Fortunately, it's not that difficult. Using noise cancelling to clean up any background noise. Here’s one example from Wistia of how you can achieve this setup. This means less need to constantly pan left and right, which in turn leads to a classier looking finished product. Rather than moving the camera if you have to change perspective, it’s better to cut from one shot to another. Good lighting can make a video go from shadowy and grainy to near-professional (seriously). Use your smartphone's flashlight only as an absolute last resort. A cheaper GoPublish plan leaves a GoAnimate logo on the animations. A lot of smartphone camera apps offer this feature, or you can download an app like Cinemagraph Pro on iOS or VIMAGE on Android to try it out for yourself. Cutting from one angle to another is a good (and simple) way to add visual interest to your professional videos. The front camera’s quality is not as good on most phones. Here are a few strategies to start with. All you need is a concept in mind and an idea of what you want to use the video for. Decide what you want to convey with the narrative of the music video. Whether you're recording something to publish online or simply to capture memories to keep and share, these simple tips will help you make better videos. Many phones, cameras, and camcorders have built-in image stabilization. The moment you try to watch it on a TV, laptop, tablet, or almost any other device its ill-fitting orientation will jump out as a surefire sign of amateur hour. It's natural to just hold up the camera and start shooting. Windows are a good natural light source. No DSLR camera? Upload your videos to the channels your target audience uses. Record in landscape mode (that is, horizontally instead of vertically). Thankfully there are free apps that do this for you. If you're using Auto mode, as you're likely to be when making a homemade video, the camera will reduce the frame rate when filming in poor light. In that time he has contributed to countless publications and produced copywriting work for large tech companies. But fuzzy, indistinct audio is usually enough to make anybody hit the “back” button within a few seconds of starting to play a video. For those showing products or adding text overlays to their videos, it might make more sense to sit off to a side. Do your best to get your footage in the morning or evening, when the light is softer. This is an especially useful technique if you’re making a how-to video, a product demo, or another type of video that shows you doing something rather than just talking. The plan allows you to make Full HD videos and easily export them. It will almost always give you better results. The simple first step to learning how to make professional videos is to remember to shoot in landscape mode---turn your phone on its side. Take deep breaths. Use the camera on the back of your phone. If you're recording people, position their eyes in level with the top grid line. A series is an excellent way to make training videos that are useful and easy to digest. Yet if you want to make professional videos at home you need to experiment more with the angles you use. This helps keep your video steady, but you need to know its limitations. You can step up the quality of your next video dramatically just by applying the basic techniques listed in this article. All you'll need is a camera, a tripod, a white background, a foam board, a table, tape and a room with a window. Stop filming, move closer to the subject, and start shooting once more. You don’t have to follow the rule of thirds all the time, but while you’re still learning, it’s a good idea to adhere to it as often as possible. The rule of thirds is one of the most basic principles of film composition. Instead of placing your subject right in the middle of the shot, you should place your subject along one of the lines of the grid. The grid helps you align your video against a line in the background to ensure you're recording straight videos. It isn't hard to make professional looking videos at home. We have guides to the best free video editing apps for Windows, the best video editors for Android, and the best iOS apps to edit videos. Cutting from one angle to another is a good (and simple) way to add visual interest to your professional videos. Your audio quality is actually more important than your professional video quality. It makes a huge difference in how friendly you seem. Lighting makes a huge difference in the quality of a finished professional video, so make it one of your top priorities during filming. Each video should tell a short story. Be aware of any background noise that your microphone might be picking up, too. Vertical, or portrait, videos are fine if you're only ever going to look at them on your phone. Take the imagery and the lyrics and combine them into a story which you will make into a short film. If you have an iPhone, you can turn on the grid by going to Settings > Photos & Camera > Grid. So how can you promote your videos effectively as a beginner? You'll learn how to shoot your own product photos on a budget. There are some simpler tools like Wave.video, Camtasia or iMovie. There are also some decent options under $100 if you’re on a tight budget. Creating your videos is only half the battle. OtterBox Unveils New Accessories Geared Towards Gamers, How to Create a QR Code Using Fast QR Code, Y-Brush Thinks You Can Clean Your Teeth in Just 10 Seconds, Disney+ Not Working? He has also provided expert comment for the media and hosted panels at industry events. The two symmetrically-placed light sources create a balanced effect with no shadows. Source. Speak from your diaphragm rather than your throat. The other half is getting people to watch them. And, while making professional-looking videos does take some practice and know-how, it isn’t magic or something you need to study for years. If you prefer the handheld approach then you can use the front camera, but feel free to rotate the phone so you shoot in landscape mode. Don’t waste too much energy promoting your videos on platforms that aren’t popular with your audience. A few things you should be sure to do during the editing stage include: Another editing tip: If you cut from one scene to another in your professional video, make the jump when there’s motion in both segments. Combine your photos and video clips with music to make professional videos that’ll impress. This is different for men and women, and it can be different for each company. Achieving a professional look is more about your technique than your tools, so you don’t need to drop a fortune on expensive equipment – chances are good that you can make great videos with whatever you’ve got right now, just by paying attention to a few key details. It’s easier than you might think. The only thing worse than watching a video recorded in portrait mode is watching a video taken at a wonky angle. 7 Ways Video Marketing is Helping Organic Search Optimization. As a general rule, try to make sure that your subject is illuminated by a bright source of light that's ideally behind you. Be deliberate about the background you use for filming. If you’re filming indoors, you will need to be more intentional about the types of lights you use and where you place them. If you want to present yourself as a serious and professional video creator, you’ve got to promote your videos and grow your following. You don't need to make every shot completely different, but a bit of variety can work wonders. Source: Wistia. Because audio matters so much, a good microphone is the first piece of equipment you should invest in. Ask yourself what you want to achieve or communicate by making this video. iPhones have a great timelapse feature built into the default Camera app, but apps like Lapse It let you emulate this effect on Android. Consider the Dress Code. How to Leverage LinkedIn Live for Business Growth: Tips and Best Practices, 14 Easy and Creative Instagram Poll Ideas for Your Stories, Join 5,000 marketers who read our articles first, 29 Places to Find Free Stock Footage for Your Videos, How to Create a Killer Explainer Video Script [+Free Template], Video Distribution: 7 Ways to Effectively Promote Your Video Content. While it's easy enough to lighten dark or underexposed photos, dark or underexposed videos bring a number of bigger problems: What's the solution? Have some fun trying to find what works. This will help you keep your phone level and avoid tilted footage. Do you have any additional thoughts on how to make your videos look great? By taking the time to plan your video thoroughly before you start production, you can ensure that the quality of your actual content is just as good as the quality of your footage. Try using it at a time where you can use all (or most) of the above rules. Serious video editing is beyond the scope of this article, but a little basic editing can help make your videos look more professional. How to make … When you're ready to start filming, set up a neutral-colored background and place the camera so that you can stand in the frame in front of the background. Step 2: Choose the type of training video you want to create The next step in creating an engaging training video is … You want to mimic the look of a photographer’s studio. Nothing looks less professional than a messy or distracting background. Whether you're recording something to publish online or to capture memories to keep, these tips will help you make better videos. It’s also a good idea to shoot a video in a “professional” environment: the place where you actually work or spend time. No problem. Then take a look at the most popular types of YouTube videos to help get your creative juices flowing. Or crouch down and shoot upwards. Most people would love to know how to make better videos. The final videos look like professional cartoons. Make professional-looking videos at home A video with proper lighting, uncluttered background, and sound clarity makes a huge impact If you are a digital content creator, then you must be aware of the impact a good video can have on your audience. In addition, define your target audience. You might want to use a pop filter to eliminate blips and crackles on the finished recording. Then, decide on the theme of your videos, and make a script if you need to. The sun is one of the best light sources for video. Zoom with your feet. When you want to get a close up view of something, it's tempting to reach for your camera's zoom button. Capture clear audio by putting your microphone as close to the subject as possible. Everybody has to start somewhere, and some channels naturally have more mass appeal than others, which gives them an advantage in picking up new viewers. Though your hairstylist might make it look otherwise, a salon-quality blowout is no easy feat.If you've ever tried to replicate their professional skills at home, you already know this to be true. How to record high-quality videos for online courses at home. Green screen video may seem intimidating and difficult, but with the right tools and a few tips and tricks, anyone can master this useful technique. Practice, practice, practice. Don't think that you have to have thousands of dollars in professional equipment to produce decent quality cooking videos or a crew of people to help you. Adjusting the lighting a little if you need to. Just trimming the start and end of a clip will often improve it massively, as will splitting a longer clip into several shorter ones and trimming the fat from those. I use a Canon70D for my YouTube videos, but there are so many camera options out there! Whether you’re making videos for 5 or 5,000 people, they’ll be amazed at the professional quality … Here are nine tips you can apply to help you be more professional in the office. Cinemagraphs are a like a cross between a video and a photo---most of the image is still, apart from one or two choice parts that are moving. 1. Fresh content tells viewers that your channel is active and growing. How will you make your video speak to these viewers in particular? Slowing down your footage can also help to make shakiness less obvious. The more professional your videos look, the more your brand will benefit from them. If you appear in your professional videos, the way you carry yourself on camera has an enormous impact on how professional your content looks. Then revise them until they’re as good as you can make them. One thing to avoid is overhead lighting – it can cast unflattering shadows on your subjects’ faces. Practice, practice, practice. Want to create a polished, professional video that impresses your audience? The effect can be very impressive. Appearing nervous, fidgety, or uncomfortable on camera will distract viewers from your message. None of these tips require any great technical ability, and with a little practice you'll be shooting awesome videos in no time at all. Poor technique isn’t the only thing that can make a video look unprofessional. Otherwise your video will make it seem like you're looking over your viewer's shoulder. If you want to shoot smoothly while moving, see our guide to the best iPhone gimbals to find your ideal device. Midday light coming from straight overhead can cast harsh shadows on your subjects, while morning and evening light is more flattering. If you want to shoot regularly in low light you might need to upgrade your gear so you can use fast lenses and full manual controls. Davinci Resolve is a free professional-grade video editor which you should start with, and Adobe Premier and Final Cut Pro are paid apps for more seasoned creators. Don’t cross your arms, since this makes you look closed-off. To remain a professional person in the office, I would suggest dressing above the dress code. If you feel jittery, try using props to keep your hands occupied. How to make videos (without hiring a professional) While it definitely helps, you don’t necessarily need expensive equipment or even your own original footage to produce videos. Without IS, hold your device with both hands when recording video. Watch footage of yourself and identify the areas where you could improve. You can place them either behind the camera or just in front of it. Some cameras also have built-in stabilization that you can use while you’re filming. This is smoother and more natural than jumping from one scene where nothing is happening to another. Andy is a former print journalist and magazine editor who has been writing about technology for 15 years. Using lots of shadow looks dramatic, and it can be distracting in professional videos where drama isn’t the intended effect. If you shoot a lot of videos but are rarely happy with the results, you aren't alone. Over to you! If all you have is a webcam or a phone, that is totally find to get started making professional-looking YouTube videos. It's hard to brighten video without degrading the quality and introducing noise. Do you need some tips for recording yourself? This is especially true for something you want to share online. Okay, so you’ve got your camera, and are keen to get started with making your first music video. So where do you go next? This results in jerky video that you won't be able to fix. Most people are willing to watch a video that’s not shot in HD or that’s even a little grainy, as long as everything else about it is good. Apart from letting you remove unwanted parts from your video clips, these tools let you merge multiple clips and photos, add a soundtrack, video filters, and create mini-movies worth sharing. Keep them to around five to 10 seconds each, and stitch a few together in an editing app when you're done. Even better is to use multiple shots rather than capturing everything in one go. The key to a fluffy omelet is including a little bit of water or milk with the whisked eggs. One easy way to get a professional look for your video is to use a solid-colored background. This makes them more likely to come back. It's possible to produce quality cooking videos all by yourself as long as you understand what really matters when it comes to making them. Visualizing a 3-by-3 grid over a shot. More professional options include Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro. Put your videos in the appropriate formats for social media. Video effects are the equivalent of photo filters. Plus, the further you zoom the more likely your video is to become jerky, even if you're using image stabilization. Most devices have this option, available via a setting you may need to enable within your camera app. Don’t be afraid to rearrange, rewrite, and delete sections that don’t work. If you’re using. Most smartphones only offer digital zoom, which can degrade the quality of your image. Rambling videos bore viewers, so keep your videos as brief and tight as possible. Anyone can make a green screen video. Or hold the camera over your head to capture the action from above. For instance, Amy Landino, makes her professional videos in her home office. If you're speaking directly into camera make sure you look into the lens, not at the screen. There’s usually a dress code set for a workplace. One of the biggest secrets to achieving professional-looking videos is to use lighting for your storytelling. Create and share videos for free with Animoto's video maker. Here are the key features to pay attention to when choosing a video editor: Trying out different effects can be fun during the video editing process, but don’t go too crazy. If you're after the best gimbal for iPhone, we can help. If you don’t use enough properly-placed light, your video will probably look amateurish, even if it’s great in every other way. Still, most cameras and smartphones offer a few options that can add some pizzazz to your videos. And besides, you can fit more into the frame in landscape mode. It aids composition, too. — are out of the shot. Even a lav mic will do! Finally, edit your video to touch up the footage! This article ends with a few tips on how to get views for your video on YouTube, and how to make money doing so. Video normally plays back at 30 frames per second, so a clip shot at 120fps will last four times longer than the real world speed. Mastering several basic video tips will ease the frustration many videographers experience. Interact with your audience as much as possible. My business partners, Joe Fier, and I built this very professional studio for a little under a thousand dollars and it makes ultra professional videos. Before long, the standard tricks will become so routine that you'll be able to concentrate on creativity and not just the basics. Use a tripod or makeshift alternative to keep your camera still---even a bag of rice can serve as a great DIY stabilization device. All you need to do is select the media files you want, select one of the free background tracks, and add a theme. For $100 to $200, you can get a microphone that performs well and will last a long time. Panning around constantly detracts from the professional look of a video. The 7 Best Smart Kitchen Gadgets for Every Home, the essential photography tips for beginners, the best free video editing apps for Windows, iMac Is Due To Receive Its First Design Upgrade Since 2012, MSI Reveals Powerful New Gaming Laptops at CES 2021, Samsung Finally Announces the Galaxy S21 Series of Phones, 4 Reasons Why You Don't Need a Laptop Anymore, This New LTE Security Sensor Adds Unlimited Range to Your Smart Security System, Facebook Sues Developers of Data-Scraping Chrome Extensions, WhatsApp Delays New Privacy Policy After Facebook Data Sharing Controversy. Once you’ve got your camera set up, try not to move it unless you have to. We've all seen those videos that make you feel like you're nose to nose with the person on the other side of the screen. Keep your shoulders back and your muscles relaxed. Which of these tips are you going to try first? You can easily do the same and create a home video studio (just ignore the cost of rent). So don’t neglect it. Wistia’s filming setup. As you gain experience, you’ll get a better instinct for when to stick with the rule and when to break it. Video Monetization Strategies: Which One is Right for You? In 2006, when I shot wedding videos and corporate documentaries, I carried a big fancy Canon GLX, a professional camera that I would lug around in a heavy, hard case that held a shotgun microphone, lights with varying intensities, cassette tapes to record footage, chargers and all kinds of other bells and whistles. Photo enthusiasts will know this as the Rule of Thirds, which helps you frame items within your shot better. Good video editing software can help you turn your raw footage into something great. Fortunately, this is something you can improve with practice. The points where the lines intersect are particularly strong areas of focus, so situate important elements of the video there, if you can. Vertical, or portrait, videos are fine if you're only ever going to look at them on your phone. June 18, 2018 by Len Markidan. With the help of these smart home gadgets, you'll be whipping up delicious home-cooked food in no time. Shoot from a Variety of Angles. 12 tips and tricks for getting even better videos on your iPhone 11. You can read more about this in our guide to the essential photography tips for beginners. Pro tip: when you change perspectives, shift by at least 45 degrees. Here are the top gimbals for mobile videography available today. The simple first step to learning how to make professional videos is to remember to shoot in landscape mode---turn your phone on its side. Use calm, open body language. These 12 tips will help you improve the quality of your videos right away. Okay, in many cases we'd still recommend using the rear camera, with your phone propped up on a desk or wall. The right tools can give your videos a professional touch that directly leads to more views and likes. Slow down slightly when you talk, and make an effort to enunciate clearly. Adding a grid lets you use your background as a point of reference to ensure that your recording is always straight. Every time you make a video, start by defining its purpose. Subscribe to our Video Marketing How To series to discover tips and tricks on how you can make your videos better step by step. There are two big requirements for making a great video: holding the camera still, and keeping it in focus. Stand up straight – poor posture is immediately obvious on camera. IS works better when you're holding the camera still to begin with---shooting while walking can easily result in unwanted camera shake. You can also use a large lamp or two to cast the type of light you want. Then make a conscious effort to work on those things. I pretty much spent the entire day today recording videos over at our home video studio. Source. If you register an account, you’ll get 14 days of GoPremium Plan which costs $79/month. This may seem like an obvious rule, but it's easy to forget. Also tells where to find the cheapest High Definition cameras to use and where to find a link to a sample video. Get the best one you can afford. The camera finds it harder to focus in low light. But this can come with problems. From equipment to techniques, we'll show you how to easily record professional-looking videos for your online courses. Watch footage of yourself and identify the areas where you could improve. Before you set up your light sources, consider the effect you want to create in your finished video. You promote your videos effectively as a beginner zoom the more your brand will from. 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