5.2 Basic smartphone videography tips

Basic smartphone videography tips

When creating video using a smartphone, most of the time, especially in newer models, the camera and standard camera app will give you 90% of the functionality you need to create video, you don’t need expensive gear for cheap and cheerful social media videos. Here are my top tips for smartphone videography on the cheap.

1: Try and shoot in as much light as possible as this will give you the clearest video with the highest resolution

2: Keep yourself steady, keep your hands steady. Shaky video is a no-no. I use a DJI Mobile gimble for my Smartphone just to give me that extra stability. Second hand versions are not too expensive.

3: Slow movements when zooming in and out. Camera zoom is often digital which kills resolution, so where possible physically move the camera closer to zoom, and keep it steady.

4: Mobile tripods – I use a cradle I got off ebay super cheap that came with lights and also has a tripod screw underneath. If doing any kind of static video, tripods are the way to go, and you can pick up second hand tripods for not a lot of money so come on, let’s get semi pro here.

5: external microphone. If possible get a lapel mic that either connects to a recorder or another smartphone with voice recording and record the audio separately, and then bring them both together in your video editor, this serves two purposes – the audio will be clearer, and gives you a backup in case of an issue with your phone audio recording.