Guide to Improving Your Photos & Videos

Social media platforms are becoming more and more visually-focused, and are continuously releasing advancements in tools and technologies that can create different kinds of creative and post displays. Because of this, it is vital that imagery and videos are compelling and eye-catching in order to compete for attention. Creating quality content does not always require high-budget production. We are going to share some tips and tricks that can be accomplished with just a smartphone! The following course includes tips for taking and creating photo and video that can be used to promote your business and brand across multiple platforms.

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a principle in photography that involves the imagined splitting up of a shot into nine boxes: three up top, three in the center, and three at the bottom. Studies have shown that the human eye is drawn to one of the intersection points of these lines in photographs. By placing points of interest along the lines and intersections of the grid you’re making your photo more appealing and balanced to viewers.

Did You Know Your iPhone Has a Built-In Rule of Thirds Guide?

You can easily add a grid to your iPhone camera to improve your photos and videos. Simply go to Settings, scroll down to Camera, and toggle on the Grid option under the Composition section. It’s a quick way to help you frame shots perfectly!

Get Close and Focus

Look for different angles, and don’t be afraid to get up close to your subject. Try to avoid shooting head-on.

By thinking outside of the box in terms of angles, you will create more visually interesting photos that will lead to an increase in engagement.

Additionally, make sure your photos are in focus!

Adjust focus and brightness on your phone

It’s very easy to focus your smartphone by touching the screen and holding your finger on the subject you are capturing. If you are using an iPhone, you’ll see a small yellow box appear. Try holding down on the yellow box while dragging your finger up or down to adjust the photo’s brightness.

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Keep the Light Behind You

Do you ever have problems with dark or hard to see photos? The likely cause is the brightest light source or sun being directly behind the subject you are shooting. In order to use natural light to your advantage keep the main light source to your back as the shooter so that it’s lighting your subject!

Content Elements that Typically Lead to More Engagement

There are a few key elements that typically result in images that regularly perform better than others on social media channels.

• Photos of Human Faces
  • Images with human faces or people have been known to attract more attention and increase engagement.
• Vanishing Points
  • A vanishing point is the point at which something that has been growing smaller or increasingly faint disappears all together.
• Reflecting Water
  • Reflecting water doesn’t have to include a large body of water. You could use a puddle after a rain shower. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative.

3 Tips to Enhance Your Video Skills

Steady Your Video
Without a tripod, videos can quickly become shaky. If you don’t have one, use everyday objects to stabilize your phone or find a way to support your arms for a smoother shot. A steady hand will make your video much more appealing.

Capture Both Vertical and Horizontal Footage
For maximum flexibility, shoot both vertical and horizontal videos. Vertical videos perform well on platforms like Instagram & Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok. Horizontal videos are better for other platforms, so having a mix is key.

Keep It Short and Sweet
Aim for videos under 1 minute, ideally around 15, 30, or 60 seconds. Attention spans are shrinking—humans now have an attention span of just 8 seconds, which is even shorter than a goldfish’s! Keep it quick to keep viewers engaged.

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Source: Destination Uplift