How to shoot videos using/Smartphones/

Get the Wide Shot!/

It's tempting to turn the phone and frame a video shot, but that will be sideways when you watch on your computer or TV!/

Remember this: All cell phone videos should be horizontal. / This is a

mistake I see people making all the time. /

Record Phone Videos Outdoors/

For the best quality, shoot outdoors, but out of direct sunlight. The colors will pop and the video will be the best you'll ever get from your phone./

Bright light makes everything look better, including and especially cell phone videos. To avoid disappointments, don’t record nighttime video on your phone./ E v e n s h o o t i n g

indoors with lights on can be problematic, with white balance and other issues to contend with./

Keep the Lens & Mic Clear/

Figure out where the mic on your cell phone is, and keep it uncovered and clear when you're recording video./

Several videos from phone could feature a pink blob, creeping in from the side of the frame. Yes, the edge of your finger, once again obscuring the lens. /

Be careful to keep your fingers away from the lens on your phone./

Keep Your Phone Steady/

For steadier cell phone videos, you can invest in a little tripod with a phone clip; or make one yourself, either with your elbows resting on something or braced at your sides./

Phones are so light, that it's easy to jiggle them when recording video./

Keep the Mic Close/Speaking of audio, it's often the worst part of recording video with a phone. Most phones don't have microphone inputs./

You can keep the audio quality up by recording in quiet spaces, and keeping the phone as close to the subject you're taping as possible./