Ahsan Gardezi
Producing quality video content is a necessity for YouTubers. Depending on whether you’re a pro photographer or just an amateur shutterbug, your YouTube channel may require a creative overhaul. What if, you’re low on resources and can only make do with a smartphone for making videos? We’ve got you covered. Here’s how to use your mobile to make good videos for your YouTube channel.
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Almost a decade ago, a filmmaker wouldn’t dream of shooting a movie on a phone because the quality was just outrageous. Now however, things have changed. For instance, a certain American film director only recently directed a movie project that was captured entirely on an iPhone.
Feeling good about this one? We hope so; get in!
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Improvements to your video-capturing habits might do wonders for your up-and-coming YouTube upload(s). But what do such improvements – say, in quality – allow you to capture? In theory, a good video.
Technical excellence in a good video can be pretty easy to spot: we see examples of it all the time on television. During the 2018 Olympics, for instance, you could watch skilled videographers shoot wholesome videos of athletes in spectacular settings. From a technical standpoint, here are a few things that you can apply while recording with a smartphone:
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Composition
To create compelling video, compose the elements in a scene or sequence deliberately. Use your phone’s LCD the way a fine-art painter might arrange on a canvas. A nifty tip would be to focus your camera lens on people’s eyes. This level of attention has a certain intensity, and focusing on another person’s eyes does seem to make things look intense!
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Lighting
Apart from recording a scene that your mind desires to see, proper lighting sets the mode. Take a hint already.
It’s something that evokes emotion, appeals to the soul, and draws attention. To understand this concept in a better way, stare at yourself in a mirror. First without lights – obviously there won’t be anything interesting to see – then with a properly lit setup. You’ll get the point we’re trying to make here!
Experiment with light and be aware of where your main light source is.
TIP: Noon sunlight on a cloudless day creates unflattering shadows on your subject’s face, while an overcast or cloudy day produces a softer, more pleasant-looking light.
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Point of view
Ask yourself: “Where am I pointing my camera lens, and from what angle?”.
Consider this figuratively as well: “How will the video’s point of view help me tell the story?”, right?
Some videos are like selfies and use a very subjective point of view to connect viewers to the story. For other videos you might want a more detached, less personal point of view. And when shooting small children or babies, get right down on the floor to shoot.
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Start with the right settings
Before taking video on your phone, set it up properly. One important setting is video resolution, which refers to how large your movie will be. Two common resolutions are 1080 HD and 4K, which is the larger of the two.
Next, check the frame rate, which sets how many individual frames per second (fps) your video records. Common settings are 30 fps, 60 fps, and less commonly, 24 fps. The higher the number, the smoother-looking video you’ll produce. Most video content is shot at 30 fps or 29.97 fps, although 60 fps will show smoother, less jittery video when depicting action.
- This isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but clean your lens!
Make sure your lens is clear. If it’s not, clean it carefully with a microfiber cloth!
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Shooting videos with a smartphone isn’t the most intuitive experience, given the device’s multipurpose characteristics.
For your information, here are a few tips for getting better results:
- Orientation: Be sure to orient your phone horizontally. While Instagram and Snapchat seem to be “aiding and abetting” users to create more portrait- or vertically-oriented footage, it’s best to avoid it.
- Avoid Back Lighting: Avoid having a window or light source behind your subject, since he or she will look silhouetted. Instead, have the light source more to the side of you or behind you.
- Use both hands: Phone lenses generally have optical image stabilization built in, so they’re pretty stable already. But using two hands produces even steadier footage. It also avoids the Jell-O effect. Sorry, what?
If you’re moving the camera around too quickly, it can have a wavy quality to it. Using two hands lessens the chance of creating this effect.
- Lock Focus and Exposure: Tapping on your phone’s LCD helps adjust in-focus elements as shown through the camera lens.
In low light, your phone’s camera will hunt for focus; that makes it look less professional. Most phones let you lock or manually adjust the exposure, so always know your camera settings.
- Improve Your Audio, Too: Most video pros say good quality audio is essential for powerful video.
The good news is that the microphones on smartphones have improved in recent years. What’s more is that audio accessories, such as Bluetooth microphones, can make the audio in your video projects sound outstanding.
Tip: For audio consistency, try purchasing USB Mics (smartphone enabled). For shooting videos in low-light, or when making a time-lapse, get a tripod!
For Reference | How To Use Your Mobile To Make Good Videos For Your YouTube Channel
Well, there you have it guys! This was all about how to use your mobile to make good videos for your YouTube channel. If you have any questions, leave a comment in the section provided below. We’ll get back to you shortly.
Good luck!
