{"id":2188,"date":"2020-04-24T21:03:38","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T19:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scancafe.com\/blog\/?p=2188"},"modified":"2023-09-26T16:15:48","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T20:15:48","slug":"preserving-family-memories-with-homemade-videos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scancafe.com\/blog\/preserving-family-memories-with-homemade-videos","title":{"rendered":"Preserving Family Memories with Homemade Videos"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Homemade-Family-Cooking-Video\"<\/p>\n

With so many families sheltering in place, watching old home movies can provide the ideal entertainment for lifting one\u2019s spirits! And since new movie releases have been halted due to the spread of the coronavirus, it\u2019s a good time to rewatch old favorites, discover classics you missed, or watch bad B movies that have become favorites.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Joys of Watching Old Videos with Family<\/b><\/h3>\n

Watching videos of family reunions, a child\u2019s first steps, or birthday parties brings back many fond memories. And revisiting favorite vacations from yesteryear is a nice diversion when traveling isn\u2019t possible. Of course, if you have VHS tapes and you donated the player to a thrift store many moons ago, that presents an obvious issue. But if you already digitized old videos, you can take a nostalgic trip down memory lane anytime your heart desires.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips for Taking Homemade Videos<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you have a decent smartphone, it\u2019s possible to shoot home videos that are much better than the ones you created years ago with your incredibly clunky camcorder. Smartphones are continuing to improve in terms of picture quality, while offering ultimate convenience. Like all photography, it helps to follow some basic rules when you\u2019re shooting videos before experimenting with fancy filters and special effects. Here are five tips from the pros:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Lighting:<\/b> The legendary film director Martin Scorsese once said, \u201cLight is at the core of who we are and how we understand ourselves.\u201d Poor lighting can dash any hopes of creating a good home video, so pay close attention to this.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Settings:<\/b> Proper set-up is essential, so you need to check resolution (1080 HD and 4K are common) and frame rate (30 fps and 660 fps are the most common). Both of these settings will impact some visual or audio component of your video.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Lens:<\/b> This may seem like a no-brainer, but a dirty or smudged lens can produce a blurry video, so use a clean microfiber cloth prior to shooting.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Mode:<\/b> Videos shot in portrait mode are a sure sign of an amateur production. Moreover, the horizontal mode offers far more ability to create interesting compositions and angles.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Stability:<\/b> You should use a tripod or set the device on a sturdy surface if possible. If you can\u2019t do this, hold it with two hands to avoid shaky footage, unless of course, you want a Blair Witch-like effect.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Why You Should Digitize Old Videos<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Digitizing VHS tapes<\/span> is the best way to <\/span>preserve memories<\/span><\/a>, whether they\u2019re family movies you shot once upon a time or beloved movies you enjoyed many years ago with your now grown-up children. If you own VHS tapes, you already know how much room they take up and that they require rewinding. No need to rewind with digital files and they\u2019re compact, higher resolution, and can handle more data. Here are several other reasons why you should digitize old videos:<\/span><\/p>\n