Professional vs Amateur Videographers: A Comparison of Key Differences

When it comes to videography, you will find a wide assortment of experience levels in videographers. Some have been doing it for years, while others have just started. From the outside, it may be difficult to determine who are the pros and who are the amateurs when they all may boast the same level of confidence. 

When I first started as a videographer, my confidence level was undeservedly through the roof, but as I became more experienced I realized how much knowledge there is to be learned and I eventually evened out. So, what sets professional videographers apart from amateurs? In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the key differences between professional and amateur videographers and how you can tell them apart.

The Price

A professional videographer will generally have set rates for half-day, full-day, or hourly. They are confident in communicating this and are happy to present it when requested.

An amateur videographer will be unsure of what to charge and may frequently fluctuate in price. They often have to refer to others in order to determine their cost. Needless to say, amateurs charge less.

Equipment

The pros are likely to shoot with not just higher quality cameras but also more specialized equipment that better fits their specific niche. They usually have amassed a large collection of equipment and accessories which allows them to fine-tune their shots and capture the best image possible.

Amateurs make do with what they have, usually working with older cameras and equipment. They work with very basic lenses and are unable to achieve effects like bokeh or beautifully blurry backgrounds.

Exposure

Pro videographers will constantly double-check the exposure of the camera, making sure the lighting is not under or overexposed. They will not rely solely on looking at the monitor of the camera, they will use the built-in tools like zebras and false colour to verify the exposure.

Amateurs will have trouble distinguishing what is overexposed by simply relying on their eyes, which is not a good indication. They may set the exposure correctly at the beginner and forgot it, thinking it will all be okay but changing lighting conditions throughout the recording may ruin the final result.

Angles

Amateur videographers often stick to basic camera angles, such as eye-level shots, which can result in flat and uninteresting footage.

A pro videographer will access the scene and use a range of techniques including, low-angle, bird's-eye view, and foreground elements to add depth and dimension to their shots.

Recording audio

Professional videographers will know exactly where to place the microphones and the distance they should be from the speaker’s mouth. Throughout the recording, they will be constantly monitoring the audio to make sure no issues have arisen

An amateur will place a microphone near the speaker without considering the proper location or in which direction that specific microphone picks up audio They will use a set-it-and-forget-it method and not monitor the audio which can often lead to problems.

Direction and communication

Amateurs can be timid with the camera and lack confidence when communicating with people. They will take what they can get when filming which leaves the best shots up to chance. 

Pros know how to interact with people and stage scenarios to get the perfect shot. They will direct people or even strangers on camera to orchestrate the perfect scene.

The do-anything mentality

Because of their overconfidence and eagerness to learn, amateurs may state that they are capable of meeting any request by the client. This method, however, may result in inferior results and the project's failure.

Pro will be straightforward with the client, knowing their strengths, and only take on requests that they feel comfortable handling.

When things do wrong

In the event of a major screw up during production is where the differences really shine. An amateur will become overwhelmed and start acting irrationally. This can lead to the client taking notice and potentially more mistakes

Pros will know that something bad has just happened but will not outwardly display it. They will keep their composure and calmly rectify the situation. If necessary, they will also communicate with any stakeholders or clients of the situation.

Willingness to learn

This is where amateur videographers win. They tend to have a more open mind and will learn new technologies and techniques whereas it’s common for pros, later in their career to stop learning and become the dinosaurs in the industry, stuck in a certain style. My advice to anyone in the industry is to always be learning and trying new things no matter what stage of the journey you are in.

All this information comes from memory looking back on how I was when I first started filming. So if you’re still learning, don't give up and keep making videos! If you have any questions or comments related to this post, feel free to write it down below.