The Basics of Recording UFO video

We have a new Public information video out going over a few simple steps to capture a UFO on video should you happen to sight one.

Here at API we have lots of experience with people submitting video to us of something weird they saw in the sky. Most of the time, it turns out that it’s not so weird, but sometimes we are left puzzled, or at least a little perplexed. If you watching this video, chances are you are hoping to someday capture video of an object you can’t identify – something that is moving in odd ways, or has a shape or color that makes little sense. This is about what to do when that moment arrives.

We’ll assume that what you are shooting this video with is your mobile phone, since that is the only camera most people routinely carry, but the basic advice should apply to any camera.

There really isn’t any question of whether to shoot or not shoot video – if you have a functioning camera, you shoot. You don’t have to worry that people will think less of you – API will protect you from all the stigma, and anything in the video that might identify you will be muted, blurred, or edited out.

Here’s the first thing we want you to remember. If you are driving, and it is possible to safely pull over and get out of your car, then by all means do.Videos shot through windows or windshields are more difficult to analyze, and you shouldn’t try to drive while shooting.

If you are indoors, and can possibly get outdoors quickly, then please do.

Once you’re in a safe place with nothing between you and the object of interest but air, hold your camera in both hands, point your camera at the object and hit record. Unless you are an expert videographer, there is no time to adjust settings. You’ll have to rely on your camera’s automatic control of exposure and focus.

Normally, we want you to hold your phone in landscape position, but that does depend on the circumstances. If the object is not too at too high an angle above you, then tuck your elbows into your body to stabilize the camera, and use your feet to follow the left/right motion, like so.

As soon as you are recording, start talking. Tell us about the date, the time, the place, and what you are seeing. If someone is there with you, have them talk as well. Then, stop talking so we can record any audible sound from the object.

Here’s a counterintuitive but important point you need to remember – resist the temptation to zoom in, even if your camera has optical zoom. To make sense of the video, we are going to need reference objects in frame. Reference objects can be almost anything in the foreground or background that isn’t moving – a lamppost, a building, a steeple, a water tower, a mountain, or a tree. Bright stars and planets make excellent reference objects if it’s nighttime and not too cloudy. If you zoom in, we could lose our reference objects, and it’s unlikely you’ll resolve more detail. If anything, zoom out. Also, zooming in and out can cause your camera to lose focus and makes the video much more difficult to analyze.

Keep shooting. Don’t stop shooting until the object is gone from sight, if at all possible. Do your best to keep it in focus. Sometimes tapping on the object on the touchscreen will help it focus.

After the object is gone, it’s good to shoot a couple of more clips at the same location, showing all the objects in view and identifying all the ones you know. If it’s night time, then a daytime video from the same place, or some still shots during the day would be helpful.

At the first opportunity, save off the clips you shot, but don’t edit, modify or annotate them. We need them unmodified right out of the camera. Also, regardless of how high quality your video is, grab a pencil and paper and make a sketch or sketches, showing everything that happened. This will really help document your case. Go to reportaufo.org and give us the information about what you experienced.

The big takeaways are: