I’m a Full-Time Creator — Here’s All the Video Gear I Use video [CNET]

CNET Voices contributor Fei Wu breaks down the gear she uses to shoot video efficiently both at home and on the go.

Hi there. So you want to set up your youtube office? Right. Let’s chat about that. I’ve been through this journey and I’ve got some tips that might save you time and money and first things first, don’t feel like you need to buy everything all at once. What you want to do instead is start small and then upgrade as you go. Trust me, it’s way more sustainable that way. Let’s talk of all cameras. I started with my smartphone and honestly, it’s still my go to for on the go filming. I use an iphone 13 Pro Max with plenty of storage. It’s great for capturing those spontaneous moments. Now, audio is super important. I love these wireless Lavaliere Mics. I found on Amazon for about $40. They’re perfect for travel vlogging and interviews. Just clip one on yourself and the other one on your guest and you’re good to go by the way. There’s something I really want to mention when it comes to audio, always need a backup. It’s a must have audio tends to fail. Even if you’re using these Bluetooth Lavale Mics, they can lose connection and what you end up with is just empty and zero audio. So an alternative setup that I really enjoy using these days is to record raw video on my smartphone, which I can improve using A I later on such as removing background noise. On top of that, I will handhold either a another smartphone as a backup recording device. I can simply use the voice recording feature or if you want an upgrade, I recommend the Zoom Recorder. It’s a bit of an investment, but I think it’s well worth it. For good audio lighting can make a huge difference. I use a mini led video light when I’m out and about it’s rechargeable, powerful and only costs about $20. Perfect for those evening shots or dark environments and for my whole office set up, I’ve got a Sony Zve one camera with a couple of VX lenses, but don’t worry if that’s out of your budget right now. I started off with a Sony 8 6400 mirrorless camera. Any EIGA lens which served me well for years for audio at home, I use Newman TLM 103 microphone for podcasts and live streams for camera recording. I just attach a rote mic to my camera. Simple and effective. Now, lighting at home is a bit more elaborate. I use Elgato key lights attached to my desk for Zoom calls and also live streams. They are super adjustable and help reduce eye fatigue during law recording sessions. And there is a fun tip. Try some led lights to add personality to your background. Go make some affordable options that can really transform your space. Lastly, if you want to level up your scripting game and consider a teleprompter. I recently started using Garos Teleprompter and it’s been a game changer. It’s so easy to set up and use even if you’re new to it. But remember all this gear is just tools to help you create. The most important thing is to have fun and be yourself and keep on creating. You’ve got this can’t wait to see what you come up with. Please share with me at Face world everywhere you find me.