Unlock Your Camera's Full Potential: 3 Simple Settings For Better Videos

Are you tired of creating mediocre videos that fail to capture your products or services in the best light? It might be time to take a closer look at your camera settings. By understanding and utilizing the various settings on your camera, you can elevate your videos to the next level and capture stunning, professional-grade footage. In this article, we'll explore 3 simple settings on your camera and provide tips on how to choose the best ones for your specific shooting situation. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there's something here for everyone. So let's dive in and start taking your videos to new heights!

White Balance

Get your video looking natural and true to life...

First up, we have white balance. This is one of the key settings to consider when taking photos but especially when capturing video. This setting adjusts the colors in your image to accurately reflect the colors of the scene you're capturing. If the white balance is incorrect, your photos can appear too warm or cool, making the colors look unnatural.

Here's a photo we took for a client recently, but with the incorrect white balance settings. On the right side, the image was set too cold (tungsten WB setting) and the left it is set too warm:

Now let's take a look at the proper white balance for this picture:

To choose the correct white balance, you'll need to consider the lighting conditions of the scene. For example, if you're shooting in sunlight, you'll want to use a different white balance setting than if you're shooting indoors with artificial lighting. Your camera may have several pre-set white balance options, or you may be able to manually adjust the white balance to get the perfect settings for your scene. Experiment with different white balance settings to find the one that produces the most accurate and pleasing colors in your photos.

Automatic Audio Levels

Take control of your audio to get the most out of your camera...

If you're shooting video with your camera, one setting you'll want to pay attention to is the audio levels. Most cameras have an automatic audio level setting that adjusts the volume of the sound in your video based on the ambient noise in the scene.

While this can be convenient, it can also lead to inconsistent audio levels and poor sound quality. To improve the audio in your videos, try turning off the automatic audio levels and manually adjusting the volume instead. This will give you more control over the sound in your videos and allow you to fine-tune the audio to get the best possible sound quality.

Keep in mind that you'll need to monitor the audio levels as you shoot and make adjustments as needed to ensure that the sound is clear and balanced throughout your video. With a little practice, you'll be able to achieve professional-quality audio in your videos.

Check out our video on this here.

Shutter Speed Vs Shutter Angle

Give your footage a smooth, cinematic feel with one simple change...

When shooting video, an important factor to consider is shutter speed. This setting determines how long the camera's sensor is exposed to light, and it can have a significant impact on the look and feel of your video. To achieve a natural, cinematic look, it's recommended to use a shutter speed that is double your frame rate. For example, if you're shooting at 25 frames per second (fps), you'll want to use a shutter speed of 1/50th of a second, or in the USA 30fps should have a shutter speed of 1/60th of a second.

This is known as a 180o shutter angle and it produces a smooth, natural motion blur that is pleasing to the eye. When selecting the shutter speed for your video, experiment with different settings to find the one that looks best for your particular scene. Remember that a faster shutter speed will freeze motion, while a slower shutter speed will create more motion blur.

Check out the video at the top of this article to see this in action!

So, now that we've explored the different settings on your camera and provided tips on how to choose the best ones for your specific shooting situation it's time for you to put it into practice!

Keep in mind the importance of white balance, have the confidence to set your own audio levels, and pay heed to the 180o shutter rule! With these recommendations on how to adjust these settings and plenty of practice from you, you'll see a marked improvement to the quality of your videos. By understanding and utilizing these settings, you can elevate your content and take your skills to the next level. So don't be afraid to experiment and try out different settings to see what works best for you and your unique shooting style. Happy shooting!

Check out our blog for more useful articles, and comment below with any questions you have or further help you need.