How To Shoot Cinematic Videos Using Just Your Phone

Shooting cinematic videos with just your smartphone is easy these days. Those times have gone when you specifically needed a DSLR to shoot clear videos. All it takes is a few basic tricks to make aesthetic videos just from your smartphone, whether it is about the composition or the lighting. In this article, we explore simple tricks that will help you to make cinematic videos without investing in cameras:Pick The Right ResolutionIf your smartphone can support 4K resolution, then go to the video settings on your phone in the camera app and select this option. To capture a classic cinematic look, choose 24 fps. For the standard videos, select 30fps, and to shoot the super smooth and slightly slow motion, pick the 60fps+ (if possible). Master LightingGood

cinematic videos are a result of mastered lighting. Shoot during sunset and sunrise to capture the golden hour for softer compositions. For the practical options, you can utilise lamps, neon, or car lights in the background to add depth to your videos. Right CompositionIt is necessary to remember a few composition rules while shooting. Keep your subjects off-centre, placing them in either of the corners, justifying the rule of thirds. This will make the composition look more aesthetically pleasing. Place roads or railings into the centre following the leading lines. Capture foreground, midground, and background for depth, following the shallow depth of field and the deep depth of field. Do not forget to give proper space above the head of the subject and below it, leaving appropriate headroom and legroom.

Use Camera AppsYou can download third-party apps like Flimic Pro, Open Camera or ProShot to shoot better quality videos with colour grading, white balance and exposure control. Your basic camera app on your phone is okay, but these apps can guide you better for manual mode. Camera MovementsIt is important to develop a good grip on your mobile while recording videos. Master the slow movements like pan or tilt. Moving your camera towards the left or right horizontally is panning, and moving it upwards and downwards in the vertical direction is tilting. Similarly, you can practise movements kike track-in and track-out, where you closely follow the subject with the camera.