Making professional-looking videos doesn’t require a ton of expensive gear anymore. Nowadays, even a smartphone can record and edit high-quality videos. It’s likely that your mobile device is capable of recording high-definition video, so why not record vlogs from it?
However, even if you have a high-quality camera on your smartphone, poor video-making skills will likely lead to a not so good video. Even if you’re just filming a vlog, you’ll still need to pay attention to the finer details of the production, such as framing, lighting, camera angles, and audio quality.
And hence we’re going to give you some of the best tips and tricks for making vlogs on your smartphone. Let’s begin!
In simple words, a blog that includes video content is known as a vlog. To get started, all you need is a YouTube or similar video streaming account.
Video content is one of the most intriguing and engaging ways to convey your thoughts. It has the potential to help you in establishing authority, expanding your influence, and increasing the level of engagement on your site. Discover the perfect background music to transform your vlogs into amazing content experiences for your audience!
The first and foremost tip for you to record vlogs using a smartphone is to have a good smartphone. Mid-range smartphones today are capable of recording high-quality video, but in different lighting conditions, such as high contrast or low-light environments, they often fall short.
Try to get your hands on a flagship model if you’re planning to start a vlogging channel. You can consider the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra or the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, both of which are excellent for video recording.
There is nothing that can ruin great footage quite like having two vertical black bars running along both the sides of your video. If you want to avoid making this rookie mistake, be sure to record in landscape mode rather than portrait mode.
Your vlog will look better when it’s viewed on a full screen or television because the landscape makes it more visually appealing. In addition, you’ll be able to capture more POV in the video.
Just keep in mind that you should not record while holding your phone in a vertical position, unless you are recording for an app like Tik-Tok or Instagram.
The next thing to check is that your videos have proper lighting. Cameras on most smartphones today are powerful and high-quality. However, even if you have high-quality cameras, you won’t be able to achieve that professional look for your shots if the lighting in your videos isn’t up to par.
When it comes to lighting, nothing beats natural sunlight. If you’re going to shoot in the open air, take advantage of the golden hour, which refers to the period before sunset or after sunrise. That’s when the light from the sun is best for making videos. It’s a softer light than the harsh sunlight you’d get at noon.
If you’re going to be filming yourself around noon, it’s best to do it at home instead. To get the best results, we suggest investing in three LED video lights for your lighting setup.
The Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) and Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) that has become standard in smartphones over the past few years is one of the industry’s most notable advancements.
If you are recording the vlog with your hands, this effectively minimises the effects of any handshake that may occur. It works fairly well, but if you plan to move to follow a subject or use it for moto vlogging, or use it to do any kind of recording while moving around, your best bet is to get a physical gimbal that works with your smartphone and makes it really smooth.
If you can’t afford or don’t want a gimbal or stabiliser, you can use other objects like a table, shelf, etc. to rest your smartphone on while recording videos.
Cinematographers use the technique of time-lapse or time-lapse photography to capture a sequence of moving images at a much slower frame rate.
When you play back this recorded video at a normal speed, it gives the impression that time is passing more quickly. You can use it to produce compelling shots for your vlog.
The next tip for you is to make certain that you are recording high-quality audio. Even if the video quality is only average, people would still watch it, but if the audio is poor, they will leave very quickly.
When it comes to the built-in microphone on most smartphones, the quality and placement are both poor. Wind and other unwanted environmental noise are frequently picked up and ruin the audio completely.
The in-built microphones on some of the most recent smartphones are decent, but as a general rule, it is better to use separate microphones rather than rely on them. The mic should be set properly so that your voice can be heard clearly without picking up too much background noise.
The last tip for your vlog is to make sure you shoot enough B-roll. It refers to the extra clips and videos that you can include in your vlog to make it more interesting.
This is a great way to show your audience what you’re talking about, whether you’re filming an instructional video or a personal vlog. It also adds to the overall appeal of your video by breaking down the monotony of having only a talking head and makes the video way more interesting.
You do not need to purchase an expensive DSLR or camera to start vlogging. Just follow the tips and tricks mentioned above and you are good to go.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, remember to be yourself and enjoy making your vlogs. Try something new from time to time. Get inspiration by watching others’ vlogs and get better with time.
Happy vlogging!