Sometimes the only way out of a creative fix is to think on your feet.
You’re on video assignment, either for yourself, as a favor for somebody else or — more seriously– for a paying customer. Let’s make it interesting. You’re a ways from home. What do you do if something goes wrong? Give up? Reschedule? No. You figure out if there is a way around the problem while you’re there.
You think on your feet.
I was doing a video featurette on Unique India, a combo Indian grocery/restaurant in my neighborhood. I have two lavalier clip-on mics that are supposed to work together with my Osmo Pocket 3 video camera. Two mics are useful for interviews, when I want to record both myself and my subject. One mic was older and more finicky than the other. When I turned on my equipment, only one mic worked with the camera; the other refused to pair with it. It was only later that I figured out why, but for now I was paddling with one oar. Although the well-behaved mic was working great when attached to the subject, I knew it would not be enough to capture my voice too, without muddying it as I spoke at the periphery.
I decided to proceed anyway. I’d just have to deal with my enfeebled voice later through video editing software. There are ways of doing that.
The second problem arose when Sujatha Byanna, the owner, stated that she felt uncomfortable appearing in the video. She wasn’t dressed for it. I guess I hadn’t been clear before, when I said I was going to shoot a video of her store. She didn’t realize she was to be the star.
But I had to have someone appear. What did I do?
I negotiated. I asked if there was an employee who’d appear and represent her. She found a willing assistant, who proved to be intelligent and articulate. She is the one you now see on the video.
I wanted the owner to have some input, so she agreed to speak without appearing. She responded well to my questions. Unfortunately, as expected, my un-miked voice came out muffled, so I just eliminated it. I was not needed. In lieu of her appearing, I filmed B-roll, quick shots of the store, like the restaurant and the well-stocked aisles.
I never like having to make such adjustments, but when you’re working, the real world can be cantankerous.
That is when you think on your feet. It’s a combination of negotiating and discovering ways out of morasses. It’s an acquired skill, so don’t expect to be able to do it right away. But keep at it and you’ll be able to minimize any difficulties that rear their impish heads.
For his upcoming birthday, I decided to honor the memory of the great photomontage creator John Heartfield (19 June 1891 – 26 April 1968). He was a true anti-fascist artist at a time in Germany when it was extremely dangerous to be so. I wanted to do a videomontage similar in spirit to his photomontages. One that mocked a particular virulent authority figure. One like this one.
A video snapshot is not just about showing something interesting; it’s about making the viewer feel something. It doesn’t require fancy editing or a viral hook—it simply captures a clear, defined impression. Think of it as the video equivalent of a short story.
Have you tried shooting video reels yet? You might have without knowing it. Or you may think that you have, but you really didn’t.
What Is a Video Reel vs. a Video Snapshot?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, there’s a subtle but important distinction between video reels and video snapshots. Reels are flashy, fast-cut compilations set to music or trend-driven audio, often more style than substance. In contrast, a video snapshot is a mini-story—intentional, emotionally resonant, and grounded in a meaningful moment.
In high school, I was taught that a short story is “a brief prose narrative of dramatic value, so constructed in plot, character, and setting as to produce a single emotional effect.” That’s essentially what a video snapshot is: a short (no more than sixty seconds) video that leaves the viewer with a clear emotional impression. It doesn’t have to have a plot, but it must be about something. It has to produce a singular effect.
For example:
A student walks across the stage to receive a diploma, waves to their parents, and walks off. It’s familiar and simple, but undeniably effective. That’s a video snapshot.
A man rides a horse for two straight minutes through a forest. It’s nicely filmed, but ultimately goes nowhere. Without added narrative or a twist, it lacks the emotional core to qualify as a video snapshot.
A snapshot is more than a portrait or a pretty scene. It’s not just a visual record—it’s a moment with weight.
How to Get Inspired to Create Video Snapshots While Traveling
Travel has potential for video snapshots, but capturing one requires you shift from documentation to storytelling. Ask yourself:
Is there an emotional arc here?
What’s unique about this moment?
Will the viewer walk away with a clear feeling?
In the compilation linked below, you’ll see several examples I filmed in Savannah, Georgia. Some involve people, others highlight street scenes—but all are tied to something unique and specific.
One clip shows a young man practicing a rap performance at a train station. I asked to film him, and he performed on the spot. He even sold me his book afterward. The quality of his performance wasn’t the point; the emotional authenticity was.
At the SCAD Museum of Art, I filmed a mother trying to photograph her daughter. The frustration of trying to get the right shot was palpable. I switched to hyperlapse mode to capture that frenzied energy.
In Lafayette Park, I filmed a walking path scene with the Osmo Pocket 3. While the movement could’ve been smoother, the clip ends with two “kicker” shots to provide a satisfying ending.
Also notable was that visit to a tea shop, where the barista’s enthusiasm about her gold rings and international tea experience stole the show. I should have interviewed her, but I was too wrapped up in the tea I was ordering. Lesson learned: Always stay alert to potential stories, even when you think you’re done filming.
Final Thoughts
If you want to pursue the dynamic new art of video snapshotting, never squelch yourself. Even if you’ve shot plenty, even if you’re tired, keep that camera rolling. Inspiration can strike anywhere. The trick is to stay open to it.
In a future video, I’ll go into more technical details on how to film a video snapshot and format it properly for publication to social media.
My neighbor Danny’s front yard isn’t that big, maybe a thousand square feet, but every night dozens of kids manage to squeeze onto it. Guitar strummers, recorder tooters, cigarette bummers, portrait-sketchers, frisbee tossers, Screaming Yellow Zonkers eaters, dueling radio owners, horny lover gropers.
The formula for popular culture to be popular hasn’t really changed much in eighty years. What drives audiences and critics to rave about and recommend movies is influenced by the obvious (stardom, publicity buzz), but just as much by hidden forces and unacknowledged agendas. Continue reading “Don’t Say the A-Word! Part I: Juno”
