Video recording with a mobile phone

Recording video has never been so easy and hassle-free. Everyone has a powerful video camera in their pocket - a smartphone.

Approximate reading time: 4m 48s

Recording video has never been so easy and hassle-free. Everyone has a powerful video camera in their pocket - a smartphone. Teachers are now becoming professional creators of video content.

However, as good as it is to have a smartphone with a great camera, failing to follow certain video creation rules will likely result in a poor video product. Just because you have a very expensive car with all the features money can buy does not guarantee that you will become a Formula 1 racing driver.

Creating videos for e-learning has never been easier than it is now!

Your video does not have to be perfect, but by following these tips and tricks, shooting great video with your smartphone will be easy, and the footage will look fantastic!

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1. Simplify the background

Building on the above, it is best to minimize distracting elements in the background. The simpler the background, the more attention can be paid to the speaker! Another useful tip is to stick to the same shooting location for every video you create, or at least film consistently in just a few locations. Once you find that favorable spot, everything else can be secondary.

2. Audio is more important than video

A good video with poor sound quality is pointless, unless you intend to add an entirely new audio track "in post" (during video editing). Although you want your video to look good, sound quality is more important than video. Unfortunately, the built-in microphone in most smartphones (if not all) is both low quality and poorly positioned. It is very common to pick up wind and unnecessary ambient noise that will compete with or drown out any important audio while filming outdoors. This is almost impossible to edit out later. It is recommended that you film your video in a quiet place, preferably indoors, whenever possible with less background noise.

Professionals shoot all kinds of videos and commercial feature films using their mobile phones, but the sound is almost ALWAYS recorded with a separate recording device suitable for the job. So for videos with exceptional quality and superior sound, you should get an external recording device or at least a directional microphone that will work with your smartphone. If using an external microphone is not possible or practical, then stay as close as possible to the sound source and try this little trick: use your hand to cover around the phone's microphone (but do not cover it completely). In this way, unwanted noise can be reduced, which may give your final product a chance.

3. Get closer!

Physically getting closer to the subject provides better image quality, less digital noise, and better focus in videos, since most smartphones use digital zoom rather than optical zoom.

Note: Do not use digital zoom. Many phones offer a digital zoom feature when shooting video, but you should be careful with it. Digital zoom simply crops and enlarges the frame area, resulting in loss of quality and pixelation. Instead, physically move closer to the subject you are filming to preserve clarity and detail.

4. Hold the phone horizontally

Nothing ruins great footage like two black vertical bars on either side of the video. To avoid this amateur mistake, be sure to use landscape orientation rather than portrait while recording. Horizontal orientation not only makes your video look more aesthetically pleasing overall, but it will also make it more enjoyable to watch on a widescreen display or television. You will also capture more in the actual video. So just remember: never hold your phone vertically while recording, unless you really like or want to include those vertical black bars (or if you are recording solely for something like Instagram Stories).

Also, when filming video, it is important to keep the horizon level, especially with landscapes or moving objects. Some phones have a built-in viewfinder grid or guide line to help you frame the shot correctly. If your phone does not have this feature, you can use a camera app with a viewfinder grid.

5. Framing

After you have recorded in the correct orientation (see above), fill the frame completely with the subject. You can also place it slightly off-center to create a visually more interesting scene. Just try it and see what looks best. Experiment with aspect ratio: The usual aspect ratio for video shooting is 16:9, but that does not mean you have to use it all the time. Experiment with other ratios such as 4:3 or 1:1, which can give your clips a different aesthetic look. For example, the 1:1 ratio is often used for photos and clips on social networks such as Instagram.

6. Lighting

Good lighting is essential for quality video. Avoid dark and dimly lit places, as this can lead to a loss of detail and video quality. Optimal lighting will provide a clear and good-looking image. If filming outdoors, avoid shooting in direct sunlight, as this can cause color shifts and harsh shadows. Use natural light or artificial lighting such as lamps to improve your video. Lighting is a key factor in video quality. Use light to your advantage by avoiding overly bright areas or overly dark places. If filming outdoors, choose diffused light, which is softer and more even. If filming indoors, use additional lighting or the exposure adjustment option if your phone offers it.

7. Stabilization

Stabilization: Stable video is pleasant to watch and gives you a professional look. To avoid shaking and jitter in the video, use image stabilization available on mobile phones or additional smartphone stabilizers. Hold the phone steady with both hands or use a tripod if possible to get smooth and professional video. Use video stabilization: Most modern mobile phones have a built-in video stabilization option. This feature reduces shaking and frame blur, making your clips more watchable and professional. Turn stabilization on before you start filming and you will notice a significant difference.

8. Make editing easier

Make editing easier To save yourself work during editing (or if you have no editing options at all), there is a simple trick – use pause – instead of stopping the recording. That way, the recorded material will end up in one file. This is a very useful trick that can save a lot of time and effort in video processing. By using the camera's "pause" function, you can record different scenes sequentially, pressing the "pause" button each time instead of stopping the recording and starting a new one. That way, you will have one file to edit, which will greatly make your work easier.

9. Improve your videos with editing

Finally, sometimes a little editing is needed to turn your footage from "meh" to "wow". Nowadays you can edit on your smartphone too, which means you will not have to invest in desktop software. Everything - from basic trimming to adding transitions, titles, and effects - is easy on both iOS and Android mobile devices.

Edit and share: After you have shot your video clips, remember to edit them before sharing them with others. Use video editing apps that offer tools for trimming, merging, adding effects, and filters. This will help you improve the content and give it a professional look before sharing it on social media or with your friends. Some apps are very intuitive with great features for those who are beginners in video content development, while others unlock professional-like features that can awaken your inner George Lucas.

Although you will find some pretty good free apps, investing in a few apps that cost a little money can bring huge dividends.

Here are some sample editors:

Wondershare Filmora
Magisto Video Editor and Maker
WeVideo Video Editor
VivaVideo
Windows Movie Maker

With our tips, you will be able to make great video tutorials.