Video Tutorial: 4 Pro Tips to Help You Become a Great Videographer

Discover the best advice on how to create videos like a pro, with filmmaker and photographer Rafa Jacinto

Videos can convey big ideas and complex emotions. Combining audio with visuals creates a unique and powerful experience.

Filmmaker and photographer Rafael Jacinto (@rafajacinto) is an audiovisual master who has worked for major clients including: Nikon, Nike and Converse. He uses auteur techniques to tell unique stories through the lens of creativity.

He started out as a photojournalist at former Brazilian newspaper Noticias Populares (1999) before joining the founding team of Valor Econômico newspaper (2000) and launching the Cia de Foto collective (2004-2014). He worked on his own digital content production company in São Paulo, from 2014-2018. Since 2019, he lives in Milan.

In 2009 he also started working as an art director in advertising and for corporate films, as well as creating his own artistic projects.

Rafael shares 4 tips to help you create videos like a pro in this tutorial. Don’t miss it!

Rafael Jacinto uses a DSLR camera, which is the most commonly-used tool on the market thanks to its size and the fact that it allows you to switch lenses, which provides more creative freedom.

Use the strap to stabilize the camera

Rafael always wears the camera strap around his neck, tensing it in the direction he’s pointing the camera. This provides an extra source of stability.

He also avoids moving his arms. Instead, he uses his body and legs to create horizontal and vertical movements.

Record short clips

He always films short clips for two reasons: it makes it much easier to edit the footage and select scenes. And if something goes wrong, you don’t lose all your work.

It’s a simple and effective way to ensure the diversity of your material and to keep it safe.

Pay attention to the details

Take wide and medium shots, but pay particular attention to the details. These shots are very useful when you’re editing, because they work well as transition shots.

Always check your light sources

Whenever you enter an indoor setting, turn off all of the artificial lighting. This helps you understand how natural light works in that particular setting and to see the directions from which it enters.

This will give you a better basis to decide on the ideal lighting for your session. Indirect lighting is ideal for outdoor work.

Love this tutorial? If you want to discover more about how to develop an audiovisual project using a digital camera from the script stage to post-production, don’t miss Rafa Jacinto’s online course: Creating Documentary Short Films with a DSLR Camera.

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