With more HD camcorders comes more detail and anxiety

Jul 13, 2009 6:00 AM

This photo was taken in the late afternoon. Note how the warmer sunlight creates softer, less conspicuous shadows, particularly on the face. This lighting technique can improve your HD video as well. (Click to enlarge.) [ Photo: T. Sullivan ]

Sony recently announced two new flash-memory camcorder models for consumers, the HDR-CX500V ($1,100) and HDR-CX520V ($1,300), which will be available in September. It's proof that Sony, like all camcorder makers, is continuing to expand its line of HD camcorders while introducing fewer and fewer standard def models.

But in the rush toward this more detailed video format, are we getting more than we bargained for? In the world of show biz, many makeup artists, who are responsible for making celebrities look great in front of the cameras, are concerned about how much detail HD captures. Apparently, HD will, indeed, make a mountain out of a molehill. Even makeup companies are getting into the act: On the Sephora website, you can buy an "HD Elixir" which claims to have an "immediate smoothing effect" on the skin that will make you look better in front of an HD camera.

So what's an average Joe or Jane to do when it's time for his or her close-up? Here are a few tips to help you look good, or at least look better, on HD:

This photo of me and my daughter was taken around noon on a cloudless, sunny day. Note how the bright sunlight creates more visible, distracting shadows on both our faces. The raking light also picks up every wrinkle and blemish on my face. (Click to enlarge.) [ Photo: T. Sullivan ]

Lighting plays an important role in how you look on camera. If you're shooting outdoors, consider capturing your video during the early morning or late afternoon/early evening light, which most often have a warmer quality and are more forgiving on your subjects.

Shooting at high noon on a cloudless day in direct sunlight can create harsh shadows, particularly around the eyes. Direct sunlight, which may rake the face, can emphasize imperfections.

If you want to soften the HD video in your camcorder, see if it has a "softening" setting. This will actually make the image quality softer and less detailed. Consult the manual or scroll through the camcorder's menu for such a feature.

If you've already captured video on your HD camcorder, but still want to soften it up a bit, check your video-editing software to see if it has a filter that will soften the image quality. One that does is Sony's Vegas 9, which includes a defocus lighting effect that can soften detail.

For other suggestions on how to make your subjects look better in HD, including some tips on applying makeup, check out the following websites: