If you are shooting your first video, the process can seem quite daunting. However, with a few pointers and patience, putting together a video project can not only go smoothly and give you a great marketing tool but also be quite fun. Below I have put together the top five best practices beginners can employ when shooting a video project whether it be on their phone or with a camera of their choosing.

Make Sure You Are Recording in High Definition

When we want to capture a video on our phones or cameras, it is ideal that we aim to capture the highest quality video possible. In today’s modern digital media landscape, we find audiences have become accustomed to high quality video. So, to make sure your project does not stick out in a negative way, always be sure that your phone or camera is recording high-definition video (1080p or higher.)

Be Sure to Face Your Source Light

Have you ever seen a video where the subject was covered in shadow or appeared darker in tone than the bright highlights that were behind them? This is because the subject, unfortunately, was not facing their source lighting. So, for example, if you are shooting in a room with a large window, you should be facing it with the camera placed in front of you. Not only will this give you a better exposure to work with, but it will also help you avoid any pesky lighting issues like having a blown-out background and your face being covered in shadow.

Your Audio Should Be as Clear as Possible

Let’s face it, your audio quality is just as important if not more so than your video quality. Nothing turns a viewer off more than a muffled or distorted audio source that is either unintelligible or difficult to understand. To avoid having any of these issues we need to make sure to do audio tests before we begin recording. If possible, review your audio test take with headphones on so that you get a clear example of what your audio will sound like. Remember that, whether using a lavalier, shotgun mic, in-camera or phone audio, the closer we are to our receiver the fuller and cleaner our audio recording will be.

Keep It Simple

While everyone loves a moving shot or a shot that is incredibly composed, I think for most beginners sticking to the basics will allow us to produce the best quality video possible. In order to achieve this, make sure you find the right tripod and work on achieving a level shot that has your entire face and upper body in the frame. Once you have learned how to capture a proper static shot (a shot that is not moving) then we can move on to more complex forms of capturing video.

Avoid a Cluttered Frame

Video is a visual language (obviously). Every detail gives the viewer an impression and, within the frame, we must pay attention to all the details. Therefore, I suggest for beginners to make sure that their backdrop is not cluttered and that their workspace or scene is organized. Keeping your props and backdrop free of clutter will help the audience focus on the most important part of the video: you.