One of the favourite programmes I have directed is ‘Picture This’ - a Photography Reality show which aired on Channel 4 in the UK. It was tough shooting photographers at work as I was trying to get memorable TV shots on my Z1 whilst they were looking for equally great shots (stills) to win the competition.

It meant even more to me as I actually trained in Photography and many years ago started off as a News and Magazine Photographer before breaking into TV. The show merged two of my media passions.

‘Picture This’ made be think how important visuals are to TV and Video and how Photography is so interlinked to the moving image.

Making TV and Video needs a complete range of skills which is why it’s so challenging a medium to master. One of the key skills is developing a visual eye.

I took this picture during a Summer break in Montenegro.

In the world of TV as more and more productions are self-shot by Directors and AP’s (Assistant Producers) the ability to have camera skills has never been greater. I estimate I self-shoot around 50% of all the TV shows I Direct. Sometimes I will shoot a whole show more often it will be a combination of self-shooting and using crews.

As a self-shooter (and this term would apply to any of you who shoot for the Web or make videos at home) the burden is on you to come up with eye catching visuals - as well as think of the content, what’s being said, how does it fit your story and your programme or video.

You still need strong visual skills even when working with talented Camera people. An expert Operator will pick out great shots by themselves without direction, but their field of vision is often restricted to the limits of the viewfinder. As a Director you should be constantly scanning 360 degrees for interesting angles and killer shots.

If you are under TV deadlines then you’ll inevitably be short on time. It will be up to you to climb a hill to find a good GV (General View) or view the location for the next scene whilst your crew play catch up in another area. The ability to quickly identify the best possible shots is crucial.

But how do you develop good visual skills?

Back to where I started this post. You don’t even need to own a video camera to train your eye, any stills camera will do. TV and Video is the cousin of Film and Film is the offspring of Photography so I suggest going back to the roots and studying the work of the great Photographers like Cartier-Bresson, Sebastiao Salgado and one of my favourites Martin Parr (one of the ‘Picture This’ judges).

I also suggest you take up photography as a hobby. The more pictures you take the more you learn about composition, light, and the skill of timing. Making videos often requires a purpose, a script and planning. In short it requires more effort! What’s great about Photography is how instant it is. Grab your camera, shoot away and shoot anything that catches your eye and if all you achieve is a single memorable image it can be framed and enjoyed for what it is.

Don’t wait until you are stood in a field with a DV camera, a subject and a show to make before thinking about your visual style - start now.