If the principal reason that you took this photo is to direct the viewers eyes to the people, having the rest of the scene with little detail helps accomplish your principal reason for taking the photo in the first place. Sam

Jeanene, to widen your search possibilities you might want to 'separate' your photo/video and audio devices. Even though my camera has a mic input (and built-in mic), I frequently use an external Voice Recorder when can be hooked up to a bands mixing board, or it can use an external mic input of its own, or with a remote mic adapter you can eliminate the long (and 'get in the way' cables or it can be hidden on the vocalist and use a good lapel mic.

The most recommended model is a Zoom H-4N. It will pickup less noise when using a long mic cord because it uses XLR mic jack/cabling. I have been very happy with my Edirol by Roland. Roland makes a lot of band 'equipment'. It only has a 1/8" mic input jack. But, I get really good sound to 30 feet of mic cable (not a lot of noise generation sources that would transmit these sounds in my film/recording environment) . My Edirol is so old that you will have to investigate what they are selling now-a-days.

Also, please also record with your on-camera mic so that you can sync the audio in post. It is much easier then trying to look at the singer's expression or players movement while you are aligning the sound with the video. (Don't ask why I know that ... now.) ;-)
Sam

Great Article! I wish that 'those' that think that Photography can't be ART would see your article. We even have a community close to us (on the Pacific NW of the USA) that will not allow PP for any of its annual photo contest entries (thus perpetuating the lack of 'art' in photos).

BigEasy, participating in a camera club that show the results of the 'challenges' at every meeting keeps things going for me. Need help visualizing that? See this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWvdAOojL5M

"The zoom in/out buttons do not work while recording."

I'm just getting started in making videos. Both books that I purchased say "Do not use the zoom while filming." Your zoom is great for setting up an "establishing shot", followed by a "medium" and/or "close up". If you have a motorized rail system, it is possible to make the 'hero' in your frame not change it's/his/her size while the camera gets either closer or further from that 'hero'. That way the background gets 'smaller' or 'larger' depending on your 'story line'. But other wise your video would look 'amateurish'.

Hope that helps you not have to cry. ;-)

Our local Photo Club had a talk recently about taking photos from a Helicopter. She said make certain that you have TWO straps on your camera and don't ever unhook the one strapped to your body when in the helicopter! 'Things' happen!

Keep in mind that the lighted moon is the same intensity of light as the earth is in full daylight. If you have a spot meter on your camera, place that 'spot' on the center of the moon, press 1/2 the way down on the shutter button (keep it 1/2 of the way down) compose the picture and complete the button press. Be very gentle even on your tripod. Good luck!

Depending on the post processing software that you have, the procedure will be 'similar' but not exactly the same.
Using the free software "FastStone", open the file folder (or camera file) left click to select the one you want to 'work on'. Then go to "Edit" and select "Resize". Then you can use any of the controls (pixel count or, percentage) to reduce the size of the photo. Be sure and save the image under a different name (so you can always get back to the full pixel counts for other Post Processing). If the name was "FireEngine" you could save the smaller file as "FireEngine sm).

Steve40, keep up the good work.

If doubters are correct all of us have nothing to fear. If Christianity is correct, I truly fear for those who doubt.

Steve40, it seems we all have 'tackled' a very hard subject. I (tried to) just explain one aspect about God in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOqF32oj_5E

Many people can not understand "How can a Loving God allow ... fill in the blank with what ever (war, rape, murder, etc.)". Maybe, just maybe, this short video will help explain at least one point about God that is hard to understand.

PJH8RN comments about the importance of a "story line" is 'right on'! I once put together a video to promote our RV co-op. 'Thinking' that I was done, I turned it over to the promotional committee. Once they redid the story line, they even took into consideration that wives frequently have more to say about where the couple will 'buy in' than her husband. They gave me the audio of a female in the park to replace some that I had already done.

Because our goals are very similar, you might want to review our promotional work. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_lP73A6ubE

Any promotional presentation is much easier on the photographer if the story line is done before any photos/videos are taken. Best wishes on your project.

I belong to two different camera clubs (summer and winter). Both are 'action orientated', in that they have bi-monthly "challenges" to keep us "in the field" (we can't pull out old photos that meet the challenge topic). Passing around the advance demo responsibility, helps keep each 'teacher' learn more and we learn from different 'perspectives'.

Our current challenge is "taken from above". The member that gave that demo even included camera safety that needs to be practiced when taking photos out of a helicopter. However, however any photo taken from 'above' will be accepted for critique. Some that I've been thinking about are from a bridge, tall building, ladder, any subject that is 'normally' photographed from the side or straight on try a top down. When each of the three challenges are shown all members are encouraged to share what impacts them about what they are seeings as well as suggest things to try that might 'tell the story' more directly. We also allow one "open category" and these photos can be taken outside of the current dates and subject of the 'assigned' challenges.

I helped get a very successful club started by placing a flyer in employee lounges all over our small community. You can use any or all of this video to prompt your own camera club.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWvdAOojL5M

Best wishes to you both.
Sam

Pounder35, I really appreciate the thoughts you included in your critique of my "home features" video. Seeing from the eyes of a person that has no stake in the subject is so valuable!

That's why I have been in camera clubs for over 40 years, to enlarge my 'thinking'.

SSam

RegisG, I recently made a "home tour" video and haven't "listed our home yet". BUT, I'd like frank comments so I can improve if I ever do something like this again. Tnx in advance. Sam
Here is the Link to my 4 minute video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USfNy59dO5Q

Jerry we all strive to "tell a story" in each of our photos. Here's one example how walking in or zooming in can make a difference. Let say you wanted to take a photo that 'said' "So many people came to my grandson's birthday party that there wasn't room for anyone else." When you use a wide angle lens and include the same objects at the extreme left and right of the photo, it will appear there is still room for more to attend. Now, move as far back as you can in the 'party space'. Use your zoom to photograph those same objects on the left and the right side (leaving the same space on the outside of both photographs). You will now notice that it is so crowded that there isn't room for anyone else to attend.

The compression factor of using the zoom does make a difference. I practiced this in a large empty hall filled with tables waiting for the evening 'pot luck'. I had a lot of room to get back far from that same table. The tables in both the front and back of my 'featured' table looked so much closer to each other that it looked like no one could even squeeze in to sit down.

In the two photos notice that the same table decoration statues are the same distance from the photo borders. But what the photo contains (the spacial 'feelings') are dramatically different.