Thanks for the tip but I don’t know what any of that means lol. Are you trying to say that I should have fixed my actual lamps/lightbulbs instead of trying to do things using software? What does that stuff mean anyway? I am open to do whatever . Thanks again.

A basic function of VEGAS.

@John-Flatley

You need to fix your lamps/lightbulbs, shutter speed, aperture, ISO and, if necessary, use ND filter(s) to get the exposure into the range that you're after for the look that want.

If you've never heard these words before, you might as well start here.

Understand that when shooting video, your shutter speed should likely to be fixed at 2X your frame rate and you probably don't want to shoot with your aperture at the absolute wide open setting. Now, onward to greatness.

A basic function of VEGAS.

That is just defocus using pan crop. I can do that I just dont want the light bulb too bright. Also want purple hue like that picture.

@John-Flatley

You need to fix your lamps/lightbulbs, shutter speed, aperture, ISO and, if necessary, use ND filter(s) to get the exposure into the range that you're after for the look that want.

If you've never heard these words before, you might as well start here.

Understand that when shooting video, your shutter speed should likely to be fixed at 2X your frame rate and you probably don't want to shoot with your aperture at the absolute wide open setting. Now, onward to greatness.

Thanks for the great tips and I watched your video you shared...I have a GoPro so none of those things will help me 😆😂  I dont want to drop a lot of loot on a camera.

You won't be shooting shallow depth-of-field (out-of-focus background) with a GoPro, nunca.

For learning the basics of lighting, lenses, shutters, apertures, and exposure values, I recommend reading a good book. Almost anything written by Ansel Adams will do.

https://www.amazon.com/Ansel-Adams/e/B000APPAMI%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Ordinarily, I'd suggest one or more of BorisFX Continuum's VFX because you would be able to use Mocha camera tracking that features in most of BCC's VFX. This would enable the background to be separated from the foreground (the person) and the VFX would only affect the background. However, the current version of BCC (version 2022) only supports Vegas Pro 17, 18 & 19 - https://borisfx.com/host-compatibility/?&platform=All%20Operating%20Systems&product=Continuum&host=Magix%20Vegas%20Pro so its not really a realistic solution unless you were to upgrade to Vegas Pro 19 (the current version). But please keep in mind that the recommended minimum computer specifications for Vegas Pro 19 are much higher than they were for Vegas Pro 14 - https://www.vegascreativesoftware.com/us/specifications/#productMenu

@John-Flatley

I know you came to the Vegas Pro forum to talk about ways to blur your background, but, if you do this more than once, you should adjust the lighting, ISO, aperture and possibly add ND filters to get the background to look the way you want it to look while you shoot.

What is a basic beginner camera that I could get? I dont want to spend too much money but I want to be able to make my videos look professional.

Thanks,

@John-Flatley, "much money" is subjective. An amount range would be more helpful. You can get just about any DSLR/Mirrorless cameras where you can change your lenses would be ok. But there is more to having a video look "professional" than just a camera.

@John-Flatley

Here is a result of a search for which cameras many vloggers use.

https://www.gadgetreview.com/what-camera-youtubers-use-vlog

Selecting a camera is subjective. Vloggers tend to want articulating screens while that means nothing to me as I have my eye glued to the EVF all the time.

Here is an example of a camera that'll git'r done at 1080p without breaking the bank.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMS0KAC?tag=best-youtuber-vlogging-camera-20&th=1&geniuslink=true

If you search the Internet, you'll also find 2.54 million people that think I'm a total idiot.

Disclaimer

All of my advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.

Hi,

Making your videos look professional is not so much to do with the equipment you use, but how you use it.

In your snapshot above you could immediately improve it by placing yourself in the frame:

The next thing you can do it match the light on your face to the light behind. At the moment you seem to be lit with a very bright slightly bluer light. If you're using artificial light - can you place a gel in front of it to change it's colour? If it's sunlight - choose a time of day that matches the colour - early morning / late evening?:

And then just a simple, subtle Vignette overlay to focus the eye on you. Now that you're centre screen - have a look at what you're wearing are there any colours you could use from the background as a basis? Perhaps a complimentary colour?:

Hope that helps?

Hi,

Making your videos look professional is not so much to do with the equipment you use, but how you use it.

In your snapshot above you could immediately improve it by placing yourself in the frame:

The next thing you can do it match the light on your face to the light behind. At the moment you seem to be lit with a very bright slightly bluer light. If you're using artificial light - can you place a gel in front of it to change it's colour? If it's sunlight - choose a time of day that matches the colour - early morning / late evening?:

And then just a simple, subtle Vignette overlay to focus the eye on you. Now that you're centre screen - have a look at what you're wearing are there any colours you could use from the background as a basis? Perhaps a complimentary colour?:

Hope that helps?

I am using a daylight light bulbs on both sides of me as well as the Edison bulbs behind me. No sunlight as in I want to produce the same result at anytime I want to shoot video. What is a gel in front of the light bulb? Where would I get that? Thanks for your help this is great!

@John-Flatley google "light gel" and you can find many places that sell them. It's a colored "gel" that you put in front of your light to change the color.

@John-Flatley google "light gel" and you can find many places that sell them. It's a colored "gel" that you put in front of your light to change the color.

Can i find one that would look ok in front of this light on the left?

I need to figure out how to get it not soo bright...wish i could find light gel at someplace local :(

Thanks.

" ... light on the left?"

The light on the left appears to be a lamp. Try using a dimmer your local home center. You should be able to find one for < $20 US.

Can i find one that would look ok in front of this light on the left?

I need to figure out how to get it not soo bright...wish i could find light gel at someplace local :(

I would use the same one that is on the right, sure looks better.

" ... light on the left?"

The light on the left appears to be a lamp. Try using a dimmer your local home center. You should be able to find one for < $20 US.

I got one from Lowes! It work’s great! You are a lifesaver thanks again!

Ok so I got the light dimmer for the lamp on the left. I think the lighting and the adjustment to the position of things on set are improved. I think i need to move my position to more in the center. Also i still need to get the "light gel" for the two lights that are on both sides of the camera view. What do you all think? Does it look any better?

Thanks again for everyone's advice.

There's loads on Amazon multipacks with different colours https://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Orange-Transparent-Overlays-Transparency-29-7x21cm/dp/B08BNZ2ZT5/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3BOM5VDK8I0IK&keywords=light+gel&qid=1650749033&sprefix=light+gel%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVlY2QlVZNTc0NTE4JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODcxMjYxM0pXWkZFQ0M2NFNITiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjIxNjQ5MjA4MzZIRlJMOTg4MiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

There's loads on Amazon multipacks with different colours https://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Orange-Transparent-Overlays-Transparency-29-7x21cm/dp/B08BNZ2ZT5/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3BOM5VDK8I0IK&keywords=light+gel&qid=1650749033&sprefix=light+gel%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVlY2QlVZNTc0NTE4JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODcxMjYxM0pXWkZFQ0M2NFNITiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjIxNjQ5MjA4MzZIRlJMOTg4MiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Yeah I ordered those cant wait to get them. Thanks!

Going back to the original shoot and using color gels over the lighting on the shoot (so post production effects become less important), this is what you need to be looking for. B&H in NYC are not the only company selling products like this, so look for a company local to you.

@John-Flatley 👍