Discover 5 useful tips for recording the perfect video!
Read about all the things you need to take care of when recording and sending video!
Let’s say you’ve decided to start using personalized video in your professional or personal life.
We all know that video killed the radio star because of its benefits: It’s cool, intimate and captivating and it leads to the better engagement of possible customers, followers or friends.
But even though we assume you already are funny, charming and charismatic, to achieve engagement and to make your video go viral, you’ll need to do a bit more than opening your camcorder and pressing the “record” button.
Today, we are offering you some professional tips on how to become a faultless video star!
Find out how to record a video
1. Light it up!
Let’s face it – your message to the world needs to be clear. Same is with your picture.
Your lighting will set the mood and the tone of your message.
Having plenty of natural light will create a warm and engaging atmosphere. The artificial light has more blue tones and may alter skin coloring.
Make sure there is enough light and, if necessary, make some adjustments to your camera settings.
If you are recording yourself, make sure to position yourself in front of the direct source of light (a window, for example). That will make your face more exposed, and your facial expressions clearer.
The tone of your skin will also look more natural.
The ideal environment for creating a picture-perfect video and lighting the subject is the so-called Three Point Lighting.
Three Point Lighting means placing 3 lights around the subject on specific locations, which will enable you with a pure and well-lit look.
Have you found a perfect spot?
Let’s move on.
2. Take care of the COMPOSITION!
It’s simple – you might use the best type of camera, but it doesn’t mean much if you don’t take care of the composition.
But how do you set it?
Well, you can always rely on the notorious Rule of Thirds.
The Rule of Thirds is a pretty simple rule which is, unfortunately, often ignored, even though it improves your videos and pictures.
You don’t have to be Leonardo Da Vinci and put everything in the composition of the Golden Ratio, but you can split the image into thirds in your head.
That way you’ll have a balanced image all the way through, which will help your viewers to stay focused and process your message with ease.
3. Background check!
Now when you’ve taken care of both the light and composition, it’s time to set up a perfect background.
To avoid any potential distraction of your viewer, you need to find something that will help you (or at least won’t do any damage).
Today, it is very simple to create a professional background. You won’t have to build a professional studio or spend tons of money to create a perfect video environment.
Things like desks, shelves, plants, or wall decor will add a pinch of character to the video.
Wild wall patterns will distract the viewer and take away all the attention.
Also, make sure to remove trash, tangled cords, hanging clothes, open packs of food and other random things.
Simple, clean and tidy is the perfect way to go.
4. Upgrade your gear = improve the quality!
We know you want to make the best out of your situation without spending the big bucks, but sometimes investing in new gear can result in huge success.
For example, if you record your videos with your laptop-integrated web camera, your recording will look a bit… poor.
Videos that are blurry, grainy and mediocre won’t result with wanted effects.
Moreover, your viewer might come out as irritated if the recording that he or she wants to see comes out low quality.
If you have a PC, it might mean you don’t even have a webcam.
Whatever the situation is, here are several TechRadar’s examples of best webcams, which will meet your (and your viewers) needs:
- Logitech C922 Pro Stream – features 1080p resolution, background removal, low-light correction, 720p/60fps video while streaming, stereo audio, autofocus, and auto light correction.
- Razer Kiyo features 1080p resolution, ring light, compatibility with OBS and Xsplit. With this one, there is no need to spend time configuring the perfect setting – just plug it in and you’re ready to roll.
- Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000, which features 720p resolution, color correction, and noise canceling. It is affordable, cheerful and ideal for Skype.
- Mevo features an outstanding 2160p resolution, 4K recording, mobile device compatibility, live video, and audio editing and Bluetooth 4.1. Talking ‘bout some pro gear, eh?
- Creative Labs Senz3D, the so-called Webcam of the future has a 1080p resolution and features background removal, low-light correction, Windows Cortana and Hello compatibility, along with facial tracking.
Make a little research and eventually, you’ll find what works best for you.
5. No stress!
So, yeah, you got your light set, your background is impeccable, and your new webcam is a beast, ready to deliver the best video ever!
But…
A small, yet powerful amount of butterflies still rumble around in your stomach when you hit that record button.
Don’t worry – we’ve all been here.
Learn 5 Tips for Getting Comfortable on Camera
It turns out that the best rule to combat such issue is – practice makes perfect.
Prepare a script or a few guidelines which will lead you through it, so there is the smallest way to mess it up.
Look into the camera as you would make the eye contact.
Then breathe in, exhale, and go for it!
After you’ve recorded it, you still might be a bit unsatisfied. Never mind, you can always delete it and re-record it.
No one will ever know!
And last, but not the least…
You don’t have to strive for perfection, because no one ever is perfect. Be real, embrace your character and you’ll win at this recording game in no time.
Check out our advice on How to Deliver Great Video Messages
We wish you a happy recording!
