Tips to make better content (with your phone)?!
Being a content creator, especially at first could be overwhelming and a lot of other creators might tell you to buy THIS and THAT to make great content. Truth is - you don’t need that crap. If you have a smart phone, you’re already ahead of the game. Watch the video on YouTube or read below…
THE BASICS:
Personally, I’m on the Apple bandwagon but if you have a smart phone after 2019, the features and cameras are amazing even for creating high quality content for YouTube…
First things first, visit your settings tab and make sure you have enough storage space along with a stable internet connection (if capturing content inside). Now, depending on your model, when you’re in the SETTINGS section, be sure to put on the best possible settings available. Some phones even have 4K + High Quality options but they’re usually turned off by default - switch them on for the BEST CONTENT!
Has to be said, but before filming anything, always clean your camera lens. You’ll be amazed that the littlest smudge destroys an image.
Lastly, make sure your phone is fully charged before starting your filming session. It makes a big difference in speed and since you’re filming in higher quality, this may drain your battery more than usual. Always have a charger and/or backup battery!
LIGHTING:
Next, use natural light wherever possible, it’s just better. Lighting is crucial when it comes to creating high-quality content, and the best light source that thing above us, the sun!
If indoors, try to shoot in a well-lit area, near a window, or even outside it weather permits it. However, you want to avoid shooting direct under sunlight, which can create harsh shadows and uneven lighting. If you’re outside, shoot during the golden hour. This is the last hour before sunset and the first hour after sunrise.
TRIPODS
It doesn’t have to be fancy if you don’t have a budget but grab a nice tripod, in most of my videos, I use THIS TRIPOD from Amazon but honestly anything like this works great - just depends on where you’re at in your content journey.
A tripod is a game-changer when it comes to producing high-quality content. It will keep your phone steady, avoid shaky footage, and allow you to create smoother pans and tilts. Plus, if you’re by yourself you won’t have to scramble to find books to try and prop up your phone…
PHONE APPS
Beginners and experts trust in a lot of these apps but it’s really up to preference and what you feel comfortable with but having the right editing apps on your phone and getting to know them will separate you from other creators.
For example you can download Adobes Lightroom, Photoshop if you’re looking for a more advanced software or even CANVA makes things really easy for beginners to level up their photos.
When it comes to video, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Rush are great if you want a lot of features or again, for beginners CAPCUT is a great solution for mobile and allows quick posting to TikTok.
ANGLES
Sometimes after you film you noticed that you should’ve faced this way or that way, so it’s best before packing up for the day - Experiment with different angles and compositions to ensure you got the perfect shot. Try shooting from low or high angles, use the rule of thirds, and play with the framing to create visually appealing shots. Maybe even add some object in the foreground or background to spice things up?
Now of course, there’s a ton of other tips and tricks to get you producing content so if you want to know more hit that subscribe button to join our Newsletter to receive updates when a new blog comes out and check out the Podcast!
Happy Creating Friends!
