It goes without saying – private investigations are only as good as the proof they obtain. Putting together evidence to nail a person or locate missing people will all be a waste of time if the information gathered is shoddily taken.

What To Do To Obtain Better Investigative Video and Photography

When it comes to evidence obtained and the manner of getting hold of them, quality beats quantity. If you’re thinking of becoming a private eye, know that a nose for strange and fishy stuff isn’t enough to sustain the business. You’ve got to have the proper gear to be able to get to the evidence you want.

Here are a few tips that are bound to be of help when attempting to improve the quality of investigative videos and investigative photos you’ll take.

1. Use camera stocks when taking still photography or shooting videos outside your car. This will help with the stabilization. One unit that’s been getting rave reviews is a combination camcorder/camera. It’s portable, lightweight and affords users quick deployment methods for steadying cameras, optics (like spotting scope and telescope) and video cameras. Although less stable than tripods, this doodad scores high on enhancing the ease of use and stability of cameras and optical equipment. This particular stock is collapsible, shrinking to a length of 10” and weighing just around 9 oz.
2. Timing is critical to capturing great shots and videos. Learn exactly when to zoom, pan and utilize other moves. Making constant adjustments and movements is a big no-no.
3. When zooming or panning, employ smooth, deliberately slow motions. This makes for easier video viewing.
4. Observe the lighting conditions and take note of the light rating for a particular video camera.
5. Being caught taking private investigation photos or video footage while on a stakeout or surveillance can be frustrating. To avoid this, do your best to keep things covert. This might sound tough, but it’s not. Using video cameras that are smaller along with still cameras is the way to go. A small video camera is less noticeable by people watching from afar. Covert still cameras look a lot different from regular cameras. Some fit into the palm of people’s hands while delivering 12-megapixel power resolution. Covert digital cameras come in all sorts of clever disguises – from pens to lighters to wristwatches and calculators. All these are great on-the-go devices for private eyes
6. Try to keep up. Technology is always changing and as professional PIs, you’ve got to make sure your equipment can compete with the best of them. Subscribe to video and photography magazines so you’re aware of the latest investigating gadgets available
7. Whenever possible, use a stabilizing pod or tripod. This can greatly improve videos taken. Don’t skimp when it comes to tripods. There are also specialized pods especially made for surveillance experts.
8. When needed, use a telephoto lens. There are also still cameras that feature powerful telephoto lens that are designed for stability. These are perfect for long-range surveillance photo shoots.
9. Get familiar with your camcorder and its various features so you’ll be able to use them. The key to taking great video footage is knowing all the functionalities of a camcorder.
10. Make use of image stabilization.
11. Continually hone your video-shooting skills through regular practice.
12. Keep calm and breathe slowly while busy videotaping.
13. Presentation counts. With most digital cameras, you’ll be able to imbed video frames or still photos you take into your investigation report to make it appear totally professional.

As a private investigator, you’ll be snooping around, verifying information and searching for leads. A good snoop will need to have more than just his trusty notepad and tape recorder to get the job done. Having quality video surveillance and photography equipment will ensure that you’ve always got your game on. Reliable investigative tools and gear won’t come cheap. But these are all necessary if you want to get the best shots and videos and ultimately survive in the PI business.

Re-Tweet This Post