IMPROVE THOSE HORSE VIDEOS

 By John Lewis,
Green Grass Syndicated Features

            The video camera offers huge benefits to riders, especially those who perform in the show ring. That familiar question, “How did we look?” may now be answered via a color on-screen replay rather than some vague spoken description.

However, most video operators are usually less skilled with the camera than the subject is with their horse. To be fair, most people have graduated to video from still photography, and they regard the camera merely as a tool to record moving pictures and nothing more. In reality, video is a long stride from taking snapshots and a little application and forethought is needed to get the best results.

Today’s video cameras are real electronic marvels and in most cases they can be used on a “point and shoot” basis. The picture quality of the digital models is amazing, and constantly improving technology is sure to make them even better.

But there’s one thing that ruins most video shoots - unsteadiness. In plain English, the camera is not being held properly.  Many video camera manufacturers use terms like “steady shot” or “image stabilizer” in their specifications, which are built-in electronic aids to steadiness. The only problem is people take them for granted.

Always try and hold the camera with two hands. Brace the arms with the elbows resting against your rib cage and slightly stiffen the chest. Make sure your fingers have free access to the controls, as this can reduce the risk of a sudden jerk or shake while filming. Resting the elbows on top of a gate, the arena rail, or any similar flat surface to aid support can also be of great help.

Try this test to prove how proper holding will improve your shots. Take a general shot with the camera in one hand at arm length, and then take the same shot again with the camera braced in your two hands as described. You may instantly become a convert!

A steady camera will improve the two additional things that can also spell disaster - erratic zooms and pans. Few will deny that looking through the viewfinder or at the mini screen while zooming has a certain novelty effect. But far too many people zoom in and out like demented trombone players. Combine this with rapid panning and the on-screen effect can make the viewer feel positively dizzy.  There is one golden rule for zooming and panning. Do it smoothly, and purposefully. Nothing’s worse than a zoom that starts, hesitates, and then starts again with little idea of where it is going, or where it will end.

Let’s assume that horse and rider are in a wide shot, and you want to zoom in tighter so the rider’s upper body will fill most of the frame. Shoot enough of the wide shot to let it establish on screen — at least three seconds — then start the zoom in. Don’t rush it, keep the tempo nice and even especially as you

may well be panning at the same time to follow the horse. The pan may be fairly rapid, so the zoom needs to be the slower of the two movements or both motions will clash visually. Always aim to use the zoom sparingly and to good effect.

Panning is almost essential when you are following horses, especially when they are moving at a trot or canter. Once again, smoothness and tempo are paramount. At all coasts avoid swinging the camera here, there, and everywhere like a garden hose. It’s the mark of a real amateur, and the on-screen images will certainly prove it.

When you shoot a pan, never swing the camera in the opposite direction within the same shot. The subject should always be kept more or less in the same position on screen — usually center frame — and followed at a pace in time with the action. Don’t pan so fast that you get ahead of the horse and have to pause for him to catch up. Pretend the camera is a visual lunge rein and you won’t go far wrong. 

Never switch the camera off before a pan has finished, it looks very untidy on the screen. When you want to end a pan, bring the camera to a halt, and then keep it running for a few seconds allowing the subject to completely clear frame so the shot comes to a natural end.

EDITING & PRE-PLANNING
To make the shots flow smoothly commercial producers and serious video enthusiasts spend hours editing their material. In recent years that level of sophistication has come within the reach of computer owners.

With the camera linked to the computer and a very affordable software package, you can perform quite sophisticated editing plus effects such as fades and wipes just by clicking the mouse. But you will need a computer with a fairly powerful processor and plenty of hard disc space.

Limited editing can also be achieved by linking the camera to your VCR via simple cables. That allows selected shots to be transferred in the desired order. This can be a little time consuming, so try to edit as you shoot: Before you start filming, plan a sequence of shots rather than just shooting everything at random.

Show classes, dressage and jumping all follow a definite pattern in a set area, so the prime concern is to find good camera positions.

For maximum coverage of dressage, for example, the camera needs to be near the B or E markers, but if you want to concentrate on a particular movement it must be planned accordingly. For example, a half-pass left from F to X would require a camera position near C to show the lateral movement at its best.

A central position on the rail is usually not the best place for showing and jumping classes as it can involve a lot of panning. Standing near one of the corners can prove far better, and if you have steps or a box about 14 inches high, this elevated perspective can work wonders.

There’s sure to be an occasion where the camera position is less than ideal. You may not be able to cover a particular jump, or perhaps spectators obstruct your view which means the camera will have to be switched off once the horse is out of shot, and re-started when it returns within range. This could lead you into committing a real television crime, the “jump cut.”

If the horse was traveling left to right before you switched off, and then right to left when you re-started the camera, the result on screen will be startling. In 1/30th of a second the horse will turn 180 degrees, thus creating a visual jump, which looks dreadful.

There are two simple ways to overcome jump cuts. The easiest way is to let the subject fully clear the frame, and hold the shot for a further second like we described when finishing a pan. With all movement gone it gives the impression of clearing the stage ready for the next scene. Any following action, even if it is in the opposite direction, will flow along more naturally.
This sequence also works the opposite way around.  You can start the second shot before the horse comes into frame, and then once he’s established center screen, start panning.

Another and more imaginative method is to use a cut-away. This is a brief shot that relates to the subject, which at dressage or a show class could be the judge, or a group of spectators. Inserted between two shots of the rider, it will overcome any problem of direction or tempo, as it literally “cuts away” from the main action thus avoiding a jump cut.  If you are able to electronically edit your videos, shoot plenty of cut-way shots as they are virtually guaranteed to get you out of trouble. However, don’t make them too long if they are inserted between action shots. Two or three seconds is ample.

A lot can be learned from watching televised equestrian events. Note the speed of the zooms, the length of shots, and how transitions are made between action sequences. The professionals may have better equipment and big budgets, but the same techniques can easily enhance your videos.

10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR VIDEOS.

1) Keep the camera steady by bracing your arms and holding the camera with both hands

2) Don’t keep zooming in and out. Always use the zoom to good  effect.

3) Avoid swinging the camera around like a garden hose.

4) Never pan the camera in the opposite direction during the same shot.

5) Plan your shots as a sequence so they will flow naturally on screen.

6) Select a good camera position for maximum coverage of the subject.

7) Avoid sudden changes of direction on screen which result in jump cuts.

8) If you’re going to edit, shoot plenty of cut-away shots.

9) Don’t keep yelling instructions to the subject — the microphone will pick them up.

10) Make sure camera batteries have sufficient power for the shoot.