Framing

Framing refers to where and how your subject appears in the camcorder's LCD screen or viewfinder and ultimately on the television screen, computer monitor or other playback device. If you've ever seen a video where someone's feet were visible but the top of their head was chopped off, that was an example of bad framing.

Framing With Your DV Camera

Where your subject(s) should appear within the frame depends on the type of shot — medium, wide or close-up. A medium shot is the typical interview shot you've likely seen on the evening news that starts anywhere from the waist to mid-chest with some space left above the head. A wide shot contains your subject's entire body, from head to toe, in the frame. Finally, close-ups are generally considered to be those shots where your subject's face (if it's a person) completely fills or more than fills (spills off the frame) the screen.

A general rule of thumb is to try to keep most of your shots in medium, use wide shots sparingly and only use close-ups when absolutely necessary.

Framing for medium shots

Because medium shots are the most common and frequently done wrong, we'll start there.

The natural inclination in shooting video is to center your subject in the frame. This is perfectly acceptable, but isn’t very interesting to look at and shouldn’t be used exclusively. For more interesting framing and to mix things up, off-center your subjects slightly to the right or left.

If your subject is in slight profile (head turned slightly one way or another), position them in the frame so there is more room in the direction they are turned. This gives them “looking room” and prevents a crowded effect.

Vertically position your subject so that their eyes are roughly centered in the upper half of the screen. Never center their heads in the middle of the frame.

Framing for wide shots

Wide shots are more forgiving than mediums when it comes to framing. The biggest thing to remember is to get as close to your subject as you can. Ask yourself how much of the environment surrounding your subject really needs to be in frame. If your subject is standing at the entrance to a stadium, framing him or her at the entrance makes for a better shot than framing the entire stadium from a block away.

Good composition is more important in wide shots so carefully consider angles and where your subject appears in relation to other elements in the shot.

Framing for close-ups

Close-ups are very easy. The most important thing to remember in close-ups is to get as far back as you can from your subject. If you can get their whole head in frame as opposed to just their eyeball, do it. Extreme close-ups can be effective but only in special circumstances (you'll know what those are).

Like medium shots, you can frame your subjects to the right or left of the frame to leave "looking room" in the direction they are facing. However, in shots where you are so close that your subject completely fills the screen, centering is probably the best option.