The smartphone is man’s main companion. It is not only a device where all passwords and correspondence are stored but also an excellent means of video recording. You can find great video editors on appslikethese. In this article, you will know 9 Tips For Shooting Better Video With Your Smartphone.
How to prepare for taking a video
To record a quality video, you need to prepare thoroughly. First, you need to take a good smartphone. After all, not every device has extensive video capabilities.
Now, all the flagships shoot without serious criticism. But the models of the budget and mid-budget class should be treated with caution. It is necessary to pick up such a device, which will be able to cope with its task.
And to do this, you should pay attention to a few important characteristics:
- high resolution when recording clips (FullHD or 4K);
- multiple lenses to go from a normal angle to a wide-angle;
- support for optical zoom to enlarge the image without loss of quality;
- stabilization;
- decent aperture ratio around f/1.6-f/1.8.
By taking into account all the recommendations for buying a smartphone, you can choose a device that is perfect for video shooting. But at the same time, even with a flagship in your hands, you need to go through a preparatory stage:
- Study the specifications of the device and its settings so you can roughly understand how it can record clips.
- Wipe down the lens to make sure there is not a single speck of dust on it.
- Find a good place to shoot video.
- For a better picture, set the light or adjust the exposure so that the sunlight falls on the subject.
As practice shows, these simple recommendations are the key to a good video, which you won’t be ashamed to post on social networks. And to ensure success, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the generally accepted rules of shooting.
Rules for recording videos on a smartphone
The smartphone noticeably differs from the professional camera in terms of video recording. And this is although both devices support approximately the same resolution. But the features of the cameras themselves are very different, which makes the requirements for a smartphone more serious.
Professionals in mobile photography have developed a whole set of rules that allow even a beginner to record a charming video. The main thing is not to ignore the recommendations and follow the suggested tips.
Cleanliness of the lens
The camera lens is the main element that is responsible for taking pictures. On smartphones, it seems to be perfectly protected. After all, the lens is covered with glass, thanks to which the camera itself is not damaged if dropped.
But at the same time, glass is very fond of collecting dust. If it gets in focus, the frame will be soapy at best and incomplete at worst. After all, a noticeable part of the video will be occupied by incomprehensible dots. They will not let you perceive the video as a work of art.
In addition, the glass that protects the lens is prone to frequent scratches. This happens even if the person understands the danger and tries not to put the smartphone in the same pocket with keys or coins. The lens will still scratch sooner or later if the owner of the device will not keep track of its condition.
Horizontal shooting only
Every operator should respect the viewer. After all, he will be watching the video not only on his smartphone but also on other devices like a computer or TV. Therefore, the generally accepted standard of shooting is the horizontal position. It provides a widescreen image that captures most of the details in the frame.
Vertical shooting is only used in specific social networks. For example, Instagram or TikTok.
Lighting
The camera lens works on the principle of the matrix. It brings light to the screen, so shooting in the dark turns into a real nightmare. Instead of an object in the frame, you can see only a black spot. But in the daytime, the situation is noticeably better, so you can easily create high-quality video content. However, there are important recommendations, even in bright sunlight.
The sun should not shine brightly on the screen. They should fall on the subject to make it stand out from the background. To understand the difference, try shooting a person with the Sun behind them and vice versa. You will see that videos, where the rays hit the subject instead of the camera lens, are better and more detailed.
Exposure and focus
An important element during video recording is exposure. Roughly speaking, it is the overall plan of the video. Therefore, smartphone developers offer users to adjust the frame themselves. You can change the white balance or color saturation.
There is no single standard for how exposure should be adjusted. All actions are done based on environmental conditions. So be sure to study the camera settings and adjust the settings as you see fit.
Focus is also important. It allows you to focus your attention on a certain object. As a rule, the focus is activated by a simple tap on the screen. That is, the operator only needs to turn on the recording and click on the place on which he wants to focus.
Advanced smartphones are equipped with artificial intelligence. It adjusts the exposure and focuses the camera on the subject.
Stable picture
Try to stabilize the image as best as possible. You can perform stabilization with either a tripod or a special holder. The difference between the two accessories is that the first carries out a static shooting, and the second – allows you to move around the entire area.
Don’t forget that some smartphones solve the problem of “shaky hands” on their own. Advanced models are equipped with optical or digital stabilization, which levels out the shaking without the help of additional accessories.
Zoom and flash
Almost all smartphone cameras are equipped with a zoom function. This is a zoom that allows you to zoom in on your subject without changing the current position.
But keep in mind that there is a difference between digital and optical zoom. The first enlarges the picture with a cropped image, that is, with a loss of quality, while the second zooms through special optics.
Also, when shooting in low light, do not forget to use the flash. Of course, it is not as powerful as a professional spotlight. But it may still be able to light up some of the darkest details.
External Microphone
All smartphones have a microphone, whether it’s a flagship or a budget. However, the quality of sound recording often leaves much to be desired. After all, the standard microphone for the most part is designed only to make calls, so the output is obtained is very mediocre sound.
Such a problem deprived iPhones last generation. As the tests show, they not only eliminate unnecessary noise but also record sound in stereo.
If you are not the lucky owner of the iPhone XS or 11 Pro Max, you will have to buy special equipment – an external microphone. They come in different kinds.
Accessories
Smartphones are designed so that they were easy to use in a vertical position. Manufacturers rarely think about using them horizontally, much less taking pictures in that position. Therefore, the novice operator should get a whole set of accessories.
The simplest option is a ring holder. It is attached to the back of the smartphone, allowing you to minimize the load on your hands.
Of course, it’s not superfluous to buy a tripod or a full-fledged holder for your smartphone. And for recording video underwater there are special cases that will not let the internal elements of the mobile device get damaged.
Free space in the phone
Videos take up a certain amount of memory on your smartphone. You’re unlikely to get 10 hours of footage without running into the problem of lack of free space. Pay attention to this parameter at the preparatory stage. And keep in mind that the higher the resolution, the more weight the final video will have.
Do not forget to buy memory cards, if your smartphone is equipped with a MicroSD slot. Some models allow you to install an external drive for 1TB.
