Now that you have a plan for your video and a camera ready, what do you do?
It does not matter how good your camera is, if you don’t know how to properly create a shot or frame your video it will likely look unpolished or unprofessional.
Knowing what you need to create a good shot is like knowing what ingredients you need for a good cake recipe. If you don’t have all the ingredients the end result will suffer.
So here are some of the basics of how to get a proper video recording done, no matter what camera you have.
Let’s start with setting up the Frame of your video. Unless you are planning to post videos on TikTok or have specific use for a vertical video I recommend using a horizontal (landscape) frame for a classic video look. If you are using a vertical video most of the tips below will still apply.
Let there be…Light
Lighting is one of the most important ingredients of your video. Learning how to properly use lighting can be a complex process so to make things simpler I recommend recording during the day.
To use daylight as your main lighting, choose a window and set up your camera in front of or just beside it. Remember that the camera is always pointed away from the window.
Daylight from a window usually provides diffuse light that does not create harsh shadows. If the sun is coming in through the window though, place a light white curtain or sheet to cover it.
After setting them up, do a lighting test and record a short video clip. See how well illuminated you are and adjust your position accordingly. You can always add some lighting in your room to complement the natural light from the window if necessary.
Watch your Back…ground
Carefully select the background for your video taking note of the lighting you will need. Make sure it is mainly tidy and presentable (a plain wall is also good), get rid of clutter and mess at least in front of the camera.
Unless clutter is part of what you will discuss, cluttered spaces can be distracting and look unprofessional. Remember that recording your video ( especially at home) is like inviting people to come into your living space.
When you are getting ready to record make sure you wear colours that contrast with your background so you are popping out instead of blending in your background.
Camera Angle
Camera angles can create a lot of different impressions (ever had a video call with someone holding their phone below their chin? Not their best angle…) and movies use that trick to make people look shorter (camera pointing down) or taller (camera pointing up) than they really are.
So, to have a conversation with your viewers, position your camera at your eye level. Make sure not a lot of ceiling is showing on the shot.
Try to frame yourself from the waist up (or at least from the chest up) leaving some space above your head on the frame.
Set up for Good Audio
Always test your audio and make sure it is not faint, far away or has an echo. Work on getting crisp, loud and clear audio. If needed use an external microphone (see my blog on this here).
Make sure you have no dog / kids / AC/ fans / lawnmower or other noises in the background and that all your notifications are off (cell phone, Facebook chats etc.), these are more difficult to remove from a video after it’s been recorded. However a good trick to make editing out unwanted noises easier is in the recording tips #4 and #5 below.
Recording tips
Tip#1
Check the frame of the picture in your camera and position yourself slightly off to the side on the frame instead of straight in the center. Try a little to the left (or right) as this will give you a more classic and polished look.
Tip#2
Before starting to record, jump or dance to inspiring, energetic music to get your passion showing on the video. If you are bored and lethargic while recording, that can show on camera and your viewers will notice. Videos with people showing enthusiasm are more dynamic and engaging and generally get more views.
Tip#3
Don’t forget to speak looking at the camera’s lens, not the screen in front of you. Eye contact creates a deeper level of trust in videos. When you look at the camera lens you create an eye connection with the person on the other side. If you are speaking they will be looking at you and will see your eyes looking at them (just like in a real engaging conversation!). This is pretty neat considering you are not even there!
Tip#4
After you press the record button leave 10 seconds of silence in the beginning of the recording. This helps edit out the environmental noises like fans which can improve the quality of your audio.
Tip#5
Say your sentences or ideas at a medium pace and leave some space in between them. If you make a mistake (or a dog barks when you are talking) repeat the full sentence or idea again. This makes it easier to edit out the mistake and keep the flow of the video. Relax! Remember, there is no need to hurry, this is just a recording, not a live video!
Now that you have all of this information, almost any camera can make good looking and polished video. If you have any questions or need some help with the setup you can contact me here or set up a time for a free 20 minute call here.
Happy video recording!
