The technological world has changed tremendously when you think about how it looked like +25 years ago. Today, we all possess a phone with a camera that can document almost anything in good quality. In the 1990s, one had to invest in a VHS camera if they wanted anything resembling a good video recording. There was no such thing as a selfie, and we were all driven to take pictures in the moment without repeating the process of capturing the perfect Instagram photo. With this guide, we aim to provide you with insights into how to make professional video recordings with your smartphone without having to reach into your wallet and invest in expensive camera equipment.

Use the Right Camera on Your Phone

A typical smartphone has two cameras - a front-facing camera (selfie camera) and a rear-facing camera. When recording yourself with a phone, you can use both cameras. Although the selfie camera allows you to see yourself while recording, the rear camera generally offers higher resolution and image quality. Many people naturally use the selfie camera when recording themselves, but it is recommended to use the rear camera, as it again contributes to providing the best quality, especially if the proper lighting is also involved.

front- og bag kamera iphone

However, there is a challenge in using the rear camera. You cannot monitor and see yourself during the recording. This is crucial as you want to ensure that the video is in focus and recorded correctly. However, there are several solutions to this problem:

  • a) Use a Mirror: This is a simple and effective method, and there is a good chance you already have a mirror at home. Place the mirror behind your phone and set it at an angle either upward or sideways to see the reflection of the phone's screen.
  • b) Mirror the Phone Screen to a Laptop/PC: This will vary depending on the type of phone or computer you have:
    • If you have an iPhone and a Mac computer, you can connect them with a charging cable and open QuickTime on your computer to record a new movie and select your iPhone as the camera.
    • If you have a Windows computer and an Android phone, you can use the Connect app to mirror the phone's screen if both devices are logged into the same Wi-Fi network.
    • If you have a tablet, iPad, Chromebook, or another mobile device, you can use a screen mirroring app like Mirroring360 to screen share between the devices.
    • If none of the above options are available, you can use Reflector - a screen mirroring software that will work with any phone or computer. However, the program costs 178 DKK.

It is important to monitor the video while recording to ensure everything is in focus. Additionally, it is important to look directly into the camera when speaking. This will prevent you from appearing to look slightly away from the camera while speaking, which can be distracting.

vinkling på ansigt

Use a Gimbal/Tripod

You can use a tripod, which provides you with a stationary image when recording, but you can also use a gimbal for more advanced shots and more movement. The two- or three-axis gimbals are essential for the smoothest, controlled, more elegant video recordings. They are available for mobile cameras, but also for heavier DSLR cameras.

gimbal and tripod

Types of Gimbals

A two-axis gimbal, in short, provides optimal stabilization on the two axes pitch and yaw. This means that when you mount your mobile camera on your gimbal, it can be stabilized, helping to reduce shakes and vibrations in these directions.

A three-axis gimbal, on the other hand, adds an extra axis, so it has pitch, yaw, but also what is called roll. This makes the three-axis gimbals more versatile and suitable for a wider range of tasks, especially in video recording, where there is more movement and vibrations.

gimbal pitch roll yaw

Extra Features

You can also get gimbals with extra features. For example, we offer gimbals with built-in lights, so you have the option to get some lighting directly on your face if you need to record yourself in a video and still make use of your gimbal.

 

Applications 

When purchasing a gimbal, you will typically be able to download a corresponding app to your smartphone. This app enhances your video recording experience by offering a range of features tailored to specific scenarios such as sports, action, panoramas, or landscapes.

You can also use the app to edit your recordings, so you can easily produce polished and shareable videos quickly. Additionally, you have the option to acquire additional equipment like microphones to ensure high-quality audio while recording footage on the go.

handheld and stabilized

 

Use the Right Video Composition

The composition of your recording is crucial to make your video visually appealing. It's important to orient yourself with regard to where you will upload your videos. If you plan to upload the video to YouTube, record it in landscape mode (16:9 format).

However, if you are going to upload it to TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts, it's best to record it in portrait mode (9:16 format). If you're not sure where it will be uploaded, you can record it in landscape mode and crop it later if necessary.

 

Remember Head Space

When recording, also consider headspace. Leave a small space between the top of your head and the frame, and make sure the top of your head is never cropped. To avoid unnecessary cropping, you can use the 3x3 grid on your phone when recording. With the gridlines, you can easily position your subject within the frame and ensure that you don't crop anything that should be included in your recording.  

iphone camera

 

Placing the object/person in the center is also significant for viewer interest. It's not always necessary for the video, but centering the person or object creates symmetry, especially if the person in the video has a message to convey.

Centered angle

The Background Matters

When filming yourself, it's essential to have an interesting background. For a talking head video, it's best to avoid blank walls and cluttered backgrounds and instead opt for a minimal background with a few elements that add color, act as backlighting, or relate to your story. This can also add depth to the image.

Depth in image

 

Manual Camera Settings

Most phones today come with a built-in camera app, but that app usually doesn't offer much control over your focus, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and all the things you can control compared to a professional camera. Instead of using your phone's camera app, you can download a third-party app like Filmic Pro - Video Camera to control all these different functions and have more control over the recording process.

Here are the default video settings you'll use when your camera is in manual mode:

  1. Set your frame rate to 24 frames per second, as this is the most commonly used frame rate in film production, allowing you to create smooth videos.
     
  2. Set your shutter speed to 1/50 second to ensure it's not too fast or too slow while letting in enough light without causing flicker in the image. You'll typically want your shutter speed to be double your frame rate.
     
  3. Set your ISO as low as possible - to get enough light in your shot without introducing noise into your footage. The higher your ISO, the grainier your image becomes, and it's not very pleasant.
     
  4. Most smartphones today have good autofocus, but you may encounter issues in low-light situations. In such cases, it's best to have an external light source to ensure the camera's sensor receives enough light to focus optimally. Alternatively, you can also choose to focus manually and have control over it. 

 

Note: To set your focus, you need to have an object in the spot where you'll be sitting (use a pillow or hat). Then, tap on the screen to focus on it, and then lock the focus.

 

Video Lighting

Good lighting in an image or recording is crucial for quality and clarity. It makes it more appealing to watch, and with the right lighting, you avoid murky images and spend less time in post-production adjusting color correction, exposure, white balance, etc.

There will never be a completely correct formula for 100% correct lighting setup, as it depends a lot on the direction you want for your image or video. Lighting setup doesn't necessarily have to be only warm or cold light; it can also have colors and set a completely different mood.

Without and with light

When shooting an interview, a product, or close-ups of a face like a makeup artist's, it requires different ways of lighting. Light also contributes to setting a happy or sad mood. For a happy mood, you'll probably want a lot of light, possibly with some colorful objects in the frame, whereas for a sad mood, you should adjust the light's placement so that darkness is also prominent.

If you're doing interviews, recording yourself, or others, we have some good ideas for your lighting setup and which video lights to use.

  • Natural sunlight is some of the best, especially when the sun is shining, and there are no clouds in the sky. If there are clouds, be aware, as the light pattern can change if the sun goes behind a cloud.
     
  • An LED lamp can help enhance natural light, but everything in moderation!
     
  • When filming outdoors, make sure the sun is behind you and shines down on the object or person being filmed; otherwise, it can create dark silhouettes of people's faces, making your clips unusable. So, avoid filming directly into the sun.
    With light and against light in sunny weather
  • You can soften the light by placing a white sheet or parchment paper in front of the lamp, but we strongly recommend our softbox equipment, which can solve this.
     
  • Avoid overhead lighting, as this creates dark shadows under the eyes of the person standing or sitting beneath. It's not very flattering and has the opposite effect of highlighting the face.
    Overhead lighting
  • You can buy LED Ring Lights, which are quite effective, especially for hobby-level video. Plus, they don't cost much.

We also highly recommend our LED Light Kit, which includes tripods and a bag.

 

Angles for Lighting Setup

The angles for lighting setup also play a huge role. You can have an expensive quality camera with insane aperture or shutter speed, but light will forever be crucial for the sharp image.

The three well-known lighting setups are:

  • Main Light
    Main light is essentially the main light source. It is from here that you get the most light for your recording. The lamp should be placed 45° towards your face as this provides the most natural image.
    main light
  • Fill Light
    Fill light is more or less light that fills in some of the shadows on your face. It is less bright than the main light and softens the shadows so they don't look unfavorable. Again, you want to place this about 45° from the main light on the other side.
    extra fill light
  • Back Light
    Backlighting highlights you from the background. This is used to separate you from the background and give the subject/person character. Again, it's ideal to place this not directly behind you, but at an angle.
    back light

Sound and Camera Microphones

We've all experienced the frustration of poor sound, especially when you can't hear what someone is saying in a video, either because they are standing at the wrong angle in relation to the built-in microphone on a smartphone, or because the distance is too great. People will still tolerate average video quality, but they will quickly click away if your sound is bad.

There are countless options for optimizing sound in a video. The angle, one's own output when speaking, the distance, and yes, actually whether you choose to invest in external camera microphones of significantly better quality.

 

Camera Microphones

As mentioned, it's always a good idea to invest in microphones as it's crucial for good sound. At SoundStoreXL, we offer, among others, the RØDE Wireless Go II, which is among the most popular choices for both professional videographers and ordinary consumers.

rode microphone

They are everything you need for high-quality sound, and they are extremely portable, being small and weighing almost nothing. They can also be clipped onto your shirt, so they pick up everything you say without worrying about the distance to the built-in microphone on your smartphone when recording. There's also an app for them, RØDE Central, which is incredibly user-friendly and via USB-C can transfer your audio files to your PC in no time.

Another great alternative is the shotgun microphone RØDE VideoMic Go II, which is packed with a lot of great features. However, you need to consider the distance more with this type of microphone, as you don't attach it to your clothing. They are either mounted on your tripod, gimbal, or maybe your ring light. It is therefore essential to have the right distance to the microphone.

ring light