Filming your online course with iPhone - How to shoot video like a pro (7 tips)
Want to make professional-looking videos for your online course but don't have a fancy camera? No problem. If you have an iPhone (or some other type of smartphone) you've got access to an amazing camera that can produce beautiful video.
I'm going to give you 7 tips for filming with an iPhone that will help you shoot video like a pro and make you excited to share your videos with your students.
SUMMARY
Tip #1: Stabilize your shot
Set your phone on a sturdy surface
Use a tripod adapter that works with your phone
Tip #2: Make sure you're properly framed
Don't set up too close or too far away
Frame yourself from about mid-chest up and leave space above your head
Be sure to turn your phone sideways
Tip #3: Consider what's in your background
You should be the focus of the video
Remove items that might be distracting or clutter the background
Consider adding items that fit with the context of your lesson or that are consistent with your brand to add visual interest
Tip #4: Think about the lighting
You don't need a professional lighting set up
You can use a basic two point lighting technique with natural light
Set up next to a window on one side
Use something to reflect the window light on the opposite side
Tip #5: Use a separate audio source
The earpods that come with your iPhone record good quality audio
Clip the microphone portion of the earpods just below your collar like a lapel mic or clip the earpods to your tripod
You can purchase lapel or condenser mics that can plug directly into your iPhone's lightning port
Tip #6: Test for audio quality
Make sure there's not a lot of ambient noise (road noise, A/C noise)
Make sure there's not a lot of reverb
Rooms with hard floors and high ceilings tend to create more reverb
Set up where there's more carpet and cushioned furniture
Do the clap test to see how much reverb there is in your room
Tip #7: Lock-in your focus and exposure
Tap and hold the focus box until it says "AE/AF LOCK" on the top of your screen
Try to get someone to do this for you as you sit where you'll be during the recording
Bonus tip: Use apps for extra camera features
One of my favorites is camera + ( https://camera.plus/ )
Can be great for getting more manual control over your iPhone's camera
It's a bit more advanced so if you're just starting out, stick with the native camera app
RESOURCES:
iPhone lapel mic ( https://www.amazon.com/Microphone-Professional-Omnidirectional-Recording-iPad(1-5m)/dp/B07PKP6WCH )
iPhone condenser mic ( https://www.amazon.com/Shure-MV88-Digital-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B010W6W8OW )
Camera + app ( https://camera.plus/ )