This guide will walk you through the key steps to elevating your video production, from camera setup to post-production color grading. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, these techniques will help you transform your footage.
1. Dialing in Your Camera Settings
Before you even think about editing, you need to ensure your camera is set up for success.
- Resolution: Always shoot in the highest resolution your camera offers, which is often 4K these days. This provides more detail and flexibility for editing.
- Frame Rate: A consistent frame rate is crucial. While many professional films use 24 frames per second (fps), shooting in 30 fps can be ideal for social media and YouTube, offering a smoother playback. For slow-motion effects, a system like 30 fps for standard shots, 60 fps for slow motion, and 120 fps for extra slow motion ensures consistency.
- Shutter Speed: The “180° shutter rule” is a fundamental principle for achieving natural motion blur. The rule is simple: double your frame rate to get your shutter speed. For example, a 30 fps video should have a shutter speed of 1/60. To maintain this on a bright day, you’ll need ND filters (camera sunglasses) to control the light without adjusting your shutter speed.
- Aperture and Lenses: A low aperture, like f/1.4, allows more light in and creates a blurred background, which gives a cinematic feel. Investing in a prime lens with a low aperture is highly recommended for achieving this look.
- White Balance: Avoid shooting on auto white balance. Instead, set and lock a preset (like “daylight” or “cloudy”) based on your location. This prevents the camera from making inconsistent color adjustments, saving you a lot of time in post-production.
- Shooting in Log: For the most flexibility in color grading, you should shoot in a log color profile (like S-Log3) and in 10-bit color. This captures a wider dynamic range, allowing you to push and pull colors more effectively in editing.
- ISO: When shooting in a log profile, use your camera’s native base ISO and dual native base ISO for the cleanest, least noisy image. For many cameras, this means sticking to specific values like 800 ISO during the day and 3200 ISO for nighttime shots.
2. Intentional Shooting Techniques
Beyond the camera settings, a few deliberate choices can dramatically improve your shots before you start editing.
- Shoot Shadow Side: Place your subject between the camera and a light source. This creates a natural, cinematic contrast by highlighting the shadows and giving the shot more depth.
- Color Composition: Be intentional with the colors in your shot. Deliberately add pops of color through props, wardrobe, or the location itself. This will make your final color grade more vibrant and visually compelling.
- Practice with a Tripod: While gimbals are great for smooth shots, practicing with a tripod forces you to focus on composition. This skill is essential for making all of your shots, including gimbal shots, more dynamic and visually interesting.
3. Post-Production Color Grading
After capturing great footage, you can use powerful tools to perfect your color grade. The Dehancer plugin is a great example of a tool that can transform footage into a film-like look. It allows you to emulate different film stocks and add characteristics like film grain, halation, and bloom.
A well-organized system for grading in software like DaVinci Resolve can also streamline your workflow and ensure consistent results across all your projects. A system like the CineKit Power Grade uses a strategic node tree to guide you through the process, from adjusting exposure and white balance to applying creative looks and film effects.
By focusing on these core principles—from your camera settings and intentional shooting to your post-production workflow—you can elevate your videos from being simply “okay” to having a clean, professional, and cinematic look every time.
