Videotaping Animals-Tips and Tricks

Everybody likes videos of animals.  Some of the most popular online videos feature animals, usually in a pose of incredible cuteness.

Videotaping domestic animals can be tricky, though.  They usually do not want to cooperate!  My best trick is to create a situation that makes good pictures, then videotape them while they enjoy the environment naturally.  The camera HAS to blend into the environment, so the animals do not notice it.  Wild life photographers often shoot from a blind.  That’s not always practical, of course.

I made the video below for a friend of mine who owns a small horse ranch.   She had tried to take video herself, but was unable to get any good shots.  The horses wanted to do nothing but lick the camera!   Read on to see what tricks I used to get tons of quality video.

DISTRACT THEM!

First, full disclosure.  I am a critter-lover from the word go, so videotaping animals is a total pleasure.  Even if you step in goo.  Just keep that in mind when you get dressed!

Many people have trouble getting good shots of their animals. Often, it’s because the animals are looking for treats.  They just know there was something tasty inside the camera if they could only get to it.

Most domesticated animals will react this way to a camera, even if it is held by someone they do not know.  I have experienced this dozens of times over the years. Even if you stand back, most domesticated animals like horses or cows will continue walking up to you to lick the camera.  It’s kind of fun, really, but not real productive.

That’s why I always get somebody to feed, play with, brush, or otherwise distract the animals.  Then I take video of that activity.  Shooting off a tripod, I can get nice steady close-up shots using the zoom lens. 

I videotaped the horse owner in the video above while she did her daily chores and training activities with her herd.  I did this on several occasions, since I spend so much time there anyway.   I happened to be there when the horseshoe guy came, so I videotaped that too.

The more variety of activities you can videotape, the more visually interesting the final product.    Getting lots of footage also allows you to use just the most spectacular.  I had over one hour worth of raw video to choose from when I edited this 3-minute video.  I had a lot more video than I could use, but the best videos are made out of nothing but spectacular shots.  In order to do that, you simply have to have a high shooting ratio.  (Not that I consider this video spectacular, I don’t.  But it is pretty good for a quickie.)

I hope this helps you take better video of animals!

Thanks to everybody for reading Video Production Tips.

Lorraine Grula

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

• Why is distracting the animal an effective strategy for getting good animals shots?
• How do most domestic animals react to a video camera according to this article?