10 Ways to Shoot Better Video on Mobile

While DSLR’s may have taken a clean sweep on the technical scoreboard a few years back, new age smartphones today come well equipped with a great camera and the ability to record high definition video. However, the key to achieving a professional finish lies in your technique than the tools. Like any other piece of technical equipment, average video making techniques even on a smartphone with a fantastic camera will probably result in poor video outcome. But don’t worry; there are hacks around this too! Consistent practice and access to a few essential tips can ease you towards achieving that perfect footage you thought could only be possible through a DSLR!

Read on to find out how you can begin right away!

01. Be Prepared for the Shoot in Advance

Before you hit record on your video, make sure you have all that you might need during the actual shoot. The list may well include – gear, props, scripts, actors, shooting locations etc. Another crucial element to look out for is being prepared with adequate storage space (available memory), especially since high definition (HD) video files can get large and will drain a battery quickly. You don’t want your video shoot to come to a striking halt for any of the above reasons.

02. Shoot in Horizontal Mode

For any newbie to video making, this is no doubt a fundamental mistake. Nothing ruins excellent footage like having two black vertical bars along both sides of your video. With our smartphone screens always oriented to record vertical or portrait footage, its no wonder this tendency carries on whenever we decide to take a video. However, this does not translate well on any other video streaming platforms which all come with predominant landscape-oriented displays. Not only does shooting in landscape mode make your video seem more aesthetically pleasing in general, but it also make it more enjoyable to consume.

So to overcome the hassle of trying to fix this during editing, give your phone a turn, and you’re video ready from the start!

03. Pick the Right Frame!

Now that you have rotated your camera, the next thing to place your focus on is: setting the right frame. A “frame” put refers to all the things you could want a viewer to see in your video, out of which most importantly is the subject (that’s you ) and any additional objects which you might want to place to make it look more visually appealing. Try to fill the frame with your subject. You can also try a few variants like moving slightly off-centre to create a more visually interesting scene. Try out a few to figure out what suits the style of video you want to present to your audience.

04. Good Lighting is Essential!

A poorly lit video specially on your smartphone camera can be incredibly taxing because they have smaller image sensors and lenses. Simply put, it leads to unnecessary shadows and grainy areas in your video – the very thing that could kill the vibe of the video! So try as much as possible to shoot your video in brightly lit areas (sunlight is a bonus!). Simultaneously be careful not to point the camera directly at bright light sources, which will cause unusable overexposed footage and lens flaring. Also, remember to keep lighting stable and steady. Use touch focusing on drawing the camera to the most critical aspect (the subject), thus ensuring the phone’s inbuilt automatic exposure control to make small adjustments in case the lighting condition begins to change anytime.

05. A Tripod Makes Life Easier!

Using a smartphone to record videos, especially if you intend on investing in video content long term, can result in a stream of shaky footage if you are prone to trembling hands. A temporary solution could be to hold your phone close to your body core which effectively turns your body into a quick tripod. However, a permanent solution might be to invest into a simple tripod that can hold your phone steadily, bringing with it a whole new level of flexibility! Most tripods are compatible with standard digital cameras. So rest assured, you’ll never have shaky footage again.

06. Say No to Digital Zoom

Nothing is worse than digital zoom, hands down. Sometimes using the zoom feature on your smartphone to get a closer shot can be tempting. However, most smartphones, unfortunately, feature digital zooms, which are just software tricks that make things appear nearer. The results are one thing: pixels. An easy hack around this is to ensure that you get as close as you can, especially for tight shots on faces. This trick ensures that crisp, vivid quality you desire in videos.

07. Great Audio Can Level Up Your Game!

Something to have in mind while shooting a video is that audio matters equally, if not more in the way your video is perceived finally. Unfortunately, the built-in microphone in most smartphones (if not all of them) is both low quality and improperly placed. Unnecessary environmental noise can get in the way that becomes a hassle to edit out later. To minimise this as much as possible, shoot in a quiet place, keeping the audio source as close as possible. With a little investment in hand, you can also choose to buy an external mic that can ensure superb audio.

08. Use Clip-on Lenses to Enhance a Video

An instance might occur where you would like to widen your shot or focus on a super close subject. In such a situation, don’t let the lack of a DSLR dampen your video making spirit. Clip-on lenses are a blessing in disguise when you want to replicate the effect of a DSLR using just your handy smartphone. These lenses for smartphones are super affordable and convenient for taking wide or macro shots. Pro tip: You can even try out different angles or shoot some B-Roll footage for a more professional finish!

09. Access Your Inbuilt Camera Features

Default camera applications on most smartphones come with slow motion and timelapse features pre-installed. If used correctly, these features can be a game-changer for enhancing your visuals and capturing some incredible footage. You can capture action shots excellently through slow motion. Slow-motion videos are also used to capture exciting movements that we may otherwise tend to skip with our eyes. Timelapse videos, on the other hand, are great at capturing action over a while. Depending on what you visualise your end product to be, you can pick and choose accordingly.

10. Editing

We finally come to the single most factor that can instantly elevate your average video to a pro video in no time at all- Editing! The best part is, most smartphones these days come equipped with some intense editing features, so you won’t even have the need to invest in any fancy desktop software. Editing can include everything from necessary trimming to adding transitions, titles, effects, and so much more. These video editing apps offer faster and flexible video editing options, much like any other mobile apps, where all the features are accessible through a simple drag and drop interface.

Conclusion

So as you can see with the tips above, we’ve hopefully been able to show you that producing great videos can be a fun and lucrative pursuit or even a new vertical into your existing business strategy for the entrepreneurial spirit in you. Through practice, trial and error, and you’re sure to start seeing professional results in no time at all!

But wait, just creating video content is not enough. The real deal lies in effective distribution and engagement throughout social media. Visit Anblik Website Development Company to see how we can assist you with engaging social media marketing tactics.