1. Manual White Balance: Manual color correction for indoor and outdoor lighting. Focus the camera using a white piece of paper or cardboard to fill the frame, and then press and hold the WB button on the camera until the two triangles with a square in the middle stops flashing.

2. Manual Focus: Zoom the camera lens in as far as it will go. Press and hold the Focus button until MF appears in the viewfinder. Your camera will stay in focus even if people or objects move, as long as you stay in the same place. This is a must for videotaping sporting events.

3. Steady Picture: Use a tripod or monopod as often as possible. Use a "Tai Chi Stance" (feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent) or lean against a wall or post if a tripod or monopod is not available. Avoid zooming in on shots (The Blair Witch Project look.) If you are hand holding a camera, move the camera closer rather than zooming in!

4. Monitor Sound: Wear headphones (even if it does mess-up your hair!) to be sure you have clear sound with little or no background noise. Use an External Microphone when ever possible to get the mic as close to the source of the sound as possible and to eliminate unwanted background noise.

NOTE: be careful not to put a line level plug into your microphone jack because a line level input from a soundboard may damage your camcorder. (Line level inputs are for recording to a VCR)

5. Use Three-Point Lighting: The Key Light is the main source of light and should be above the subject 's head at an angle left or right of the subject. Properly used, the Key Light will create "Catch lights"in your subjects eyes (the nice little white spots that make your eyes look bright.) without causing the subject to squint.The Fill Light is not as bright as the Key Light and is on the opposite side of the Key Light. Outdoors, a reflector (a large piece of white cardboard will work) can help soften harsh shadows from the Key Light source which would be the sun. The Back Light should be a light source high above and behind the subject which will put highlights on the subject and make the image appear more three dimensional. Outdoors, a reflector again will do this. Indoors, avoid placing your subject in front of windows and glass doors because your subject will become a sillouette.

6. Make and Use Storyboards: Planning is the key to success. Yes, you may make changes as you go, but you need to know where you are headed before you start to shoot! Every story needs a beginning, a middle, and an end in order to be complete. Use different Lens Angles. Normal Angle is when the camera lens is at eye level. Bird's Eye Angle is when the camera lens is above eye level. Worm's Eye Angle is when the camera lens is below eye level. Use a variety of Camera Shots. A Full Shot is when the subject's head and feet barely fit into the frame. Full shots are used to "establish" where your story takes place. The Medium Shot cuts the subject off just above the waist. This shot is often used with news reporters. The Close Up Shot is where the subject's face fills the whole screen. This shot is used to show strong emotions. Use Panning Camera Motions (move the camera horizontally left or right only, not back and forth) to follow action. Use Camera Tilts (tilting the camera up or down vertically) to slowly reveal objects. Use the Fade Up From Black to say "Once Upon a Time" at the beginning of your story. Use Fade Out to Black to show the passing of time or to say "The End" at the end of your video.

Using these principles will help hold the viewer's attention and make your video communicate more effectively.