Smart Ways To Make Your Videos Look Professional While On A Budget

Videos, or moving visual media, are viral today. They exist in different platforms that combine different types of digital media, but some websites are specially dedicated to videos only. Many internet users recognize videos in various applications and sites as a doorway of opportunity. While videos can be exciting and informative, making and producing videos, or even vlogging, can be quite challenging. Video creators struggle to make worthy content while keeping their budget as tight as possible. How then can you create budget-friendly videos and maintain a smart and professional approach at the same time?

Select the Perfect Camera

Prior to filming, the first thing you need to have is the device for shooting and filming. Camera tools and equipment are rather costly, and they’re one of the biggest barriers for video makers to create professional-looking videos. However, investing in the perfect camera can turn out to be economical and cost-effective in the long run.

To achieve the best video quality, it is best to use a digital single-lens reflex camera, or more popularly known as a DSLR camera. Generally, cameras are designed for taking pictures and photographs, but photographic equipment manufactured today can also be utilized in video filming and shooting. It’s highly significant to choose the best DSLR for video as it can influence your video quality and the audience’s watching experience. As prices of DSLR cameras are no joke, you should take note of the main features and functions that the camera should possess, especially lenses that can shoot up to 1080p quality on a 30 FPS frame rate.

If you’re on a tighter budget but you own a smartphone with a decent camera, then that will do. While smartphones are limited to their photographic capabilities, there are new models in the market that highlight excellent features, which can be advantageous for your filming. These features are:

• Right amount of megapixels, preferably 12-21 MP
• Large screen
• Bright aperture
• Variety of lense types
• ISO control
• Focus and shutter
• Optical image stabilization
• HDR or high dynamic range
• 4K video feature
• High-speed and slow-motion

Take Note of the Audio Quality

Aside from producing high-quality visual media for your video, another priority is to maintain clear and crisp audio that contributes to the video quality. Some people prefer watching low-definition footages with clear sound than having high-quality videos with inaudible sounds and background noises. DSLR and smartphone cameras don’t have the perfect audio quality, so it’s best to supplement it with a good microphone.

If you have saved up a decent amount of money, then you can also purchase video kits that instantly improve both audio and video quality without buying multiple accessories that might complicate the filming process. Make sure to place the equipment as close as possible to the subject for a more precise audio condition. Shoot in a quiet place with no noise distractions like dog barks, birds noises, traffic sounds, and extreme winds. If these sounds are slightly noticeable in your video, you can use editing software to eliminate these interferences.

Utilize a Clean Background

Placing the right subjects in front of your screen is already an exacting process, as well as choosing what to put behind those subjects. Backgrounds or backdrops come into the picture. Professional videos aren’t characterized by cluttered and distracting background. Therefore, you should utilize a clean background that can suit the type of atmosphere and connection you want to establish with your viewers.

Your first option for obtaining a good background is to use solid colors such as walls, curtains, wallpaper, or a tapestry. Having a solid background can shift the viewers’ attention on the subject more, and it’s also easier for the camera to focus. Take note that the subject should be placed from a considerable distance to avoid casting unnecessary shadows.

To establish a more professional and friendly environment than solid backgrounds, you can use your favorite places as your filming set. For instance, if you love spending time on your bedroom workspace, you can use it as the background. You can use any background that you want as long as it still reflects a professional and proper environment. That said, bathrooms and dirty rooms are a big no-no.

Adhere to the Rule of Thirds

The most popular and widely used principle of photography and filming by professionals is the rule of thirds, where elements are placed within the lines of a 3-by-3 grid. As beginners aren’t well informed yet, subjects in the middle of the frame are the weakest point and focus. An excellent visual composition contains adequate balance and creative use of negative space, employed by the rule of thirds.

The rule of thirds is just one of the composition techniques used in filming and photography. As you gain a deeper understanding about these techniques and their influences to elements and overall video work, you’ll be able to grasp more filming ideas. Learning these will fulfill your audience’s expectations according to the type of videos you create.

Combine Everything in a Good Video Editing Software

To enhance the qualities and features of your raw video, video editing is the most challenging and crucial step. Compiling everything during the video editing process offers you a chance to review and look back at the whole footage, edit and add in elements that will make it better, and eliminate unnecessary and unpleasant parts. Choose a video editing software or application that contains a variety of features, controls, and options that are commonly applied by experts.

Simply put, the video editing process and your editing software can make or break your video.

Conclusion

Who said professional videos require grandiose and expensive filming equipment? By utilizing these smart ways, you can create professional-looking videos while maintaining a budget.

About the Author: Rachel Atkinson

Rachel is a photo enthusiast who loves to write about all things related to digital photography, video and more. She enjoys practicing her skills and one day hopes to have her own photography and video studio. When she’s not writing, she enjoys yoga.

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