Video Equipment
An overview of the most important video equipment for your smartphone recordings
For even better shots, we have summarized a recommendation for equipment here:
Stativ
Mikrophone
Lighting
The right background
Prepare for your video shoot and make sure you choose an appealing video background.
The goal is to avoid distractions! A neutral background is probably the first choice. However, if you choose a white wall, don't stand directly in front of it, you may end up casting a shadow on the wall.
Instead of leaving the background too sterile, your video will look much friendlier if decorative objects are placed in the image.
💡cofenster tip: Use plants or bookshelves to create a pleasant video atmosphere.
You should also make sure to hide private or company sensitive objects and information when setting up the background! Especially if the video is intended for a wider audience, the things that are seen in the video should also be placed there intentionally.
Audio Quality
Improve the sound quality of your video recordings with a few simple tricks
The latest smartphone models not only offer a good camera, but may even have a good integrated microphone. Nevertheless, some rules should be followed while you are filming to ensure good sound quality.
Important: The audio quality depends very much on the room in which you are recording and the acoustics in it. Empty rooms can generate a lot of echo!
💡cofenster Tip: Check the acoustics of the room by recording a test video in different rooms: In a bathroom, the resonance will be different than in a kitchen or in large offices.
Basically, the less echo, the better intelligibility of speech. Carpets, shelves, curtains or upholstered furniture absorb sound.
For the best audio quality, we also recommend an external clip-on microphone. A selection of our recommendations for video shooting equipment can be found here.
Lighting
The right exposure is the most important thing for a successful video recording. There are a few things to be aware of
Whether you want to shoot your video outdoors or indoors, make sure you are in a well-lit location. To achieve a professional result, always keep your eyes on the light source.
Usually natural light is the most flattering and makes the person being filmed look the best! It is usually not necessary to work with professional equipment. Nevertheless, there are a few rules that should be followed.
Use natural light sources
If the light is coming from a window, it is important that you face the window and that it is behind your camera. If you film with your back to the window while looking into the camera, only your silhouette will be visible. Also, windows that don't let in too much sunlight are ideal. In direct sunlight, your shot might be overexposed or your face might look strained.
💡cofenster Tip: Place the light source behind the camera. Your smartphone should therefore ideally be placed between you and the window. Nevertheless, avoid direct sunlight!
Plan B: Artificial light sources
Especially if you are filming with natural light, it is important to keep an eye on the weather. On cloudy days, the light can shift quickly during the shot. In this case, you should think about using artificial light sources to ensure consistent light and color quality of the shots.
Lamps that emit rather warm and soft light are suitable as artificial light sources. Again, make sure that the video shots are neither underexposed nor overexposed.
Find our recommendations for artificial light sources here.
Avoid shadows
Of course it is obvious to talk about shadows, if we are already talking about the perfect light! In combination with light, shadows give the objects in the videos a certain dimension and depth. To avoid creating awkward shadows on the face, people should never sit directly under the light source. This illuminates the top of the head very brightly and obscures the face from the shadow.
Framing
How to choose the right framing for your video recordings
You've probably heard of the rule of thirds, based on the golden ratio. (No? Don't worry, we'll explain what it's all about).
The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline for creating images such as paintings, photographs, films, or designs.
The concept of the rule of thirds helps draw the viewer's eye into the image and create a dynamic between the image object and the background.
💡cofenster Tip: Place important design components along the four intersection points to create more dynamics in your video! Especially emphasize the eyes of the people in the video by moving them to the upper third.
When certain image objects are placed along lines and intersections, the viewer's eye can wander within the image. A centered placement, in comparison, does not allow for interaction with the background and is therefore a more static image composition.
