Tips for Creating Engaging and Well-Composed Video Shots
- Understanding Basic Compositional Principles for Video Shots
- Playing with Perspective and Depth for Better Video Shots
- Level Up Your Video Shots With Color and Contrast
- Balancing Static and Dynamic Elements
- Video Shots Should Create Emotion and Atmosphere
- More Videography Tips
- Recommended Photography Gear
- How to Shoot B-Roll (And Other Important Tips)
- 4 Tips for Getting Better Results With Your Small YouTube Camera
- Invest in the right videography gear.
- Experiment with different types of video content (films, short-form, etc.).
- Plan your video shots in advance.
- Don’t forget to capture high-quality audio.
- Learn how to edit videos like a pro.
- What Should You Have in a Beginner Photography Kit?
- Get Ready for Summertime Travel Photography With This Crucial Gear
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Video content is everywhere today. Whether on live television, streaming platforms, or social media apps like YouTube and Instagram, more people than ever spend their free time watching videos rather than looking at photos or reading. In fact, recent studies have shown that video is now the number one way people consume content, especially young people.
Therefore, if you want to stay relevant as a digital content creator, shifting your photography business strategy to include more videos is essential. That said, it’s not as simple as just creating more videos. You must also produce high-quality, engaging, and well-composed video shots to attract more viewers and build a loyal following.
How do you do that? You’ll find out if you keep reading! In this article, we’ll share our top videography tips that have helped us shoot better videos and grow our audience. Additionally, we’ll recommend a few pieces of videography gear that will aid you along the way. Now, without further ado, let’s get to it!
Check out the video above by Pat Kay to learn more about videography basics and how to improve your video shots.
Table of Contents
Understanding Basic Compositional Principles for Video Shots
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If you don’t have at least a basic understanding of the most important video composition principles, you won’t be able to consistently create well-composed videos. It’s a simple truth that many new videographers overlook, and if you fall into this category, we recommend that you immediately go out and learn those basic composition principles.
The most common ones include the rule of thirds, leading lines, the 180-degree rule, symmetry, and negative space. You can sign up for a videography course or study independently to better understand composition. We recommend free self-learning resources such as YouTube, blogs, and podcasts.
Playing with Perspective and Depth for Better Video Shots
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Another way to capture beautiful, engaging video content is to play with perspective and depth. While not all of these experimental video shots will be perfect, you will learn which types you like most and when to use them over time. Three tried and true video shots people are routinely attracted to are low-angle, birds-eye-view, and over-the-shoulder perspectives.
The best way to record low-angle videos is using a small, sturdy, stabilizing device like the Octopad.
This unique tripod alternative features a patented universal support base that won’t move even on sloping, uneven, or wet/slippery surfaces. Moreover, it’s compatible with other video accessories like external microphones, lights, monitors, and gimbals.
Better still, you can use it for traditional photography, be that portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, or somewhere in between. And since it’s such a compact gadget, you can easily take it with you anywhere you go!
Octopad is an ideal companion if you primarily shoot with your smartphone, too. The universal ¼-inch thread allows you to add the smartphone adapter of your choice, turning Octopad into a photo, video, camera, and smartphone-compatible accessory that offers tremendous value.
At the same time, drones are ideal for birds-eye-view videography, and gimbals can help you record smooth over-the-shoulder video shots. As for manipulating depth, using lenses with a high maximum aperture (low f-stop number) is your best bet.
Level Up Your Video Shots With Color and Contrast
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Equally important is color. Even a well-composed scene will be less visually appealing if the colors are off. The best way to guarantee good colors in your video shots is to understand color theory. That way, you can use colors correctly to capture viewers' attention and evoke emotional responses. You can also control colors by adjusting the settings of your video camera.
Now, let’s say you are watching your video shots later and notice the colors and contrast still don’t look like you envisioned them. Lucky for you, thanks to advanced video editing programs like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro, color grading footage in post-production has never been easier.
Learn More:
Balancing Static and Dynamic Elements
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Including a solid mix of static and dynamic shots is another way to level up your videos. For example, your videos might bore viewers if you rely too heavily on static shots. On the other hand, if you have too many dynamic shots, your videos will be chaotic and hard to follow. That’s why striking a perfect balance is crucial.
What are static and dynamic video shots? Static shots are video clips where the camera doesn’t move. They are also known as locked-off or immobile shots. In contrast, dynamic shots have camera movement (pan, tilt, zoom, dolly, etc.).
Video Shots Should Create Emotion and Atmosphere
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Lastly, your video needs to be interesting, and you want to connect emotionally with your audience. While this step isn’t as important in short-form videos like Instagram Reels and TikTok videos, it’s a core element of all other types of videos. If videos don’t have a compelling storyline that the audience can believe, relate to, and connect with, why are people watching?
Techniques for constructing different emotions and atmospheres in your video shots include lighting, sequencing, storytelling, and camera angle. Lighting, in particular, plays a big part in videos, which is why videographers should always carry lighting equipment with them in their videography kit.
More Videography Tips
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Thanks for taking the time to read our videography review. We hope it helps you create better, more engaging video shots moving forward. Finally, as a bonus, here’s a list of more tips to help you improve your video skills!
Recommended Photography Gear
Disclaimer: Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.
