As you have your brand new personal IGTV… Let’s make sure that the quality of the videos you are sharing is AMAZING!

 

If you don’t have your Instagram TV set yet, don’t worry. Just follow the link below, and set it up in 3 easy steps: How to get started with Instagram TV, and upload your first video in 3 easy steps

 

Now that’s done and ready, let’s get back at “How To Record Professional Quality Videos For Instagram TV With Your Smartphone”.

 

Your videos don’t have to be perfect! But if you follow these 5 TIPS, recording great professional quality videos with your smartphone will be easy, and the footage will look incredible!

Here’s what you need:

1. Your smartphone
2. Use your favorite video recording App
3. Great, stable source of light
4. Tripod with a phone holder + universal Bluetooth camera shutter remote control (optional)
5. External Microphone (optional)

1. 1. 1. 1. Use your smartphone

            To record high quality videos all you need is your phone. You do not need to complicate things, almost any smartphone will do. Just make sure that the camera on your phone is functioning well, and start recording. Keep in mind that the newer the version of the phone, the higher the chances of having better quality of the videos you will be producing.

         2. Use your favorite video recording App

            Choosing the right App is important. If you do not have a favorite video recording App yet, here are few of my personal favorites. I have to say for short, quick updates I just use the build in camera. I’m using Huawei phone and the camera in my phone is crazy good… so why complicate life?! Still if I need more control and for better quality recording I’m suing Selfie Camera App. The App turns my camera into a broadcast worthy, high definition video camera. It has great professional tools that give me control over so many factors that influence the end result such as white balance, ISO, exposure and focus. But no matter what kid of phone you will be using avoid the temptation to use the phone’s built-in camera zoom. Since the lens isn’t zooming optically, you’re just enlarging the picture digitally, which means you will end up with a bunch of pixels in your recording. So if you want to get a closer shot of your subject, just make few steps forward.

         3. Great, stable source of light that will make you look and feel great!

            Keep in mind this general rule: the better the light, the better quality your video will have and more professional feeling to it. When recording plan in advance. Make sure to record in good, stable light. If you do not have access to professional lights, record facing a window with soft even light.

         4. Tripod with a phone holder + universal Bluetooth camera shutter remote control

            If you don’t want your video footage to come out distorted, blurred, or affected by “rolling shutter” the best thing to do is to keep your phone steady while recording. No matter how steady your hands are, your smartphone is going to have to work pretty hard to stabilize a handheld recorded videos. Even slight movements can be really distracting, so it’s definitely worth the extra effort to stabilize your videos with a tripod that has a phone holder and it’s worth to invest in Bluetooth Camera Shutter Remote Control. You don’t need an expensive gear. When I’m in my studio I usually use my light Manfrotto tripod, together with a universal smartphone holder. But on the go, I always have a simple, light and cheap phone stand like the one you can see on the picture below. Both options will hold your phone safely while you record your video. And if you will use shutter remote control it will make a difference. As without it, you might be running up and down to turn on and off the camera… While remote will help you to take as many takes as you need to to create that perfect video without breaking a sweat.

            While choosing your tripod, make sure that you will be able to film both vertical and horizontal. As for IGTV you need to film vertical, also called portrait mode, and not every tripod will let you do that.

            At this moment I’m using CamKix Bluetooth Camera Shutter Remote Control and Premium Tripod for Smartphones that I bought on amazon.com. I would have loved to have a little more movement possible with the tripod, but all in all I’m happy enough with it to not to change it. Plus I can use the camera holder with my other tripods, it’s small and light enough for me to carry it always around.

      

      1. A Microphone (optional)

         The audio matters as much as the video!

         A general rule for good video is clear audio. And this can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. To get good audio you need to get your microphone as close to you as possible. If you´re going to record yourself further away from the camera your best option is to use an external microphone. You plug it into your phone and attach it to your blouse right under your chin. I like to use a small mic with a long cable like the BOYA BY-M1 with a Clip-On mic for smartphones, DSLR, camcorders, audio recorders, PC.

         

      BONUS TIPS  | HELPFUL VIDEO APPS I’M USING TO EDIT MY VIDEO’S ON THE GO

      InShot: Upload your video and edit it in this super simple app. You can cut frames out, add text, speed up the tempo or slow it down. You can even add music!

      VideoCrop: If your video is shot in landscape mode and you wish to turn it into a vertical, all you have to do is upload it into the VideoCrop app and choose how you want to display it, crop it. You can choose portrait mode for Instagram stories, or square for your Instagram gallery feed. Again it’s very easy to use.

      StoryCutter: This app is really helpful with cutting your videos into 10 seconds long videos, if you are using the free version. With paid option you could have more choices. You simply need to choose Story Segment Length, and  It will do it for you. After you save it, the short videos will be in your camera folder ready to upload to your Instagram Stories.

       

      Sweetheart are we connected? If not, come over to Instagram, like my IGTV channel, follow my Instagram account @martahurtadophotography. Let’s share, motivate and inspire each other to take action.

      With Love,

      Marta

      PS. The brands and tools I mentioned in this posts, did not pay me to mention their products. I recommend what I use personally.

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