5 important video recording tips on mobile devices you need to know before you start filming
If you went through this article, chances are you are starting to shoot more video content on your mobile phone or you are planning to do so. This can be for many reasons—whether it’s creating short-form content for Instagram Stories or YouTube Shorts or record videos for your YouTube cooking channel. Regardless of the purpose, the basics of shooting video on a smartphone are as good as on a professional SLR or camera. mirrorless cameraare largely the same. After shooting with both a high-end camera and a smartphone, I’ve concluded that there are a few key points you should keep in mind before filming with your phone. Paying attention to these can significantly improve your results. Let me share the five most important aspects to consider. Read on.
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1. Avoid shaky footage and static film
No one likes shaky footage. If you don’t have a tripod, try shooting stills. Still images are very powerful. You don’t have to move your frame to achieve “cinematic movement,” which ruins your shot. If you don’t have a stabilizing device like a gimbal, or if your smartphone is more than suitable for shooting steady footage, or if you have a tripod handy, try capturing still frames. And most importantly, stay focused on the subject you are photographing. For example, if you’re filming a cooking video, make sure your set looks nice and presentable. Likewise, if you’re out and about and want to shoot street videos, look for unique angles. Maybe shoot through a tree or something to add more depth. This will make your photo stand out.
2. Lighting is key
No matter what a smartphone company advertises or how aggressively it markets its camera system, smartphones are still limited by the laws of physics. Over the years, we’ve come to distinguish between what makes a great video and what doesn’t. Nine out of ten cases where video looks bad is due to poor lighting.
If you’re filming professionally or shooting content for yourself, try investing in lighting. Learn how lighting works—what is a key light, what is a fill light, and what is a backlight. Experiment until you know how light works and how to manipulate it to improve your photos.
3. Maximize your hardware
There is no newest one iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro but can’t log in when recording ProRes? Don’t worry, even if you have an older iPhone, you can still use apps like Blackmagic Camera. This allows you to shoot with manual settings, where you can adjust ISO, shutter speed, lock white balance, and control focus manually. Mastering manual settings gives you better control over what you’re shooting.
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4. Allow vertical video editing in posts
If you’re shooting a portrait video, always leave enough room for framing later. Vertical video is very popular, especially with the rise of short-form content, but a common mistake beginners or even some experts make is leaving very little room for adjustments in editing. post-production.
When switching from horizontal to vertical video, you may sometimes misjudge the frame. The key here is to always shoot in 4K if your phone allows it, while also leaving extra space and breathing room at the edges of the frame. This way, even if you misjudge the frame, you can still correct it later in post-production.
5. Sound is king
Ultimately, no matter how good the quality of your video is, if the audio isn’t clear, your audience won’t like it. This is especially important in content-heavy videos. Make sure your audio is sharp, without unnecessary white noise, background noise, or wind noise, especially in vlogs.
Invest in a good quality microphone (even cheap microphones can do the job these days). Another tip is to try AI-based software like Adobe Podcast. Today’s smartphones also come with built-in AI tools like Google’s Audio Magic Eraser, and the iPhone 16 series has Mic Mode that reduces background sounds. So always prioritize improving your audio before improving other aspects of your video.
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