Sadly, this kind of question is a little like: Do you like oranges? Some folks will, some wont when really it is all about you and your family. To take or not to take totally depends on your personal behavior when it comes to video/photographic activity. For many people, they wouldnt be caught dead without one, for others, it simply sits around and they never take it out of the bag. As somebody who uses teaches the use of video equipment and documentary production as part of my profession, it helps to think about things in terms of your personal needs and expectations.
Ask yourself several basic questions: How often do you use your unit on a regular basis? Weekly? Monthly? Annually? When it comes to special events (i.e. Birthdays, holidays, other vacations) do you usually bring it along and use it regularly? If you do, do you find yourself frustrated at missing things because you are looking through a camera rather than at what is going on? Have you ever forgotten your camera or camcorder after an event because it wasnt part of your regular routine? Answering these questions can help you decide how important having these types of memories recorded are for your future. At the same time, you might also think of how your boys might want to remember the trip when they are older. If you personally dont see using your equipment as important, thinking in this way might make you more motivated to actually haul it around and turn it on.
Finally, when you look back at the things youve recorded, are you satisfied with what youve recorded and saved? Do you get bored sitting through long parts and find yourself fast-forwarding? Are you sad that you missed key events or dont have enough footage? Asking these types of questions can help you identify how much you should be using your equipment before you become disappointed with the outcomes.
If you do decide that it is important enough to bring along, these four simple hints might make your taping experience less burdensome and more beneficial:
* Hold the camera with TWO hands and NEVER, EVER, EVER walk while videotaping. Nothing can make watching a great videotape less enjoyable than bouncing, bumping, rolling, and swayingoften for some to the point of nauseawhich is not exactly the point of the experience.
* Light on the zoom and panning (moving right or left with action or to see a broad scene)even when holding your unit still, going in and out is unnatural and confusing. Typically, reserve the use of both when trying to capture a broad shot or to focus in on specific details (i.e., if at port, and you want to show your cabin, start first with the whole ship and then slowly zoom in on your window.) When panning, go naturally and slowly. Most cameras have a very slow zoom option. For both, slow is almost always better.
*SHORT SHOTS. Typically 4-5 seconds max. This is truly one of the worst amateur mistakes of video production. We are usually inclined to push record and let the camera run. While you are likely to get a great deal of footage (which is certainly appropriate for school plays and other such constant events), typically nobody will ever be interested in watching the whole thing. Even if you THINK it will be great, it typically is not. Parades are great example where many people just record the whole thing. However, our minds do not work like the camera. Our eyes move around in ways the camera cannot forcing the viewer to simply see what is on the tape. Short shots replicates the behavior of our minds much more closelymoving from topic to topic and constantly providing new information. If you follow this advice, you videos will be far more pleasant to watch for everybody involved. If you want an example, turn on any documentary right now on Discovery Channel, History Channel, TLC, etc. Watch how short they typically keep shots and it will hopefully explain why this is an accepted process.
For many this lesson takes lots of practice. The proof, however, will come when people (who as a rule enjoy watching other peoples home vides about as much as a Christmas fruitcake) comment on how much they enjoy seeing what you have to show.
Many cameras actually have a setting for 5 second (or so) shots that automatically shut off after a few seconds. Terrible if you want to catch something longer, but a great training tool if you want to practice.
* Dialogue: This can be a challenge but try to tell what is going on and say something interesting in the process. For your 1 ½ year old (or anybody NOT on the trip) this will be they only way they know what is going on when they ultimately view the video. If you find yourself without much to say, but the camera is still runningchances are you shot is too long and there isnt much compelling to see. Obviously this doesnt apply during shows, self-explanatory events, and when other people are talking! Most important, try to relax and have funif you do, your viewer will too!
Hopefully these suggestions (albeit longwinded) will make your life behind the lens a pleasure for everybody involved.
and using it.
