With the rise of smartphone cameras and apps, it’s now possible to create high-quality videos without needing expensive and bulky equipment.
Whilst a purpose built video camera is probably always going to outgun a smartphone you can still create great looking video as long as you keep a few of the following tips in mind.
Stabilization
Stabilization is essential for quality smartphone video as shaky video is both distracting and makes the footage look and feel unprofessional.
There are several ways to keep your smartphone steady while recording videos including using a tripod, gimbal, video rig or even a selfie stick.
If none of the above are available, try “being the tripod” yourself!
Hold the phone with two hands, tuck your elbows to your sides, and if possible brace your body against something solid like a wall.
Many phones these days come with software designed to stabilize the video as it is being shot as well as editing apps that also offer stabilization.
The effectiveness of these stabilization methods varies widely and wildly so before you shoot footage relying on something like this do some tests to see how it works… or if it works!
Audio
When it comes to creating video on your smartphone, or any video making for that matter, audio is a critical element.
The quality of your audio can significantly impact mood, tone and the overall way your project is perceived by an audience.
Due to background noise, wind and the handling of other unwanted noise, the built-in microphone on your smartphone may not provide great audio quality.
On top of that the microphone is more often than not going to be positioned too far away from the sound source resulting in sound that lacks signal strength and clarity.
For better audio it is always recommended to use an external microphone if that is at all possible.
There are different types of microphones available, such as lavalier, shotgun and condenser microphones depending on the situation.
You can even use a wireless microphone or a Bluetooth headset for remote audio recording.
Make sure to adjust the audio settings of your smartphone camera or app such as volume, gain, and noise reduction
Monitor audio levels and quality with headphones or earphones while videoing.
Here is some more in-depth information on the various types of microphones and their use.
Lighting
When shooting a video on your smartphone it’s important to consider the lighting as it will significantly impact the overall quality and “feel” of your footage.
Proper lighting should add contrast, depth, color and texture, all of which can enhance the visual appeal and realism of your video.
When using a smartphone in natural light keep in mind that harsh or direct sunlight can cause unwanted shadows, glare, harshness to skin tones or overexposure.
An ideal time to film is during the golden hour which takes place around sunset.
The soft and warm light produces a more cinematic effect.
You can even experiment with what is called “the blue hour” which is that time of day when the sun has just set but there is still available light.
It is called the blue hour because the soft warm tones of the golden hour have faded into a sort of bluish effect.
More on outdoor lighting in the video below.
You can also use artificial light sources such as lamps or LED lights to create different lighting effects such as backlight, sidelight or fill light.
Modifying the intensity, direction, or color of the light with reflectors, diffusers or filters can also be helpful.
Lastly, it’s important to adjust the white balance, exposure, and ISO settings of your smartphone camera or app to match the lighting conditions and mood of your scene.
Most phone cameras these days have these settings but if you feel uncertain about them at least learn how to set the white balance as a minimum.
As a side not here, many camera apps for smartphones will come with features designed to “enhance” the quality of your shots automatically.
Just like stabilization apps the results you get from these can vary widely with the most common problem being unnatural skin tones from so called “beauty” filters.
That is not to say they are universally bad but make sure you test any that you use out before committing to using them while shooting.
Framing
In any video framing is a crucial aspect that affects the composition, perspective and focus of your video and again it comes down to audience perception.
Proper framing can also convey the relationship, emotion and intention of your characters or subjects while creating visual interest and variety in your video.
Pay close attention to how you frame your shots using different techniques and rules to enhance your framing.
For example, you can use the rule of thirds to divide the screen into nine equal parts and place the most critical elements of your scene along the lines or intersections.
Additionally, leading lines can be useful in guiding the viewer’s eye toward the main subject or point of interest in your shot.
Utilizing headroom and “looking room” can help create a balanced and comfortable frame.
Shot sizes, such as close-up, medium, or wide, can portray different levels of detail and emotion.
Additionally, different angles, like high, low, or eye level, can be employed to show various perspectives and meanings.
On top of this movement such as pans, tilts, zooms or tracking can create dynamic and engaging shots.
Editing
Creating a video on your smartphone is just the beginning.
Editing is a crucial aspect that can shape the overall structure, pacing, and style of your video.
It can also help correct mistakes, enhance quality and add visual effects to your footage.
Use a good editing app or software, such as PowerDirector, Filmora, Movavi, or VideoStudio for editing your smartphone video and try to view the completed project on a variety of devices before final distribution.
To achieve a polished result, it’s important to follow some basic editing principles and tips:
- Cut-on-action: This technique cuts from one shot to another when a movement or an action is happening to create a smooth and seamless transition.
- Match cut: This technique cuts from one shot to another when there is a similarity or a connection between the two shots, such as shape, color or theme to create visual continuity and meaning.
- Crosscut: This technique cuts back and forth between two or more scenes that are happening simultaneously, creating parallelism and suspense.
- J cut and L cut: These techniques cut the audio and the video of a shot at different times to create a natural and smooth flow of sound and image.
- Montage: This technique combines a series of shots that show a progression or a change of time, place, or mood to create a summary and a transition.
- Cutaway: This technique cuts from the main scene to a different scene that shows a detail, a reaction, or background information to create a context and a variety.
- Fade in and fade out: These techniques gradually change the brightness of the image or the sound from black or silence to full or vice versa to create a beginning or an end of a scene or a video.
Storytelling
One of the most critical aspects of smartphone video making or any video making for that matter is storytelling.
It serves as the heart and soul of your video enabling you to convey your message, vision or idea to your audience effectively.
It doesn’t matter really how well you execute the tips you have read on this page unless your final video has something to say.
Your storytelling should also be capable of eliciting a range of emotions engaging your viewers and leaving a lasting impact.
As such, it is essential to prioritize your storytelling and utilize various elements and techniques to craft your narrative.
For instance, you could leverage the three-act structure, which breaks down your story into three parts: the setup, the conflict, and the resolution.
Alternatively, you could opt for the hero’s journey, which traces the evolution of your protagonist’s journey and transformation.
You could also use the character arc to depict the growth and development of your main character.
Additionally, plot points can be employed to create tension and excitement and push your story forward.
Dialogue serves as an excellent tool to reveal character, personality, motivation, and emotions, while voice-over narration can provide insight and information.
Finally, music can enhance the mood, tone, and emotion of your video.
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