Do you want to start a YouTube channel? Maybe you already have one but feel like something’s missing or your videos just don’t look like it’s good quality. Then these series of posts will be for you. It’s primarily aimed at the beginner but even professionals can use a reminder or two.

For the next few posts, we’re going back to our roots and talking about video basics. This first one will be an overview of the basic ingredients you would need to make a professional quality video. Then later on, we’ll have specific posts talking more about each ingredient. Are you ready? Let’s dive right in!

Ingredient Number 1: Know your camera.

As a beginner, it can be confusing and frustrating if you have no clue how to make your videos look better. Sure, it’s easy to think all you need is the best camera in the market, but sometimes, that’s not necessarily right. Even an iPhone or quality smartphone can churn out quality videos if you know how to use them properly. So, spend some time tinkering with your camera or equipment. Experiment, research and find out what every button does.

Ingredient Number 2: Grab a tripod.

You might pride yourself for having steady hands but it’s still better to mount your camera on a tripod when you’re shooting. You can find a cheap but sturdy tripod to start. If you have no tripod and need to shoot then lean against a wall to keep you steady.

Ingredient Number 3: Think of the lighting.

This is fairly easy to overlook. Beginners often don’t notice much of the light when they start. But this is essential in order to create a video that looks professional. When shooting indoors, find a room where natural light can come in. You can also turn on your artificial lights to get as much even lighting as possible.

Ingredient Number 4: Pay attention to audio.

If you like doing voiceovers, plan on interviewing people or want to capture proper ambient audio, then it’s worth looking into an external microphone. You can hook this up to your camera to make sure you get the best audio quality as possible.

Ingredient Number 5: Always set your shot.

It’s easy to think that you can be spontaneous, point your camera anywhere and still have a good shot, but honestly this rarely works. Pay attention to where you’re pointing your camera and make sure to set up your shot.

That’s it for now, we’ll tackle each of the ingredients in the next few posts. So make sure to check those out.