a beginner’s guide to taking great video on your phone - smart

Not long ago, filmmakers won't dream of filming on their phones, because the quality of the film is far less than the quality you shoot on expensive devices.
But things are changing.
Think about it: Steven Soderbergh, the famous film director of the United States, recently filmed a project "Unsane" on the iPhone.
Today, from professional photographers to amateur photographers, there are many reasons for everyone to use their mobile phones to shoot video projects.
Like many of his peers, Christian nazhib of Boston
The company-based and wedding photographer found that the phone is not only continuously improving in quality, but also very convenient.
"This is the preparation factor.
It's a big advantage to have a mobile phone in your pocket . "
Nachtrieb may see an amazing sunset, capturing the sunset on his phone and then stitching the sunset into the final wedding video.
"Millions of years later, no one can distinguish between our main camera and the iPhone.
"What does this improvement in video quality allow you to capture?
In theory, the video is good.
But that could mean a lot of things: is it good at the technical level?
Or maybe, look at a simple and interesting clip?
First, let's explore some of the basic elements that make up a good video.
The technical advantages in a good video are easy to find: We 've been seeing examples of it on TV all the time.
For example, during the 2018 Olympic Games, you can watch skilled videographers shoot amazing athlete videos in spectacular settings.
From a technical point of view, here are some of the common elements in these videos and other types of videos that you can apply to videos taken on your phone.
Composition: to make a compelling video, deliberately combine elements in a scene or sequence.
Use the LCD of the phone like a fine-
Art painters can arrange forms, colors, lines and textures on canvas. (
For more information on composition, visit Kyle Cassidy's article on video maker.
Com, which provides a great introduction to composition and composition equipment, such as the third rule, and valuable tips, such as focusing on people's eyes in the video. )
Lighting: lighting can not only define your theme, but also set emotions or evoke emotions.
Experiment with light and realize where your main light source is.
For example, the noon sun on cloudless days creates unpleasant shadows on your subject's face, while cloudy or cloudy days produce softer, more pleasant shadowslooking light.
Remember what legendary film director Martin Scorsese once said: "just who we are and how we understand our core.
Point of View: Ask yourself, "where do I point the camera lens to and from ? "?
Consider the point of view vividly: "How will the point of view of the video help me tell the story?
"Some videos are like selfies, connecting viewers to stories with very subjective opinions.
For other videos, you may want a more independent, less personal opinion.
When shooting a child or baby, shoot directly on the floor.
In addition to superb technology, video can also resonate.
The theme may be interesting, or the story is just exciting, sad, or even confusing.
Sometimes a powerful video, while technically flawed, still attracts us in other ways.
I thought of two movie sequences to illustrate this.
First, the scene of apology in the "Blair Witch Project" presents a visually awkward composition in which the face of the subject is cut sharply.
Also, the lights and audio are terrible.
However, monologue, a horror
The monologue in the film expresses a strong, mysterious and baroque style.
You can almost feel the presence of dark forces outside the visual frame.
In the second sequence, the "I just want to take a distance" sequence is related to the movie Rocky (
2: 00 in video clip)
The video subtly raises an ordinary moment of doubt.
It was a very quiet moment, with Sylvester Stallone and Adrian lying next to Talia Sharma telling her that he could not beat the Championship.
For nearly two minutes, the camera slowly sounded as the boxer spoke his mind.
Because there is no action, we are mainly audio.
But it's also visual.
I can't help but think this is an updated version of the intensity and sadness you see in the ancient Greek sculpture "Dying Gaul.
Therefore, good video obviously runs on a very visual level, but it can also be driven in a non-visual way.
Open your eyes to such opportunities.
Please set the video correctly before shooting it on your phone.
Video resolution is an important setting that refers to how big your movie is.
1080 HD and 4 k are two common resolutions that are larger in both.
Next, check the frame rate, which sets how many separate frames per second (fps)
Your video recording
The common settings are 30 fps, 60 fps, and the uncommon ones are 24 fps.
The higher the number, the smoother
You will make videos.
Most videos are shot at 30 fps or 29. 97 fps (
In America)
Although 60fps shows a smoother, less intense video when describing an action.
But some videographers, like
Nachtrieb prefers 24 fps shooting, which is similar to the frame rate used in the movie.
Each of these two settings affects some visual or audio components of the project.
They can also determine the final file size of the video.
For example, a five
The second video taken 4 k
The resolution is about four times the size of the same lens in 1080 HD resolution.
"When solving the problem," he said.
Nachtrieb, "This will always be a compromise between your phone's storage capacity and the quality resolution you want.
I try to shoot 4 k.
"A simple but important tip: Clean your lens
Nachtrieb recalled that one day he was shooting the same theme with a friend, but the footage of his friend was dirty, resulting in a blurry video.
"Make sure your lens is clear.
If not, clean it carefully with a slim cloth.
Shooting video on a mobile phone is not the most intuitive experience.
This is because the phones are designed to be multi-functional devices, which also means that they lack some important features, such as a handle or optical zoom, which can bring you closer to you without lowering the quality of the image. (
Instead, most mobile phones use digital zoom, which often reduces image quality.
So avoid digital amplification.
Instead, "Zoom with your feet" or simply approach your theme if you can. )
Here are a few tips for getting better results. 1.
Direction: ensure the horizontal direction of the mobile phone.
"When I was watching the news, there was a spectator in portrait mode . "
Nachtrieb, "it's an instant signal that it's an amateur video.
While Instagram and Snapchat seem to be "helping and inciting" users to create more portraits --or vertically-
Facing the lens, it is best to avoid it.
2 Avoid backlight: "avoid having a window or light source behind your theme because he or she will look well-outlined," said Mr. Nachtrieb.
Instead, let the light source be placed more by your side or behind you. 3.
With both hands: "There are always two hands on the mobile phone . "Nachtrieb.
"It looks very simple, but it makes a big difference.
Mobile phone lenses are usually built in with optical image stabilization, so they are already very stable.
But the shot with two hands is more stable.
"It also avoids what he calls jelly --O effect.
"If you move the camera too fast, it may have wavy quality.
Using two hands can reduce the chance of producing this effect. 4.
Locking focus and exposure: Mr.
Nachtrieb recommends clicking on the LCD of the phone (
Points you want to focus on)
It will lock the focus on Google's Android device, or hold your finger in place to lock the focus on Apple's iPhone.
"In the case of insufficient light, the camera of the mobile phone will look for the focus.
This makes it look less professional.
Most phones also allow you to lock or adjust exposure manually. 5.
Improve your audio: most video professionals say high-quality audio is essential for powerful video.
The good news is that the microphone on the smartphone has improved in recent years.
More importantly, audio accessories such as Bluetooth microphones can make the audio in your video project sound great (
We will talk about it in a moment).
Here are two audio tips: borrow the second phone, start recording the audio and put the phone in your theme pocket.
"Then, take a video from a long distance with your mobile phone . "Nachtrieb.
"In video editing, you can sync audio tracks at any time.
He said: "Don't interrupt the subjects when interviewing them. Nachtrieb. 6.
Try slow motion and delay effects: Many smartphones have some powerful video features, including patterns that seem to slow down or speed up time, that is, slow motion and time lapse.
The former captures video at an accelerated frame rate;
When playing back at normal speed, the action in the video looks much slower than in real time.
Use a lower frame rate over time.
When playing back at normal speed, the action moves much faster than in real time.
Both make compelling videos.
If the hardware function on your opponent is not satisfied, there are some accessories that can expand its function and in some cases improve the quality of the video, especially if you feel Vlogging
Here are some of the products that our colleagues at Wirecutter, the company's product review site at the New York Times, need to consider: accessory kit lens: wiretesters tester, as it is now
Angle lens, $100.
The lens is connected to the camera lens of the phone and gives you a wider lens without seriously reducing the quality of the image.
■ USB microphone: Shure MV5 for $99 is a great microphone for smartphones.
■ Tripod: Joby GorillaPod 1 k Kit, $35, keep the phone stable when shooting under light or under timelapse. A stand-
A separate camera can really improve your video.
When you're ready to shoot with something other than your phone, here are some models that get the highest ratings from Wirecutter: Interchanges-
Lens Camera: Sony a5100 is the best lens-
$500, Canon EOS Rebel T5i is the best starter cameralevel DSLR.
Mirrorless camera combines portability with powerful pictures
Shooting sensors, and DSLRs are unparalleled in terms of photo quality --
But bigger and more expensive.
Both types allow you to switch lenses based on whator where —
You're taking pictures.
■ Advanced bridge point-and-
Shooting: between mirrorless and portable shooting, check out Sony RX100 Mark IV for $900. ■ Waterproof-and-
Sturdy camera: want something that can travel with you and go through some bumps and drops?
Try Olympus TG-5, $420.