Using The Zoom Many home videos look tacky and amateurish because of poor use of the zoom lens. The zoom should always be used smoothly and slowly with a gradual, steady progression. Lets say for example you are in a beautiful harbour and have seen a magnificent yacht you want to capture on video. You should start the scene with just a view of the yacht then gradually pan out to show the magnificent setting in which it is situated. Conversely, say your subject is standing in front of a magnificent palace. Shoot the palace first then gradually zoom in on your subject. Tripods are very useful when shooting zoom shots.