What is Vlogging(Vlog)? How to take it and recommended lenses

Nowadays, anyone can easily create and upload videos using their smartphone, and one of the most popular genres is "Vloggings (Vlogs)". However, if you shoot Vlogs not only with a smartphone but also with interchangeable-lens cameras, you can create a more professional quality video. In this article, we will explain everything from the basics of Vlogs to tips on shooting and the necessary equipment.

What is Vlogging(Vlog)?

Vlog (Vlogging) is an abbreviation of "Video Blog" and refers to content that records and transmits experiences such as an individual's daily life, hobbies, and travels in video format. Unlike traditional blogs that are centered on text and photos, the greatest appeal of Vlog is that it can convey a sense of realism and emotion more directly to viewers through video and audio.

It is a popular content as a more intimate and empathetic means of communication because it can share facial expressions, tone of voice, and even the surrounding atmosphere that cannot be conveyed in words.

It is common to post on video platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, and one of the reasons for its popularity is that it can be started with just a smartphone.

Typical types and characteristics of Vlogs

There are many different genres of Vlogs, and creators express them in a variety of formats. Here we will look at the most common types of Vlogs and their respective characteristics.

Daily Vlog

Daily Vlog is a style that introduces a snapshot of your everyday life, such as the flow of your day from getting ready in the morning to going to bed, and how you spend your weekends. Since you can film without any special events or fancy productions, it is a genre that makes it easy for beginners to create content on an ongoing basis.

By stitching together a snapshot of your daily life, such as your morning routine, work, shopping, or cooking, it is easier to feel closer to the photographer's life. It is a genre in which your personality and lifestyle are the appeal, and being natural is the key to closing the gap with your viewers.

Travel Vlog

Travel Vlogs are content that allows you to virtually experience travel by recording experiences, tourist spots, meals, and more at your travel destination and conveying the charm of your trip. The appeal is that you can share a sense of realism that cannot be conveyed in guidebooks or TV programs, such as the scenery you see while traveling and discoveries you make on the spot.

Travel Vlogs are also valuable as a record of your own travels. Watching them later will make for great memories.

Cooking Vlog

Cooking vlogs are videos that introduce how to cook a dish or eat at a restaurant. They can convey the appeal of food not only through sight but also through sound. They are characterized by the fact that they allow viewers to share the entire experience of "food," such as the sound of cutting ingredients with a knife, the sound of cooking ingredients, and the facial expressions when

eating. In particular, ASMR videos that emphasize cooking sounds and chewing sounds are also popular. In addition, rare content such as scenes of dining at high-end restaurants can provide viewers with a simulated experience, just like travel vlogs, and will likely increase engagement.

Family Vlog

Family vlogs are popular heartwarming videos that record a family's daily life, events, and children's growth. They also function as a digital album for sharing the family's growth, including tips and tricks for raising children and family trips.

This genre is likely to resonate with viewers at the same life stage, and it also serves as a place to share ideas for childcare and family events. It will give you new insights, such as "Oh, I didn't know there were ways to play like this," or "Children of this age react like this."

Cinematic Vlog

Cinematic Vlogs are highly artistic, using beautiful cinematic visual expressions and editing techniques, and their greatest appeal is their stylish and cool visual beauty. They make full use of shooting techniques and equipment such as slow motion, time lapse, and drone shooting to make even an ordinary everyday scene look like a scene from a movie. They

also pay attention to editing, such as color correction and the use of music, and can be said to be Vlogs that emphasize the production as a "work of art" rather than just a record. They can express their creativity through visual expressions that draw viewers in and a unique worldview.

How to start vlogging with an interchangeable-lens camera

The appeal of Vlogging is that you can start easily without any special equipment. We recommend that you start by shooting casually with a smartphone or similar device, but here we will explain some points to keep in mind when shooting more seriously with an interchangeable-lens camera.

1) Prepare the shooting equipment

The equipment used for Vlogging is diverse and complex, but you don't need to get all of it at once. It's a good idea to start with a basic camera and microphone, and gradually add more equipment according to your style and needs.

For example, if you're making a cooking Vlog, you should prioritize a tripod that allows for stationary shooting, and if you're making a travel Vlog, you should prioritize a lightweight camera that's easy to carry.

Camera

There are three main cameras that are often used for Vlogs.

The most convenient is probably a smartphone. The latest models can shoot with sufficient image quality, and editing can be done easily with a dedicated app. Since you can start with what you already have, it is also ideal for those who want to keep their initial investment low.

For more serious shooting, interchangeable-lens cameras are often used. You can be particular about the lens and shooting equipment, and high-quality video expression such as cinematic Vlogs will be possible. It will be possible to express things that are difficult to do with a smartphone, such as videos that make use of background blur and night shooting.

Finally, action cameras are also popular. Small and lightweight cameras such as GoPro are ideal for outdoor and intense Vlogs, and are characterized by their high durability. Many models are waterproof, so they are useful in environments where it is difficult to shoot with a normal camera, such as rainy days and marine sports.

Microphone

Something beginners often overlook is the quality of the audio. Viewers are more sensitive to poor sound quality than image quality.

An external microphone is effective in improving audio quality. Simply using an external microphone can significantly improve sound quality and make the video easier to watch. If you are more particular, you can use a lapel microphone, but it is best to start with a model that you can easily purchase. Also, directional microphones preferentially pick up sounds from a specific direction, reducing ambient noise and producing clearer audio.

Lens

When using an interchangeable-lens camera, be sure to choose the lens you want. It is recommended to choose a lens that suits your purpose and the video you want to shoot.

First, a wide-angle lens (approximately 35mm or less) is suitable for selfies and indoor shooting because it can capture a wide range even in a small space. It is also ideal for capturing your face and the background at the same time, or for shooting vast landscapes at your travel destination.

Next, a standard lens (approximately 50mm or less) features a natural angle of view close to that of the human eye, and is highly versatile and can be used in a variety of scenes. In particular, it is suitable for shooting everyday landscapes and people with a natural impression.

If you want to reduce your luggage on a trip, a lightweight and compact All-in-one zoom lens is also convenient. It covers a wide range from wide angle to telephoto, so you can avoid the hassle of changing lenses and can handle a variety of scenes. In addition, if you choose a lens with a small maximum F-number, not only can you take brighter images even in dark rooms or at night, but you can also create beautiful images like a movie by taking advantage of the background blur.

Tripod or gimbal

For stable shooting, check out the accessories. A tripod is an essential item for selfies and fixed shooting. For smartphones, it is especially useful to have a lightweight and easy-to-carry mini tripod or a type that can be used as a grip. It can be used in a wide range of ways, such as placing it on a table to film yourself or take pictures of the scenery.

A gimbal reduces camera shake when shooting while walking or moving, allowing you to take smooth footage like a professional. It will be especially useful for travel vlogs and daily vlogs, where you often shoot while moving.

Light

If you are shooting a professional video, you can improve the quality by making use of lighting. For example, small LED lights are useful for shooting in dark places. There are various types, such as those that can be attached directly to the camera and those that can be placed on a stand, and they are useful for shooting indoors at night or in places where there is insufficient light.

Ring lights illuminate the face evenly, making it ideal for making the expression look brighter in selfies. It is especially effective when you want to clearly show the details of your face, such as beauty vlogs. It also gives the eyes a "catch light" that gives a natural glow, making the expression look lively.

It is also important to make good use of natural light. Shooting near a window illuminates the subject beautifully with soft light, creating a warm and emotional atmosphere.

2) First, try taking photos casually

Choosing the right equipment is important, but the most important thing is to keep shooting videos. Start with a short video of about one minute and experience the entire process from shooting to editing and publishing. If you start with a topic that interests you or an area you are good at, you will naturally gain motivation and it will be easier to continue. If you have knowledge of the topic, you will be able to speak with confidence and you will be able to enjoy the filming itself.

Tips for shooting stylish vlogs

To make a more attractive Vlog, it is effective to have a few basic shooting techniques.

First, just being aware of typical compositions such as the rule of thirds will make it look better. Instead of placing all the shots in the center of the screen, try consciously changing the composition to create a more vivid impression.

Second, mix in close-ups (zoom in and out) and shots from different angles to prevent the entire video from becoming monotonous.

Third, when shooting videos, it is important to have a consistent overall atmosphere. By unifying the color tone of the video, you can more clearly convey the world view you want to express.

In addition, by using software such as TAMRON Lens Utility™, you can easily take professional-level shots. You can customize lens settings and smoothly operate the focus, so even beginners can challenge themselves to create professional-looking videos.

3) Edit

Editing is the process of stitching together filmed video and audio to create a finished video. By cutting out unnecessary parts and adding music and subtitles, you can make the content easier for viewers to watch and understand. Editing creates a story, greatly improving the impression and communication power of the video. Even beginners can create compelling videos by learning the basic operations.

4) Publish on social media

If you want to share it publicly, try publishing the completed video on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, etc. Before actually posting, it is important to understand the characteristics of each platform and post in the most optimal way. For example, YouTube can get a response even with long videos, but TikTok and Instagram reels prefer short videos (generally short videos of about 15 to 60 seconds).

In order for viewers to find your video, it is also important to be creative with the title, thumbnail, description, hashtags, etc. Collect information on the Internet and check the know-how.

Also, if you are going to continue your activities in earnest, it is important to communicate with your viewers by checking and replying to comments. Feedback from viewers will help you improve your next video, and responding to requests will help form a closer community.

Things to keep in mind when shooting and publishing a Vlog

There are a few things to keep in mind to keep your vlogging fun. It is important to be well-mannered and considerate in order to prevent problems and continue your creative activities with peace of mind.

Respect privacy

When filming family and friends, always get permission in advance, and if they don't want their faces to be shown, use blurring and angle to avoid showing their faces. It

is also important to be extremely careful not to identify your home address. Personal information such as the view from the window, nameplate, or mail may be unintentionally captured in the video. Make it a habit to carefully check the video before posting to make sure it does not contain any risky information.

Be especially careful when filming children. Do not disclose safety-related information such as the name of their school or extracurricular activities. Also, consider the possibility that your child may not want their video to be made public in the future, and think about protecting their privacy from a long-term perspective.

Do not infringe copyright

Be careful not to infringe copyrights by using royalty-free background music and sound effects. Recently, there has been an increase in services that provide free music materials, such as YouTube Audio Library, so it is a good idea to actively use them. It

is also important to be careful when filming so that copyrighted material such as TV programs, music, or other videos does not appear in the footage. If there is background music playing in a cafe or shop, it is likely that the music is also protected by copyright, so you will need to take measures such as muting the sound or replacing it with other music when editing.

Check for filming permission

Even in public places, there are many places where photography is restricted. When taking photos at commercial facilities or tourist spots, be sure to check the rules set by the facility in advance and obtain permission if necessary.

In addition, even if you are taking photos for private purposes rather than commercial purposes, some places may require permission depending on the type and content of the photography equipment you use. If you are using professional equipment such as tripods, lighting, or drones, you may need to confirm in advance, so be sure to check in advance.

Also, when taking photos overseas, regulations and etiquette vary greatly depending on the country and region. In order to avoid trouble, it is recommended that you gather information about local laws and culture before traveling.

How to Choose the Right Lenses for Vlogging

Finally, we will explain the points to consider when choosing a lens suitable for Vlog shooting.

Maximum apertur

Lenses with small maximum apertures, such as F2.8 or F4, can capture more light, making it easier to capture brighter images even in dark places.

In addition, lenses with small maximum apertures also feature beautiful background bokeh. The bokeh makes the subject stand out, resulting in images that look more like those taken with an interchangeable-lens camera.

Focal length and angle of view

As mentioned above, the angle of view changes depending on the focal length of the lens. Use different lenses depending on the image of the Vlog you want to capture.

For example, wide-angle lenses are suitable for shooting in small rooms, taking pictures of people including the background, and taking pictures of landscapes. Standard lenses provide a natural angle of view and perspective, making them ideal for shooting unadorned everyday scenes. Look for a lens with the angle of view you want by checking out examples in stores and actual shots.

Look

Even lenses with similar specifications will have different colors, resolutions, and depictions. For example, the overall atmosphere of the image, such as a sharp impression or a warm impression, is called the "look" and is the individuality of the lens. There are many aspects that can only be understood by actually using it, so check out the sample images. Also, by using lenses from the same manufacturer, you can achieve a unified look.

Weight and compactness

By choosing a lightweight and compact lens, you will be less likely to get tired even during long periods of shooting or handheld shooting. Lightweight lenses are especially beneficial when shooting on the move, such as when traveling or walking around town. If you want to reduce your luggage when traveling, an All-in-one zoom lens is also convenient. Since one lens covers everything from wide angle to telephoto, it can be used in a variety of scenes.

Focus Breathing

Focus breathing is a phenomenon in which the angle of view changes slightly when changing focus. It is hard to notice when taking photos, but it can cause discomfort when shooting video. Before purchasing a lens, check reviews and sample footage to see the extent of focus breathing.

Optical axis misalignment and focus shift when zooming

When using a zoom lens for video shooting, you need to be careful of optical axis misalignment and focus shift.

Optical axis misalignment occurs when the optical axis of a zoom lens shifts between the wide-angle and telephoto ends, and it can cause differences in composition. Focus shift is the phenomenon in which the focus position shifts depending on the focal length of a zoom lens. This effect manifests itself as the focus becoming out of focus when zooming in and out, which can be a problem when shooting video.

Along with focus breathing, check out sample images and reviews to understand the extent of optical axis misalignment and focus shift.

Operability of focus ring etc.

When shooting video, there are many situations where smooth focus operation is required. A focus ring with just the right amount of resistance makes it easy to make fine focus adjustments and provides a comfortable feel. It is also a good idea to check how smoothly the focus can be switched between autofocus (AF) and manual focus (MF).

Moisture-Resistant Construction

Vlogs are often shot outdoors, and can be subject to unexpected weather changes. Lenses with a Moisture-Resistant Construction allow you to shoot safely even in slightly bad weather. This is especially useful for travel vlogs and outdoor vlogs that feature nature.

Autofocus (AF) performance

When it comes to AF performance, in addition to whether the subject can be focused on smoothly, check the camera's ability to track moving subjects. Another point to check is the quietness of the AF motor. When recording with the camera's built-in microphone, the sound of the AF operation may be picked up by the audio, so a quiet AF is the best option.

Vibration Compensation

Choosing a lens with a Vibration Compensation mechanism will enable you to shoot more stable footage. Since tripods and gimbals are often not used for Vlog shooting in particular, it is a good idea to check whether the lens has image stabilization and how effective it is.

Trying out full-scale Vlog shooting with an interchangeable-lens camera

Vlogs are often shot with smartphones, but using an interchangeable-lens camera allows for more freedom in shooting with professional equipment. If you are just starting to get serious about video shooting or want to keep higher quality footage, try shooting your Vlog with an interchangeable-lens camera. Also, if you are trying Vlogging for the first time, try shooting casually first and experience the entire process up to editing.