Although the video cameras on smartphones have improved tremendously over the years, you may find that you still have difficulty capturing videos that look good using them. However to be perfectly honest in many cases that isn’t because of the camera itself, but rather comes down to the way that it is used.

Technique can have a big impact when you’re recording videos using a smartphone – which is good, because that is something that you can improve:

  • Increase the resolution and the frame ratein the settings to record videos with better definition and that look smoother. Ideally you should try to record in 1080p Full HD and 60 frames per second – or higher.
  • Make sure there is plenty of soft light that is diffused and evenly spread – but not with a light source in the frame of the video. Because smartphone cameras tend to have smaller sensors they require lots of light or the quality will drop dramatically.
  • Do not use the flash as a form of lightingas it is far from effective. The tiny LED-based flash on your smartphone will harm more than it helps, so if you feel that additional lighting is needed you should invest in a good external lighting solution.
  • Keep the camera steady while recordingby holding it firmly with both hands and locking your arms at your side for additional support. An even more effective option is to use a tripod or some other form of stand or camera holder.
  • Avoid using the digital zoomas that will decrease the overall video resolution and affect its quality. If you need the subject of your video to be larger, it is best to move to a physically-closer location and record from there.
  • Use the rule of thirdsto improve the frame and composition of the video. It should be possible to enable the grid on your smartphone camera, and you can then line up the subject and other elements using it as a guide. The rule of thirds will help create a more balanced composition, while placing the subject off-center to make it more visually appealing.

As you can see each of these tips can help you to improve the video footage that you’re able to capture using a smartphone in terms of its quality and visual appeal. That being said you should be prepared for the fact that the video likely won’t be perfect – and will need some correction in post-production.

During post-production you can tidy up most issues by stabilizing the video further, correcting its colors, or even adjusting its frame. That can be done in any video editor, and for example you could use Movavi Video Editor for Mac as a place to start.

The next time you record videos using your smartphone, try using each of the tips described. Odds are you’ll be able to see the difference almost immediately, and will be able to record far more impressive videos overall.

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