At Stone’s Throw Media there are some questions that we get asked more than others. Here are some examples:
• “Where did the name come from?” (It comes from something Matt said once)
• “How long should my video be?” (As short as possible without compromising its pace or visual flow)
• “What kind of animal was Rikki-Tikki-Tavi?” (A mongoose)
• “When is Mike going to put the guitar down and do some work?” (We honestly don’t know but hopefully soon)
There are some others, too, a notable one of which we’re going to tackle in this very blog post – “what should/shouldn’t I wear on camera?”
We’re a thoroughly sartorial bunch here at Stone’s Throw, but even we’re not confident enough to tell you what you should be wearing on camera.
What we can do, however, is use our expertise in the world of video production to give you some pointers as to what not to wear on camera. Which is why we’re about to do exactly that…
Elaborate jewellery
We’re all for a bit of bling, but jewellery has a nasty habit of sparkling in the light, which sadly isn’t ideal for a viewer.
Any jewellery that rattles tends to be a no-no as well – anything that provides distracting noises ain’t too cool with us, sadly.
Green clothing
There’s a reason why you’ve never seen your favourite weathergirl* wearing green clothes.
Wearing green in front of a green screen means that when the background is digitally removed, the body parts covered in the green clothing will be removed as well. Which isn’t great.
See-through clothing
You can probably work out for yourselves why this isn’t ideal.
Stripy clothing/clothing with intricate patterns on
It may look great, but your stripy jumper or patterned dress could A) Be distracting to viewers B) Can strobe on camera.
Try to remember this line – “keep it sane, keep it plain” – a mantra we invented roughly 30 seconds ago.
Bright white clothing
There’s nothing wrong with being vivid, but you don’t want to be too vivid! Wearing bright white clothes (particularly on an outdoors shoot on a summer’s day) could lead you ending up looking like the dead one from ‘Randall and Hopkirk Deceased’**
We know that being on camera (particularly for the very first time) can be a daunting enough experience as it is, without having to fret over what you should or shouldn’t wear, so hopefully our guide will ease that headache for you!
* Ours is Shefali from BBC Midlands Today, if you’re wondering
** Yes, all of our TV references really are 50 years old
Take a look at our work...
FAQs
Green clothing
Which element should be avoided in on camera clothing? ›
Avoid herringbones, plaids, checks and especially stripes: Large ones are distracting, and small ones can dance around the screen, creating rivers and waviness (moiré pattern).
What patterns should you avoid on camera? ›
Last but not least, step three, avoid distracting or busy patterns, including stripes, herringbone, or checks. We want the viewers' focus to be drawn upward toward your face; fine lines, polka dots, and even small floral prints can be distracting to the viewer. Stripes can sometimes create what's called a moire effect.
What not to wear on video clothing tip? ›
A Few More Tips
Clothes that have visible logo design, brand names, or loud text can be distracting for the viewer. So, keep it brand-free. However, if your attire has your logo on it, go for it! Avoid silk, satins, and shiny fabrics that look less flattering under bright lights.
What is the best color to wear on TV audience? ›
Grey or navy blue work better than black. Navy blue is actually a very good colour to wear on TV. It's seen as safe and understated. It's also regarded as the colour of trust – that's why the police and airline cabin crew often wear it.
What colors not to wear in photos? ›
They aren't what not to wear completely…just don't wear too much of these colors.
- Black. Yes, it's tempting to dress your family in one color that everyone usually has, but black really dulls the image. ...
- Dark Blue. Think the same thing as black. ...
- Neon. Big no no. ...
- Bright White. ...
- Bright Reds. ...
- Bright Blue.
DON'T wear white, black or red. White glows and becomes the most noticeable thing on the TV screen. Black is too harsh and can suck up all the light. Reds bleed on camera and are distracting.
What are the patterns that look bad on cameras? ›
Patterns You Should NOT Wear
- Dark against light: Patterns (especially small ones) that have a dark color against a light color can be very distracting. ...
- Small, close together stripes: This just tends to look trippy in photos, and sometimes gives this weird effect called moiré that you don't want.
However, if you're new to photography, you can learn from other people's mistakes before making them yourself.
- Never Place Items on Top of Your Vehicle. ...
- Never Place Your Tripod on a Hill With One Leg Downhill. ...
- Never Leave Your Camera Unattended in the Wind. ...
- Never Set Your Camera Bag Down in a Busy Place.
Solid and rich colours tend to look best on camera, helping you stand out on screen. Avoid bright white clothing as it can overpower the screen. Instead, opt for off-white shades like light beige or light grey. Consider colours that complement your skin tone and make you feel comfortable.
Darker shades of colors like blue, purple and brown can also help to hide flaws and create a slimming illusion. On the other hand, lighter colors, like white and khaki, can add pounds and give the illusion of a larger frame.
What not to wear to look cheap? ›
Style expert's top six fashion pet peeves that make you look cheap
- Avoid tops that are oversized and shapeless and have really long neckline and a lot of excess fabric. ...
- Skinny jeans that are skin tight and stretchy.
Wear muted or pale colors if you want to be noticed less. Bright, bold colors, especially purple, may make you seem more creative. Your favorite or go-to colors might not match your undertones, and that's okay!
What color to wear is most attractive? ›
Sidhu and colleagues found that black and red clothing produced the highest ratings of body attractiveness and slimmer body size judgments. In contrast, grey and green clothes produced the lowest body attractiveness and highest body size assessments.
What to wear on camera to look thin? ›
Choose solid dark colors or vertical stripes to look slimmer overall. No matter what type of clothes you wear, choosing solid dark shades is always a good choice for looking thinner. And if you like patterns, vertical stripes are your best bet for looking slimmer.
What camera settings are best for clothing photography? ›
For clothing photography, you'll want to shoot at a high f-stop, between f-8 and f-11. It'll help focus only on the apparel and highlight its best details. You'll also want to set your shutter speed to around 1/125.
What color shirt looks best on camera? ›
Solid and rich colours tend to look best on camera, helping you stand out on screen. Avoid bright white clothing as it can overpower the screen. Instead, opt for off-white shades like light beige or light grey. Consider colours that complement your skin tone and make you feel comfortable.
What colors should you avoid in film? ›
Don't wear bright, hot colors.
For instance, wearing intense reds will bleed and could make the surrounding objects, including your face, appear red as well. On the other hand, cooler colors like teal, purple, or coral will pop more on the screen without affecting how you look.
