How Do You Shoot a Video With a Vertical Camera?

If you’ve ever watched a video on your phone and noticed black bars on the sides, it’s because the video was shot with a horizontal camera. However, shooting with a vertical camera can be useful in certain situations, like when creating content for social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. In this tutorial, we’ll go over how to shoot a video with a vertical camera.

Step 1: Hold Your Phone Vertically

The first step is simple: hold your phone vertically, with the top of the phone pointing towards the sky. This may seem obvious, but it’s important to ensure that your video is shot in portrait mode.

Step 2: Lock Your Exposure and Focus

Before you start recording, it’s important to lock your exposure and focus. This will prevent your camera from continuously adjusting its settings while you’re filming.

To do this on an iPhone, simply tap and hold on the screen until you see a yellow box appear around your subject. This will lock both focus and exposure.

Step 3: Use Both Hands

When holding your phone vertically, it’s important to use both hands to stabilize the camera. This will prevent shaky footage and make your video look more professional.

Step 4: Frame Your Shot

When framing your shot, make sure to keep important elements within the vertical frame. For example, if you’re filming a person speaking, make sure their head is fully in frame and not cut off by the top or bottom of the screen.

Step 5: Record Your Video

Once you’ve framed your shot and locked in your exposure and focus, it’s time to hit record! Make sure to keep both hands steady throughout the recording process.

Tips for Shooting Vertical Videos

  • Keep it short: Social media users have short attention spans, so try to keep your video under a minute.
  • Add subtitles: Since most people watch videos without sound on social media, adding subtitles can help convey your message.
  • Use good lighting: Natural light is your best friend when shooting video. Try to film in a well-lit area or use external lighting if necessary.
  • Avoid zooming: Zooming in and out can make your footage look shaky and unprofessional. Instead, move closer to your subject if you need a closer shot.

In Conclusion

Shooting a vertical video may seem daunting at first, but with these tips and tricks, you’ll be creating engaging content for social media in no time. Remember to hold your phone vertically, lock your exposure and focus, use both hands to stabilize the camera, frame your shot, and keep it short. Happy filming!