How to Live Stream Your Church Service With Multiple Cameras by Paul Richards, Marketing Director, PTZ Optics
The fastest way to take your live stream church service to the next level is to add multiple cameras. Many churches start with one fixed camera covering all the action. This works fine and, when done well, it is a great way to keep people connected when they can’t be in the building. However, a multi-camera setup can add so much more to your live stream church service. The problem with one fixed camera is that it becomes challenging to get anything but a wide shot. With a wide shot, the camera needs to be far enough away or zoomed out far enough to capture everything happening on the stage or chancel. This means no closeup shots. With nothing but wide shots, it can be challenging for viewers to feel intimately connected to the worship service elements. Especially if they are
viewing on a smaller display, they miss out on the nuances like the expression on the preacher’s face.
Cameras There seem to be endless options for cameras on the market in all price ranges. But before you start buying cameras, there Single-camera setups can also make it are a couple of things to think about: control difficult for your live stream church services and connections to keep viewers’ attention. People have grown accustomed to watching programs Camera Control shot with multiple cameras. The frequent The real beauty of a multi-camera setup is camera angle changes and quick transitions the ability to zoom in and out, pan side to keep viewers engaged. Multiple cameras side, and tilt up and down to get the camera also make it easier to get closeup shots focused in on the action. With multiple connecting the audience and drawing them cameras, one camera can be adjusted into the worship service. while another is live making for smooth, seamless transitions. The question is, how You may have thought that multiple will you operate that camera? One option cameras for a live stream church service is to purchase larger format cameras and were reserved for massive churches with big tripods and train volunteers to run them. budgets. However, with a little planning, it is You will usually need some kind of headset possible to put together an affordable, high- communications system so that your camera quality multi-camera setup for your church. operators can be given instructions.
