How to Create Professional Videos With Your Phone

The Horse in Motion is a black and white, 11-frame clip shot in 1878. Eadweard Muybridge filmed the horse and rider using 12 separate cameras, but later decided not to use the 12th frame. This simple video was considered groundbreaking during his time. But a lot has changed since motion photography was invented. It’s now possible to create professional videos with your phone. Here are 5 quick tips to help you get started.

1. Lighting

Invest in a lighting kit. Some you can even build yourself. The flash on a smartphone can’t compete with off-camera lighting; it’s more likely to look like an old VHS camcorder spotlight. Of course, there’s always natural lighting.

2. Horizontal Vs. Vertical Video

When making videos with your phone, stick to widescreen. While it’s possible to record vertical footage with a smartphone, computer screens and websites have landscape-oriented displays.

3. No Digital Zoom

Using the zoom feature when making videos on your phone can create a pixelated effect. This is because the lens isn’t actually zooming optically. The picture is just getting bigger.

4. Use a Tripod

We’ve all seen shaky home video footage. If you’re going to invest the time in making videos on your phone, it’s worth buying a basic tripod. Even minor movements can wreck the professionalism of your content. There are adapter clips available for smartphones too.

5. Audio Recording

Typically, the built-in microphone on your smartphone’s camera should work fine. But depending on the kind of video project you’re shooting, you may want to consider using a professional microphone that’s closer to your subject.

Learning as You Go

The filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, shot “Unsane,” on an iPhone 7 Plus. Using a smartphone for video projects isn’t just a final option for people who lack funding. It’s about quality combined with convenience.

Don’t wait until you have the perfect skill set to begin. Just get started. We’re here to help with the editing. Contact our office at 415.900.8141.