Time to get creative
Tools and techniques to take tip top pictures and video
16 Best blogging body
if YOU’RE familiar with such names as Peter Mckinnon and Casey Neistat, you might be interested in shooting your own video blogs. You might also like to know that these two vlogging giants, along with many others, switched to the Canon EOS 6D Mark II (Mckinnon having moved from the mighty 1D X) as it is widely considered the best camera for filming vlogs, despite lacking 4K. With its smaller chassis, full-frame sensor, Vari-angle screen and Dual Pixel AF, it’s the best tool for the job.
17 Shooting video
WHETHER YOU want to film vlogs, shoot your kids playing in the park or get footage of your friend walking down the aisle, your Canon’s great video features mean that you can capture all those magic moments. Just like shooting photos, taking the settings off auto will produce much better results. Set your preferred framerate (24fps or 25fps will give you a cinematic look), which your shutter speed should double (so that’s 1/50 sec). Keep your ISO as low as possible and use the aperture to control the light – vintage or cine lenses with manual aperture rings are ideal.
18 Shed some light on things
NATURAL LIGHT is a great raw material to work with, but sometimes it just isn’t quite enough. Sometimes you just need a little bit of fill, sometimes you need to create light where there isn’t any, so arming yourself with a flash unit and a reflector is a great way to learn how to manipulate light. Using a reflector enables you to bounce existing ambient light, perfect for shooting outdoors or in situations where the light is originating from the wrong direction. Mounting a speed light either on your camera or (preferably!) off-camera is an affordable way to produce a powerful, versatile light source. For video, the Rotolight Neo series or the compact new Profoto B10s are ideal for constant light.
19 Going wireless
IV, USING Wi-fi has already revolutionized the way we use our phones and laptops, and we can use that same technology on many Canon cameras. Remote Live View shooting and wireless image transfer are available on bodies like the EOS 5D Mk
6D Mk II and 80D via the Canon Camera Connect app on your smartphone. The Canon WFT-E8B Wireless File Transmitter unlocks the same features on the 1D X Mk II, but with much faster file transfer.
20 Taking remote control
if YOU don’t want to go to the hassle of using your phone to fire your camera, you can always go old school with a remote shutter release. These come in the form of a cable release, the infrared Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control, or the Bluetooth operated Canon BR-E1 Wireless Remote Control. These are for when you need to eliminate camera shake, like long exposures.