Here are 5 tips on how to record better quality videos on your iPhone
1. Optimize the settings Before we start explaining the settings, it is important to always use the camera on the back of your iPhone, the quality of which is much better than the front camera. One of the best ways to optimize the quality of your video is to delve into your iPhone's camera and video settings.
The better you understand and can apply all these settings, the better your images/frames will look. Frames per second (aka FPS) refers to – you guessed it. The number of frames you film per second. Even though videos seem like a sliding whole, they are actually a lot of photos, which when played back one after the other create the illusion of movement. There are different types of FPS settings that you can use. In your camera settings, you can choose to film in 24 FPS, for example, with which you can also run at 4K, or super high resolution. But if you prefer a cool slow-motion, you could opt for 120 FPS with a resolution of 1080P.
In addition, we have another miracle maker called Gridlines. Many digital cameras have this option. These grids, which will not be seen in your video, are a visual way to make your videos more aesthetically pleasing. Known in film as "how to frame the shot". When you're right in front of the camera, make sure you don't cut your head off the frame and your eyes are roughly on the top line so you don't leave too much headroom. Are you filming an interview? Then always adhere to “The Rule of Thirds”. Sit on one side of the shot, the empty space you then have on the other side is the direction you are looking.
2. Make your own tripod A tripod is nice to have and is definitely recommended, but if you don't have one, try to put the camera at eye level. This makes for a nicer angle than from below. Use books, boxes, crates to bring your camera to the right height. It is of course always better to purchase a tripod. And it doesn't have to cost the top prize.
3. The perfect lighting
The “Exposure” refers to how bright the light is in your shot. Shots with too much light are overexposed (you'll see a lot of wedding photographers overexpose their images), and shots that are too dark are called underexposed (think that one photographer we all know that always has darker images, even for events smh). In all cameras – not just your iPhone – the exposure is controlled by the shutter and ISO. The camera can be adjusted according to how exposed or underexposed your shot is.
You can set the exposure settings to automatic, but you can also adjust them. Frame your shot first and then tap the chosen subject on your screen, this can be a person, but also an object or something in nature that you want to focus on. You will see that if you tap on the object, a sun will appear. Here you can adjust the exposure. Tap the sun and move the slider up or down.
The view out of a window is nice, but without (professional) lighting you probably only see white. Rather use this light in your face, this not only ensures a nice natural lighting, but also a good basis for later adjustments. Try to ensure that this light remains constant, a sun in your face is of course beautiful, but if there are always clouds, it takes the continuity out of your video. So film in broad daylight or even gray day.
4. Get the most out of your microphone First of all, it is important to know where the microphone is in your iPhone. You can usually find them on the bottom of your phone, where you talk, and near the cameras. Then make sure that your fingers or phone case do not block the microphones. A general rule is to keep your microphone as close to the person as possible. If you have 2 iPhones available, you could hold the second phone above the person's head to pick up the best sound. stick it to a broomstick to create your own tree, or hold it (make sure it's out of the picture)
Another trick with a second smartphone: stick the microphone attached to your cord, or one of your wireless earpods, into the collar of the speaker. Start a memo recorder along with the movie recording. Give a blow to the image (yes, that's what they are for) so that this sound recording can be seamlessly superimposed on the image during editing. Make sure there is not too much background noise. You will not always have time to adjust the environment, but try to take it into account as much as possible. Is this not possible and is a voiceover an option for your video? For example, sit in a closed car, in a wardrobe or under the sheets in your bed to record a voice-over. The sound quality will amaze you. Finally, before you start recording, put your phone on airplane mode. Of course, you want to prevent your super cool ringtone or the vibration notification from interrupting you while you are recording.
5. Keep it short We all know them, the endlessly long vlogs that can be found all over the internet these days. People are simply programmed to talk with ease, great for a party or when you're having coffee with your distant cousin, but not if you want to convey or make something clear. People have a short attention span and you have to respond to that, if you don't catch them in the first 8 seconds (yes really!) of your video, they are more likely to click away. In addition, it has been proven that videos that are between 30 seconds and 1 minute long are the most liked and shared. So you immediately get more engagement than if you put a half-hour vlog online. List the things you would like to share with the viewers of the video and briefly explain them.
Let's keep it reel
These days a quality video is a pocket reach away. With such a high price point on our phones why not learn to shoot images/video in the best way allowed on your device? Vlogs, social media posts, and even interviews on your phone can do wonders. Although there is no comparison to professional quality production. Espessicallly if you or your business are really looking to stand out. For those looking to really stand out from the rest, reach out to your stand-out team here at Tally Entertainment.