Making a video has never been easier. You don’t need expensive gear or complicated tech to get going nowadays. The advent of the iPhone (especially the later iterations) has made it possible to produce amazing quality shots on a shoestring budget. Matti Haapoja from TravelFeels recently shared some pointers on how to create amazing cinematic footage just by using the smartphone.
Film at 24fps
While the iPhone may not allow for very refined settings when capturing pictures or videos, there are ways to push the limits a bit further. For example, when capturing still frames, you could use apps such as Adobe Lightroom for Mobile or ACDSee Pro for iOS.
Take a look at apps like Filmic Pro that give you access to settings like white balance, shutter speed, ISO, etc — and that’s just the basic function. You can purchase additional features and gain access to log and flat colour profiles while using the camera. For a low price of just $14.99 (USD), Filmic Pro should be one of the top choices for evolving your iPhone videos.
Use a Stabilizer
The next tip is quite obvious and it’s the same as when filming with a DSLR or any other camera. If you want your footage to look professional, making it smooth and stable is crucial. There are tons of different stabilizers available out there. Haapoja recommends the Zhiyun Smooth 3.
But there are other options on the market such as the Zhiyun Smooth C.
Use a Lens
The digital zoom on the iPhone is not going to cut it for your movie-making needs. Haapoja recommends that you purchase an external lens that allows you to vary your shots without much degrading. While there are many brands out there on the market, he picks Moment Lenses as the one you should be looking at.
Edit Your Footage
While you could edit your video on your iPhone, bringing it on your computer to put it through Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve is most likely a better idea. Edit your smartphone footage just as if it were shot on any other camera. There is no reason to edit your video in a hurry on your phone if quality is your primary goal. Why should clips from a phone be used any differently than ones from a DSLR or camera?
Use a Microphone
The last piece of the puzzle is audio. The marriage of great images and amazing sound will push your video over the limit to greatness. A mic is a cheap piece of equipment that you can use to achieve good quality, crisp and clear sound to match with your cinematography.
Source: Fstoppers
