42 replies
Camera shy?

All it takes to do a video is a webcam, and an article opened up for you to read on your computer. But if your'e camera shy, you can use a service like videogoround.com and have a virtual character read your article with a fairly real sounding voice.

Or simply practice, tape just one minute, go for two, incrementally increasing the amount of time with each recording. Play them back to give yourself feedback.

Just be yourself, inject your own personality into the video. Just be You. i'ts not all about information, you want to entertain them as well.

Can anyone else add to this problem?
#camera #shy
  • Profile picture of the author Christines Dream
    If you don't want your face all over the internet you could just do a slide show presentation with your own voice.
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    • Profile picture of the author xemxie
      My problem isn't that I'm camera shy - it's that when you want to take a video of yourself you have to be REAL careful of what is BEHIND you.

      Most people seem to go for plain white backgrounds, some go for black (quite impressive) But if you haven't got a single white wall or any decent lighting, what do you do?

      Jennifer
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      • Profile picture of the author Christines Dream
        Originally Posted by xemxie View Post

        My problem isn't that I'm camera shy - it's that when you want to take a video of yourself you have to be REAL careful of what is BEHIND you.

        Most people seem to go for plain white backgrounds, some go for black (quite impressive) But if you haven't got a single white wall or any decent lighting, what do you do?

        Jennifer
        Have you considered standing in front of a window with solid coloured blinds, curtains or pinning a white table cloth to the wall? Sure, it may sound trashy but you got to do what you got to do right?
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      • Profile picture of the author KarlWarren
        Originally Posted by xemxie View Post

        But if you haven't got a single white wall or any decent lighting, what do you do?

        Jennifer
        It's a good idea to hang a sheet behind you (any colour of your choice). As for the lighting, a directional lamp can work - but I'm not an expert, and I'm sure some others will have some ideas.

        Kindest regards,
        Karl.
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      • Profile picture of the author xemxie
        Originally Posted by Chris Kent View Post

        Why?

        Just record and go.

        Most people on Youtube don't care what's behind and them and most of the viewers don't either.

        True but I find it very distracting so was assuming others did too! :p

        Glad to be talking about it and finding I'm mistaken lol
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        • Profile picture of the author JMSD
          Originally Posted by Chris Kent View Post

          That's a good conversion tip for sure

          But otherwise I think people are over-complicating things.
          • doesn't matter if you have a low-res non-HD cam
          • doesn't matter what's behind you
          • doesn't matter if you're handsome or ugly

          Just look in the camera and start recording and upload. It works.

          And after a handful of videos, you stop saying "um" and "ah" and look into the camera with ease too.
          That's good advice - natural is best. But as others have suggested, having slides and voice over (your own) works just as well. I'd much rather see the latter kind of video and be informed than be irritate by unfotunate mannerisms or babies crying the the background, or the presenter looking down instead of making eye contact with the viewer.

          Jamie
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      • Profile picture of the author ShayB
        Originally Posted by Chris Kent View Post

        Why?

        Just record and go.

        Most people on Youtube don't care what's behind and them and most of the viewers don't either.
        There was a vid I saw (a while back) where in the background (waaaay in the background) there was a tube of *ahem* lubricant on a bookshelf.

        It's always a good idea to check behind you before recording. Just sayin'.
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      • Profile picture of the author XBloggerX
        Originally Posted by xemxie View Post

        My problem isn't that I'm camera shy - it's that when you want to take a video of yourself you have to be REAL careful of what is BEHIND you.

        Most people seem to go for plain white backgrounds, some go for black (quite impressive) But if you haven't got a single white wall or any decent lighting, what do you do?

        Jennifer
        How about taking your laptop outside? You're bound to find a nice background and most likely, you won't need to worry about lighting.
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        • Profile picture of the author xemxie
          Originally Posted by XBloggerX View Post

          How about taking your laptop outside? You're bound to find a nice background and most likely, you won't need to worry about lighting.
          That's a good idea! but... what about the birds tweeting and the dogs barking all over your audio?

          I'll give it a try though. maybe around noon when the birds are taking a nap
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    • Profile picture of the author Usmile
      Originally Posted by Christines Dream View Post

      If you don't want your face all over the internet you could just do a slide show presentation with your own voice.
      Yes, I agree with that. Some people can't really stand in front of the camera but have great potential in making other stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
    Originally Posted by WhiteDove View Post

    Camera shy?
    Nope, it's just that I don't get anywhere
    near enough beauty sleep! ;-)

    John
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    • Profile picture of the author Christines Dream
      Originally Posted by John Taylor View Post

      Nope, it's just that I don't get anywhere
      near enough beauty sleep! ;-)

      John
      Ha-ha! You could try a light (very light) concealer under your eyes. My thought is that it's not make-up if you're hiding a problem.

      But, you could just go on with the show...that just makes it more real.
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      • Profile picture of the author KarlWarren
        Originally Posted by Christines Dream View Post

        My thought is that it's not make-up if you're hiding a problem.
        Don't tell anyone, but I've heard a certain Mr. Taylor doesn't have a problem wearing make-up on the 4th Tuesday of the month
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        • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
          Karl,

          Originally Posted by KarlWarren View Post

          Don't tell anyone, but I've heard a certain Mr. Taylor doesn't have a problem wearing make-up on the 4th Tuesday of the month
          All this time and you never told me there's more
          than one Tuesday in a month? I really must lay
          off the single malt whisky....

          John
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          John's Internet Marketing News, Views & Reviews: John Taylor Online
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael D Forbes
    You only need to be concerned about what the camera sees. You can make something look pretty nice with very little in a small space. The corner of a prison cell can be made to look like a luxury suite.

    Lot's of diffused light is key for good video. keeps away harsh shadows and gives the sensors on the camera plenty to work with.

    Make sure you look at the camera if you are supposed to be talking to someone. Awkward for sure, but critical.

    The shyness can be very hard to get over. Practice makes perfect. As someone else said, do a little at a time and use it to figure out what you need to work on.

    Try to be a little more animated than feels natural. It will probably look much better than what you do by nature. What I mean is, make your gestures and expressions just a little more exaggerated.
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  • Profile picture of the author dfisher
    I'd be your video actor... always wanted to get on the big screen.
    Going the virtual way probably would do more damage than good. I would think that people would want someone they can relate to... or that has a pulse.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adriian
    Yes, I'm camera shy, very,very camera shy.
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  • Profile picture of the author ShayB
    Originally Posted by WhiteDove View Post

    Camera shy?
    I don't do vids. I am sooooo hesitant to do so. I don't like the way I look on camera at all.
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  • Profile picture of the author modeca
    As well as being an internet junkie I've worked in video production and have experience in camera work, editing, lighting, sound and post-production.

    These days it's very easy to just press record on your webcam and 5 minutes later you have a video ready to post your message to the world.

    However, if you follow any of the BIG guys out there like Frank Kern or Eben Pagan for example, you'll notice that they use very high production values in all their video offerings.

    The general public isn't stupid. It's easy to spot an amateur production from a pro offering. If all you have in your arsenal is a webcam and a script, then you'd better make sure that you have damn good presentational skills or else your visitors will quickly suss you out as a low budget operator. Forget about hanging a sheet behind you, that'll just make things look worse.

    If you're camera shy, and have no budget, go to Fiverr and get some confident, good looking individual (there are plenty of wannabee actors out there) to read your script out or do a voiceover for you. If it's no good you've only wasted 5 bucks.

    If you have a bit of cash,and you don't mind being in front of the camera, invest in some decent lighting ( you don't need to spend more than $100 ) find any flattering background and practice, practice, practice.

    You'll soon get used to seeing yourself on screen, and your confidence will grow. My view is, if you're knowledgeable and enthusiastic about your subject, this will come across to your viewers, just like it does when your talking to someone in real life.

    However, if you're hideously deformed, have crossed eyes, terrible dress sense and a serious speech impediment, you might just have to admit that video may not be your ideal medium of communication.

    Just my 2 cents....
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  • I'm not camera shy, even though English is not my first language which makes the whole thing much more difficult. My trick? sit back and talk to the camera like if you were talking a friend, very casually, as if you were down in the pub.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gaston Wolf
    Haha I just hate playing back and listening to my own voice lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author stellaex
    I was camera shy 2,3 years back, But now I am ok. Its normal.
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  • Profile picture of the author NACAdam
    Practice makes perfect my first videos were very lame ( and maybe my current ones are too ) but one things for sure I don't stutter as much my um and ahs are less frequent and I am more comfortable if front of the camera Why?? Because of practice not only that the more practice you apply the more creative you become. Creativity is spawned from DOING ..At least for me
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  • Profile picture of the author dreganomics
    I used to be camera shy until I posted my first few videos online...now I look forward to it. Different strokes for different folks I guess. But don't think that just because something intimidates you that you'll never be able to do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bill_Lawrence
    I don't know what it is about me speaking in front of a camera but my words never come out right. When they do, I always mess up at the end.
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  • Profile picture of the author Micronichedude
    Yes, I'm so camera shy.

    What if my relatives are browsing thru the internet and come across my video. They'll probably say, "Dude, you look freaking funny in that video!"

    Have your friends, family, or relatives ever "accidentally" watch your video. What would they think??
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  • Profile picture of the author masmiskun
    hmm i'm not a camera shy but i don't want people to see my face. so if i'm recording testimonial i prefer creating slideshow or cool animation with my own voice.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robin Blinds
    If you're camera shy then the best thing to do is get in front of the video camera and push record. You dont need to upload them, just make as many as possible until you feel comfortable enough to show others.
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    • Profile picture of the author RobbieT
      Originally Posted by Robin Blinds View Post

      If you're camera shy then the best thing to do is get in front of the video camera and push record. You dont need to upload them, just make as many as possible until you feel comfortable enough to show others.
      Now that's very, very good advice.

      "Practice makes perfect" or so they say, so take action, action and more action.

      Take good care of those that you love.

      Robbie T
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Some people dont have the money to afford a camcorder or even a good webcam to record themselves with. So they go for "screencasts" only, and use their voice as the narrator of the video.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimboJim
    I've never liked being in front of the camera. I prefer using a slideshow with a voice over.
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  • Profile picture of the author BurtL
    I would say the real problem is not the actual process of recording yourself is the issue. The real issue is that one might be afraid to hear other peoples reactions.

    The trick behind videos that i've made in the past, is to simply hit record and talk. Talk as if you're talking to your friends. And if you have a hard time maintaining eye contact with the camera, put a picture of someone near the lense and look at the picture.

    And regarding the backgrounds, it's really all about the mood that you want to set. Going with an all white background is more of a bit more upbeat or informative, and a black background is more for a serious tone.

    But if you can't really change up your backgrounds, having a lense with a decent aperture to make the backgrounds blurry is also a safe way to control the focus on yourself and not the background.
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  • Profile picture of the author gccalfeche
    Don't face the problem if the problem is your face. Just kidding.

    Seriously, there are many options all over the internet. Seek and you will find.
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  • Profile picture of the author rr1455
    Here is an example of a video without any faces showing:
    Hope this help. Roger
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  • Profile picture of the author fnever
    we use ppt + fivver
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  • Profile picture of the author JimWaller
    With any video, there are 2 main concerns, what do people see, and what do people hear. While a sheet hung in the background could work, I've seen some comments like, "Iron that sheet in the background", which leads me to suggest you iron the sheet before you record.
    I have a couple of curtains in my bathroom that make a pretty good background, but I've been hesitant to use it due to the echo usually associated with a bathroom. Recording outside can lead to audio problems with unwanted background noise and wind noise.

    As for being camera shy, I'm not, because I used to teach classes for the corporation I work for, and had to get used to speaking in front of large groups. (It was not unusual for me to teach a class of 70 or more people) By nature, I'm a bit of a ham, so my challenge is to hold back a little.
    When I was in my teens, I worked for a radio station as an on-air personality, so I have the announcer and disc jockey voices down, too.

    I will say that for most people, I've seen a marked comfort with presenting as you do it more. It's funny that you have to do it more to be good at it, but you're reluctant to do it because you don't feel you're good at it. As most people have already pointed out, the best advice is just to do it. (Fake it until you make it)

    Good luck to all!
    Jim Waller
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  • Profile picture of the author mobilemob
    I am camera shy and my pronunciation is not that great too.. but did it anyway. Most people probably wouldn't understand what I said in the video but hey..

    It's not that bad after all. What I found more difficult is the script, what to say on the video. I am taking a few minutes of their precious time so hopefully the video help them in some way. I spent quite some time writing and rewriting the script. And it's not perfect by any mean. After that, I spent a few days agonising whether to do it or not. It's all in the mind. Once I made up my mind, I spent about half day for a 2 minute video.

    Treat it as an assignment with a fix due date if you like. If your teacher/boss asked you to do it before the deadline, you'd probably just do it and get on with it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Praveen Kumar
    When it comes to ME , I always use a mirror test before playing with the camera , I mean Just act what you are gonna do in front of camera in a mirror . It will help you some bit.
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