When it comes to taking video of your home, the way you hold your smartphone can significantly impact the final result.
Here are a few tips for holding your smartphone in a way that will result in the best possible video:
1.) Hold your smartphone horizontally: Ideally, as we’ve spoken about before, you should always shoot landscape (horizontally) to get the best cinematic-style video. When you hold your smartphone horizontally, you’ll be able to capture a wider field of view, which is ideal for capturing your home’s full layout and design. This is especially important if you’re trying to show off the exterior of the home, a large room, or an open floor plan in a cinematic fashion…
2.) Use both hands: As we acknowledge, it isn’t always wise for you to shoot a ListingView video in landscape. However, at all times, it’s wise to use two hands to hold your phone. Using a two-handed grip will keep your smartphone stable (whether in landscape or portrait mode) and prevent shaking, and make it much easier to keep the phone’s camera level to the horizon or the room. This will involve two separate grips depending on whether you’re in landscape or portrait, which we will demonstrate for you. Using a two-handed grip will help you maintain a steady shot and keep the video looking smooth and professional.
3.) Keep your arms close to your body: To further reduce shaking and keep your shot steady, try to keep your arms close to your body as you hold your smartphone. Pan by moving your hands in the direction you wish to pan while turning your body at the waist. This combined motion will also help you maintain better control over the device.
4.) Use a tripod or gimbal: If you want to take your home video to the next level, consider using a tripod or handheld smartphone gimbal. This will allow you to capture smooth, steady panning shots without having to hold your smartphone at all. Just set up the tripod, frame the start of your shot, hit record, and pan the room.
5.) Experiment with different angles: Be bold and experiment with different angles and viewpoints as you take your home video. Try shooting holding the smartphone about chest high, then held from a higher up, or held lower down position. Then try from different locations in the room to capture a variety of perspectives. This will make your video more varied, interesting and engaging for viewers.
When taking video in landscape orientation (horizontal), it is generally best to use a two-handed grip that involves holding the smartphone with your left hand supporting the bottom of the device and your right hand gripping the top. This grip allows you to keep the device steady and prevents it from shaking or tilting too much. It also gives you more control over the device and allows you to easily reach all of the buttons and controls.
To take video in portrait orientation (vertical), it is generally best to hold the smartphone with your left hand supporting the left side of the device and your right hand supporting the right side. This grip provides good stability and control, and it allows you to easily reach all of the buttons and controls with your thumbs.
In both cases, it is important to hold the device firmly but not too tightly, as a firm but relaxed grip will allow you to keep the device steady while still allowing you to make adjustments as needed. It is also a good idea to keep your arms close to your body and use your core muscles to help stabilize the device.
