These rules for video photography were compiled by Rich Murphy, Chief Photojournalist WFLA-TV 8 in Tampa, Fla. He presented this and other tips to still photographers interested in learning more about video photography at Visual Edge. The weeklong sessions and workshops, sponsored by The Poynter Institute and the National Press Photographers Association, concentrates on how convergence impacts print, electronic media, and video.

"Prove the commitment of your story with sound & pictures"

"Shoot what is going away first."

"A sequence from every location"

"Don’t leave without a closing shot"

"The worst place for the camera is on your shoulder."

"Shoot & Move"

"Show something the eye wouldn't normally see."

"The eye does not zoom."

"Action -- reaction, motion -- emotion."

"Look around the frame." (For distracting objects, tripod etc.)

"The stand-up should meet or exceed the other visual elements of the story"

"Interviews can be visual too!"

"Close-ups are the adjectives."

"Think inside your viewfinder."

"Get close."

"Take your finger off the trigger." (When shooting spot news so when startled you don't accidentally stop rolling)

"If your lens doesn't need cleaning at the end of a shoot, you didn't get close enough."

"Shoot with both eyes open."

"Do a 360 of the scene"

"A tight shot can get you anywhere"

"It’s easier to bring a extra battery and tape than walk back to the car"

"Shoot an exterior when you unload your gear"

"Leave the mic on"

"Listen to the answer, instead of thinking of your next question"

"White balance every time you think about it."

"Don't shoot close-ups from across the room."

"Shoot at the subject's level."

"The only audio you don’t need to monitor is the audio that won’t be on TV"

"The hardest thing to write to is silence."

"Use sound to dissolve your cuts"

"Be ready for the moment"

"Tripods aren't all they're cracked up to be."

"Sometimes your best shots happen in the viewfinder by accident."

"Nobody ever got great video by getting killed on the way there"

"Confidence comes from knowing the capabilities of your gear"