We are big believers that good-quality videos don’t have to come from SUPER pricey cameras. In fact, today’s iPhones and Androids are full of hidden features and hacks to up your quality in seconds! Here are our 5 favorite tips to make professional videos straight from you phone.
1. Change your phone’s video settings to the highest quality. Most phones set the default camera settings to 1080p and low frames-per-second. However, if you jump into your phone settings, you’ll see that you have a few options. We recommend shooting in 4k at 30 or 60 fps. This will ensure that your videos are crisp, high resolution, smooth, and big enough that they don’t become grainy during any necessary zooming edits. Once you toggle it over to this setting you'll see an immediate difference in your capture.
2. Lock / adjust your focus and exposure. When you’re in the filming screen tap and hold your finger on the screen where you want it to focus and you’ll see “AE/AF LOCK”. This will ensure that while you’re filming, the focus will stay where you choose. You can also adjust the exposure in this step by moving your finger up or down. You’ll immediately see the brightness of your capture being affected.
3. Be sure to use the rear-facing camera. For those filming from behind a table, this might be a bit of a change, but you’ll be surprised by how much it cleans up your quality! The front-facing (selfie) camera adds grain, blur, and overall distortion to the finished video. You’ll find the rear-facing video to be crisp and clean in comparison. If you’ll be in front of the camera, we recommend using a mirror to ensure you can see that things are still recording the way you’d like.
4. Clean your camera lens before filming. This one probably doesn’t seem that important but you’d be surprised what a quick wipe down of your lens can do! Much camera distortion comes from the oils of our fingers, lint from our pockets, etc.
5. Utilize useful gear to make up for any shortcomings. Of course, a phone can’t do it ALL. But luckily there’s a ton of affordable gear online to fill lots of these shortcomings. Here are a few examples: This tried-and-true phone tripod mount that allows perfect overhead shots as well as a range of over angles. This wireless clip-on microphone that takes sound quality from echoey and shallow to professional and clear. And this awesome camera slider for smooth after pans with your phone.
If you chose to film on a DSLR or point and shoot camera, the setting will differ based on the model.
For best results
Utilize the cameras “movie” setting
Try selecting a wider f-stop, like 8 and above and locking the camera focus on your workspace.
An external mic is not necessary as the built-in mic on your phone or camera can get the job done.
Before filming, ALWAYS shoot a test clip to make sure lighting, sound and angle look good.
Now, let’s talk about tripods. This is a must-have tool when filming a high-quality video.
We recommend the Amazon-basics brand of tripod that will run you about $30. (link) This tripod will allow you to achieve a 45 degree down facing angle while filming. This tripod includes a mount for a camera, but not a phone. For this, you can buy a separate phone attachment. The only time you should be filming without a tripod is for your afters.
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