Just like photography, videography takes time and practice to master.
But that doesn't mean that you have to struggle for years and years to get the process of creating stunning videos down pat.
In fact, with a few simple and quick tips, you can greatly improve the quality of your videos and start producing content that looks professional - all without being a pro.
Editor's Tip: Creating a professional-looking video isn't just about the footage you use, but about the audio you use as well. Sound effects and music add another layer of interest to your videos that can captivate your viewers and entice them to want to watch more. For the best selection of audio, head over to Epidemic Sound. We use Epidemic Sound to source much of the audio for our YouTube videos. With a great selection and affordable prices, they're the perfect partner for making pro-grade videos.
Take Time to Think Through Sequences
Creating a meaningful, good-looking video requires much more than simply turning on your camera and shooting footage.
There needs to be a purpose behind each sequence that you shoot, which means you need to think about what that purpose is before you ever press the record button.
Is the footage you need intended to introduce the audience to someone or something? Are you seeking to convey a specific emotion or feeling? If so, what is it? Is your goal to give the story more depth or are you ready to wrap it up?
In this post, I discussed a few composition tips to be aware of, like using tried-and-true photography principles like the rule of thirds to enhance your videos. The way you compose shots and frame shots is just as important to consider as the footage in each sequence you shoot.
What's more, the angle from which you shoot - eye-level, down low, or up high, will influence how your sequences look and feel as well.
Bearing all of this in mind will help you create footage that grabs people's attention and keeps them engaged.
Learn More:
- Why Videography is Important for Every Photographer
- How to Make the Move From Photography to Videography
You Need B-Roll
When you watch professional videos, B-Roll is included to give a "behind-the-scenes" point of view that adds depth and breadth to the video.
For example, if you're creating a wedding video, including footage of the venue, the table settings at the reception, people walking into the church, sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows, and so forth, you're able to set the stage for telling a much more thorough and meaningful story.
B-Roll is added in throughout the video to complement the primary footage and to give it more body and meaning.
The nice thing about B-Roll is that it's pretty hard to mess it up. After all, it's mostly creative shots that you grab before or after the primary shooting, or during moments of downtime between important events.
Better still, when B-Roll is combined with smart composition techniques like those mentioned above, you get an even better result!
Bring It All Together With A Quality Video Editor
Of course, spending time planning your sequences and getting great B-Roll to add depth to your videos doesn't do you any good if you don't have the means to put it all together into a final product.
That means that to create professional-looking videos, you need a professional-grade video editor.
In the past, I've relied on iMovie to get the job done. And while it has some nice features, it's not exactly user-friendly, nor does it come loaded to bear with all the goodies you need to create the highest-quality content.
I considered going for one of the big boys, too - Final Cut Pro - but even though it's a legitimate professional video editor, it's incredibly difficult to master and it's not exactly cheap, either.
Instead, I've been using Kizoa lately, and it's been the best of both worlds - it's capable and affordable.
For a one-time $30 fee, I'm a premium member with lifetime access to all of the awesome tools Kizoa has to help me create awesome videos.
In addition to the usual suspects like texts, transitions, and music, Kizoa allows me to edit on the go with a handy (and free!) iOS app.
What's more, Kizoa has built a library of pre-made templates that make creating professional-looking videos much easier. See what I mean in the video below:
And when all is said and done and the video is complete, I can easily share them as well.
Burn videos to a DVD, email them, save them in various formats - there are tons of options for making it easy to get your creations in front of an audience.
Kizoa has been at it for a decade too, so they've got the chops to back up their product and the experience that's needed to continue improving Kizoa to offer aspiring videographers even more functionalities.
Sometimes, it's the simplest things that make the difference between having an awesome video and one that falls flat.
From planning and prep to having the right kind of footage to using the best tools, if you want to impress people with your video-creation skills, these tips will get you well on your way.