Without a doubt, we spend a lot of time watching videos instead of looking at images or reading text. In today’s competitive world, making unique and entertaining videos is more challenging than it seems. It can all be overwhelming for someone who is new to the videography.

But don’t worry, today I’ve mentioned some tips for beginners to improve video making skills.

1.    Have Real Background for Your Videos

One of the rookie mistakes is not paying attention to the background in your video. Since you will be creating a professional video, you must have a clear background. There are two types of background: fake and real backgrounds.

When it comes to choosing the background, you must keep in mind certain things like:

• The type of video you are making
• Your target audience
• Your goals

The real backgrounds for your videos are real-life environments such as a living room, office, or an outdoor location. An important thing to keep in mind is that it must contribute to the message you are conveying.

On the other hand, fake backgrounds include papers, curtains, and green screens. Fake backgrounds are excellent for providing consistency. For beginners, setting it up is challenging. This is why it is not recommended for amateur videographers.

2.    Use External Microphone

If the audio of the video is not clear, nobody will watch the video. So, you should not use the mic of the camera as it will not provide a rich sound. It is advised to use an external microphone to capture sound as it is a simple and reliable way to record sound.

3.    Before Making a Video, Plan Everything

This is a great tip for beginners. You can’t just pick up a camera and start saying whatever comes to your mind. A good practice is to define your goals. What do you want to achieve by making this video? Is it for driving traffic to your website?

The next thing is to identify your audience. This is important as you will have to write the script according to your target audience. Make sure you add emotions to your content. This will encourage your viewers to follow the call to action.

4.    Don’t Buy a Camera

The first thing beginners do is buy a camera. Well, you might need a camera in the future, but for now, you won’t need one. There is a chance someone you know might have a camera you can borrow. Or there is a probability that you already have one (your smartphone).

5.    Shoot Video in Natural Light

It is recommended to shoot video in natural light for adding soft and cinematic effects. You can record a video outdoors when it is cloudy. The best time to shoot a video is an hour before sunset or an hour after sunrise.

In case you will be shooting videos indoors, you still need natural light. So, you should choose a room with plenty of natural light. If there is no source for natural light, you can use additional lighting like table lamps and ceiling lights.

Here are some great videography tips and courses to improve your skills.

6.    Keep Your Hands Stable Using Tripod

Tripod is imperative equipment for making videos. This will help you avoid making shaky videos. A shaky video will not look professional as viewers will not clearly see what is happening. No doubt, it is not possible to hold the camera steady. So, it is better to keep your camera on a flat and sturdy surface or use a tripod.

7.    Record a Video from Different Angles

For adding visual interest to your video, you need to shoot from various angles. This is an extremely useful tip if you are making in which you will be doing something like making a product demo or a how-to video.

Moreover, you should make plenty of B-roll footage of your video, so you can use it later. When making shifts in camera angles, try to shift by at least 45 degrees.

8.    Clean Editing Style is Crucial for a Good Video

We know how overwhelming it can be to edit videos. That is, why you should not go crazy when adding effects. There is nothing wrong with trying different effects but keep editing simple. So, what is considered a clean editing style?

• You need to adjust lighting if required.
• Add transitions and music.
• Reduce the background sound using noise canceling.
• Eliminate awkward silences and pauses.

9.    Use Rule of Thirds When Composing a Video

The most basic principle for shooting a video is understanding the rule of thirds. According to this rule, you should not place your subject in the middle. Instead, imagine a 3-by-3 grid over the field you will be shooting. It is advised to place the subject on one of the lines of the grid, most probably, where the lines intersect. This because these are excellent areas of focus. Though you don’t have to stick to this rule every time, for beginners it is a great idea.

10.   Don’t Buy Expensive Equipment in the Beginning

Many people believe that you need to buy an expensive camera or equipment to shoot good videos. This is just a misconception; you don’t need expensive equipment. Videography skills will enable you to shoot videos. The more videos you make, the better idea you will have about what kind of camera will be perfect for you.

11.   Enjoy the Learning Process

Don’t make shooting videos daunting and frustrating. Instead, make it fun. You should make the whole experience fun and unforgettable. Your surroundings are filled with inspiration, so just look around. So, enjoy the whole learning process.

Hence, video is a great and interesting way to pass information and create awareness. Whether your content is for educational purposes or entertainment purposes, these tips will help take your videography skills to the next level.

Which of these tips did you like the most? Are there any tips you want to share with us? Leave a comment and let us know.