Following up on my previous b-roll article, we’re taking it outside!
If you missed the introduction to filming b-roll where we looked at some foundational ideas to shoot a short video in the kitchen, you can check it out here.
Today we’re building on some of those skills and in the video above you’ll see a full demonstration of everything we discuss in this article.
So, are you ready to step up your b-roll game? Let’s get into it.
The Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is a way to structure your composition where the image is divided evenly into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and the subject of the image is placed at an intersection of those dividing lines, or along one of the lines itself.
Using the rule of thirds as a guide to frame your shots is a really easy way to achieve a balanced and visually appealing shot.
A centered horizon line essentially cuts the image in half, and makes it difficult for the eye to identify what the primary focus of the image is or to be able to flow naturally around the image.
When you align the horizon with either the upper or lower thirds lines, it makes it clear what element of the image is the primary focus and creates a natural balance to your shot.
In essence, whichever element receives more space in the image, sky or sea, in the case of these shots, will be perceived as the most important aspect by the viewer.
Placing an object, a structure or a person on the vertical third lines anchors your shot to one side or the other, and then allows your viewers eye to travel across the image. Centering your subject makes them the absolute focus of the shot and leaves less room to encourage the viewers eye to look around.
Depending on what style of shot you are going for you can use either or these composition methods.
The last thing I will say about composition is be aware of your subject’s ‘looking room’. This is the space between your subject and the edge of the frame in the direction they are facing.
If your subject is a person, you ideally want more room in front of them than behind them. Having looking room in front of your subject will lead your viewer’s eye back into the image, whereas looking room on the wrong side of your subject, will still lead the eye to where it appears your subject is looking, but can take them right out of the frame.
If you are shooting piece to cameras, aligning the eyes of your subject with the top horizontal third line will help you balance your shot. Too much, or not enough headroom – the space between the person’s head and the top of the frame – can be offputting for your audience.
If it isn’t already active in your camera app you can go into the settings of your phone and turn on the rule of thirds grid guides to help you achieve great composition every time.
Use your body as an extension of your camera
Your shots will be so much more stable if you use your whole body to create the motion of your shot, rather than just your arms or hands. Using your whole body creates more leverage and an anchor for your camera for more fluid motion.
Seeking leverage
If you want to film a hand-held static shot, use something to steady yourself. Leaning your elbows on the ground if you’re filming down low or find some leverage on a leadge, chair, table or handrail.
If none of these options are available to you, lock your arms close to your body to achieve more stability. Nobody wants the distraction of a shaky shot!
Beware of your shadow!
Look out for your shadow sneaking into your shot when you’re filming out in the sun. It sounds obvious but it’s easy to become so focused on the subject of your shot that you don’t notice your shadow creeping in!
Get low
Seeing the world down low gives a totally different look to the shot than seeing it from standing. In our day to day lives we don’t often crouch down and see things from the perspective they rest at. Filming things this way can change the whole look of your video.
Filming more creatively is all about asking yourself how you can show your audience a perspective they may not ordinarily be able to see.
Slow it down
Filming in slow motion can be a lot of fun, make your motion look more fluid, and again, show your audience a different perspective of the world. You can get really creative and change the speed of your clips from fast, to slow, to fast again in the edit when a key piece of action happens.
Motion
Can you add interest to your shots using motion? Rather than letting a motion pass through a static shot, can you follow it, and allow it to lead you and the viewer to a destination.
Giving the viewer clues that the shot is going somewhere sparks that intrigue part of the brain and they will want to see the shot through to find out where it’s leading to.
Our brains love answers. If you can pose a question by the way you shape your shots, in other words, create mystery, your viewer is going to want to stick around until that mystery is solved.
Always leave tail…
Get at least three seconds of extra footage before you stop recording! This will save you a lot of heartache in the long run when you get to the edit and realise you needed just a little bit more footage to fill out a section of the video.
See your shot through and then hold it still or continue the motion for slightly longer than you think is necessary.
If your shots are too short it may be quite a jarring transition from shot to shot when you get to the edit. Speaking from experience, never underestimate the value of having tail at the end of all your shots!
Nature’s Diffuser
Overcast days are your friend; big clouds are nature’s diffuser. Filming piece to cameras in harsh sunlight, especially in the middle of the day where the sun is directly above you, can be very unflattering. It’ll give you dramatic under-eye shadows and hit you in all the wrong places.
Overcast days are ideal for filming because the light is fully diffused and even. Filming at golden hour when the sun isn’t directly hitting you, is, in my personal opinion, the best natural outdoor lighting you can get; it’s soft, and it has the subtle golden glow of afternoon.
So, are you ready to get outside with your camera?
Here are some cool pieces of equipment specially designed to help you shoot more creatively and steadily with your smartphone:
- Smartphone Gorilla Pod; a tripod with flexible legs that you can wrap around any surface to achieve those hard to get shots (Amazon)
- Smart Phone Gimbal; shoot incredibly steady footage using a gimbal specially designed for your smartphone. This setup is great for vlogging using your phone or filming on the go with a lot of motion (Amazon)
- Smartphone tripod; keep it steady and record piece to cameras or timelapse footage using a tripod for your phone (Amazon)
Some of the links are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I hope these tips inspire you to get out and experiment with some b-roll of your own. I can’t wait to see what you create!
Let me know what you’d like to learn about next, and I will see you there.