Q: When Should I Use Zoom? A: When You Don’t Have Grover

I can’t help but think of Sesame Street’s skit explaining the difference between “near” and “far” whenever I think of using zoom. Looking back, the producers could have just used zoom to illustrate the difference, although if they had, the image of an out-of-breath Grover rushing from afar to the camera explaining the definitions wouldn’t be ingrained in my head, huh? OK, that’s a win for Sesame Street.

A win for videographers
Zoom is a win for videographers who can’t adjust the physical distance between themselves and the subject or want to capture several moods while shooting a scene. Zooming in creates a more personal feel, while zooming out captures the whole scene.

As ReelSEO explains in “Understanding Zooms in Videography,” there are other times when you can’t—or shouldn’t—get close to your subject, such as when you’re shooting a video of a speaker at a conference. A camera in someone’s face is distracting, not only to the presenter, but the entire audience. Zoom is also important when capturing candid shots, since some people act differently when they know they are on camera.

Considerations for zooming
While zoom can be your best friend, it can also be your worst enemy if not used properly. Movement is exaggerated when you’re zoomed in, so using a tripod is an absolute must. If you don’t have a tripod, you can always set the camera on a table, podium or still object. And if that’s not possible, don’t use zoom.  

While there are two different types of zoom, the only one you should consider using is optical zoom. Digital zoom cameras merely resize an image to a larger scale, compromising quality. It’s similar to cropping an image then enlarging it. Optical zoom is considered a true zoom. The camera’s lens adjusts to draw the image closer, keeping the quality and resolution high. Some cameras use a combination of optical and digital zoom.

Whether you’re filming a corporate event or a staff training video, zoom can help you create a mood, connect with the subjects or just get from “far” to “near” without getting all out of breath.

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock.