavy to carry and can be used for almost 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’ll want to use a stick for this. Holding your camera on a stick while you record yourself will help you move the camera away from your face, capturing 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.
One popular and widely used option is the JOBY GorillaPod. It’s like a bendy tripod, or you can try the Manfrotto Mini Tripod.
3. Microphone
Most cameras have built-in microphones, but they often fail to capture high-quality audio. 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 camera microphones like the Rode VideoMic Pro, Shure VP83, Rode NT-USB, and AKG Pro Audio C214.
4. Lights
If you have good lighting, your camera will work best. Natural light is the best light possible, so use it if it’s available.
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 because it illuminates the face with an even, soft light.
However, it doesn’t light up your background. Fill, key, and background lighting can solve a dark background. They give your video a more professional look and can help if you’re recording at night.
For some kits, you can 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, which saves you time.
You can control all of them with just a button.
5. Video Editing Software
How else are you going to put your videos together? Many different editing software programs are available. Some are free, like iMovie or Windows Photos (which includes basic video editing tools).
Free software is good for simple editing, but for long-term use and advanced features, consider investing in software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. We’ve made our Top five picks of the best editing software for beginners and advanced editors.
So, those are the basic things you’ll need to get started. Your setup will also depend on the kind of videos you 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!
See Also