Over the years the cameras on mobile devices have improved by leaps and bounds and today most can easily record High Definition (HD) quality videos. However that alone does not determine how your videos will turn out – as you may already realize. If you want to capture better videos on mobile devices, you need to know how to use the camera to your advantage. That is where the following easy tips can help:

While you’re recording you should try to keep the camera steady – to the point of being perfectly still if possible. The less you move the camera or your body, the clearer your video will look. To keep the camera steady you should always hold in in both hands and keep it close to your body so that your arms are near your sides for additional support. If you find this too tiring or still have difficulty, you could use a tripod or find some other way to keep the camera stable.

Both the resolution and frame rate are important to the overall video quality. The resolution will affect the definition of the video and how sharp it looks. On the other hand the frame rate will affect its smoothness – especially when there is movement in the shot. Try recording at a resolution of 1080p and a frame rate of 30 at least – though if either one can be higher, you should increase them.

Lighting can have a big impact on the videos you record using mobile devices because their sensor is generally smaller than DSLR cameras. Ideally you should always make sure there is plenty of light – preferably diffused so that it doesn’t cast hard shadows. If you’re recording outdoors you should try capturing videos during the golden hour. On the other hand if you’re indoors you could use softboxes to provide diffused light, or even set up a basic three-point lighting configuration.

If you’re recording audio and intend to keep it – you need an external microphone. The built-in microphone on mobile devices won’t cut it, and the audio quality will probably drag down the entire video. Even a mid-range external microphone can improve the audio that you record by leaps and bounds. However for best results you should get the right type of microphone, such as a shotgun mic to record audio from a certain location.

In addition to these steps it can help to know how to edit videos. Few videos are perfect when they are first recorded, and most could do with adjustments to the white balance, colors, stabilization, and more. If you want you could even create a photo video from stills arranged in a time-lapse effect. If you use the tips described above, the impact they have on your videos should be readily apparent. From there you can build on them further by experimenting and getting more experience in the process.