Summer Shooting: How To Make Winning Smartphone Videos This Sizzling Summer

It’s finally summer! And that means summer shooting!

My smartphone video hub are out and about shooting in the sunshine so I thought it would be a perfect time to share?six top summer shooting tips?as part of my mission to make smartphone video?easy for EVERYONE.

As you know, I’m all about creating smartphone videos?the SIMPLE way, giving you all the insider hacks and shortcuts I have picked up over 30 years of producing and presenting in TV and video. Shooting great smartphone video should never ever feel time consuming and overwhelming – no matter what the season!

Where Is The Sun?

When you are shooting on a sunny day?be aware of the direction of the sun. The?best time to film?in the summer months?is?just after sunrise and just before sunset, these are known as?“the magic hours”.

Remember you will get more flattering light when the sun is lower on the horizon. Avoid shooting when the sun is too high as your videos can look harsh and also we want to avoid you creating long shadows down faces. Remember the simple but effective tip to cup your smartphone with your hand to prevent strong sunlight from hitting the lens from an angle.

Ditch The Sunnies And Hats

Remember if you are shooting a chat or interview on camera,?eye contact is essential?for establishing trust, so try and?avoid putting on your sunnies. Same goes for summer hats, you don’t want your face to be in shade.

Also don’t EVER put on mirrored sunglasses as you will just see you and all your smartphone video kit reflected! You always want your videos to look like you are having a relaxed fun chat so?it’s essential that your audience to see your eyes?and feel that extra personal connection.

Dress For (Professional) Success

Remember to look professional.?It can be hard in the heat, but don’t have too much flesh on show.

Wearing vests or very casual clothing can be a bit off putting and it can also look odd when your videos are viewed in autumn or winter. Think about longevity when creating your videos!

Stick to simple colours, a smart plain cotton tee under a lightweight jacket or a short sleeved shirt.

Keep your makeup soft and understated, think light bronzer and a hint of lip colour and do?remember to take some mattifying lotion out with you.?Apply this frequently to avoid looking shiny. Also be aware of how the sun can give a bald head extra shine so get the lotion all over it, wear a hat or shoot in the shade!

Kit Your Kit Cool

It does not take much for your smartphone to overheat and shut down, so keep it cool.?Pack an ice block wrapped in a towel in your bag to keep your smartphone happy.?It is also worth putting some extra bottles of water in your shoot bag and have some cold wet wipes on hand too!

Clean Your Lens

Don’t forget to clean your smartphone lens! If your hands are sweaty, they can leave prints and if you are applying sunscreen your hands can get greasy. Always take a lens cloth out before pressing record and do an extra safe clean.

Be Prepared To Move

When you are shooting in the summer,?treat the sun as you would any other controlled light source?and if you can, get it behind you, casting it directly onto whoever or whatever you are shooting.?Be aware of your own shadow?getting into shot as well.

Shooting against the sun can look great if you shoot when the sun is low and you can?use it as a backlight to create some cinematic lens flares?if that is a stylised look you like.

If your smartphone is on auto settings, the sun can confuse your video settings so?put your smartphone in manual mode?and?frame the sun into a side corner of your shot?and?let your subject remain as the focus?and your device should calm down!!